Lin Sizhi paused slightly and then explained in simpler terms:

"Walkway just changes a few rules and inserts a few smart players; it's like the Emperor's 'death decree.' If you smartly choose suicide, the Emperor will spare your nine clans.

"If the Emperor's decree for your death isn't dignified, then the Emperor will ensure dignity for your nine clans together.

"If Walkway shows dignity to the Imitator by letting players kill the Imitator, then those in the same community who were colluding might still save their lives.

"But if the Imitator and the players from the same community insist on challenging Walkway, then it's uncertain what kind of monstrous players will be matched next time.

"Operating a black market isn't an idea exclusive to us; more than one or two communities have exposed Imitators.

"But so far, Community 1 is the only real exception that has established a black market and it was dismantled promptly.

"Do you think this is just a coincidence?

"As Wei Yinzhang said before, Walkway has a subjective will.

"Where do you get the courage to provoke a 'being with both subjective will and supernatural power'?"

Xu Tong was stunned: "But isn't our open discussion of the Imitator's rules also a provocation..."

Wei Yinzhang shook her head: "No, it doesn't count. Otherwise, I wouldn't share this information with you.

"I contemplated these issues thoroughly before deciding to reveal my identity, and only spoke because I believed the risk was manageable.

"Walkway has subjective will; many rules aren't explicitly stated, but that doesn't mean they don't exist."

Li Renshu nodded: "Yes, before the 'Matchmaking Game' began, Walkway also broadcasted about killing the Imitator in the game.

"Walkway claimed these rules had long existed, but most players hadn't noticed.

"That's why Walkway specifically reminded everyone.

"We can also speculate: Walkway has many rules, but will only reveal a small portion when necessary.

"For everything else, you have to guess.

"'Interpreting Walkway's intention' is also a necessary skill for surviving in the New World."

Wei Yinzhang continued:

"I think doing things within the rules is fine, or slightly touching gray areas is okay; but things outside the rules are absolutely forbidden, a forbidden zone definitely leads to instant death.

"In my judgment, the real forbidden zone collaboration between the Imitator and players has just one rule: the fairness of the game.

"If I tell you how the Imitator receives invitations or designs games, or explain games that have already ended, it doesn't affect the fairness of the next game.

"However, if I reveal rules in advance, or operate a black market, or if everyone designs the game together, it affects the fairness of future games, which is undoubtedly crossing a red line.

"Of course, the severity of different behaviors varies.

"For example, suppose the next game is a trial game targeting Dr. Zheng; as an Imitator, I could handle it in three entirely different ways:

"First, I see the invitation and immediately tell everyone, letting everyone design the game together, and then tell Dr. Zheng the details.

"In this case, Dr. Zheng would be absolutely safe in this game, and there would be no way to successfully judge him.

"This is undoubtedly the worst, as it's equivalent to repeatedly crossing the red line of Walkway.

"Second, I don't tell anyone, I create a trial game but reduce its difficulty, making it more likely for Dr. Zheng to pass.

"This behavior is fully permissible by the rules and poses no problem.

"But the chance of my plan getting selected will be considerably lower, and even if the difficulty is reduced, Dr. Zheng might not find a way to crack the game. So it's not absolutely safe.

"Third, I hint to Dr. Zheng to be careful recently and think about whether he has any guilty secrets.

"This behavior might be slightly against the rules, but it shouldn't be serious.

"Depending on the situation, I might use the second and third methods at most; as for the first method, I definitely wouldn't dare use it, and I'd advise against even considering it.

"Especially given Community 17's current favorable situation, with a death rate lower than the average, there's no need to court death."

Lin Sizhi and Wei Yinzhang's statements carried significant weight.

Running a 'black market' is an idea that would naturally occur to most players, as it can maximize safety and allow them to accumulate a significant amount of visa time from the game.

If successful, the New World would become a place with initially low death rates, perhaps even mostly safe, most of the time.

The desire for such safety is a deeply ingrained human instinct.

But after thorough analysis, everyone realized that doing so carries high risks, otherwise, Walkway would be a 'world filled with black markets.'

Because being an Imitator shouldn't be too rare.

After all, judging from the number of initial games and the invitations Wei Yinzhang has received, the communities Community 17 has encountered are no more than twenty in number, yet there could easily be more than twenty Imitators.

This means, on average, each community has at least one Imitator, maybe more.

And simply exposing one's identity as an Imitator doesn't seem to have very serious consequences so far.

However, the behavior of opening a 'black market' is very rare, indicating a significant gap—a brutal filtering process between 'exposing one's identity' and 'running a black market.'

If Community 17 engages in black market activities, regardless of others, Wei Yinzhang would likely die.

Because Walkway can not only force new rules into the game, but also match the strongest players to play the 'catch the Imitator' game.

Winning by luck once or twice might be possible, but it's likely to provoke a severe response from Walkway.

Then there would truly be no dignity left.

By not running a black market, you ensure Wei Yinzhang's safety, who as an Imitator can continually provide information to the community.

Even if she doesn't design any games, her value is significant.

For instance, she could reveal the type of the next game in advance or hint that certain people might face judgment.

Or, she could probe Walkway's attitude, judging the game's direction from the information Walkway sends to the Imitators.

These are tangible benefits.

Such behavior, while not greatly malignant, even if against the rules, can be immediately ceased upon a warning from Walkway, avoiding severe consequences.

But if Wei Yinzhang were to die, the players of Community 17 would no longer have access to this information, which would be a great loss.

It's not feasible to hope for digging up another Imitator from the game.

If a community has already descended into despair, with everyone running out of visa time and the death rate is high, opening a black market might be reasonable.

But Community 17 is nowhere near that point, with a death rate lower than other communities' average and remaining visa time higher than others' average.

If they open a black market and get caught, it would be truly unjust.

Li Renshu nodded: "Yes, I completely agree with this view.

"We must not run a black market, and it's best not to help the Imitator design games either.

"We should ensure the safety of Yinzhang, this lone seedling, and use the Imitator to confirm Walkway's direction, gaining some additional information; this is the long-term plan.

"Alright, today's review concludes here, everyone worked hard, go back and rest well."

Everyone stood up and returned to their rooms.

Wang Yongxin gave Wei Yinzhang a meaningful look, feeling somewhat conflicted.

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