Dream Island, the Fate City Casino.
GuQi was led into a room completely enveloped by shielding crystals and spatial isolation runes.
As Life Throat pushed open the door and entered, the leader of the Pogu Clan slightly raised his turbid, single eye.
It did not speak, but Deathly Stillness aura mixed with a ferocious aura surged around it, like a Evil Beast about to erupt.
"We'll take your bet." Life Throat cut to the chase, sitting down opposite GuQi, and continued, "But for Equivalent Game at the rule level, this casino will find it difficult to gather the necessary chips in a short time."
Upon hearing this, GuQi's cracked lips twitched slightly, emitting a hoarse, sandpaper-like sound, "So?"
"So, I need time." Life Throat looked directly into the other person's cloudy eyes. "Next, we'll divert liquid funds from other casinos to make the stakes big enough to match the rules you've bet."
GuQi was silent for a moment, a hint of caution flashing in its single, still-sharp eye, but ultimately it slowly leaned back in its chair. "How long will it take?"
"Three days." The Life Throat was given. "Three days later, the chips will be in place, and the game will begin."
"Okay." GuQi closed his single eye, his aura becoming restrained, and he fell silent, like a dilapidated statue slowly weathering away.
Life Throat withdrew from the secret chamber, his face calm and expressionless, but his mind was already racing.
Originally, he planned to start the game after raising funds.
But then A Lan called, saying, "The advertising value of using the rules as a bargaining chip is enormous. Regardless of winning or losing, as long as the process is transparent enough, the status of Fate City Casino in the minds of high-end customers will be significantly enhanced. Even if we lose, the casino can afford to pay the losses, and the brand will become even more renowned. You can't rush into this game; you have to create momentum first and let the surrounding Yu Du know about this game."
These words led Life Throat to decide to postpone the game.
The wolf wants to capitalize on the hype surrounding this game to gain significant influence.
Leaving the room, he gave orders, putting all the tribesmen to work.
First came the information bombardment.
At the top of the crystal tower, shaped like a spiral sea dragon's horn, in the trading market of the core area of Dream Island, a holographic energy light screen with a diameter of over a kilometer suddenly unfolded.
The screen displays constantly rotating dynamic content.
In the center of the image is a close-up of the " Deathly Stillness " rule mark placed on the gambling table, accompanied by the gold text: Rule-Level Betting.
Immediately afterwards, the scene switched to a phantom image of a scale of fate symbolizing " Equivalent Game," with the imprint of rules on one side and countless golden treasures on the other.
Finally, the image freezes on a line of large, golden text that spans the entire screen:
[ The Fate City Casino welcomes discerning gamblers from all realms to witness the rules of gambling. Opening in three days!]
This light screen was originally an advertising board used by the Gold Coin Merchant Association to display trade information. It usually displays information on customers' goods for sale and goods for purchase, for other trading caravans that come to the island to choose from.
To generate buzz for the upcoming mega-game event at Fate City Casino, A Lan has given three days of free announcement time.
This light curtain is also the most dazzling lighthouse on Dream Island and even in the surrounding waters.
Regardless of day or night, the information of light and shadow can penetrate the clouds and Sea Wave and be clearly captured by ships and aircraft at extremely distant locations.
Next is channel coverage.
In addition to the interior of Dream Island, all external Teleportation Point that have a cooperative relationship with the Gold Coin Merchant Association.
Smaller promotional light screens were simultaneously raised at Teleportation Point located at key nodes in major sea areas, as well as on islands belonging to clans that partnered with the Gold Coin Merchant Association.
The entire business information network of the Gold Coin Merchant Association was mobilized.
Airships belonging to the Chamber of Commerce and deliverymen—while traveling between the various islands, are all delivering the same explosive message.
To this end, A Lan even used his client connections to get the casino's advertisements to briefly appear on islands and seas outside the three major sea areas.
The effects were immediate.
The trading market on Dream Island was the first to feel this surging wave.
The already Unceasing market saw its foot traffic surge several times over within a single day of the advertisement's launch.
Some shrewd Trade Merchant immediately recognized the opportunities involved.
The flow of people is the flow of money.
Even if many of the sudden influx of customers are drawn by the gimmick of "rules-based gambling" or the luxurious experience of the casino, once they set foot on Dream Island and curiously browse the trading market, they are likely to be attracted by the dazzling array of goods, stop, and make purchases.
What's even more interesting is that customers at this time have a different spending mentality than usual.
Infected by the grand atmosphere of the casino, or having just made a fortune while gambling, they become extravagant and impulsive spenders.
Thus, a tacit agreement to "raise prices" was played out across the trading market.
The "Sea Soul Incense" that was priced at 180 gold coins yesterday has been changed to 300 gold coins by the vendor today.
A set of "Tidal Runes" that could originally be bought for 3,000 gold coins is now priced at 5,000 gold coins. The vendor even enthusiastically explained, "It's a masterpiece by our clan's master, with a long-lasting enchantment effect and a luck bonus."
When demand surges dramatically in a short period of time, prices of goods with relatively stable supply naturally rise.
In the entire trading market, the only items whose prices remained unchanged were the various consumable potions that the Gold Coin Merchant Association obtained from Brother Di Zhao. As the guild's top-selling products, they consistently maintained their original prices.
Some large caravans that hoarded goods even resorted to "hunger marketing," releasing certain popular items in small batches to maintain market interest.
The merchants throughout the trading market were overjoyed.
The shouts and bargaining sounds blended together to create a vibrant symphony.
The vendors from all ethnic groups beamed with undisguised smiles as they enthusiastically solicited customers while glancing out of the corner of their eyes toward the casino, all feeling grateful for the immense wealth that the upcoming world-shaking gambling game would bring.
This was also the core reason why A Lan agreed to let Destiny's Life Throat build the Fate City Casino on Dream Island.
In the initial phase, Fate City Casino will leverage the influence of the trading market to attract customers.
However, as the influence of the casino's entertainment projects and even its gambling games grows, it will also bring influence to the Gold Coin Merchant Association.
The two have never been in a competitive relationship, but rather complementary.
Regardless of who wins or loses in this earth-shattering gamble that swept the entire island, the Gold Coin Merchant Association has already made significant profits beyond its subscription share.
As time went by.
Trade ships flying flags of different maritime factions and decorated in various styles, along with other maritime factions that came to observe, began to appear in large numbers at various docks on Dream Island.
Many of these forces previously had no interest in "game theory" tactics.
They came to Dream Island because they valued the resource conversion channels provided by the Gold Coin Merchant Association.
However, at this moment, many people were also attracted by the gimmick of "rules-based gambling" and flocked to the Fate City Casino.
For many maritime powers, rules are a priceless treasure, something that is hard to come by. They never imagined that any power would use such a priceless treasure to wager on something else.
The gambling district was already packed with people.
Even though the Life Throat ordered an increase in the entry threshold for the core area.
However, representatives from powerful clans who met the standards continued to enter the venue in an endless stream.
Different languages mingled in the magnificent hall, and all sorts of exotic costumes dazzled the eye.
Every gambling table was still bustling, but the many Alien Races figures who had arrived were clearly not interested in the games themselves.
Members of different ethnic groups whispered among themselves, their eyes occasionally glancing towards the gate leading deeper into the area.
This game mode has also attracted a large number of players to the island to watch the drama unfold.
However, they were not allowed to enter the casino, so they could only watch the live broadcast on a screen within the casino area.
Vehicles of various shapes and sizes filled the entire sky.
The temporary mooring areas along the coast outside the gambling district island are already insufficient.
Later ships had to anchor in the outer waters before flying to the island.
In the sky, the trails left by various flying mounts and vehicles became increasingly dense.
The entire Dream Island is like a deep pool into which a giant rock has been thrown, and the ripples it creates are turning into waves that are sweeping across the surrounding seas.
Standing on the observation corridor at the highest point of the casino, Life Throat looked down through the crystal curtain wall at the magnificent scene below that he had personally ignited.
The flickering lights and the surging voices filled the air, with figures from all directions mingling together, stirring his emotions.
The momentum has already been built.
Next, the highly anticipated and earth-shattering betting game will officially begin.
If handled well, this game could lay a solid foundation for the future of " Fate City Casino ".
This will also send a clear signal to all the orphans of their tribes who are trapped in dire straits, possessing great treasures, burdened by blood feuds, and yearning for a desperate gamble to turn the tide:
Here is a platform with a set of rules ( Equivalent Game ) that can give you the most "fair" chance to gamble, and dare to take your bets.
Today, it can be the " GuQi " of the Pogu Clan.
Tomorrow, they could also be powerful individuals from other races who have nowhere else to turn.
All you need to do is stake on your ancestral artifact and gamble on it; perhaps you'll have the chance to defy Fortuitous Encounter.
In addition to being a money pit for entertainment, the casino will also be upgraded to a high-risk, specialized trading venue.
Once this positioning is established, the customer base it attracts will reach a level that ordinary trade and ordinary gambling can never achieve.
It also makes up for the Gold Coin Merchant Association's inability to access rule-level resources.
"Hoo." Life Throat slowly exhaled a long breath.
The stage is set up, and the lights are focused.
Next comes the game of strategy.
Winning would significantly boost the reputation of Fate City Casino and his personal Forum.
Even if there's a small chance of losing, it should be done with dignity, showing the outside world the credibility and responsibility of the gambling city.
Let them believe that betting here, regardless of winning or losing, is trustworthy in both the process and the outcome.
That evening at 8 PM.
Inside the gaming hall in the heart of the Fate City Casino, countless eager eyes were focused on this place.
Many familiar faces to the players also attended.
For example, there are the Shuyan warriors who possess a wisp of Shuyan's consciousness, the " Champion Fighter " who are agents of the Ancient God, and even representatives of various forces outside the three major sea areas.
The huge circular hall, surrounded by several tiers of viewing platforms constructed of transparent crystal, was now filled with people.
This also includes some powerful figures from the outer seas who are unwilling to reveal their identities and conceal their appearances.
All eyes were focused on the center of the hall.
There stood a massive gaming table, its entire surface composed of jet-black and Dark Gold spirit patterns.
The tabletop was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the cold beams of light cast from the dome.
On either side of the gaming table, Life Throat and GuQi stood across from each other.
Life Throat was dressed in a magnificent silver-white robe, his expression calm and serene.
The GuQi opposite him still wore a tattered black robe and a terrifying half-mask.
At this moment, his single eye was slightly closed, and his fierce aura surged like the tide, completely out of place with the intense atmosphere in the hall, forming a standoff with Life Throat.
Without exception, the walls, the dome, and the dozens of projection screens suspended in mid-air all focused on the image in the center of the gaming table.
The video was simultaneously broadcast live in the live streaming room and on the light screen to the entire player Forum, as well as to the giant advertising light screens in various squares, trading markets, and even the docks of Dream Island.
Inside the gambling district, countless players and visitors who failed to enter the core hall looked up at the nearest light screen.
The noise subsided at that moment, leaving only the sea breeze and the faint sound of distant waves.
Inside the live stream, a torrent of comments erupted once again.
Prayers and emojis, so dense they completely obscured the screen, poured down like a waterfall.
In this game, 438,900 players participated through plug-in subscriptions.
These players also have their own guilds, warbands, and squads behind them; they are all indirect participants in this game.
This game of strategy made them all feel incredibly tense.
If you lose, you might lose your squad, your warband, your guild, and a period of hard work.
Life Throat glanced at the clock, then shifted his gaze to the statue-like GuQi opposite him, before slowly closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
When he opened his eyes again, all personal emotions had been stripped away.
All that remains is absolute focus and an instinctive awe of the " Fate Game ".
Once the bet is placed, there's no going back.
He raised his right hand, palm flat, and gently tapped it on the dark gaming table in front of him.
Thump!
A muffled thud echoed.
In an instant, the entire gambling table came alive.
Fate City's special feature activated.
The Dark Gold patterns spread from the palm of the hand, flowing like blood, and finally converged and rose above the center of the table, transforming into an illusory scale made entirely of light and shadow, yet exuding the pressure of rules.
The balance scale is Dark Gold in color, with huge trays at both ends, which are currently empty.
On the pillars and beams, countless intricate runes pulsed, a new manifestation that combined elements of the game space and the fundamental rules of Fate Rule.
"Rules as witnesses, chips as verifiable."
The sound of his Life Throat clearly echoed throughout the hall and reached the ears of every spectator.
"Show the stakes."
GuQi's cloudy single eye opened fully; it didn't look at the Life Throat, but stared intently at the illusory scales.
He then slowly raised his cracked, withered right hand, fingers spread, palm facing upward.
The " Deathly Stillness " rule imprint, with its internal starlight flowing, slowly emerged from his palm, floated up, and emitted surging rule fluctuations.
"The remnants of the Soul Bone Clan, GuQi." Its voice was hoarse and dry, yet it carried a resolute determination. "Bet on this mark of the Deathly Stillness rule, for a future."
As he finished speaking, the mark of rules transformed into a Dark Red Liu Guang and flew toward the left tray of the illusory scales.
Thump!
The Liu Guang fell onto the tray and sank instantly, causing the left side of the tray to suddenly sag downwards.
Immediately afterwards, a row of huge numbers composed of Dark Red energy appeared above the tray, constantly pulsating.
It is precisely the value of the rules that is quantified Quantization manifested through the "equivalence scale".
"Anything you desire, as long as the price is right, is open to negotiation," Life Throat.
GuQi closed his eyes, and instantly countless images of light and shadow appeared above the central pillar of the scales.
Amidst the light and shadow, there are Shatter cities, wailing and fleeing tribesmen, the resolute elders of the tribe exploding their bodies and burning their souls in the face of a powerful enemy, and the moment when women and children are swallowed up in the flames—countless scenes of pain, despair, resentment, and the deepest blood ties flash by.
Each image represents a need.
The speed at which light and shadow shift is getting faster and faster.
Finally, the image freezes, and the light and shadow dissipate.
On the right side of the scale, below the golden number representing the chips for Life Throat's opening, another line of tiny runes, constantly calculating and evaluating, begins to appear simultaneously.
This is calculating the equivalent cost required to fulfill the wish of "resurrecting all Pogu Clan ".
Life Throat stared at the lingering, illusory soul of the struggling monkey, then glanced at the "Wish Price" on the scales, which had stopped calculating, and said in a deep voice, "Just to resurrect your people? The request—is too low."
Upon hearing these words, all the observing forces took a deep breath.
Unexpectedly, the gambling city was truly capable of resurrecting all of the other party's deceased clansmen, and even felt that the price offered was too low, not worthy of the value of the Deathly Stillness rule.
Even Ding Yan's warrior, whose consciousness was possessed by a wisp of Ding Yan, showed a solemn expression at this moment.
I have a new assessment of the two wells' power on Dream Island.
At that moment, Life Throat leaned forward slightly and whispered, " GuQi, is it? Your wish could be a little more daring."
Before the plane of equivalent value, everything has a price. Your chips are already laid out. Why not ask for more?
GuQi's tightly closed eyelids, his eyeballs rolled violently.
The light and shadow at the center of the scale fluctuated violently once again, and countless new images emerged with each clatter.
The life structure of all the tribesmen is violently altered in the image, making their aura even more ferocious.
This was followed by a surge of various increased resources.
"Stop!"
Just as GuQi was about to indulge in further fantasies, Life Throat, seeing the numbers had reached a tie, decisively called a halt, "Equal stakes, the game begins!"
All eyes instantly turned to Life Throat, to Jiao Tianping's empty right-side tray.
Life Throat remained expressionless and raised his right hand as well.
He did not take out any physical object from Ren Lu, but instead placed his sword-like finger on the right side of the scale.
Suddenly, with Guidance and assistance, the scarlet energy representing Sacrificial Power materialized and surged forth like a burst dam.
Following the finger Life Throat, it was poured into the right tray with a loud thud.
hiss----!
On the viewing platform, representatives from various sea areas and factions all changed their expressions in unison.
Many powerful individuals instinctively leaned back slightly, their protective energy activating spontaneously, and expressions of pain and horror appeared on their faces.
A fear stemming from the instinct of life, of a higher, indescribable existence, creeps silently along their spines like a cold, venomous snake.
Although it was short, the feeling was incredibly clear and definitely not an illusion.
Like an ant raising its head, it truly "saw" and understood for the first time the vastness of the mountains and its own insignificance.
They couldn't fathom what this scarlet energy represented, or why the reed possessed such a terrifying aura.
Thump!
A crimson torrent poured in, as if bearing the weight of the entire world, and suddenly sank downwards.
On the right tray, a string of equally massive rune numbers composed of scarlet energy leaped wildly before finally settling into perfect balance with the Dark Red numbers on the left.
Wow!
After a brief Deathly Stillness, a clamor erupted from the viewing platform. Ya Xuntong was suppressed by the soundproof barrier of the well hall, turning into a murmur of excitement.
The barrage of comments between the live streamers was absolutely explosive.
"Value equal, stake verification complete!" Minghou said in Life Throat.
The illusory sky floats serenely, its two ends bearing terrifying stakes that could drive the Ren Lu forces mad, maintaining its balance.
At the center of the scales, a trembling, illusory image composed of pure rules began to slowly emerge, and fine sand began to flow.
This means that the field of " Equivalent Game " has begun.
Life Throat and GuQi faced each other across the table, their gazes meeting in mid-air.
It was a battlefield without gunfire, yet far more dangerous than the one at Renlu.
This grueling gamble, concerning rules, wealth, reputation, and the future, is about to begin.
At the same time, the Life Throat belt is still the Star Vein Slot in the body.
For this gamble, he disassembled all his Monster Soul, including the very important Eat Qi Monster Soul, and allocated all the points to the Unlucky and Misfortune Monster Soul.
All in order to maximize the winning percentage.
His gaze GuQi, unleashing a curse upon him.
The effect is invisible, but the fate of those in power has been quietly rewritten.
Good fortune also begins at this time, blessing one.
There was no change in Ren Lu's Perception either.
The game has officially begun.
The scales shattered at that moment, transforming into a giant seven-player roulette wheel, over five meters in diameter, suspended above the game table.
The roulette wheel slowly rotates, dividing into countless colorful areas, each Yu Du flowing with different abstract runes and light and shadow.
At this moment, a black Liu Guang appeared on the surface of GuQi's body, and a silver Liu Guang appeared on the surface of Life Throat's body.
Two distinct streams of "color" rose from the Life Throat and GuQi like living things, flowing into the roulette wheel.
Like a serpent, it moves irregularly, following the rotation of the Fate Roulette.
"It's starting!" someone on the viewing platform whispered.
In an instant, the entire roulette wheel shone brightly.
The black and white Liu Guang were like two giant pythons locked in a life-or-death struggle, weaving and fiercely battling each other in the colorful Fate Roulette.
Although not a physical entity, it is a manifestation of dual fortune.
Sizzle!
The two beams of Liu Guang collided again, creating a chaotic flow of energy that shook the entire Seven-Year Roulette.
The wheel stopped spinning immediately afterward, and all the light on it began to collapse inward.
Then, two streaks of Liu Guang simultaneously flew into the central area of the Seven-Nine Roulette, and disappeared along with the collapsing roulette.
Instead of the ping-pong ball, the illusory scales in front of it, bearing the stakes of both sides, slowly solidify once again on the gambling table.
The scales still maintain their balance, with Dark Red and scarlet numbers on the two end trays.
But at that moment, everyone's hearts were in their throats.
Because the trembling, illusory image at the center of the scales has disappeared, replaced by a chaotic light that is violently churning and brewing its final judgment.
The results will be released soon.
The central hall of the casino Deathly Stillness; you could hear a pin drop.
The only sounds were heavy breathing and the muffled thumping of a frantic heartbeat in the chest.
All the representatives of the various factions watching the game stared intently at the scales, their pupils contracting and their bodies leaning slightly forward.
Inside the gambling district, in the plaza, the market, and along the dock—players and visitors gazing up at the light screen all held their breath.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
Inside the control room, after a brief pause, a massive barrage of bullets erupted.
Countless words, symbols, and emojis converged into a frenzied torrent of will, scrolling wildly across the screen. "We must win, you rebellious pong-throat guy!"
"Press down on the right side of the scale!"
" Di Zhao God, I've managed to wrest all my wealth away!"
"Win and you get a VIP room with young models; lose and you have to do manual labor."
Countless "win" characters crashed onto the screen, seemingly striking the heart and throat of Life Throat across the void.
Standing at the gambling table, Life Throat could clearly hear his heart pounding like a war drum.
Although his face remained calm, his fingers beneath his robes were clenched into fists.
He did everything he could.
Chips, public opinion, bad luck, misfortune—all the cards have been played.
The outcome is now in the hands of fate.
He took a deep breath, the fragrant air of the countryside filling his lungs, and his gaze returned to the scales.
The chaotic light churned to its limit at the center of the scales, about to break free from its cocoon.
Just then, the surging chaotic light dissipated.
The scales have shifted!
The right tray, representing the opening of the Life Throat, slowly sank downwards.
Opposite to the ping, the Dark Red tray on the left, bearing the mark of the " Deathly Stillness " rule, is raised simultaneously.
The scales are tilted, signifying that the outcome of the battle has been decided.
The scales are tilted towards the Life Throat side.
We won!!!
boom!
The roar of the giant well suddenly erupted from the viewing platform in the core well hall.
The gasps of pain, admiration, and disbelief, along with the intense discussions released after suppressed anxiety, erupted like a volcanic eruption.
But this sound was instantly drowned out by the even louder roar from the helicopter bay and various parts of Dream Island.
The chat between the live streamers was also completely boiling over.
"Holy crap, we won! We really won!"
"Haha, this round will allow me to upgrade my Star Vein Slot. Thanks to Don for letting Cheng participate in the game."
"I'm so happy! I'm rich! I made the right bet!"
"Long live the Player Camp! Take off!"
In the plaza outside the casino, at the trading market, and along the docks—all the players gazing up at the screen erupted in jubilation the moment they saw the scales tip in one direction.
The ugly player, who had staked his entire guild's fortune, excitedly grabbed the unfamiliar Alien Races merchant who had just arrived on the island and jumped up and down with him.
Faced with the Alien Races merchant's stern warning. "Violence is forbidden on Dream Island."
The player ignored everything and continued to bounce around while holding it.
Excited shouts echoed across the island, engulfing the entire Dream Island in a frenzy of excitement.