Let me tell you something about gaming modes that truly test your strategic depth - I've spent countless hours exploring various endgame systems across different titles, and JILI-Money Pot's progression system genuinely surprised me with how thoughtfully it escalates the challenge. When you first dive into the game, you might think you've grasped all its combat mechanics, but the real magic begins when you unlock Hollow Zero. This repeatable roguelike mode completely transforms how you approach team building and resource management. I remember my first run through Hollow Zero feeling like being thrown into deep water without floaties - the transition from regular gameplay to this TV-confined battleground creates this fascinating tension where every decision carries weight.
What struck me most about Hollow Zero was how it mirrors Star Rail's Simulated Universe in concept but executes it with this distinctive flair that's uniquely JILI-Money Pot. Instead of freely navigating environments, you're constantly switching between these television interfaces that serve as your gateway to increasingly challenging encounters. The beauty lies in how the buff collection system forces you to think several steps ahead - I've found myself spending nearly 45 minutes on a single run sometimes, carefully considering each buff combination and how it might synergize with my team composition. There's this moment of realization that hits every player eventually: the combat you thought you mastered during the main campaign was merely the tutorial for what Hollow Zero demands.
The progression from Hollow Zero to Shiyu Defense represents what I consider one of the most satisfying difficulty curves in recent gaming memory. After approximately 25-30 hours of gameplay (depending on how thoroughly you explore earlier content), Shiyu Defense unlocks as this pure combat gauntlet that will test everything you've learned. I've always been partial to timed encounter systems - there's something about the pressure of beating the clock that makes victories feel more earned. Shiyu Defense operates similarly to Genshin Impact's Spiral Abyss in how it escalates challenges, but with this distinctive pacing that feels more methodical despite the time constraints. The first time I attempted the third tier of Shiyu Defense, I failed miserably - my team composition was completely wrong, and I hadn't properly accounted for elemental advantages.
What makes JILI-Money Pot's endgame so compelling is how each mode complements the other. Hollow Zero teaches you adaptability and creative problem-solving through its roguelike mechanics, while Shiyu Defense demands precision execution and optimized team building. I've noticed that players who rush through the main content often struggle significantly when they hit these modes - the game subtly prepares you throughout the earlier stages, but many miss the cues. My advice? Don't ignore those seemingly minor combat tutorials early on. I made that mistake initially and paid for it with multiple failed Hollow Zero attempts before I went back to properly master the mechanics.
The customization options in Hollow Zero particularly impressed me - with approximately 17 different buff categories and countless combinations, you can create builds that completely transform how your characters function. I've developed this preference for stacking critical chance buffs with elemental mastery enhancements, creating what I affectionately call the "glass cannon specialist" approach. It might not work for everyone, but discovering these personal strategies forms the core of the JILI-Money Pot experience. The boss encounters in later Hollow Zero stages will brutally punish any lack of preparation - I've faced bosses that took me nearly 15 attempts to defeat, each failure teaching me something new about team synergy and timing.
Reaching Shiyu Defense feels like graduating from combat school - it's where theory meets practice in the most demanding way possible. The mode's structure, with its escalating difficulty tiers and strict time limits, creates this addictive cycle of improvement. I've probably spent more hours refining my Shiyu Defense strategies than any other aspect of the game, and the satisfaction of finally clearing a tier that previously seemed impossible is unmatched. The community has collectively discovered that maintaining at least two properly built damage dealers and one versatile support character yields the best results, though I've seen some impressive solo clears that defy conventional wisdom.
What many players don't realize initially is how interconnected these systems are - your performance in Hollow Zero directly influences your readiness for Shiyu Defense. The buff combinations you experiment with, the team compositions you test, the boss patterns you memorize - all these experiences build the foundation needed to tackle the game's ultimate challenges. I've guided several friends through this progression, and the pattern remains consistent: those who embrace Hollow Zero's trial-and-error nature transition much more smoothly into Shiyu Defense's demanding encounters.
The journey through JILI-Money Pot's endgame content represents some of the most engaging gameplay I've experienced in recent years. While the path to mastering these modes requires significant investment - I'd estimate around 60-80 hours to feel truly comfortable with all mechanics - the payoff in terms of strategic depth and personal accomplishment makes every moment worthwhile. The developers have created this beautiful ecosystem of challenge and reward that continues to surprise me even after hundreds of hours. Whether you're a completionist seeking to conquer every tier or someone who enjoys gradually improving your skills, JILI-Money Pot's endgame offers this remarkable space for growth that few games manage to achieve.