[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-monsters-are-coming":3,"chapter-the-monsters-are-coming-monsters-are-coming-chapter-188":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},2250037,4069,"Chapter 188: The Cheater","monsters-are-coming-chapter-188",188,"\u003Cp>The spatial trap rune shattered, rapidly generating a twisted black hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao was instantly sucked into it by a powerful force, feeling himself hurtling and spinning at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This process lasted an unknown duration; a blinding white light flashed before his eyes, then all fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found himself in a completely unfamiliar place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick mist hung around him, faint silhouettes emerging dimly—some resembling natural landscapes, others artificial structures—as if he had entered a mysterious dimension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he saw a massive rotating black hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light and shadows continuously emerged from the black hole, condensing into alien figures beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet some of these streams of light were crushed into blood mist by invisible forces before they even touched the ground, vanishing into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was certain that these streams were living beings who triggered the trap and entered this rule-based game space, but they seemed to receive three different treatments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guide, what’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the question, the Guide’s avatar floating beside Song Hao replied lazily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【It’s simple. Rule-based games clearly require a certain level of intelligence. Living beings who triggered the trap and were transported here are classified by the Youlu Council into three categories: intelligent, unintelligent, and untouchable.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Intelligent beings, like you, are transported into the game space. Unintelligent beings are instantly crushed into qi and blood energy to become game rewards. Untouchable beings are sent back to where they came from…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the Guide pointed toward a stream of light that had just entered the space and immediately turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a virtual image of a being with pale blue skin appeared before Song Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Like this being—the Youlu Council deemed it untouchable. Even if it were eliminated, they couldn’t kill its entire clan, so it was sent right back upon entering the game space.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what logic governs this space?” Song Hao asked, his expression curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Qi Sheng and the Guide’s consciousness also descended into the game space, beginning to analyze its contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After acquiring relevant information, the Guide’s avatar turned to Song Hao and explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name of this rule is “Game Space.” Its underlying logic for generating energy is game theory. All participating living beings will engage in a game-based confrontation with members of the Youlu Council. Whenever a participant is eliminated, the Youlu Council gains a clan imprint related to that eliminated being. If the target’s entire clan is destroyed, they can extract massive game energy and one life trait from the destroyed clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, if the eliminated being is a fish, and its clan is destroyed, Youlu Council members gain the innate ability of swimming and acquire large amounts of game energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【So the core of this game is: participants play alongside the Youlu Council members—who act as both referees and players. If participants lose, their entire clan dies. If the Youlu Council loses, they give out rewards.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is unfair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Young man, fairness is built upon equal power.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They set the rules. Making us lose seems too easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Rest assured, the Game Space operates on three underlying logics.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【First logic: After the game begins, the rule controller cannot directly kill participants to secure victory.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second logic: The rule controller cannot create unbreakable game traps. At least one viable way to win must exist, and it must align with the game’s established setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Third logic: Any hidden rule modified by the rule controller must not be detectable by participants. If detected, the participant is declared the winner.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Only by adhering to these three underlying logics can the Youlu Council obtain the clan imprints generated by eliminated participants. Otherwise, even if they eliminate their opponent, they gain no reward…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the Guide’s explanation, Song Hao immediately nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This game imposed mandatory constraints on the controller: they had to create the game according to its underlying logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then both sides would engage in game theory through the game rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference was that the Youlu Council could freely modify settings and set traps within the rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the participants had no other means of response except their wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guide-bro, what exactly is this clan imprint?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You can think of it as a task issued by the Game Space’s rule system to the Youlu Council. Completing it unlocks the follow-up task “Clan Annihilation.” After completing the second task, it’s equivalent to fulfilling the Game Space’s operational logic, generating massive energy resources and special rewards.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After understanding the Game Space’s principle, Song Hao immediately became interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no interest in brain-burning rule-based games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was very interested in the rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept the surroundings; nine humanoid aliens had appeared beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were terrified, eyes darting everywhere—they clearly felt deep anxiety about their situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the surrounding space began to warp and shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the scene, a circular gambling table materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table appeared to be crafted from dark solid wood, with ten dice cups neatly arranged on its surface. Colorful oil paintings hung on the walls, and light poured down from a uniquely shaped chandelier overhead, casting a warm golden glow concentrated on the gambling table, making the surrounding environment slightly dim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, a flood of information surfaced in Song Hao’s mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Game Code: 2】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Health Points: 5 (lose 1 point per failure).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Round Rules: Participants gamble with the god by rolling dice. If they detect the hidden rule the god created for them during the game, they are immediately declared the winner. All participants are forbidden from using physical force within the Game Space; violation results in immediate defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basic Rules:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turn-based: The game consists of 8 rounds. Each round, the player and the god each roll five six-sided dice (5–30 points).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory Determination:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the player’s total exceeds the god’s, the player wins and gains 1 point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the player’s total equals or is less than the god’s, the god wins and the player loses 1 health point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory Conditions:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Player accumulates 5 points → game cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Player detects the hidden rule → game cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Player’s health reaches zero → eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Song Hao, this game was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just rolling dice—roll higher than that damn god’s roll and you win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what intrigued him was the hidden rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the Guide’s explanation, he already knew the god could set hidden rules favorable to itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t bother reasoning about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why burn his brain? Just charge ahead. Worst case, he’d return to the black room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a floating card appeared before him. The image on the card shifted rapidly before settling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The card displayed a twisted blue vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Skill: Reversal】:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skill Description: Forcefully reverses the point comparison of one round—for example, changing “higher wins” to “lower wins.” Can be used after results are revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao reached out and grabbed the card, feeling slightly puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, this card’s effect was equivalent to automatically winning one round of game theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head to his side, where a gray-white-skinned being stared in terror at the card in his hand, his body trembling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focusing on the being’s card, relevant information surfaced:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Skill: X-Ray】:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skill Description: Before results are revealed, you may preview the god’s rolled points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Song Hao, this skill was meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the points clearly couldn’t influence the outcome of the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Song Hao noticed a bone ring on the gray-white being’s index finger. After analysis, he discovered it was a top-tier item of quality 48.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, buddy, how about trading your ring for my card?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao took the initiative to greet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-white being turned to look at Song Hao, then glanced at the card in his hand, and finally looked down at the ring on his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the slightest hesitation, he removed the ring and extended it toward Song Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao beamed with delight and immediately swapped his skill card for the ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d already made a profit before the game even started—his heart was delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the possibility that losing the card might cause him to fail the game—that was meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death meant spending an hour scrolling the forum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the gambling table elongated, and the scene began to split apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each participant was separated by invisible barriers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hazy, pale blue figure appeared before Song Hao and sat down across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After activating his analysis ability, detailed information about the opponent surfaced in his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Youka (Youlu Clan)】:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hunting Level: 139\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Target Description: A dominant force from the Youlu World, member of the Youlu Council. An elemental lifeform that gains growth energy through game theory in the Game Space. Expert in all types of game theory games, possesses rule-level power granted by the Game Space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Youka’s cold voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao casually sat down at the gambling table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Youka moved first, pressing his hand above the dice cup. Instantly, the dice inside were activated, clattering together with sharp, rapid sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao didn’t hesitate—he pressed the button above his own dice cup, mimicking the action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the two dice cups came to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao opened the lid and found his roll was 11.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the god also lifted the lid—his roll was 12.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the first round, he lost 1 point of life value, leaving him with 4 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a powerful sense of weakness surged over him, as if some force had drained his inner vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second round of gambling began immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the god’s roll was 18, while Song Hao’s was 13.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao lost another 1 point of life value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third round, Song Hao rolled 12, the god rolled 9—he gained one point, still needing four more to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fourth round, Song Hao rolled 19, the god rolled 21—he lost another point of life, leaving him with only 2 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only four rounds, he had lost three. Song Hao was furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the so-called god was cheating, but he had no idea how.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fifth round, Song Hao rolled 11, the god rolled 6—he gained one point, needing three more to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sixth round, Song Hao rolled 24, the god also rolled 24—according to the rules, the god won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the seventh round began, Song Hao had only 1 point of life left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slumped weakly over the gambling table, wanting to pull out a soul bomb and hurl it at the god’s Iron Face for a suicide attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soul bombs cost money, and if they didn’t kill the opponent, he’d just bleed out for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seventh round began. The self-proclaimed god, You Ka, pressed the button on the dice cup first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the dice clatter against the cup’s inner walls, Song Hao decided he’d had enough—he flipped the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his gaze to the floating guidance water orb beside him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guidance Brother, please help me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guidance glanced down at Song Hao slumped over the table, expression cold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Why not try to find the pattern yourself? Perhaps you can break the deadlock?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hate brain-burning rule games. I just want to cheat. If he’s cheating, then cheating back is perfectly reasonable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Guidance nodded calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Reasonable.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the god’s cold voice spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao ignored him, fixing his gaze on Guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guidance gave his answer at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The way to pass this stage is actually simple. The first method is pure luck: use luck combined with card skills to suppress You Ka’s roll and win five rounds. The second method is to discover this thing’s cheating method.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【And its cheating method is simple—it set a rule for itself: it can only roll multiples of three—6, 9, 12… up to 30.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【So unless you win by luck, under the combined advantage of its roll and base rules, its chance of victory is always slightly higher than yours.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Guidance’s explanation, Song Hao’s Iron Face broke into a smug grin, then he slammed his hand on the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re cheating! Disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain the cheating mechanism,” spoke the faint blue shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are all your rolls multiples of three? I suspect that’s your hidden rule—you can only roll multiples of three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Song Hao’s analysis, the pale blue shadow fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its figure slowly faded, and a beautiful box appeared at the center of the gambling table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao reached out, picked it up, opened it—and found a blood-red gem inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Blood Essence Stone】:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Description: Crafted from the blood essence of non-sentient lifeforms who entered the game space and were disintegrated. Members of the Youlu Council cannot absorb or digest it; it is used as a prize for winning the game (Sacrificial Value: 850 Soul Power).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah. Even blood energy can’t be absorbed. This faction is pathetically weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Members of the Youlu Council are elemental lifeforms. Vital energy holds no meaning for them, so they repurpose collected blood energy as prizes.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first round was cleared, but the second round did not begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao sat before the gambling table, bored, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed. Soon, the divided scenes merged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao turned his head and saw that, including himself, only three contestants remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them was the gray-skinned lifeform he had previously swapped cards with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the gray-skinned creature look his way, Song Hao grinned, showing his white teeth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’d you win?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By roll numbers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So dumb. Learn to study the rules. Luck won’t carry you far. You’re dead in the next round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-white lifeform’s expression grew even tenser—clearly, though it had won, its inner anxiety was intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guidance Brother, why is this a solo game, yet the Youlu Society gathered us all together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Psychological pressure. Normal lifeforms, seeing many others eliminated in the first round, suffer mental imbalance and heightened tension, impairing their judgment in later rounds. This is also one way the Youlu Council members boost their win rate—without violating the game space’s rules.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s it. They’re using psychological warfare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao nodded in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second round’s rule game began at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the scene split, a pale blue shadow reappeared before Song Hao’s gambling table—a new Youlu Council member to challenge him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table’s props changed: a pile of Iron Face-down cards appeared, and each of them—Song Hao and the pale blue shadow—had a dice cup placed before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game rules surfaced in Song Hao’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Game Code: 2】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life Value: 30 points (lose 1 point per loss).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Round Rules: Each turn, player and god draw one card from the shuffled deck and engage in combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Card Types (Four): Attack, Defense, Counter, Null.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attack Card: When played, paired with dice roll—e.g., if rolled 6, deals 6 points of life damage to target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defense Card: When played, paired with dice roll—e.g., if rolled 6, negates all damage from opponent’s attack this turn (if opponent plays Attack with roll 5, and player plays Defense with roll 3, then player loses 2 HP).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Counter Card: Reflects damage from opponent’s Attack Card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Null Card: No effect whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game Requirement: Both god and player start with 30 HP. The first to deplete their HP loses. Players may choose to play no card each turn. The god decides first each round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anti-Cheating: You may accuse the opponent of cheating and explain your reasoning. If correct, you win instantly. If wrong, lose 10 HP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game begins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god drew a card first from the pile. Song Hao followed, drew one, flipped it over—it was a blue-bordered card depicting a shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god placed his drawn card in the play zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao, seeing this, placed his card in the play zone as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both pressed their dice cups simultaneously. The cards flipped open automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god’s card revealed a red-bordered card depicting a blood-stained sword—Attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god’s dice showed 4; Song Hao’s showed 5.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First round: Neither lost HP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this round, Song Hao finally understood the purpose of the Null Card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly meant to bait out the opponent’s Counter or Defense cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second round: Song Hao drew an Attack card; the god drew an Attack card too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao rolled 2; the god rolled 5.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao lost 5 HP, leaving him with 25.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god lost 2 HP, leaving him with 28.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third round: Song Hao drew a Defense card; the god drew a card and placed it in the play zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the god played Attack, then Defense was perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the god played Null, then playing Defense was a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screw it—play it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Song Hao suspected, the god played Null. No matter his roll, it was useless—he wasted a Defense card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth round: Song Hao drew Attack; the god drew Attack again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Song Hao rolled 6; the god rolled 3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao’s HP: 22. The god’s HP: also 22.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth round: The god drew Attack; Song Hao drew Attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both lost 3 HP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth round: The god drew Counter. After drawing, he chose to play no card this turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao saw this and chose not to play, because he had drawn a defense card, and playing it would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by this, the divine priority decision mentioned in the rules clearly favored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew this bastard must have a self-benefiting hidden rule— he just didn’t know what this hidden rule was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he could directly ask for guidance, he decided to keep playing with it for a while longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he really couldn’t win, he’d just cheat on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the game space had no anti-cheat system—he could cheat however he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the seventh round, the god drew an attack card, while Song Hao drew an invalid card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief hesitation, he placed the invalid card in the play area; the god, seeing this, also placed its drawn attack card in the play area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cards flipped automatically, and the god, having played the attack card, drew a 6.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao was instantly critically hit for 6 HP, leaving him with 16 HP; the god’s HP remained at 22.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eighth round, Song Hao drew another attack card and placed it in the play area; this time, the god followed suit and placed its card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the god played a counter card, causing Song Hao’s HP to drop to 12— a loss of 4 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, I seriously suspect you’re cheating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“State the cheating rule,” said the pale blue light, its tone indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You used X-ray vision, didn’t you? First you used an invalid card to nullify my defense card, then you used a counter card to expose my attack card.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incorrect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the pale blue figure spoke, Song Hao’s HP was reduced by 10, leaving him with only 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guidance Brother, save me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to the plea, Guidance nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The opponent’s hidden rule allows them to draw two attack cards every three rounds: rounds 1 and 2 are attack cards, round 3 is invalid, rounds 4 and 5 are attack cards, round 6 is counter, and rounds 7 and 8 are again attack cards.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Under normal circumstances, you only need to adopt the most conservative strategy to gradually uncover the opponent’s hidden rule.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The opponent chose to hide a card in round 6—not because they saw through your strategy, but to disrupt your analysis. This round, you also happened to draw a defense card.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【But no matter how they hide it, the pattern of two attack cards and one invalid or counter card per three rounds will become clear if you keep playing.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【In fact, a guaranteed-win setup would be for them to draw an attack card every round—if you don’t draw a counter card every round, you’re guaranteed to lose.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【After all, they’re always in output Cultivation Mode, while your chance of drawing a counter card is only one in four. But such a setup is too obvious, so they set a 2-red-1-random pattern: every three rounds, they reliably get two attack cards. Your chance of drawing an effective card is one in two, while the other half are defense or invalid cards—statistically, they’ve suppressed you.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【So, ignoring luck, start from the angle of detecting cheating: play a card every round, prolong the game as much as possible, and find their draw pattern.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Guidance’s analysis, Song Hao immediately understood the hidden rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up at once and slammed the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard, you’re cheating, aren’t you… you’re cheating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“State the cheating,” said the pale blue figure coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You draw two attack cards every three rounds, right?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Song Hao’s explanation, the pale blue figure’s blurred eyes flickered with a faint light, and its shadow gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate treasure box reappeared at the center of the gambling table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When opened, the reward was still one bloodstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve won twice already, and still only one stone? So stingy—less than a single hair from an ancient god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The reward provided is calculated based on your life strength. The game space’s rules also apply to members of the Youlu Council—they don’t die upon defeat, but must pay an equivalent cost, calculated according to your life strength.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You can think of it as an invisible scale: after the game begins, the Youlu Council member must place resources on the other side equal to your value as your reward for victory.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? My Star Vein set alone is worth tens of thousands of sacrificial power—why am I only getting 800?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Vein sets, including the Nascent Soul, are outside the Youlu Council’s calculation range. Even the game space’s rules cannot compute them—only your life strength is used for calculation.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why they’re so stingy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While complaining, Song Hao put away the bloodstone and waited for the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, he planned to speed up the game pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rewards from Youlu Council members were too poor—he’d just cheat outright and rush through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the scene reset, he found the gray-skinned player had also vanished; of the ten initial contestants, only he remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sighed, the third round began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this round, both he and the god had three cards each on their table, representing: Attack, Defense, and Invalid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, the card effects were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invalid counters Defense, Defense counters Attack, Attack counters Invalid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think of it as Rock-Paper-Scissors: the loser loses 1 HP; a tie results in a replay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides had 50 HP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only twelve rounds, Song Hao accused cheating and smirked at the Youlu Council member:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guess your hidden rule this round is that you win every third round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This answer clearly stunned the Youlu Council member; its blurred form vanished instantly, and Song Hao was declared the winner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth round began immediately after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A different Youlu Council member appeared across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the gambling table became a 5x5 grid resource board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides had three skills: Occupy Node, Destroy Node, and Strengthen Node.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, all nodes on the board were blank; both sides started with 10 energy points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using “Occupy Node” consumes 1 energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using “Destroy Node” consumes 2 energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using “Strengthen Node” consumes 1 energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After occupying a node, you gain 1 energy in the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroying a node converts the opponent’s node into your own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strengthening a node can only be used on nodes you already occupy, rendering the opponent’s Destroy Node skill ineffective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are three victory conditions:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Win immediately if you control over 50% of nodes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. After 50 rounds, the winner is determined by the number of nodes controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Discover the opponent’s hidden cheating rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The core of the game lies in the clash between Destroy Node and Strengthen Node—mostly luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Destroy Node successfully grants you 1 energy next round; essentially, you spent 1 energy to take over an opponent’s node.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you use Strengthen Node and successfully block the opponent’s Destroy Node, you gain 2 energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a resource-control type of strategy game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief trial, Song Hao slammed the table again, smugly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your energy doesn’t add up. I suspect your cheating method is generating an extra 1 energy per round. Beyond normal resource output, by round 20, you actually had 20 more energy than me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pale blue figure didn’t respond—it simply dissolved into nothingness, and Song Hao was declared the winner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After four consecutive wins, Song Hao gained 3,600 sacrificial power and felt triumphant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his livestream chat was filled with insults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disgusting! As a player, you cheat during gameplay—I’m reporting you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can such an inferior player qualify for the Monster World? I should get his slot—I want to play too, aaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re truly amazing—using Guidance to play strategy games. The most incredible part is that the Eclipse Clan officially allows Guidance analysis in dungeon scenes! Why not just hand out sacrificial power directly? I’m so jealous—share the entry link!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The game is actually fun. If I were playing, I’d analyze carefully instead of cheating with Guidance. Winning through wisdom brings true satisfaction—and maybe even hidden rewards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the livestream viewers’ scorn, Song Hao grinned even wider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Official guidance isn’t cheating, is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s never been disabled—how can it be called “turned on”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the livestream viewers’ furious curses, the fifth round began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This round’s rules became complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start, each player drew eight race cards, each with different effects, some of which mutually counter each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only seven rounds, Song Hao’s head was spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he decisively summoned “Guidance Brother” for in-game assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After explaining the cheating mechanism, the Youlu Council member’s blurred form surged violently—but said nothing, and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth round, seventh round…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the eighth round ended, the Youlu Council member did not leave—instead, it revealed its true form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Song Hao’s eyes stood a humanoid elemental lifeform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its body was formed from pure blue energy, its surface in constant flow; beneath its blue “skin,” energy veins pulsed visibly within. Its head resembled a human’s, its eyes like two brilliant sapphires, with no nose or mouth—instead, a rhythmic blue current rose and fell at its center, like breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked up at Song Hao:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If your earlier wins could be attributed to sharp judgment, why, in the last round, after only three turns—before I even revealed my hidden rule—did you immediately state its secret?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Hao’s expression turned awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous round’s rules seemed too complex—he didn’t bother with detailed experience and just had Guidance reveal the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result? The opponent had become suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suspect you have some kind of cheating method.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the accusation, Song Hao paused briefly before speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Explain the cheating mechanism.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Members of the Youlu Council: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the players in the live stream were all laughing hysterically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On someone else’s territory, quoting their lines—it’s outright beastly behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem is, as long as the opponent cannot crack the cheating method, the game space’s rules don’t even allow them to act against Song Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guide had said that after the game begins, one of the three core logic rules is that the Rule Keeper cannot directly kill participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after a brief moment of awkwardness, Song Hao became bold and unafraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the Youlu Council members did not answer; their forms instantly dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new figure appeared at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Round 9 of the game has begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight small doors materialized on the table; Chongshanjunling rose from the tabletop, and white mist transformed into clouds drifting above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This round is a war game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each turn, you may select a randomly leveled troop type from one of the doors; different troop types mutually counter each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strength of different troop types is also affected by terrain and randomly changing weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are three ways to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Crush the opponent’s capital city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. If no winner is determined after 200 rounds, the side with more capital city HP wins; if HP is equal, compare the combined level of remaining troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Discover the god’s cheating method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The complexity of this round has reached a new level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many factors must be calculated: weather, troop types, terrain, troop deployment, resource control, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading the rules, Song Hao’s mind held only two words: cheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After attempting 15 rounds, Song Hao lost three resource points, and his capital city was forcibly reduced by one HP by a stealth self-destruct troop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, initiative lay in the hands of the Youlu Council member; by adopting a defensive strategy and delaying until 200 rounds, they could win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing a certain defeat, he could only seek the Guide’s help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guide Brother, I’m counting on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, the Guide did not respond with a cheating solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guide Brother?\" Song Hao asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The opponent modified the rules of this round before it began. This time, they used no hidden cheating methods.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Song Hao’s smile froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The live stream erupted in laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Youlu Council member had realized that while cheating could significantly increase their win probability, every loss against Song Hao had been due to their hidden cheating method being discovered, so they had changed strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They now intended to compete against Song Hao using true skill and luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Song Hao had only one way to win this round: defeat his opponent through pure strength within the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, you’re not cheating?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning the truth, Song Hao leapt to his feet, pointing at the Youlu Council member, his expression furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have 129 seconds to think. If you take no action when time expires, you forfeit this turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Hao felt like crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opponent wasn’t cheating anymore—they were just overpowering him with skill. This was too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not using technology was downright shameful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had planned to easily win this round, but now that the opponent wasn’t cheating, he couldn’t cheat either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Song Hao could only grit his teeth and keep playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every round, beyond skill, there was a great deal of randomness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still had a chance to win through luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later, Song Hao watched the massive army advancing toward his capital city, his expression despondent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the fierce assault, the capital city’s HP plummeted at a visible rate, finally dropping to zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Youlu Council member across from him now revealed his true form and nodded to Song Hao:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ancestral soul is now under our control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Song Hao and the players in the live stream, this sentence translated to: Now, I’m going to exterminate your entire clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a streak of light shot down from above and struck Song Hao’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even feeling pain, Song Hao dissolved into a cloud of black mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, a Clan imprint appeared before the Youlu Council member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was circular in shape, edged by a fine ring of silver threads, with a burning crimson flame at its center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After examining the Clan imprint in his hand, the gaming arena collapsed violently. The Youlu Council member looked up at the spatial vortex above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of faint, You blue figures appeared beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, all these figures transformed into streaks of light and flew toward the spatial vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But during transit through the space tunnel, the Youlu Council member suddenly sensed something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intense energy fluctuations emerged at the other end of the tunnel—so strong they were unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A streak of crimson flame flashed and vanished within the tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, dozens of Youlu Council members felt their consciousness blur as illusions flooded their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A towering, indistinct figure appeared. His body was impossibly vast, as if connecting heaven and earth; every inch of his skin radiated boundless majesty—a primordial force that made all things in the world willingly submit. His eyes resembled twin blazing suns, as if perceiving the underlying laws of the universe. A single glance plunged the Youlu Council members into uncontrollable terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fear rising within them boiled like water, desperate to burst free from their physical restraints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, they suddenly realized their mistake: the cheater was backed by a being they could never dare to provoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as their consciousness was about to be swallowed by terror, the space tunnel ahead split into two paths, diverting them, and the illusions in their minds vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could escape the shadow of death, vast amounts of information flooded the Youlu Council members’ minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information appearing in the minds of the Youlu Council members in the first space tunnel was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Welcome to the Death Arena. Here is the ultimate proving ground of power. In this realm created by the Ancient Gods, you will Iron Face powerful opponents from all over the world—and even other worlds. Every victory brings rich rewards; defeat means paying with your life.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game Description: Engage in 1v1 death duels arranged by the Slave Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory Condition: Kill your opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win Condition: Achieve 30 victories to be promoted as Ancient God Champion Fighter and regain freedom, or choose to continue serving the Ancient God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Youlu Council members in the other tunnel also received a flood of game information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Welcome to the Ji Le Palace. Here is the ultimate proving ground for refining desire. In this realm created by the Ji Le Clan, you will confront your deepest inner cravings. Your fate has only two outcomes: fall into the abyss, or transcend yourself.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game Description: The Ji Le Palace’s scenes are illusions generated by Ji Le energy: the Gates of Evil Desire, Greed, Power, Gluttony, and Sloth. Five trials. Behind each gate lies your strongest inner desire. Only by passing successive trials can you find the true exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory Condition: Endure the torment of infinitely expanding desires and cross the illusionary scenes born from desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win Condition: Pass through all five Gates of Desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Game begins. Good luck to you all!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Guide’s voice echoed in the Youlu Council members’ minds, the Ancient God Arena and the Ji Le Palace welcomed a new batch of guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5718,"2026-06-19T09:20:35.554Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","deb6d690098a871e5638847d9941e06657a8499755346e7b9f12a707c76a46ca","monsters-are-coming-chapter-189","monsters-are-coming-chapter-187",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmonsters-are-coming-cover.jpg"]