I’m a Max-Level Taoist Master, and You’re Throwing Me Into a Rules-Based Horror Game?! - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Formidable Chosen One – Methodical and Clear!

[The Rules Bizarre World has commenced. Each nation will select one participant to enter the game world.]
[If the chosen participant dies, the bizarre world will randomly manifest in one of the nation’s cities.]
[If a nation fails ten consecutive times, the bizarre world will engulf the entire country.]
[The bizarre world is now opening. Current scenario: ‘Horror Tour Group’!]
[Current difficulty: Two and a half stars.]
[In this world, you will play the role of a tour guide. Maintain a clear mind to discover the rules and use them to survive.]

The familiar screen materialized before Zhang Yangqing’s eyes.

If he remembered correctly, he’d seen this exact display just eight hours ago.

“First you dock me for eight hours of absenteeism, and now you’re making me skip work again?”

His resentment was palpable.

Frankly, he couldn’t comprehend it. For smaller nations, back-to-back selections might make statistical sense.

But the Dragon Kingdom had over a billion people. Why him twice in a row? Was he really this “lucky”?

Well, since he was already here, he might as well get to work.

As Zhang Yangqing began searching for the rules, Dragon Kingdom’s audience erupted in celebration:

[This isn’t just a guaranteed win—it’s basically cheating. Hope Celestial Master Zhang scores another S-tier rating!]
[Can we negotiate with the bizarre world? Just let Zhang handle all future runs solo—spare us the embarrassment.]
[Look at his exasperated expression. Better not let him hear you say that, unless you fancy being struck by heavenly lightning.]
[I’d love for Celestial Master Zhang to rest too, but let’s be honest—nobody’s more qualified than him.]
[Been awake for two days fearing an outbreak. Now that Zhang’s in, I can finally sleep! I’ll catch the replay later.]
[Have you seen his effortless style? Dude could make a potato sack look regal.]
[If they’d just send transcendent beings like Zhang every time, our nation would be untouchable!]

While audiences debated, chosen participants worldwide scrambled to locate their rulebooks. Without rules, survival was hopeless.

Soon, Zhang Yangqing retrieved a Tour Guide Manual from his pocket:

[Rule 1: Check tickets when passengers board. Verify they aren’t carrying small animals—the driver fears them.]
[Rule 2: If passengers demand to stop for roadside meals, ignore them.]
[Rule 3: As a guide, you MUST fulfill any request accompanied by a tip.]
[Rule 4: Never disembark before nightfall. The bus is your sanctuary—it’s relatively safe inside.]
[Rule 5: Confirm your destination and ensure the driver stops there. Missing it has consequences.]
[Rule 6: You have an assistant. Trust her completely—she’ll aid you effectively.]

Zhang Yangqing analyzed the text. These were likely initial rules, since they didn’t specify victory conditions. Additional rules probably existed elsewhere or might appear later in the manual.

At two and a half stars, this scenario was tougher than the last. The supernatural threats here wouldn’t be pushovers.

He took stock of his gear: a professional suit, guide flag, ID badge, megaphone, wristwatch, and phone. Standard tour guide attire—if unusually well-equipped.

Other participants groaned about the lack of weapons, but Zhang remained unfazed. The station clock showed 11:50 AM for a noon departure.

After his last experience, nobody would mistake these ten minutes for a break.

Most participants suppressed their fear—panic got people killed in the first round. The boldest were already inspecting the station.

The setting oozed unease: a dilapidated rural stop seemingly on the verge of collapse. A black coach bus idled nearby, its driver slumped over the wheel.

Outside, thick fog reduced visibility to nothing. Despite the hour, gloom hung heavy in the air. Dampness seeped from the platform, carrying a bone-deep chill.

Who goes touring in this weather? some participants grumbled. Then again, this was the bizarre world—normal tours didn’t feature ghosts.

With its “Horror Tour Group” label, this scenario promised equal or greater danger than the last.

Few souls lingered—maybe three or four, none appearing to be actual passengers. Some were passersby; others sat reading newspapers with eerie stillness.

Attempts at conversation were met with silence. Worse, their sidelong glances carried disturbing hunger—or worse, pitying stares reserved for lambs headed to slaughter.

Sakura Kingdom’s celebrity detective, Mitaraishi Saburō, studied the bystanders intently.

His sharp eyes caught a critical detail: They’re not afraid of me. They’re terrified of the bus.

“The fog likely conceals threats,” he deduced. “Leaving the bus’s vicinity invites attack. That explains why Rule 4 calls it ‘relatively safe.'”

His theory came from observing how the fog thickened near its edges while bystanders’ gazes grew predatory.

Other participants noticed this too but fixated on an apparent contradiction:

Rule 2 says ignore passengers who want roadside meals, but Rule 3 demands compliance with tipped requests. Which is it?

Mitaraishi saw no conflict.

“Rules are warning us,” he murmured. “Accepting tips creates obligations—some deadly, some trivial. The key is discerning which tips to take. Refusing outright is possible but suboptimal, since tips likely have uses later.”

Sakura Kingdom’s viewers exploded with pride:

[That’s our genius detective! One glance and he’s three steps ahead!]
[This is overkill—sending a master sleuth to a 2.5-star scenario? Waste of talent!]
[SSS rating guaranteed. I can’t even imagine him failing.]
[How does he spot what others miss? Most participants are still clueless!]
[Average folks just survive reactively. This? This is next-level strategy.]
[Mitaraishi’s already lapping the competition before the starting whistle!]

Even Sakura’s expert panel breathed easier. With anyone else, they’d worry. But Mitaraishi?

Still, they remained vigilant—this run offered one phone-in support opportunity. Critical intel could be relayed, potentially gleaned from…

other nations’ exceptional performers.

Without exception, every expert panel worldwide had tuned into the Dragon Kingdom’s feed. Because the most exceptional performer of all was currently here.