Day One: The Scarlet Invitation
Qi Xia opened his eyes amid searing pain, the mixed stench of gunpowder and rust still lingering in his throat. He lay amid the ruins of Heaven's Gate Square. The wound where his finger had been was writhing as it visibly healed. This was his 73rd resurrection, and his last death had been barely ten minutes ago.
"Congratulations on clearing the 'Earth Serpent Game' for the seventh time." A man in a black suit offered him a glass of ice water. An emblem of the scales was engraved on his metal cuff link. "Lord Tianlong admires your resilience. This is your 'Invitation to the End.'" Qi Xia took the gold-embossed invitation and pointed...
