Chapter 407 Zhi Yuan’s Trump Card

Chapter 407: Zhi Yuan's Trump Card

"To be honest, I originally didn't intend to do anything, because I have a trump card that can win the game."

As Zhi Yuan spoke, the other players could already hear commotion and various sounds gradually approaching from upstairs. Those ghosts should be almost upon them, though their movement speed was much slower than the players had anticipated.

Upon careful reflection, Su Bai felt that most of the ghosts were in no rush. While they weren't just observing the show with no desire to hunt like the snake woman beside Zhi Yuan, their attacks weren't urgent either.

It was just that the "older brother" who had taken Ai Qing's face appeared irritable and volatile, leading the pack of all the ghosts, which gave the players the impression that the ghosts were being particularly aggressive during the treasure hunt.

In fact, Su Bai felt that whether it was yesterday's hide-and-seek game or this morning's treasure hunt, although the "family members" had certain desires and cravings for the human players, even if they weren't threatened by Su Bai like Xiao An, most "family members" seemed to enjoy toying with their prey as much as hunting them.

It was as if they knew what they wanted would ultimately be obtained. Except for Ai Qing's "older brother," the other ghosts took their time following the rules. Even when they encountered strong resistance from the players earlier, their descent downstairs remained deliberate, their steps never becoming hurried or chaotic.

"But I've noticed something different about this game compared to previous nightmare games. I'm worried there might be some unforeseen changes, changes that would require the combined efforts of all players to survive." Knowing time was short, Zhi Yuan began speaking faster. "So, I'm essentially testing the waters here."

"Testing the waters?"

"Yes." Zhi Yuan nodded with a cold expression. "I can show my hand, but I hope those two over there will also lay their cards on the table."

Zhi Yuan pointed a finger towards Su Bai, who stood beside the giant dog, and Wu Hang on the other side.

"Players with trump cards and confidence in winning the game are different from those on their last legs, no matter how they disguise themselves." As he spoke, Zhi Yuan's gaze returned to the nearby staircase entrance. "If everyone can share their plans, perhaps my earlier proposal to end the game early might just be possible."

"Next, let's take a look at the brick I threw out a long time ago."

As soon as Zhi Yuan finished speaking, the ghostly "family members" appeared at the staircase entrance, including those previously lured away by Liang Yuyan's straw dolls.

Just as Su Bai had thought earlier, those ghosts stood at the staircase entrance, looking at the players in the lobby as if gazing at cornered prey.

Because of Zhi Yuan's sudden statement, Su Bai glanced again at Wu Hang, who had been unusually quiet since their last contact. This guy had been keeping a low profile like Zhi Yuan. If Su Bai hadn't been paying attention, he might have forgotten his existence and wouldn't have noticed that although this guy was swept along by Tan Ying's ability like ordinary players each time, he touched down without a hint of panic. In fact, he maintained a perfectly calm demeanor.

Just as Su Bai was wondering what kind of inquiry he and Wu Hang would face later, all hell broke loose at the staircase entrance!

Under the gaze of all the players, a massive snake tail lashed out from behind the staircase entrance. Within seconds, the snake tail, which had lengthened considerably compared to before, had already coiled around the ghosts from behind as they watched the hunters.

Although the green snake tail had lengthened a lot, its owner was undoubtedly the snake woman beside Zhi Yuan.

That meant...

"Is the ghost beside Mr. Zhi Yuan... helping us?" Tan Ying's voice was also filled with surprise.

Su Bai also carefully observed the state of the other ghosts. Whether it was Xiao An, who was so short she was almost invisible, Wen Wen's "ghost mother," Li Feiwen's three-headed dog, or the other ghosts preparing to come to the lobby to hunt for "treasure," all were trying to break free from the tightly coiling snake tail.

Unfortunately, the snake tail didn't seem to be simply restraining those ghosts; it also possessed some power that prevented them from breaking free, making it impossible for them to escape.

"It's not harming those 'family members,' but it's rendering them immobile?" Chi Yan's tone was also surprised. He could even see the ghost baby, with its small size, unable to break free from the snake tail's restraint, wailing pathetically.

"What's going on?"

"Why is this happening?" Wen Wen's little brain couldn't wrap her head around it for a moment, but she soon seemed to think of something and looked towards Uncle Zhi Yuan, who had just spoken up suddenly.

The other players also looked towards Zhi Yuan's direction, as they hadn't yet forgotten that the snake woman was Zhi Yuan's "family member."

"Little sister." Zhi Yuan looked down at Wen Wen. "Your memory is good. Do you remember what the first rule the administrator stated when we entered the game was?"

"This hotel will provide guests with a week of relaxing and enjoyable accommodation experience and special activities. However, this is a family hotel. Please do not attend activities alone with a single ticket." Wen Wen subconsciously recited the first rule word for word without error. After reciting it, she still seemed confused, unable to connect the series of events with this rule.

"At the very beginning of the game, when the mist hadn't completely dissipated, I found a way to kill the ghost that appeared beside me." Zhi Yuan delivered this bombshell without expression.

"What?" Li Feiwen rubbed his temples. "But..."

"Please do not let your family members suffer any harm within this hotel. If a ticket holder's family member is injured within the hotel, the ticket holder will lose their activity eligibility... That's the second rule the administrator told us." Zhi Yuan's tone was very steady. "So, there's no rule stating we cannot cause harm to those things outside the hotel, right?"

"But the first rule states that we players cannot check into the hotel alone." Zhi Yuan continued. "So, I found another 'family member' for myself."

Zhi Yuan's gaze turned towards the snake tail restraining the ghosts.

"The snake woman's name is Xiaoqing. She was never one of the ghosts prepared for us by this hotel from the start; she is my partner." Zhi Yuan said with a cold face, then paused, his expression softening slightly. "Xiaoqing has been by my side for a long time. Calling her my family definitely follows the rules."

Su Bai admired Zhi Yuan, not only because he thought of replacing the "family member" with his own partner from the very beginning, but also because in this lifetime, Su Bai had grown accustomed to relying on the Evil Ghost Puzzle. It seemed he had rarely fought and racked his brains like a human would have to.

"Additionally, I'd like to remind everyone of the difference between this game and other nightmare games." Zhi Yuan added another point.