“Senior, although the odds of this happening are so small as to be impossible, it has actually happened to him,” Gu Yu said. “At first, I just thought he had a devouring physique, but I never expected that he would also have the bloodline of the Taotie. This really shocked me.”

"With a devouring physique and the Taotie's devouring bloodline, he can no longer be called a human, but a true Taotie." Xu Mao could hardly hide his shock. Although there weren't many people with special physiques, there were still quite a few. However, no matter what kind of physique one had, they couldn't withstand the Taotie bloodline. The Taotie could devour everything, and people with the Taotie bloodline would be devoured by their own Taotie bloodline. But if one had a devouring physique, there was no need to worry about this, as one could perfectly control the Taotie bloodline.

But this is an extremely rare occurrence, only the Taotie's constitution can be like this, so Xu Mao didn't think about it in this way at first.

“That’s right, he’s a glutton right now,” Gu Yu nodded and said.

"The world has changed so much. I thought that after I went into seclusion, I would become one of the world's top beings, but I never expected... Alas!" Xu Mao seemed to be hit hard at this moment. More than a thousand years ago, his strength was enough to make him stand out among the crowd, but he never expected that a thousand years later, he would be nothing.

A thousand years ago, the trend of Origin Qi was that it was becoming less and less, but who could have imagined that a thousand years later, with the invasion of the Origin Gate, Origin Qi would become abundant again.

"The opening of the Source Gate is both a disaster and an opportunity for us," Gu Yu said. "Senior, don't underestimate yourself. If you were born in this era, you would be even more dazzling than today's chosen ones. Since you have appeared at this time, and it is a time of great change in the era, why not give it a try and take a gamble? Maybe you can break through to the King Realm and then you won't have to worry about your lifespan being nearing its end."

"Let's take a gamble." Xu Mao murmured upon hearing Gu Yu's words, "How easy is that! But we're going to die anyway, so let's take a gamble."

A glimmer of fighting spirit appeared in Xu Mao's eyes. He had been in seclusion for a thousand years without making a breakthrough and had already given up on himself, drifting with the tide. But as Gu Yu said, this was an era full of opportunities.

“Gu Yu, I know you have obtained a remarkable inheritance, but you must be careful.” Xu Mao said to Gu Yu, “Without strong strength, obtaining treasures is not a good thing, but a bad thing. I think you should understand that at this time, you should hide yourself and not be too sharp.”

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, senior." Gu Yu said gratefully to Xu Mao. He was targeted by the Tianshan Sect for only revealing the formation. If he had revealed anything else, it would have been a disaster for him.

"Hmm, I have high hopes for you. If I fail, and you are capable, please help the Xu family out of it," Xu Mao said again.

“Senior, you need to…” Gu Yu looked at Xu Mao, but he didn’t finish his sentence.

“Right now, the greatest opportunity for me lies within the Source Gate. I’ve decided to try my luck at the Southwest Source Gate,” Xu Mao said.

"I hope you succeed, senior." Gu Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Mao. If Xu Mao successfully broke through, having a King Realm expert guarding Mo City would be a huge benefit to the city.

"I accept your kind words, hahaha..." Xu Mao laughed loudly and left in an instant, walking away calmly.

On the same day, news also spread from the Xu family that their ancestor had gone into seclusion in preparation for breaking through to the King Realm.

Three more days passed, and with the nourishment of life essence, Gu Yu had fully recovered.

Contribution:

Talent: 108

Combat strength: 29 elephants

Triple boost: (Contribution points once, lasting three minutes)

Source Qi: (1 wisp for every 10 contribution points)

Source space: 150 cubic meters (1 cubic meter for every 1000 contribution points)

Source Soldier: (One contributor, maximum 10)

In the battle with Tara and his return from the Holy Capital, Gu Yu consumed nearly five million contribution points. However, due to this excessive consumption, his cultivation level improved significantly after he recovered, and he was just one step away from condensing the second cone. His combat power also increased from 20 elephants to 29 elephants.

Now, with his triple boost, his combat power can reach 87 Elephants, or 8.7 Dragons, which is already within the four-cone category. However, the cost is that the contribution required for the triple boost has increased again.

Similarly, if he wants to triple the power of his sword-nurturing technique, the amount of source energy he needs has also increased. Now it has increased from 100,000 strands of source energy to 150,000 strands of source energy, which is equivalent to 1.5 million contribution points.

Looking at the remaining 20 million contribution points, Gu Yu always felt it wasn't enough, just like when he was poor in his previous life and never had enough money to spend.

Gu Yu's current burst power can reach 52 dragons, which is already at the level of a general. If he were to fight Ma Li now, he would definitely not be so passive.

Gu Yu got up and walked towards He Wen. Three more days passed, and He Wen was still in a coma. Gu Yu looked at He Wen and suddenly took out nine high-grade source stones. Then he walked out of the villa and came to the garden of the villa area.

Under his manipulation, the nine Originium stones were arranged in different positions. Then he took out a large pile of mid-grade and low-grade Originium stones and spent half a day arranging them.

"Open!" Gu Yu stood in the center and shouted, and the source stones he had placed lit up one after another, forming a nine-pointed star array.

All the energy from the Originium converged towards the nine high-grade Originium stones in the center, and a rich Originium aura immediately spread out, forming a liquid state.

Gu Yu commanded a Source Soldier to carry He Wen out and place him above the nine Source Stones. He Wen was instantly enveloped in liquid Source Qi.

Gu Yu waved his hands, and ten clusters of life essence instantly flew towards He Wen. Then, Gu Yu made a hand seal, and a nine-pointed star array instantly appeared beneath his feet.

Gu Yu pointed a finger at He Wen from a distance, and instantly liquid-like source energy and life essence rushed into He Wen's body.

If it were anyone else, Gu Yu wouldn't dare to do this, because he would explode and die. But He Wen is different. He has a devouring physique and the Taotie bloodline, which allows him to devour everything. Devouring this energy will not cause him to explode; on the contrary, it will accelerate the repair of his injuries.

The moment the source energy and life essence merged into He Wen's body, He Wen's body trembled, and dense black flames immediately emanated from his body, accompanied by bursts of beastly roars.

Roar... Roar...

Black flames surged around his body, instantly forming a pitch-black vortex that frantically devoured the surrounding source energy and life essence.

Time passed second by second. The low-grade source stones on the outermost edge had already lost their luster, and even the mid-grade source stones were almost exhausted. Only the nine high-grade source stones remained standing, and He Wen continued to provide them with source energy.

"What an amazing devouring ability." Gu Yu looked at this scene with deep shock in his eyes. He, Gu Yu, cultivated the Origin Returning Technique, and with all 108 blood apertures filled, he could prevent Shi Shuai Che Tong sitting next to him from absorbing Origin Qi. This absorption speed was already terrifying enough, but compared to He Wen in front of him, it was simply not worth mentioning.

As He Wen absorbed the source energy and life essence, his injuries were rapidly repaired. His shattered bones grew back quickly, and even his cultivation level was breaking through rapidly, quickly reaching the point of unity of essence, energy, and spirit.

He Wen's speed of absorbing source energy instantly increased, and the light of the nine high-grade source stones, which were originally crystal clear and emitting a dazzling white light, gradually weakened under his frantic absorption.

Upon seeing this, Gu Yu immediately took out nine high-grade source stones and threw them next to He Wen.

With the addition of these nine high-grade source stones, the other nine high-grade source stones were able to slow down the rate at which they dimmed.

Roar... Boom...

A deafening roar echoed out, startling Gu Zhongyi and Zhang Cuiping inside the villa.

The black flames on He Wen's body floated upwards, and his essence, energy, and spirit instantly condensed into the black flames.

A ferocious beast gradually manifested. Its body was as agile as a sheep, but its head was unusually human-like, with a ferocious face, as if it had gathered all the evil in the world.

Its eyes, located under its armpits, gleamed with a chilling light, as if they could see right through people. Its teeth, sharp as daggers, flashed with a cold light, sending shivers down one's spine. Its claws, as sharp as tiger claws, could slice through the air with a mere swipe, radiating a powerful threat.

The moment the ferocious beast fully manifested, a powerful pressure emanated from it, as if the surrounding air had solidified. Gu Yu felt an invisible force pressing down on his body, causing him to involuntarily take a few steps back. He was utterly shocked; He Wen had actually entered the Spine Realm, and his primordial spirit was none other than the ferocious beast Taotie.

The moment the ferocious beast Taotie appeared, He Wen's tightly closed eyes snapped open, a glint of red light flashing in his gaze.

The next second he suddenly stood up and hovered in the air. He looked at his body with some confusion, clearly not knowing what had happened.

When his gaze fell upon the Taotie above his head, he was startled. However, the panic on his face vanished in the next instant, for he discovered that the Taotie above him was connected to him telepathically.

When his gaze fell upon Gu Yu, he hurriedly withdrew the Taotie, walked towards Gu Yu, and knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Thank you for saving my life," He Wen said respectfully to Gu Yu, knowing without a doubt that Gu Yu had saved him.

"No need to be so polite. It's only right that I saved you. After all, you saved my father. I should be the one thanking you." Gu Yu hurriedly stepped forward and helped He Wen up.

"No." Upon hearing Gu Yu's words, He Wen immediately denied it, "If it weren't for my benefactor, I, He Wen, would still be that useless piece of trash who couldn't take revenge. I, He Wen, am here today because of my benefactor, so my life belongs to my benefactor."

“He Wen, I know you are very grateful to me, but you must remember that your life does not belong to anyone else, it belongs only to yourself,” Gu Yu said, looking at He Wen.

He gave He Wen the cultivation technique out of momentary pity, never thinking that He Wen could do anything for him, nor did he think about it, so he didn't need it. However, He Wen was able to step forward when his father was in danger, which made Gu Yu extremely grateful to He Wen.

Gu Yu hadn't considered that He Wen was in a state of utter despair at the time, and it was at this moment that Gu Yu gave him hope and enabled him to successfully take revenge. For He Wen, Gu Yu was like a god in his heart, giving him hope.

“My benefactor, He Wen’s life belongs to you. If it weren’t for you, He Wen would have died long ago,” He Wen said stubbornly.

"Sigh!" Gu Yu looked at the stubborn He Wen and didn't know what to say for a moment. Judging from his stubbornness, even if he talked until the sky fell, He Wen's idea probably wouldn't change.

“My benefactor, I feel full of power all over my body now. This feeling of strength is unprecedented,” He Wen said, clenching his fist.

“You are now at the Vertebra Realm, and with the Gluttonous Primordial Spirit, you will definitely stand at the pinnacle of this world if nothing unexpected happens,” Gu Yu said. Of course, the pinnacle he referred to was the Emperor Realm.

"My benefactor, really?" He Wen's face lit up with joy upon hearing Gu Yu's words, but then a trace of sadness appeared on his face. "If I had possessed this power earlier, my parents and sister wouldn't have died."

"Sigh! What's past is past. You should look forward now. I think that's what your parents and sister would want to see too," Gu Yu patted He Wen on the shoulder, comforting him.

“My benefactor, I understand.” He Wen nodded to Gu Yu.

"Don't call me benefactor. I'm about the same age as you. You can just call me Gu Yu," Gu Yu said, finding the word "benefactor" awkward.

While it is said that one should remember the kindness received for a thousand years, it is equally true that one should not expect anything in return for the kindness given.

"Huh?" He Wen's expression changed slightly upon hearing Gu Yu's words. He hesitated for a moment, "My benefactor, how about I call you Brother Gu? Or Brother Yu? Is that alright? I'll just call you by your name, I..."

“That’s fine,” Gu Yu said. “By the way, your cultivation breakthrough is too great. Although you have the Taotie bloodline and the Devouring Physique, if you don’t stabilize it in time, it will also have adverse side effects on your future cultivation. Also, I told you when I gave you the Devouring Source Technique that you cannot devour your own kind, and you should not devour recklessly in order to improve your cultivation. At worst, you will explode and die; at best, you will go into qi deviation and become a heartless demon.”

Taotie can devour everything, but there are limits. Its cultivation level determines the amount it can devour. Even the most voracious eater will eventually reach saturation. Similarly, if it could devour everything without restraint, the Taotie clan would have been invincible long ago.

“Yes… Brother Yu, I will keep your words in mind.” He Wen said immediately after hearing Gu Yu’s warning.

“However, if you encounter an enemy or foe, it’s not impossible to absorb their cultivation.” Gu Yu said, looking at He Wen’s sincere face.

"Brother Yu, I understand," He Wen nodded again.

"What are your plans for the future?" Gu Yu thought of his battle unit, which currently only consisted of Shi Shuai, Qian Duoduo, Yang Xinxin, Lu Yun, and Li Zhiran, plus Ri Jiu, of course! Among them, only Yang Xinxin and Ri Jiu were at the Cone Realm. He Wen, who was standing before him, was also at the Cone Realm, and with his talent, Devouring Physique, and Gluttonous Bloodline, if he were to grow, he was destined for greatness and was definitely a promising talent.

“This…” Hearing Gu Yu ask him about his future plans, He Wen was overcome with sadness again. His family was gone, and although his family had a huge business, he felt that it was not suitable for him at all.

“I’ve established an organization called the War Department, but it’s just starting out and isn’t very powerful yet.” Gu Yu saw He Wen’s expression and knew that He Wen didn’t have any plans, so he spoke his mind, “If you want to…”

"Brother Yu, I'm willing to join the combat unit." Before Gu Yu could finish speaking, He Wen immediately said.

“Okay!” Gu Yu nodded directly. He originally wanted He Wen to join the War Department, and since He Wen agreed, he had no reason to say any unnecessary pleasantries. “He Wen, our War Department has five halls, and there are only three hall masters now. You will be the fourth hall master, so let’s call you the War Hall Master! You will be in charge of combat in the War Department from now on.”

"Yes, Brother Yu," He Wen immediately replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Okay!" Gu Yu patted He Wen on the shoulder. "I'll call you Xiao Wen from now on! You've just broken through, so stay here and consolidate your cultivation. I have something important to do."

"Brother Yu, what's wrong? Can I help you?" He Wen immediately asked when he heard that Gu Yu had something important to do.

"I'll have them help me. Your most important task right now is to consolidate your cultivation." Gu Yu waved his hand, and ten dark-colored Origin Soldiers stood in front of him.

Gu Yu counted the source stones in his source space: 143 high-grade source stones, more than 900 mid-grade source stones, and more than 4,000 low-grade source stones. The source stones in his hands were absolutely comparable to the source stone reserves of a reclusive family with a King Realm expert in charge. He obtained these source stones from those who repaid kindness with enmity.

"These source stones are enough to block a formation at the King Realm level," Gu Yu murmured. After what had happened, Gu Yu planned to set up a large formation, a formation capable of resisting King Realm experts, to protect his parents.

You know, this time it was really dangerous. Fortunately, his mother had to go out on business, so he escaped a disaster. If it weren't for He Wen, his father would have been in grave danger as well.

Because of certain circumstances, he couldn't always stay by his parents' side. Besides, even if he did stay by their side, it wouldn't help. If a Marquis or King came, he wouldn't be able to stop them.

After much deliberation, his only remaining trump card is the formation.

Over the past three days, he has gone through the book of formations countless times in his mind and finally found a suitable formation.

In his previous life, after obtaining the Array Formation Book, he did not thoroughly study it. If we were to be honest, he could only be considered to have achieved minor success. After all, when he obtained the Array Formation Book in his previous life, his cultivation level was already at the Emperor Realm. It was impossible for him to set up an array that could deal with the God Realm, because the most powerful array in the book could only deal with the Emperor Realm.

Although the last page of the book contains a formation called the Qiankun God-Slaying Formation, which, if one could master the Heavenly Book of Formations and set up this formation, could slay gods, Gu Yu felt it was very unreliable because there was a sentence below the Qiankun God-Slaying Formation.