Volume 1, Chapter 31: Forbidden Art, The Tenfold Cycle of Reincarnation!

"Taunt!"

In the stone hall of the seventh floor, as Xiao Xiao’s figure completely vanished into the darkness, Lin Yu finally turned his gaze toward the Undead Assassin not far away.

The moment the word fell, a beam of milky-white light shot out from Lin Yu’s chest, landing precisely upon the Undead Assassin. As the light sank into its body, a flash of crimson surged into the creature’s previously hollow eyes. It then charged toward Lin Yu like a madman, brandishing its dagger and stabbing repeatedly!

"-19!"
"-212!"
"-19!"
"-213!"
...

With every strike of the blade, bright red damage numbers erupted above the heads of both Lin Yu and the Undead Assassin. Lin Yu did not hesitate; gripping his Sword of Light, he hacked at the Undead Assassin standing right before him.

"-452!"
"-452!"
...

"What a terrifying taunt skill!" Hidden in the shadows, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but gasp. If Lin Yu were to use that skill on her, she would have absolutely no room to fight back. Despite her surprise, she quickly regained her focus. As she lunged out, her Ghost Scorpion Dagger gleamed with a cold, lethal light, and she struck the Undead Assassin without hesitation!

"-413!"
"-413!"
...

Time trickled away amidst the three’s frantic assault. Knowing they only had three minutes, Lin Yu and Xiao Xiao attacked with everything they had, their weapons almost sparking from the intensity of their strikes. Because of the taunt, the Undead Assassin’s attack speed against Lin Yu remained relentless, making him feel as though his blood was boiling.

The "God and Demon Continent" was built on realism; players felt a degree of pain when taking damage. This was exactly why Lin Yu had maxed out his defense at the start of his previous life.

"Damn it, this guy’s luck is too good! It’s landed so many critical hits!"

As time passed, Lin Yu’s expression grew increasingly grim. The Undead Assassin’s recent attacks had an absurdly high critical hit rate—well over 20%! With his remaining health of only around two hundred, he could withstand at most ten more strikes. Although he possessed the "Fountain of Light" healing skill, its recovery was negligible—less than two health points per second. Meanwhile, the Undead Assassin still had sixteen thousand health remaining; to kill it, Lin Yu needed at least twenty more hits.

Judging by the current situation, they were in dire straits.

"Senior Sister Xiao, I’m afraid we’re finished. With my current health, I can only take about ten more hits," Lin Yu said, his face pale. Though he hated to admit it, they had hit a wall. He had triggered a few critical hits himself, but the probability was too low, and he couldn't gamble victory on uncertain luck. He had exhausted his trump cards; he was at his wit's end.

Xiao Xiao’s expression darkened. She could not accept failure at this final hurdle, especially when they only had one chance left. After a moment of silence, she looked up at Lin Yu with a resolute gaze.

"Lin Yu, I’m going to use a forbidden skill. It should deplete about eight thousand of the Undead Assassin’s health, but the life-burning cost will force me to exit the dungeon. Whether we clear this or not will be up to you."

Without further ado, knowing time was precious, Xiao Xiao’s expression turned cold. A terrifying crimson energy erupted from within her. Enveloped in this power, an immense, chilling aura radiated from her center, the shockwaves sweeping out like the arrival of the Grim Reaper. Even though he wasn't the target, Lin Yu felt a stinging, blade-like pain across his skin.

"Ten Cycles of Reincarnation! Die!"

Amidst the violent energy vortex, Xiao Xiao unleashed a sharp cry. In the next second, her body transformed into a crimson tornado, crashing into the Undead Assassin.

"Swish!"

With a dull thud, the Undead Assassin, which had been frantically attacking just a moment ago, was sent flying by the terrifying force, slamming heavily against the stone wall behind it!

"-8832!"

A massive damage figure flashed above its head.

"What a terrifying attack!" Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, stunned by the damage. The Undead Assassin’s defense was not low, yet this move had dealt such significant damage, proving how formidable Xiao Xiao’s skill was. Even he would have found it difficult to handle.

"Lin Yu... it’s up to you..." After unleashing the Ten Cycles of Reincarnation, Xiao Xiao’s health bar hit zero. Leaving behind those words, she vanished from the hall.

"Senior Sister Xiao!" Lin Yu’s expression darkened. She had chosen to sacrifice herself to defeat the Undead Assassin.

With Xiao Xiao’s strike, the situation became clear. The Undead Assassin had 5,300 health left, while Lin Yu had only 152. In his current state, he could survive at most eight attacks—provided the boss didn't land any criticals. To kill the boss, he needed to land at least seven hits, including the damage reflected by his own defense. The chances of victory remained slim.

Just then, the Undead Assassin, still under the influence of the taunt, lunged forward to attack. However, its previously vacant expression became hideously distorted. "Kid, I advise you to stop now. Killing me will bring you no benefit, and the cost is something you cannot bear!"

This was the first time the Undead Assassin had spoken since Lin Yu entered the seventh floor. With its health below 1%, it finally felt a hint of threat.

"Then I’ll see exactly what that cost is!" Xiao Xiao’s sacrifice had clearly pushed Lin Yu over the edge. He gritted his teeth, pulled out a skill book, and crushed it without hesitation.

"Invincible Fury, activate!"

The book was the C-rank skill he had looted from the Ghost Scorpion King. It provided a 50% attack power boost for 30 seconds. He hadn't intended to learn it because of the limit on skill slots, but Xiao Xiao had bought him a chance, and he wouldn't squander it.

Under the boost, a red glow enveloped Lin Yu, and his attack power surged from 456 to 684. Without hesitation, he swung his Sword of Light. A damage number nearly double his previous output erupted from the Undead Assassin.

"-922!"

"Kid, you will regret killing me! You will be cursed by the God of the Undead, and your end will be a hundred times more miserable than mine!" Seeing the sudden spike in damage, the Undead Assassin’s face shifted from fear to madness.

Lin Yu ignored the threat. He swung his sword repeatedly, each strike landing with lethal precision.

"-922!"
"-922!"
"-922!"
...

"Kid, you’ll regret this! You’ll definitely regret this!"

With the Undead Assassin’s final roar, its body exploded and vanished from the hall, leaving behind only an object resembling a crown floating in mid-air.

[Ding! You have killed the Undead Assassin. As you are within a dungeon, no experience points will be gained.]
[Ding! You have obtained the bronze-tier equipment: Undead Dark Dagger +1.]
[Ding! Congratulations on achieving the first clear of the Hidden Dungeon: Abyss Trial (Abyss Mode). A global announcement will be made. Would you like to hide your name?]

"No."

Lin Yu chose not to hide it. Since the team mode only announces the team leader’s nickname, it wouldn't affect him. Besides, if "Xiao Xiaoran" could attract attention through this hidden dungeon, it would be a good thing.

[Ding! Congratulations to player "Xiao Xiaoran" for achieving the first clear of the Hidden Dungeon: Abyss Trial (Abyss Mode). This is a global announcement; we encourage all players to keep trying!]
[Ding! Congratulations to player "Xiao Xiaoran" for achieving the first clear of the Hidden Dungeon: Abyss Trial (Abyss Mode). This is a global announcement; we encourage all players to keep trying!]