Chapter 1178 - 490: Delusional Melancholy Compensation Alliance

After delving deeper into the fifth layer, the last traces of human craftsmanship in the dungeon completely disappeared.

The paths were no longer orderly, nor did any lights illuminate them. Only the varied moss on the ceiling emitted a faint glow, sometimes cool and sometimes warm. When combined, these luminescences enveloped the passages of the fifth layer in an atmosphere of both darkness and brightness.

Standing there felt like stumbling into a vast and ancient nest of luminescent ants, with countless intertwining corridors nesting within each other, forming an endless primordial labyrinth.

The widths of these passages varied—some were so narrow that one had to pass sideways, while others were broad enough to accommodate several bird carriages running side by side. At the end of numerous passages lay rooms of varying sizes filled with monsters.

Even though this was only the fifth layer, after so many years of exploration, the Adventurer Guild still couldn't map it out completely, and no one could say exactly how many rooms there were.

However, although the fifth layer no longer bore any human traces and its structure would occasionally change, it didn't mean it was without patterns.

The dungeon, after all, was born to be "explored." It may be dangerous, but it seldom harbored outright murderous intent toward adventurers. No matter how ominous the environment seemed, with careful observation, one could always find patterns and a chance for survival.

The luminescence from the moss of the fifth layer differed in colors and brightness, suggesting the varying dangers of the paths and the value of the treasure chests at their ends.

However, not all sections of the fifth layer were illuminated.

Some corridors were devoid of moss and entirely shrouded in darkness, like silent mouths awaiting to devour unwary trespassers.

Experienced adventurers repeatedly warned newcomers not to enter such lightless deep corridors.

Because it not only meant the unknown, but also deadly danger.

Of course, like all temptations in the dungeon, the unknown end perhaps hid great rewards.

And the first sanctuary of the Divine Basin was located at the deepest part of such a corridor.

The path to the sanctuary didn't seem unique, requiring a distinct recognition technique. This intrigued the Spiritual Message Catcher, who observed while showing a thoughtful expression.

But the Mute Girl was not interested at all, merely following the glowing Shield Woman who illuminated the way forward.

Upon reaching the sanctuary, several high-ranking members of the Divine Basin were already waiting.

The sanctuary was a vast stone cavern, densely scattered with moss and mushrooms. Blue-green light climbed along the cave walls up to the tens-of-meters high dome, casting the entire space in a dreamlike hue.

And in the center of the cave stood a silent, white giant rock.

It was almost as tall as three or four Mute Girls, its appearance was plain, yet in the surrounding blue-green radiance, it refracted a gemstone-like deep luster, manifesting an indescribably holy atmosphere.

And this holiness was not merely atmospheric, for the mushrooms growing in the cave actually belonged to the sixth layer.

Divine Basin proclaimed to all new visitors of the sanctuary and skeptical prospects that they had gained the Earth God's favor, could harness and even control the dungeon's energy, and that the scene before them was proof.

'...But in fact, they probably just used some method to transport the rocks from the sixth layer here, though that is impressive...'

The Catcher stood a little ways off, watching the Big Sister and Shield Woman move beneath the Holy Stone, arms crossed, their gaze idly wandering about the cave.

Compared to the number of people at the previous meeting hall, noticeably fewer Divine Basin believers were present here.

Yet, as time passed, the number gradually increased, eventually exceeding half of those in the meeting hall.

Whether the remaining people weren't privy to the sanctuary's location, or were planning to watch discreetly, dissociate from Divine Basin, or even escape for safety during this time...

But to be honest, merely with such a majority turnout, it's evident this cult had a somewhat church-level knack for winning over hearts.

The gazes of the gathered believers were complex and chaotic.

Emotions were interwoven—fear, confidence, fanaticism, and more hostility...

The Catcher even detected faint pulses of magic power, indicating that fanatics were prepared to attack the Mute Girl once the opportunity arose.

However, sensing this dangerous sign, he had no intention of stopping it.

Perhaps it was because, in just one brief evening, he had experienced too many emotional ups and downs, leaving his inner self as calm as an ancient well, unaffected by whatever might occur next.

If, in earlier times, arriving unknowingly at this sanctuary, he might have felt some awe and reverence.

After all, though it's just a shallow layer, the sanctuary's structure indeed harbors some power beyond his understanding.

But now, he merely looked on placidly, as if he'd already foreseen what was to come.

Then, change occurred.

As the Mute Girl once more bowed to the void, the faces of the Divine Basin believers began to transform into a spectrum.

Some's knees buckled, kneeling on the spot; others' faces turned pale as they collapsed to the ground; more yet had their pupils dilate as if witnessing the world's end, their entire worldview undergoing reshaping.

Seeing this, the Catcher nodded with a hint of satisfaction.

Indeed, it has to be this way.

[Melting]

1~3. Star God (Environmental Adaptation)

4~6. God of Books (Item Identification)

7~9. God of Forging (Increase Attributes)

10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure

D10=9

♛: The Melting of the God of Forging

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

The blessings obtained from the first four levels are melted into tangible equipment, which is the blessing mechanism every five levels.

In this way, there is no need to pray again during repeated infiltration, and the power of the blessing can be directly inherited, and it can even be brought back to the surface for use.

Of course, if dissatisfied with the blessings obtained in the first four levels, one can also choose not to proceed with melting, returning before the fifth level to wait for the next opportunity.

However, the Mute Girl never had high expectations for the blessings obtained in the shallow layers, and with a group of spectators waiting to be "educated" in front of her, naturally chose the action that would most impact their spirits.

As the prayer concluded, the void rippled once again, and a headband-wearing girl swaggered out,

Her fiery red hair was tied high, sparks flying as they released waves of heat, yet under her feet rolled the biting wind and snow, as if she had arrived on an icefield.

This goddess of ice and fire opposites wore only a simple vest and trousers, revealing two snow-white arms.

She looked down at the Mute Girl with a clean and swift expression, then hooked her hand, and four light clusters floated up from the Mute Girl, representing the four blessings obtained earlier.

Without any unnecessary words, the Goddess of Forging tightly clenched her small fist and without hesitation, wildly hammered at the light clusters.

Seemingly without any method, yet possessing a certain humanly transcendent subtlety, though the actions had nothing to do with forging, the four light clusters were forcibly melded under her blows.

After several tens of seconds of pounding, the combined light clusters abruptly contracted, caught in her palm.

When the clenched fist opened again, a ring lay lightly on the goddess's hand.

[Forging value]

D100=36

[Divine Forging! (Success within a margin of 100)]

D100=61

The goddess stared at the ring for a while, revealing a subtly satisfied yet somewhat lacking expression, and finally pushed it gently into the Mute Girl's hand.

The Mute Girl extended her left hand, watching the small ring float over and fit perfectly onto her little finger.

[The Mute Girl acquired the Star Comet Ring R7: Universal Attributes +17, when entering the Dungeon, gains the blessings of [Hardship and Diligence] [Self-reflection] [Star Shifting], with enhanced effects and reduced difficulty of determination]

She examined the ring on her hand, then saluted the goddess once more.

The Goddess of Forging nodded, did not say much, and turned around swiftly, disappearing into the void again with large strides.

Everything returned to silence.

Then the Mute Girl straightened her waist, her lips curling slightly as she surveyed the surroundings with a faint smile.

Shock, fanaticism, confusion, greed... The myriad states of all living beings.

In the face of this genuine "miracle," those of firm faith began to shift their stance, and some who deemed themselves steadfast had their beliefs shaken by values beyond imagination.

But the Mute Girl was actually indifferent to these people's reactions; this action was only intended to stir their emotions.

She focused her final gaze on the Shield Woman.

Originally bearing the hopeful or worried glances of believers, she had now lost the attention of everyone.

Those still watching her did so with more suspicion, wavering, and even faint hostility.

Why does the goddess oppose the divine envoy... Should the goddess be stopped... Is this otherworldly person really a goddess... Did we serve the wrong person, leading to the divine envoy's anger?

Undoubtedly, the thinking process of these people at this moment had nothing to do with rationality, but even rebuke held no meaning for those in a cult.

Even so, do you still think these people are worth protecting?

Facing the Mute Girl's silent provocative gaze, the Shield Woman showed a slight bitter smile.

She did not answer, just drew the short sword from her waist and assumed a determined stance.