Elites from across the region were left in awe of Chen Guo's battle achievements.
The regional channel was abuzz as people couldn't stop talking about Chen Guo's victories.
"Boss Guangcheng actually took down boss-level monsters single-handedly. Isn't that incredible? But where on earth are there so many boss-level monsters?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Boss Guangcheng must be conquering a storybook! That's the only place teeming with boss-level monsters, right?"
"What's a storybook? Is it tough?"
"A storybook is a realm dominated by formidable demons or deities, akin to the dungeons we'd tackle in games. It's notoriously tough. Our guild sent eighty people to conquer one, and we didn't even reach the boss before nearly getting decimated by the regular monsters!"
"Ha, Boss Guangcheng is leading our Jade Void Temple crew on a storybook raid! From what our guildmates say, Boss Guangcheng is like a terrestrial immortal, unstoppable, slaying gods and buddhas alike!"
"He's got the top fighting capacity worldwide, and now his battle record is unmatched globally too! A boss through and through!"
Many trial challengers dreamt of Chen Guo's splendid battle records, only to be brought back to reality by their own struggles with mere ordinary monsters. They could only lament the vast chasm between themselves and the truly gifted.
Chen Guo's tactics left the outside world stunned, and those who witnessed them firsthand were even more astonished.
"Is this the true power of the boss? To sweep aside such formidable monsters single-handedly!"
"For Boss Guangcheng to lead our Jade Void Temple is an incredible blessing!"
"The boss is off the charts! Absolutely dashing! Incredibly cool!"
The Jade Void Temple members present were the cream of the crop compared to the average trial challengers.
Yet, even they were astounded by Chen Guo's extraordinary prowess.
City Lord Dugu himself was taken aback, observing Chen Guo, he remarked, "I knew you were a cut above the rest, but I never imagined you'd be this formidable. It looks like the Fiend Demon's days are numbered!"
"Boss Guangcheng, you truly are formidable!" Zhou Tao approached, giving Chen Guo a thumbs-up, "The whole district is buzzing about you. Some even revere you as a deity!"
Chen Guo spoke with a hint of nonchalance, "We've nearly cleared out all the ordinary monsters; only the final boss remains. Until then, your team can still be of some use."
Zhou Tao inquired, "What use?"
Chen Guo explained, "I need the corpses of the monsters over there collected. Trust me, you'll be well-compensated for your efforts!"
"Understood!" Zhou Tao promptly rallied his people, "Let's get to work and gather the monster corpses for Boss Guangcheng!"
For Chen Guo, the ordinary monster corpses were quite valuable, serving as materials for refinement.
But with the sheer volume of them, Chen Guo preferred not to bother with the tedious collection. With the Jade Void Temple's followers present, it made sense to enlist their help.
Especially since the Jade Void Temple's contribution to combat was becoming increasingly insignificant as the monsters grew stronger. Their role was less about making an impact and more about adding manpower—better to serve as laborers than mere spectators.
The Jade Void Temple's followers had no complaints. Chen Guo had been more than fair, and with such a powerful benefactor, it was an opportunity to show loyalty and curry favor.
While the Jade Void Temple's followers busied themselves with the ordinary corpses, Chen Guo turned his attention to the remains of the four Demon Kings.
These Demon Kings possessed remarkable abilities, and Chen Guo was certain to replicate a significant number of skills from them. Their corpses were also prime for refinement using the jasper gourd.
In essence, he was making the most of every resource.
Chen Guo set to work on the Demon Kings' corpses.
[Ding! Copy initiated. You have replicated 100 points of the Palace Painting Demon's spirit and its innate talent for Painting into the Dao!]
[Eon-level talent, Painting into the Dao: You've acquired the skill of painting, becoming a master artist. Through your artwork, you can perceive the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.]
[Ding! Copy initiated. You have duplicated 100 points of the headless general's strength and his Army Slaying Saber Technique! With the integration of the Army Slaying Saber Technique, your proficiency with bladed weapons has ascended to Grandmaster Level!]
[Ding! Copy initiated. You have copied 100 points of spirit from the Sheep Head Taoist and his nine Demonic Arts. Your knowledge of the esoteric and occult has been enhanced by 3%!]
"Ding! Copy initiated. You've successfully copied 200 points of Strength, 200 points of Spirit, 200 points of Agility, and 200 points of Charm from Roshan. You've also duplicated 45 of Roshan's skills. Your Mount Maoshan Dao Arts are now 90% perfected, and your side path techniques have improved by 5%!"
Roshan, among the four Demon Kings, had the most power to offer, being a creature stitched together from a thousand fallen masters. Even a starving camel is bigger than a horse.
Once Chen Guo completed the duplication process, the others arrived with a multitude of monster carcasses.
Zhou Tao reported, "Mission accomplished. We've gathered all the monster carcasses in sight."
Chen Guo nodded, smiling, "Tell me, are you curious about what I plan to do with these monster carcasses?"
Zhou Tao replied, "Sure, I'm a bit curious, but everyone has their secrets."
Chen Guo disclosed, "I'll share with you. I possess a magic art that refines corpses using gourds, a skill I acquired from a serendipitous quest. That's the reason behind my collection."
With that, Chen Guo produced the jasper gourd and recited the Spirit Gourd Curse, drawing all the monster carcasses into the gourd for refinement.
The group had an epiphany. No wonder Boss Guangcheng was keen on acquiring seemingly worthless monster carcasses; with the art of refinement, they were of great value!
"It's clear that Boss Guangcheng is leagues ahead of us. We need to step up our game, or we'll be left in the dust!" Zhou Tao exclaimed, feeling the weight of the revelation.
Chen Guo gestured magnanimously, "You've all worked hard without much glory. I won't let your efforts go unrewarded. Each of you will receive thirty thrombin pills! And these fifty blue treasure chests are yours to keep as a token of your hard work."
With that, Chen Guo handed over 600 thrombin pills and fifty blue treasure chests to Zhou Tao.
Chen Guo couldn't claim to have an infinite supply of thrombin pills, but he was certainly well-stocked. As for the blue treasure chests, they were now beneath his interest.
However, for the members of the Jade Void Temple, these items represented a significant fortune.
Chen Guo understood the principle that to make a horse run, one must feed it. Even if the people of the Jade Void Temple weren't of much help to him, having extra bodies around was still beneficial.
Therefore, it was essential to offer them some perks. Otherwise, if he hoarded everything for himself, he would find himself without any collaborators in the future.
As expected, once the rewards were distributed, everyone was extremely pleased.
Chen Guo's power was overwhelming, and they had no desire to compete with him for the rare treasures. They were content with just a taste of the spoils.