Chapter 1 Perhaps

Perhaps it was because Tan Yao was about to revive, or perhaps the concentration of the Ice Sea Source Material was getting higher and higher. The climate of Sang Zhou Cave, an isolated island detached from the Southern Continent, was becoming increasingly harsh.

It had been raining heavily for a week.

Gu Xiaoman practiced her fist techniques in the courtyard. With the patient guidance of her three teachers, Bai Xiu, Chen Mei, and Chen Li, she began to calm down and cultivate her physical skills.

Practicing fists during the day.

At night, she cultivated the "Spring Breathing" with Gu Shen.

Jingzhe and Guyu, these two volumes of breathing techniques, were "god-level breathing techniques" that all extraordinary beings dreamed of. Looking at the Five Continents, there would be no gentler breathing methods more suitable for novices.

Gu Shen chose "Jingzhe" for Gu Xiaoman.

The practice of breathing techniques should be less rather than more. It is best to master one volume before opening the second.

In the past few days, Gu Xiaoman has shown everyone the cultivation talent of the "Child of the Divine Scroll."

Thanks to fighting and brawling in the streets since she was a child, her physical skills progressed quickly. She understood things easily and could infer three things from one.

In addition, she was favored by the "Wine Seed of Fire."

For the first time, she only spent about an hour in meditation, completing the comprehension of "Jingzhe," and officially began to temper her spiritual breathing... This speed was enough to break the record of the Tribunal!

…

…

The heavy rain poured down, cascading down the eaves.

Gu Shen, wearing a Tribunal black robe, sat under the eaves of the Church of Blazing Waves mansion, watching the "water curtain" in front of him.

He stretched out his palm.

The rain fell without making a "pa-ta" sound.

Because it was burned into steam on his palm—

"The eighth level of the Deep Sea Zone... is already complete."

Gu Shen murmured softly.

Before leaving for the south, he had accumulated enough Source Material in the Shrine Mountain, and the Blazing Fire could be used to convert the "Fire of Vitality" at any time.

Now, the speed of his extraordinary realm's increase has finally reached a bottleneck.

He closed his eyes and performed "spiritual" submersion.

At this moment, above the Pure Land world, it was as if a pair of divine eyes opened.

Gu Shen looked down at his "Pure Land."

Li Qingci and Tie Wu, leading many soul spirits, built ancient houses and flowerbeds. The "homeland" built around the Su Xuan Tree had completed a small part. Because his breathing technique remained in the "Great Cold" stage, the entire Pure Land world was frozen and silent. The growth of seedlings would be hindered by the season.

If he wanted to "enter life from death," he needed to overcome the Great Cold.

Push the breathing technique to Autumn—

Finally, the harvest of high summer!

With the completion of that flowerbed, Gu Shen could now feel the feedback of "extraordinary Source Material"... Although it was very little, this was a breakthrough from zero to one. In the future, as the Pure Land world became larger and the number of soul spirits increased, more "Source Material" would be born here.

"Gu Shen."

A clear, cold female voice sounded above the Sea of Consciousness.

Gu Shen's consciousness came to the frozen wilderness, where he saw a familiar figure of a red-armored woman.

"The unified combat work in the northern urban area of Sang Zhou Cave has been completed. The outer hunt is about to begin. Team Leader Lu and I will be visiting Nan Zhou Cave soon."

The visitor was none other than Mu Wanqiu.

As an Apostle, especially the "Crown Bearer" appointed by Gu Shen, she obtained a wisp of authority bestowed by the Netherfire. Entering the "Pure Land" was just a thought away... Of course, she did not have control over this divine domain.

In the Pure Land, Gu Shen prepared a "reception area" for Mu Wanqiu.

All extraordinary beings who had received the Netherfire gift and lived in the real world could enter the reception area through their authority.

This wilderness was not yet covered by the "Great Cold." The golden wind, exuding the fragrance of wheat ears, flowed in the air. Jin Sui Hua would also come to this reception area when reporting "Old World Intelligence" and uploading maps.

"The two of you are coming together?"

Gu Shen smiled and said, "It's not impossible, but before you act, be sure to beware of Guang Ming Bi Lei and Source Tower playing some disgusting little tricks..."

"It won't take too long."

Mu Wanqiu said, "Team Leader Lu sensed the abnormality of Tan Yao and is checking the situation of that volcano along the way... I'm coming to Nan Zhou Cave to deliver the sixth-order Source Armor and will return."

During the last Frozen Lake mission, Gu Shen damaged the sixth-order Source Armor by resisting the Little Child's explosion.

Bei Zhou promised to help repair it.

This time, they took advantage of the Southern mission to deliver the repaired Source Armor.

"It seems unnecessary to communicate through the Netherfire..."

Gu Shen said thoughtfully, "Do you have other matters?"

"Yes."

Mu Wanqiu's personality was straightforward. She didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "The night before the A-level beast tide in Dong Zhou Cave, that parade in the E0 district... was it related to you?"

Gu Shen smiled.

As expected of the Apostle he had chosen.

Gu Shen didn't tell Mu Wanqiu about going to the Source Tower's territory to intercept people that night. Although she was an ally he could absolutely trust... but this matter was unrelated to Bei Zhou, so it was better not to complicate the situation.

Therefore, Gu Shen didn't tell Mu Wanqiu about the news of the Child of the Divine Scroll.

However, he did say one thing.

There were non-believing "Neutrals" in Sang Zhou Cave. If these people were found in the northern urban area, do not clean them up, do not kill them... In the future, this would be a very important force that he had a way to control.

"It was indeed me."

Gu Shen smiled faintly and said, "Why? Is Team Leader Lu interested in this incident?"

"Zhu Que found Team Leader Lu through the 'Meeting Room.'"

Mu Wanqiu said, "He hopes to form a temporary alliance with Team Leader Lu in his personal capacity... He believes that the turmoil in the E0 district was caused by Guang Ming Bi Lei's hidden chess pieces, and the 'believers' of Su Ye and Jia Wei may have infiltrated every corner of the Four Continents, including Bei Zhou."

Gu Shen narrowed his eyes. This was an operation he hadn't expected.

Zhu Que would actually look for Bei Zhou... Did he not know that Bei Zhou was his ally?

"In fact, he didn't intend to 'ally' at all."

Mu Wanqiu said faintly, "Mr. Wild Dog almost smashed his head open at the Sang Zhou Cave Research Base... The reason for that 'spiritual meeting' was probably to plant the seed that Guang Ming Bi Lei had hidden chess pieces."

Gu Shen nodded.

That's right... This was the reasonable explanation.

Zhu Que was easily angered, but he wasn't an idiot. He found Lu Zhe through the meeting room... The reason was simple. This southern mission was currently being led by fourth-order extraordinary beings. Before higher combat power appeared, the strongest known forces on the island were the fourth-order invincible "Lu Zhe" and "Jia Wei"!

If he wanted to deal with Guang Ming Bi Lei, he had to deal with Jia Wei.

Looking around.

Only Bei Zhou had this strength—

"In fact, he is right. Since Li Bing can be found, other Guang Ming Bi Lei 'hidden chess pieces' can certainly be found." Mu Wanqiu said, "Mr. Wild Dog is investigating internally. If the parade turmoil in the E0 district was caused by Guang Ming Bi Lei, then Bei Zhou may also encounter a similar surprise attack."

After a pause.

Mu Wanqiu said, "I just remembered the 'Neutrals' you mentioned earlier..."

Gu Shen understood why Mu Wanqiu had come to him.

"That parade had nothing to do with Guang Ming Bi Lei. I led it."

Gu Shen said in a deep voice, "The reason why I was willing to give up the territory and choose Nan Zhou Cave was because this is the base camp of the 'Neutrals.' Now, the 'Neutral' forces in the depths of Sang Zhou Cave have begun to approach the S12 district... I am gradually shrinking my strength, and there will be more 'parades' in the future."

"Since that's the case, I'm relieved."

Mu Wanqiu suddenly asked in confusion, "But what is the purpose of your planning this unrest?"

Was it to allow the beast tide to crush the high walls of Dong Zhou Cave?

At the last moment... the Space Domain barrier was successfully restored!

"For... her."

Gu Shen waved his sleeves in the wilderness, and a holographic three-dimensional image of Gu Xiaoman appeared in the wheat ears. He used his spiritual power to carve out this illusion. To Mu Wanqiu, this was a completely unfamiliar person.

"She is...?"

"Her name is Gu Xiaoman."

Gu Shen smiled gently, "The four envoys of Source Tower came south this time, in fact, it was for..."

It took some effort.

Gu Shen explained the ins and outs of the matter clearly.

For his Crown Bearer, there was naturally no need to hide this information.

After Mu Wanqiu listened carefully, the look in her eyes towards Gu Xiaoman's virtual image also became gentler.

"So that's how it is. I was wondering why she had the surname Gu..."

In this abandoned land of Sang Zhou Cave, the vast majority of people had foreign surnames from the Southern Continent. When she first heard this name, she felt strange.

"As expected of the future King of the Underworld."

Mu Wanqiu said again, "However... the power of the Netherfire and the aura of light are two completely different existences. You fought Zhu Que and were one realm lower than him. How did you hide it from him?"

She rarely praised people.

Gu Shen smiled, "The answer is simple. Didn't you just say it? I am the future King of the Underworld, and he... is just an envoy under the Sky."

"Zhu Que is very angry."

Mu Wanqiu recalled the previous scene and murmured, "He should have received a great punishment from within the Source Tower..."

She smiled and said, "However, these angers will be handed over to Su Ye next. If Zhu Que has any more information, I will contact you through the Netherfire at any time."

After ending this Netherfire transmission.

Gu Shen's consciousness returned to the real world, and the rain in the small courtyard subsided slightly.

When he first came to Sang Zhou Cave, the surrounding extraordinary beings had a rather tense atmosphere. Now, as the conquest of these urban areas settled down, the extremists and remnants of the Storm's faith were eradicated... this isolated island gradually became peaceful.

But in fact, these were all illusions.

The bell of E0 district had already rung once.

The bell sound would die out, but the bell body remained. Next time, someone would ring the bell again.

Just like the heavy rain at this moment.

Successive heavy rains could extinguish wildfires for several days.

But if the day of burning really came, no matter how heavy the rain fell, it could not be stopped.

"I need to break through the eighth level as soon as possible..."

Gu Shen clenched the Blazing Fire in his palm.

As a Transcendent of the Third Realm... each subsequent breakthrough would bring a significant increase in his Sea of Consciousness.

Gu Shen urgently needed this breakthrough.

Now, his strength was not enough to confront the Four Divine Envoys head-on, but once he broke through, it would be different!

This time, he would probably have a Sea of Consciousness on the same scale as Zhong Yuan and Fischer... the Fire of Vitality would reach the highest achievement of the Domain Embryo, only one step away from external release.

Combined with the Pure Land, he could simulate the combat effect of "two Domains," and they would complement each other!

This was definitely top-tier fourth-order level.

It was a pity that the previous battle with Envoy Zhu Que in the northern ridge of Dong Zhou Cave was not enjoyable.

Although breaking through was a "long-term" hard work, high-quality battles between top-tier levels were very beneficial to Gu Shen. He could better feel the subtle functions of his own extraordinary Domain.

For extraordinary beings, walking between life and death... was the best way to pursue a breakthrough to the limit!

"The outer hunt is about to begin... Perhaps that is a good opportunity for a breakthrough..."

These few days of calm had not brought peace to Gu Shen's heart.

He always felt that something was wrong.

He took out the Aegis of the Goddess of Fate. This destiny artifact, which led directly to life and death, still gave the same strange answer as before.

"Do not go."

"Do not go."

"Do not go."

It started from the time of the beast tide attack.

No matter where he was, no matter where he was going, the guidance given by the pendant was consistent.

The drizzle from the eaves formed a continuous line.

Gu Shen sank into the rattan chair, quietly watched the shimmering pendant, and began a long period of contemplation.

It was a fortune to receive guidance from fate.

If he wanted to get closer to the "answer"—

He needed to understand it himself.

…

…

That night, two powerful garrison members from Bei Zhou Cave left the urban area and headed south through the rain.

Lu Zhe stopped in the Tan Yao volcano area.

Mu Wanqiu rushed to the S12 district.

The merger of Central City and Changye was a foregone conclusion... Source Tower and Guang Ming Bi Lei were not surprised by this southern trip, but they were surprised that Mu Wanqiu only stayed in the S12 district for half an hour before leaving in a hurry.

They did not know what Mu Wanqiu had come to the S12 district to do—

What could she do in half an hour?

What needed to be discussed had already been discussed in the Netherfire. Xiao Qiu sent Gu Shen the "fully repaired" sixth-order Source Armor and left in a hurry.

In addition, she also prepared a special gift... During the conversation in the Netherfire Authority, she learned of the existence of the Child of the Divine Scroll, Gu Xiaoman, so she specially sought a precious "fifth-order Source Armor" from the reserve storage of the Investigation Corps.

This was a gift that only young leaders of Changye could get during the Frozen Lake mission!

Gu Xiaoman liked this heroic and beautiful sister very much and couldn't put down this Source Armor...

The Bei Zhou exoskeleton armor did not have an age limit. Although it was often used by tall adult extraordinary beings, there were also some still-young teenagers in the corps.

In addition.

There were also captain-level powerhouses like Zhong Yuan who were relatively short.

The new generation of exoskeleton armor developed by the underground research institute had strong tensile ductility... It was unknown what material was used, but the thin layer could not be penetrated by ordinary single-shot red silver bullets.

After Gu Xiaoman put on the fifth-order Source Armor, her whole spirit became more excited. She practiced even harder against the iron training dummy, and her punches had a lot more strength.

Mu Wanqiu came all the way to deliver a set of Source Armor.

Chen Li looked at it with envy.

Who would dare to say that this little girl had a bad background in the future?

Fifth-order Source Armor, Thunderclap Hand Beads, Hundred-Blast Finger Tiger, Soul-Protecting Bell...

These did not even include what Gu Shen had given her—

Just these alone meant that this little girl's sealed items were even more abundant than his own! Looking at Changye, there were only a handful of extraordinary beings with so many treasures. Even his master was probably not as good as Gu Xiaoman...

Child of the Divine Scroll, Child of the Divine Scroll... Was this the Divine Scroll?