37: The Battle of the Pioneers, the Name of Immortality

The Elder's majestic voice slowly echoed across the empty square.

“The vanguard of vanguards.”

These six words, like a clap of thunder, exploded in the ears of the twenty Geniuses.

Everyone's gaze, almost instinctively, focused on two figures.

One was Lin Gou.

He stood in the team, his aura ordinary, his expression ordinary, and a perfectly appropriate hint of awkwardness on his handsome face, blending seamlessly into the background, as if he would be forgotten the next second.

The other was Murong Fei.

He stood at the head of the team like a spear.

His posture was tall and straight, his face handsome, and the Core Disciple's attire made him appear even more extraordinary.

A hint of arrogance hung at the corner of his mouth; it was the confidence of the Sect's number one inner Disciple.

Qi Refining Ninth Layer Great Perfection.

Half his foot was already in Foundation Establishment.

The air was dead silent.

Murong Fei moved.

He took a step forward, bowing slightly to the Elder, his posture humble, yet his voice carried an undeniable weight.

“Elder, this Disciple believes that the pathfinding vanguard, which concerns the safety of the entire team, should be undertaken by the strongest among us.”

As his words fell, his gaze seemingly inadvertently swept over Lin Gou.

It wasn't hostility, but a condescending look.

A scrutiny like one would give a fragile item.

“Junior Brother Lin has commendable courage and has achieved extraordinary merits repeatedly, but his cultivation is, after all, a bit shallow.”

“Ancient ruins are fraught with danger; one wrong step can lead to eternal damnation.”

“If a pathfinding error causes fellow Disciples to suffer, that is not bravery, but recklessness.”

He paused slightly, his tone becoming incredibly sincere, as if he truly was thinking for Lin Gou.

“To let Junior Brother Lin sacrifice himself in vain, this Disciple cannot bear it, and it would be even more detrimental to the overall situation of the team.”

His words were grand and impeccable.

They showed responsibility while firmly nailing Lin Gou to the pillar of shame for being “brave but foolish.”

Many Disciples were already secretly nodding.

Senior Brother Murong is far-sighted.

However, facing this almost direct provocation, Lin Gou's reaction made everyone's jaws drop.

He showed no anger, no resentment; instead, he was like a small beast startled by being called out, giving a jolt and quickly darting out of the team.

He bowed and scraped to the Elder and Murong Fei, his posture so low it was practically in the dust.

“Senior Brother Murong is right! Absolutely right!”

His voice was filled with trepidation.

“How dare a Junior Brother like me, with such meager skills, take on such a great responsibility!”

“It was all just good luck, like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, that I managed to survive a few times.”

“This heavy burden of pathfinding must be borne by a Genius like Senior Brother Murong! This Junior Brother will be content to cheer you on and serve you tea and water from behind!”

The more humble and “cowardly” he acted, the higher the curve of Murong Fei's lips.

The arrogance in his eyes almost materialized.

Only the Golden Core Elder leading the team, on his unruffled face, subtly furrowed his brow.

His sharp gaze swept back and forth between the two.

One was sharp and aggressive.

The other concealed his strength and feigned weakness, humble as dust.

Interesting.

“Enough.”

The Elder spoke in a deep voice, breaking the strange atmosphere.

“More talk is useless; facts will prove it.”

He raised his hand, pointing forward.

It was a dense, grayish-white fog, swirling like a living entity, completely engulfing the valley entrance.

Even a Golden Core's Divine Sense would be like a clay ox entering the sea if it probed it.

“This is an ancient Restriction, the ‘Hundred Illusions Maze Formation’.”

“Although the Formation is already damaged, its killing intent remains.”

“Whichever of you two can safely emerge from it first and find a safe path will be the vanguard for this expedition.”

Once the plan was announced, no one objected.

A determined smile bloomed on Murong Fei's face.

Competing in Formation breaking?

This was exactly what he wanted.

“This Disciple obeys!”

He responded confidently, flipping his wrist, and a bronze compass engraved with intricate patterns suddenly appeared.

“The Murong family's heirloom, the Restriction-Breaking Compass!”

A knowledgeable Disciple exclaimed in surprise.

With this treasure out, the outcome was already decided.

Under the admiring gazes of the crowd, Murong Fei strode forward, chest out, and was the first to step into the mist, his figure quickly disappearing.

Lin Gou scratched his head, a bitter expression on his face, as if he had lost his parents.

He shuffled hesitantly, taking small, reluctant steps towards the mist.

His back view was desolate and pathetic, like a condemned man walking to the execution ground.

But the moment he turned around, his back to the crowd...

All the fear on his face vanished instantly.

It was replaced by the fervor of a bloodthirsty hunter, an excitement he had long awaited.

“System.”

“Mark anchor point.”

“The buffet is open!”

One step in.

Heaven and earth changed color.

In a sea of corpses and blood, countless evil spirits roared and lunged.

“Illusion Killing Formation? A mere appetizer.”

Lin Gou's heart was completely calm; he didn't even bother to defend himself, walking directly into the densest tide of ghosts.

Splat!

Ten thousand claws pierced his heart; his body was instantly torn to shreds.

“Ding! Host has died!”

“Method of death: Dismembered by the outer Illusion Killing Formation of the ‘Hundred Illusions Maze Formation’!”

“Overall evaluation: D+ rank!”

“Congratulations to the Host, you have gained +100 experience in ‘Elementary Illusion Formations’!”

“Congratulations to the Host, you have gained +5% mental resistance!”

At the entrance, the air subtly twisted.

Lin Gou's figure re-condensed.

He shook his head, changed direction, and once again rushed into the mist.

After a dozen steps.

The bluestone slab beneath his feet sank slightly.

Boom!

An invisible mountain descended from the sky; the terrifying pressure instantly crushed him and his bones into a thin meat patty.

“Ding! Host has died!”

“Method of death: Stepped on a gravity trap, subjected to physical dimension reduction attack!”

“Overall evaluation: D+ rank!”

“Congratulations to the Host, you have gained +10% Earth element resistance!”

“Congratulations to the Host, you have obtained ‘Basic Formation Restriction Atlas (Incomplete)’!”

At the entrance, Lin Gou appeared for the third time.

Revive.

Charge.

Trigger.

Die.

Collect reward.

Again!

To the people outside the mist, Junior Brother Lin looked like a headless fly, repeatedly jumping around the edge of the fog, appearing utterly disheveled.

Meanwhile, deep within the mist.

Murong Fei held the Restriction-Breaking Compass, proceeding cautiously, like the most precise craftsman, deciphering one Restriction after another.

His progress was slow but steady.

A sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

That fool was probably still crying at the entrance.

He didn't know.

Just as he was trapped by a complex series of Restrictions, sweating profusely...

Lin Gou had already died seventeen times.

A 3D high-definition map, marking all traps and safe paths, had already been constructed in his mind.

“Alright, full map vision is enabled.”

“Time to turn in the assignment and annoy someone.”

The eighteenth resurrection.

Lin Gou did not go deeper but returned near the starting point.

He “struggled” to break a very simple illusionary Restriction, feigning exhaustion of Spiritual Qi and appearing on the verge of collapse.

Then, he stumbled onto a safe path he already knew by heart.

This path was winding and tortuous.

It “happened” to lead to the end of the mist.

And it “happened” to pass by the Genius who was currently frantically watching the compass needle spin, utterly flustered...

Murong Fei's forehead veins bulged, and he was drenched in sweat.

The continuous Restrictions before him constantly shifted between life and death gates; his Restriction-Breaking Compass was almost smoking from spinning!

He was incredibly irritated.

Just then.

A leisurely, even somewhat content, footsteps came from nearby.

Murong Fei snapped his head back.

Then, he saw a scene he would never forget.

Lin Gou, whom he thought had long since died in some corner, was now walking past him on a small path nearby, hands behind his back, humming a tune, and swaying his hips.

That path had no Spiritual Qi fluctuations whatsoever.

No Restriction light whatsoever.

It was just so ordinary, so safe.

It formed an extremely glaring contrast with his own perilous steps.

Lin Gou seemed to just notice him, an expression of “surprise and delight” appearing on his face.

“Oh! Senior Brother Murong! You're still here!”

“Senior Brother, be careful; that Restriction of yours, three left and seven right, Yin and Yang inverted, one wrong step, and you'll explode and die, you know.”

He “kindly” reminded him.

After speaking, he shook his head and sighed, as if lamenting Senior Brother's bad luck.

Then, under Murong Fei's stunned gaze, he continued forward without looking back, his figure indescribably dashing, his demeanor immeasurably calm.

Murong Fei's face instantly turned the color of a pig's liver.

He looked at Lin Gou's receding figure, then at the Restriction-Breaking Compass still spinning wildly in his hand, and with a “buzz,” his mind went blank.

Humiliation!

Unspeakable, utter humiliation!

In the end, Murong Fei still emerged from the mist with a livid face.

He saw Lin Gou standing at the finish line, looking at him with concern.

“Senior Brother, you're finally out! That's great! I was so worried!”

The Elder, and all the team members, clearly witnessed this scene.

The outcome needed no further words.

Who was at ease and who was in a sorry state was clear at a glance.

The Elder's gaze lingered on Lin Gou, an expression of scrutiny, solemnity, and a hint of shock that no one could comprehend.

He did not ask further questions.

He simply announced publicly:

“From now on, Lin Gou will be the pathfinding vanguard for this expedition.”

“He will be fully responsible for the team's route!”

Amidst gazes of awe, shock, or disbelief, Lin Gou once again displayed that harmless, shy smile, bowing deeply to everyone.

The team officially entered the ruins.

Rumble!

The huge stone gate closed behind them, and the light suddenly dimmed.

An ancient aura, mixed with decay and killing intent, assailed them.

In the center of the majestic hall, dozens of colossal skeletons stood silently, emitting an immortal glow.

And in the deep shadows cast by those skeletons...

Pairs of ghastly green ghost fires...

Were silently, slowly lighting up.