Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 578 - 497: Who Will Go?

Who will go?

This incredibly heavy question now shines brightly before everyone.

The Mystic Monarch has been sealed for countless years, and his power is likely not even a millionth of its former peak.

But even so, he can effortlessly seize the minds of Dao Experts.

Once encountered, it will be utterly hopeless.

Yet if none are willing to go, then these people will be forever adrift in the Guixu Sea.

Sooner or later, the Dragon Whale Giant Ship will not be able to withstand the erosion of the Guixu Sea, and they will perish at sea.

You look at me, I look at him.

The Dao Experts looked at each other, having barely survived the meat grinder of the Southern Ming Wasteland.

Who would be willing to use their life to safeguard others?

"If there's no other way, then let's draw lots."

Seeing that everyone was silent, Hu Tianzong stepped forward to make a decision.

"But..."

"Hmm?"

As soon as a voice of dissent was raised, four pairs of heavy and solemn eyes swept over, exerting such a terrifying pressure that the speaking Dao Expert was thunderstruck, as though a massive Divine Mountain from ancient times pressed upon him, rendering him unable to speak, let alone open his mouth.

"Since no one has any objections, let's settle it this way."

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Although nobody wants to resort to such tactics on allies who fought valiantly in the Southern Ming Wasteland.

But for the larger picture, the choice is between detachment and necessity, there is no other way.

"We four, two will guard here, two will go to the deck, at least we can protect some people.

We'll rotate every ten days.

How about it?" asked Hu Tianzong.

"Yes, let's do it that way."

After making all arrangements, the Shen Brothers and the True Monarch of Heavy Mystery Sect immediately switched their repair strategy.

From restoring the entire Core Divine Cabin to only repairing enough to restore the power of the Dragon Whale King, a small portion.

The drastic reduction in workload made the repair difficulty plummet.

The Shen Brothers, although merchants, possess the family-transmitted "Many Treasures Sutra," a significant tome in the artifact refining lineage.

Heavy Mystery Sect is also a leading ancient sect in the realm of artifact refining in Central Earth today.

With the three working together, plus hundreds of Dao Body-level True Monarchs assisting by their side.

The repair of the Dragon Whale Law Furnace soon began to show results.

Watching the roaring, glowing Dragon Whale Law Furnace, resembling a large torch, Qi Xiu complexly looked at the Shen Brothers beside him.

"Gentlemen, this Law Furnace seems quite different from before."

The original Dragon Whale Law Furnace resembled a diamond-shaped gem, smooth and fine, its divine light restrained, without this deafening roar.

But after the repairs by the Shen Brothers and True Monarch of Heavy Mystery Sect.

It seemed like turning a V8 engine into a diesel engine.

"Being able to fix it is a good enough result; the craftsmanship of this thing is overly complex, pulling one thread affects the whole, various elements interlinked, forming a huge network. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

To repair these Dragon Whale Law Furnaces, we can only cut through those extremely precise links, reconstructing them to solely transfer power to the Dragon Whale King.

Such major changes naturally led to alterations in its appearance."

Shrugging, Shen Ziyi smiled helplessly.

A super large Magic Artifact like the Dragon Whale King isn't something a couple of people can complete.

To restore its power, they could only opt for such destructive repairs.

Barely getting these Law Furnaces back in operation.

"If the Yunhai Waves Sect finds out we turned their sect treasure into this look, they'd probably go all out against us."

Looking at the drastically changed Dragon Whale Law Furnace, Liu Tai laughed outright.

"Leave this matter to the Dao Alliance to handle."

With experience in repairing the first Law Furnace, the speed of repairing subsequent furnaces increased significantly.

Working tirelessly, rushing as fast as possible, nearly a month's time.

The three hundred and fifty-fifth Law Furnace was successfully repaired.

And with the restart of this furnace, a portion of the dimmed divine patterns on the floor of the Core Divine Cabin immediately revived, causing the Dragon Whale Giant Ship, which had been adrift horizontally on the sea surface for more than a month, to reinitiate.

"It's done!"

Exhausted, the Shen Brothers and the True Monarch of Heavy Mystery Sect exhaled a breath of relief, their bodies trembling, barely able to stand.

A month's time, repairing more than three hundred Law Furnaces, even with other Dao Body True Monarchs assisting, it nearly drained all their energy.

"Thank you for your hard work, sirs."

Bowing to the three of them, Hu Tianzong turned around and raised his hand, causing one hundred forty-three jade slips to suddenly appear in the void.

"Fellow Daoists, now, it is our turn."

Looking at the suspended jade slips, the expressions of the Dao Experts were heavy, although unwilling, they understood.

What must come eventually still comes.

The drawing process is not complicated.

Among the one hundred forty-three jade slips, twenty are marked "Go," the remaining one hundred twenty-three are blank.

Those who draw "Go" must go to the deck to guard the Dragon Whale Giant Ship's journey.

They return to the Core Divine Cabin ten days later, and the drawing is repeated.

Those who've drawn before do not participate in the next round of drawing.

This ensures no one continuously draws nor anyone continuously skips drawing.

Everyone will eventually have their turn, maximizing fairness.

The drawing process is tense yet simple.

Those drawn wear an expression of doom, their feet as if filled with mercury, unable to move.

Those not drawn feel a momentary delight, followed by a subtle worry if they might face misfortune in the next round.

Drawing finished, Qi Xiu and the others discussed who goes to the deck first.

After all, this being the first round, the Mystic Monarch is whereabouts unknown, and encountering him might be most perilous.

As the highest cultivation present, Hu Tianzong naturally took the lead.

Feng Jun originally suggested he take the lead, as he has the Undying Golden Body for protection against sudden incidents.

But Daoist Yunxiong vetoed this proposal, claiming his injuries from the Southern Ming Wasteland were still unhealed.

"In that case, it's me..."

"I'll go with Young Master Hu on this first run."

Looking at his disciple who cut in, Daoist Yunxiong furrowed his brow, about to speak when Qi Xiu quickly said:

"Master, although you have Thunder Law Heavenly Heart for protection, the Mystic Monarch is an Ancient God with unforeseen means, defense against him is difficult."

Explaining quickly, Qi Xiu whispered to Daoist Yunxiong: "Disciple has protective measures bestowed by the Supreme Sect Leader, rest assured."

"Really?" Daoist Yunxiong glanced at Qi Xiu, hesitating.

"No falsehood whatsoever."

Having convinced his master Daoist Yunxiong, Qi Xiu got up and, along with Hu Tianzong, prepared to head to the deck with the Dao Body True Monarchs.

"If there's any anomaly, do not hesitate, attack!"

About to step out of the Core Divine Cabin, Hu Tianzong telepathically communicated with Qi Xiu using secret techniques, his expression calm, but his words carried cold bloodlust.

Surprised by the cold-bloodedness of the seemingly youthful Young Master Hu, Qi Xiu nodded reluctantly. Though gentle in nature, he wasn't one to hesitate when urgency dictated.

If things truly endangered everyone aboard.

He would act decisively.

As they left the Core Divine Cabin, they transformed into divine light and instantaneously arrived on the deck.

The deck seemed unchanged, empty, no sign of transformation, yet it appeared eerily unsettling in everyone's eyes.

"Don't scare yourselves, I will use Great Yi techniques to guard your spiritual apertures, even if unexpected things occur, we can fend off a bit."

Seeing their strange expressions, Hu Tianzong spoke, shaking the King Wen Drum in his hand.

Instantly, countless red and blue interwoven Divine Marvel butterflies flew forth, gracefully swirling, entering the Dao Experts' spiritual apertures, forming a mark.

"This method truly effective?" Qi Xiu asked curiously.

Lowering the King Wen Drum, Hu Tianzong took a deep breath:

"Hopefully..."

...