dkrc Chapter 1820 The Awakening of the Gold-Eating Gu
Chapter 1820 The Awakening of the Gold-Eating Gu
Chen Wanli, too lazy to continue beating around the bush with Ye Zhenjun, simply laid his cards on the table:
"When Ye Zhenjun previously demonstrated his abilities, he overpowered the Refining Void Thunder Roc. Although we are not at the same level, we can still see that the talisman technique you used is profound and mysterious, far surpassing that of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators."
Your remnant soul's origin is likely far beyond our imagination in its previous life.
Even in your current state, you are so wary, even needing to gather the strength of others beforehand, and using vague and delaying language...
What exactly dwells on that fifth floor? If we don't get a clear answer, we might not dare to venture in and investigate.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Chen Wanli had pointed it out, Ye Zhenjun no longer completely avoided the question. A deep look of apprehension appeared on his face, and he said in a deep voice:
"Young friend Chen has keen insight. In fact, even if you hadn't asked, I would have told you frankly."
Near the fifth-level teleportation array, there is indeed an extremely terrifying existence; I call it the Myriad Talisman Demon Corpse.
"The Myriad Symbols Demonic Remains?" The Dragon King frowned and repeated.
"This item is not a complete soul-devouring entity," Ye Zhenjun explained in a low voice.
"They are the Xiu family members who, like me, survived the destruction of Qingmu Star back then."
His cultivation level is so high that he has reached the mid-stage of the Dao Integration Realm. He is also a demonic cultivator and is extremely brutal!
However, he wasn't as lucky as I was.
Its remaining, undying divine soul, having mutated due to the extreme environment of the fifth level, has become a complete monster.
"The Dao Integration Stage?!" Kuafu Chong exclaimed in shock, and Fang Fengting's face also turned deathly pale.
These two words struck like a heavy hammer into everyone's heart.
Above the Refining Void realm is the Harmonizing Dao realm, which is the realm where one truly touches upon and begins to merge with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, a realm vastly different from that of Nascent Soul and Spirit Transformation cultivators like them.
Even a remnant soul is enough to terrify people.
"Please calm down, everyone!" Ye Zhenjun quickly reassured them. "After all, it is just a mutated remnant soul, and it is also limited by the rules of the secret realm, so it no longer possesses the power of the Dao."
In terms of the actual level of power it can mobilize, it's roughly... equivalent to the late stage of the Void Refinement realm.
Late stage of Void Refinement!
The atmosphere remained heavy.
Even those in the late stage of the Void Refinement realm are beings they can only look up to.
A single Ice Armored Dragon Turtle at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm on the third floor nearly wiped them out.
"Although its realm is comparable to the late stage of the Void Refinement stage, its truly terrifying aspect lies in the fact that its attack method is perfectly suited to the environment of the fifth level."
Ye Zhenjun's expression was extremely serious. "The fifth level is the 'Illusory Heart Sea,' which specializes in attacking the Dao heart and arousing inner demons."
The 'Ten Thousand Talisman Demon Remains' retains some of the Daoist memories and inner demons of that Dao Integration expert. Its attacks often target the weaknesses of the soul, triggering the deepest fears and illusions within, killing people in illusions.
No matter how powerful your magic is or how powerful your magic weapon is, once you lose your mind, you are like a lamb to the slaughter.
Although I possess some talismanic techniques sufficient for self-defense, to completely eliminate this fiend, we must gather the strength of many, using different elemental supernatural powers and magical treasures to disrupt its illusory magic and restrain its mental attacks. Only then can I find its core weakness and have any chance of victory.
He glanced around at the crowd, noticing their pale or ashen faces, and softened his tone, adding a hint of seduction:
"This monstrous creature is the greatest obstacle on the fifth level, blocking the way to the deeper realm of great opportunities."
Removing it will not only pave the way forward, but the remnant soul that vanished after its fall and the condensed essence of the illusion may also yield something beneficial for comprehending the Great Dao and tempering the mind.
The Dragon King remained silent for a moment, then his eyelids twitched slightly: "How confident are you?"
Ye Zhenjun pondered for a moment, then extended his right hand: "If we are well prepared and everyone works together, we have about a 60% chance of success."
Sixty percent chance, a life-or-death struggle. This probability isn't high, but it's not entirely hopeless.
The Dragon King fell silent, turning his gaze to Chen Wanli as if seeking his opinion.
Unbeknownst to him, having experienced three life-or-death situations and the sudden enlightenment at Thousand Shadow Lake, Chen Wanli's influence in this temporary team had quietly surpassed that of the Dragon King.
Chen Wanli's face remained expressionless, but his mind was racing.
Ye Zhenjun's description was half true and half false. The "Ten Thousand Talisman Demon Corpse" might be real, but its purpose was far more than just "removing obstacles".
However, he was right about one thing: since we've come this far and come this deep, moving forward is practically the only option.
"A 60% chance of success is enough to take the gamble," Chen Wanli said calmly, his tone carrying an air of certainty.
"The path to the spirit world is inherently against the will of Heaven; how can it be without danger?"
Since Lord Ye Zhenjun needs our assistance, besides being frank about the matters of the spirit realm afterward, surely he will also offer some other form of assistance?
Ye Zhenjun immediately responded, his smile becoming more sincere: "Of course! Regardless of success or failure, I will not only answer all your questions about matters of the spirit realm, but I can also promise..."
If the teleportation channel can be opened in the future, you can all use it first.
Furthermore, I may personally bestow upon you some secret techniques unique to the spirit world, or information on treasures suitable for your paths, as a token of my gratitude.
Whether it's just empty promises or grand pronouncements, at least the restless crowd has a tangible "future."
Kuafu Chong and Fang Fengting exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other's eyes the determination to fight to the bitter end.
They had no choice but to gamble; if Chen Wanli and the Dragon King wanted to go in, they had no right to refuse.
"Since both Young Friend Chen and True Lord Ye have this intention, I, the Dragon King, will naturally oblige." The Dragon King finally stated, nodding slightly.
The atmosphere eased slightly, but concerns remained.
Chen Wanli suddenly asked again, "True Lord Ye, what level of cultivation would your current remnant soul body be equivalent to if you exerted your full power?"
This will give us a better understanding of the situation and allow us to know how much effort we should put in when cooperating.
Ye Zhenjun seemed to have anticipated this question. After a moment's consideration, he frankly replied, "My remnant soul is incomplete, and my memories are incomplete. I cannot use many high-level talisman techniques. The power I can currently use is roughly equivalent to... the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm."
Compared to the myriad-talisman demonic remains, it might be slightly inferior in terms of magical power and endurance, but with its exquisite talismanic arts and understanding of its characteristics, maneuvering and restraining it should not be a problem.
The middle stage of Void Refining!
Everyone was shocked again, but upon reflection on his previous behavior, they felt that it was to be expected, and perhaps... he had even held back.
Chen Wanli and the Dragon King exchanged glances, both sensing the other's disbelief.
This old devil is probably hiding something deeper than he says.
That also means that the monsters on the fifth floor are even more troublesome than he described!
"The specifics of how to coordinate will depend on the situation on the ground." Ye Zhenjun did not want to delve into this topic, and changed the subject:
"The most urgent task is to get to the teleportation array that connects the fourth and fifth floors."
There was also a guard at the teleportation array, a 'Blood Vine Dragon Wood Puppet', which absorbed the essence of the blood lake and the spiritual energy of the ancient wood, making it quite troublesome.
However, compared to the Myriad Talisman Demon Corpse on the fifth level, although this thing is tough and has strong regenerative ability, it does not have such strange and mysterious mental techniques, and can be broken by force.
I will later refine some auxiliary talismans, just in case.
He spoke casually, as if the "Blood Vine Dragon Wood Puppet" was merely a slightly stronger obstacle than the third-level guardian beast.
Having just witnessed the slaying of the Void Refining Dragon Turtle and the forging of the Thunder Roc by True Monarch Ye, and having heard of the Dao Integration Old Monster, the group did not take the Blood Vine seriously.
They treated it as just another tough battle, without considering the potential cost behind Ye Zhenjun's "quite difficult to deal with" and "strong recovery ability".
"Please take a moment to rest and recover. I need to concentrate on making a few important talismans."
After Ye Zhenjun finished speaking, he ignored everyone and walked straight to a relatively flat, dark red boulder by the lake, where he sat down cross-legged.
With a flick of his sleeve, several materials shimmering with different lusters and brimming with spiritual energy floated in front of him.
There were talisman paper as smooth as jade, wood pulp with golden threads, demonic beast blood congealed like mercury, and several spirit stones with different attributes.
He held his breath, raised his hands slightly, and began to sketch in mid-air, his fingertips shimmering with spiritual light.
There was no trace of human activity, no intense fluctuations of spiritual energy, only a calm and focused rhythm.
His fingers moved seemingly slowly, but with each stroke, faint rune shadows merged into the floating material in front of him.
The talisman unfolds automatically to receive the spiritual patterns; wood pulp transforms into flowing lines, embedding itself into the structure; essence blood adorns key nodes, imbuing them with spirituality; spirit stones provide a stable and pure source of spiritual energy…
The entire process was smooth and flowing, filled with an indescribable beauty of the "Tao".
Although the crowd did not understand the profound talisman techniques, they could feel the rigorous principles and immense spiritual power contained in each stroke.
Kuafu Chong and his fellow gods were dazzled and became even more in awe and convinced of Ye Zhenjun's methods.
Chen Wanli watched quietly, his opinion of Ye Zhenjun's mastery of talismans rising even higher, while his vigilance deepened as well.
Of all Ye Zhenjun's statements, apart from the fact that the Wanfu Demon Remains situation was probably true, he didn't believe a single word of the others.
If it were when he first entered the village, Chen Wanli might have refused to continue.
However, Chen Wanli's desire to continue exploring is now even stronger than that of the Dragon King, and not much less than that of Ye Zhenjun.
After all, the power of the third level of origin, as well as the experience of the Blood Lake, had a huge impact on him.
Where did the Immortal Healer's Heavenly Scripture come from, and where is it going?
Who can refuse the answer to the deepest question in their heart?
Just as Chen Wanli was about to take a moment to adjust his breathing and probe his storage ring with his divine sense to retrieve the pills, his body suddenly stiffened!
In that corner where miscellaneous items were stored, a small black iron box, a gift from the Gu King that he had almost forgotten, was now emitting an extremely faint yet clear... rhythm!
And a strange thought, almost imperceptible, filled with greed and longing!
Gold-Eating Gu?!
The strange Gu worm that had been dormant and silent ever since it was given to it by the Gu King has actually... awakened?