Chapter 61

One

In the world, there was a fool, Tian You.

This was the nickname given to Zhuge Jun by his family.

He was born without any talent in the Zhuge family, which had a long history of producing people skilled in various mysterious formations and tactics.

Not only did he lack talent, but he also lacked willpower.

Zhuge Jun was always busy playing, neglecting both training and studies.

Engaging in all sorts of bizarre behaviors was also commonplace for him.

As this behavior continued, despite being the second son of the current head of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Chong, he received no recognition within the family.

Everyone looked down on him.

This was why the person from the Zhuge family, who controlled the military department of the Wu Lin Alliance, was not in a key position within the alliance but was instead in the insignificant Fei Ying Team.

However, Liu Xinyun, who had experienced another future, knew the truth.

He knew that all the appearances he had shown so far were intentionally orchestrated by Zhuge Jun.

While pushing forward with the investigation, Zhuge Jun continued to have a heated conversation with Liu Xinyun.

"......By interfering with other natural objects, I confirmed that the foundation of the formation is based on the principles of the Nine Palaces (九宫). Among the formations of the Wan Xiang Sect, only one uses the principles of the Nine Palaces."

"What is it?"

"The Thousand Path Shadow Formation (千路迷影阵) used in the battle with the Huangshan Sect. This seems to be a variant of that formation."

"Do you know how to break it?"

"......Yes, fortunately. Hmm, the Seven Red Stars. The southeast direction. Ah, that rock is the key object forming the formation. Breaking it will collapse the formation itself."

He revealed the true nature of the formation and discovered its method of breaking in less than a moment.

Ma Le and Huang Nuo, who had seen him as frivolous, were surprised to find that he had hidden such remarkable talent and looked at him anew.

On the other hand, Tang Halin's face was filled with shock, as this was a completely unexpected sight.

However, this was his hidden true self.

'This guy was in the same situation as me, probably?'

Liu Xinyun looked at Zhuge Jun with a gleam in his eyes and thought to himself.

Although no one knew yet, Zhuge Jun was not the legitimate child of the main wife. He was a child that Zhuge Chong had accidentally fathered in a brothel.

As a child, Zhuge Jun accidentally learned this fact and also realized the true intentions of his parents, who became cold and harsh the more talent he showed.

From that day on, he thoroughly hid his talent.

In another future, he miraculously survived alone on the day the Blood Sect destroyed the Zhuge family, and from then on, he revealed his true self.

With his outstanding strategy and formation skills, he became the general of the Blood Sect's forces and was called Tian Nao for his active role in several dangerous battles.

However, even he ultimately met his end in a battle against the Blood Sect.

This was the end of the other future's Zhuge Jun.

'I never expected him to come to me on his own.'

Zhuge Jun was actually the top candidate among those Liu Xinyun had considered recruiting. Although the time was not yet right, when he could fully trust him, Liu Xinyun would extend his hand to him.

"Quite impressive, good job."

"Hehe, what are you talking about?"

Liu Xinyun lightly praised him, pretending to know nothing, and Zhuge Jun couldn't help but be pleased.

But he quickly regained his composure and managed his expression.

This was the first time he had been recognized for his abilities since he was a child, and he couldn't help but feel happy.

And in the next moment.

Whoosh! Bang!

Liu Xinyun shattered the rock that Zhuge Jun had mentioned with a swing of his fist.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

A misty smoke rose, enveloping the entire cave, and the scene inside began to completely change.

"......!"

Everyone's faces were filled with shock.

At the end of the cave, which had clearly been empty before, a steel door appeared.

And on the cave wall above the door, a line of text left by Wan Xiang was engraved.

-Only one who is willing to die to protect their comrades may enter the final gate.

The members of the Zheng Yun Pavilion finally realized they had reached the final gate.

However, their expressions were not bright. The final gate was written to allow only one person to enter.

Then, Tang Halin spoke in a low voice.

"......I will go in."

"Miss Cai!"

She surprised Zhuge Jun with her unexpected words.

But Tang Halin raised one hand to stop Zhuge Jun from speaking further.

"I am the only one who has not provided any help since entering the cave. It is the right decision for me to go in."

Tang Halin's expression was solemn after she finished speaking.

Her determination was so firm that the members of the Zheng Yun Pavilion could not say anything more.

However.

"I brought you to gain some experience, not to spout nonsense."

"......!"

"Of course, I will go in."

Liu Xinyun ignored her words and declared that he would go in.

Tang Halin immediately countered.

"I can......"

"Who here is stronger than me?"

"......!"

Liu Xinyun's straightforward words left Tang Halin speechless. After seeing his incredible performance in the first and second gates, she couldn't bring herself to argue.

The silence stretched, and Tang Halin finally sighed in resignation.

"......Then."

"Uh?"

Tang Halin took something out of her robes and handed it to Liu Xinyun.

"What is it?"

"It's a Feather Needle Tube (羽毛鍼筒). It contains highly potent paralyzing needles. You can use it as a hidden weapon by pressing the button in the middle to fire the needles at the enemy, or if His Majesty is seriously injured, you can use the needles inside to reduce the pain."

At first glance, it seemed to be one of the secret hidden weapons of the Tang family.

As he had guessed, the Feather Needle Tube was a secret hidden weapon given to her by the Tang family to use only in life-threatening situations.

If it were to be leaked to others, even family members would face severe punishment, but Tang Halin handed it to Liu Xinyun without hesitation.

Seeing the genuine concern and regret in her eyes, Liu Xinyun accepted the needle tube.

"I'll use it well and return it."

Then, without looking back, he walked toward the steel door that had appeared.

To Tang Halin, Liu Xinyun's back looked as massive as Mount Tai.

"Don't worry. It will be over soon."

With those words, Liu Xinyun entered the third gate.

Two

Bang!

With a loud noise, the steel door closed.

And at the same time, the door disappeared without a trace.

Although it was now impossible to escape, Liu Xinyun paid no attention to such a trivial matter.

As Liu Xinyun looked around, another vast cave was revealed. The space was very high and wide, suitable for battle.

And in the next moment.

'That's the one.'

Liu Xinyun discovered the entity responsible for the third gate.

Rattle.

It made a chilling sound, flicking its forked tongue upon spotting him.

Its yellowish whites and red vertical pupils glowed cruelly.

[A snake demon, Pi You (肥????), appears.]

[Pi You vents intense anger at the unfamiliar intruder.]

'So this is a demon.'

Pi You was the first demon Liu Xinyun had ever seen.

It had the basic form of a snake but was equipped with six legs and four wings on its back.

As it raised its coiled body, a massive form, about 20 feet (approximately 6 meters) long, was revealed.

However, Liu Xinyun felt no fear.

Instead, he felt a sense of familiarity.

This was because it looked no different from the monsters he had tirelessly slain in his previous life.

Moreover, a greedy look appeared in Liu Xinyun's eyes as he looked at Pi You.

'Suck, I'll enjoy this.'

This was because natural energy was overflowing from Pi You's entire body.

Seeing this arrogant human who was not afraid of him, Pi You's anger intensified.

Roar!

Boom!

With a massive roar, Pi You charged at Liu Xinyun.

As the cave shook as if an earthquake had struck due to Pi You's heavy weight,

"I don't have time to watch, so I'll go all out from the start."

Liu Xinyun spoke and began to unleash all his power.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Summoning arrays appeared on the ground each time Liu Xinyun's mouth moved.

Clank! Clank!

From within, a skeleton army clad in phantom robes emerged.

With the Commanding Skill's rank rising to A+, the maximum number of skeletons he could summon reached 30.

'Well, there was only one when I came in, after all.'

Liu Xinyun briefly recalled the words of Wan Xiang, written on the wall, about entering alone but quickly dismissed the thought.

Crack! Crack!

Yu Yilang, leading the skeleton army, charged at Pi You.

Yu Yilang's sword emitted a sword aura twice as large and clear as Liu Xinyun's.

It seemed he was about to reach the Cheng Gang (成罡) realm.

'...As expected, Master is a monster.'

Just as Liu Xinyun was marveling, Pi You and the skeletons clashed head-on.

The skeletons moved in unison under Yu Yilang's command.

At the front, skeletons made from the Xue Shui of the Red Cloud Pavilion and the You Long members of the Nine Dragon Gang began to use their respective magical powers.

In the rear, skeletons made from Xia Qian, the skeleton mage, were spewing Ice Ghost Water to assist them.

As the number of intruders suddenly increased, Pi You could not hide his confusion. Despite swinging its steel-like tail repeatedly, it was no match.

Ki, Kiiee!

Seizing an opening, Yu Yilang's strike cut off one of Pi You's legs, causing it to emit a pained groan.

Realizing it couldn't continue like this, Pi You began to flap its four wings.

Swoosh! Whoosh!

With a tearing sound, Pi You soared into the air. Although the ceiling blocked its path, the height allowed it to do so.

The skeleton archers continued their attacks, but the other skeletons could only stare helplessly from the ground.

Pi You, taking a deep breath, displayed a proud expression, realizing it had gained a favorable position.

Then, it flapped its wings forcefully in the air.

Swoosh! Bang!

A massive shockwave formed and engulfed the skeletons.

Boom! Crack!

Some skeletons were shattered by the shockwave and were recalled.

Yu Yilang, easily evading the attack, dispersed the remaining troops.

It seemed the tide of the battle had completely turned.

However, there was no worry on Liu Xinyun's face.

He simply thought,

'Our side needs a creature with flight capabilities.'

He brought out a new summoning creature he had recently completed.

A new skill was cast.

"Revive."

As he finished speaking, two massive summoning arrays, incomparable to those used to summon the skeletons, appeared on the ground.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

In the black light that spewed out, the outlines of two strange beings were revealed.

Wulin Family, Reincarnated Ranker