[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c":3,"chapter-surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-553":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Surviving the Doomsday Apartment—With Infinite Clones!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},950075,1242,"Chapter 553: Each Takes What They Need","surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-553",553,"\u003Cp>Jiang Ye thought to himself: You ask your questions, but I know absolutely nothing anyway!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he could also use this Guan Ce's questions to Li Ku's answers to obtain some information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Jiang Ye naturally did not object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Ku had previously played a mutual question-and-answer game with Ji Zixuan at the door of Room 2218.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that process, he discovered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His real chance to judge whether Ji Zixuan was a real person or not did not lie in Ji Zixuan's answers to his questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lay in Ji Zixuan's questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When people answer questions, they more or less develop a defensive mindset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, people don't have those defenses when asking questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, during Li Ku and Ji Zixuan's mutual questioning and answering, Li Ku paid more attention to Ji Zixuan's questions, not his answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now, the questions Guan Ce wanted to ask were, in themselves, a form of information leakage for Li Ku.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this kind of information would be more authentic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Li Ku did not object either, silently nodding his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having received his attitude, Guan Ce's first question was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... did you previously live in the mist world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku nodded directly: \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Land of Exile is within the mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His answer wasn't a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the three people on Guan Ce's side all had drastic changes in their expressions upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Players living in the mist...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this world of the Doomsday Apartment is indeed divided into two parts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They, the apartment players, can only live in the apartments and cannot set foot in the mist...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another batch of mist players live in the mist...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how did this person come to the apartment??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three tattooed guys were shocked and suspicious. Li Hongbin couldn't hold back and directly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how do you survive in the mist? Is it because of a special physique? A special Data Panel? Or is there some protective item?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what exactly is the mist world like?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This series of questions came out. Guan Ce didn't interrupt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he was also very curious about that unknown mist world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through their questions and shocked expressions, Li Ku actually learned a piece of information:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You apartment players cannot enter the mist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Cheng, the one with the black dragon tattoo, stated bluntly: \"Of course! The mist corrodes players!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, we apartment players instinctively feel fear towards the mist. This instinct makes us simply dare not approach the mist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku asked again: \"What about the monsters? Can monsters not enter the mist either?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\" Gong Cheng and Li Hongbin weren't too sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Guan Ce who said: \"Ordinary monsters probably can't even leave the apartment they are in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for powerful monsters like the Reincarnation Ghost, they can leave the apartment, but whether they can enter the mist... we don't know either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, he couldn't help but complain: \"We agreed it was our turn to ask you, how come you're asking questions back again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku fell silent for a moment, thought briefly, and then proceeded to answer Li Hongbin's previous questions one by one:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our ability to survive in the mist should originate from the Prison watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is equivalent to a special item that allows us to survive in the mist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it displays a countdown timer. When this time is exhausted, we will be erased by the watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Other than that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku paused before continuing: \"Outside the mist, there is a Qiankun Land without mist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The players there possess the privilege to directly use the Prison watch to erase us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the three tattooed guys felt as if a door to a new world had instantly opened before them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They originally thought this game was confined to the apartments...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was finally confirmed—within the mist, there is a whole world of its own!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even outside the mist, there is another world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, there are skies beyond skies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their apartment should be equivalent to a novice village?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The later upgrade goal should be to go into the mist, and even beyond the mist...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three instantly felt they had finally seen the truth of this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Jiang Ye was the same as them, directly imagining a world map in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, he reconsidered...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, that's not right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't Li Ku say this place is a dungeon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real map should be that this is a dungeon within the mist world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what Li Ku described is the situation outside the dungeon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye speculated in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce suddenly had a look of realization:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So your interest in the [Madman Mask] is because you want to use the Madman Mask to deal with the players in the Qiankun Land who can erase you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glint of light turned in Li Ku's scarred eyes. He quickly sensed the deeper meaning in Guan Ce's words and also spoke frankly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From what you're saying, it seems you are interested in the Prison watch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce fell silent for a moment, instinctively denying: \"That kind of item that puts you at others' mercy, where you could be erased at any time...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through his sentence, Li Ku directly reminded him: \"The apartment administrators you revere went through great trouble to borrow my watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the entire apartment fusion was aimed at getting my watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two light, casual sentences directly blocked Guan Ce's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, he simply admitted openly: \"Alright, I am indeed interested in the watch you mentioned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe it's not just me. Those seniors from the Doomsday Apartment are probably even more interested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So now the question is—can you mass-produce watches?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mass-producing watches...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Li Ku's concept, it was actually possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method was simple, just like how Sun People players can enter the mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rely on wearing watches transformed from Sun and Moon People.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Sun and Moon People watches are also watches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Sun People players can wear them, then players in this dungeon can definitely wear them too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Li Ku's real problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was he supposed to go back?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This dungeon doesn't have watches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could freely travel between the inside and outside of the dungeon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the trade of Prison watches for the Madman Mask might really be achievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Li Ku's goal was originally to annihilate the Sun People players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, after occupying the Qiankun Land, they, the Moon People players, might no longer need watches from then on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a considerable portion of the watches could perhaps be brought into this dungeon to exchange for items beneficial to the development of the Moon People players...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some pondering in his heart, Li Ku quickly identified the most critical problem—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to clear this dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he wouldn't directly ask Guan Ce about this problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some consideration, he said to Guan Ce: \"I can indeed mass-produce watches, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Guan Ce before continuing slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should also have doubts—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As a mist player, why would I appear in the apartment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three tattooed guys all nodded, clearly very curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku's mind quickly spun, and he made up a half-true, half-false story: \"In the Qiankun Land outside the mist, there exists a World Tree ruins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was during my exploration of the World Tree ruins that I accidentally entered an elevator space.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"During the initial exploration, the elevator space was still normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But when I reached the 49th floor of the elevator, I discovered a hidden space behind the elevator.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I exited the elevator from that hidden space and arrived at the 49th floor of Apartment 4869.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, I also tried to return to the red-lit elevator...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the result was, I seem unable to go back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were actually mostly true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Blood Pool space, the monster resurgence, and the process of him obtaining the \"Death State\"...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These parts counted as personal privacy and naturally didn't need to be disclosed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three tattooed guys believed most of this story: \"So that means...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To get watches, you need to find a way back. But now, you don't know how to get back...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were more like Guan Ce talking to himself, thinking about something as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku took the opportunity to hint: \"I wonder if there is any information about the World Tree in your apartments?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you also have game players? Experienced game players, have they heard about the World Tree in the so-called games?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"World Tree?\" Guan Ce pondered the word, frowning and shaking his head, \"It seems neither in games nor in the apartments have I heard of any World Tree...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black dragon-tattooed Gong Cheng beside him suddenly seemed to remember something and blurted out: \"World Tree... if it's some particularly huge tree, I think I saw it on a forum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce was surprised: \"Tell us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Cheng looked a bit simple-minded, scratching his head: \"I, I play too many games, I'm not sure if it was this game's forum...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just remember someone saying that in some dungeon or secret realm, they discovered a towering giant tree with human-shaped leaves growing on it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It should be the game 'Doomsday Apartment,' because this game's secret realms are too random. If someone discovers something in a secret realm, others might find it hard to follow in and check, so that post didn't generate much heat...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, even without his additional sentence, Li Ku was almost certain—it was a 'Doomsday Apartment' forum post!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because... human-shaped leaves, isn't that the 「Formless Leaf」 from Exile City?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Sun People players all call that tree the World Tree and its ruins the World Tree ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the players in Exile City call it the Formless Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Li Ku directly declared: \"Right! That's the giant tree with human-shaped leaves! It has another name, called... the Formless Tree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you heard this name anywhere?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, all three tattooed guys shook their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including Gong Cheng, who said helplessly: \"It's already good that I can remember that post. Other details, I really can't be sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce, however, offered another suggestion: \"Perhaps we could ask the Nomadic Merchant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku immediately pressed: \"Who is the Nomadic Merchant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce's expression became slightly more cautious. He looked around before seriously introducing: \"The Nomadic Merchant is a wandering merchant who appears randomly in apartment corridors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You probably don't have a Survival Jade Token, right? Then if you wander around the various corridors of the apartment, you might encounter the Nomadic Merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Ku reacted: \"Is the Nomadic Merchant's appearance a black shadow?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce nodded: \"So you've already seen the Nomadic Merchant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't seen it; Guiwen had also told him about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that he wandered the corridors for a long time and didn't encounter any black shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be because he isn't an apartment player? The Nomadic Merchant doesn't entertain him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku thought briefly before asking again: \"Besides luckily bumping into the Nomadic Merchant, are there any other more definite ways to meet the Nomadic Merchant with 100% certainty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce thought for a moment, his eyes suddenly flickering, and he said frankly: \"If you can become the Newcomer King, or become an administrator, then you might obtain the privilege to 「Summon the Nomadic Merchant」.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said this sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But both Jiang Ye and Li Ku could see that when Guan Ce said this, Li Hongbin and Gong Cheng's expressions were somewhat subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku wasn't stupid. After a moment of silence, he sneered: \"Summoning the Nomadic Merchant... comes with no cost?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\" Guan Ce's expression changed slightly, but soon, he glanced at Jiang Ye, who was wearing the administrator's mimic mask, before saying meaningfully, \"It's said there is a cost, but in practice, it seems there isn't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's said that previous Newcomer Kings, and various apartment administrators and apartment bosses, have never dared to summon the Nomadic Merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, during the last Novice Apartment on the Eighth Day, that Jiang Ye who became the Newcomer King early summoned the Nomadic Merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then... it seems there was no cost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Guan Ce looked at Jiang Ye and asked: \"Speaking of which, are you also from the mist world? Are you really that Jiang Ye from the Eighth Day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye didn't really want to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But considering this guy had already answered so many questions for him and Li Ku.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he replied expressionlessly: \"I have amnesia. The information about Jiang Ye from the Eighth Day is all from the group chat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this answer, the expressions of the three tattooed guys all became subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Li Hongbin, who looked completely unconvinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku also spoke up for him: \"He really does have amnesia, and his amnesia might be related to the infant's crying and laughter in the sky right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have any clues about this infant's crying and laughter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce shook his head: \"We are, after all, just Ordinary Players. These anomalies related to the apartment are probably only known by the apartment boss, apartment administrators...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Jiang Ye had amnesia, through the chat group and this exchange, he had roughly grasped some information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Guan Ce's words now, he became even more suspicious—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The infant's crying and laughter that caused Guiwen to lose control and his own amnesia was very likely created by privileged personnel like the apartment administrators or the apartment boss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the purpose... was likely specifically targeting Guiwen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiwen still has a room in this apartment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Li Ku's revelation, it seems that shortly after Guiwen returned to his Room 2218 and they separated, the apartment experienced this anomaly of monsters losing control!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's hard not to think this is a conspiracy specifically targeting Guiwen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye suddenly asked: \"Is that Nomadic Merchant also part of the apartment management?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce nodded: \"Probably.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nomadic Merchant is also a suspect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Administrators, boss, Nomadic Merchant...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye suddenly wondered if he had offended too many people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some thought, Li Ku asked Guan Ce again: \"How does one become that Newcomer King?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Ce's expression was subtle, but he still answered truthfully: \"As long as you bind the Rookie King Authority Iron Piece, you automatically become the Newcomer King.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused before continuing to explain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, the Newcomer King is equivalent to a live target. Other players can kill the Newcomer King and drop the Rookie King Authority Iron Piece.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ku wasn't worried; after all, he had the Death State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, who currently has the Rookie King Authority Iron Piece?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2459,"2026-06-03T07:17:58.030Z","2026-06-03T07:18:08.301Z",1,"novelbin.me","f80ebae3bdd1b74c59bb0581ab5664007650335f8c0f8851ae32c04ed9bc7b7e","surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-554","surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-552",575,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-cover.jpg"]