Gu Yuan's soul continuously vibrated, and his heart churned with insights into the divine path, the power of incense, and the virtue of earth. These were things he couldn't use yet, but when the time came to break through realms requiring such profound understandings, Gu Yuan would find it far easier than others.
The name Wugui surfaced in his mind, and he felt its meaning might be:
Nowhere to return, yet everywhere is a place of return.
Just as the God of Blessings and Virtue had his own divine positions in countless households, he himself lacked a true home. His home was in the myriad households, in the territories teeming with countless human races, in this mortal world!
Gu Yuan's consciousness returned to his body, and he opened his eyes. The profound insights from the Great Dao continued to surge in his mind, and a faint, earthy yellow spiritual light began to emanate from him.
Startled, he quickly suppressed his thoughts, cooperating with the Dao Fortune Heavenly Diagram to quell the burgeoning insights in his mind, which could also be considered insights into the divine path of the God of Blessings and Virtue.
If Gu Yuan had allowed this surge of understanding to develop, he would have only one outcome: to become Daoized, a part of the divine path of the God of Blessings and Virtue.
This kind of insight was not something Gu Yuan's current realm could handle; he had to proceed with extreme caution.
After half an hour, the Great Dao insights in his mind were suppressed by the Dao Fortune Heavenly Diagram, to be offered to Gu Yuan for comprehension at a suitable time. It was at this moment that Gu Yuan received a message from the Dao Fortune Heavenly Diagram:
This comprehension served another function. If Gu Yuan absorbing fate and experiencing its power was considered 'fortune', then this experience of the God of Blessings and Virtue's deification process was 'Dao'.
To observe and experience the path of a deity's ascension was 'Dao', and thus the Dao Fortune Heavenly Diagram was formed.
So that was it. Gu Yuan understood. It seemed another layer of the Dao Fortune Heavenly Diagram's seal had been broken. He just didn't know what conditions triggered the unsealing of its functions.
Gu Yuan was bewildered and could only abandon the thought. However, this incident served as a warning: at his current low realm, he couldn't interact with matters related to the Dao; he wasn't qualified. Witnessing the God of Blessings and Virtue bring all things back to life with a single thought was far more profound than witnessing the destruction of a world, for creation was always infinitely more difficult than destruction.
He rubbed his temples. Although he had experienced it from another perspective, the mental energy consumed was not small.
The Chaos Demonic Ape visualization technique in his mind began to operate automatically, restoring his mental energy. Gu Yuan then went to sleep to recuperate. He had to take on a mission tomorrow, and it was likely he would have little rest for the following few days. He wondered what kind of mission it would be.
The next morning, the three of them quickly replenished their energy and headed straight for the mission hall of Great Dragon Pass.
The mission hall of Great Dragon Pass was specifically designed for mercenary groups. Missions that were inconvenient for the army to handle could be entrusted to mercenary groups, or missions could be posted to seek out certain items. This also contributed to the economy of Great Dragon Pass. Furthermore, such mission halls existed in every city, varying in scale, and were official institutions.
Upon arriving at the mission hall, they were greeted by a completely black building emitting a heavy aura. Above the main entrance hung a structure of crossed swords and sabers, the emblem of the mission hall.
As the three of them entered, they found themselves in a large hall. It utilized spatial formations, making it far larger than it appeared from the outside. Many people were discussing which missions to accept. A giant screen hung above, filled with missions, ensuring everyone could see them.
A staff member, who had been waiting nearby, immediately approached them upon seeing their arrival and led them towards the mission receiving area. Missions for prodigies, after all, couldn't be the same as those for ordinary individuals; otherwise, so many students wouldn't have died during their training. However, the students who grew under such circumstances could stand on their own. Thus, it had its pros and cons.
The staff member led them into a room located at the rear of the hall.
Upon opening the door, the staff member gestured for them to enter. The three exchanged glances, and Gu Yuan took the lead, with the others following.
The room was simply furnished: a screen mounted on the wall, a table, four chairs, and a middle-aged man in military uniform.
Seeing the three arrive, the middle-aged man smiled and stood up, saying, "Hello. I am the person in charge of this mission, and I am a Colonel at Great Dragon Pass. My name is Wang Lei. Please, have a seat."
The three exchanged glances. A Colonel was at least a fifth-tier expert, and even Wugui, who suffered from social anxiety, dared not be too presumptuous. The three cautiously sat on the row of chairs, their expressions serious.
Seeing their demeanor, Wang Lei couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't be so tense. Without further ado, let's get straight to the mission briefing."
The three nodded.
The screen on the wall lit up, displaying lines of text.
Gu Yuan frowned slightly as he read. These lines of text detailed the mission:
Mission Name: Sacrifice of the Demonic God Cult!
Mission Location: Within a secret realm located three hundred li outside Great Dragon Pass.
Mission Description: White-robed members of the Demonic God Cult are conducting a sacrifice in a small secret realm. Preliminary estimates suggest there are about fifty humans in their possession, along with fifty gray-robed puppets.
Sacrificial Offering: The Flesh and Blood Demonic God!
Consequence of Successful Sacrifice: A fifth-tier demon will be created.
(Demonic God Cult Ranks: Each rank corresponds to a strength level. Gray-robed puppet: A human transformed into a puppet, either willingly or unwillingly, strength equivalent to the Body Forging realm; Black robe: Equivalent to the Meridian Opening realm; White robe: Equivalent to the True Qi realm; Red robe: Equivalent to the Qi Sea realm; Elder: Equivalent to the Inner Scenery realm, and so on.)
Secret Realm Information: This is a secret realm with a radius of one hundred li, speculated to be left behind by a Dharma Aspect realm expert.
After the three had finished reading the information, the screen shifted, and a picture appeared before them. In a dark canyon, suspicious figures in gray robes were constantly entering and exiting.
"Have you finished reading?" Wang Lei asked with a smile.
The three nodded.
"This mission is the sacrifice of the Demonic God Cult. The difficulty level is considerably dangerous. Those who do not wish to participate can withdraw without any penalty." Wang Lei then scanned the eyes of the three, hoping to see fear, but he was disappointed. Their gazes were firm, showing no trace of timidity.
Wang Lei nodded with satisfaction and continued, "The location of this mission has been marked. This is a locator; just follow the direction of the arrow. You will be going outside the pass, three hundred li deep. There are numerous fierce beasts living in this distance, so be mindful of concealing yourselves."
"Moreover, the Demonic God Cult will begin their sacrifice tonight. It's best you arrive before then, or you will be facing a fifth-tier Great Demon. All the intelligence has been prepared for you, along with your equipment. Return alive, young men." Wang Lei gave them a final reminder before letting them leave.
The three bowed and departed. Led by a staff member, they collected a set of wilderness equipment. Through a hidden passage, they quietly left Great Dragon Pass and entered the vast mountain forest.