Dimensional Invasion: I Can Fish for All Heavens

Chapter 501 The "Sapphire Blue Scale" that cannot comprehend human emotions, the strongest CJB of the Ice and Snow type.
As if sensing Gu Che's deep emotions, a warm blue light quietly emerged from his chest.

The light converged, transforming into a crystal-clear scale surrounded by dreamlike bubbles, which floated quietly in front of him.

The surface of the "Sapphire Blue Scales" shimmered with light, conveying a voice tinged with confusion:
"Gu Che, why are you unhappy? Your elders are praising you and acknowledging your efforts, so why is your heart so calm, even indifferent?"

Although the "Sapphire Blue Scale" possesses spirituality and symbolizes wisdom, it struggles to comprehend the complexities of the human emotional world.

Within its "knowledge," recognition and encouragement, especially from relatives and elders, should be accompanied by joy and satisfaction.

However, Gu Che did not have such feelings in his heart, and even seemed somewhat indifferent.

So it was a bit confusing for it.

Gu Che shook his head slightly upon hearing the words "Sapphire Blue Scale".

"I'm not unhappy, but I can't say I'm particularly happy either."

"why?"

"Sapphire Blue Scale" expressed its doubts, always curious about "things" that it could not understand.

"Because the most solid relationships between people are often based on the symbiosis and exchange of 'interests' rather than pure emotions."

“My family has devoted themselves to nurturing me because my talents and potential can bring them future security and higher status and prestige; I accept their resources not because I need them, but because they are my people.”

“These resources must be used on me to maintain family ties beyond my immediate family.”

"Praise and expectations are the least important things in maintaining this relationship and cannot change its essence."

"Achieving expectations is good for them, but for me, it's just completing my duty, so there's no need for any special joy."

Gu Che said calmly.

Such is the nature of human relationships: selfless and unconditional giving is not unheard of, but it is rare and extremely difficult.

That is something that needs to transcend worldly calculations; it exists, but only for a portion of people, and even for a portion of time.

The vast majority of connections are based on "interests".

The surface of the "Sapphire Blue Scale" shimmered slightly, as if it were trying to understand these words.

It couldn't understand why humans would tie emotions and interests together, but it could sense that Gu Che had no resentment or dissatisfaction when he stated these things; there was only indifference.

Gu Che reached out and gently brushed his fingertips across the dreamy bubble that covered the scales; the touch was cool and soft.

The "Sapphire Blue Scales" light gradually stabilized, transforming back into a warm blue glow that merged back into his body.

Silence returned to the surroundings.

Gu Che slowly closed his eyes, clearing his mind of all distractions, and his spiritual energy began to flow slowly along the established pathways.

Although his strength has improved this time, surpassing Shen Xuan and once again overpowering Lu Jing and Lin Ruoxi, he knows clearly that the gap between them is not large and could be reversed at any time.

If one becomes complacent because of this and slows down the pace of cultivation, it is almost inevitable that one will be overtaken by those who come after.

He doesn't care about the expectations or evaluations of the power behind him or his family, but he also doesn't want to be surpassed by others.

The breath is calm and focused, the mind and spirit are in harmony.

He once again immersed himself in endless cultivation, just as he had done countless days and nights before.

Shanghai Tian Shu Bureau.

Lu Jing slowly put down his phone; the "Superhuman Ranking" screen was still displaying.

He exhaled a long, hot breath, as if trying to expel the resentment in his chest.

"Although I had considered this outcome, we still lost as expected."

"When exactly did Gu Che get the 'Sapphire Blue Scale'? There wasn't a single word about it beforehand."

"Is this a 'surprise' that this guy prepared specifically for us?"

He muttered to himself, his tone tinged with helplessness.

It's impossible for him to be completely calm; after all, he was the first among them to break through to the fourth level, and theoretically his progress should have been faster than everyone else's, but Gu Che overtook him instead.

But he's not someone who can't accept defeat.

Gu Che was able to defeat him not only because of "Sapphire Blue Scales".

Even without it, with Gu Che's mastery of the Azure Dragon Fruit and his Armament Haki, which he had honed to an extremely high level at some unknown time, he might not be able to defeat him decisively.

Lu Jing recalled the details of their fight, including the scene where Gu Che, after transforming into a dragon, fought him using Armament Haki, and shook his head slightly.

In that battle, "Sapphire Blue Scale" was the key to Gu Che's victory over him and Shen Xuan, but Gu Che's own strength was the fundamental factor.

As for Lin Ruoxi, if the arena hadn't limited the use of her Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability, and if her stamina hadn't been slightly inferior to his, he probably would have been the one defeated by her.

Although Shen Mo is ranked eighth, he is only one step away from achieving 'Bankai'.

Once completed, their strength will inevitably surge, and their ranking at that time will likely be quite different.

Lin Xiu, Fang Yuan, and Li Yunshu, who has the "trembling tornado" template, are all formidable opponents.

"We really can't let our guard down for a moment. These guys are like monsters." Lu Jing sighed, then stood up, stretched his limbs, and looked at the specially made equipment in the training field designed to withstand high temperatures and impacts.

"It seems we need to increase the training volume."

"The development of the Flame-Flame Fruit cannot be relaxed, and the training of Haki cannot be stopped."

"Next time, I can't let myself be left behind so easily."

In the training room of the Jinling Tian Shu Bureau.

The air was filled with the unique smell of sweat and the faint scent of burning electricity.

Lin Ruoxi's figure moved at high speed in the open space, each flash bringing with it blinding lightning. However, her movements were no longer as sharp as they were in battle. Instead, they were accompanied by a kind of self-torture, frantic squeezing out every inch of her muscles and strength.

Sweat had completely soaked through her training clothes, clinging to her body and outlining her slightly trembling curves.

Beads of sweat slid down her cheeks, gathering in a line at her chin before dripping onto the scorching ground.

Her breathing was heavy and rapid, her chest heaving violently, her lungs hissing like bellows, and a series of weak and feeble moans came from her limbs and bones, every cell screaming for rest.

But her eyes, like the most intense lightning in the depths of thunderclouds, burned with flames of resentment.

"endurance!"

"endurance!"

"endurance!"

Silent screams resounded wildly in her heart! These screams were filled with resentment!
She clearly remembered every detail of her battle with Lu Jing.

The two were at the same level and it was difficult to determine who was better. In the end, the game lasted too long and no winner could be decided on the spot. Tian Shu Bureau even considered declaring it a draw.

But Lin Ruoxi knew in her heart that she was already panting heavily at that time, while Lu Jing only felt a little tired.

If the fight continues, Lu Jing will definitely be the winner.

The Rumble-Rumble Fruit grants her unparalleled explosive power and speed, but it consumes a great deal of stamina, especially when engaging in high-intensity, prolonged battles with opponents of similar strength, where this consumption continues to increase.

But that's not a reason.

Lu Jing is also an elemental Devil Fruit user. He uses the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit. Doesn't that consume his physical strength?

So she didn't hesitate to concede defeat and give up the "fifth" position to Lu Jing.

But that doesn't mean she's content!
Despite their similar strengths, she lost to Lu Jing because of this seemingly "insignificant" weakness. How could she accept that?

It must be because every training session is about the same, that's why there's always that slight difference at crucial moments!

This statement applies not only to "agarwood," but also to her!

If she pushes her body to its limits, or even exceeds them, in every training session, how could she possibly fall behind Lu Jing in terms of endurance?

Physical differences between men and women? She wouldn't make that kind of excuse for herself.

Which is stronger, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit or the Flame-Flame Fruit? How much difference is there between the Eye of God and the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame?
Using such an excuse to justify her inferiority to Lu Jing in terms of endurance is something even she herself would laugh at.

"Boom!"

A bolt of lightning, more condensed than before but smaller in range, exploded in her palm. The powerful recoil caused her to stagger back several steps, her arm going numb.

But she gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing even brighter, and forced herself to steady herself, channeling her power once more.

She meticulously controlled the power of thunder within a certain range, repeatedly releasing it at high intensity and frequency, constantly pushing her physical limits.

She wanted to adapt this body to longer and more intense battles!

Her clothes were wet and then dried, then wet again, and the sweat pooled on the ground, gradually forming a small puddle; her body's moans grew stronger, but the fire in Lin Ruoxi's heart burned brighter and brighter.

She was unwilling to stop there, and even more unwilling to fall behind others because of so-called "shortcomings".

She can accept losing fifth place, but if she loses this time, she must win it back next time!

Next time, she will never let endurance become her stumbling block again!
Pengcheng Tian Shu Bureau.

Unlike the others who were engrossed in their training, Shen Mo wasn't wielding his sword. Instead, he crossed his arms, frowned, and kept talking to the "Hyourinmaru" that was floating in front of him, radiating a chilling aura.

"What do you mean I lost to them this time?"

"It's as if I'm the only one fighting, and you're not fighting at all."

"If you hadn't refused to cooperate with my Bankai, would I have lost? I would have beaten Gu Che to a pulp!"

"Huh? What did you say? I didn't break through to the fourth tier first as promised? What can I do if Lu Jing breaks through? And am I not going to break through later?"

"You should reflect on yourself more. Why was the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto affected by Fang Yuan's Trident of the Sea God? Even the artifacts of the Hydrogen Continent can affect you. I'm ashamed for you."

"And what about Gu Che and the others? Armament Haki can completely ignore you! If your Shikai can't affect them, then use Bankai! What if the gap widens even further later on if you can't beat them this time?"

"Do you know what people outside are saying about you? The strongest ice-type Zanpakuto? The strongest ice-type CJB!"

(End of this chapter)