Light Fortress

Because he had used the Truth Ruler, the fatigue from the insufficient rest of the previous night was now completely swept away, and Gu Shen's heart was filled with a positive emotion similar to "revival in spring."

He finally understood what Senior Sister Luo had spoken about—the thing that could help him control the Extraordinary Power.

This Dream was more like a lesson.

There was no better way to teach than being immersed in it… This entire Dream World, from the grass detritus to the startling thunder, all creatures were teaching him… how to breathe.

It was a breathing technique that could only be comprehended and not conveyed through words.

"It's too incredible."

Gu Shen's eyes became brighter and shone brilliantly as he looked at Chu Ling with deep gratitude.

During his deep sleep, Gu Shen could feel that someone had always been by his side.

"This is the 'Jingzhe' that Gu Changzhi left to the Judgement Institute," Chu Ling said softly, "You probably wouldn't find a more suitable breathing technique for beginners in all five continents than 'Jingzhe.' As long as you master this breathing technique and frequently refine your spirit, you can significantly reduce the probability of losing control."

"Jingzhe…"

Gu Shen clenched his fist; he felt he harbored a massive power within him. His spirit now felt extraordinarily full and rich, as if he had an endless amount of energy.

Inside his spine, it felt as though there was a line of thunder hidden.

Just like the word Jingzhe!

"The only downside is that comprehending 'Jingzhe' is incredibly, incredibly, incredibly… difficult."

Chu Ling had used the word incredibly three times and looked at Gu Shen with a complex expression, saying, "The vast majority of people, even if they have the chance to come to this Dream World, won't experience a hint of resonance or enlightenment."

Gu Shen looked down at the grass detritus in his palm.

Is it that hard?

But his enlightenment seemed to have encountered no difficulties… Everything had gone so smoothly that even describing it as plain sailing wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"Did you choose 'Spiritual Link' because you were afraid I'd run into trouble?" Gu Shen smiled, "Sorry to disappoint you."

Chu Ling was noncommittal, "Yes, but not entirely."

"If I hadn't entered this Dream World… after you had comprehended 'Jingzhe,' this Dream would have ended."

Chu Ling lifted her head to the world's end after the spring rain had ended; the distant clouds were clearing, the clouds fractured, and the horizon at the edge of her vision began to move in.

This Dream World was already beginning to collapse, but in the heavens above, blurry symbols and codes descended, so the collapse of the Jingzhe Dream was drastically slowed down.

"You can't leave yet."

Gu Shen was taken aback.

"Only fifteen minutes have passed in the real world."

Chu Ling simply explained, "The fastest comprehension record in the history of the Judgement Institute is one hour and forty-five minutes. If you go out now… no matter how much Zhou Jiren tries to protect you, those people at the Judgement Institute would probably suggest dissecting you for research."

"… Fifteen minutes?!"

Gu Shen was astonished; if someone told him that fifteen hours had passed in the Jingzhe Dream, he would have believed them.

Only fifteen minutes had passed in the real world.

Gu Shen understood what Chu Ling meant.

In many games, the record for first place is always being broken. If you beat the previous first-place by a small margin, the record breaker is respected as the new champion. But if the time is several times, dozens of times faster… then people might assume that person is a disgraceful cheater.

"The Jingzhe World is about to collapse."

Gu Shen saw the collapse at the far horizon; he really didn't want to leave now and, feeling like crying but having no tears, said, "How much longer can we hold on? You should have told me earlier; I could have taken a nap here before comprehending."

"Many things in the Dream World are not under the control of your own consciousness." Chu Ling smiled, "Your subconscious decides the outcome of the Dream. If you chose to sleep, you might complete your enlightenment in the next level of the Dream. This is why many people exhaust their minds trying to comprehend 'Jingzhe,' try all sorts of methods, and still fail in the end."

"The good news is… with my delaying, the collapse of this world has slowed down. We will still set a new record, but only a little faster than the first place." Chu Ling held up a finger, revealing a rare playful smile, "Just a little bit."

"Just a little bit?"

"Faster than the original first place by just a little bit?"

Gu Shen sighed deeply, earnestly asking, "Chu Ling, with your vast capabilities, can you avoid making me the first place? I am better at lurking behind; it really gives me a sense of security."

The girl slightly tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

She couldn't quite understand why Gu Shen wanted to be the last in line.

Everyone wanted to be first, to be the record-setter, shining brightly and catching everyone's eye.

"I always wanted to be just an ordinary person..."

"I never wanted to shine brightly or catch anyone's eye..."

Gu Shen took a deep breath, his slow speech gradually speeding up, "Once you're first, people suddenly have expectations for you for no reason, you have to keep running, faster and faster, and you can never stop. Mr. Shu saved me with a pardon, my senior brothers and sisters came all the way to teach me, they got me a new house and gave me a lot of money, I now feel like I'll disappoint them if I don't get an 'S' grade. But... Chu Ling, do you know, they don't realize that I don't have that so-called 'Extraordinary Ability'!"

Chu Ling stared blankly at the boy.

After the spring rain, grass clippings and water droplets clung to the sides of Gu Shen's cheeks, his eyes, clear as ponds, showed three parts struggle and seven parts pain.

Actually, he didn't not want to be first.

He was afraid of letting down those who had treated him well.

Gu Shen just felt that everything was happening too quickly and it was absurd, in fifteen days, the Judgement Institute's review would take place, where his "Extraordinary Ability" would be graded... but who could imagine that he had no Extraordinary Ability at all!

What use was special training?

What use was delving into the "Jingzhe"?

Even if he exerted his utmost effort, it was destined that all efforts would amount to nothing.

"Who says that."

At the collapsing end of the world.

A gentle voice sounded.

"Who says you have no Extraordinary Ability..."

Chu Ling shook her head, her face serious and her voice sincere, spreading with the rain, enveloping the surroundings, bringing a sense of peace.

"You just haven't awakened yet."

The world was crumbling slowly.

Gu Shen no longer looked at the grass clippings, the rainwater, or the broken clouds; the scenery in his eyes wasn't important anymore, all that mattered was this girl.

In Chu Ling's eyes, he saw something different from what others saw.

It wasn't expectation, nor was it encouragement, or comfort.

It was a definitive declaration, a prophecy that would surely come true.

"Gu Shen, you have to believe in yourself... You are worthy of an 'S' grade!"

...

...

The concept of time in the Dream World cannot be understood.

The time for comprehension seemed so slow.

Yet the time for collapse was so fast.

Nothing particular happened, yet the end of the world was already visible, the horizon collapsing, replaced by countless blocks of blurred code.

Chu Ling stood in the darkness, smiling as she spoke.

"Since you don't want to be the one who sets records, then I'll happily walk behind you. The road is still very long, very long..."

This time, it was the girl who reached out her hand, wanting to touch the boy.

This time, still not truly touching—

Chaos code flew around.

Darkness enveloped.

Dream, shattered.