[This Gu can subtly influence the mind of a Golden Core Cultivator, making it incredibly valuable.]
The Ten Thousand Gu Sect was entrenched deep in the Southern Border, shrouded in poisonous miasma, with Gu Insects everywhere.
"That damned place, the Ten Thousand Gu Sect, has more bugs than grains of sand!" Hou Qi said, a look of disgust on his face.
"I’ve heard they can use Gu Insects to sense Qi Blood True Essence. No matter how good your disguise is, there’s no guarantee you won’t be discovered. As for that Golden Core Heart Gu, it’s probably kept in their ancestral hall or by the Sect Leader’s pillow. Steal it? How’s that any different from a suicide mission?"
[Mission Four: Go to ’Little Suru Mountain’ in the Western Regions and rescue the prospective Demon Child, Liu Mobai, from the Golden Core Arhat, ’Pu Shan’.]
[Liu Mobai was captured due to certain circumstances and is imprisoned in a place bathed in Buddha’s Light.]
The Scroll revealed a peaceful and solemn Buddhist Temple, from which faint Sanskrit chants could be heard.
"Rescue soone from the bald monks’ den?"
Hou Qi’s eyes widened. "Those bald monks are best at defense and suppression, and Buddha’s Light heavily suppresses our Demon Skills. Plus, if we cause a big disturbance, we’ll attract more Arhats or even Bodhisattvas. We won’t be able to escape even if we sprout wings!"
Wu Yuanji sighed. "Snatching food from a tiger’s mouth is especially unwise. The thods of the Buddha Country are our perfect counter."
Just then, Ji Boyan’s cold voice echoed through the main hall.
"The missions are clear. Weigh the pros and cons for yourselves. The Altars may form alliances or act alone."
"You have three months. Those who succeed will be granted one Nascent Soul Lecture and three Tier Four Demon Essence Pills. Those who fail... or miss the deadline... bring your heads."
The pressure mounted instantly.
The three female cultivators from Miaoyin Cave exchanged glances. Their delicate laughter was laced with calculation as their eyes swept over the Altar Masters present, seemingly searching for suitable partners.
Hou Qi was so anxious he was scratching his head. "Senior Brother Qin, what does Senior Brother Wu think? None of these four are easy marks! Wiping out a Golden Core Sect is suicide, killing the Demon King and rescuing the hostage are both too difficult, and stealing the Gu Insect is just too strange..."
Wu Yuanji looked at Qin Xuan. "Junior Brother Qin, the Demon Slaying Sword Talisman could be of use. However, the might of a Golden Core is not sothing a Purple Mansion can face head-on. We must find an opportune mont, or use leverage to our advantage."
Qin Xuan’s gaze was deep and thoughtful as he slowly scanned the four mission scrolls.
The Golden Radiance Sect ran too deep, the Demon King of Wind-Split Gorge would be difficult to kill, and Little Suru Mountain was a dragon’s lair and a tiger’s den... Qin Xuan unconsciously stroked the cold surface of his Corpse-Control Bell.
He pondered for a mont before looking at Hou Qi. "Old Hou, in your opinion, which path should we choose?"
Hou Qi rubbed his hands together, his small eyes glinting shrewdly as he leaned in and whispered, "Senior Brother Qin, if you ask , we should choose the Cyan-Winged Wind Roc of Wind-Split Gorge!"
He licked his sowhat dry lips. "I, Old Hou, keep my ear to the ground. I’ve heard that you have a Demon Slaying Sword Talisman, which is the bane of the Demon Race and has unparalleled power! Using it against that feathered beast is the perfect solution for our problem!"
"Sure, that Demon King is fast, but we can figure out a way to ambush it, or find so Magical Artifacts to counter its wind-based movent... That’s got to be better than clashing head-on with a Golden Core Sect or walking into that dragon’s lair and tiger’s den, right?"
As he spoke, he discreetly pointed to the scroll for Mission One and shook his head repeatedly.
’Fucking hell, only an idiot would take Mission One.’
Qin Xuan nodded slightly. Hou Qi’s suggestion aligned perfectly with his own thoughts.
He then turned his gaze to the silent Wu Yuanji. "Senior Brother Wu, what are your thoughts?"
Wu Yuanji’s withered face was expressionless. The few copper coins had sohow reappeared between his fingers, and he slowly rolled them.
"Liu Mobai... is highly regarded by the Green Snake Xuan Sha Demon Monarch. Rescuing him, though it ans entering the tiger’s den, would grant us a sliver of the Demon Monarch’s unseen protection."
"The danger is imnse, but if we succeed, the subsequent rewards... would be incomparable to the other missions."
Wu Yuanji’s implication was clear: choosing to rescue Liu Mobai would be tantamount to forging a connection with the Green Snake Xuan Sha Demon Monarch, and the long-term benefits would be astounding.
Qin Xuan fell into deep thought.
Mission Two seed the most straightforward, allowing him to play to the strength of his Demon Slaying Sword Talisman.
Mission Four, on the other hand, was about securing a future backer, but the Buddha Country was perilous territory, a place of almost certain death.
As for Mission One—wiping out a Righteous Dao Golden Core Sect—it was an option that nearly all the Purple Mansion Altar Masters had subconsciously dismissed. It was nothing short of a death sentence.
"What about Mission Three?" Qin Xuan asked.
Wu Yuanji shook his head, his expression grave. "Gu Techniques are treacherous and impossible to defend against. One wrong move, and you’ll be damned for all eternity. I do not recomnd it."
Qin Xuan grew pensive, catching sight of the three female cultivators from the Miaoyin Cave Joyful Altar in the distance.
The leader, a female cultivator nad Yun Ni, shifted her graceful figure beneath her light gauze. Her eyes danced as she whispered to her companions.
At that mont, the gazes of the three female cultivators were also wavering between Mission Two and Mission Four, clearly giving Mission One a wide berth.
Just as Qin Xuan was weighing the pros and cons, personally leaning toward Mission Two...
[Top-Top Lottery: Choose to infiltrate the Southern Border and obtain the Golden Core Heart Gu. Though every step is fraught with peril, it is secretly aligned with your True Sun Fire. There is opportunity hidden within the danger. You will obtain a Fourth-Grade Opportunity, Refinent is promising, and the outco will be safe and sound. Great Fortune.]
[Middle-Upper Draw: Choose to go to the Western Regions and rescue the prospective Demon Child. Buddha’s Light counters demons, yet it contains the Demon Monarch’s hidden providence. You will obtain a Sixth-Grade Opportunity containing the secrets of both Buddha and demon. Good Fortune.]
[The Worst Draw: Choose to destroy the Golden Radiance Sect. Information will leak, and you will be besieged and killed by the Righteous Dao. You will be afflicted with the ’Bone-rotting Heart Curse’. No chance of survival. Great Peril.]
[The Worst Draw: Choose to slay the Cyan-Winged Wind Roc. The Demon King is cunning; you will be devoured by it instead. The Demon Slaying Sword Talisman will be destroyed, and you will perish in Wind-Split Gorge. Great Peril.]
The mont he saw the Divination results, Qin Xuan froze.
He stared at Wu Yuanji, his eyes filled with shock.
’Fucking hell, this old Demon really knows his stuff. His predictions were barely any different from the Divination results.’
’The only part that was slightly off was his take on the ’Steal the Gu in the Southern Border’ mission.’
Seeing Qin Xuan remain silent for so long, his expression shifting, Hou Qi couldn’t help but press him. "Senior Brother Qin, have you decided yet? I still think that Demon King..."
"No." Qin Xuan took a deep breath, his gaze firm as it locked onto the mission scroll labeled "Steal the Gu from the Ten Thousand Gu Sect." In a heavy voice, he declared, "I intend to go to the Southern Border."
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