Chapter 112 Shattered

"Whirr..."

Countless panes of glass shattered.

Arcs of light refracted as shards rained down from the dome of the dojo.

A strand of clear, bright firelight flickered amidst the reflections of countless broken pieces of glass, freezing in place!

Gu Shen frowned...

This was his duel with Shen Li!

Halfway through the fight, just as he was about to win, someone intervened. What was that all about?

What's more… he knew what the billowing robe falling from afar signified.

The embroidered shoulder insignia on that robe symbolized the mantle of a Judge of the Prison Ward!

Shen Li, his mind in disarray and unable to continue fighting, watched the figure blocking his path, his eyes gradually clearing.

Only now did he realize what he had done. With difficulty, he spoke, addressing the figure.

"Teacher…"

This man was… the Fourth Judge of the Prison Ward!

This person, who should never have appeared at today's duel, had ultimately made an exception and intervened!

Gu Shen's Fiery Blaze was held in the palm of the Fourth Judge.

Judging by his appearance, the Judge didn't seem old. His skin was taut, and his features were chiseled, but he had a full head of white hair draped over his back, giving him an otherworldly air.

He didn't harm the Fiery Blaze, merely cupped it gently before releasing his hand, as if freeing an insect.

Maintaining his vigilance, Gu Shen narrowed his eyes and beckoned, gathering the scattered wisps of Fiery Blaze back into place.

The Fourth Judge said softly, "Gu Shen… you've won. Let's end it here."

Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched from within the dojo. The moment he intervened, it was tantamount to declaring the end of the duel.

Out of concern for protecting his beloved disciple… he had ultimately chosen to step forward.

After that wisp of Fiery Blaze entered Shen Li's brow, there would be no time to stop Gu Shen from doing whatever he wanted.

Even though his victory had been acknowledged…

Gu Shen still found it somewhat ironic… This Judge had never shown his face, but in reality, he had been watching the duel in the dojo all along. If he had been the one on the losing side, would he have appeared?

Of course not.

Chu Jue and Zou He rushed to the stage to support their junior brother.

The Eater of Iron had withdrawn from its Gluttony state. Shen Li's face was pale, and the surrounding stray iron elements were still in disarray. He only possessed the power to absorb and devour, not the ability to restore them to their original positions.

The smell of rust permeated the entire dojo, extremely pungent.

“…I lost?”

Even now, Shen Li was unable to accept the fact that he had been defeated.

Now that he had regained his composure, Gu Shen didn't seem like his opponent at all!

"No… I'm not convinced…"

Shen Li suddenly raised his head, shaking off the two people who were supporting him, and stared intently at Gu Shen, saying, "I want to fight you again!"

His two senior brothers were somewhat embarrassed.

The Fourth Judge frowned deeply.

Seeing this, Gu Shen almost couldn't help but laugh.

He shook his head and said softly and calmly, "You've already been defeated… What's the point of fighting?"

"You…"

Shen Li recalled the strangeness of his Eater of Iron when it touched Gu Shen. The power that should have crushed his opponent was instantly suppressed… That guy seemed to possess a strange power that he couldn't comprehend.

He could control the iron element more exquisitely than himself!

Could it be the power of that Fiery Blaze?

Or… was it the sealed object hidden deep within him?

"You're afraid?" Shen Li gritted his teeth. "If you truly deserve to be an S-rank, then fight me again… A fair and square fight!"

Childish.

Foolish.

Gu Shen looked at Shen Li, who was about the same age as him, only a few years older, and shook his head in disappointment.

"You say fight, then fight; you say don't fight, then don't fight… Do you think this is your home?" Gu Shen said softly, "Brother Shen, if you lose, you lose. You have to be able to accept it."

The white-haired Judge frowned.

Without seeing him say anything, he simply flicked his finger lightly within his sleeve.

Shen Li, who was still feeling angry, wanted to continue saying something, but his mouth was out of his control and suddenly closed… Veins bulged on Shen Li's forehead, but he couldn't utter a single word.

If you want to shut someone up, this is the simplest and most direct way!

"Actually… it's not impossible to fight again."

Gu Shen suddenly smiled again and said gently, "If you want another fight, I'm happy to accompany you. But this fight should have some stakes, right? After all, everyone's time is precious."

Chu Jue frowned and said in a low voice, "Gu Shen… what do you mean?!"

Gu Shen ignored this guy.

He looked meaningfully at the Fourth Judge and said sincerely, "Judge, I've come all the way from the capital to Changye because I want to see the famous Gu Yu Scroll."

In Changye, Gu Changzhi left behind the Jingzhe and Gu Yu scrolls, collectively known as the "Breath of Spring!"

There were no rubbings that could be taken away!

If you want to study these two breathing techniques, you can only come to Changye. There's no other choice… The Jingzhe Scroll is in the Tribunal, and the Gu Yu Scroll is in the Prison Ward. The only way to collect the complete "Breath of Spring" is to complete the study of both scrolls within the two institutions!

As everyone knows…

Whether it's Jingzhe or Gu Yu, taking out any single scroll… it's a top-tier breathing technique!

In the path of transcendence, it is important to avoid being greedy and biting off more than you can chew… Being able to cultivate one of them to the point of mastery is already a considerable opportunity!

Therefore, the "viewing threshold" for these two breathing techniques within the two institutions is set quite strictly. Transcendents who can study the breathing techniques are often those who have "famous teachers" to instruct them and have "remarkable talent."

In fact, the review committee will regard the study time of these two scrolls as an important standard for evaluating talent.

In front of hundreds of people…

Gu Shen directly stated his intention to study the Gu Yu Scroll.

These words… caused a burst of uproar and debate.

"Isn't this S-rank already cultivating the Jingzhe?"

"A Transcendent from the Tribunal… wants to borrow the Prison Ward's permission to view the Gu Yu Scroll?"

"He just beat up the Fourth Judge's disciple!"

Gu Shen heard these fragmented voices.

He remained calm and said slowly, "I can compete with Shen Li again, but there's a condition… If I win this battle, I hope to be able to study the Gu Yu Scroll of the Prison Ward!"

Was he betting?

Was Gu Shen trying to bet with Shen Li again?!

"There's no need."

Unexpectedly… in just one second, the Fourth Judge responded.

The white-haired man shook his head and said woodenly, "There's no need for a second match. You've already won. There's no need to waste your effort… Young man, you won't have the chance to see the Gu Yu Scroll."

Gu Shen was stunned.

"How long have you been on the path of transcendence? And you already want to practice two breathing techniques… Since you're an S-rank, then you should understand what humility and restraint are, instead of being a sensationalist." The Fourth Judge said calmly, "The Prison Ward will not give someone like you the opportunity to study the Gu Yu Scroll."

"He seems to think you're mocking him." Chu Ling found it a little funny.

Gu Shen felt a little helpless.

Yes… If anyone else heard this, they would probably have the same thought.

A newcomer who has been practicing for less than half a year…

How long has he been studying the Jingzhe Scroll?

And now he wants to come to the Prison Ward to study the Gu Yu Scroll?

"Sensationalizing…"

Gu Shen sighed softly.

He didn't back down an inch and retorted, "Judge, you really have a good plan."

"This Senior Brother Chu of yours… led a group of newcomers to challenge us, stirring up trouble and forcing us to write a challenge letter, that's all. Shen Li made an appointment in front of hundreds of people, and after being defeated, he went back on his word… If I don't accept this second match, it will be spread that I avoided the battle."

"It seems that you've taken both the good and bad sides of the argument."

Gu Shen's words were full of smiles, but they were also heart-wrenching.

"Judge… if you want to talk about sensationalizing, it seems that you're the ones who are doing it."

After listening to Gu Shen's words, the expression on the Fourth Judge's face became extremely ugly.

Zou He, who was standing respectfully to the side, used his mental power to convey the cause and course of the matter… The white-haired man glanced at Chu Jue, his eyes very cold.

Idiot!

He was played by Han Dang into this embarrassing situation.

Chu Jue didn't dare to raise his head anymore, and tucked his tail between his legs… His heart was filled with resentment and regret.

However, an even more ironic thing happened…

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the dojo, and a dozen or so strong and high-spirited men in uniforms came into the dojo.

"Make way… the Federal Security Committee!"

They showed their credentials and went straight to the stage.

Shen Li's face changed drastically.

When these people announced their arrival… he vaguely felt ominous.

"Shen Li, you are suspected of endangering federal public safety and escaping the Committee's supervision without permission… You are now being detained under Article 114 of the Eastern Continent Federal Law."

Before they arrived, their voices arrived first.

Shen Li looked at his teacher for help.

"Everyone… wait!"

The Fourth Judge quickly spoke. He was responsible for Shen Li's supervision. This time, he released his authority with the intention of taking a chance. In principle, these guys shouldn't have acted so quickly!

However, the enforcers of the Federal Security Committee completely ignored his existence.

"Judge, forgive me for speaking frankly… Your actions have also violated the Supervisor Regulations."

The leader of the group of the Federal Security Committee interrupted the Fourth Judge's words with a blank expression.

He glanced around the dojo and said, "It's hard to imagine that you would let your disciples, who are at risk of losing control, do such a thing. This is a ridiculously foolish act of sensationalism… It seems that the Committee will have to reconsider whether you are qualified to be a qualified supervisor."

The Fourth Judge was stunned.

The leader of the Security Committee group raised his hand and said, “…Take him away!”

Not giving him any face!

In front of hundreds of Transcendent, the Federal Security Committee directly detained Shen Li and took him out of the dojo!

The Fourth Judge's face twitched slightly.

He pretended to be calm and ignored it… But in reality, the eyes of the entire dojo were focused on him alone. This huge pressure came like a mountain, and he felt a burning sensation on his face.

Gu Shen was a little surprised and asked in a low voice, "The Federal Security Committee is here… Did you report it?"

"I did report it, but I reported it based on the fact that I noticed something abnormal in the confinement project monitoring Shen Li. Normally, there are still two procedures to follow: self-inspection and notification… They shouldn't have come so quickly." Chu Ling was also a little confused.

Chu Ling's report still needs to be checked by the program.

Could it be that this group of people from the Federal Security Committee… were called by someone else?

Gu Shen subconsciously cast his gaze in a certain direction in the dojo.

Luo Fatty, who was locked in the corner, was one of the very few spectators who didn't watch this "wonderful show." He shrank his body and didn't watch the Federal Security Committee's decisive arrest, and seemed to be having a hidden phone call with someone…

Luo Fatty also noticed someone's gaze… He glanced slightly, but met Gu Shen's gaze, and also met Gu Nanfeng's gaze.

He coughed twice in a low voice and hung up the phone in a hurry.

"Young Master…"

"Who are you talking to?" Gu Nanfeng asked seemingly casually, "You're chatting very happily… You don't care about the good show here."

"An old friend." Luo Yu grinned and didn't hide it. “…Someone from the Federal Security Committee, we were just catching up.”

Gu Nanfeng lowered his eyes and already understood. He laughed dumbly and said, "You're really thoughtful, when did you call them?"

Luo Yu scratched his head and said, "I just thought about it when we set off. Knowing that Gu Shen was going to fight Shen Li… I suddenly thought of a case file that I saw not long ago…"

Due to the nature of his work at the Command Center, he usually comes into contact with a large number of case files.

The mission where Shen Li failed to contain something actually had a certain impact on the commander, who was one of the people involved. The containment mission was originally very smooth, but a Eater of Iron who was even more difficult to control than the one who lost control appeared.

"Could this also be Old Master's intention?" Gu Nanfeng asked again.

"No, no…" Luo Fatty quickly denied it and said with a chuckle, "This time it was really my own idea. Actually, this is a reluctant stopgap measure… Little Gu is incredibly strong. I thought he wouldn't be able to win, but I didn't expect that by the time the Security Committee arrived, Shen Li had already been defeated."

Gu Nanfeng gave Luo Fatty a meaningful look.

This guy really had a clever mind that didn't match his appearance.

If this fight had been a normal one, if Gu Shen had been at a disadvantage, the Federal Security Committee would have arrived, read out the "legal terms", and Shen Li would definitely have been taken away… This duel would have been stopped.

Most importantly, Shen Li was a dangerous character who was "close to losing control!"

Even if Gu Shen hadn't won the duel, the negative impact would have been minimized.

And now… Shen Li broke through before the fight, and the Eater of Iron was also in a state of Gluttony, but he still lost to Gu Shen. After the Security Committee arrived at the scene and read out the legal terms, this was a fair and square victory!

Everyone in the dojo looked at each other.

The leading figures were already preparing to leave… Outside the dojo, there was another commotion.

"The Great Judge has arrived!"

Bai Chen and the others, who had already gotten up, sat back down after hearing this.

They looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

Today's duel… had indeed attracted the attention of all of Changye, but in any case, top figures like the heads of the three institutions shouldn't have been present.

No one expected that today's duel… would even alarm the Great Judge!