Chapter 1 The Misty Border

The border of Dongku was shrouded in a thick fog.

Rain fell from the sky like a curtain, and the dust spewing from the Mount Tanyao Pass was so dense that it could not dissipate.

A figure in white, leading Gu Xiaoman in black, walked through the rain and gray fog.

Gu Xiaoman was unnaturally calm and sensible for a child her age.

She couldn't see the outside world clearly.

All that met her eyes was gray and dark, devoid of light.

"Almost there."

Bai Xiu's voice was a little hoarse.

He knew what the girl was thinking.

He could guess Gu Xiaoman's thoughts, and he could empathize.

But the words of comfort, upon reaching his lips, were difficult to utter... In such times, words of comfort seemed utterly hypocritical.

So Bai Xiu simply said nothing along the way, only walking in silence.

"Thank you..."

Unexpectedly, Xiaoman suddenly spoke.

"Thank me?" Bai Xiu was taken aback.

"Bai Xiu Shifu, thank you for the thunder pearl and those teachings."

The girl in black raised her wrist, brandishing the sealed treasure pearl containing orthodox thunder power, and then revealed a bright, innocent smile: "Although you don't like to talk, I know you sincerely care about me."

"..."

Bai Xiu's eyes flickered with shame and guilt.

"Then,"

Gu Xiaoman took a deep breath, her gradually diminishing voice trembling, "Bai Xiu Shifu, will we have a chance to meet again?"

"...Of course."

Bai Xiu forced a smile, squatting down and reaching out his hand.

But his palm hovered over Gu Xiaoman's head, hesitating for a long time before stopping.

His voice was bitter as he said, "It's just that it might be a long time."

The two stared at each other for several seconds.

"Sorry, I'm a few minutes late."

Until a deep voice rang out beyond the fog—

As the sound spread, a shadowy figure cloaked in a cloak gradually appeared in the distance, the Hong Long looking relaxed, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword, appearing as promised.

This time, he had restrained all the killing intent within him, and no longer appeared so dignified and sharp.

Seeing the scene before him, Hong Long raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "It seems I've come at a bad time. You go on, I'll come back after you're done chatting."

"...No need."

Bai Xiu lowered his eyes and whispered softly, the hand hovering in the air finally not falling, he stood up and calmly said, "You carefully chose this place, didn't you? The mountain ash can temporarily shield the authority of the Yun Jing. If you want to take someone away, do it now, lest the Yun Jing catch something... I'm not good with words, and I can't say anything more."

He released Gu Xiaoman's hand.

"Go."

The girl in black looked blankly at Bai Xiu, and subconsciously walked towards where Hong Long was.

The clouds and mist swirled, blurring her vision.

Bai Xiu quietly watched Gu Xiaoman walk towards Hong Long, his mind in a daze—

After a few steps, the girl stopped.

Gu Xiaoman suddenly turned her head and asked seriously, "Bai Xiu Shifu, all of this started because of the 'Wine Ember'... But what if I said I don't want to be the 'Master of Wine'?"

Hours earlier, in the conversation in the small courtyard, Chen Li was actually right.

Regarding the "Master of Wine" plan, the Origin Tower planned meticulously, Gu Shen acted decisively, and all forces attached great importance to it, but not a single person had asked the girl about her own wishes.

Perhaps if Gu Xiaoman had asked that question.

This separation, and more things, would not have occurred.

The threads of myriad beings were twisted and intertwined, one pull affecting the whole body, and perhaps in the instant when Bai Xiu's emotions fluctuated, with just one sentence, Gu Xiaoman could have changed her fate, and of course, the fate of more people in the Five Continents would have changed with it—

But there is everything in this world, except for "perhaps."

Nothing happened.

The girl did not turn back, and although there was a pause in those few steps, in the end, Gu Xiaoman walked to the other side of the mist.

Those words just now were the scene that Bai Xiu had hoped would happen.

The real world was far more desolate and silent than imagined.

"You don't seem very sad."

Hong Long lowered his head and glanced at Gu Xiaoman, feeling the calmness beyond her age in the black-clad girl.

Or rather, it was indifference.

"The world is full of parting."

Gu Xiaoman spoke softly.

Hong Long smiled helplessly, no wonder she was chosen by the Wine Ember to be the future god, truly an utter freak.

"Let's go."

Gu Xiaoman turned her head and walked towards the depths of the mist.

Hong Long gave Bai Xiu a look of farewell, turned and walked into the thick fog.

Xiao Xiu Zi stood alone in the fog, mountain ash, and rain.

At this moment, Gu Xiaoman's parting words, conveyed using her initial level spiritual power, echoed in his heart.

"...Bai Xiu Shifu, Xiaoman is waiting for the next meeting."

"I'll wait as long as it takes."

...

...

"The n2 district main gate in Beizhou has been opened. Jiang Du, you are responsible for contacting the remaining neutral leaders in Xiku and sending half of the refugees to the northern urban area."

"Yes!"

"Chen Li, ten Origin Energy Boats will enter Sangzhou Ku and land in front of the S12 district city. You need to complete the docking... The commander of these ten Origin Energy Boats is Fischer, the garrison of Deepscale City."

"Fischer, I've heard of him... the famous 'Living Fish'! I'm doing this alone?"

"Mu Wanqiu is on her way to Nanku and will assist you in completing the task."

S12 district government mansion, Adam was packing up, while Gu Shen took advantage of this time to arrange the final evacuation mission.

Once these trivial matters were arranged.

It was time to go to the Mount Tanyao core area.

Hu Danian sent good news that the transcendents in Zhongzhou had broken through the boundary defense line of Sangzhou Ku's holy city, and the armored troops would follow closely to evacuate.

Evacuating as many Sangzhou Ku residents as possible in the limited time was very important.

Even if completely disregarding humanitarianism... every transcendent life here contained immense value!

The enforcers of the Dadu district were arranged by Chen Mei.

With these trivial matters dealt with, Gu Shen stepped on his Iron Scale Flying Sword and soared into the air, heading towards the damaged warship not far outside the urban area, the "vehicle" that Archbishop Yuan Shuocheng of the Nanzhou Holy City was so proud of.

This old Origin Energy Boat had been damaged in many places during the previous beast tide attack.

Although it could hover in the air.

Great Wing Birds, and similar flying transcendent life forms, could still pose a threat to it.

Yuan Shuocheng had gone through a considerable amount of hard fighting, and now only less than a hundred of his church warriors remained.

A loss of 80%!

"Gu Shen..."

Yuan Shuocheng saw the flying sword hovering next to his Origin Energy Boat, and his mood immediately tensed up uncontrollably.

"Relax."

Gu Shen said indifferently, "The Holy City didn't give any instructions about such a large beast tide? The Tide authority has probably failed... so you don't have to worry about what happened here being heard by Jiadi."

"Is that so..."

Yuan Shuocheng relaxed a little, yes, what he was most worried about was Gu Shen killing the donkey after it had served its purpose.

The battle was over, and the people were exhausted.

If Gu Shen were to reveal the news of his deception to the church at this time.

It would be a small matter for him to be discredited, but the Holy Ones' reckoning would be a big deal! He couldn't bear the consequences!

"I know what you're worried about."

Gu Shen said calmly, "You're worried about the things you did before being discovered by the Holy Ones..."

"We agreed before, I would help you quell the Great Hunt, and you would help me keep the secret."

Yuan Shuocheng took a deep breath and said nervously, "With your status in Dongzhou, you wouldn't break your promise, would you?"

"My status in Dongzhou?" Gu Shen smiled: "Then tell me, what is my status?"

"The successor of divination, the disciple of the Great Arbiter, the spokesperson of Hua Zhi, the chosen one of the Gu family..." Yuan Shuocheng said a series of titles, and after seeing the smile in the latter's eyes, he realized something was wrong and asked puzzledly, "Did I say something wrong?"

"You didn't say anything wrong, these are all my identities. I just wanted to hear an outsider say it once..."

Gu Shen paused for a moment and said sarcastically, "The real focus isn't on status, but on 'promises'. I'm sorry, Archbishop Yuan, did I ever make any promises to you?"

Yuan Shuocheng's eyes widened.

"..."

He was speechless for a moment!

That's right, in the initial conversation, Gu Shen hadn't made any promises, such as "I'll help you keep the secret if you do these things for me". After Gu Shen produced the evidence that Yuan Shuocheng was double-dealing and betraying the Holy City, the conversation between the two was no longer equal.

It was still the same at this moment.

"You you you, what do you mean?"

Yuan Shuocheng became nervous.

"Nothing much, just want to remind you that the 'handle' I have in my hand isn't a one-time-use item."

Gu Shen said expressionlessly, "You've already done those things to the Storm Church, and as long as history hasn't changed... you'll never be able to escape those stains."

Yuan Shuocheng's expression was extremely gloomy, and he didn't bother to beat around the bush anymore, gritting his teeth and transmitting his voice, "Gu Shen... you want me to give you more."

"Yes."

Gu Shen didn't mince words either.

Since Yuan Shuocheng had brought it up, he would admit it frankly.

A support of four hundred Storm Church members was nothing? It was simply not worth mentioning.

These petty fish and shrimp, foolish believers whose minds had been rewritten by fanaticism... in Yuan Shuocheng's eyes, their lives were even lower than ants.

Yuan Shuocheng wouldn't take their deaths to heart.

Gu Shen... naturally wouldn't either.

Archbishop Yuan took a deep breath, "What do you want?"

"You have two choices now."

Gu Shen looked at this "running dog" who was born in Dongzhou, but ultimately betrayed Dongzhou and was despised and hated by countless people.

There was no disgust or disdain in his eyes.

"First, completely betray the Storm Church, tell me what Holy One Jiadi used the Tide to hear, and the Holy City's entire plan for Sangzhou Ku."

"Are you crazy?"

Yuan Shuocheng was stunned.

Before Gu Shen could speak, he burst into anger and interrupted directly, "Do you think I can live after saying these things?!"

"..."

Gu Shen was silent.

The reason why there wasn't so much disgust and hatred in the way he looked at Yuan Shuocheng was because Yuan Shuocheng wasn't worthy.

There was only indifference in his eyes.

Like looking at an object.

In the next moment, Gu Shen drew his sword, he stretched out his palm, aimed at the medium-sized Origin Energy Boat floating in the air, and countless Iron Scale Flying Swords shot out from the sleeves of his black robe, and under the envelopment of the Pure Land domain, each Iron Scale Flying Sword was covered with a layer of hard ice!

"Boom boom boom!"

Instantly, a huge hole was blown open in the ship's belly of the medium-sized Origin Energy Boat.

This strike, Chu Ling gave extremely professional weakness strike guidance, she analyzed and disassembled this twenty-year-old old-fashioned Origin Energy Boat after seeing the image records sent by Mu Wanqiu, waiting for this very moment.

The sound of the explosion in the distance was extremely muffled, reverberating for several miles.

Several transcendents on the high wall of the S12 district were watching the excitement.

Qi Lu habitually set up his sniper rifle, using the scope to look at the specific scene at the far end, and said with emotion, "Tsk, he actually made a move, both are Fourth Order, it won't be easy for Gu Shen to kill that fat man, right? Do you need me to help him with a shot for fun?"

Wu Yong said unhappily, "Don't cause trouble, Mr. Chen Mei's task is to guard the high wall, what happens outside has nothing to do with us."

"Alright." Qi Lu was a little regretful.

Su Cha, who was usually silent, also spoke to reprimand, "Mind your own business, is there a need for you to shoot here? Yuan Shuocheng can't hold on against Gu Shen's attack."

With a loud "boom"!

A huge hole bloomed in the Origin Energy Boat, and Yuan Shuocheng's expression suddenly became ferocious: "Gu Shen, you lunatic, you're going too far!"

However, in the next moment, his anger completely solidified.

Hundreds of flying swords pierced through the warship, colliding everywhere in the wide space, splashing out countless frosty ripples.

A spray of blood exploded in the air.

Yuan Shuocheng was stunned, in just a moment, the remaining fanatical believers under his command were slaughtered, and the wide space inside the Origin Energy Boat was filled with silence, countless people fell to the ground, blood flowing everywhere, spreading into a river.

And the culprit of all this, slowly landed on the Iron Scale Flying Sword.

The moment Gu Shen stepped on the floor of the warship, Qing Shuang spread out—

The Pure Land domain enveloped the Origin Energy Boat.

His mental power also spread out.

"Gulu..."

Yuan Shuocheng swallowed a large mouthful of saliva, his expression looking blankly at the thin figure in black fluttering in front of him, he didn't know if he was hallucinating, but Gu Shen seemed to have become a high mountain, a huge black sun covering everything in the world.

He wanted to prostrate himself, wanted to kneel.

This was absolute crushing—

Gu Shen's mental power, like an abyss and a sea, directly crushed this Holy City Archbishop who had been "pampered" for many years, and at this moment Yuan Shuocheng didn't even have the courage to draw his weapon and fight.

He was never a brave and good fighter, relying on cunning and conspiracy to climb to the position of Archbishop step by step.

For this kind of shadowy character, Gu Shen didn't even need to summon the Underworld Fire.

Just the mental fluctuations emitted by Hades could form a great restraint, suppressing him so that he couldn't breathe.

"Yuan Shuocheng, you have a second choice..."

"You can choose to say nothing, but you won't live either, because I will kill you with my own hands, and peel out your 'soul'. If it's locked by a mental lock, then unfortunately, I may not be able to see what I want to see... If it's not locked by a mental lock, then I'll get the answers I want."

Gu Shen looked at the fat man in front of him and said indifferently, "If you choose the latter, I can only gamble."

"You..."

Yuan Shuocheng's teeth had already begun to chatter, and he swallowed back the words he wanted to accuse Gu Shen.

He originally wanted to question Gu Shen, did he know what kind of crime it was to kill a church Archbishop.

But seeing the corpses all over the place, he already understood...

This was Gu Shen's response.

These people were all killed, so what if he killed another Archbishop?

Since the Tide had failed.

Then who knew about his death, who cared?!

Yuan Shuocheng suddenly thought of the former Light-Blessed Child of Xizhou, and the legendary truth.

He didn't think his identity was more valuable than Meng Xiao's.

"Don't kill me, don't kill me! There is a 'mental lock' in my mind, if you kill me, you won't be able to know anything—"

In just a moment, this running dog made a decision and shouted hoarsely, "Don't kill me, I'll say everything!"