"There's definitely something strange. Last night, as soon as those monsters appeared, they launched an assault on Sunset City. The charge was like a tidal wave—endless, relentless, giving us no time to breathe. But this time, they haven't attacked like before,"Xue Kunlun said calmly.
He exuded a chilling aura—his temperament naturally cold. This cold nature allowed him to observe even the subtlest of changes. On the battlefield, it helped him quickly analyze situations and make the most rational decisions.
"These monsters are no longer disorganized. I'm afraid… someone is commanding them now,"Jia Xu speculated.
A snake cannot move without its head, and an army cannot function without a general.Based on what they had seen the previous night, there was no way such a force would suddenly hold back without a reason. Something had changed. Something unpredictable was unfolding.
The monstrous army advanced but stopped five kilometers outside of Sunset City.
"Look—what's that?"
"It's a wooden horse. There's someone sitting on it. No—wait—not a person. It looks like… a clown, wearing a bizarre clown mask."
"This is strange. As he approaches, the monsters aren't blocking his path. Instead, they're naturally parting for him. He must be a leader-class entity among them."
Soldiers atop the city wall gasped.A clown riding a wooden horse slowly emerged onto the battlefield. He looked up at Sunset City. His eyes sparkled with strange amusement—as if he were observing an intriguing new toy. The laughing expression on his mask grew even more twisted and disturbing.
"A clown… a wooden horse… These monster troops can be controlled."Yi Tianxing narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.
This clown clearly wasn't simple. He rode straight out while the monster horde parted obediently—clearly under his command.Until now, it had seemed like the monsters were mindless, driven only by urges to kill and destroy. But this… this proved otherwise. A controlled, rational army was far more terrifying than a rampaging one.
This changed everything they thought they knew.
"How interesting. Humans. A city of the human race. Good evening, my friends on the city wall. Your favorite clown is here to bring you his most beautiful blessing: May the Eternal Night stay with you always."The clown chuckled from atop his wooden horse and made a gentlemanly bow.
"Clown, who are you? Where are you from? Are you the one controlling these monsters?"Yi Tianxing asked in a low voice.
As long as conversation was possible, he didn't plan to strike right away. A talkative enemy could reveal useful information—about the battlefield and especially the origins of these monsters.
"Life Map Realm, and the ruler of a Destiny Dynasty, too. How fascinating."The clown's eyes swept over Yi Tianxing with a peculiar grin.It was as if he could see things others couldn't—his gaze piercing through appearance and illusion. With just one look, he had grasped Yi Tianxing's identity and cultivation level.
"I'm called the Clown. Everything you want to know—I know. And I can tell you. But not for free."He smiled mischievously.
"What's the price?"Yi Tianxing frowned slightly.
"Let's play a game. If you win, I'll answer all your questions."The Clown grinned.
"And if I lose?"
"Simple. You'll find out… soon enough."The Clown dodged the question with an eerie chuckle.
"You must not agree to this,"Jia Xu warned."This clown—his origin and abilities are completely unknown. And he hasn't even clarified the win-loss conditions. Gambling with him recklessly could lead to disastrous consequences."
Too many uncertainties.In his view, the potential reward wasn't worth the risk. The Battlefield of Gods and Demons would eventually reveal its secrets through survival and perseverance. No need to risk everything in a gamble.There was something unsettling—deeply wrong—about this Clown.
"He's right. This guy is clearly dangerous. He reeks of bad intentions. Definitely one of the monsters. Don't trust him."Ye Zhiqiu added loudly.He, too, felt an overwhelming sense of danger from the Clown.
"Hehehe. So, what's your decision? If you win, I'll tell you everything—the origin of this battlefield, the truth behind the monster army, even the secrets behind the Star Gate and what lies beyond it. No lies. No holding back."The Clown's words were dripping with amusement—and deadly allure.
Yi Tianxing's eyes flickered. This was an opportunity—a chance to truly understand the Battlefield of Gods and Demons.Yes, perhaps the truth could be learned later, but knowing it now would give him a strategic edge. This wasn't just survival anymore. It was a war of supremacy between countless races. Every step ahead mattered.
Especially the Star Gate.Secrets surrounding that gate… could change everything.
"Alright. One game each—fair enough."Yi Tianxing nodded. But inside, he remained wary.
If the Clown dared propose such a wager, then he was either mad… or confident to the extreme.
"Excellent! You've agreed, so the contract is sealed. The River of Destiny bears witness. No cheating now,"The Clown clapped gleefully.
"Very well. For the first round—I'll choose the theme: We'll wager on… cruelty."The Clown's eyes lit up with deranged excitement.
"Cruelty? How?"
"Lingchi,"the Clown said with twisted joy."Also known as death by a thousand cuts. One of the cruelest punishments in history."
His eyes gleamed.
"We'll each choose a warrior. These warriors must cut themselves—piece by piece—until they have sliced themselves 129,600 times. And to make things more interesting, we'll amplify their senses tenfold, a hundredfold. Every cut will deliver unimaginable pain. The first to break… loses."
Cruelty—this went beyond brutal. It was inhuman.
On execution grounds, even the mention of lingchi made prisoners beg for a quick death. Now imagine doing it to yourself.
Killing others is one thing. But cutting yourself to death, slowly and knowingly—required terrifying resolve and unmatched willpower.
129,600 cuts…It was almost impossible.
Hiss!
Gasps echoed across the city wall.This wasn't a game—it was a blood-soaked ritual. The cruelest gamble imaginable.
"This isn't fair!"Jia Xu growled."Your monsters don't feel fear. They don't fear death or pain. They have no emotions. Our warriors are living beings. They feel terror and agony. This duel is fundamentally unequal!"
Last night's battle had made one thing clear: these monsters weren't afraid of anything. They were mindless killing machines. How could a human compare?
"Don't worry. My side can feel emotions—at least, they will. I'll temporarily restore their fear, their pain, their humanity. No bloodlust, no madness. Just like your people. My games are always fair,"the Clown said with a smile—too calm to be reassuring.
He was a Clown. He toyed with life, with death, with destiny. But in gambling…He loved fairness.
Because only fairness brought out the true entertainment.