Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 128 The Eighth Rule of the Apocalypse

[The Eighth Rule of the Apocalypse Has Been Released]

[Apocalyptic Rule Eight: World's Number One]

[Rules: From the date of this rule's release, everyone can create any type of challenge and view and participate in challenges created by others on the terminal panel. Achieve and maintain the world's number one ranking on a challenge until the rule ends. This rule lasts for 15 days.]

[Success Reward: 400 Ascension Coins]

[Failure Penalty: Reduced maximum Mental Strength]

[Note: Have you ever imagined yourself becoming number one in a challenge with a specific scenario? Try creating a challenge that only you can completely defeat, or you could try taking the victory that someone else has set up.]

When the eighth rule of the apocalypse was announced, all the ascendants in the world were stunned.

Only achieving the "world's number one" result counts as passing?

Under other rules, there might only be one winner. But with this rule, because everyone can create their own challenge scenarios and content, everyone has a chance to become number one in the world by completing the challenge.

After a brief moment of astonishment, people everywhere began discussing it enthusiastically online or with others.

"Create any challenge you want? I'm good at eating cake, I'm going to create a cake-eating challenge and I'm sure I'll be number one in the world!"

"I'm good at daydreaming; I even won a daydreaming contest held by a shopping mall. If I create a daydreaming contest, I should be able to win first place, right?"

"You said you wanted to create a cake challenge. Once you've created it, I'll challenge the scenario you created. Trying to outeat me in front of my huge appetite? I think you're overestimating yourself. I can eat more cake in a day than you can in half a month, believe it or not?"

"Since anyone can create a challenge and participate in challenges created by others, wouldn't it be possible for everyone to pass if everyone just does their own thing, doesn't participate in others' challenges, and doesn't interfere with each other?"

"Just because you don't interfere with others doesn't mean they won't interfere with you. I think I'm pretty good at sprinting, I was number one in high school, but I'm no match for professionals. If I created a 100-meter sprint challenge, wouldn't the professionals just blew me away?"

"Afraid of competition? Easy peasy! I'm going to create an 'Eat Shit Challenge' and see who dares to compete with me!"

"Hey you up there, if you don't eat enough, I'll really compete with you. Making me lose mental energy is worse than making me eat shit."

"You guys are really perverted..."

Once Rule 8 was introduced, chaos ensued worldwide.

However, everyone's mood was visibly more relaxed.

The reason is simple: after going through the two survival rules, "Deadly Blood Plague" and "Silent Hour," everyone is exhausted, both physically and mentally.

Now, finally, the eighth rule is a non-survival rule that doesn't lead to death after failure, allowing people's constantly tense nerves to finally relax a little.

Although failure will still reduce the maximum mental strength, there is no danger to life. Moreover, everyone is very confident in these rules, believing that they can find a challenge where only they can win.

……

Post-Apocalyptic Rules and Countermeasures Research Lab.

Following the release of Rule 8, a discussion meeting on countermeasures was immediately convened.

Just like the relaxed mood among the general public, this meeting in the research lab was unlike the previous two rules, where everyone looked tense and worried.

Since the rules seemed relatively lenient and there was no danger to life, most experts attended the meeting with a relaxed attitude.

The only one who was serious and conscientious was Gao Liangwei, the person in charge.

Since becoming the head of the research lab, his expression has always been solemn during discussions, regardless of whether the rules are "simple" or "difficult." This time was no exception.

After the meeting began, the experts spontaneously started discussing.

"These new rules have finally given everyone a breather. To be honest, if another survival rule were added, I feel like a lot of people would have been crushed by the pressure."

"Yes. But the rules this time shouldn't be underestimated. Failing and losing mental power is no small matter."

"That's right. This rule seems to allow everyone to create challenges, but what challenges can most people actually think of? Food and drink skills, etc., may be unique within a small circle, but on a global scale, even the most niche skills will become common."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Today, the population of Beixing Kingdom is over 700 million, and the total population worldwide may be another 3 to 4 billion.

With so many people, even if you excel in a niche area, there will always be others with similar interests and hobbies, and their skill level may far surpass yours.

Therefore, it really takes a lot of effort to ensure that you get the world number one spot in a challenge.

“I think there’s one thing worth noting,” one person said. “Based on the previous rules, abilities and items related to mental power will be considered extensions of the ascendant themselves.”

Therefore, even if the ascendant doesn't possess any special talent that would make them number one in the world, but achieves it through tools or abilities, it will still be counted. The public can be publicly encouraged to try using their own unique tools or abilities to assist in designing challenges.

Dr. Zhang replied, "That makes sense. However, considering the distinction between 'superior' and 'inferior' abilities and items, there will likely be some overlapping challenges."

Another analyst said, "The troublesome part of this rule is the time limit. Not only do you have to create a challenge and become number one in the world, but you also have to maintain that position until the end of the rule, which gives others the possibility of taking first place midway."

Someone had a sudden inspiration and said, "What if we let everyone create their challenges on the last day of the rules, or even at the last minute? Wouldn't that guarantee first place?"

"What if the challenges overlap?" someone immediately retorted, "What if someone else has already created the challenge you're going to create? There won't be any extra time to adjust it."

"That makes sense..."

"I think there's not much our lab can do about this rule; it's up to each individual to discover or create challenges that suit them."

"Yes. And until the very last second before the rules expire, you can't be sure if you've got it all figured out. What if someone suddenly appears at the last second and snatches your first place? That's the most desperate thing."

“I remember my teacher saying when I was in school that every child, no matter how good or bad their grades are, must have some aspect that is unique in the world. If that were true, everyone would be able to pass this rule.”

Everyone smiled faintly upon hearing this, their faces radiating a sense of nostalgia.

Perhaps not everyone here had a wonderful student life, but compared to the post-apocalyptic era, even the worst of times can be considered a golden age worth remembering. In the eyes of the general public, those who think the post-apocalyptic era is good are probably only a tiny minority of misanthropes, ambitious people, anarchists, or those who find the real world boring and yearn for a fantastical new world.

At this point, Gao Liangwei, the person in charge, announced: "The focus for the next few days will be on collecting data. In addition, everyone should strive to meet the requirements of the rules. As experts in their respective fields, I believe that you should be able to take on challenges and achieve world number one in your fields without any problem."

Everyone nodded in agreement. They were confident in their own expertise in their respective fields.

Especially some physicists and mathematicians, the things they study in their professional fields are often unheard of by the general public, let alone competing with them.

……

Yong'an, Academy for the Development of Mind Power.

Normal classes resumed a week after Rule 7 ended.

Because the students of the academy are considered talents and the backbone of future society by the authorities, they are well protected.

Whether it was the first batch of professional-grade protective suits and oxygen masks sent under the Blood Plague Rules, or the first batch of officially designed anti-talking masks sent under the No Talking Rules... it all shows how much care they have for them.

At this moment, students and faculty members gathered in the auditorium to welcome the release of the new rules.

After the release of Rule 8, there was a strong reaction among the students.

"I love this rule! Finally, no one will die!"

"It's really quite good. The main problem is that the first two rules were too depressing; I almost developed depression from them."

"Me too... Do you guys have any ideas? About creating a challenge?"

"I don't seem to have any particular strengths. I plan to look at the challenges created by others first, and see if I can find any inspiration."

"I'm sure there are people stronger than me for every challenge I can think of, so creating this would be pointless..."

"I think we have to take an unconventional approach and create some disgusting challenges that nobody wants to compete with."

"for example?"

"For example..." the boy said, looking at his roommate next to him, "For example, how about we French kiss for an hour?"

"?????"

"That's right!" another person clapped their hands and said, "We can totally start challenges against the people around us, that way others won't be able to challenge us!"

"You mean I'll create a challenge, like the number of times I clap with you. I'll clap with you 100 times, and as long as you don't clap with anyone else more than 100 times during the rule period, I'm guaranteed to be number one in the world?"

"That's exactly what I mean! This way we can exploit the bug, right?"

"...That's true, but I still feel like it won't be that easy."

“You’re right,” the person in the front row turned around and said. “You’ll see when you try it. The challenge you create can’t include other people, and it may also mean you can’t specify a particular person.”

"what?"

"In other words, you can create a clapping challenge. But you can't specify which person you want to clap with? What's the point of exploiting a bug then!"

"Anyway, all the challenges I tried to create that specified a person's name failed. I could only create challenges without any specific person restrictions."

"Sigh... I thought I could get through this easily, but it looks like I'll have to go through some serious trouble..."

Although the students complained, they did not show much pressure.

Because their ability to enroll means that their mental strength is above 80 points. Even if it's just over 80, they don't need to worry about losing all their mental strength after failing a challenge.

Many students believe that even if they fail and lose ten or twenty points, they can recover them naturally later.

For them, there is no need to worry about their mental energy being reduced to zero or their personal terminals being forcibly shut down after failing a challenge.

While the students were discussing, the dean and the three lecturers around the podium were also discussing the rules.

The elderly dean, Zhou Qinfeng, whose hair was now completely white, said, "Teachers, you should all be able to easily get through this rule, right?"

Zheng Kexue, the lecturer in charge of the course "Research on Mind Power Items," nodded first: "I believe I have the most knowledge about mind power items. When it comes to creating a challenge similar to the knowledge of these items, I don't think anyone can surpass my information reserves."

Ouyang Shanyue, who is in charge of "Philosophical Reflections on the Power of the Mind," also smiled and said, "I am confident as well."

After saying that, he looked at Shi Jingyi, the youngest among them, and said, "Our master, who is highly skilled in martial arts, goes without saying. Just in terms of the application of mental energy circulation, no one in the world can surpass him."

Zhou Qinfeng and Zheng Kexue both nodded in agreement. They did not look down on Shi Jingyi because of her age. On the contrary, after spending time with her, they were both amazed at how quickly Shi Jingyi had mastered mental power.

Shi Jingyi said to herself, "There are mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people. Perhaps somewhere in the world there is someone who is more skilled in this than I am."

"Too modest..."

"Oh, right," Dean Zhou Qinfeng recalled something and asked, "I remember you said last time that you had found a teaching assistant for your course? Has this person not reported to the college yet?"

Shi Jingyi gently shook her head: "He has temporarily declined my invitation, so let's leave the teaching assistant position vacant for now."

Ouyang Shanyue was surprised to hear this: "They actually refused? It seems that the person in question must be quite an extraordinary individual."

Shi Jingyi smiled and said, "That's true."

　I'm busy today, so I'll have to post Chapter 12 later, probably close to midnight again...

　　However, I still need to stick to writing 10,000 words every day, even if it's just for three nights. I won't give up until I get the badge for writing 10,000 words every day for thirty days!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)