Light Fortress
Chapter 716 - 204: The Homeward Train

Chapter 716: Chapter 204: The Homeward Train

One day later.

Qinghe District.

On the inter-district long-distance train to Da Teng City.

Due to a heavy snowfall, the train windows were frosted over, but even through the blurred mist, one could still see the Qing River that the train was currently crossing, a river that spanned across the East Continent. The waters weren’t frozen, and the great river flowed from north to south, surging ceaselessly, maintaining its vitality even in the coldest season.

light symphony music played in the carriage, and the heating was on.

All was tranquil.

A young waitress in a puffy skirt pushed the food trolley, passing by passengers one after another.

"Sir, madam... this is a complimentary beverage."

The waitress, brimming with smiles, moved from one passenger to the next, stopping beside a young "couple." She looked at the young man and woman with some surprise.

Her gaze mainly fell on the woman.

This was her first time seeing such a beautiful girl, likely just having come from a COSPLAY event, still dressed in an old-time red and white ritualistic attire, like a goddess stepped right out of an illustrated book. The girl was intently looking out the window, her gaze seemingly piercing through the distant fog, ethereal above the surface of the Qing River.

Merely by her profile, she was captivating.

She shook her head slightly, focusing her spirit. Bending down to offer the drinks, she said in a warm, friendly voice, "Excuse me, can I ask for a favor? There will be a free upgrade to a better carriage event in ten minutes. I was wondering..."

Gu Shen glanced at the name badge on the woman’s chest.

Ling Wei.

He said indifferently, "You don’t have to invite me to the VIP carriage. Just say what you have to say over the intercom."

As he finished his words, while taking the beverage, he lightly extended his hand.

Without any visible action.

The earpiece Ling Wei was wearing in her ear fell down, landing in Gu Shen’s palm.

"Hello."

Gu Shen softly spoke up, "This is code V340011250001. My last name is Gu."

The voice on the other end of the intercom fell silent for a moment.

Obviously taken aback.

"Thank you, Mr. Gu!"

Gratitude came over the intercom, the voice of an excited and vigorous young man: "Although I don’t know your identity, Deep Sea provided information that there are three Transcendents on this train. We might need your help."

Gu Shen smiled.

He looked up at Ling Wei, gesturing that she could leave, and the latter, straightening her skirt, pretended as if nothing had happened, continuing to move forward, playing the role of a "train waitress."

The voice on the intercom sounded vaguely familiar.

His identification records were indeed "highly classified." In Changye City, apart from the Elder Council of the five major families who could access part of his file, no one else knew anything.

In other words.

Gu Shen’s current trip, to a certain region of the East Continent, was known to very few people.

And personnel within the three institutions with Deep Sea clearance could only know that a Transcendent from within the system had arrived here. The reason there was a coordinate display was actually to deal with emergencies.

Over the past few years, the containment missions faced by the three institutions have been increasing.

Perhaps also due to the increasing number of "uncontrolled collapses," the probability of calls for help in out-of-control incidents was getting higher.

At such times, if Deep Sea detected a system operative whose files were unclear, it was actually a good thing.

Most of the time, this was a High-Order Transcendent.

"Mr. Gu..."

The voice over the intercom was worried, "We have encountered an urgent situation. Deep Sea has rated the level of the emergency as possibly reaching B-. I wonder if you could lend us a hand?"

Gu Shen’s voice was too young.

This was worrying, as the High-Order Transcendent coordinates shown on Deep Sea’s map might be a misunderstanding, since not only High-Order Transcendents would have their files hidden—some technicians with great contributions to the Federation Government would also enjoy this treatment.

"Tell me about it. Maybe I can help."

Gu Shen spoke with a smile. He glanced at the time, "Three more minutes and the train will be stopping at the station."

The voice on the other end of the intercom sped up.

"Deep Water Area file number C038712, which you can check for yourself. This is a task involving the containment of an out-of-control sealed item, which was supposed to have been completed. The prison officer responsible for the containment, named ’Zhou Xiao,’ triggered a warning from Deep Sea ten minutes ago, alerting us that Zhou might have lost control."

The file numbering system within the three institutions was simple: if it started with a C, it meant the mission’s danger rating was C.

It was very likely that the danger of the out-of-control sealed item was underestimated or the containment officer made a mistake, leading to the loss of self-control in spirit.

So... the danger level increased from C to B-?

Gu Shen lifted his gaze slightly towards Ling Wei, who although maintained a smile, had a tense posture. This woman’s spiritual power was roughly around the third floor of the deep water area, still in the first stage.

There were two other Transcendents on the train, but both were on par with Ling Wei.

Such strength was indeed not sufficient to deal with seasoned combat personnel. It was normal for them to be nervous upon receiving Deep Sea’s emergency notification.

"The sealed item is called ’Ghost Gauze.’"

Chu Ling, who had been sitting by the window, looking out at the river scenery, spoke softly, "The wearer’s spiritual power will be greatly boosted, but at the same time, it also increases the probability of losing control. According to the rules of containment missions, it would be considered complete once strong logic material is used to suppress it."