The moment these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.


    Even Human Rat froze momentarily.


    "You want to... bet your life?" Human Rat confirmed again.


    "Correct." Qi Xia nodded. "I''m betting my life."


    Human Rat swallowed hard, her throat bobbing visibly beneath the mask. "Th-there''s no need for that..."


    Her reaction surprised Qi Xia. Weren''t these animal-masked game masters supposed to welcome life-or-death wagers? Why was she panicking?


    "This... this is just a simple ''searching'' game. Betting your life is too extreme... The entry fee is only one ''Dao''. You really don''t need to gamble with your life..."


    Lin Qin and Qiao Jiajin exchanged confused glances nearby.


    "Can we really bet lives in these games?" Qiao Jiajin frowned. "But why would you do that, trickster? Are we short on ''Dao''?"


    "I remembered what that withered old man said. I want to test it here." Qi Xia whispered. "Look at her reaction - she''s terrified of me ''betting my life''."


    Lin Qin interjected, "I know you''re determined to win, but if you risk your life opening those cans and there''s no ''Dao'' inside..."


    "I will win." Qi Xia cut her off and looked up at Human Rat. "I''ve placed my bet. Shall we begin?"


    Human Rat trembled visibly before finally stammering, "If you insist on this... don''t regret it... The game begins now."


    As Qi Xia entered the room, Human Rat moved to close the door behind him. Suddenly, Qi Xia grabbed her arm.


    The contact made Human Rat flinch violently.


    With deliberate slowness, Qi Xia reached into Human Rat''s breast pocket and retrieved a glowing ''Dao'' token.


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    "I found it."


    The three observers at the door gaped in disbelief.


    Was this allowed? Finding the ''Dao'' on the game master''s person the instant the game started? Did this violate the rules?


    Human Rat''s entire body began shaking uncontrollably.


    "If I''m not mistaken," Qi Xia pressed, "the moment you close this door, there will be no ''Dao'' left in this room. Correct?"


    "How did you...?"


    "Simple." Qi Xia''s voice turned icy. "Every time you explain the rules, you specifically emphasize there''s ''currently'' a ''Dao'' in the room. That statement is technically true, but a massive deception."


    When Human Rat remained silent, he continued, "There is indeed a ''Dao'' here ''now'', but it would disappear immediately after the door closes."


    The eyes behind the rat mask darted frantically. "You risked your life... based on this assumption?"


    "Assumption? Hardly." Qi Xia stepped closer. "What confirmed it was how you declared Tian Tian''s failure."


    "What?!"


    "She was behind closed doors. None of us could know her situation. Yet the instant you opened the door, you declared her failure." Qi Xia tilted his head. "How could you know she hadn''t found it?"


    "I..."


    "The answer''s obvious - you knew there was no ''Dao'' inside."


    Human Rat shuddered violently.


    "Then there''s the ''rodent'' aspect of the game. We assumed it referenced nocturnal behavior in darkness - that''s why Tian Tian failed. But certain rodents store valuables in their cheek pouches. Isn''t that right?"


    Human Rat stared at Qi Xia for a long moment before conceding defeat. Suddenly, she shoved Qi Xia with surprising strength and bolted.


    "Bloody hell!" Qiao Jiajin lunged to grab her, but she twisted away like a real rodent, sprinting down the street.


    None had anticipated an animal-masked game master fleeing.


    "What''s happening, trickster?" Qiao Jiajin helped Qi Xia up. "Why''d she run?"


    Before Qi Xia could answer, his gaze froze on the distant street. The others followed his stare and gasped.


    A levitating figure blocked Human Rat''s escape.


    "Holy... Terminator?!" Qiao Jiajin breathed as reality warped before them.


    The floating man gestured casually. Human Rat collapsed, paralyzed. Then both figures blinked out of existence, reappearing instantly before the group.


    The newcomer floated mid-air - an unnaturally tall man wearing only a blood-red feathered cape. Wild hair adorned with feathers framed his face as he undulated like a bird in flight.


    Human Rat whimpered piteously beneath his touch. "Human Rat," the being crooned, stroking her mask, "were you trying to abandon your debt?"


    "L-Lord Zhuque..." she sobbed. "Mercy...!"


    "Now, now." The being called Zhuque''s fingers trailed down to her throat. "A wager is a wager. When mortals bet lives, even I must honor it."


    Qi Xia found his voice. "I don''t want her life! The bet was just to win more ''Dao''!"


    Zhuque paused, taloned hand lingering on Human Rat''s neck. Her entire body went rigid.


    "Is that so?" Crimson eyes locked on Qi Xia. "The challenger shows mercy... How curious." He released his grip and patted Human Rat''s back. "Rise, little mouse. Your debt is paid."