Chapter Fifty-Four: Apotheosis – The Sage’s Revelation

Hearing these words, everyone tensed up. None of them were fools; they naturally understood the implications. Qi Jinren, surprised, asked, "Mr. Chen Mu, do you mean that any guard who has been injured might be infected?" This man had a remarkable memory, recalling everything Gu Feng had introduced after only one explanation.

Muto frowned and said, "Perhaps. It's still unclear, but to be safe, it would be best to immediately gather all the guards who were injured by the mutated ones and keep them under strict supervision."

That man was quick to act. He immediately bowed to the emperor. "Your Majesty, please allow me to take my leave and attend to these matters at once."

Cang Lanyue nodded, "Lord Qi, thank you for your hard work."

Qi Jinren bent at the waist, saluted, and withdrew from the council hall.

Cang Lanyue then turned to the elderly man, "Prime Minister Zuo, where were you just now?"

Earlier, the arrival of Muto and his companions had interrupted the conversation among the three.

"Your Majesty, I fear that this excavation of the ancient magical civilization may bring disaster to the whole nation, perhaps even the entire world."

"Why do you say that, Prime Minister?" Cang Lanyue frowned.

"This is the conclusion the Grand Sage reached after recently interpreting the stars."

"What?" At these words, both Gu Feng and Cang Lanyue furrowed their brows. "What else did she say?" Gu Feng pressed.

The Grand Sage, also known as the Chosen of the Gods, was renowned for wisdom rather than power, able to divine fortune and calamity from the movements of the stars. Usually, she oversaw the nation's prayers to the heavens. So, upon hearing such a pronouncement, the emperor could not help but be anxious.

Prime Minister Zuo was about to reply when a maid entered and announced, "Your Majesty, the Grand Sage requests an audience!"

"Quickly, show her in!" Indeed, speak of the devil and she appears. Cang Lanyue hurriedly ordered her to be brought in.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" To Muto and the others’ surprise, the sage capable of reading the fate of the world in the stars was a young woman, no more than sixteen, with a graceful figure and a stunningly beautiful face. Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, but her eyes were dull, empty, as if hollow—only on closer inspection did they realize she was blind. Muto and the others exchanged glances, wondering, "How can a blind woman read the stars?"

Perhaps sensing their doubts, Gu Feng explained, "The Tower of the Stars houses a celestial disk, maintained daily by starwardens who arrange it according to the positions of the major constellations. The Grand Sage can divine fortune and calamity by interpreting this celestial disk."

Only then was everyone reassured. Muto whispered, "A celestial disk? Sounds like it was made specifically for the Grand Sage. Could it be that every Grand Sage is blind?"

"Heaven is always fair. It gives the Grand Sage the wisdom to perceive fate, but it takes away the gift of sight." The Grand Sage’s hearing was keen, and she had caught Muto’s quiet words. She turned her head toward him.

Being overheard saying such a thing, Muto felt awkward and quickly apologized. "Grand Sage, I meant no offense."

"No harm done..." The Grand Sage seemed unoffended, and instead explained, "Every Grand Sage, upon grasping the secrets of the celestial disk, will lose their sight. It is Heaven’s way of allowing us to use the divine power it bestows, so that we may guide our nation away from disaster and toward fortune..."

Before she could finish, Gu Feng interjected urgently, "Grand Sage, what do you mean that excavating the ancient magical civilization will bring disaster to the nation, even the world?"

"That is precisely the issue I wish to discuss," the Grand Sage replied. "Do you know how the ancient magical civilization fell?"

In this magical realm, the most learned were the magicians, and Gu Feng, as the national protector, was especially knowledgeable. He answered, "It’s said that the ancient magical civilization once reached unparalleled heights. People created floating magical airships, magic firearms usable by ordinary folk, and even magical light blades. Most notable were the magitek weapons—there was even a magitek rail cannon that could draw power automatically from the heavens, allowing its controller to attack distant enemies. Yet, true to the principle that excess leads to ruin, the very prosperity of the ancient magical civilization brought about its own destruction. According to various records, wars among nations spiraled out of control, and ultimate magitek weapons were unleashed, disrupting the balance of magical elements. The ensuing magical storms ravaged the world for a century, decimating the population. Magic was lost, only to slowly recover after centuries, and it took thousands of years for magical civilization to flourish again."

The Grand Sage nodded. "That is one version. Another holds that the growth of ancient magical civilization threatened the gods themselves, who then punished the world. For three months, there was neither sunlight nor moonlight nor starlight. The elements fell into chaos, and thus the ancient magical civilization was destroyed."

In the past, Gu Feng would have scoffed at this, but after hearing Lu Daoxuan’s analysis, he found it somewhat believable and did not object.

"But what does this have to do with our excavation of the ancient magical civilization?" Gu Feng asked, confused.

"The fall of the ancient magical civilization was the will of the gods. If its strength once threatened the gods, it could threaten our world even more now," replied the Grand Sage.

Cang Lanyue suddenly understood, "Grand Sage, you mean that the scramble for the treasures of the ancient magical civilization will lead to war?"

"That is only one aspect," the Grand Sage said. "The wonders of the ancient civilization are beyond our understanding. According to my calculations with the celestial disk, what they will bring is... bloodshed and darkness."

Cang Lanyue frowned deeply at these words, while Muto was forced to admit that the Grand Sage had some real ability. After all, the current mutation among the palace guards was clearly linked to the ancient magical civilization. If these potentially infected guards were to spread the contagion, the world’s magical civilization might face destruction once again.

"What should we do? If we forgo the ancient magical civilization and another nation develops magitek weapons, our own country could face ruin," Cang Lanyue said, troubled.

"That is why I must impose upon the national protector," replied the Grand Sage.

"Oh? What can I do?" Gu Feng wondered aloud.

"The Way is fifty, but the heavens manifest only forty-nine. There is always a glimmer of hope," the Grand Sage said. "According to the celestial disk, though the ancient magical civilization brings a calamity that could end the world, it also presents an opportunity for godhood!"

"Godhood!" Gu Feng nearly leaped up at that, and the others were equally astonished. From Gu Feng’s explanations, Muto surmised that ascending to godhood in this magical realm was akin to achieving immortality in the cultivation world—a formidable feat, fraught with danger to one’s very soul. Even though Gu Feng’s strength surpassed his own, Muto guessed that Gu Feng was still far from ready to attain godhood.

"That’s right. The records of the Grand Sages state that before the fall of the ancient magical civilization, some formidable individuals used a certain artifact to communicate with the powers of heaven and earth, achieving godhood in the flesh." The Grand Sage spoke calmly. "The celestial disk points to this artifact being at the ancient civilization’s ruins."

"The Altar of Apotheosis..." Gu Feng murmured. "I’ve heard of this legend, but I had no idea it was real!"

"May I ask, has anyone achieved godhood since the fall of the ancient magical civilization?" Lu Daoxuan interjected.

"Certainly not!" Gu Feng answered without hesitation. "The legend of apotheosis belongs only to the ancient magical era. Every mage-saint and above has studied the matter, for the allure of godhood is irresistible. It’s said that if the current five strongest beings don’t achieve godhood soon, their lifespans will end. They’re all over three hundred years old, and even if they survive, their power already exceeds the limits of this world, inviting heavenly tribulation. They cannot remain here."

"Then we must go to the ruins," Lu Daoxuan said coolly. "I believe that is exactly what Gu Feng needs."

"But my strength is insufficient. Perhaps in a few decades I’ll be the youngest of the five strongest, but for now, though I am the strongest of the national protectors, I would have to flee before one of the five," Gu Feng said helplessly.

Zigui chuckled, "Gu, what’s there to fear? A hero can’t fight with just two hands, but we have numbers. Besides, the five strongest might not even show up!"

Gu Feng shook his head. "Even if they don’t, attempting apotheosis at my current strength would almost certainly end in annihilation. I’ve studied the legends; I estimate that only those at the level of the five can dare attempt it."

At this, the group was left uncertain. But Lu Daoxuan insisted, "We must go—there is no other choice!"

It was rare for him to be so adamant, even a little fervent. Muto’s heart stirred, "Lu, do you have a way to help Gu achieve godhood?"

Lu Daoxuan adjusted his glasses. "I have a fair idea of what apotheosis entails. We can discuss it on the way. But I expect that the world’s other powerhouses are equally well-informed; if we know, so do they. A fierce battle is inevitable. Be ready for a fight!"

Everyone understood. In front of the emperor and the Grand Sage, they could not reveal their identities as plane agents. Lu’s advice meant they should prepare as many restorative potions as possible, like the "miraculous beans" and "energy fruits" Muto had once procured.

Now that the decision was made, speed was of the essence. Gu Feng immediately sought leave from the emperor, but the Grand Sage spoke up, "Protector, I must go with you..."