Chapter 1654: Chapter 1103: Godhood Intelligence
One day later.
The plane returns to Mexico.
Wu Heng, along with the Wood Elf Sisters, pushed open the door, travel-worn. Mini immediately approached, skillfully taking his coat and hanging it aside, "Master, was the journey smooth?"
Wu Heng smiled, his tone calm, "It was smooth enough. We captured three Ghosts; it should be enough for us to ask questions."
Philippa, hearing the voices outside, also pushed the door open and came out from the bedroom, eyes bright with excitement, "Who wrote the speech for the forum talk? It was excellent, better than anything I’ve heard you say on Gold and Silver Island. The forum is buzzing about it now."
"A prepared script," Wu Heng walked over and ruffled her hair, then did the same with the parrot’s head, and asked, "Where’s Lilith and the others?"
Mini glanced at the clock on the wall, "Lilith Leader hasn’t returned yet, but looking at the time, she should be back soon."
It was almost dinner time, too.
"Then we’ll wait for them and try the chessboard game after dinner," Wu Heng said.
The household members nodded and busied themselves.
Mini turned towards the kitchen, Robey helped set the table... the atmosphere in the house was filled with the warmth of daily life.
...
Wu Heng sat in a corner of the sofa and opened the forum on his phone.
Only two days had passed since the ’Professional Scroll’ speech, but the buzz hadn’t waned a bit.
The top position was still occupied by his live video from that day and the announcement of the Spirit Awakening Sect’s first batch of professional selections.
Countless posts below were still fervently discussing the matter.
Regardless of age or gender, everyone seemed to show a remarkable longing for ’getting stronger,’ especially after experiencing the End of the World. More and more realized that only Strength could ensure survival in the next crisis.
Wu Heng continued to browse the official post for recruiting followers by the Spirit Awakening Sect, with daily hits and applications still soaring.
The enthusiasm of the remaining survivors had been successfully stirred.
With a slight thought, he called up the system panel.
[Faith: 46187/50000]
Just over three thousand to go.
At this rate, once the Faith of new followers fully converts, breaking through to the Hero Stage should not be a problem.
As he was pondering, familiar footsteps came from outside the door.
Lilith, Viola, and Xi Ligui entered one after another, their coats still carrying leaves and dust.
"You’re back?" Wu Heng looked up.
"It should be us asking you!" Lilith shed her coat, then asked, "Did you catch the Ghosts?"
"Caught them," Wu Heng continued, "first, let’s eat, and then we’ll use the chessboard after dinner."
"Okay!" The others freshened up briefly and then sat down at the dining table to eat.
They chatted as they ate, discussing the forum speech and the Professional Scroll.
...
The night fell, and the living room was bright.
Everyone sat around, the air thick with a silent tension.
Lilith lightly tapped the table with her fingertip, breaking the silence, "We’ll still be four participants, plus one Ghost."
"Okay." Wu Heng nodded, his gaze steady.
Viola took out the chessboard, shimmering with ghostly light, as the dice rolled.
The Ghost host emerged again at the main position, face blurred, voice even, "Please confirm the number of players."
Viola glanced over at the four present, and the Ghost responded immediately, "Four people."
Wu Heng took out the Demon Soul Pot, saying with concentration, "This time, we want to learn more about whether Divine Spirits can be killed, and if so, how."
The jug’s mouth opened, a hideous Ghost shrieked out, but was confined to the fifth chair by an unseen force in the next second, becoming yet another ’player.’
The Ghost host coldly declared.
[Welcome to the Destiny Chessboard: Lost Temple. Game start, Destiny Dice begins to roll.]
The dice rolled and finally settled on five.
Five puppets on the chessboard moved forward five spaces.
[The adventurer team traverses the desert, discovering an ancient Sanctuary half-buried under the sands.]
[The face of the statue at the entrance has been chiseled away, the body damaged, and the surrounding inscriptions scraped away and replaced with incomprehensible etchings.]
[As you examine it, several ’Guardians,’ made of shadows and withered branches, surge out from behind the statue, attacking all living things!]
[Adventurers, you engage in battle with the twisted Guardians.]
[Strength 38, Damage Immunity.]
[You repel the enemies, but forever lose a companion, left in this desolate desert.]
No sooner had the words fallen than the Ghost on the fifth seat shattered abruptly, turning into wisps of gray smoke, completely absorbed by the Ghost host.
Wu Heng glanced nonchalantly; after devouring the Soul, the Ghost’s outline seemed clearer, a barely perceptible gleam appearing in its eyes.
Indeed, it’s getting stronger by absorbing Ghosts.
[Intelligence -2.]
[After a brief rest, you set off again. The Destiny Dice begins to roll...]
Dice rolled to a two.
[Following the enemy’s retreat, you discover a cleverly hidden stairway leading underground.]
[Entering the underground secret hall, the air is cold, infused with musty spices and the scent of rust, ancient murals covering the walls.]
[A surge of intense mental force suddenly sweeps over the whole team!]
[Intelligence 47, Damage Immunity.]
[The impulsive Wood Elf Sisters have their memories distorted.]
[In your ’new memories,’ the teammates beside you are no longer trustworthy, some crave blood, others engage in Forbidden Techniques to kill... Suspicion and fear erupt instantly!]
[Conflict is unavoidable, verbal disputes quickly escalate to deadly battles. Swords and Blades cross, Magic bursts forth...]
The spectators around held their breath, and Wu Heng’s expression suddenly darkened.
In-game conflict had arisen, and if anyone dies, it signifies a Hero killed a Hero.
It truly means people can die.
[The internal conflict subsides, three teammates unfortunately perished.]