Light Fortress

Chapter 1649 - 335: Crossing the Lake

Today is the last day of the Torch Trial, and the temple has opened the permissions to observe the Red Lake.

Countless Transcendents have gathered by the lakeside of Red Lake.

The temple has specially reserved the best positions for various envoys, and as for the Loose Cultivators with no background or power, being able to enter the temple and watch from a distance is already considered a blessing.

The deep water area has also opened corresponding spiritual permissions.

The Heavenly Eye constantly captures the scenes by the lakeside of Red Lake and uploads them to the Spirit Network for every Transcendent who wishes to watch this sacred ritual.

Of course.

The depths of Red Lake, due to the Power of Fire enveloping it, after the center of the lake it is shrouded in thick fog, the Heavenly Eye has no way to capture the scenes deep within... The so-called opening of permissions is just to let everyone watch the spectacle.

Luo Yu led the Gu Family Envoy to their seats.

He narrowed his eyes and glanced not far away.

Today’s sacred ceremony attracted countless attention, he dispatched the Night Watchmen scattered all over, as the Young Master said... these Night Watchmen have all come to Red Lake, going to the places where Loose Cultivators gather in all directions, and the Holy Judges under Su Ye have also spread out, this Divine Palace Saint Child is determined to keep an eye on the Gu family.

"Young Master, I thought you would act today..."

Luo Yu turned back, lowering his voice.

He looked at Gu Nanfeng sitting beside him, unsure whether he felt relieved or disappointed.

Logically speaking, today might be the best opportunity to act or perhaps the last opportunity.

"If I didn’t come, would Su Ye come? Would these Holy Judges come?"

Gu Nanfeng didn’t bother looking back, he knew the current situation of Red Lake, he merely gazed towards the lake’s center, casually saying: "The people of the temple are stubborn and headstrong but not foolish, they are not idiots."

"Indeed."

Luo Yu followed the Young Master’s gaze, softly expressing: "It is surprising that seven people successfully comprehended the Flame Dream."

Countless Transcendents came here by reputation, after the initial selection, Heart-washing Pond, and Flame Dream, these three trials...

Only seven remain to reach this final selection place.

"Seven people, actually quite many."

Gu Nanfeng lamented: "Remember? In the newcomer battle held in Changye, for several consecutive years, no genius understood the ’Flame Dream’."

Those who win the newcomer battle are the geniuses among geniuses.

"The Changye newcomer battle has an age limit." Luo Yu said: "How old are these people, the youngest being Song Ci... there are also those in their forties and fifties participating in the Light Fire Trial."

His expression was somewhat complex.

The Transcendents who can participate in the final selection of Red Lake are basically over twenty-five years old, which is the peak age for Transcendents, among them is an "old guy" from Central Continent Upper City, over forty, who surprisingly successfully fused the Flame Dream, his strength is also formidable, currently shown to be Deep Sea Tenth Layer level.

"We are here to watch the spectacle, they are here to join the spectacle."

Gu Nanfeng’s expression was indifferent: "Except for Song Ci, for others reaching the center of Red Lake is already considered a victory."

"Oh?"

Luo Yu’s eyes were somewhat surprised.

The temple prepared a spacious venue for the Gu Family Envoy, indeed the best spot for viewing this trial.

There is still some distance from Red Lake.

This distance was enough for Luo Yu’s spirit to sense... he felt an extremely majestic essence rising, lingering, spreading over the lake surface.

Though the quantity of extraordinary essence at Red Lake cannot compare with Qingzhong Cemetery.

But here contains a force Luo Yu cannot express, seemingly capable of striking the soul.

He has an intuition.

If he doesn’t rely on a vehicle and steps directly on the water surface... it may very likely sink.

"The lake water in Red Lake contains ’Faith Power’."

Gu Nanfeng said: "Without accepting the baptism of the Light Faith, it is difficult for anyone to stand upon it... Even if your spiritual power is strong, the further you go, the easier it is to sink. When reaching the center of the lake, the latter half of Red Lake will be shrouded in thick fog, the clearer the mind, the less fog you see, it is said that only the pure-hearted ’Chi Zi’ can reach the other shore of Red Lake."

"Clear mind, what does that mean?"

Luo Yu was puzzled.

"Probably means, without distractions?" Gu Nanfeng shook his head, smiled: "Or perhaps... Those who tread the lake have a pure faith towards the Light God’s Seat, no one knows the answer, after all, that Holy Judge who has sat at Red Lake for years only sits at the center."

Luo Yu gazed towards the end of Red Lake.

Indeed he saw the dense fog in the deepest part.

Only in the fog, there is a conspicuous figure, that person donning dazzling armor emitting light, shining brilliantly under the fog’s shroud.

Jia Wei.

Many years ago Jia Wei was already Fourth Rank Invincible.

"The Red Lake Trial is about to begin, why is this person still sitting at the lake’s center, what is he planning?"

Luo Yu muttered with a frown: "Could it be he wants to block those Transcendents from reaching the other shore?"

"Light City wouldn’t do such a thing, at least not openly."

Gu Nanfeng smiled: "Jia Wei is the only ’status’ West Continent can present in these years, he has received countless investitures, already standing at the pinnacle that the mundane world can look up to. If he wanted to become the ’Light Fire’ inheritor, all he needs is to declare participation in this trial, no need to prove his strength by blocking at the center of Red Lake."

When he said this.

He finally turned back, seemingly casually sweeping his gaze around.

The lakeside was teeming with people, countless faces.

Gu Nanfeng didn’t see the one he wanted to see, but he knew that person must have come.

At this moment, the crowd suddenly became noisy, exclamations arose.

"The Holy Judge is here!"

"It’s starting, it’s starting! Lord [Barrier] is here to preside over the trial!"

The figure within the mist finally stood up.

Countless gazes focused on the spot where the person tread upon the Red Lake, moving forward slowly. The radiant glow from all directions seemed to be drawn to the Bright Armor. Today, the seven finalists were supposed to be the main characters of the trial, yet from the moment Jia Wei emerged from the mist, he seemed to have stolen all the colors from the world.

The aura of the Red Lake was stirred by Jia Wei.

He walked from the heart of the lake to the shore, coming before the seven finalists.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, congratulations on qualifying for today’s ’Red Lake Final Selection’."

Clad in Bright Armor, Jia Wei resembled a magnificent steel giant.

He stood atop the Red Lake’s waters, the crimson waves rippling, yet he remained unmoved, with water patterns spreading from beneath his feet.

These seven trial finalists came from the four corners of the Five Continents and exchanged glances among themselves.

The expressions on their faces were similar, showing both nervousness and excitement.

Having journeyed to the Light City and overcome numerous challenges to acquire the Flame Dream, they now had the chance to face the Light God’s Seat...

It felt almost like a dream, unreal.

Though they were aware that they might not make it far.

At the very least, participating in the final selection would ensure they were treated differently upon returning, and among them, several had thoughts of staying in the Light City.

Because the Holy Judge had already approached them.

If they chose to stay in the Light City, the temple would alleviate all their concerns, allowing them to remain in West Continent as honored guests of the temple, enjoying better and higher treatment than before.

Yet, there was one exception.

Song Ci, expressionless, stared at Jia Wei, his gaze locked onto Jia Wei’s eyes. For some reason... the moment he saw Jia Wei, he felt an urge to fight.

This provocative gaze naturally did not escape Jia Wei’s senses.

But he merely glanced at Song Ci and disregarded him.

Though he guarded the Red Lake, never leaving, Jia Wei was nonetheless well aware of everything happening outside.

He knew of the close relationship between Song Ci and Gu Shen, so he had no interest in interacting with him, not even willing to say an extra word... He left no evidence at Sangzhou Cave, and no matter how East Continent searched, they couldn’t pin it on him.

Not speaking means no mistakes.

"Today’s Red Lake trial will be presided over by me. From this moment on, you may proceed onto the lake... but remember, there is only one chance. If you fall into the water and sink, it means ’trial failure.’"

The Red Lake is the bearer of the Light God’s Seat’s will.

If one falls into the lake.

In a certain sense, it means rejection by the divine throne.

"What about the Great Elder?"

Song Ci suddenly spoke: "If I recall correctly, he should be advocating for the temple trial."

"The Great Elder... if you reach the latter half of the lake, you’ll naturally see him," Jia Wei replied casually. "The Red Lake trial is not easy. A large amount of Extraordinary Essence is contained here. If you fall into the water without the Light Faith’s protection... you might suffer ’spiritual damage,’ and I am responsible for ensuring your safety. If anyone falls during the trial’s first half, I will rescue them."

The Great Elder is responsible for the second half.

However... among these people, only one might reach the second half.

"Heh."

Song Ci smirked insincerely, thinking, so the Great Elder is waiting for him in the second half of the Red Lake?

"You may choose to withdraw at any time if you wish to forfeit."

Jia Wei concluded with his final words: "I wish everyone a successful trial."

After speaking, he stepped aside, sitting alone by the lake, turning his back on the thousands of spectators.

The light emanating from the Bright Armor intertwined with the Red Lake.

This strongest defensive sealing item personally endowed by the Light God’s Seat reached its peak after Jia Wei’s ascension to a titled rank.

The Extraordinary Essence from the Red Lake merged with the Bright Armor, becoming one.

Song Ci stared at Jia Wei for a while, admitting that if a fight were to occur, he might not win.

The energy contained within that armor was too overwhelming.

With bare hands, it was challenging to break it.

"..."

Jia Wei sat cross-legged, the lake waves washing over the armor. He appeared relaxed, yet was extremely vigilant.

He sensed Song Ci’s gaze upon him and was ready to draw his spear at any moment.

If this brute dared to strike him, he would not hesitate to wield the Light Breaking Spear and deliver a fierce blow to this Light Apostle.

The reason was simple.

Although Jia Wei was confident in his strength... he did not underestimate Song Ci.

This person was certainly a highly dangerous character.

He felt the presence of the Battle Fire from this guy, and it was said he had trained in the Divine Domain of the Battle God Throne for six years. If a fight erupted, it would definitely be a tough battle.

However... the fighting intent between the two did not escalate to a standoff.

Song Ci merely glanced at Jia Wei briefly before stepping onto the Red Lake.

All seven finalists began the trial.

They headed towards the mist of the Red Lake.