[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-monsters-are-coming":3,"chapter-the-monsters-are-coming-monsters-are-coming-chapter-16":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Monsters Are Coming",{"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},2249865,4069,"Chapter 16: Paying-to-Win Soul Game","monsters-are-coming-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>\"Siyu, how much Sacrificial Power do you have on hand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait a moment, let me ask... altogether 86 points of Sacrificial Power. Grandfather, do you need it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Transfer it to me through the Guidance; I have a great use for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Li Tie, located in Emperor Tomb Village, received the 86 points of Sacrificial Power transferred by his granddaughter. Adding the 17 points earned from killing Cursed Soldiers, his total Sacrificial Power reached 103 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he summoned the function panel, opened the Mall, and selected the weapons category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a dazzling array of weapon types came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron Sword:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quality: Level 1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Description: A sword-shaped weapon forged from ordinary metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Price: 5 Sacrificial Power\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron Axe:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quality: Level 1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Description: An axe-shaped weapon forged from ordinary metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Price: 5 Sacrificial Power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first few pages displayed very ordinary weapons; clearly, these weapons could not reach the strength required to combat Artifact Spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After flipping through several pages in succession, Li Tie's gaze focused on a blue weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mountain-Shaking Axe]:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quality: Level 8.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Description: Forged from ice iron; the axe handle is carved with beast patterns, and a beast's roar accompanies it when wielded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Price: 100 Sacrificial Power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the best weapon Li Tie could afford with the Sacrificial Power he possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After touching the purchase option with his consciousness, a blue battle axe materialized out of thin air before him, gradually condensing from illusory to solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the battle axe fully condensed and began to fall, Li Tie reached out and firmly grasped it in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having completed the purchase, Li Tie immediately left the village and headed toward the direction of Artifact Spirit Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an hour's journey, during which he killed several Cursed Soldiers along the way, Li Tie's Gargoyle level reached Level 5. Passing over the hill ahead, he once again arrived at the entrance of Artifact Spirit Valley, where five Artifact Spirits surrounded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These five Artifact Spirits were all First Generation Primordials, namely Li Man (Battle Axe), Broken (Blade), Sweeping (Sword), Soul-Separating (Spear), and Nether Ghost (Staff).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the other four Artifact Spirits dispersed; only the Li Man Axe hovered before him, issuing a challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle was imminent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Level 8 quality Mountain-Shaking Axe whistled through the wind, chopping straight at the hovering Li Man Axe, emitting the sound of clashing metal upon collision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than ten consecutive collisions, Li Tie's tiger's mouth went numb. Looking down, he discovered the skin at his tiger's mouth had split, and green blood from his Gargoyle form flowed down the wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the Mountain-Shaking Axe in his hand, he saw over ten chips of varying sizes on the blade edge; feedback information indicated the weapon was now in a slightly broken state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the slightest hesitation, Li Tie swung the Mountain-Shaking Axe again to meet the Li Man Axe's slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under continuous collision, Li Tie's right arm became stained with green blood, his loose white hair dancing in the wind, looking like a mad demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the battle axe in Li Tie's hand could no longer bear the strain and shattered. Instantly, his body was pierced by the other four Artifact Spirits shooting toward him, ending the battle in a miserable defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this fight proved the Guidance's conjecture: only when holding a weapon would one be regarded as a challenger by the Artifact Spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tie's figure reappeared at the resurrection point in Emperor Tomb Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the battle with the Li Man Axe involved no contest of technique, the pure feedback from the clash of strength made him feel thoroughly satisfied, reducing the malice in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a notification feedback appeared in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Challenger Notification: Resurrection consumes 10 points of Sacrificial Power. Sacrificial Power balance is insufficient to pay the resurrection fee. Remaining Sacrificial Power: -7]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Challenger Notification: Sacrificial Power is negative; Mall functions, Star Vein Strengthening, and other functions are temporarily unavailable.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This setting left Li Tie somewhat helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summoning the contact list, he found his granddaughter's avatar and selected connect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after, a video light screen popped up before him, showing his granddaughter who had chosen the Eagle-Headed Demon form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandfather, is something wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she spoke, noisy sounds came from the screen. A huge black worm rose from the ground behind his granddaughter, violently whipping its head and sweeping a player away. It flashed across the screen, leaving behind a scream of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much Sacrificial Power do you all have left?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Out of Sacrificial Power again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Siyu looked somewhat stunned, but quickly nodded and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandfather, wait a moment. Let us finish killing this worm before we talk to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Li Siyu flapped her small wings, bared her teeth, and flew toward the black worm whose lower half was stuck in a pile of bones while its upper half thrashed wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle lasted five minutes. After killing the worm, Li Siyu, panting heavily, looked at the connected light screen transformed by the Guidance and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandfather, what do you need so much Sacrificial Power for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I encountered a powerful monster and need a weapon to fight it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I'll ask them how much Sacrificial Power they have available right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the screen followed Li Siyu's perspective, turning toward the other members of the Fan Zui Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the inquiry, the members of the Fan Zui Society truthfully reported the amount of Sacrificial Power remaining on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the matter of pooling money to buy equipment for Iron Grandfather, the team members did not resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their eyes, Iron Grandfather was the absolute core of the team and a powerhouse unmatched by anyone else in terms of strength. In their previous few games, they had also always invested game resources in Iron Grandfather first, allowing him to become strong first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Iron Grandfather's request, they unhesitatingly took out the Sacrificial Power obtained from killing monsters and traded it to Li Siyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Siyu then transferred the Sacrificial Power through the Guidance to Li Tie, who was still in Emperor Tomb Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving 82 points of Sacrificial Power, the system automatically deducted the 7-point debt. Li Tie once again headed toward Artifact Spirit Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuously searching for and killing Cursed Soldiers along the way, his level increased to Level 6, and he also gathered the 100 points of Sacrificial Power needed to purchase the weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the blue battle axe was once again grasped in his hand, Li Tie's aura changed accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the hill not far away, he unhesitatingly set off toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One and a half hours later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Siyu once again received a connected call from Li Tie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having already entered the dark cave and currently discussing with the Ban Ban Zhuan Society at what price to buy Sacrificial Power, Li Siyu was completely speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, she transferred the purchased Sacrificial Power to Li Tie:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandfather, I've transferred the 100 points of Sacrificial Power I just bought to you. But don't close the video; just keep it on. I want to see exactly what monster you are challenging.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Tie did not refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After purchasing the battle axe, he left the village and headed toward Artifact Spirit Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this challenge, the members of the Fan Zui Society all gathered before the video light screen to watch, and even members of the Ban Ban Zhuan Society joined the spectators out of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing the Artifact Spirits, the watching players exclaimed in surprise one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the monster Li Tie was challenging was actually a Primordial monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised them even more was that the Primordial Artifact Spirit actually chose to have a fair one-on-one duel with Li Tie, rather than ganging up on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle was quickly decided; Li Tie was killed and logged off once again, but the crimson light emanating from the surface of the Li Man Axe, which had been challenged consecutively, dimmed by a few degrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour later, a group of players who were mining once again gathered around the video light screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the grandfather who opened his mouth asking for Sacrificial Power, Li Siyu's expression was helpless, yet she did not try to persuade him. She knew her grandfather had always been stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others would turn back only after hitting a wall; her grandfather would smash himself to death against a wall he couldn't break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, this time they had spent twenty-five thousand to acquire 500 points of Sacrificial Power from the Ban Ban Zhuan Society, leaving enough surplus to support Grandfather's challenge against the Artifact Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing the transfer, a new round of challenges began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the challenge livestream came to an end half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tie was once again killed by the Artifact Spirit \"Li Man Axe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the light screen go dark, the expressions of the watching players became extremely interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>StayUpLateAndMidnightSnack: Big Sister, please persuade Iron Grandfather. This game has no top-up channel for spending money; the Sacrificial Power we have cannot withstand such consumption by Iron Grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ThisIsReasonable: Iron Grandfather is a true man. I wouldn't dare imagine a battle with pain feedback maxed out, but fighting the Artifact Spirit consumes too much Sacrificial Power. I suggest giving up temporarily and challenging again when our strength has grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>WordMaYa: Big Sister, your short-term goal of unlocking the second Star Vein slot and inlaying the Bone Fire form seems to be getting further and further away (sad Iron Face).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Li Zheng, who had leaned over, suddenly interjected with a sentence that silenced all the players of the Fan Zui Society:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You rich people are really interesting; is this paying money to help an old man play a Soul Game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members of the Fan Zui Society all looked in unison at Li Zheng, who stood behind them holding a mining pickaxe with a puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the members of the Fan Zui Society were not speaking, Li Zheng couldn't help but scratch his head;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spending money to let an elderly person challenge a high-difficulty boss—isn't this paying money to help an old man play a Soul Game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Members of the Fan Zui Society: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Li Zheng's statement, for a moment they didn't know how to refute it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1747,"2026-06-19T09:20:35.554Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d2f0eb0f176e4d96f398658715274d209e76bbd013b57332fd7382daf9c3c5c1","monsters-are-coming-chapter-17","monsters-are-coming-chapter-15",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmonsters-are-coming-cover.jpg"]