CHAPTER 948: CHAPTER 749: CONSCRIPTS

"Whoosh!"

Above the Transit Continent.

A constant star orbiting the continent slowly came to a halt, as if something aimed at the arch where the Flowing Void Battleship was located.

And just at the moment when this arch was locked on by the stellar weapon, Gu Jinlai, Liu Wanhu, Bo Wen, Xue Yan, and others simultaneously felt a chilling sensation.

"It’s the Constant Light Divine Cannon, inscribed with the Space and Destruction Dao, personally refined by an Immortal Golden Immortal skilled in the Creation Dao. Its power is equivalent to an Immortal Artifact, almost unstoppable in the Golden Immortal Realm."

Liu Wanhu quickly said, "Everyone, do not act rashly and wait for the inspection personnel to come and investigate."

At the same time, he turned his gaze to Gu Jinlai: "You haven’t been corrupted by the Freedom God, have you?"

"No."

Gu Jinlai shook his head.

However, he also felt some unease in his heart.

"The world we were born in has an Evil God Avatar. I came to the New Fire Star Sea this time to find a method to resist that Evil God Avatar. Also, its dispersed energy interfered with the cultivation system of my world, and at that time, unknowingly, I also practiced some of its powers."

Gu Jinlai explained.

"The Evil God...The power of the Evil God comes from degradation. Although it’s somewhat less corrosive to thought and consciousness than the Divine Spirit, it’s still quite troublesome..."

Liu Wanhu said, with a bitter smile, "I didn’t take this into account."

"You know Star Lord Tian Xiang; can you send a message to him asking for his guarantee?"

Xue Yan suggested.

"I don’t have his contact information."

Gu Jinlai said.

"I’ll find a way to notify Star Lord Tian Xiang for you when the time comes."

Liu Wanhu said as he glanced at Gu Jinlai.

Clearly, everything depended on whether Gu Jinlai truly had nothing to do with the Evil God.

Soon, three streaks of light shot over.

Accompanied by the manifestation of the Power of Dao, the leader, a middle-aged man in a black robe, was obviously a top-tier Golden Immortal.

The three landed at the bridge of the Flowing Void Battleship that Liu Wanhu had already opened, and their eyes quickly fell on Gu Jinlai: "Come with me."

After speaking, he glanced at Liu Wanhu: "You all also need to undergo an inspection."

"We will cooperate."

Liu Wanhu nodded, simultaneously saying: "This Daoist Gu here was simply targeted by an Evil God Avatar in his hometown, and his cultivation system was contaminated by the Evil God. Unknowingly, he came into contact with some Evil God power..."

"No need for you to say more, we will make our own decision."

The leading middle-aged man waved his hand.

Liu Wanhu wanted to say more, but Xue Yan discreetly shook her head at him.

Soon, the group was taken away, divided into two batches for inspection.

Gu Jinlai was obviously the main focus of the inspection.

Liu Wanhu and others only needed to undergo some basic inquiries.

As a Great Dao Golden Immortal with a good reputation and supported by a large power, these members of the New Fire Star Sea Law Enforcement Department wouldn’t go too far.

Once the groups were separated, Liu Wanhu sighed: "If he can prove there’s no direct connection with the Evil God or Divine Spirit, hunting down enough Evil Spirits and Holy Spirits can clear his suspicion and allow him to enter the New Fire Star Sea... At this moment, he really needs this merit."

"We don’t know if his relationship with the Evil God or Divine Spirit is really as he says it is. What if it’s some Divine Spirit’s ruse?"

Xue Yan retorted.

But she knew that her argument didn’t hold, so she immediately said: "Besides, this Daoist Gu came to the New Fire Star Sea to find a way to resolve his hometown’s Evil God Avatar. Being taken by the Law Enforcement Department might not be a bad thing for him."

Liu Wanhu was moved: "You mean..."

"For cultivators whose cultivation system was contaminated by the Evil God, it’s hard to determine what they truly think or how much they accept the power of the Evil God..."

Xue Yan said.

After all, the power of the Evil God...

Is too strong.

Many people initially only unintentionally came into contact with the power of the Evil God, but later, when they achieve something as a Great Dao Golden Immortal and find it hard to progress further, they turn to the Evil God, thereby willingly sinking.

"He is a Great Dao Golden Immortal, and such accomplished immortals will not be treated too harshly. If he really only carried a trace of Evil God power due to his contaminated hometown’s cultivation system, he will be directly sent to guard a place in the military department. As long as he completes the guarding tasks, he’ll usually earn substantial rewards. If he can be proactive, perform well, and even establish merit, he might even be able to ask an Immortal Golden Immortal from the military department to help eliminate his hometown’s Evil God Avatar."

Xue Yan said, looking in the direction where Gu Jinlai disappeared: "For someone intent on saving his hometown, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing."

Liu Wanhu, hearing this, didn’t refute.

Gu Jinlai originally came to find a way to save his hometown; in the absence of an Immortal Artifact or the ability to forge a Small World, going to the military department to resist the waves of the Evil God power was indeed a relatively good option.

Although it’s not risk-free, as long as he has the capability, it’s indeed possible to quickly stand out, and even hopefully earn enough merit to invite an Immortal Golden Immortal to eliminate an Evil God Avatar.

...

The handling of Gu Jinlai by the Law Enforcement Department was indeed as Xue Yan and Liu Wanhu had guessed.

After a review spanning nearly half a month, involving several Great Dao Golden Immortals and more than a dozen Immortal Artifacts, due to the inability to clearly discern his stance, he was assigned to the military department in a "forced enlistment" manner.

This method of handling is similar to how Lingxiao Palace treats cultivators who become Red due to other reasons.

Gu Jinlai is not exactly making amends for a crime.

While in the Military Department, he received all his due wages and didn’t lack any entitlements he should enjoy.

The only difference is that his freedom was affected.

If he doesn’t complete a hundred years of service, or escapes the battlefield without achieving enough merit, he would immediately be treated as a genuine criminal and become wanted throughout the New Fire Star Sea.

At that time, it would be extremely difficult to take even a single step.

...

On a transport ship.

Gu Jinlai flipped through the Military Department’s code, feeling somewhat speechless.

Is this being conscripted?

Hadn’t he only reached the Great Sky Lord stage on the path of the creator?

He hadn’t truly transformed into a Spirit Realm Life, yet he was being treated this way.

But it was fortunate he hadn’t converted himself into a Spirit Realm Life, or an evil spirit; otherwise, he might have been directly exterminated the moment he was discovered at the transit station.

"It’s not completely a bad thing; slaying evil spirits can still provide abundant rewards. If it’s an Evil God Avatar, one can earn merit! Just gaining three One-star Merits allows one to exchange for freedom and leave. Besides, One-star Merit can be redeemed for a variety of precious resources, Immortal Artifacts, Immortal Immortal Instruments, Immortal Skills, Enlightenment Points—all are available. Some Great Dao Golden Immortals are even actively joining the Military Department to team up and hunt Evil God Avatars, build merit, and exchange for resources needed to cultivate into an Immortal Golden Immortal."

Gu Jinlai viewed the information on the Jade Scroll.

The Military Department is quite generous to the Golden Immortals below.

Merit earns rewards, and the rewards are quite generous.

Of course, there is no denying the danger in resisting the Evil God Avatars and evil spirits’ assaults.

It’s said that at some high-intensity defense points, the mortality rate of Great Dao Golden Immortals exceeds thirty percent.

"Compared to resisting the Evil God’s assault, I still prefer hunting divine spirits... Unfortunately, burdened with suspicion, it’s not up to me."

Gu Jinlai thought to himself.

But...

Resisting the Evil God’s assault isn’t bad either.

It allows one to attempt to learn how to battle against the Evil God.

...

The transport ship traveled along, carrying more than just Gu Jinlai.

After several stops, the number of people aboard the transport ship exceeded one hundred.

All of these hundred people, without exception, were experts like Gu Jinlai who had condensed the Great Dao.

Among them, some socially adept individuals had already begun communicating with others, seeking to form groups. Those Golden Immortals who thought they had formidable battle power remained aloof, adopting a stance of keeping strangers at bay.

After a moment, a friendly Golden Immortal approached Gu Jinlai with a smile and said, "Greetings, Daoist. I am Ling Sheng, an elder of the East Splendor Sect. Thanks to some fortuitous encounters over the years, luck has often accompanied me, and my friends kindly bestowed upon me the nickname ’Master Changsheng.’ May I know how you are addressed?"

"I am Gu Changqing, from the Profound Immortal Realm, far from New Fire Star Sea."

Gu Jinlai didn’t intend to seek assistance from Star Lord Tian Xiang and naturally continued to operate under the guise of Gu Changqing from the Profound Immortal Realm.

"Coming directly to the Military Department from outside the New Fire Star Sea? Daoist, you certainly possess courage."

Ling Sheng was somewhat awed, then continued, "It seems Daoist has great confidence in your own strength... The place we are headed to, the ’Red Moon Realm,’ has encountered twelve Evil God Avatars and evil spirit assaults totaling two hundred and thirty-three times in the past century, averaging two to three encounters per year. The Great Dao, which the twelve Evil Gods each could elucidate, varies distinctly. Not even mentioning those ranked in the top ten Great Dao, apart from a few rare Evil Gods, most others lacked the ability to elucidate it. Beyond that, there’s the Devouring Dao, Slaughter Dao, Dark Dao, Nihility Dao..."

This Golden Immortal, familiar with everyone, listed more than a dozen Great Dao.

Finally, he inquired, "I perceive a deep and unfathomable aura from you, Daoist. Could it be that you are cultivating the Devouring Dao?"

Gu Jinlai glanced at him.

His Divine Sense Ability had reached the Seventh Rank, and even though his compatibility with the Devouring Dao wasn’t high—only about thirty percent after devouring a part of the Demon Realm—this man was still able to discern it, indicating his extraordinary perception.

However, he didn’t hide it.

"Indeed."

As soon as these words were spoken, a significant number of gazes fell upon him.

The Devouring Dao was certainly ranked just below the top ten Great Dao.

Even with low compatibility, the Lifebound Immortal Skill nurtured by such a Dao wouldn’t render its battle power lacking.

"Daoist is indeed remarkable to have mastered the Devouring Dao and achieved Golden Immortal status."

Ling Sheng wore a look of admiration.

However, Gu Jinlai could sense that his "admiration" carried a substantial element of performance, though it at least created a pleasant feeling on the surface.

In social circles, adept in communication.

This was what people like him were referred to as.

"Our current entry into the Military Department and application to be stationed on the front line at the Red Moon Realm is partly due to carrying out tasks or because of other factors, leaving us no choice. But mostly, it’s to hunt Evil God Avatars and build merit. Evil God Avatars are formidable, and even top-tier Golden Immortals don’t dare claim to be able to defeat them single-handedly. In such a situation, it’s best for us to unite and work together."

Ling Sheng said, inviting, "I’ve already spoken with four Daoists—they each cultivate the Slaughter Dao, Life Dao, Dark Dao, and Sealing Dao and all possess renowned Golden Immortal battle strength. I consider you exceptional, Daoist. Would you be interested in joining us, forming a team, taking initiative in seeking Evil God Avatars to defeat and earn merit? What do you think?"

After speaking, he smiled, modestly saying, "Besides the four I’ve invited, we also have my senior, Donghua Immortal, who cultivates the Destruction Dao, and I have made some progress in the Space Avenue as well. I believe we won’t be a hindrance to everyone."