The Chips at the Table Could Also Be Scooped Up While He Was at It

Countless pairs of metallic eyeballs emitting a blue glow suddenly rose from beneath the decaying leaves throughout the Sighing Forest. They pierced through the soil and emerged from the decaying leaves, mechanically rotating a few times before all looking toward the place where the contract had been recreated.

Yes, these mechanical eyeballs didn't care where the twisted python went. They simply sensed the reappearance of the contract and then emitted a ghostly light, pointing the way for the "companion" in the forest who was searching for the contract.

Sensing the convergence of countless eerie lights, over a hundred mechanical pythons, resembling twisting giant serpents, slowly crawled out from their slumber underground, hissing and writhing, seamlessly blending into the charging swarm of pythons, and raging towards the location of the contract.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Cheng Shi disappeared, but he did not return to the Void. Instead, he used the Dice he had casually hidden in the Fungus-Footed People to return to the tribe that was eagerly awaiting the return of the Divine Envoy.

When he and Hong Lin finalized all the details of the plan in the Void, the poor Fungus-Footed People abandoned in the Sighing Forest was never mentioned again.

Both of them tacitly skipped over them, because they both knew that in the face of Trials, the lives of NPCs were not important.

The sacrifices were sacrifices, and the deaths of hundreds or thousands of people have not caused a ripple in the past.

But Cheng Shi knew that Hong Lin was not a cold-blooded player. She thought of them, but she was too busy with her own plans to pay attention, so she chose to remain silent.

In fact, Cheng Shi himself had thought of them. They were a group of innocent lives and should not become victims of Experiment or gambles.

When faced with a choice between two conflicting options, Cheng Shi had no choice but to choose the lesser of two evils. However, if he could make a quick buck, he was willing to take what might become an extra Chip on the table.

So when he found the opportunity, he rushed back to take a look.

Cheng Shi wasn't sure if the Fungus-Footed People had already been exposed in the Sighing Forest the moment the contract was broken; nor was he sure if Eupusca had already slaughtered Fungus-Footed People in a fit of rage before guarding the spot where they disappeared when they ascended into the Void; and he was even less sure if the Fungus-Footed People had already been devoured by countless [Decay] Creatures when night fell...

But what if?

Clinging to this hope, Cheng Shi appeared in the main house of the Fungus-Footed People. He then saw countless trembling and terrified Fungus-Footed People circling the main house in circles, whispering prayers for the name of "Prosperity." The old patriarch stood in the middle of the house, holding a bright white lamp, constantly comforting these people who were gradually "withering" due to the "Decay" that had taken their place.

He said, "Divine Envoy will not abandon us. Amir's disappearance does not mean that He has withdrawn His forgiveness. This may be the fourth test, and the test is our courage."

We must muster our spirits, unleash the power of prosperity, and use our bodies and flesh to prove to our Lord of Grace that we, the Fungus-Footed People, are His most devout followers!

Even at the very last moment, we will not decay into Decay, but will remain the people of prosperity!

My fellow countrymen, never give up! The Divine Envoy is on his way back!

But this phrase has been repeated so often since nightfall that almost no one in the tribe believes the old chieftain anymore.

They believed that Amir's behavior had angered His Lord of Grace, causing Him to withdraw His protection. Without the protection of "Prosperity," the Fungus-Footed People were like rabbits thrown into the jaws of a wild beast, with no chance of survival.

The spread of Decay is not terrible; what is terrible is the Despair that is raging in people's hearts.

And just at that moment, Cheng Shi appeared!

He heard the old clan chief's trembling, hoarse voice fall to the ground, and as soon as it did, he shouted at the swarm of Fungus-Footed People before him:

"Praise to prosperity!"

All the Fungus-Footed People were stunned for a moment, and then looked up in disbelief at the Divine Envoy had returned, the bald man!

He's appeared again!

He appeared again when the tribe needed him most!

Cheng Shi's appearance instantly ignited the piety of the Fungus-Footed People. They were so excited that they didn't know what to do, and tears streamed down their faces in a frenzy. Countless people covered their mouths and noses, sobbing uncontrollably, and prostrated themselves on the ground, shouting the name of "Bald Lord" and the Divine Name [Prosperity], hysterically venting their fear and gratitude.

The old patriarch couldn't believe his own words were true. When he saw the Divine Envoy had truly returned, he collapsed to the ground with a thud, crying more mournfully and loudly than any of the other patriarchs.

"Bald Lord, you're finally back! He didn't abandon us, I mean it! He didn't abandon us!"

Didn't give up? Sigh, maybe.

Cheng Shi sighed inwardly and helped the old clan chief up from the ground.

The old clan chief quickly moved closer to Cheng Shi's face and asked in a low voice:

"Bald Lord, is this truly His test?"

Cheng Shi smiled and nodded, but what he said next stunned the old chieftain and silenced the thunderous cheers of the Fungus-Footed People, leaving all the Fungus-Footed People who had been shouting praises speechless.

He cleared his throat and called out in a mysterious and sacred tone:

"Next, you will face the fourth test: the courage to obey orders!"

In the time to come, may all His people...

Abandon resistance, embrace Decay, become part of this Sighing Forest, and with absolute obedience and piety, prove your unwavering resolve and... courage to return!

"Ah!!??"

"What!?"

"Bald Lord, is the oracle... wrong?"

"How could this happen... how could this happen..."

The old patriarch was also stunned. His mind was reeling, and he had completely lost the ability to think. After a long period of shock, he grabbed Cheng Shi's hand and said in disbelief:

"Bald-headed sir, we are the people of [Prosperity]. If we are exposed to [Decay] and do not resist, we will not become creations of [Decay], but will be completely consumed by [Decay] and die directly in this forest..."

Did He... ultimately abandon us?

Cheng Shi looked at everyone's reaction and sneered:

Do you know why your tribe was exiled here?

Because you failed to follow orders and deserted during the campaign against the "Decay," our great Lord of Grace has exiled you to this battlefield for eternity, to atone for your sins in the Sighing Forest of the enemy.

But He is merciful and still provides you with a refuge. However, as the trial is about to end, you will no longer be able to receive His protection. You need to prove your courage in this Sighing Forest, and the way to prove it is to firmly believe in the Lord of Grace's forgiveness and to firmly believe that prosperity will eventually come.

The moment you embrace Decay, He will protect you and ensure you never die from its Decay influence.

Believe it or not, the choice is yours.

After saying that, Cheng Shi took a few steps back with a cold face and retreated to a corner.

Countless Fungus-Footed People looked at the solemn-faced Divine Envoy, their hearts filled with unease and their faces filled with inexplicable panic.

The old patriarch's expression changed repeatedly. After glancing at the Cheng Shi several times, he finally made up his mind to accept the test.

"Fellow believers! We are the most devout Believer of [Prosperity]. We must have faith that He has never abandoned us!"

The arrival of the bald man is the best proof of this forgiveness!

Now that the test questions have been given, then...

Everyone, give up resistance and embrace Decay!

As soon as he finished speaking, the old patriarch severed his extremely weak "prosperity" power, allowing the aura of "Decay" to flow into his body.

Seeing their chieftain's reaction, the Fungus-Footed People outside the house, filled with fear and wailing, also gave up resistance, letting their bodies decay and age.

Just then, seeing almost all the Fungus-Footed People struggling on the verge of death, Cheng Shi, who had been standing coldly to the side, finally revealed a smile.

A playful smile.

Ah, your high and mighty Lord of Grace, I'm afraid he can't save you now...

But it's okay, Divine Envoy me.

Regardless of what kind of Divine Envoy I am, as long as I can save you, I am a good Divine Envoy.

Thinking this, he secretly picked up the Dice of Destiny behind his back, his lips barely moving as he softly murmured:

"The Lies Like Yesterday are ridiculed today."

Yesterday I deceived the Believer in "death," so today...

I am Believer in death.

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint green light gradually ignited in Cheng Shi's eyes. He looked at the prostrate crowd before him and chuckled softly:

"Today, my words are the Book of Life and Death in the hands of the King of Hell. Anyone who listens to me will not die."

I guard the gates of death for that the Great One, selecting the Sacrifice, and none of you will be offered to Sacrifice today.

I'm sorry I lied to you. What keeps you alive has never been "prosperity," but rather... the great "death"!

Let us praise that the Great One, and...

See you later.

With that, Cheng Shi tossed down a Dice, snapped his fingers, and disappeared again.