Zhang Chen and his group stood directly on the street, waiting for the clown to arrive.
The scene was quite similar to one from more than a decade ago. The Clown in a purple suit came around the corner with exaggerated steps and approached the group, examining every member of Zhang Chen's four-person team and the Xuanwu team led by Sun Wukong.
"I'm terribly sorry, but since this game is limited to eighteen participants, only you, you... you, and you may participate!"
The clown's white-gloved finger pointed one by one at Zhang Chen, Elizabeth, Sun Wukong, the Golden-Winged Great Peng King, Constantine, the Demon Man, and Bear Spirit. Unexpectedly, even Chaos Bull Demon and the two Ghost Sovereigns from the Ghost Realm had been excluded.
"Old Bull, don't be angry. Rest outside. I'll go in and deal with them."
Sun Wukong patted Bull Demon King's broad shoulder. The latter was quite furious that his strength had apparently failed to qualify him among the eighteen, but for the sake of the bigger picture, he did not lose his temper in front of the clown.
"Choose a playing card at will. Remember, you may only take one. Once you touch it, the card will reveal its corresponding suit and symbol. You needn't wait for the other teams and may proceed directly to the game venue within Wangren Tower. Also, only you can see what your card represents. To everyone else, it will appear blank."
"The cards cannot be exchanged. Make sure not to tell anyone your suit. Try to reach the top floor as quickly as possible."
Everyone followed the rules and drew a card in turn from the wooden box held by the clown. The originally blank cards automatically revealed their suits upon coming into contact with their palms.
Elizabeth drew