Light Fortress

"Rust Bone?!"

The weight of this name truly deserves the title of top-level combat power.

The Northern Continent’s Three Generals are recognized across the Five Continents, standing at the pinnacle of titles, having transcended the ordinary.

"Rust Bone... is an ’Outsider’ too?"

Zhou Jiren furrowed his brow, then suddenly realized.

Every restart of this world so far, they would promptly step into Moon City, sometimes even earlier...

And according to the trajectory of this world, the trio would not have any connection with Rust Bone!

"Although this is just my guess..."

Gu Shen took a deep breath and said, "But I’m more than ninety percent sure."

He was banished into this restarting world by the [Deep Sea] through the Exile Array.

And the last person to be banished...

was Rust Bone.

Because Rust Bone’s environment is completely different from the trio of Zhou Jiren, even if this world restarts again and again, they wouldn’t intersect.

So it’s only natural that both sides haven’t met until now.

But Gu Shen’s intervention changes everything.

He is the "Linker," the "keystone," and the most crucial "character" in this restarting world.

"According to the original world trajectory, in a few days, the review team is supposed to conduct a transcendent evaluation on Gu Shen..."

Zhong Wei puzzledly asked, "But now he’s intervened as an ’Outsider,’ what should we do?"

Once Gu Shen intervenes as an Outsider...

The original world trajectory is completely disrupted.

Unless Gu Shen is willing to cooperate with the "performance," everything will evolve in a new direction.

Gu Shen, leaning against the railing, smiled helplessly: "Senior brother, don’t be foolish. At this point, what evaluation...?"

Zhou Jiren took the last puff of his cigar then flicked it vigorously off the rooftop.

He leisurely exhaled the smoke.

"Let’s set off now, directly to the Northern Continent."

...

...

Half an hour later, the dawn light surged forward like a tide.

A helicopter advanced along with the dawn.

Gu Shen sat in the main pilot seat, skillfully piloting the helicopter toward the direction of Central City, Zhong Wei sat in the co-pilot seat, watching his little junior brother’s skills being more proficient than his own, full of sentiments in his eyes, he couldn’t help but ask, "So after we left, did you often fly these aerial vehicles?"

At the time he left, Gu Shen was still young.

If he remembered correctly... at that time Gu Shen had not yet advanced to the third tier!

"You can learn this kind of thing just by a glance."

Gu Shen was silent for a moment and candidly said, "Honestly, senior brother, shortly after you left, East Continent eliminated these vehicles."

"Eliminated?"

Zhong Wei was surprised.

In his decade-long mission execution, he always traveled using these vehicles.

"The Northern Continent’s Underground Research Institute developed the latest version of the Source Energy Boat, and because of the convergence, within a few years East Continent popularized airships."

Gu Shen chuckled and said, "By the way, the popularization of airships made the Huazhi Group in Da Du extremely profitable."

"...It’s really unexpected that the world would become so exciting after I left."

Zhong Wei marveled, clicking his tongue, and then asked, "So what’s your title, what’s your title?"

He recalled when they first met.

Zhong Wei jokingly told Gu Shen to think about his title early, so that one day when trouble arose, he could resolve it by announcing his little junior brother’s title.

Originally, it was just a joke.

But now, it had become reality.

"Fool, little junior brother is now a Divine Throne."

Tian Tong crossed his arms, meditating with closed eyes, and spoke faintly: "Do you see Mr. Gu Changzhi having a title? When you return to the real world and face trouble, just announce the title ’Netherworld King.’

"That’s true."

Zhong Wei was momentarily stunned, then smiled joyfully.

"Don’t be too happy."

Zhou Jiren looked out the window and said leisurely, "By announcing the name ’Netherworld King,’ you might end up beaten even worse."

In the Five Continents, ’Netherworld King’ is not a good term.

This title is essentially tied to the word ’unlucky.’

Once these words were out, Zhong Wei’s smile became a bit stiff.

It was the long-awaited relaxed environment.

Listening to the voices of his senior brother and sister, Gu Shen felt a sense of ease in his heart, he softly said, "Actually... Mr. Gu Changzhi did have a title."

Tian Tong slowly opened his eyes.

"Barrier."

Zhou Jiren’s face showed a sense of sentiment and sigh, he slowly pronounced Gu Changzhi’s title.

This title, he remembered very clearly.

For someone like Gu Changzhi, a title indeed didn’t carry much significance because by the time Light City conferred him the title of "Barrier," he had already successfully fused the Battle Fire and became a Divine Throne above all.

How long did Gu Changzhi remain at the "title" level?

Probably only a few short days.

But it was precisely these few short days that led the Five Continents Council to seal the name "Barrier," which remains the highest level of honor in the Transcendent world, untouchable for over twenty years, even those geniuses who broke through the twelfth layer of the [Deep Sea] trial had no qualification to touch this name "Barrier."

"That’s right, Barrier... it’s my title."

Gu Shen turned and smiled at Zhong Wei: "When you return, senior brother, if you face trouble, just announce this title!"

"Gu Shen, do you know? The title of [Fortress] is the dream of every Eastern Continent Transcendent!"

Senior Sister Tian Tong also smiled and said, "I remember when I first entered the Judgement Institute, I boastfully claimed I would achieve the future title of [Fortress]. However, as cultivation progressed, I realized the weight of those words, the title’s inherent significance, is not something ordinary people can bear."

To possess it is equivalent to desecrating it.

However... the current Gu Shen indeed has the qualification to inherit this title!

"..."

Through the rearview mirror, Gu Shen noticed his teacher looking at him with a somewhat dazed expression.

He smiled slightly, feeling a bit proud.

Indeed.

Unknowingly, he had come this far.

Looking at the smiles on the faces of his senior brother, senior sister, and teacher, he gently took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious. Regarding his recent mention of "returning to the real world," the three displayed no hesitation and seemed to deeply trust his words.

It was clear.

They trusted him unconditionally.

Gu Shen returned to the main topic, "Since the world’s trajectory has been disrupted, why don’t we directly seek out Rust Bone? If Rust Bone General is an ’outsider,’ then the subsequent matters become simple..."

The teachers have already restarted 137 times.

They believed that to leave this world, one must find the "loophole" within it.

If they reembark on the voyage road to Moon City, at the end of this Spiritual World, finding its rightful location...

Then something similar to a system bug would appear.

The one trapping Zhou Jiren is the departure of Moon City Fortress, but once Rust Bone joins the ranks and a powerful Origin level force intervenes, the crisis of the [Old World] will be greatly reduced.

...

...

At this moment, in front of the Empress’ Tower in Central City.

Purple Rain stood at the front of the manor, with the orderly ranks of the Royal Guards behind her.

Purple Rain looked at the majestic man adorned with armor and a bronze iron sword before her and respectfully spoke, "Lord Rust Bone, Her Majesty the Empress is currently in seclusion for meditation... Even you, without the Divine Oracle, are not permitted to enter the tower."

"I have very important matters to discuss with Her Majesty..."

Rust Bone General placed one hand on the bronze sword, looking earnestly at Purple Rain and slowly said, "This matter concerns the survival of the Northern Continent."

"Concerns the survival of the Northern Continent?"

The Three Generals in the Northern Continent enjoy extremely high prestige, second only to Her Majesty.

Now, with Rust Bone suddenly appearing at the Empress Manor and saying such words, even the Royal Guards standing solemnly behind Purple Rain couldn’t help but change expressions.

What kind of crisis could make the General so urgent?

"If it truly concerns the survival of the Northern Continent, Her Majesty will appear."

Purple Rain clenched her teeth and solemnly said, "Just a few days ago, Her Majesty informed me that this seclusion is extremely important and should not be interrupted under any circumstances."

Under normal circumstances, she would certainly not obstruct Rust Bone.

But now, Her Majesty is at a critical moment in raising the [Furnace]!

This matter was known only to her; even Duke Zhu Xue and her brother far in Gu Castle were kept in the dark by Her Majesty the Empress.

She could not let Rust Bone enter the tower just like that!

"You’re still the same..."

Rust Bone sighed softly.

"Never mind, I won’t explain this time."

Rust Bone’s words left Purple Rain somewhat perplexed, and just as she was puzzled...

That imposing figure suddenly stepped forward.

Boom!

A rolling stream of air erupted in the manor courtyard!

Purple Rain unhesitatingly shifted to block Rust Bone, simultaneously activating [Dragon Annihilation]. The cloak automatically unfurled, and as she extended her arms, the surrounding temperature swiftly climbed!

Yet the blazing flames did not burst forth.

The seemingly clumsy and towering figure, as he took that step, simultaneously extended his huge palm, and at that moment, that palm naturally fell gently on the top of Purple Rain’s head.

"?!"

Purple Rain lifted her head, seeing nothing but a vast shadow.

Rust Bone’s hand easily encompassed Purple Rain’s head.

A slight tremor force released from Rust Bone’s palm.

No hostility or destructive force—

This force was merely trembling, and it instantly transmitted to Purple Rain’s Heart Lake position!

"Hiss!"

The [Dragon Annihilation] domain extinguished before igniting.

"How is this possible?!"

Purple Rain froze in place.

She knew the outcome of blocking Rust Bone was doomed to failure.

But she thought at least she could offer some resistance.

Never did she expect she couldn’t even halt Rust Bone for a single step...

Judging from the previous combat performance, Rust Bone’s response speed vastly exceeded hers, and the supple tremor force emanating from his palm directly interrupted the unfolding of [Dragon Annihilation] within her body. Such seamless and fluid actions.

As if Rust Bone knew exactly what she was going to do.

"This is the fourth time we clash..."

Rust Bone extended another palm, pinched between two fingers from Purple Rain’s cloak, picking a wisp of Dragon Annihilation Fire.

He gently said, "You’re stronger than last time."

...

...

(Sorry, sorry, some things delayed me, more to come tonight!)