217: Chapter 217's skill is incredibly taunting.

"A stage?"

Chen You's brow furrowed into a tight knot.

He had long noticed that even in his main body's view, this skill was grayed out.

It was just that because he was in the training room, he assumed transformations were disallowed there.

He never expected it actually required some kind of stage?

The first thing he thought of was the throne inside The Path of the Monarch dungeon.

"Speak human language."

Chen You felt his patience being worn away bit by bit by this riddle-speaking NPC.

He directly displayed the "Honey-Coated Lips" title.

When Hill saw that title, a flash of indignation seemed to cross her eyes.

She then took a deep breath and spoke in a tone that stated facts plainly.

"It means that on certain specific 'stages,' such as when a World BOSS descends..."

"Or... when a Guild Territory initiates a Guild BOSS challenge, you can use Ruling the World to take its place."

"Take its place...?"

Chen You didn't react at first; he subconsciously repeated the phrase.

Then, his eyes widened in disbelief!

Wait!

Take its place?

Replace the World BOSS?

Replace the Guild's challenge BOSS?

This the hell...

Doesn't this mean I become the BOSS?!

If I become the World BOSS, do I still get the rewards for killing the World BOSS?!

Become the Guild BOSS and get swarmed by players from other guilds?

"Hmm?"

Chen You seemed to suddenly grasp a key point.

"What are the rewards for taking its place?"

Hill shook her head. "What you gain depends on what you can accomplish."

"..."

What he can accomplish... A thought instantly occupied his entire mind.

"Luck Siphon"!

That special ability from the final reward of the Monarch Trial!

So that's how it is.

It all connects now!

He previously thought it was just a small bonus for the victor, something like a stackable BUFF.

But now, comparing it with Hill's words...

A terrifying and exciting guess made the blood in Chen You's entire body begin to flow faster.

A guild is a collection of Civilizational Luck.

The Guild BOSS is one of the main ways a guild acquires benefits.

And by using Ruling the World, he can replace that BOSS...

Combined with Luck Siphon...

This is f***ing...

Isn't this the system authorizing him to openly rob the luck of other guilds?!

A scene already appeared in his mind.

Shadow of Roman or Titan Temple finally waited for the time, initiated the Guild Leader Challenge, and prepared to summon the BOSS.

Countless elites from the entire guild stood ready, the atmosphere solemn and respectful.

Brilliant light shone from the altar, and space distorted.

Then, with a "DUANG," he stepped out of the spatial gate, manifesting as the hundred-meter-tall Monarch Incarnation, wielding a greatsword, his body emitting nether ghost fire and thunder prison dragon's roar.

He grinned at the stunned players below.

"Surprise Mthrfkr!"

That scene...

Just thinking about it made Chen You shiver uncontrollably.

"You mean..."

Chen You's voice was slightly shaky.

He stared intently at Hill, trying to see any hint of joking in her expression.

"I can transform into their BOSS when other guilds summon theirs, and then... steal their luck?"

"Theoretically, you can indeed do that."

Hill smiled and nodded.

"..."

Chen You fell silent.

He sensed the malice the Source Realm held towards other guilds.

What kind of god-tier maneuver is this?

No, why would the Source Realm do this?

Once he chooses to 'descend' upon a certain guild, he might face the endless attacks of thousands upon thousands of players.

Although the Monarch Incarnation is powerful, it is definitely not invincible.

Moreover, there is no level balancing adjustment.

He might not necessarily win.

If he is successfully 'killed,' then the consequences...

"What happens if I am 'conquered'?"

Chen You asked in a deep voice.

"Will I drop a pile of equipment and materials like a normal BOSS? Or will the luck I painstakingly accumulated be harvested in reverse by them?"

This was the question he should be worried about.

If he lost all his assets, that wouldn't be exciting; that would be courting death.

"Neither."

Hill shook her head, giving Chen You an unexpected answer.

"You are unique, supreme member. The Source Realm cannot determine your 'drop list'."

"Therefore, if you fail..."

She paused, her azure eyes quietly watching Chen You, and stated word by word:

"The Mythical Skill Ruling the World will be permanently sealed, and your title Shadow Monarch Dai will also be stripped away."

"You will... fall from the throne."

Hiss—

Chen You sucked in a cold breath.

That price was far harsher than dropping equipment or gold coins!

This was directly kicking him off the pedestal and beating him back to his original form!

...

Twenty minutes later.

Qinling, White Jade Capital, Guild Management Hall.

This was also the highest command center of White Jade Capital.

Director Li Guoan, Zhang Yunhai, Sun Feng, and others had already gathered here.

Twenty minutes ago, when Chen You entered the territory and indicated via drone that an emergency meeting was needed, they rushed over.

During that time, Chen You went back and rushed through his 'dailies.'

He ran the Destruction Mode for the two dungeons once, reaching level 22.

There was also the supreme lottery draw, yielding a pair of Earth-tier boots—neither lucky nor unlucky.

When Chen You's figure appeared at the hall entrance, everyone subconsciously stood up.

"What happened? Why the rush to call a meeting?"

Director Li Guoan got straight to the point.

"We cleared a new Mythical dungeon; there are some new things."

Chen You wasted no time. He quickly recounted the entire process: clearing the dungeon, obtaining the Monarch status, enduring the bizarre trial, and finally acquiring the Mythical Skill Ruling the World and the Mythical Item Heart of the Monarch, detailing every single aspect.

The entire hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Everyone held their breath, afraid to miss a single detail.

When they heard Chen You had to play the role of the BOSS, everyone's expression turned strange.

Sun Feng, the head of the data analysis team, adjusted his glasses and was the first to raise a question.

"So, the restriction on Ruling the World is that you can't use it as you please, but must wait for the system to 'call you up' and transport you over as an event BOSS?"

"You can understand it that way."

Chen You nodded.

"This... doesn't sound like a good thing."

Zhang Yunhai, the tactical team leader, frowned.

"Sending yourself to the face of another guild to be a target? The key is, what is the benefit of doing this?"

"It can't be that the Source Realm officials think we have too much money and want us to experience the thrill of being swarmed, right?"

Zhang Yunhai's complaint voiced the confusion in everyone's hearts.

"There is naturally a benefit..."

Chen You brought up the hypothesis of Luck Siphon.

"Luck Siphon?"

Zhang Yunhai was first stunned, then his eyes narrowed, as if he instantly understood something, and his breathing became rapid!

He slammed the table hard: "I get it! A guild! A guild is the most concentrated manifestation of Civilizational Luck in the Source Realm!"

No one present was a fool; they had naturally grasped the key point.

A young researcher subconsciously muttered to himself: "This... isn't this a... Civilizational Plunder Permit issued by the Source Realm officials?"

Permit!

This word precisely summarized the terrifying nature of this ability.

This was no longer just PVP between players; this was war between civilizations!

Director Li Guoan, who had been silent until now, raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down.

All eyes turned to him.