Chapter 1003: Chapter 1003

Xiang Chen stood outside the book tower, his expression somewhat complex.

The "spiritual control" he suffered had been lifted by Gu Shen in the main hall, with the phrase "The more fanatic, the easier to make mistakes" awakening him directly.

And Gu Shen’s "Dream" began to unfold at that time.

Actually, what Xiang Chen did afterwards was very simple—

That is, he stayed outside the book tower, waiting for Gu Shen to solve the trouble.

So he stood outside the door, watching his disciple, like a puppet on strings, enter the signal-blocked "book tower" with Gu Shen.

The feeling of witnessing this scene was quite subtle.

Perhaps before the "spiritual control" was lifted, Gu Shen saw himself this way as well... entering the Dream yet unaware.

"Mr. Xiao Gu, thank you for your intervention."

Xiang Chen said hoarsely: "Without you, I don’t know how long I would have been kept in the dark..."

"No need for courtesy."

Gu Shen smiled slightly.

Xiang Chen entered the book tower.

At first glance, he saw Li Bing "nailed" to the book wall.

This student... this student he had once been proud of!

Xiang Chen’s eyes were filled with pain, helplessness, self-blame... a whirl of mixed emotions, eventually fading away, leaving only a faint sadness.

In the recent confrontation, Gu Shen had not completely shut him out.

Standing at the doorway of the book tower, he heard most of the conversations inside.

If it weren’t for Mr. Xiao Gu’s superior skills, prematurely unfolding the Dream... he would have died today. He didn’t understand what Light City had promised to make Li Bing so willingly offer his life for it?

"I didn’t kill him directly."

Gu Shen said, "But I erased his ’loyalty’ to Light City, and when he wakes up, he’ll become a ’hidden child.’

He didn’t completely block the conversations in the book tower.

Yet some important matters naturally couldn’t be disclosed, such as his "three-time Super Realm" affair.

However... Gu Shen didn’t intend to hide the "brainwashing" of Li Bing.

"Your choice is the right one..."

Xiang Chen took a deep breath and said, "Killing him may not be the best."

Li Bing was a pawn planted by Light City.

Sometimes, discovering a pawn and immediately uprooting it is not necessarily the best move.

Silently and unnoticed, using it for oneself is also a good choice.

Cultivating a guardian for Dongning City is not simple, and for North Continent, killing Li Bing might instead alert Light City.

"This matter is of great significance, I’ve already reported it to the loft outside the book tower."

Duke Xiang Chen took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Xiao Gu, the ’Spirit Seed’ you’ve planted..."

Gu Shen chuckled, saying, "I don’t wish to get involved in this chaotic mess, so even if you hadn’t reported it, I would have passed it on to Zhu Xue to handle. The Holy Judge infiltration into the military is your North Continent’s private matter, how to deal with it is your issue to ponder. When Her Majesty the Empress sends someone over, I’ll naturally transfer the control over the ’Spirit Seed.’

Upon hearing this, Duke Xiang Chen let out a sigh of relief.

He had been worried about how to converse with Gu Shen... Now it seemed that this Mr. Xiao Gu was indeed a "person who sees the bigger picture."

"Zhu Xue’s people will soon be sent over."

Xiang Chen quickly extended his hand to invite Gu Shen, "While waiting, please allow me to introduce... the ’ancient texts’ I’ve collected."

Outside Xiang Chen’s manor, an airship arrived.

Duke Zhu Xue personally came over.

Because of Xiang Chen’s report, he deliberately brought several strong individuals, and the manor servants who had received Xiang Chen’s orders opened the gates early, awaiting Zhu Xue’s arrival.

Rushing straight to the book tower amidst dust and haste.

"Lord Xiang Chen! Mr. Xiao Gu!"

The voice rang out before people arrived.

However, Zhu Xue had not expected to see an exceedingly warm scene upon entering.

Soft light fell, the inside of the book tower was tranquil.

Lord Xiang Chen and Gu Shen were sitting at the desk, enjoying a pleasant conversation.

A stack of ancient text characters lay on the table.

Before Zhu Xue pushed open the door—

"Mr. Xiao Gu’s talent... truly astonishing, a rarity one could call once in a century. The complexity of Qingzhong Cemetery’s ’ancient texts,’ even if I resigned from all official duties and meditated deeply in cultivation, it would probably take ten years to understand them clearly."

The two of them sat and discussed, leisurely and chatty.

After a round of conversation, Xiang Chen found himself getting increasingly fond of Gu Shen.

He learned that this young man before him had comprehended all the cemetery’s ancient texts in just over a year!

What does this signify?

To say it’s extraordinary talent is an insult to Gu Shen.

In the Five Continents, all these years, countless geniuses tried to comprehend the "ancient texts"... Alas, Extraordinary Cultivation and Ancient Text Comprehension, are entirely separate paths, and even those rated as "S-level" geniuses might not learn ancient texts quicker than ordinary people.

In the past, the most gifted ancient text learner Xiang Chen had seen was actually Master Qianye.

Qianye wasn’t a Five Continents’ native.

This secret he actually knew, back when Qianye was brought back by Gu Changzhi, he happened to be traveling here, the initial "ancient texts" were taught by Xiang Chen to Qianye to learn... not long after, they started pondering together, Qianye’s learning speed increased, as if born with an innate understanding of "ancient texts."

And Xiang Chen was soon surpassed, in this regard, he could only look on with despair.

"You’re too kind, Duke."

Gu Shen could only smile helplessly.

He never felt that his speed in learning ancient texts was particularly fast.

Firstly, because Gu Shen’s cultivation was basically a solitary endeavor, with no one to compare against...

Secondly, because he had witnessed a true "talent."

Chu Ling had comprehended all the ancient texts in the Qingzhong Cemetery in just a few hours... perhaps even less!

This news, Gu Shen didn’t dare to tell Xiang Chen, fearing it might imbalance the Duke’s mindset.

"It’s no wonder she’s Master Qianye’s chosen disciple."

Xiang Chen remarked with emotion: "Her insight has always been better than mine... Speaking of which, she still took a second student, and according to rumors, it seems to be a woman?"

News of Chu Ling, with the help of the Bai Shu Divine Throne, was well concealed.

So far, no one in Changye suspected the identity of the "Tomb Guardian" at the cemetery...

"What kind of woman could become the ’Tomb Guardian’? Could her talent for ancient texts be even better than yours, Xiao Gu?"

Xiang Chen sighed deeply: "If I have the opportunity to visit East Continent again, I must pay a visit."

Chu Ling’s talent for ancient texts is indeed better than mine... and not just slightly better, Gu Shen too sighed inwardly.

Xiang Chen murmured: "Nowadays with the White God presiding over the mausoleum, I fear entering it won’t be so easy..."

Gu Shen quickly laughed: "If the Duke intends to set out, please do inform me, Gu is always ready to welcome you."

Dare not commit anything else.

The matter of entering the mausoleum, that he could still arrange.

Xiang Chen, hearing this, hesitated slightly, his previously gloomy mood vanished.

He laughed: "I was just saying, I’ve heard a bit about what’s been happening in Changye... You two live well, and when the great occasion arrives, I’ll send a congratulatory gift."

"These ancient array talismans... you might as well take them."

Xiang Chen pushed the ancient array talismans on the table forward, sincerely saying: "These special materials record ’ancient texts,’ related to the array patterns of Qingzhong Cemetery, you can take them back and comprehend them slowly."

Gu Shen looked at the talisman on the table, though he was tempted, he didn’t immediately accept them.

"No need to be burdened, this is ’making the best use of things.’

Xiang Chen smiled and pushed it forward again: "Originally these ’ancient talismans’ were meant to be handed to you today... Speaking of which, you might not believe it, when I see you, I’m always reminded of some old acquaintance."

"...Old acquaintance?"

Gu Shen dared not ask more, just lightly repeated these two words in confusion.

Sir Xiang Chen, being advanced in age.

He had long stayed in his study, fond of researching "ancient texts."

When connecting these clues... it inevitably stirred one’s imagination...

"Many years ago, there was a guy, just like you, gifted in ’ancient text research’..." Xiang Chen’s face showed a look of reminiscence, he gently laughed: "Looking back to those days, I traveled the Five Continents together with him..."

At this point, he stopped abruptly.

Hearing this, Gu Shen’s mood was complex, words at the tip of his tongue.

How could he not know that Xiang Chen now referred to Mr. Turing?

Chu Ling’s "list count" would still take a week to come out.

Could Xiang Chen also be... a remnant?

Though he really didn’t want to use this word.

If Xiang Chen truly was a member of the Ancient Literature Society, then no term was more fitting than remnant.

"It’s a pity this guy died too early."

Xiang Chen’s eyes were full of deep sorrow. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel⟡fire.net

He mocked with a lonely laugh: "Even now, I don’t wish to believe... this guy who single-handedly propelled the world into a ’new era,’ would depart so suddenly."

He wasn’t a member of the Ancient Literature Society.

Xiang Chen’s own Transcendent cultivation realm was low, Gu Shen could sense his spiritual anomaly.

This sadness was not feigned.

The "remnants" of the Ancient Literature Society had known the truth of the council’s past persecution of Allen Turing.

Gu Shen’s expression softened, no matter whether Xiang Chen was a member of the Ancient Literature Society, at this point, he had to play along.

"Better not to mention it."

Xiang Chen took a gentle breath, pushed the ancient talisman forward, solemnly saying: "In any case... this thing, you take it, if you can comprehend anything, feel free to tell me."

"Gu... thank you, sir, for your kindness."

Gu Shen no longer stood on ceremony.

As he accepted the ancient text, at that moment, a wooden door outside the book tower was pushed open.

Someone knocked twice.

Zhu Xue glanced around the book tower, the books were intact, a person had fallen asleep, along with a pair of seemingly joyous and long-chatting "friends," everything looked under control.

He raised his eyebrows, smiled and said: "It seems I, have come at a bad time, interrupting your lengthy conversation."