[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Gods' Foolish Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2361146,4617,"Chapter 18: Seven Days Flew By, the Trial Returned Again","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>Seven days slipped by in a flash; the trial arrived again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the title says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During these seven days, Xie Yang, having somehow secured a promise from the Prophetess, wore a beaming smile as he helped Cheng Shi apply for an A-rank weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi had never intended to get a weapon—he wanted a few golden pocket watches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xie Yang believed gold watches were worth less than even a single bottle of Past Glory, so he insisted on getting him a weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the other man’s stubbornness bordering on suicidal, Cheng Shi relented and casually named a mage weapon for him to fetch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xie Yang learned Cheng Shi needed a mage weapon, he froze for a long moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re a mage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t it look like it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I always thought you were an assassin, good at hiding yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Xie Yang didn’t die during the run, but he was badly injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi begged Xie Yang to reclaim the Past Glory bottle, but Xie Yang firmly refused and bought a new one on credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, they got the weapon—but lost another bottle of potion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wishing you love soon,” Cheng Shi said, his expression complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yang was deeply grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi was deeply disgusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for the fact that you’re the only one who talks to me, I wouldn’t give a damn about your damn love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is fine too—at least there’s entertainment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, relaxing your mind and body is most important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time slipped by again; when he opened his eyes, new trial information had already appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi hadn’t entered a run in a week, and his competitive condition remained strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Special Trial (Eternal Night’s Labyrinth 【Memory】) Activated】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Matching teammates (1\u002F6)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Trial Objective: Amidst intersecting memories, a way out can always be found—but only if the night has not yet lifted (Time limit: 12 hours)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi blinked, then cursed aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the enemy’s trial? This is trying to kill me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Match successful (6\u002F6), entering trial】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Cheng Shi’s utter shock, his vision darkened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir? Sir?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him, voices buzzed loudly, occasionally interrupted by clinking glasses and cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was... a tavern?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi opened his eyes to find himself seated at a round table with six others—all passed out on the table. He was the first to wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at his clothes: collar and front soaked through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, not vomit—probably just spilled wine from sleeping. He reeked of alcohol all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, would you like more wine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black-clad waiter stood beside him, holding a tray, waiting silently for his order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More wine? Everyone’s passed out—what, are we gonna bathe in it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No thanks,” Cheng Shi shook his head, watching the waiter bow and retreat, as his teammates gradually woke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are we? A tavern?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh... my head...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no, my clothes are dirty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snowy Lamb’s Blood Wine, the favorite of Blizzard Nomads. In the mid-Civilization Era, south of the Blizzard Mountains lay a small nation called Biliu, where this wine was popular.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gulpgulpgulp—ah, good wine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his teammates’ varied reactions, Cheng Shi’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three men, three women—this team clearly had a wildcard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big shot?” The glasses-wearing boy who spoke first quickly scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Cheng Shi and the woman who named the wine, then turned to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang Shiqing, 【Civilization】, Singer, Ladder 2047. Good morning, everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 【Civilization】 Singer produced a white handkerchief from nowhere and elegantly wiped the wine stains from her white shirt and black scarf, then slightly lifted her glasses and nodded to each person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi swiftly sketched her appearance: long curly hair, black round glasses, refined features, and... like a teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An English teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing, 【Civilization】, Singer, Ladder 2047\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy to her right opened his mouth wide in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“2000 ladder?” Seeing everyone look at him, he fumbled to introduce himself, “A Ming, Ming as in ‘remember,’ 【Civilization】, Assassin, Ladder 1717.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he finished, Cheng Shi frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he concealed his Path or fabricated his score, his class couldn’t be faked—and there was no reason to fake it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his nervous demeanor didn’t fit an assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assassins are usually... sharp?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi suddenly thought of Song Yawen. Whatever, maybe assassins now all go for contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming, 【Civilization】, Assassin, Ladder 1717\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, big brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought, the boy called out to Cheng Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi blinked—somehow, the speaking order had reversed, and the boy sat directly to his left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already my turn?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi subtly adjusted his expression and launched into a bright, cheerful introduction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng Shi, 【Existence】, Priest, Ladder 1501.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he finished, he noticed a woman across from him slightly frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh? Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“1500?” A Ming’s eyes widened further. He glanced between Fang Shiqing and Cheng Shi, then exclaimed in greater shock, “Another five hundred points behind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another?” Cheng Shi smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last week’s trial was also five hundred points behind. Tough. Deadly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you survived, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming forced a smile, unoptimistic: “Just luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Introductions continued, now to the man beside Cheng Shi who had been rubbing his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had messy shoulder-length hair and wore a fur-lined jacket despite the heat; his eyes looked worn out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huang Bo, 【Chaos】, Singer, 1998.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Chaos】! The opposing Path to 【Civilization】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This’ll be fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi studied Fang Shiqing and A Ming’s faces—but both merely glanced at the man once, showing no special reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Bo, meanwhile, kept digging his fingers into his scalp, never lifting his eyes—as if he didn’t care his teammates included an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Bo, 【Chaos】, Singer, 1998\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another 2000?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another Singer?” The woman across from him gasped, then quickly covered her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the same woman who had frowned upon hearing Cheng Shi’s Path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So today’s a singing contest?” The other woman, still drinking, tilted her head, elbow on the table, swaying her bottle. Her tongue flicked across her lips as she giggled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bai Ling—you can call me Birdie. 【Dissolution】, Hunter. My ladder score’s too low to mention. Whatever you guys say, I’ll follow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she downed two more gulps, not caring as spilled wine soaked her black silk dress again, clinging to her chest and outlining two voluptuous curves that made blood rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My specialty? Listening~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Corruption】.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi didn’t need to look—he could smell it. This girl with the collar was a 【Corruption】 Hunter, a Sensory Predator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They indulged their own desires, luring prey into the same decay, tugging at their nerves, torturing their minds, dragging them into self-indulgence until they lost themselves in surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl looked like a master of bodily dissolution—but Cheng Shi realized she wasn’t lying. That meant her Ascension score truly was low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low score, yet still matched into his trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling, 【Dissolution】, Hunter, X\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming, the Assassin, looked visibly uneasy at her posture; Huang Bo kept scratching his head; Fang Shiqing observed her with interest—but the last woman beside her flashed a look of disgust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi regarded the last female player with a thoughtful look; the girl had delicate features and wore glasses, appearing open and composed, yet she subtly avoided his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Lu, [Void], Singer, Ladder 1643.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s high-pitched voice made Cheng Shi shudder; he quickly glanced at Bai Ling, trying to hide his uncontrollable grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at that—what a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only Seer on the field, and someone he knew—likely the androgynous girl Xie Yang had been desperately chasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk tsk, a follower of [Fate]? Sorry, my role this round is a follower of [Time].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, I’m a wolf!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssslick!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu, [Void], Singer, Ladder 1643\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi wanted to laugh but dared not show it too openly; he knew Xu Lu was sizing him up too, though she was probably still wondering whether this Cheng Shi was the same “neighbor” she knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu was indeed studying Cheng Shi; she feigned indifference as she glanced at him, while mentally recalling what Xie Yang had told her about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the roof of the building next door, there’s a mage named Cheng Shi—average-looking, a bit fat, clearly a deadweight shut-in. He begged me for ages to help him, so I felt sorry for him and took him into an A-rank weapon dungeon to get him a weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He may look ordinary, but he’s loyal and grateful—he gave me an A-rank healing potion...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That potion wasn’t dropped from a dungeon—it must’ve been picked up in a trial. Either way, it’s definitely worth less than the weapon I gave him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have high ranks and plenty of tools; I don’t need it. Here, take it—keep it for emergencies. It’s not great... but it’ll do. No need to thank me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Cheng Shi across from her differed greatly from the one Xie Yang described—at least this one wasn’t ugly; in fact, he was rather handsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was a priest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didn’t match a mage at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew professions were the hardest to fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, probably just the same name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t know whether he worshipped [Memory]... or its opposite: [Time].\u003C\u002Fp>",1529,"2026-06-21T06:05:06.137Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","58446960de992ba60a3a728093dbe77c4205ee65536e35eee386389feda4b19f","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-19","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-17",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]