54: An unexpected turn of events: the meeting of the Seven Gods!

Having received the notification that the quest was passed, Lin Yue was about to head to the fourth stage when the entire ground shook, nearly causing him to lose his footing.

The God of Kindness frowned, their gaze repeatedly turning toward the direction of the first stage.

"What happened? I remember the God of Cunning telling me that the Demon God couldn't enter."

"Even a ghost wouldn't believe his words, would you?"

The God of Kindness snorted in disdain, their face filled with worry.

"True, I don't believe him either."

Lin Yue nodded. From the very beginning, the God of Cunning had been spouting nonsense, even issuing a fake quest to him; he hadn't believed a single word of the deity's lies.

It stood to reason that since the black mist could enter the ruins unimpeded and control the guards at the entrance, it could naturally pass through the bronze gate and enter the first stage.

"The opponent is very strong. If I didn't have to stay here, I would have gone to help by now."

The God of Kindness showed a look of pity.

"With such a fierce battle, they must be fighting so miserably. If the Demon God dares to bully other gods, I, the God of Kindness, will never allow it."

As they spoke, the God of Kindness picked up their weapon and prepared to rush toward the first stage.

"Hey, wait a minute, aren't you going to open the entrance to the fourth stage for me?"

Lin Yue shouted at the God of Kindness. He didn't have much time to waste here; the Overlord Guild had taken the first world boss first kill and would soon take the second.

"I can't open it. The fourth stage can only be opened by the Guardian of that stage personally."

The God of Kindness gave a bitter smile. It wasn't that they didn't want to let Lin Yue through, but that they simply couldn't.

"What's going on? Where is the Guardian?"

Lin Yue's eyes were filled with doubt. It was clear that an unpredictable situation had occurred in this special Ruins of the Gods Instance due to the Demon God's invasion.

"Originally, according to the process, you must pass through seven stages: Wisdom, Courage, Kindness, Justice, Perseverance, Strength, and Hope."

"However, as you can see, the God of Justice from the fourth stage is not there right now; he has gone to the first stage to support the God of Cunning and the God of Courage."

The God of Kindness said quickly, "Presumably, the gods of the remaining stages are all at the first stage now, so you cannot enter the trial of the fourth stage."

"..."

Lin Yue understood. Although he knew what was happening, what about his quest? What about the treasure of the gods?

"Wait, I can understand your actions—after all, everyone should hunt down a Demon God—but my quest is stuck now. You have to give me an explanation."

Lin Yue was a bit angry. He had gone through so much trouble and stayed in the Novice Village for so many days just for this moment. If someone suddenly told him the System had a bug and the quest couldn't be completed, how could he possibly accept that?

The God of Kindness was also speechless. They knew the Seven Gods were in the wrong, but who could have expected the invading Demon God's strength to far exceed their estimations.

"Adventurer, don't be in such a hurry. Wipe your sweat."

The God of Kindness conjured a towel again and handed it to Lin Yue. This time, Lin Yue didn't take it, but instead looked at them as if they were a fool.

"Oh, don't make it hard for me. I don't have the authority either."

The God of Kindness stomped their feet in anxiety. On one hand, they wanted to rush to support the others; on the other hand, this Adventurer had finally cleared three stages, and it would be too pitiful if he couldn't finish the rest.

"I don't care. You must give me an explanation."

Lin Yue sat on the ground with his legs crossed, like an old monk in meditation.

Facing someone like Lin Yue, the God of Kindness had no options. Taking a deep breath, they suddenly thought of something, and their expression softened.

"Adventurer, don't worry. Let me discuss it with them first."

Immediately after, the God of Kindness closed their eyes and began to sense the presence of the other Six Gods from the Void Realm.

In the next second, they saw the battle at the first stage.

The God of Cunning lay on the ground, a massive black hole in his chest continuously burning; he was reaching his limit.

The God of Courage was covered in terrifying wounds, her eyes fixed on the giant formed from black mist. She shouted, "Courage, grant me strength!" and continued to charge forward against the odds.

The God of Justice transformed into a Six-winged Angel, his various radiant flying blades constantly bombarding the giant, but with little effect.

The God of Perseverance held a man-sized shield, gritting his teeth as he stood at the very front. No matter how the Demon God's fists hammered down, he remained steadfast and unmoving.

The God of Strength's muscles were like cast steel. He transformed into a giant ape and engaged in a frenzied brawl with the Demon God.

The God of Hope sat in the rear, her white skirt fluttering without wind. She rapidly chanted various blessings that descended upon the gods fighting the Demon God at the front.

The intensity of the battle greatly surprised the God of Kindness.

Aside from the God of Cunning, who had weaker combat power, the other gods were all very strong. Yet, even with six of them working together, they were still slightly at a disadvantage.

When they looked at the black mist, they gave a bitter smile. The opponent was Asmodeus, one of the Thirty-six Powerful Demon Gods; no wonder their side couldn't win.

"Brothers and sisters, what should we do now? That Adventurer's trial cannot continue."

"God of Kindness, why are you still at the third stage? Come and help!"

"Now is not the time to worry about an Adventurer. This ruin is about to collapse."

...The voice of the God of Kindness echoed in the minds of the Six Gods, causing an immediate uproar among them.

"Everyone, stop arguing. According to the rules, we must give the Adventurer an explanation. I suggest we forcibly end the trial and give him the final treasure."

The God of Kindness's proposal stunned the Six Gods. Immediately, the Black Mist Giant seized the opening to press the attack, and the situation on the field took a turn for the worse.

"No, he hasn't even passed my trial yet. How do I know if he's the right candidate?"

It was the God of Justice who spoke.

"Yes, this is against the rules."

The God of Strength echoed.

"Then we can only let the majority rule. Let's decide by vote."

The God of Kindness was helpless and created a virtual round table in the minds of the Six Gods. The Seven Gods sat around the table to hold a vote.

"I agree to give the treasure!"

The first to agree was the half-dead God of Cunning. Then the God of Courage stood up, "He is very special, and I admire him. I agree."

The God of Kindness also voted in favor, followed by the gods of the last four stages.

The three gods—Strength, Perseverance, and Justice—each voted against it, the reason being that he hadn't earned their recognition.

"You guys are too rigid. Given the special circumstances, can't we make an exception?"

The God of Cunning said displeasedly.

"Shut up. He only passed three stages. How can we give the treasure early?"

The God of Strength rudely interrupted the God of Cunning.

"He could pass our stages, so maybe he could pass yours. Give him a chance?"

The God of Kindness's gaze was sincere; they also highly approved of Lin Yue.

"No, rules are rules."

The God of Justice refused righteously.

The God of Courage wanted to say more, but the God of Perseverance spoke up quietly, "I stand by my decision..."

The situation reached a deadlock with a three-to-three tie. Finally, only the God of Hope had yet to vote.

The eyes of all the gods turned toward the God of Hope.