Song Ci knew that the person he had to deal with was not Jia Wei.

According to Jia Wei.

Today the Great Elder Council would be waiting for the trialists in the latter half of the Red Lake.

This so-called "latter half" should be a place only he could reach—

He stepped onto the Red Lake and glanced around.

The other six finalists had just walked a hundred steps before their steps started to falter as if walking on thin ice.

These people hadn’t truly believed in the Light. The spiritual power contained within the Red Lake water repelled these "non-believers", making each step increasingly difficult.

Seeing this, Song Ci was more convinced of his earlier thoughts.

He was different from these people.

He was the [Light Apostle], personally chosen by the Divine Throne of Light. If even he couldn’t see the "light", then who could complete this trial at Red Lake?

He walked slowly, steadily.

With each step, Song Ci could feel the welcoming presence of the Red Lake’s waters.

The vibrant waves guided the path to the end.

Soon, he stood at the center of the lake, where Jia Wei often sat cross-legged, ahead lay a thick fog engulfing the lake’s center—

Ironically.

This [Light Apostle] stood on the dividing line at the lake’s center, looking forward, yet seeing nothing.

The fog within his heart was so vast it nearly drowned his vision.

The reason was simple; although he was the [Light Apostle], his heart was not with the Light.

In his life, he had never truly believed in the God of Light.

...

...

"Song Ci is indeed the fastest one."

Luo Yu sighed softly, "The others are too slow... They probably won’t reach the center of the lake."

Song Ci had completed half of the journey while the others were just beginning, with only ten percent progress.

Moreover, one person had already fallen into the water.

"It’s close."

Gu Nanfeng watched with unchanged expression, merely uttering the words softly.

"Close?"

Luo Yu was puzzled, not understanding what the Young Master meant by "close".

But he noticed a detail.

When Song Ci reached the center of the lake, the Young Master inadvertently touched the hilt of the wooden sword.

Countless people were watching the Red Lake trial, and the first person to fall into the water was the oldest Upper City Transcendent... Just walking a hundred steps before suddenly plunging into the lake, as if unexpectedly falling into an icy abyss.

Jia Wei sat by the lakeside.

As the Upper City Transcendent lost his footing, Jia Wei immediately stood up.

Instantly vanishing from the spot, reappearing at the point where the Transcendent fell. With one hand, he grabbed the Transcendent’s back collar.

"Mr. Frey, your ’trial’ is over."

Jia Wei’s voice was devoid of emotion.

This rapid speed astonished everyone.

Even Gu Nanfeng narrowed his eyes, as everyone knew the title of this Light City Holy Judge was [Barrier]. Thus, in people’s rigid impressions, this heavily armored Great Knight should move slowly, which was indeed the case when he first appeared at Red Lake.

But now, Jia Wei exhibited speed that was nearly "instantaneous movement".

"So fast?"

Luo Yu clicked his tongue.

He instinctively looked at the Young Master, who was now slowly rising.

"I’m going out for a while."

Gu Nanfeng calmly transmitted, "Keep an eye on the Gu Family Envoy with Zhong Fan, and watch those Night Watchmen... Remember, this is an order."

...

...

"Gu Nanfeng has taken action."

Su Ye, at the back of the crowd, constantly watched the Gu Family Envoy. He first transmitted the order via Spiritual Link, "Everyone keep a close watch on the Gu Family Envoy, and keep an eye on those Night Watchmen... Report to me immediately if anything suspicious happens. If encountering strong resistance, use force if necessary to stop it."

With the transmission of the order, Su Ye also started to take action.

Gu Nanfeng moved swiftly.

He walked among the crowd, with sighs rising behind him, undoubtedly, the second person to fall in the Red Lake finale had appeared...

But he didn’t care.

He didn’t come here today to watch the others’ finale.

He knew a Spiritual Lock was on him, its source was Su Ye. Once he left the Gu Family Envoy, wherever he went, Su Ye would watch him.

Seeing Gu Nanfeng leaving the temple.

Su Ye followed, without the intention of "Spiritual Communication", just keeping up behind the Gu Family Young Master. He knew Gu Nanfeng moved quickly, but Light City wasn’t large, as long as his spirit wasn’t lost, there was no need to panic.

In the worst case.

So what if the spirit got lost?

He knew Gu Nanfeng’s endpoint.

Thus, the two of them wound through alleys and streets, leaving the temple, walking through the grand festival of Light City. Gu Nanfeng seemed just like a tourist, his route having no apparent purpose.

Su Ye was very patient.

He wasn’t in a hurry, even interested in playing this game with the Gu Family Young Master.

...

...

"Lord Luo Yu, why are you sweating so much?"

Zhong Fan, intending to chat with the Gu Family Envoy, spoke with confusion, "And Young Master... Where is he?"

After finishing his words, Zhong Fan suddenly fell silent.

He roughly guessed something, immediately wanting to turn and leave.

"Sit down."

Luo Yu’s iron hand pressed on the young man’s shoulder, transmitting firmly, "Stay put with the Gu Family Envoy and Night Watchmen at Red Lake, this is the Young Master’s order."

"Did Young Master Gu choose to act now?"

Zhong Fan couldn’t help but look back, but of course, he couldn’t see anything.

Zhong Fan took a deep breath and asked anxiously, "Why didn’t you tell me about such a big matter beforehand?"

Luo Yu’s expression was somewhat helpless.

He couldn’t say that even the Young Master kept it from him.

"The Young Master... has his own arrangements."

Luo Yu could only speak in this way.

He looked towards Red Lake, meeting that cold gaze.

Jia Wei’s seat was very close to the Gu Family Envoy, so he noticed Gu Nanfeng’s departure as well.

Today’s Red Lake trial was nearing its end. Except for Song Ci, the six final candidates moved very slowly. Now five have fallen into the water, and only one remains, unexpectedly persisting for a long time.

This last one was almost at the center of the lake.

Having witnessed Song Ci’s effortless walk, the performance of these final candidates was difficult to describe as "spectacular."

The once lively and noisy Red Lake had quieted down considerably at this moment.

As night drew near, twilight enveloped the scene, dragging the remnants of dusk. The motivation for these spectators to continue watching partly came from wanting to witness "Song Ci" reaching the end of Red Lake and partly from wanting to see a genuine "sunset" beside Sunset Mountain.

This final trial attracted many spectators.

But so far, it seemed none of the anticipated events had occurred.

The last finalist eventually collapsed before reaching the heart of the lake, unable to hold on... unless they were Light believers, even doing nothing on Red Lake depleted spiritual power.

The person fell flat, yet did not make the expected splash.

Jia Wei instantaneously moved a few miles, just like when he brought back those prior trialists... returning this last person to the shore of Red Lake.

At this moment, the "final trial" at Red Lake had essentially ended.

Because of the fog in the center of the lake.

The [Heavenly Eye] couldn’t capture the scenes of the second half.

All awaited was the final result.

After rescuing all six final candidates, Jia Wei planned to leave the lakeside... The first half of the trial he supervised was over, and now he could return to the fog border at the lake’s center to resume his meditation.

But he didn’t go back.

He stood by the lake, meaningfully looking at the empty seat of the Gu Family Envoy, then walked towards the crowd.

The spectators by Red Lake looked confused, instinctively squeezing to the sides, making way.

There was the direction leaving the temple.

They didn’t know what the Holy Judge intended to do, but it was said Jia Wei had been meditating at Red Lake for a long time.

If it wasn’t something extraordinarily urgent and important, he would never leave this place.

This is also the origin of the titled name [Red Lake Keeper].

Now that the Red Lake final trial was ending soon, could there be something that requires the Holy Judge to personally act?

Just as everyone puzzled over making way... another figure, originally inconspicuous, emerged from the crowd.

Because everyone else moved aside.

But he did not move.

Wrapped in a cloak and black garb, he stood among the flow of people. Had they not backed away, he would have been no different from the thousands of other spectators, merely a bystander at Red Lake’s shore today.

But those people moved aside.

The entire shore was left with him alone.

"Crack... crack..."

Jia Wei’s steps forward were slow and heavy, crushing many pebbles along the way.

He gave the crowd ample time to react and also gave that non-retreating other person plenty of time to step aside, but in the end, nothing changed. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The crowd divided like a tide into two sides.

This cleared path was densely covered with pebbles.

And a shadow clad in black stood blocking the road.

"Boom——"

Majestic flames of light ignited in the silhouette of the Dusk Lake, the Great Knight in bright armor drew his lance, starting a fast charge. His armor erupted with brilliant light, and he alone unleashed a grand aura akin to thousands of troops, leaving the retreating spectators amazed, as they never imagined the Holy Judge would suddenly draw his weapon.

The resplendent flames shot hundreds of meters forward.

The peaceful lakeside was ignited by the radiant fire of the lance, yet the anticipated deafening explosion did not occur.

This strike was incredibly swift.

No one in the crowd could discern the trajectory of the Light Breaking Spear -

Six years ago, this spear could shatter the Vermillion Bird Divine Envoy’s defenses.

Six years have passed.

Jia Wei had grown stronger, and this spear had become even more fierce.

But unfortunately, the spear did not strike the person Jia Wei intended to strike.

The blazing light dispersed.

The figure shrouded in a black cloak revealed itself.

He stood with his toes on the lance.

The lance barely lowered.

The explosive force contained in the lance tip was suppressed by a skillful technique, unable to be released.

Red Lake shore, silent as can be.

All the envoys, Five Continents Practitioners, temple elders, Holy Judges, heavy armor guards, and those relinquishing power at Sunset Mountain were all stunned watching this scene.

Especially those temple elders, whose eyes were almost protruding.

Because they knew too well the terror of Jia Wei’s strike.

Thus they felt as if they were dreaming.

"I’ve heard that Light City has emerged a peerlessly mighty individual who inherited the [Barrier] title, today it seems, I’m quite disappointed..."

The light and floating voice echoed over the temple.

Dusk, Red Lake, just a few caws sounded.

Standing on the Light Breaking Spear, Gu Shen looked down at Jia Wei clad in bright armor ahead.

He spoke word by word, expressionless.

"You dare call yourself [Barrier]?"

...

...

(PS: Adjusting biological clock, just three updates tonight! The big climax is coming! Asking for monthly votes!)