This assassin is upright

Chapter 332 A Fateful Reunion

Given the similar style and the fact that the name of the dungeon, 【Netherworld Nightmare】, also contains the word 【Netherworld】, Yu Zhun strongly suspected that this dungeon was closely related to the previous two dungeons.

It is currently known that the hidden dungeons all have extraordinary origins and are connected with other forces outside of the God and Demon Palace. For example, the hidden dungeon [Tianxu Trial] corresponds to the Tianxu Divine Palace, which is close in strength to the God and Demon Palace.

Then, the [Netherworld Trial] and [Netherworld Abyss], which also exist as hidden dungeons, may also correspond to a powerful force.

If that's the case, then it's clear that it's a powerful force belonging to a demonic entity.

Choosing the Demonic faction for the third job advancement was practically a done deal for Yu Zhun, so it was only natural that he would be interested in the Demonic faction.

Having missed the opportunity to delve deeper into the Netherworld on his previous two visits, Yu Zhun intends to thoroughly explore it this time upon entering the [Netherworld Nightmare].

Whether it's the [Forbidden Ruins of the Gods] or the [Netherworld Nightmare], these are both targets that Yu Zhun wants to conquer next. Even if he chooses one of them this time, he will try the other one sooner or later.

Helmod and the others clearly shared the same idea.

“Only children make choices; adults want it all.” Lu Wen was the most decisive. “Let’s go to the [Forbidden Ruins] first, then the [Netherworld Nightmare].

“Okay.” Helmod nodded. “Although the [Forbidden Ruins] is quite difficult, it’s still a bit easier than the [Netherworld Nightmare]. Let’s tackle the [Forbidden Ruins] first. We’ll have a better understanding of the difficulty of Lv80 dungeons. I have no objection to this order.”

“I have no objection either,” Udyr said calmly.

Her understanding of these two instances was entirely based on the two sets of information provided by Yu Zhun, and the Forbidden Ruins of Gods was indeed more suitable at this stage.

"Then it's decided." Yu Zhun smiled. "After a few days of rest, everyone should be ready."

"Then...shall we set off immediately?"

The proposal was unanimously approved by all five, and under Yu Zhun's guidance, the dungeon matchmaking began quickly.

Welcome to the permanent instance: Forbidden Ruins (4A)

The rules for dungeons are as follows:

[1. All rewards within the dungeon are settled instantly]

2. Death in the instance also results in death in the real world.

[3. Cross-server matchmaking successful. All players will immediately enter the dungeon. Current match count: 58/100]

4. No player can leave the dungeon before it is cleared.

On the broken bones and blood of the gods, new flowers will surely bloom!

"One hundred teams matched, this dungeon is quite large." Lu Wen clicked his tongue and couldn't help but say.

"The Forbidden Ruins of the Gods is a free-to-explore, ruleless instance," Yu Zhun said slowly. "There is no fixed order for conquering the instance there; danger may be lurking beneath every blade of grass, every tree, and every stone."

"There is only one way to pass the level there, and that is to collect an item called [Divine Blood Bone]. There are a total of 132 of these items in the [Forbidden God] Ruins."

“This number is the same as the number of third-tier powerhouses this server had before it was destroyed,” Hermod interjected from the side.

Yu Zhun nodded to indicate that he understood, and then said, "The way to pass through the [Forbidden Ruins of Gods] is to possess more than half, that is, more than 66 [Divine Blood Bones].

"A perfect completion means finding all 132 [Divine Blood Bones], that is, obtaining them all without missing a single one."

"The location of these [Divine Blood Bones] is completely random in each battle, and it is impossible to memorize the location in advance."

Udir and the others nodded slightly, indicating that they understood.

Compared to previous dungeons, the rules of [Forbidden Ruins] are not particularly complex; the real difficulty and danger lie hidden within the dungeon itself.

Neither the other players who entered at the same time nor the various dangers that already exist in the [Forbidden Ruins] should be underestimated.

“This time, we’re facing players in the Lv80 dungeon.” Yu Zhun’s voice was a few decibels lower. “These players are not only much higher level than us, but they are also almost all experienced players who have cleared many second-job dungeons.”

"Never let your guard down against other players just because you had a successful run last time."

Upon hearing Yu Zhun's words, the other four also became alert.

They've heard and seen far too many stories of genius players failing miserably, and naturally, they don't want to be one of those protagonists.

While the group was talking, the number of matches had already increased from 58 to 82, and it looked like it was not far from 100.
-
The First God Zone.

Ji Chen walked step by step up the steps leading to a magnificent hall, attracting the attention of the powerful guards passing by.

The gaze held respect, yet also carried an indescribable meaning, causing Ji Chen's steps to become heavier.

He knew very well that things hadn't been like this in the past.

For a long time before, the gazes directed at him were filled with respect and admiration, devoid of any other emotion.

When did this change occur?
It was probably around the time he failed to achieve a perfect first clear across servers in the [Ruins of Decay].

It probably started when he failed to conquer the important special dungeon, the Tower of Lunar Eclipse.

Thinking of this, Ji Chen's steps became even heavier.

Because he knew where the staircase he was climbing led.

The palace at the end of the stairs is the residence of the supreme demon lord of the First Divine District.

Since His second defeat at the Tower of Lunar Eclipse, He has not summoned Him for a long time.

It seems that he, the number one divine son, has fallen out of favor.

Therefore, whether being summoned by the other party this time was a blessing or a curse, Ji Chen himself couldn't say for sure.

The only thing he knew was…

He had no choice but to obey the other party's orders.

"tread--"

Walking numbly to the top of the stairs, Ji Chen took a deep breath and then placed his hands on the tightly closed door.

"Squeak-"

With a sickening sound, the tightly closed door slowly opened a crack, revealing an atmosphere inside that made Ji Chen's heart skip a beat.

He pushed open the door and slowly walked in, not daring to look up at the indescribable, terrifying being before him. He lowered his head and said slowly, "Lord Demon Lord."

The air was deathly still, and Ji Chen's heart trembled even more violently. Even without looking up, he could feel an indifferent gaze looking down at him from above, and his X4-level talent was as fragile as a thin sheet of paper in front of that person.

"You've completed your second job advancement."

After a long while, the Demon Lord's voice drifted over.

"Yes." Ji Chen nodded, then hurriedly said, "I've completed my second job advancement. My second job is..."

"I'm giving you one last chance." The Demon Lord seemed to have no intention of listening to Ji Chen at all, and simply said calmly, "If you still can't seize it this time, then don't come back."

Ji Chen opened his mouth, then silently closed it again, finally lowering his head and speaking in a deep voice, "...Yes."

“Let’s go to the [Forbidden Ruins of the Gods],” the Demon Lord said slowly. “Those remnants from back then don’t seem to have given up.”

"Although I am fearless, I do not like trouble."

“So…” The Demon Lord’s gaze slowly fell on Ji Chen.

[Forbidden Ruins of the Gods]... Ji Chen's heart sank slightly.

I just finished my second job advancement, and now I'm being forced into a level 80 dungeon, and not just any level 80 dungeon.

Ji Chen was naturally familiar with what happened back then. He knew what the Demon Lord's unfinished words contained, and he also knew how arduous this task was for him.

Even though he has already undergone two transformations and possesses even greater power.

Even though he already possessed X4-level talent.

Anger and frustration flashed in his eyes, but eventually subsided, leaving only calm.

"Yes."
-
99 ...

100 ...

As the last team entered the matchmaking process, Yu Zhun and his group of five felt everything around them rapidly distort and change. Various bizarre and colorful lines intertwined quickly amidst the chaos and confusion, eventually transforming into a clear scene.

A wild and chilling aura swept over in an instant.

Reversed divine and demonic blood, distorted spatial rifts, a collapsing and shattered ten-thousand-meter-tall divine statue, a sky battlefield shattered into pieces, and a bottomless abyss...

Looking around, all I could see was desolation and sorrow.

"This... is this the [Forbidden Ruins]...?" Udyr stared wide-eyed at his surroundings, deeply shocked.

This shock was even more intense than when I entered the [Death Burial Pit] before.

A once-thriving former Hundred Gods District was now right before their eyes, and they could even vaguely glimpse the past prosperity of this world through these ruins.

But now, everything has turned into ruins filled with blood and bones.

The others weren't much better off. Even Yu Zhun and Yu Zhu, who had seen the dungeon images and descriptions in the guides and experiences of the nine supreme experts, were still shocked when they witnessed the [Forbidden Ruins of Gods] in person.

The only one who performed poorly was Helmod.

After all, the Fourth God Zone he was in was much more powerful than the predecessor world of the dungeon in front of him, so this scale seemed rather ordinary to him.

Helmod glanced at the four people who were still in awe, then turned and walked to the blood river not far away. With a casual clench of his fist, a fist-sized golden-red bead flew out from the bottom of the blood river and into his hand.

The loud commotion brought Yu Zhun and the others back to their senses.

Yu Zhun's eyes lit up as he looked at the bead in Helmod's hand. "This is the [Divine Blood Bone]."

"So this is what [Divine Blood and Bones] looks like?" Lu Wen stroked his chin. "I thought it would be something like bones."

“These so-called gods are nothing more than third-tier powerhouses. They have not truly reached the level of immortality; they are just a little more powerful than us,” Helmod said slowly. “As time goes by, they will gradually become a handful of dust in the flow of time.”

"This so-called [Divine Blood and Bones] is actually something formed from the convergence of their primordial power after their third reincarnation..." Helmod glanced at the eager Yu Zhun and then added, "Of course, what we're looking for in the dungeon is all fake."

"These things are at most tainted with a trace of aura; the real [Divine Blood and Bones] have probably already been taken away by the First Divine District."

"What a pity," Yu Zhun sighed.

If it really is a valuable item formed from the essence of a third-tier powerhouse, he'll have to find a way to bring it out of the dungeon.

Even if I can't use it myself for the time being, it's a good treat for the black cat.

“Oh, right.” Helmod seemed to have thought of something and quickly added, “These [Divine Blood Bones] have other uses besides serving as tokens for passing through the dungeon.”

"As I just mentioned, before this world was made into a duplicate, it had 132 third-tier powerhouses at its peak."

"The fact that the number of these [Divine Blood Bones] is the same as that of the third-level powerhouses is not a coincidence, but a deliberate act."

"Each of them corresponds to a third-tier powerhouse."

"You mean..." Yu Zhun was slightly moved, "that obtaining the inheritance of a powerful figure in the [Forbidden Ruins of Gods] is related to this?"

He was unaware of this information.

The fact that Patina of [Eternal Winter] obtained the inheritance back then was entirely accidental, and the Blue Star has not discovered this pattern to this day.

After all, very few Blue Stars can enter Lv80 dungeons.

In contrast, Helmod, the chosen one of the fourth divine district, has a much greater advantage in high-level dungeons than those in the non-divine districts.

“Yes.” Helmod nodded. “To activate the legacy of a powerful figure hidden in the [Forbidden Ruins of the Gods], several conditions need to be met.”

"First, this inheritance has never been obtained by anyone before."

"Of the 132 powerful inheritances that exist here, according to the Fourth Divine District's estimates, about 40 remain."

“These inheritances are becoming increasingly rare, and if they weren’t so difficult to obtain, they wouldn’t have survived to this day.”

"Second, the player needs to be in the position corresponding to the heritage that fits them."

"These 132 third-stage powerhouses each have different paths, and only those whose paths have a high degree of compatibility with theirs can emerge."

"Moreover, the locations of these inheritances are the same as the locations of the [Divine Blood and Bones], and are randomized for each raid."

"Only when players with compatible affinity appear near the corresponding inheritance location can the inheritance be activated."

"Third, players who inherit the skill need to possess the corresponding [Divine Blood Bone]."

At this point, Helmod's face showed a hint of helplessness, "These 132 [Divine Blood Bones] are indistinguishable from the outside."

"In other words..." Udyr began slowly, "the safest way to obtain a suitable inheritance is to collect all the [Divine Blood Bones] and then conduct a thorough search within the dungeon?"

“Yes.” Helmod nodded. “Following your method, as long as a suitable player exists, they will definitely be able to obtain the inheritance.”

“But…” he shook his head helplessly, “it’s too difficult to do that.”

"Leaving aside the difficulty of collecting all 132 [Divine Blood Bones], just the carpet search within the dungeon after collecting them means experiencing all the dangers that exist within the [Forbidden Ruins of Gods]."

“That makes sense.” Udyr nodded in understanding. “No wonder this instance has existed for so long, and there are still forty inheritances that haven’t been obtained.”

"Anyway, just collect the [Divine Blood and Bones] first." Lu Wen stretched. "Little He, is there an easier way to find the [Divine Blood and Bones]?"

Helmod glared at Luwen, then said, "Yes."

"Really?" Yu Zhun couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

This is also a blind spot in his knowledge.

“It’s a half-baked solution.” Helmod glanced at the [Divine Blood Bone] in his hand. “The [Divine Blood Bone] can resonate to some extent with the aura of a third-tier powerhouse.”

The aura of a third-tier powerhouse?

Yu Zhun and the others looked at each other in bewilderment, when Yu Zhu suddenly spoke up.

"Will this work?"

As she spoke, she pulled a piece out of her backpack…

tentacle.

(End of this chapter)