Reversed Fate: A New Team Forms

After distributing the equipment, Ye Jue summarized their recent attack. “In my estimation, we would struggle through the first wave of monsters, but I didn’t anticipate it being this difficult. My main oversight was not accounting for our team’s entirely physical damage output, which drastically reduced our effectiveness against high physical defense monsters like the skeleton warriors. This was a flaw in my team selection.”

“Now, let’s rest and recover our spirits. For the upcoming battle, Empty Night, we’ll need you to hold off the enemy archers.”

Empty Night, hearing this, looked utterly miserable. “Big brother, you actually trust me that much?”

Ye Jue chuckled. “The capable bear more burden, Empty Night. Since you’re so skilled, you’ll have to work a little harder.”

Empty Night shot Ye Jue a fierce look of disdain. Lin Shenyue stood nearby, observing their interaction, and couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy. If she were a man, she might have been able to join in their boisterous camaraderie.

However, as she was now a girl, they consciously avoided sensitive topics during their conversations.

Lin Shenyue felt a slight sense of confusion. She didn’t understand the meaning of her rebirth; was it merely to live another life?

While Ye Jue and the other three bantered, he noticed Lin Shenyue standing apart, her gaze somewhat vacant. A thought stirred within him. He left the others, walking towards Lin Shenyue under their knowing, ambiguous glances.

“Yue’er, what’s wrong?” Ye Jue asked with concern.

Lin Shenyue snapped back to reality. She looked at Ye Jue and gently shook her head. “I’m fine, just thinking about the future.”

A realization dawned on Ye Jue; he sensed this was an opportunity to draw Lin Shenyue closer. Composing himself, Ye Jue finally said, “Future matters can wait until later. For now, let’s just enjoy playing this game together.”

Lin Shenyue shook off the thoughts swirling in her mind. He was right. Since she had been reborn, she should simply live her life well. In this life, her family situation seemed quite good, and her parents were kind to her. All she needed to do was live according to her own desires.

Lin Shenyue let out a long breath. “Thank you. I was overthinking things.”

Ye Jue seized the moment. “Do you want to join my team?”

Lin Shenyue asked, puzzled, “A team?”

Ye Jue nodded. “Currently, I have no intention of creating a large guild. The manpower and resources required for that are beyond my means right now. However, I can establish a small team composed of elite players from various guilds and solo adventurers.”

“This team will not restrict freedom, but every member must keep team matters confidential.”

Lin Shenyue paused for a moment, then looked intently at Ye Jue before finally nodding. “Alright. But I can’t guarantee I won’t leave in the future.”

Ye Jue chuckled. “Of course. However, every team member must not disclose any team information, even after they have left.”

Lin Shenyue offered a slight smile. “Good.” Though her body hadn’t fully matured due to her prolonged bed rest, that single smile was still breathtakingly captivating, instantly dazzling all four men.

Lin Shenyue, seeing their dazed expressions, withdrew her smile. She hadn’t realized her unintentional smile possessed such potent charm.

The four men, being individuals of strong self-control, quickly regained their composure. Noticing Lin Shenyue’s slight displeasure, they wisely chose to avert their gazes.

Ye Jue quickly interjected, “Yue’er, you’re simply too beautiful. We couldn’t help but be captivated.”

Lin Shenyue’s face darkened even further at his words. This statement was practically a reminder that she was now a woman, and she found it utterly perplexing to be complimented on her ‘beauty’ when she had once been a man.

Ye Jue, seeing Lin Shenyue on the verge of erupting, didn’t understand what he had said wrong, but he very wisely chose to change the subject. “Let’s keep moving forward.”

With that, he swiftly moved away from the low-pressure zone beside her.

Lin Shenyue gnashed her silver teeth, silently resolving to make Ye Jue suffer a little.

Ye Jue felt the gaze from behind him, and even his walking posture stiffened. The other three, observing his rigid movements, wanted to laugh but dared not, so they tacitly remained silent.

Ye Jue, annoyed that they offered no help, dragged them into the conversation. “Do you guys want to join my team?”

The three men’s faces stiffened. They had overheard Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue’s conversation earlier and naturally understood the benefits such a team would offer them. Empty Night hesitated. “Our team will definitely prioritize dungeon raids, right? I want to know how the rewards for the first dungeon clear will be handled.”

Ye Jue smiled, shaking his head. “I know what you’re getting at. Our team will certainly strive for first clears of dungeons. If your own guild is raiding at the same time, you are free to opt out of our team’s activities.”

“I don’t object to you taking the strategies back to your guild. However, you must ensure that no information about the dungeon is spread during the raid period; otherwise, you will be treated as a mole.”

“Furthermore, these strategies are to be circulated only among your guild’s high-ranking members. If a strategy is leaked, you will no longer be welcome in the team.”

Lin Shenyue suddenly asked, “Are you sure you don’t intend to establish a guild?”

Ye Jue pondered for a moment, seeing the other three also looking at him with concerned expressions, and finally said, “I won’t establish a guild, because I wouldn’t be able to manage it. But I will join one.”

Upon hearing his initial words, Empty Night and Fissure breathed a sigh of relief. However, when he stated he would join a guild, their eyes lit up with excitement. Empty Night immediately tried to recruit Ye Jue. “Why not come to our Iron Blood Clan? Although our guild members haven’t largely entered this game yet, I’m sure you’ve heard of our name.”

Ye Jue smiled, shaking his head. He then turned to Lin Shenyue. “Yue’er, would you be interested in creating a guild?” Empty Night, though rejected by Ye Jue, wasn’t disheartened. Their brief collaboration had left him deeply impressed, and he remained concerned Ye Jue might join a rival guild.

However, hearing Ye Jue ask Lin Shenyue about establishing a guild, Empty Night felt a wave of relief, coupled with a strong premonition: if Lin Shenyue were to create a guild, it would undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with.

Lin Shenyue hesitated. While she wasn’t particularly keen on managing a guild, she currently had ample free time. Therefore, creating a guild to pass the time seemed like a rather good idea.

Ye Jue seemed to understand Lin Shenyue’s thoughts, and finally smiled faintly. “No need to rush your decision. There’s still plenty of time; you need to reach at least Level 20 to create a guild.” He then turned his head. “What about you guys? Are you willing to join the team?”

Empty Night and Fissure both declared decisively, “Of course we’ll join! With such great benefits, why wouldn’t we?”

Divine Wind, after a slight hesitation, asked, “Does the team truly not restrict members’ freedom?”

Ye Jue affirmed, “That’s right. However, if there are matters concerning the team’s honor, you must respond to the team’s call.”

Divine Wind nodded. “Naturally. I’ll join too.”

Ye Jue looked at the others. “Then, from today onward, our team is officially established. The team name is ‘Reversed Fate’.”

Lin Shenyue murmured, ‘Reversed Fate? Do you intend to defy the heavens and change your destiny? Then what was your original destiny?’ She looked at Ye Jue, feeling as if she had guessed something, yet she had no clear idea.

As Lin Shenyue was deep in thought, she suddenly heard Ye Jue call her name, interrupting her musings. She reluctantly gave up her thoughts and followed in their footsteps.

Having gained experience from their first encounter, the subsequent waves of minor monsters didn’t pose a challenge. After equipping all the dropped gear, their movements became considerably easier.

Their encounter with the Fallen Humans only briefly stalled them. Thanks to Ye Jue’s timely warning, the three members—excluding Ye Jue and Fissure—focused their attacks on the three Fallen Humans.

Under Lin Shenyue’s terrifying damage output, they successfully navigated this minor challenge, even though Ye Jue and Fissure nearly perished from being unattended.

Ye Jue took a deep breath, speaking solemnly. “Next is the BOSS. We’ve already discussed the detailed strategy on the way here.”

“Now, get yourselves ready to face the first BOSS.”