Chapter 1 Red Lake

The surface of Red Lake was shrouded in mist.

A small boat slowly sailed out from the fog.

A stalwart figure clad in steel armor sat cross-legged at the heart of the lake.

"If you have something to say, you can just send a mental message..."

Jia Wei opened his eyes and looked at the small boat entering the heart of the lake. He said in a gentle tone, "Why come in person?"

"Grand Inquisitor."

Yao Jin poled the boat, smiling softly, "I wanted to try... to see if I could reach the 'heart of the lake' while punting."

The Guang Ming (Light) aura here was incredibly rich. The so-called mist was actually a manifestation of Source.

The entire Guang Ming City was built around Red Lake.

This was enough to show the greatness and profound blessing of this place.

Advancing within Red Lake was not an easy task. Rather than saying Guang Ming City was a miracle, it would be better to say that this boundless Red Lake was the true miracle. The Light God Seat practiced deep within the depths of Red Lake. The power of the Fire Seed permeated the lake's surface. Every transcendent who could step onto Red Lake was one who had been recognized by "Light."

The deeper one went, the more it showed their affinity with the "Light aura."

Those with evil or distracting thoughts in their hearts found it difficult to proceed.

Those whose spirits were not pure or focused enough found it difficult to proceed.

The rules and restrictions made it so outsiders could often only take a tour by boat. Even so, approaching the heart of the lake still created powerful resistance... This resistance did not come from the outside, but from within.

If the mind was not strong enough.

Then one could not cross the heart of the lake and enter its depths.

These layers of mist varied from person to person. Some people were born with keen senses, and would not be disturbed by the mist.

Jia Wei looked at the young man on the small boat, and slowly asked, "What you see now... is it still a great fog?"

"The fog... is even thicker."

Yao Jin did not hide anything. He smiled and said, "Perhaps it is that the God Seat also detests the filth I am tainted with? I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to enter the depths of Red Lake."

Jia Wei's gaze hidden beneath his armor was somewhat complicated.

Looking at Guang Ming City, there was no one more suitable than Yao Jin to guard the Secret Prison.

Yao Jin was decisive, sharp, and ruthless enough in his actions!

It was just that...

Sometimes Jia Wei couldn't tell whether the things Yao Jin was doing were right.

The person who cultivated Yao Jin was not him.

But the Great Elder of the Temple.

After he was promoted to Grand Inquisitor, he no longer inquired about the affairs of the Secret Prison. He spent his days in Red Lake comprehending the Dao and meditating, and the whole world became much quieter.

"What is it that you seek from me?"

Jia Wei said softly.

"There is indeed something."

Yao Jin briefly recounted the events that had occurred outside in the past few days.

Jia Wei listened patiently.

After listening, he smiled and asked, "So... you want to use my hand to eliminate Gu Nanfeng?"

"Sir, how dare I use you as a pawn?"

Yao Jin said respectfully, "I want to find the other person who is conspiring with Gu Nanfeng."

He knew that Jia Wei was not interested in the struggles between the noble families outside.

Jia Wei said indifferently, "Another conspirator? You think Gu Nanfeng might not have come to break into the Secret Prison alone?"

"That's right."

Yao Jin said seriously, "I am very certain that the number of titled experts sent by Dongzhou to Guang Ming City is more than just Gu Nanfeng."

"There are only so many titled experts in the Five Continents."

Jia Wei frowned, "Where would Dongzhou get another titled expert from? If there really was one, how could the Temple not know?"

The heart of Red Lake was silent for a moment.

Yao Jin said softly, "That is true, but what if... that person came from under the command of the Underworld Lord?"

These two words.

Caused many ripples to instantly appear on the calm surface of the lake.

Jia Wei's state of mind was disturbed.

This Grand Inquisitor breathed out and said coldly, "Under the command of the Underworld Lord?"

He remembered very clearly... that stab in the Ku of Sangzhou all those years ago!

With that spear, he pierced Gu Shen's body, heavily slamming him into the erupting Tanyao Volcano!

Since that stab, the ominous dream with the Light guidance had never happened again. He had suspected countless times that Gu Shen was the "Underworld Lord" Meng Xiao was looking for, but there was no evidence. However, after the sinking of Sangzhou Ku, Jia Wei no longer needed evidence. In his heart, Gu Shen had already been equated with the Underworld Lord.

He had received such great divine favor.

Which could also be considered indirect proof of this guess.

But now, hearing these two words again, Jia Wei's mind was somewhat disturbed for a time.

"It's just a guess."

Yao Jin said, word by word, "But it is by no means a wild guess. That person is hidden in Guang Ming City. I have sent people to investigate, and I am close to turning the entire city upside down, but there are still no results. It can be seen that this person's methods are superb... Such a person cannot be cultivated by relying on the power of the Five Great Families alone."

After hearing this, Jia Wei's calm eyes already possessed a piercing killing intent.

He asked, "When will Gu Nanfeng raid the prison?"

"Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow... or perhaps, he will continue to wait for an opportunity."

When Yao Jin sensed the piercing killing intent, he smiled. He knew that his mission to persuade Jia Wei to come to the heart of the lake had been completed.

Yao Jin was very clear about Grand Inquisitor Jia Wei's methods.

Once he was determined to do something.

Then no one could stop him.

"Sir, you don't need to go out these days. It's best to cultivate in the center of this Red Lake, so that the more people see it, the greater the probability that Gu Nanfeng and his mysterious colleague will take action."

Yao Jin said solemnly, "If you leave Red Lake, it's hard to say."

If Gu Nanfeng wanted to save Meng Xizhou again, he would have to see the possibility of "success."

The reason he came to Red Lake this time was to inform Jia Wei of the layout of the "prison raid" and to stabilize this Grand Inquisitor!

In Yao Jin's heart, as long as he could persuade the Grand Inquisitor to take action, this matter would already be accomplished.

Gu Nanfeng was strong.

But how strong could he be... could he be stronger than Grand Inquisitor Jia Wei?

As early as the fourth rank, Jia Wei was already able to fight titled experts head-on!

Now that he had been promoted again, there were no enemies left in Xizhou.

Even the Great Elder of the Temple personally admitted that he had no chance of winning in a one-on-one duel with Jia Wei.

This place was Guang Ming City, and with the blessing of the Guang Ming Bi Lei (Bright Light Barrier), Yao Jin couldn't imagine what Gu Nanfeng would use to fight the Grand Inquisitor... As for the [Lán Qiē], which was known for its extreme speed, he had long heard that the [Guang Ming Bi Lei] was specially designed to restrain this kind of strong attack that was good at speed. No matter how strong Gu Nanfeng's domain was, he would only have the chance to escape.

But entering the complex environment of the Secret Prison, with Grand Inquisitor Jia Wei blocking the exit.

Gu Nanfeng would definitely lose.

This was the last gamble Yao Jin wanted to make.

Beneath the light, there was still a dark dungeon hidden.

He was betting that Gu Nanfeng would raid the prison, and he was also betting that the so-called "mastermind" would act together.

……

……

"Young Master, raiding the prison is no child's play."

Luo Yu's forehead was covered with sweat. He stood in front of Gu Nanfeng, not letting him take half a step forward, while earnestly persuading him, "I know that you and Miss Meng are in love with each other, and this matter must be done... but how to raid the prison needs to be carefully planned."

"..."

Gu Nanfeng looked at Luo Yu with a strange expression.

The words that Fatty Luo had been repeating over and over again.

Now, he finally had a gap to speak.

"I just want to retrieve that pot of tea. It's almost cold after talking so much with Yao Jin."

Gu Nanfeng smiled helplessly and asked, "Are you so anxious because you're worried that I'm going to take action now?"

Luo Yu was stunned.

Gu Nanfeng said unhappily, "You've followed me for so long, don't you understand me? Am I such a reckless person?"

"Of course not..."

Luo Yu wiped his cold sweat and quickly explained, "But after all, that Miss Meng has an unusual relationship with you, and this matter is different from the past."

"If I want to save someone, I can't get myself involved."

Gu Nanfeng said lightly, "No matter how anxious I am, I wouldn't be so careless as to break into the Secret Prison."

"That's good, that's good..."

Fatty Luo smiled and said, "I will carefully calculate the manpower that the Gu family can use in Guang Ming City, and then transfer some more from the nearby area in the next few days."

Gu Nanfeng raised his eyebrows, "What are you doing?"

"Raiding the prison is a big deal..." Luo Yu said sternly, "How can we let you go alone? Everyone in the Gu family is willing to go through fire and water for the Young Master!"

"Idiot!"

Gu Nanfeng took a sip of tea and said coldly, "Do you think this is Changye? The Temple has been staring at the 'Gu family' for a long time. The more people you find, the bigger the commotion, the worse my situation will be. They can't keep an eye on me alone, but they can't keep an eye on a group of you?"

"Young Master..."

Luo Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Why don't I go and try the Secret Prison for you first?"

Gu Nanfeng sighed softly.

He knew that Luo Yu cared about him.

When you care, you get confused, that's the way it is... When things really happen, it's this fatty who loses his mind instead.

"The prison raid is destined to be carried out by me alone. Everyone else will only be a burden."

Gu Nanfeng looked at Luo Yu and said, "As for trying the Secret Prison first, it's even worse. If you are caught, what should I use to redeem you? If you go, the Temple will have one more card."

"I..."

Luo Yu was speechless.

Zhong Fan, who had been silent all along, spoke at this moment.

He said in a small voice, "Young Master Gu, I know that this prison raid is a major event... We may not be able to help. But there is one person who may be able to help you?"

The guard of the Secret Prison was Jia Wei!

This level of guard was too strong. The so-called fourth rank experts would only be courting death!

Even Gu Nanfeng was not sure of retreating unscathed.

But in Zhong Fan's heart, there was one person... who could definitely help with this matter, and in a decisive way!

"You want to talk about... that Oni (demon)?"

Before Gu Nanfeng could speak, Luo Yu spoke first.

Being able to fight two titled experts in the [Bing Hai Yi Ji (Ice Sea Relic)]... even among the titled experts, this person was definitely a powerhouse!

"That's right."

Zhong Fan nodded and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Gu, if you think you need help with the prison raid... you might as well contact that 'Oni'. If he can help, it might be much easier."

"If that 'Oni' is really as powerful as you say, it's worth considering, but how do we contact him?"

Luo Yu frowned and said, "According to you, he is elusive and doesn't leave any traces... Even [Wu Tuo], who was closely guarded by the Temple, was killed without any hesitation. This level of powerhouse has made up his mind not to reveal his identity to the outside world. How can we find him?"

"I don't want to contact him."

At this moment, Gu Nanfeng spoke.

His words caught Luo Yu and Zhong Fan off guard.

"Young Master Gu?"

Zhong Fan couldn't understand. He asked in confusion, "Why don't you want to contact him? The actions in the Bing Hai Yi Ji (Ice Sea Relic) and the killing of Wu Tuo are enough to prove his position. He must be on Dongzhou's side."

"I think... since he is hiding his identity, he must have his own considerations."

Gu Nanfeng shook his head and said calmly, "Yao Jin's layout the night before was clearly aimed at him. This time, entering the mansion is no exception. It's just that he wants to use my hand to find out the person they are really afraid of. No matter what the identity of that Oni is, coming to Xizhou must not be for the purpose of rescuing the Secret Prison. This matter has nothing to do with him, and there is no need to drag him into this mess."

"Dongzhou has finally buried such a hidden piece. I don't want my private affairs to damage the overall situation."

As soon as these words came out, Luo Yu and Zhong Fan could no longer refute them.

From the perspective of the overall situation.

Contacting the "Oni" was indeed inappropriate.

It was just that the two looked at each other, both unwilling to give up, and wanted to persuade him a little more.

"How to save Meng Xizhou is my business."

Gu Nanfeng said, "I know that you two are doing it out of good intentions. As for contacting the 'Oni'... don't mention it again."