Chapter 308: Choice

The crowd stared at the words in the pillar of light, and for a moment they were all stunned.

It turned out those treasure chests were not random traps but genuine rewards, only requiring one to claim them according to the rules.

And the person who rashly opened the Red Treasure Chest earlier triggered the death mechanism precisely because they violated the rules.

Of course, from another perspective, this is actually a test—a test of human hearts.

The fate of that greedy person just now is the result of the test.

"So that's how it is…" Ruan Qingtan murmured, "Fortunately we didn't act impulsively; otherwise we would have been the ones to die."

Lin Yifan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd:

"Now everyone understands, right? Choose the treasure chest that matches your points level, don't attempt a higher tier, or danger will follow."

Father of God scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "It seems I was lucky just now, picking a Green Treasure Chest; otherwise I might have…"

"Luck is also part of strength, and you're not just lucky—you also have caution," Lin Yifan smiled and patted his shoulder.

Although there had been many disputes with Father of God before, in the end they were merely verbal arguments, nothing substantial.

And his actions today still left a rather good impression on Lin Yifan.

So letting bygones be bygones with a smile is good for everyone.

Father of God, however, felt a bit embarrassed, reached back to touch the back of his head, and said with a full face of awkwardness:

"Mr. Lin, I'm truly sorry for what happened before. At that time I was thinking that everyone was just a Survivor on our own, only able to chat and trash‑talk online, so there was little restraint,"

"But in my heart I never intended to oppose you, and later many events made me realize you are a rare good leader."

"Anyway, today I apologize to you, hoping you can let go of past grievances."

Lin Yifan had already intended not to dwell on the past, so he smiled and said:

"Fine, let's not bring up the past. From now on we're all brothers, supporting each other and living properly is what matters."

After speaking, he turned his head and smiled at the crowd:

"Everyone, choose a treasure chest as soon as possible! Though the chance of danger here is low, not returning to the Initial Domain must make everyone uneasy."

"Also, be cautious, check your points carefully, and be sure to pick the matching chest. It's not easy to have survived this long; there's no need to risk a chest."

The crowd nodded one after another; with their lives at stake, no one dared act recklessly, and they began selecting suitable chests based on their points.

Green Treasure Chests were most numerous, and most people chose that tier, while few opted for White Treasure Chests.

Blue and Purple chests were taken by those who considered themselves stronger and with higher points.

As for the remaining Red Treasure Chest, it naturally belonged to Lin Yifan, but he had already taken one earlier, so he did not choose another.

Ruan Qingtan's points were just below Lin Yifan's; she hesitated, then said with some inner conflict:

"My points aren't low, but whether to pick this Red Treasure Chest leaves me a bit uncertain."

Actually many people are conflicted, because since entering here to choose chests they cannot view the ranking list.

That means no one knows their exact points or where they rank.

Moreover, there are only a little over a thousand here, but the original District had forty‑to‑fifty thousand people; now after merging districts, the total exceeds 60,000.

Even if some didn't take part in this Resource Struggle, the majority should have arrived.

And the Survivors Lin Yifan has encountered so far total no more than ten thousand; those who entered the tower together number at most two or three thousand.

Now there are still a little over a thousand here, but the living Survivors could not possibly be only these people.

In this world, what is never lacking are various serendipities; Lin Yifan has one, so others naturally will too.

Moreover, choosing a chest involves life and death, so Lin Yifan couldn't give Ruan Qingtan advice; he only patted her shoulder and said with a smile:

"Just follow your own feeling! In a place like this, you must trust your sixth sense."

Although the points can't be seen now, he roughly guessed the calculation method.

So by his estimate, Ruan Qingtan's points should be just below his, though he can't be 100% certain.

Gambling with one's life leaves no room for carelessness; thus, even though Lin Yifan had his own thoughts, at this moment he had no standing to decide for Ruan Qingtan.

And Ruan Qingtan at this moment indeed showed sudden resolve, turning to the Red Treasure Chest and laughing:

"I think my luck has always been good, and my sixth sense tells me choosing this chest is definitely right, so I've decided to take it."

"Little Ruan, you must think it through; this chest isn't to be chosen lightly—if you pick wrong, it could be fatal," Hong Shaoqiang, standing nearby, frowned with a worried expression.

"If it's fatal, let it be," Ruan Qingtan inhaled deeply, looked up at the dim sky, and laughed openly:

"Since arriving in this Ghost World, every day of living has been hard, and now it's getting harder; if we don't gamble once more, fight for a chance, we probably won't survive many more days."

"So far I haven't seen a Red Treasure Chest; though I don't know what's inside, it must be something good, so I want to gamble—if I win, perhaps I can rise from this point."

"If I lose, that's my fate; consider it an early end to this half‑life without hope."

After saying that, she walked straight to the chest, inhaled deeply, and reached out to touch it.

"Creak!"

The lid opened slowly, and a flash of purple light streaked through.

The treasure chest opened, revealing two items inside.

"Looks like equipment," Lin Yifan glanced at the chest a couple of times and said curiously.

But he had no intention of stepping forward to inspect, because this world has a special rule: unopened treasure chests can be claimed or seized by anyone.

However, once someone opens a chest, only that opener can take out its contents; even if you kill the opener, you cannot seize what's inside.

And after a chest is opened, if its contents aren't taken within half an hour, both the chest and its items will disappear.