Bulwark of Light

Chapter 390 One Year Later

one year later.

There are flowers blooming on the mountain of the shrine.

Not the black flowers of broken order, but the clean white flowers that symbolize light and hope.

The pitch-black color on the top of the mountain has been swept away. At the foundation of the ancient shrine house, those ancient talismans filled with obscure ancient texts are stuck on the wooden base, and they are useless.

Because Gu Shen ate up all the "black flowers" on the top of the mountain by himself.

Including that garden.

Gu Shen squatted in front of the flowerbed, stretched out his palm, and under the blazing fire, he easily pulled out the last "black flower" on the top of the mountain. He didn't say anything directly, but quietly watched the struggling Black swaying substance in palm.

a year.

The black flower on the top of the shrine was eaten by himself.

A year ago, this would have been unimaginable... Although he had estimated the "growth attribute" of Chi Huo, Gu Shen did not expect that this little guy's appetite would develop so fast.

This is a good thing.

The larger the food intake, the more source quality can be stored.

Not only does Gu Shen's own extraordinary practice require extraordinary source quality, but the expansion of the spiritual world and the nourishment of seeds also require a large amount of extraordinary source quality to support.

Compared to the beginning, the blazing fire has grown from a small wisp to the size of half a fist.

Once manifested, Gu Shen's forehead will be covered by a mass of blazing flames.

It looks like a "divine crown", which is very dazzling.

"Mr. Gu..."

Li Qingci squatted in front of the flowerbed.

She smiled, looked at the last black flower, and said softly, "I never thought that in just one year, the top of Shenci Mountain would be restored to its original state."

Since then, the situation at Shrine Mountain has improved.

Li Qingci's complexion has also improved a lot... She no longer uses the wishing technique so frequently, and her whole body's energy has been recuperated bit by bit, and she no longer looks thin or sickly.

"yes……"

Gu Shen also smiled.

He twirled the black flower and ate it slowly... The last ray of black on the top of the mountain was wiped out. Even though he stood up and looked down, he could still see large areas of black, and the entire shrine mountain boundary was still open. It is full of black flowers all over the mountains and plains.

But at least for now... the top of the mountain is "white".

After cleaning up the black flowers, white flowers grew in the flowerbed without much planting.

This mountain of despair began to sprout hope.

These small snow-white flowers no longer withered overnight... There are a few of them, which started to emerge a month ago, and have survived until now, still standing upright and full of vitality.

Gu Shen and Li Qingci walked into the ancient house.

In the four corners, three bronze figurine lamps have been placed, namely "Lamp of Happiness", "Lamp of Sorrow", "Lamp of Joy", and there is only one "Lamp of Anger" left... The flickering flame, Although still illusory, but the moment is full of hope.

[Looking for the Lantern] The plan went smoothly, which really exceeded Gu Shen's initial expectations.

Judging from this progress, it won't be long...the last copper figure lamp should be found.

The two walked out of the old house.

Li Qingci said sincerely: "The shrine can have this day, thanks to the help of Mr. Gu..."

Gu Shen waved his hand and just smiled.

In the spiritual link, Chu Ling's voice came.

"Someone has entered the 'shrine grounds', it is a strange face."

Because of the gradual awakening of the divine fetus.

Chu Ling's consciousness can already ignore the spiritual shield of "Shenci Mountain" and directly link with Gu Shen.

Her voice just sounded.

Li Qingci frowned... As the protector of Shenci Mountain, she has all the views of the entire mountain boundary. The only entrance to this mountain boundary is Highway 447. , besides his younger sister and Uncle Gao, there is only Gu Shen.

"someone is coming."

Li Qingci's voice became a little nervous.

As a protector who practices the wishing technique, her intuition is very keen... perhaps because of the "extra gift" of this forbidden technique, whenever something important is about to happen, she can always vaguely sense something.

really.

After the visitor stepped into the mountain boundary, he went straight to the direction of the shrine mountain.

Gu Shen and Li Qingci went down the mountain together to meet him.

Meet at the foot of the mountain.

This is a middle-aged man with sword eyebrows and starry eyes, and a heroic face. After seeing Li Qingci, he looked at Gu Shen next to him in surprise... The middle-aged man took out a talisman to show his identity.

"Fourteen elders, Li Xuan."

Gu Shen quietly stood beside Li Qingci, without saying a word, he glanced at the reactions of the people around him...

Li Qingci looked a little dazed, obviously he didn't know this so-called "Fourteen Elders".

She entered the shrine mountain a long time ago, and after becoming a guardian, she no longer paid attention to what happened outside.

Judging from her reaction, this person should be the new elder of the Li family.

Gu Shen felt a little puzzled... What happened?

If it's just a trivial matter, why bother to inform the "Guardian" of the Temple Mountain?
If it is a major event that needs to be notified to the "Guardian" of the Temple Mountain, then why should a newly promoted elder come?
He suddenly thought of what Uncle Gao said to him a year ago...

"Master Patriarch's illness...has reached the final stage..."

Li Xuan opened his mouth like a wooden man. These were obviously very sad words, but no emotion could be heard in his tone.

As soon as these words came out, Li Qingci's expression suddenly turned three points pale.

She took two steps back slightly.

The Patriarch... is seriously ill.

She knew this news, she had known it all along... But when this day really came, she still couldn't accept it.

The Patriarch was seriously ill, and she couldn't leave the Shrine Mountain, let alone see her one last time.

life and death.

From the moment she stepped into the shrine mountain, she was destined to cut off these mortal concerns.

Li Qingci's eyes darkened.

No wonder... no wonder it wasn't Li Qingsui who came here.

She couldn't imagine how haggard that innocent little girl must be waiting in front of the hospital bed.

"According to the family rules, before the head of the family enters the world, the elders will conduct a final review of the financial report, and then discover a major problem..."

Li Xuan continued to speak, and he said calmly: "In the past year, a lot of money and manpower of the Li family have been invested in the plan of the Temple Mountain..."

Li Qingci was startled.

She looked at the man in front of her in disbelief.

The "Fourteen Elders" of the Li Clan's Presbyterian Church, at the critical moment of the Patriarch's critical illness, came to the Temple Mountain... just to say this to himself.

"What do you want to say?" Her voice trembled.

"I regret to inform you that this plan has been suspended by us."

Li Xuan spoke calmly, and looked up at the shrine mountain: "The Council of Elders cannot evaluate the authenticity of this plan... I came here to investigate the shrine and see if so much money has been spent. worth."

Done.

Going to climb the mountain.

"you dare!"

Li Qingci was very angry. She stood in front of the middle-aged man and scolded: "There is a saying in the ancestors of the Li family. Except for the previous patriarchs and guardians...others are not allowed to enter the house without permission." Half a step from the Shrine Mountain!"

Li Xuan frowned.

He stretched out his hand, trying to push Li Qingci away.

At this moment, Gu Shen made a move.

Gu Shen took half a step forward, lying between the two of them, at the same time a hand reached out like lightning, and grabbed Li Xuan's wrist.

Li Xuan raised his eyebrows.

The speed of this grab was extremely fast, and I had already realized it, but I didn't avoid it!

"What is he?"

After being caught... Li Xuan's expression turned cold, he looked at Li Qingci, and asked unceremoniously.

After Li Xuan came to Shenci Mountain, he saw this "stranger" at first sight, but felt that his face was vaguely familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before... but it was definitely not in the Li Clan Hall!

Li Qingci blocked himself from climbing the mountain by himself.

So how can this person with a foreign surname do it?
"I'm Mrs. Li's guest."

Gu Shen smiled, and asked softly, "What about you, what are you?"

Li Xuan was furious.

In the void, there are flames splashing——

The ability of this fourteenth elder of the Li family is actually related to "flame".

He shot first, a circle of flames splashed from his wrist, trying to shake Gu Shen's palm away.

However, Gu Shen remained indifferent.

He stood where he was, without taking a step away, but a blazing fire suddenly ignited between his brows.

The bursting flames didn't shake his wrist away at all, after the splashing, they were all swallowed up by the "blazing fire"!

The moment the blazing fire appeared... Li Xuan's face turned pale.

He suddenly thought of the young man in front of him, why did he look familiar!
a year ago—

This young man was once famous in Nagano, and was followed by the entire Snow Forbidden City!

It's just this year... This young man retreated again and disappeared from everyone's sight, as if it was a flash in the pan. No one discussed him anymore, let alone cared about him.

That face that was once remembered by countless people faded away just like that.

"You... your surname is Gu?"

"Gu Shen."

Gu Shen opened his mouth calmly, exerted a little force with his fingers, and the fourteenth elder of the Li family suddenly looked ferocious, his wrist was held down and turned at an angle, and all the strength in his body seemed to be imprisoned at one point.

The tall man could only half-kneel on the ground, clenching his teeth. In just a few seconds, he had difficulty breathing, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled from his forehead.

"Apologize."

Gu Shen spoke cleanly, there was only one request.

Li Xuan raised his head and looked at the young man who had disappeared from Nagano's sight for nearly a year... There was fear in his eyes.

If I remember correctly, a year ago Gu Shen was only a second-stage transcendent!

I have practiced in the third stage for five years.

He has no power to fight back... What kind of strength is he now?
"I'm sorry...Master Gu Shen...I'm blind...I'm not a thing!"

Li Xuan was very spineless, completely inconsistent with his upright and dignified appearance, and immediately began to apologize.

It's just that after he finished speaking, he found that Gu Shen didn't let go at all.

He looked up, confused.

"It's not about me...it's about her."

Gu Shen said calmly: "Mr. Li's family affairs... It's not my turn to take care of her, but she is my friend, so you shouldn't do anything to her."

"Miss Celadon... I'm sorry, I was wrong..."

Li Xuan nodded again like pounding garlic.

Li Qingci was still in the grief of learning that the Patriarch was seriously ill, she was not in the mood to argue with this despicable man, she looked at Gu Shen worriedly, and signaled that there was no need to entangle her too much, and it would be good to stop here.

Gu Shen let go of his hand, and Li Xuan felt relieved, hunched over and half-kneeled on the ground, holding his own wrist, with a painful expression on his face.

Thankfully I apologized in time.

After a while... This arm is probably going to be crushed by Gu Shen.

"Go back and make it clear to the elders that this plan... cannot be stopped." Li Qingci said anxiously.

Li Xuan raised his eyes to look at Gu Shen, with a slightly flinching expression.

"Miss Qingci, I can't do this." Li Xuan stopped being domineering at the beginning, but explained in a low voice: "I'm just in charge of notifying the shrine... I can't make the decision about this matter, the plan was aborted The order was issued by the elders, and the elders held a vote, and more than half of them chose to agree, and it was passed."

Gu Shen and Li Qingci looked at each other.

Obviously... the Patriarch's side was seriously ill, and the Presbyterian Council immediately suspended the [Finding the Lamp] plan. This was deliberate pressure.

Some things should come sooner or later.

It seems Uncle Gao is right...

"You can get out now." Gu Shen said to Li Xuan calmly, "Before you get out, leave the amulet on the shrine mountain, and never enter this place again."

Li Xuan threw down a talisman as if he had been ordered, and fled quickly without looking back.

"You offended him, what should you do after you go out?" Li Qingci picked up the talisman, a little worried.

"Don't offend him, it's the same after you go out." Gu Shen said calmly: "Mr. Li wants to suspend the [Finding the Lantern] plan. It is obvious that a few old guys from the Presbyterian Church are ready to act... After all these years, they should have one Waiting for the death of the Patriarch, and then usurping the throne. Suspending the [Finding Lantern] plan is just a sign."

However, there is a sign that it means...more important things will happen.

No matter what... this plan must not be interrupted!
There are countless protectors on the shrine mountain, who have dedicated themselves for hundreds of years.

Li Qingci finally waited until today.

And Gu Shen also has to ensure the smooth progress of the plan... It is impossible for him to look at the last [Bronze Man Lamp] and just get lost.

Chu Ling and the "divine fetus" have already started a synchronous consciousness link, and he must gather four lamps.

Li Qingci looked very worried.

She couldn't leave the shrine, and all she had to do was wait.

"I'm going out for a while..."

Gu Shen said seriously: "Don't worry, I will let you meet the Patriarch for the last time."

……

……

On a clean hospital bed lay a haggard man.

The man was covered with a thin quilt, but he didn't connect any equipment, nor did he use any extraordinary sealed item with healing power. He just lay quietly on the bed, breathing weakly and evenly.

The reason why nothing is used.

It's because...it's all useless.

In front of his bed, a young girl was crying like pear blossoms and rain.

Patriarch Li stretched out his withered fingers and patiently wiped away tears from his daughter's face. At the last moment...he didn't say anything, but looked at his daughter tenderly.

The father and daughter were alone in silence.

Outside the ward, many people were watching this scene.

Or rather... they were all waiting.

There was a commotion in the distance.

After leaving the shrine mountain, Chu Ling found the coordinates of the address of the head of the Li family. Gu Shen rushed there, but was blocked by Li's superhumans.

Now... is the final moment of parting.

All the elders came here.

"I want to see Patriarch Li..." Gu Shen said politely.

"Gu Xiaoyou..."

A deep voice sounded slowly.

An elder came out.

He looked at Gu Shen with a serious expression, and said politely: "Since you are here, you should know what happened... Patriarch, your time is running out. At this time, your request may not be appropriate."

Gu Shen saw... Li Xuan, who was one step ahead, hid behind everyone.

Presumably, this spineless new elder has already talked about the matter of Shenci Mountain in detail, even embellishing it.

He said calmly, "I'm here for Li Qingci. She is in the shrine and wants to see the Patriarch for the last time."

"Absurd!" An elder scolded in a low voice, "I want to see someone in the shrine, so I asked someone with a different surname to meet her instead?"

"I can build a 'spiritual link'."

Gu Shen spoke again.

"It's even more absurd!" The elder scolded again, "The yellow-haired boy uttered wild words. For so many years, the so-called 'spiritual link' has never been established in the boundaries of the shrine..."

Gu Shen looked around slowly.

The elder who scolded Gu Shen twice noticed Gu Shen's gaze, and his expression changed slightly.

But because he stood in the crowd and was unafraid, he still said calmly: "Don't rely on the power behind you to be defiant, let alone the rampant things in Shenci Mountain... In this kind of place, do you still want Do you want to do it?"

After saying this, Li Xuan had a strange look on his face.

What do you mean, forget about the madness at the Temple Mountain before?
Why forget it?
After hearing this, Gu Shen smiled and shook his head.

He asked softly, "What is the name of this elder?"

The elder completely lost his former arrogance, just snorted coldly and didn't say a word.

Chu Ling found the information immediately.

Files are listed in a row.

Gu Shen said calmly: "Li Ao, the eighth elder of the Li family, it seems that your qualifications should be very old..."

Li Ao's expression changed suddenly.

"Don't be nervous, I just found out this from [Deep Sea]." Gu Shen said lightly: "Since you have been in Nagano for so long, you should be clear... In this era, all information is transparent, not you You don’t know if you don’t talk about it, and it’s not something that someone can just make up.”

The image of the previous work on the shrine mountain.

Chu Ling kept everything.

After he raised his hand, his mental power reflected the image, releasing all the causes and consequences of the attack on Shenci Mountain.

From Li Xuan's hands, to kneeling down and begging for mercy.

Especially the picture of someone kowtowing and apologizing in the back.

Everyone's expressions became weird... I still remember what Li Xuan said at the beginning, isn't it like this?
Didn't Gu Evil deliberately make things difficult for him, he was not afraid in the face of danger, fought hard, and then escaped with injuries?
This image in the shrine mountain is obviously the data saved by [Deep Sea].

This kid, can he really build a "spiritual link" in the shrine mountain?
……

……

(first issued and then changed)
(End of this chapter)