Chapter 726

"The contract has expired?" Tang Luo was somewhat surprised.

The contract Kongming spoke of was naturally not a team contract, but the contract of the Wulin Mythology.

Derived from the torn page of Jiang Shang's Investiture of the Gods, it largely guaranteed the stability of the Wulin Mythology.

Members of the Wulin Mythology who signed the contract would suffer equivalent retaliation if they attacked each other.

This contract can be considered a major safeguard developed from the Wulin Mythology's initial formation as an unofficial, loose organization.

Tang Luo was one who signed the contract, while Ao Yulie and Zhu Bajie and others had signed it initially but later had their names removed by Jiang Shang.

After all, they needed to train, and being bound by the contract was a troublesome matter.

Tang Luo, however, had not had his name removed, serving as a mark: even as exalted as the Holy Monk Xuanzang had signed the contract, leading by example to ensure everyone lived in peace.

You want to join but refuse to sign the contract—aren't you harboring ill intentions, wanting to cause trouble?

After that special real-world mission, the Wulin Mythology basically surfaced and began close cooperation with Near Science.

Now, Near Science and the Wulin Mythology have essentially merged, specializing in handling the movements of gods and demons, as well as extremely rare "supernatural events."

For those gods and demons who commit offenses, even if not severe, they are not all simply killed outright.

After punishment, they sign the contract to ensure they will not cause trouble again (toward other gods and demons who have signed the contract).

The importance of the contract to the Wulin Mythology goes without saying.

Tang Luo carefully sensed it—an extremely subtle feeling, coming from the contract, lingering around his body—had indeed completely vanished.

This meant the contract was no longer functioning.

"Yes, Senior Jiang Shang entered the mission world and has not returned to this day." Kongming's tone carried gravity.

If it were merely entering the mission world, a short delay in return would not be significant.

Now, some gods and demons have entered missions and will only reappear after a period of time.

The recent examples are not Tang Luo and his group.

Those gods and demons who have experienced many missions have successively shown similar situations, with varying durations.

But if the contract suddenly fails, the situation is entirely different.

The torn page of the Investiture of the Gods is the foundation of the contract; if the contract collectively fails, it also means the torn page has encountered problems.

At the same time, the torn page is also Jiang Shang's important reliance—calling it his "natal magic artifact" is not an exaggeration.

Contract failure means Jiang Shang has met with misfortune, which can be almost certainly confirmed.

Is it due to reaching the limit of mission failures, or……did he die in the mission world?

"What is the current situation then?" Tang Luo asked.

"Not good." Kongming said, "The Wulin Mythology and Near Science have cooperated and grown, with membership increasing significantly, and the number of gods and demons themselves is also rising. At that time, many gods and demons were unwilling to sign the contract, though it was suppressed; additionally, many gods and demons were forced to sign."

"The news has already spread, undercurrents are surging, and several attack incidents have already occurred."

Not only those unwilling to sign the contract, but even former members of the Wulin Mythology now feel a sense of "the dragon returning to the sea."

Regardless, the existence of the contract is a safety guarantee and also a form of restraint.

For weaker gods and demons, overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

But for stronger gods and demons, already accustomed to the "survival of the fittest" in the mission world, over time they inevitably feel bound hand and foot.

I have a grudge with a certain god or demon, and can only suppress it—without clear evidence, if the other party refuses to challenge, I have no recourse on my side.

Unless there is a way to bypass the contract.

Now that the contract has failed, for gods and demons, it is almost like a tiger let out of its cage.

Fortunately, the inherent limitations of the god-demon game itself remain, and struggles between gods and demons are still confined to the "dark."

Hence, it is only almost.

"By the way, what good news did you just mention?" Kongming briefly explained the situation, then shifted the topic.

It's not easy—every time Tang Luo brings back news, it makes him lose hair.

I didn't expect this time there would actually be good news.

Let's hear some good news first, so my hair might fall out a little less.

"Oh, I am certain that if a god or demon can complete all missions, they will ultimately transcend." Tang Luo said.

"Transcend?"

"Just a term—it means breaking free from mission constraints, and without mishap, one can travel between worlds. Whether it is truly complete autonomy and freedom, however, is hard to say." Tang Luo said.

Kongming on the other side slightly widened his eyes: "Can this be confirmed?"

"Yes, it can be confirmed—I encountered a former god or demon who was not exiled to the Gully of Return due to mission failure, but a 'Transcender' who completed all missions." Tang Luo briefly recounted his previous mission experience.

"Indeed!" Kongming said, "It cannot be an endless mission."

Confirmed: the path of gods and demons is winding, but the future is undoubtedly bright!

Yet this bright future is not easily realized.

For this generation of gods and demons, the currently strongest Chijing Daoist and his companions still have a difficult road ahead to reach the bright future.

What, why isn't Tang Luo counted?

This truly cannot be counted—Kongming deeply suspects Tang Luo was possessed by a powerful native of the mission world.

Of course, this doesn't matter.

Anyway, when Kongming met Tang Luo, he already displayed a completely different aspect.

Observing his conduct, there is also nothing harmful.

If it were truly a case of native possession, the Tang Luo Kongming knew would have been "native Tang Luo" from the start.

"It's a good thing—you spread the word, and it can make everyone happy." Tang Luo said.

"... I have an idea." Kongming said after a moment of thought.

"Then let's hear it."

Kongming said, "Regardless of whether Senior Jiang Shang has temporarily run into a problem or whatever the case may be, we must prepare for the contract to become permanently invalid. We can no longer rely on the contract in the future."

The drawbacks of the contract have already shown their first signs following this failure.

To truly put mandatory shackles back on the Gods and Demons Walkers would be too difficult.

"I think we should still summon all Gods and Demons Walkers, reiterate all the rules, re-establish the imperfect parts, establish the most complete rules possible, and have all Gods and Demons Walkers abide by them."

The 'all Gods and Demons Walkers' Kongming speaks of naturally refers to those within the Huaxia region.

As for other places, let them fight it out themselves; even if they beat each other bloody, it's none of his concern.

"Using the news Master brought as the reason, let's convene a grand assembly. How about that?"

"Sure." Tang Luo said, "I'll attend."

"No, just you attending definitely won't be enough." Kongming said.

"I know. You handle the arrangements; let me know if anything's needed then. I'll help wherever I can."

"Good, with those words from you I'm at ease." Kongming said.

The coming period of time is going to be very busy.

Kongming's side is busy; Tang Luo's side, by contrast, is relatively idle.

This mission yielded no rewards in the end, and there's no need to tally up any gains.

Likewise, not much merit power was gained; Tang Luo remains at 7.1 tenths strength, unhurried, steady as an old grandpa basking in the afternoon sun.

A month passed just like that.

Tang Luo did see news similar to a gas leak explosion.

After inquiring a little, he discovered it was a disturbance caused by some Gods and Demons Walkers.

Kongming also contacted Tang Luo to indicate the situation is indeed not optimistic.

It's not just because of the contract's failure; the Gods and Demons Game's restrictions on Gods and Demons Walkers have, unknowingly, been relaxed considerably.

Combined with all the changes over this past half-year, the Gods and Demons Game gives people a feeling that a storm is brewing.

Faced with this situation, Gods and Demons Walkers feel some unease about the future of the Gods and Demons Game's changes.

Under these circumstances, Kongming released the news, immediately attracting the attention of many Gods and Demons Walkers.

A game that had everyone hovering between despair and hope suddenly has a big shot claiming they have a walkthrough — would everyone not flock to it?

However, to obtain future information and see the 'walkthrough' still requires a bit of patience.

Kongming announced that one month later, on a certain island, a grand assembly belonging to the Gods and Demons Walkers would be held.

At that time, all relevant information would be released at the assembly.

Interested Gods and Demons Walkers may attend within the specified time limit.

The announcement of the news signaled the arrival of the Gods and Demons Walkers' 'grand gathering'.

Many Gods and Demons Walkers also realized this conference would determine the landscape of the Gods and Demons Walkers for a very long time to come.

With the contract's disappearance, the increase in Gods and Demons Walker numbers, the changes in mission times, the relaxation of the Gods and Demons Game's restrictions.

All these changes signify that the originally heavily suppressive situation is no longer suitable for today's Gods and Demons Walkers.

It is time to establish a brand new order.

Many Gods and Demons Walkers began forming vertical and horizontal alliances, wanting to make their voices heard.

There is also a portion of Gods and Demons Walkers who remain perfectly composed, not caring in the slightest about those undercurrents, carrying on as always, doing whatever they're supposed to do.

Young people always think too much.

Just go listen to the information about the Gods and Demons Game when the time comes.

As for the rest, don't bother with it.

Young people haven't experienced the Reality Missions from a few years ago; they completely don't understand the weight of the words 'Tripitaka Master Xuanzang'.

You really think the contract and the Gods and Demons Game's restrictions are a form of constraint?

Too naive; actually, that was protecting you."

Three days remain until the Gods and Demons Walkers Grand Assembly.

The location is on a certain unnamed island.

This island was where Daoist Chijing previously secluded himself to forge artifacts; yes, that pitfall of a Yin-Yang Mirror.

At first glance it seems similar to the Investiture of the Gods Scroll remnant page, being Daoist Chijing's exclusive weapon.

The result was pits inside and out; Daoist Chijing refined it for a full ten years, nearly refining himself to death. If not for Tang Luo shattering the Yin-Yang Mirror by a stroke of luck.

There probably wouldn't be a Daoist Chijing now.

On the surface, the island's appearance seems unchanged.

But in reality, many places have already been transformed; a total of eight entrances have appeared, eight roads leading to the internal venue at the island's center.

To participate, one must enter through an entrance.

Any other method is not permitted.

Outside the island, you want to fight or kill, go ahead; the upper echelons of the Wulin Mythology faction, as the conference initiators, impose no restrictions.

But once you step onto the island, you must sheath your claws; combat is prohibited inside the island.

Everyone is civilized; whatever the matter, why can't we sit down and talk it out slowly?