Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

Watching Liu Gongbai and Bilin Langjun talk, Shen You gradually understood Bilin Langjun's identity.

It turns out that Bilin Langjun had already committed a bad deed in Rongcheng fifty years ago, using demonic snakes to attack and kill young women throughout the city.

The Bilin Gentleman of yesteryear was ultimately stopped by the Liu family. Now, as time flows and years pass, he has been lying low for fifty years and has come out again to continue doing the bad things he did back then, but he never expected to run into the Liu family again.

"The Liu family..." Bi Lin Lang Jun said these two words with a hint of gritted teeth, his expression extremely complicated.

"Youngster, you only have a few ranks of cultivation, yet you dare to stop me!" he said hatefully to Liu Gongbai. "Believe me or not, I'll make sure you don't leave alive!"

"Hmph, you're just a defeated opponent of the Liu family. Do you think I'm afraid of you?" Liu Gongbai snorted coldly, unleashing the Heavenly Roc Sword Technique, and couldn't wait to launch a fierce attack on Bilin Langjun.

He was actually an extremely confident person; otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed into the snake's nest alone. So, being entangled by the python and nearly dying in the passage was a great humiliation for him. At that moment, he didn't care about anything else; he only wanted to find the Jade Scale Gentleman and avenge himself.

"Fine! You asked for it!" Bi Lin Lang Jun shouted sharply, suddenly drawing his weapon from his waist—a soft, emerald-green sword.

He wielded a soft sword, his body flashing with the phantom of a green python, and fought fiercely with Liu Gongbai, who was wrapped in a thunderous roc.

Shen You asked curiously, "That Jade Scale Gentleman is clearly a demon, how can he also use great strength?"

Hong Xiugu snorted and said, "That's not true strength; that's the primordial spirit of a demon. A martial artist's 'internal strength' and 'great strength' are cultivated by imitating the primordial spirit of a demon!"

"So that's how it is!" Shen You hadn't expected such a connection. No wonder the martial arts practitioners in this world seemed to be inseparable from animals; they weren't imitating animals, but rather demons.

Hong Xiugu continued, "Although demons that have taken human form can also cultivate 'internal strength' and 'great strength,' they are far less powerful than their original primordial spirits and essences. However, once they reach the fourth rank, there are actually no further cultivation methods. In the past, demons could only painstakingly cultivate their Dao, but now demons will also imitate the cultivation methods of human martial artists, and the two embark on similar paths."

"So..." Shen You said with amusement, "Before the fourth rank, humans imitated demons, but after the fourth rank, demons began to imitate humans?"

The relationship between the two can be described as complementary and inseparable, which is more interesting than Shen You originally thought.

"That's it!" Hong Xiugu glanced at Shen You smugly. "How come you didn't even know that?"

Shen You shrugged and laughed, "What can I do? I'm not as clever and quick-witted as you, Miss Hong!"

"W-what do you mean by clever and quick-witted... Don't talk nonsense!" Hong Xiugu's expression changed, and she became somewhat flustered.

【Ding! 】

[Affinity value increased. Hong Xiugu's current affinity value: 77 (+2) (Confidant)]

Shen You looked at Hong Xiugu with amusement.

Since becoming close friends, this girl's luck in relationships has improved even more.

"If this continues, it won't be long before we can raise our compatibility score to 80 and form a 'good match' with her?"

Shen You's aptitude is currently stuck at 119, and he can't help but want to work harder so that he can reach 120 today, at which point he will be reborn.

Bang!Bang!

Over there, Liu Gongbai and Bilin Langjun were locked in a fierce battle, their energy surging and their power booming, making it seem as if neither could gain the upper hand for the time being.

Although Lord Bilin is a man of fifty years, he has obviously spent those fifty years hiding away to recuperate from his injuries and has not made much progress.

Liu Gongbai, on the other hand, comes from the Liu family and possesses extraordinary cultivation. At a young age, he has already reached the third rank, making him a prodigy even in the outside world.

At this moment, Liu Gongbai unleashed his full power. Even though his raw strength might still be slightly inferior to Bilin Langjun's, he was already able to fight Bilin Langjun to a standstill.

The Heavenly Roc Sword Technique and the Heavenly Roc Great Strength are both powerful and fierce techniques, making his attacks as majestic as the heavens, difficult to resist.

The battle continues, and the outcome remains to be seen.

It is highly likely that Liu Gongbai will win over Bilin Langjun in one fell swoop.

Clearly, the Jade Scale Gentleman also sensed the danger and suddenly let out a sharp shriek.

The howling sound spread through the cave, and soon, rustling sounds came from all directions. One after another, demonic snakes emerged from the shadows and slithered toward the battle.

"We're here to do the work!"

Shen You called out to Hong Xiugu and Tian Yier, then stepped forward to begin slaying the demon snake, creating an environment for Liu Gongbai to fight Bilin Langjun without any distractions.

The three were already quite adept at dealing with these demonic snakes, so despite their large numbers, they were able to hold off their attacks.

Hang in there!

Shen You said, "As long as we hold out until Senior Brother Liu defeats that Jade Scale Gentleman, we will achieve a great victory!"

"I don't need you to tell me!" Hong Xiugu said. "I'm sure I can hold out longer than you!"

"That's right!" Shen You teased deliberately. "Junior Sister Hong is highly skilled in martial arts and exceptionally talented. She's a woman who doesn't yield to men. These little snakes are naturally no problem for her!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Hong Xiugu's voice became flustered.

【Ding! 】

[Affinity value increased. Hong Xiugu's current affinity value: 79 (+2) (Confidant)]

Shen You couldn't help but sigh that Hong Xiugu's affinity value was increasing so quickly these days.

After the relationship progressed, Hong Xiugu's spoiled and willful demeanor seemed to become quite endearing.

Is this how relationships change?

Sure enough, the increase in affinity is not just talk; you can really feel it.

"My affinity value is now 79. I'll wait for another opportunity and I can break through 80!" Shen You's eyes flashed as she waited for her chance.

He didn't have to wait long.

Suddenly, a particularly violent explosion erupted from the battle between Liu Gongbai and Bilin Langjun.

"Deadly Move - Heavenly Roc Thunder Explosion!"

"Divine Power - Azure Scale Transformation!"

A bright, lightning-like light shone from Liu Gongbai's sword. A roc spread its wings and rose from his body, its fierce power like a sudden thunderbolt, rushing towards Bilin Langjun.

The Jade Scale Gentleman's entire body was covered in emerald green scales. The soft sword in his hand seemed to be integrated with himself, swirling and dancing, carrying a light and shadow that seemed to be devouring people. Like a venomous snake opening its blood-red mouth, it went to devour Liu Gongbai.

Two trump cards collided at this moment.

In the earth-shattering collision, Liu Gongbai's longsword finally slashed at Bilin Langjun's chest and abdomen, nearly disemboweling him. Bilin Langjun's soft sword, however, curved and twisted, piercing Liu Gongbai's shoulder and injecting emerald light into Liu Gongbai's body.

The Jade Scale Gentleman flew backward and crashed to the ground with a thud.

Liu Gongbai's expression also changed drastically. He hurriedly used his longsword to slit open his own shoulder, channeling his internal energy to force out streams of putrid black blood. At the same time, he took out an antidote from his pocket and swallowed it.

Both of them ended up severely injured.

The Jade Scale Gentleman laughed loudly: "A mere junior from the Liu family, trying to keep me here? Wishful thinking!"

Despite his injuries, he sprang to his feet and, disregarding his wounds, rushed toward the nearby stalactite pool.

It seems that although his injuries are serious, they do not affect his mobility much, which is much better than Liu Gongbai's situation, who is poisoned.

"Don't let him escape!" Liu Gongbai shouted sharply.

"Don't worry, he can't escape!"

Shen You snorted coldly and turned to rush towards Bi Lin Lang Jun.

Just then, Tian Yi'er shouted, "Watch out!"

He lunged forward and pulled Shen You back, only to see a gigantic python suddenly crash down from above.

Upon seeing the aura emanating from the giant python, Shen You's expression changed: "Third Rank!"