I Have a God Simulator

The Crawling Area was like a dense, dark forest. The Gods moved slowly through it, never knowing what the next moment might bring.

Since they could not change it, they could only adapt.

Against this backdrop of arduous progress, the arrival of a Titled Deity was actually an opportunity for the Gods.

When a Titled Deity expended Faith to kill one of the Gods, they wouldn't gain much Fire of Faith. The population they acquired would be nothing but backward, uncreative refugees; absorbing them into a Divine Kingdom would be a waste of resources and an added burden.

This population had never been through the Flying District. Taking them there would lead to heavy casualties, much like a deep-sea fish cannot survive near the surface.

To the Titled Deities, the Crawling Area was just a desolate, barren land.

Therefore, Titled Deities rarely appeared in the Crawling Area. Even when necessary, their commands would be carried out by their Subordinate Gods.

"…the appearance of Apostles or Believers under a Titled Deity usually means They are observing one of the Gods, or some special worlds."

Slime Mod said, "Lord God, you possess power comparable to a Main God. The appearance of the Sand Walker will motivate the Ghost God and the King of Bamboo Reed to put on their best performance. It's perfectly normal for them to form an alliance."

And the facts proved his judgment correct.

What concerned Luh Yao more was this: if they despised the Gods, why did Titled Deities like Golden Vault Star come together to harvest their Fire of Faith back then?

"Lord God, a single God is insignificant, but once their numbers grow, the Fire of Faith they hold is quite considerable. It's like a flock of chickens or sheep; if there's a simple and effective way to make them willingly offer up their Fire of Faith, that would naturally be for the best."

A smiley face appeared on the two green leaves on Slime Mod's head.

"The Gods will deceive themselves."

"When they hold a Titled Deity in extremely high esteem, they'll rationalize anything that God does. Without any complex schemes, they will offer up their Fire of Faith, deluding themselves for the sake of a non-existent opportunity."

Luh Yao couldn't help but think of lottery tickets.

It had taken him a lot of time and quite a bit of money to finally understand one thing: if you spend two dollars on a lottery ticket, it just means you're two dollars poorer.

And yet, people always bought them.

The harder the times, the more people need hope. A lottery ticket might not change anything, but it can provide a false hope.

False hope is still hope.

"There's a consensus among the Titled Deities: powerful strength and physiques are for display and Deterrence, not for use in combat."

"Unlike the frequent battles between the Gods, the Titled Deities as a class are exceptionally restrained. Even if they are completely opposed to each other, they rarely initiate wars."

the slime-like veteran Master said.

Luh Yao silently committed this to memory.

He raised a question.

How do Titled Deities typically make contact with the Gods?

Luh Yao needed to understand this point clearly to better handle matters concerning the Ghost Realm and the Bamboo Reed Kingdom.

"Lord God, on this matter, I have gleaned some understanding from several Titled Deities. Though the Deities vary in personality and style, they do indeed share some common traits."

Text slowly materialized in the dialogue box above Slime Mod's head.

"First, Titled Deities almost never take the initiative to recruit the Gods."

"The high and mighty Titled Deities have no need for the Gods, yet the Gods are extremely dependent on their protection and guidance. That is why they must never take the initiative to recruit. No matter how exceptional a God they might encounter, a Titled Deity will never make the first move."

"It's a posture that must be maintained from start to finish to make the Gods understand their place and status. A powerful Titled Deity doesn't need the Gods, but may grant some pity and appreciation. However, that is a response that can only be earned through the Gods' diligent efforts to follow them."

Slime Mod continued, "Furthermore, they are reluctant to reveal their stance or issue Oracles."

"Following a Titled Deity can be an extremely arduous path for the Gods, because the entire trial will be extraordinarily long. They never know when it will end, or if there will be a definite positive outcome."

"A Titled Deity will typically assign a task and then observe the Gods for a long period. This is both a test for them and a constant filtering process."

"The final point is: they do not object."

The leaves on Slime Mod's head swayed gently. "Whether the Gods take the initiative to offer tribute or bravely slay enemies on a Titled Deity's behalf, the Titled Deity will not object. This gives them hope and also represents the Titled Deity's benevolence and tolerance."

"After numerous trials, the Subordinate God desired by the Titled Deity will emerge from the final survivors."

Luh Yao felt something was a little off.

He frowned and moved the mouse to look at the text in Slime Mod's dialogue box again.

'Isn't this the so-called "three no's" principle?'

'Don't initiate, don't commit, and don't reject.'

'What the fuck!'

'So every Titled Deity is basically a PUA master.'

Luh Yao thought about it.

It seemed the Gods had no other path to choose.

To them, the Titled Deities were the best guides. Finding a patron meant they could avoid many detours and dead ends. After all, the Titled Deities had all entered the Flying District, making them the best role models to learn from.

Compared to the dangerous, jungle-like existence in the Crawling Area, becoming a Subordinate God—despite the exploitation and oppression—offered a path forward and a more concrete hope for advancement.

The paths to ascension were held in a stranglehold by the Titled Deities. The entire Crawling Area had fallen into a state of class stagnation, leaving the Gods with no other choice.

It was difficult to break the deadlock independently, unless one was exceptionally talented or extremely lucky.

Luh Yao asked for a specific strategy on how to handle the Ghost God and the King of Bamboo Reed.

"Lord God, you don't seem to want to recruit them to become your Subordinate Gods?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Slime Mod said, "Then it's simple. Have them pay tribute every hundred years, offering a certain percentage of their Fire of Faith. They will be very willing."

"Based on past experience, 70% is the best ratio. It leaves them with next to nothing, but is still a level they can tolerate and accept."

Luh Yao: "…"

'You guys are the truly ruthless ones.'

Luh Yao explained his own plan.

"A Ring Realm Group where the Gods gather? Truly a magnificent and grand project…"

Slime Mod pondered for a moment. "Lord God, the strategy you are building is beyond my shallow comprehension; I am in no position to judge. However, if you wish to gradually assimilate and tame these two Gods, you don't need to do much. Just continue as you have been. Convert the less useful Martial Cultivators into Sand Walkers and send them over."

"This will make them think the trial is still ongoing."

"As time passes, invisible shackles will bind them. The longer it goes on, the less they will dare to escape or defy your will. Fear and hope will entrap them further, which is also in line with the aloof style of the Titled Deities."

Luh Yao decided to go with that for now.

'I'll take it one step at a time.'

...

He switched his perspective back to the Yao Race World.

Previously, Nong Lei had said that the strongest weapon was the Black Rose.

Luh Yao recalled that in the Rose Kingdom, the Black Rose was also a taboo and a catastrophe—a dangerous species born from the union of other roses.

'How did Pinkman manage to cook up a Black Rose?'

In the Divine Valley's Rose Garden, a patch of black roses was currently growing. Other than their petals being pitch-black, they looked completely normal.

The Red Rose Envoy, Hongye, and the Yellow Rose Envoy, Huang Lie, stood guard nearby while Pinkman paced back and forth, looking completely frazzled.

Luh Yao clicked on a Black Rose.

...

[Assassin Black Rose LV6]

Life Value: 12/12

Mana Value: 5/5

Damage: 52

Defense: 0

Speed: 20

[Assassin Instinct]

Can discern the target's weaknesses to deliver a fatal strike, inflicting [Bleeding] and [Weakness].

[Flower Language Forty-Four: Black Withering]

Flower Language Magic. The Black Rose's petals pierce the target's body, turning into fragments that tear open the wound, causing massive damage.

[Range LV2]

...

Seeing these stats, Luh Yao blurted out, "What the fuck!"

'A LV6 Black Rose has 50 damage?'

'Its attack stat is just absurd!'

'Numerically, that's even higher than a LV40 Close Guard from the Mirror Country.'