"A gimmick, huh..."

Lu Ce wasn't in a hurry. In his view, this kind of rule was clearly more advantageous to him. If there was to be any disagreement, it should be easier for the gods' side to have one.

However, this rule made him feel that the side using life as a stake was definitely not some product of a weakened role!

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the Arbitrator and asked:

"Is the role weight of the player acting as the stake really less than that of the player?"

Glancing sideways at Lu Ce, He said nothing. According to the requirements of the Game, He couldn't say anything now. Of course, He also didn't want to say anything.

"I understand!"

And yet, after just a moment of eye contact, Lu Ce seemed to understand the other party's subtext, giving the Arbitrator a thumbs-up.

Arbitrator: ?

Then, Lu Ce turned to look at Xie Antong and delivered his conclusion:

"You go to that gambling table. I'll be your stake."

Xie Antong: !

Not waiting for her to object, Lu Ce explained:

"My brother here has given a very clear hint. This selection of people isn't random."

"Under pressure, your train of thought has already become muddled. This shouldn't be your usual level. Think, why must we choose the corresponding personnel here before the rules are even confirmed?"

Xie Antong was stunned for a moment. This angle of thought seemed to be something she had never paid attention to before.

Human attention can be scattered. The moment everyone heard this rule, their instinctive focus was on the concept of one player acting as a stake.

They wouldn't care about other minor details.

After Lu Ce's reminder, Xie Antong instantly gained some insight and said somewhat puzzledly:

"You mean, the selection of personnel itself is also part of the game's challenge?"

As she spoke, she stealthily glanced at the Arbitrator.

Did this guy just give some hint? I didn't seem to notice anything...

"Yes... the game has already begun," Lu Ce laughed.

"But, are you sure this allocation is correct? From a gambling perspective, don't you have an advantage against Them?"

As Xie Antong spoke, she also controlled an All-Seeing Eye, flying it into Lu Ce's ear, where it began vibrating to discuss topics only the two of them would know.

"Or is it... you need me to cooperate with something?"

Lu Ce shook his head and said:

"Because your ability can only be used at the gambling table. You simply don't have the capability to be a stake! Heh heh heh..."

"Although it's a game now, don't forget, before this, we have a one-to-one correspondence."

"I correspond to [Death], and you correspond to [Pleasure]!"

This correspondence wouldn't change within the game.

Xie Antong didn't speak anymore, only frowning slightly as she looked towards the two figures shrouded in Divine Power over there, who still seemed to be discussing something.

Among Them, would it really be [Pleasure] who comes to be the one at the table...

"Please both sides confirm your selections quickly."

As a referee, the Arbitrator stood somewhat bored, urging them from time to time.

The spectator stands beside them were already in an uproar, not understanding why the game before their eyes was so "plagued with disasters," with every step of the process seeming to involve some kind of game.

"Do they need to think for so long? Before, it was the game we couldn't understand. Now, why can't we understand what's happening even before the game has started!"

"What does 'part of the game' mean? It's just each side choosing the stronger one to be the player, and the other to be the stake."

"..."

The clamor of voices was unprecedented. This live viewing experience seemed to make the spectators' voices also constitute a part of the game.

Finally, the Arbitrator looked up again. He had already received the decision messages from both sides and looked at the four individuals before him.

"Confirmed?"

[Stop wasting words, they already confirmed it a while ago!]

"..."

"Good! Both faction groupings are complete!"

"Human side, gambling participant: Blank! Life stake provider: Sin!"

"Divine side, gambling participant: [Pleasure]! Life stake provider: [Death]!"

Both sides took a step forward. The two humans and the two gods faced each other. Neither side showed any sign of surprise, as if they had both known the other would choose this way all along.

However, the spectators in the Top Spectator Seats were all shocked. This grouping format could be said to be completely opposite to people's expectations!

In the understanding of all of them, surely the stronger one from each side would participate in the gambling, with the other directly being used as the stake!

Yet, [Death] and "Sin" should be the stronger ones in their respective factions! They were actually directly "eliminated" from this game?!

Even if the gods' side might have had a different discussion, how could the human side let their Strongest Player just sit back and watch?

The terrifying wave of sound forced the Arbitrator to infuse his words with Divine Power just to drown out their voices. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

[Troublesome... I'm starting to think these spectator seats are completely unnecessary. Before the game officially starts, can't we just mute all Their voices?]

The Arbitrator ignored [Pleasure]'s complaint, merely raising his right hand high and forcefully bringing it down!

"Good, both sides' selections have been confirmed. The game now, officially begins!"

Whoosh. An invisible wall appeared right in the middle of the arena, separating the "players" and "stakes" of both sides!

Lu Ce and [Death] were arranged on one side, watching as a classic gambling table appeared before their respective teammates on the other side.

The table was pitch black overall, etched with purple patterns, while the thick tablecloth on it had seven colors flowing across its surface.

"This decor style is completely based on the two of you, isn't it," Lu Ce remarked to [Death] across from him.

On the other side, [Pleasure] and Xie Antong glanced at each other, simultaneously stepping forward and pulling out the chairs in front of the gambling table.

The table was unusually wide. Normally, it might not be a place for just two people to gamble.

Boom!!

Before they could even think, a tremendous roar sounded from next door, like an explosion.

Looking back, they saw that on the side of "Sin" and [Death], a huge black box had slammed down, enveloping both of them.

"Next, the players acting as stakes for both sides will undergo life quantification, becoming the players' chips!"

The Arbitrator continued speaking, then waved his hand grandly. Before Xie Antong and [Pleasure]'s eyes, exquisite hourglasses began to materialize, though for now, the sand inside wasn't flowing down.

"A friendly reminder for the players participating in the gambling from both sides: your greatest weapons in this wager are your intellect and your thinking."

"But your thinking consumes your teammate's life!"