Without any leads from the system, locating the Gate of Myriad Realms in such an expansive area was nearly an impossible task. It might not be as daunting as finding a needle in a haystack, but it was certainly akin to fishing for a needle in a river.
If everyone set out together in search of it, there was a chance they might eventually stumble upon the Gate of Myriad Realms. However, it was anyone's guess who would be the one to actually find it.
Chen Guo himself wasn't confident in his ability to locate the Gate of Myriad Realms. Despite his skill in sword flight, luck was always an unpredictable factor.
"Rest easy, Boss Guangcheng," Zhou Tao declared with conviction to the group. "We'll cast a wide net and catch a bounty of fish. Anyone who discovers a clue to the Gate of Myriad Realms must report it to Boss Guangcheng. Should anyone hide such information, hoping to seize the role of village chief of Beginner Village 996, they'll face our collective wrath. They can kiss their life goodbye!"
"The moment I find any clues about the Gate of Myriad Realms, I'll turn them over immediately. Only Boss Guangcheng deserves to be the village chief of our Beginner Village. I harbor no delusions about that," another chimed in.
"That's right. Anyone who dares to keep such news to themselves, aspiring to take over Boss Guangcheng's rightful position as village chief of Beginner Village, will have to contend with my opposition first," a third voice added.
"Should I come across any leads, I'll notify Boss Guangcheng without delay! He's the only one who can lead our Beginner Village 996 to thrive and prosper. It aligns with everyone's best interests. Anyone who defies this will be scorned by the entire community!"
In this harsh world, those who had not been weeded out were the truly clever ones. They might not possess towering IQs, but they certainly knew where their best interests lay.
It was common knowledge that the role of village head in Beginner Village came with significant perks. Yet, the village head had to be a universally acknowledged powerhouse, capable of guiding the community's growth and expansion.
Should an average trial challenger assume the mantle of village head, it would be a direct affront to everyone's interests, and they would undoubtedly fail to win over the crowd.
Chen Guo's formidable strength was well-known to all, and there was a shared belief that with him as the village head of Beginner Village, the prospects for Beginner Village 996 were boundless.
This aligned with the interests of nearly everyone involved.
With Zhou Tao at the helm, each person had made their stance clear, and even those harboring ambitions refrained from causing trouble.
After all, even with a stroke of luck in replacing Chen Guo as the leader of Beginner Village 996, one couldn't win over the community and would likely face collective opposition—a scenario no one wanted to confront.
It made more sense to hand over any discovered clues to Chen Guo and support his leadership in Beginner Village 996.
"Boss Guangcheng, you can rest easy. We'll all head out in search of the Gate of Myriad Realms. Any clues we find, we'll bring straight to you. We're committed to ensuring you become the village head of Beginner Village 996. The system may not have provided mission hints, but I'm confident the search area isn't too vast; otherwise, the task would be impossible," Zhou Tao assured with utmost respect.
"Thank you all for your support. Let's divide and conquer! I'll proceed solo since my sword control skill gives me an edge in speed," Chen Guo announced. With that, he executed the sword control technique, transforming into a streak of light that shot into the sky, embarking on a thorough search for clues to the Gate of Myriad Realms.
The residents of Beginner Village 996 dispersed, each group delving into different maps in the quest for clues. With 5000 trial challengers, dispatching one to two hundred per map ensured a steady stream of leads.
Hours passed.
Wild Bear Ridge.
The landscapes they had traversed were devoid of life, steeped in death.
Demons and monsters roamed unchecked, and towns lay in decay. Many resorted to consuming nearby edible plants or the system-awarded medicinal pills for sustenance.
Yet, despite the dire circumstances, the trial challengers' extraordinary abilities meant their endurance against hunger had significantly improved, and material comforts were of little concern.
Chen Guo, however, noticed that not all was lost in this world. Wild Bear Ridge, where he stood, was brimming with vitality.
The lush greenery and clear waters were untainted by malevolent forces. Here, the only demons were animals that had achieved enlightenment through their own cultivation.
In the wilds, many formidable spirits and monsters roamed, yet for Chen Guo, they were mere hors d'oeuvres—quite literally just a snack. After dispatching a cow demon, Chen Guo savored a long-missed steak by the fireside in the mountain's embrace. The steak, perhaps infused with the cow's spiritual essence, was delectably flavorful without any need for seasoning, as if the creature had seasoned itself through its own cultivation.
Common sense would suggest that grilling meat in the wilderness would attract a horde of beasts, but the creatures of Wild Bear Ridge were of exceptional intelligence. Take the cow demon Chen Guo had slain; it could even speak the human tongue. These beings, driven by an instinct to pursue gain and avoid danger, gave Chen Guo a wide berth, recognizing his strength. They concealed themselves in their lairs, not daring to venture near.
Chen Guo's primary quest was to locate the Gate of Myriad Realms. He had scoured several maps and was feeling the weariness of his search, so he took a moment to rest and enjoy his steak. He had little interest in hunting the common monsters that no longer offered him slaughter points.
To advance, he needed Foundation Points, but Chen Guo was still unsure which monsters would yield these coveted points. Relishing the succulent beef, he kicked back, legs crossed, and mused, "Now this is living!"
Just then, a private message from Zhou Tao popped up:
"Boss Guangcheng, are you there?"
"What's up? Did you find a lead?"
"Our team has a lead in the northeast, within a map known as Dusk Forest. We're holding position here, waiting for you. Boss, you should make haste!"
"Got it, I'm on my way!"
Chen Guo employed his sword control skill for a thorough search of the map. The Flying Thunder God Art, while a potent spatial magic, was ill-suited for such a task—extravagant and ineffective. The sword control skill, on the other hand, was less taxing and offered the freedom of flight. From high above, Chen Guo could survey the land and seek out clues with far greater efficacy.
With a clear goal in mind, Chen Guo knew that the Flying Thunder God Art was the best choice for swift travel. With a mere thought, he pinpointed Zhou Tao's location and, in the blink of an eye, he appeared before Zhou Tao and his companions.
They were deep within the Dusk Forest, where darkness reigned supreme. An impenetrable blackness stretched endlessly, the forest's vastness defying sight. Among the towering trees, ominous shadows lurked, creating an atmosphere of dread. A foreboding presence hung heavy over the Dusk Forest, putting Zhou Tao and his group on high alert.
Their current refuge was a deserted relay station, a lone island of the past amidst the encroaching gloom.