Sitting up from the floor, Xue Xinyu emitted a long-suffering sigh that seemed to echo his disbelief at the day's events. He mentally replayed the absurd sequence that had unfolded: from finding himself imprisoned to playing therapist to a troupe of undead creatures, having a heart-to-heart with their melancholic general, and receiving an unexpected visit from Zhao Lian. Each twist was more surreal than the last, making him wonder if he had somehow slipped into a dreamscape of his own making.

Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. This was no dream; the sheer complexity of his situation was too intricate to be a mere figment of imagination. Reality, with all its quirks and eccentricities, had never been this creatively convoluted. Right now, all he yearned for was a simple, undisturbed night's sleep—preferably in a bed that didn't resemble a medieval torture device.

But slumber was a luxury he couldn't afford just yet. He had a list of pressing tasks: devise a feasible escape plan for the general, aid the undead in their pursuits, orchestrate a prison break, find an inn that didn't sport a "criminals not welcome" sign, and only then could he indulge in some well-deserved rest.

Pushing aside his chaotic thoughts, Xue Xinyu turned to face the concerned onlookers around him. "My apologies," he began, his voice carrying a note of forced levity. "It must be that my body is still adjusting to this illusionary world." He gave a nonchalant shrug, hoping to deflect further inquiries. After all, the bizarre nature of reality was more than enough without adding his own peculiarities.

"I see, Star of Destruction," the general said, his voice a mix of reverence and hesitation.

Xue Xinyu rolled his eyes internally at the title. Star of Destruction? Was he supposed to have a cape and a dramatic theme song to go with it? "You needn't call me that," he replied dryly. "Just Xue Xinyu will do."

The general, now introduced as Chen Hao, nodded solemnly. "Thank you. My name is Chen Hao."

"Very well, Chen Hao," Xue Xinyu said, a glimmer of purpose in his eyes. "Shall we work on getting you back to where you belong?"

Chen Hao's response was immediate and enthusiastic, his eagerness practically radiating from him. He waited with bated breath, ready for Xue Xinyu's next move, his anticipation clear and palpable.

Xue Xinyu's mind raced through potential solutions. Opening portals wasn't his specialty; demolishing worlds, on the other hand, was right up his alley. After all, why fiddle with a door when you could raze the entire structure?

With a dramatic flourish that would make even seasoned illusionists envious, Xue Xinyu bit into his finger, drawing a single drop of blood. He let it fall onto the floor with the kind of flair that demanded an orchestral crescendo.

The result was nothing short of spectacular. A deep, dark blue light exploded from the point where his blood touched the ground, spiraling upward with a ferocity that resembled a tornado on overdrive. The very earth quaked beneath their feet, windows shattered with a sound that could rival thunder, and the fabric of reality seemed to warp and ripple like a fever dream.

Liang Zhiguan, caught in the midst of this chaotic symphony, stared at the coffin with a look of sheer frustration. No matter their efforts, it remained as unyielding as a brick wall—quite literally.

"AAAAA!" Xue Xinyu's scream split the air, yanking Liang Zhiguan from his thoughts. He looked up just as a swirling portal materialized overhead, and Xue Xinyu plummeted down through it.

With a barely-contained yelp, Xue Xinyu landed gracelessly next to Liang Zhiguan. "Ugh," he groaned, brushing dust from his clothes with a resigned air, before refocusing on the coffin. "Why am I always the one who falls?" he muttered, feeling like the star of a never-ending slapstick saga.

"Shizun!" Liang Zhiguan's voice cut through Xue Xinyu's self-pity, relief clear in his tone.

Without hesitation, Xue Xinyu approached the coffin and pried it open. Inside, Chen Hao stirred, surprisingly unharmed, his eyes fluttering open to reveal a mix of confusion and relief.

The undead thronged around their revived general, their faces lit with joy and gratitude. "General! We're so glad you're alright!" they shouted in unison, their voices a chorus of heartfelt relief.

Chen Hao acknowledged their sentiments with a nod, his eyes turning to Xue Xinyu with gratitude. "The Star of Destruction saved me," he said, casting a thankful glance at Xue Xinyu.

"The Star of Destruction?" Liang Zhiguan's curiosity was evident.

"It's just a nickname, nothing to fuss over," Xue Xinyu replied, rubbing the back of his neck with mild embarrassment. As the undead bowed in reverence, Xue Xinyu shifted uncomfortably. "There's no need for all this," he protested, trying to deflect the adoration. "I'm really not that important."

"Thank you, sire," the undead repeated in unison, their voices echoing through the chamber as they lifted their heads once more.

"Now, now, Zhiguan, let's get moving," Xue Xinyu said with a determined stride toward the exit. "I could really use a decent night's sleep after we make our escape."

As Xue Xinyu approached the threshold, Chen Hao's urgent voice sliced through the tension. "Wait!" he called out, halting Xue Xinyu in his tracks. Xue Xinyu turned, curiosity dancing in his eyes.

"Hm?" Xue Xinyu arched an eyebrow, signaling for Chen Hao to continue.

"I may not know this place well, but my men do," Chen Hao said, his voice filled with earnestness. "They're familiar with every twist and turn of this labyrinth. They'll do everything in their power to assist you."

The undead soldiers nodded in agreement, their expressions set with resolve as they positioned themselves to follow Xue Xinyu. Their dedication to their general and their willingness to help were evident.

Xue Xinyu hadn't anticipated such a generous offer but decided to accept it. After all, any assistance was valuable, especially when navigating a labyrinth that constantly shifted and changed.

The undead creatures had explained that this was no ordinary labyrinth. It evolved over time, shifting its layout in a way that would confound any who dared to traverse its depths. Luckily, their decades-long familiarity with the labyrinth had made them adept at its intricate pathways.

"Follow our lead precisely," one of the undead soldiers instructed, his tone serious. "The labyrinth is full of traps and hazards. We've learned to navigate them over time, and it's second nature to us now."

Xue Xinyu followed the directions with ease, but Liang Zhiguan, despite his agility with a sword, struggled with the labyrinth's demands. His steps were faltering, his balance less assured on the treacherous terrain.

"Sire, it seems your disciple is having trouble," one of the undead soldiers observed, his voice tinged with concern. Xue Xinyu, already aware of Liang Zhiguan's struggle, hesitated, unsure of how to offer help without drawing too much attention.

"Zhiguan, do you need assistance?" Xue Xinyu asked, pausing to assess the situation.

"N-no, I'm fine," Liang Zhiguan replied, his voice strained as he fought to maintain his footing.

Just then, an arrow whizzed through the air, aimed directly at Liang Zhiguan. With reflexes honed by countless battles, Xue Xinyu intercepted the projectile mid-flight, snatching it from the air with a deft motion.

Without missing a beat, Xue Xinyu wrapped an arm around Liang Zhiguan's waist and lifted him effortlessly, carrying him with a grace that belied the urgency of the situation. He maneuvered through the labyrinth as though navigating a dance, his movements precise and deliberate.

"Thank you, Shizun," Liang Zhiguan said, his cheeks flushing in the dim light. His gratitude was tinged with a hint of embarrassment, his gaze averted from Xue Xinyu.

"It's alright," Xue Xinyu replied, his focus unwavering. The labyrinth's dark corridors loomed ahead, their shadows concealing hidden dangers. Xue Xinyu relied heavily on the undead soldiers' guidance, their footsteps providing a rhythm to follow.

In his current form, Xue Xinyu was acutely aware of the advantages his new body offered. The enhanced eyesight and agility made navigating the labyrinth far more manageable than it would have been in his previous form. He appreciated these enhancements, even if the situation was far from ideal.