The void sealing the Jiuyin rapidly collapsed, finally transforming into a crimson-gold sword box.
The blade named Jiuyin was sealed within the box, not a sound escaped from it.
Ji Zhou handed the sword box over.
Gu Jianlin didn't expect the matter to be resolved so easily and hesitantly reached out to accept it.
The sword box was cold and heavy, radiating a chilling aura.
"A growth-type mythical weapon, initially it doesn't seem special, but as your rank improves and the weapon itself evolves, it will reveal extraordinary mysteries. At that point, it can transform into a matrix and attach to your body at will, far more convenient than now," Ji Zhou glanced at the Tang Blade and said indifferently.
Gu Jianlin, having the Wedge's spatial capacity, didn't find it inconvenient.
"But I must warn you, if you can't tame this mythical weapon, you won't receive any combat strength enhancement. Worse, it might backfire on you, causing great harm."
Ji Zhou warned with deep implication, "Aren't you planning to explore the Sea of Eternal Life?"
Gu Jianlin was taken aback: "Hmm?"
"The Ether Association conducted strategic analysis and preliminary simulation based on the intelligence you provided. In the first layer of the Qilin Immortal Palace, the most perilous place is the Sea of Eternal Life, ten times more dangerous than the Returning Burial Forest."
Ji Zhou snorted, speaking coldly, "The Sea of Eternal Life involves the two Lords, Qilin and Candle Dragon, with Xu Fu—the Immortal—also meddling, not to mention other unknown oddities. No matter how well-prepared the Ether Association is, they can't guarantee absolute safety. This time, people are bound to die."
Men die for wealth, birds die for food.
Ascenders have always set their lives aside, chasing after awe-inspiring power.
To say that no one would perish would be impossible.
Gu Jianlin stroked the sword box and said earnestly, "Thank you for the warning."
Ji Zhou suddenly narrowed her eyes and asked, "Why do you still want to go despite the danger? Someone as talented as you should focus on building your strength, staying away from risky ventures. When your power is sufficient, everything will fall into place."
Gu Jianlin pondered for a moment before answering, "I don't have much time left. I carry a cursed bloodline, and in the future, I may have to face a Primordial in full glory. Moreover, the Order of the Hidden has provoked me; I can't simply stand idly by. I also won't allow my companions to encounter trouble one by one—that's why my teacher chose me."
He continued, "Besides, risks often come hand in hand with opportunities."
Ji Zhou regarded him calmly and asked, "What about you?"
Gu Jianlin shook his head: "I'm not important."
After a long pause, Ji Zhou let out a soft sigh, "So be it. For someone like you, shackles are more of a torment than death itself. But let me remind you, today's world is not what it used to be. While there are indeed many Evolvers in this world, most of them stand at the peak of existence, so they no longer have anything to fear."
"As for someone as weak as you."
She said, "Other than you, only Thunder remains."
Gu Jianlin faintly grasped what Evolvers signify in this realm.
No fear of contamination.
Harnessing the power of Ancient Gods in mortal flesh.
An endless temptation.
"Everyone seeking the path of evolution will come for you."
Ji Zhou spoke with indifference, "Thunder is still manageable. She awakened long before you, though she wasted a lot of time herself. Nonetheless, she's built a solid foundation and will ascend rapidly in the short term—this isn't an issue."
Her sentence trailed off.
But Gu Jianlin understood her implication.
His own foundation was genuinely shallow, making swift advancement nearly impossible.
At this moment, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Senior, is Tang Ling alright?"
Ji Zhou shot a glance at him, "That young lady went through so much with you, risking life and limb in all your nonsense, and you're only now thinking of her?"
Gu Jianlin felt a bit embarrassed; he truly hadn't considered it earlier.
That woman came from the Sword Tomb lineage, which made her prone to discrimination due to her family background.
Now, with her identity as an Evolver revealed, she was likely to face punishment from her mentors.
"You don't have to worry about her. It's precisely because she accidently unlocked the path of evolution that she garnered respect."
Ji Zhou said, "Even the President discovered through her that the Heavenly Realm and the path of evolution are not mutually exclusive."
Gu Jianlin's heart stirred: "The President truly values her?"
Ji Zhou nodded slightly, "A prodigy. Given time, she is destined to surpass the President."
Only then did Gu Jianlin comprehend just how exceptional that young woman was.
But she achieved all this as a pure human—it wasn't simple.
"Sadly, Thunder still hasn't learned to be ruthless and harbors a deep dislike for the Extraordinary World."
Ji Zhou sighed softly, "Even now, she's wasting time on trivial matters."
Gu Jianlin was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"Why do you think she appeared in the Peak City District? Why did she participate in the Underwater Palace's mission? Or team up with you in the Returning Burial Forest? It's all because of her ancestor."
Ji Zhou gazed out at the spire and remarked with a sense of nostalgia, "The President always saw Thunder as the successor, but she doesn't appreciate it. A significant reason is that if Thunder truly becomes the next President, she can no longer pursue these matters, nor can she reverse the injustice suffered by her ancestor."
Gu Jianlin didn't understand. If she became the President, wouldn't it just take a word to resolve everything?