However, before he could run a few steps, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air, and a spear immediately impaled his body.

The man was pinned firmly to the ground, trembling as he reached for a handful of Paradise Grass before he died. But before he could open the bag, a heavily armored foot stomped on his hand, crushing the bones instantly.

It was a fully armed giant, three meters tall, with disdainful dark green eyes glaring from behind a helmeted face. He coldly ordered, "Quickly clear this up, don't let this filth interrupt the guests' enjoyment."

As his words faded, several figures descended, beginning to move the bodies on the ground.

Chu Xiu silently observed the scene, realizing this was the Patrol Guard Team of the city.

In a world where the Gambling God is worshiped, actions to obtain goods by means other than gambling are greatly scorned, and enforcement is extremely strict.

These patrol squads permeate the town's every street and alley, usually consisting of a Fierce Tier leading several Warrior Tier team members, equipped with fine gear, each piece of which is at least of [Fine] Level, and such squads number at least forty or fifty.

"Including four Knights, one Knight and the Baron himself, as well as their Notary, attempting a direct confrontation is still a substantial risk."

Chu Xiu had completely grasped the current situation.

"However, as long as I'm quick enough, I can still succeed without alerting anyone!"

With this thought, he hesitated no longer and began to take action.

He chose a secluded room with fewer people and entered.

"Welcome, welcome, what would you like to play?"

As he stepped inside, a warm greeting came his way, from a Lizardman nestled behind a pane of bulletproof glass, rubbing its hands, its yellow-green pupils glowing with a devoted gleam.

"This establishment offers all types of games, along with uniquely designed special matches by yours truly! Absolutely thrilling, guaranteed to satisfy!"

Chu Xiu glanced at the Lizardman, his eyes darkening as he noticed the alarm system connected behind the bulletproof glass, which would automatically sound should the glass shatter.

"What kind of special matches?"

He queried while taking a seat.

In response, the Lizardman pressed a button beside it, and with a harsh metallic screech, the steel plate before Chu Xiu gradually opened. It revealed another large cage-like space beneath the small room, with a black, downward-sloping rock passage at its center.

The Lizardman clapped its hands again, causing a side panel to rise, revealing a squalid compartment with several humanoid creatures of different races, chained within. In front of each was an iron bowl containing a pool of viscous yellow-green liquid.

Some among them showed terror as the panel rose, while others had long been numbly consumed by despair.

"I call this game 'The Worms of Torment'," declared the Lizardman, its eyes instantly sparkling with excitement at the mention of its own game.

"As you can see, it's a downward sloping tunnel. The entrance is wide enough for a three-meter tall rock giant, but it narrows further in."

"And by your side are the gamblers who have wagered their bodies with me. They have been kept here, unaware of the details of the game or its appearance."

"You, dear guest, may choose a favored contestant. Once the game begins, the chosen will be placed in the tunnel, all lights snuffed out, and a giant Poisonous Spider shall pursue from behind. The wager lies in how far the contestant can venture into the tunnel."

The Lizardman eagerly continued to explain to Chu Xiu: "We've installed high-definition night-vision cameras at every corner of the chasm, allowing you to observe the contestants in the dark environment, where they can only move forward, not backward, in an ever-narrowing passage of despair."

"As the spider approaches and the tunnel constricts, they must endure fear and pain, squeezing themselves deeper into the void."

"It'll be announced to them pre-game that the tunnel has an exit, sparking a survival drive among these refugees — is it not tantalizing to see what power desperation can unleash! Admission for witnessing such a performance unseen elsewhere is merely three tokens!"

The Lizardman nearly leapt in excitement, for it, the thrill surpassed even Paradise Grass and far outweighed any worn enchantress in a brothel.

Even Chu Xiu was somewhat taken aback; as a Demon Cultivator, he had never imagined such a torturous amusement.

"So, does the tunnel really have an exit?" Chu Xiu asked, curiosity piqued.

"Of course, I cannot lie about the Rule, not even to these lowly refugees," chuckled the Lizardman. "But though it isn't a dead end, no one has ever passed it; the rock is solid, and narrows to just beyond head-width, folding upwards at the end. Meaning the contestants could only pass by breaking their spine."

"Naturally, they needn't reach such depths; entering thirty-seven meters already equals your victory, earning you five tokens, while reaching the fold means an additional five."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiu glanced downward.

As the tunnel sloped downward, its interior was fully visible, and the point at thirty-seven meters was roughly as wide as the shoulders of a seven or eight-year-old child — theoretically passable with a slender build.

But Chu Xiu knew the game surely hid numerous traps, having only one view, with many obscured spots within the tunnel; often, simple misalignment of human structures could trap someone without requiring significant narrowing.

While Chu Xiu deliberated, the Lizardman's voice rose again: "I suggest choosing a human; their will may falter but their skin is smooth. Additionally, extra tokens can buy them roller oil, flashlights, and other artifacts..."

"Why hesitate? Even in loss, such an enchanting showcase warrants the cost, no?"

Faced with the Lizardman's persuasion, Chu Xiu tapped his fingers lightly, seemingly awaiting something. After a moment, he chuckled, "I'll wager."

The Lizardman's eyes instantly gleamed: "Press the button before you to sign the wager; whom will you choose?"

"I choose..." Chu Xiu's finger swept over the naked refugees, each pointed at revealing terror.

Yet ultimately, Chu Xiu's hand swung to land on the Lizardman itself.

"I choose you."

The Lizardman froze, about to respond when suddenly from a ventilation shaft behind, shadows poured forth! In an instant, they solidified, converging en masse to shred the three Notaries near the Lizardman to smithereens!

The Lizardman shrieked in shock and fury, lunging toward the alarm, but before it could approach, a Fierce Ghost severed its legs.

Thereafter, the ghosts split into two groups, one searching the Lizardman's place, the other tearing open the steel plate, throwing the Lizardman into the tunnel, and releasing the cage-confined Poisonous Spider.

A spider with vivid hues of black and yellow stripes, triple the size of an adult's hand. Upon release, it crawled like a colossal hand, pursuing the Lizardman into the tunnel's depths.

Soon, anguished cries from the Lizardman echoed from the abyss, as Chu Xiu turned away from the casino without a glance back.

He held no interest in the Lizardman's fate, only curious about its tokens, having conversed so long merely to allow his ghosts ample infiltration time.

As for the pitiful refugees, he harbored no intent to save them, releasing them might only spell trouble for him.

However...

After final glance at the naked, caged refugees subsisting on liquid fare, Chu Xiu slightly furrowed his brows.

"Though I'm no benevolent man."

"I do feel..."

"This city needs my purification!"

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