Chapter 3: The Eighth-Level Altar (Part 2)

Yao Yao left the Gu Tang family the next day. She had to return to the sect in person to explain the matter of Yu Zhong being forcibly recruited.
Guo Shier and the other two stayed temporarily in Gu Tang City. They were accommodated in a large manor in the city, one reserved by the Gu Tang family for hosting distinguished guests.
Ying Mo and Luo Zhan began preparing anxiously for their level-up, as they needed to construct the altar on their own. Guo Shier was also preparing to level up, aiming for the eighth-level altar. The eighth-level altar was already almost complete. With Shuai Lao Tou as its sacrificial spirit, his progress was much smoother than that of Ying Mo and Luo Zhan.
Each of the three stayed in a separate building, served by professionals from the Gu Tang family. Here, they didn’t need to be on guard, as the Gu Tang family did everything possible to meet their needs. Of course, the three didn’t really need anything; they just asked that they be left alone.
Guo Shier sat on the platform atop his building, summoning the altar to hover before him. The eighth-level altar was taking shape. He chanted spells repeatedly, continuously refining it. Shuai Lao Tou also appeared partially on the altar, helping to cast spell symbols and refine it. The two worked in perfect harmony.
This time, Guo Shier planned to stay for a while to settle down, mainly because there was a great deal to refine, which required time. Not only did the altar need to be upgraded, but the Soul-Stabilizing Cauldron and the Moon Blade also needed refinement, along with some sacred treasures that required elevation in grade. After all, it was an eighth-level altar, and the power of the sacred treasures needed to match it as well.
Guo Shier complained, “Shuai Lao Tou, this eighth-level altar is way too complicated! It’s been over ten days now, and I’ve cast tens of millions of spell symbols—why is there still so much left unfinished? How much longer will this take?”
Shuai Lao Tou snapped, “You little brat, already impatient! I’ve done most of the work for you; you just need to finish the rest. Damn it, look at Ying Mo and Luo Zhan—they’re suffering way more than you…” He cursed loudly, leaving Guo Shier speechless.
After a while, Guo Shier sighed.
Shuai Lao Tou asked, “What’s wrong now?”
Guo Shier replied, “There’s still no news. Sigh… I don’t know where Master and Masteress have gone. Shuai Lao Tou, we’re running out of time…”
Shuai Lao Tou fell silent for a moment. He understood Guo Shier’s feelings—he knew that once he left this world, he would never have another chance to see his master and masteress.

“You don’t need to rush either. If things get too difficult, just delay for a while. Anyway, they won’t force you to leave,” Guo Shier said. “Elder Shuai, once we leave this world, you’ll have to follow me. This path… its outcome is uncertain. Will you blame me?” He and Elder Shuai were as close as father and son. Elder Shuai had played a huge role in his rapid improvement in strength, and he had always been grateful to him.

Elder Shuai replied, “Why worry so much? Anyway, I can’t leave the altar. Wherever you go, I’ll go there too. If you die… I can’t survive either. If you want to live, try to improve your strength. The two of us are inseparable.”

Guo Shier nodded. “Okay, let’s work hard!” The two continued to refine the altar.

…

Half a year later, in addition to successfully advancing to the eighth-level altar, Guo Shier also refined the Soul-Calming Cauldron, the Moonblade Sacrificial Treasure, the Umbrella Tower Sacrificial Treasure, the Hundred-Resolution Pearl Sacrificial Treasure, and many others—almost all his commonly used sacrificial treasures. Fortunately, he had no shortage of materials, and everything was completed successfully, greatly boosting his strength.

In recent days, Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan had also successfully advanced to the sixth-level altar. The souls of the three of them were extremely strong. Based on the strength of their souls, it wouldn’t be a problem for Guo Shier to advance to the ninth-level altar as well. He had enough materials, but lacked the time to construct the altar. Guo Shier was well aware of this. However, he no longer had time to stay. After Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan advanced, he planned to leave the Gu Tang family.

He called Tang Da over and asked, “Ancestor Tang Da, any news?”

Tang Da would come every few days to report on the progress of the search, but he had given up hope, as no clues could be found. It seemed those two had never set foot on the continent controlled by the Gu Tang family. He said, “Ancestor, no news.”

Guo Shier asked, “Any news from other families?”

The reason he had stayed so long was because he relied on the Gu Tang family and the Ancient Secret Sect to send out numerous spirit projections to search for Ku Mu and Monier. It was likely that all the surrounding continents had issued this mission. If Ku Mu and Monier entered this region, they would surely be found.

Unfortunately, there was still no news. Guo Shier guessed that Ku Mu and Monier hadn’t been here, otherwise, there would have been some trace. After all, professionals had different eyesight from ordinary people—they would remember anyone they saw once. The reward he offered for the mission was quite high, enough to tempt even families and sects.

Tang Da shook his head and said with a wry smile, “No.”
Eagle Demon said, “Let’s return to the Gu Miluo family. Maybe we’ll find some news there.”
Tang Da replied with a smile, “Ancestor, perhaps we should wait a few more days…”
Gu Shier shook his head and said, “Forget it. We’ve been away for too long. It’s better to go back.”
Tang Da naturally didn’t dare object. He said, “That’s good. When searching here, people usually don’t go out looking; they stay in their hometowns or in places they often visit. Otherwise, it’s really hard to find them. There are too many continents and secret realms here—who knows where they might have gone?”
Gu Shier sighed and said, “I know, but we don’t have time to wait. I hope we’ll get some news this time we go back.” With that, he took out a pouch of talismans and handed it to Tang Da, saying, “These are some materials for the families and sects that help us. You go and distribute them.”
Tang Da glanced at the pouch and was overjoyed. It contained precious materials, some of which far exceeded what his family had in its collection. He thanked them repeatedly.
Gu Shier went outside, casually activated a cross-continents talisman, and left with Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan.
After opening the talisman gate several times, the three of them quickly returned to the Gu Miluo Continent.
……
Li Ran was surprised. “So the Golden Flame Well has such a function? That’s a great discovery.”
Hai Miluo, sitting nearby, said, “Give me the exact coordinates of the continent. In the future, we can also send experts there. Hehe, we’ve only heard of the Golden Flame Well before, but we didn’t know it had this kind of effect.” He seemed very excited.
Yang Miluo said, “Hmm, there are many professionals in our family who have reached the fifth-tier altar level. But it’s already very difficult for them to advance. If they can get some help, they might still be able to make progress.”
Gu Shier said, “Don’t be too happy. If we send our family’s experts there, we still need to be careful. The people from the Yuan Ke Alliance are also there. They’ll try to recruit experts by force.”
Li Ran asked in surprise, “Yuan Ke Alliance? Are you referring to those guys we saw at the Bone Mountain in the Great Abyss last time?”
Gu Shier nodded. “That’s right. It’s that Yao Zebusong, a professional at the ninth-tier altar level, who forced a professional at the eighth-tier altar level to join him. Hehe, if it weren’t for the impression I left on them at Bone Mountain last time, I probably wouldn’t have been able to escape. I’m not afraid of him, but it would be troublesome.”
Feng Miluo said with a wry smile, “A professional at the ninth-tier altar level trying to recruit others… Who would dare to refuse?”

Yang Miluo said, “Even so… it’s still worth going. Just be careful. Um, it would be best if the senior could give us a jade talisman to prove our identity. Maybe then they won’t be so reckless.”
Guo Shier smiled and said, “That’s indeed a good idea. Brother Li Ran is a professional who has surpassed the Ninth-Level Altar. They should dare not act rashly. The Yuanke Alliance has two professionals at the Ninth-Level Altar—one is Yao Zebusong, and the other is Ruo Wangtian. As for whether there are others… well, I’m not sure.”
The Golden Flame Spring could help advanced professionals advance in rank. This news was like explosive news. Every professional from the Gu Miluo family was extremely tempted upon hearing it.
Guo Shier entered the coordinates into the jade talisman and handed it to Hai Miluo, saying with a smile, “I’ve recorded the detailed route and past coordinates. Being careful should be fine.”
No ancient family could resist such a good opportunity. They must seize it at all costs. Even if they couldn’t take control of the Golden Flame Spring, they still wanted to reap its benefits. Not to mention they had someone as powerful as Li Ran backing them.
Guo Shier said, “Don’t all go. Send a few people first to scout the area.”
Feng Miluo, Hai Miluo, Yang Miluo, and other family elders discussed excitedly. Using the Golden Flame Spring could greatly enhance the strength of the Gu Miluo family. The temptation was too great, and all the elders were thrilled.
Li Ran asked, “Is everything taken care of?”
Guo Shier replied with a wry smile, “No. We haven’t found the master and master wife. Sigh, I really don’t know what to do. By the way, Brother Li Ran, are there any other updates?”
Li Ran shook his head. “No, no news at all.” He hesitated for a moment before asking, “If there’s still no news, what do you plan to do?”
Guo Shier sighed deeply and said, “If I really can’t find them, I’ll take Brother to see Sister Qi Wuzhen.” He knew they couldn’t delay too long. If it weren’t for his own search, Li Ran would have left long ago.
Li Ran said, “You’ve already advanced to the Eighth-Level Altar. It’s best to reach the Ninth-Level Altar before leaving. That way… your chances of survival will be higher.”
Guo Shier was shocked and asked, “Is it… very dangerous over there?”
Li Ran laughed and said, “Hehe, it would be safer if there were three professionals who have surpassed the Ninth-Level Altar. Right now, there are only two, so I’m not sure. Of course, if your strength is high enough, you might not need my protection, and the journey could be easier. So, you need to advance to the Ninth-Level Altar as soon as possible.”

Guo Shier smiled bitterly and said, “I just reached the eighth-tier altar and still need to stabilize it. As for constructing the ninth-tier altar, my sacrificial spirit has already started working, but time is too tight.” Since reaching the eighth-tier altar, the old man Shuai could help build the framework for the ninth-tier altar.
Li Ran said, “Your sacrificial spirit is really good.”
Guo Shier laughed and said, “It was just my luck that I found him. Hehe, he’s been of great help to me. He’s a good old man.”
Li Ran knew Guo Shier’s sacrificial spirit was called the old man Shuai and couldn’t help but laugh. Other sacrificial spirits would mechanically carry out tasks upon their master’s orders, but the old man Shuai was different—he would take the initiative to complete tasks. Moreover, he would guide his master and find ways to enhance his strength. He was truly a rare sacrificial spirit with consciousness.
Eagle Demon said, “Shier, Luo and I… one will go to the Fire Sect, and the other to Haimen on the Core Foundation Continent. Maybe your master and master wife will be there. Waiting there is more reliable than searching around randomly.”
Guo Shier thought it made sense and nodded. “Okay. If you get any news, come back and find me.” He placed several coordinates into the jade talisman and said, “If you can’t find them, come here in a year.”
Eagle Demon took the jade talisman and nodded. “Don’t worry. We’ll come to find you in a year.” He then bid farewell to Guo Shier along with Luo Zhan and left.
Kumu and Monier had left the Fire Sect originally. They had lived in Haimen on the Core Foundation Continent for a while before. It was most likely to encounter those two people in these two places.
Li Ran said, “Shier, let’s go find Qi Wuzhen first.” He was very eager to meet Qi Wuzhen, as he had yet to encounter any professional in this world who could surpass the ninth-tier altar.