108: Chapter 108 Still Unlucky

Although the interrogation was unsatisfactory, these tangible gains were enough to make up for that regret and inject new resource blood into the further development of Lin Tian City.

He could already imagine these spirit crystals being converted into more soldiers, and these resources building a vast territory.

"Very good!" Lin Tian waved his hand. "Transport all the spoils, along with everything detachable and valuable within the tribe, back to the territory! The army will rest for a moment, and we will begin our return journey after noon!"

As the sun slanted westward, dyeing the clouds on the horizon a brilliant golden-red and orange, time quietly slipped toward four in the afternoon.

Outside the north gate of Lin Tian City, on the road leading to the Kamo Tribe, the last transport team slowly drove into the towering city gate.

Because there was so much loot, it had to be transported in two trips, and some troops had to be left to temporarily garrison and guard the now-chaotic ruins of the tribe until it was finally all moved just now.

Standing on the high platform in front of the Lords Mansion, watching the last cart of supplies enter the warehouse, Lin Tian let out a long sigh of relief, but there was little relaxation from fatigue between his brows; instead, a deeper sense of gravity and urgency gathered there.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched his shadow long. He knew that time was running out.

"Pass the order: no more combat missions will be arranged outside today," Lin Tian said in a deep voice to the soldier standing by his side, his voice clearly audible in the rising evening breeze.

"The soldiers currently in the territory are to return to camp to rest, check their equipment, eat first, and prepare for the night of the seventh day. Pay close attention to any unusual movements."

Sending troops out now would mean back-and-forth travel with little substantial gain, and it might instead tire out the troops and delay the important business of the night.

What he needed to do now, in these few hours before the beast tide arrived, was to convert all the day's gains into tangible combat power as quickly and as much as possible.

Every bit of resource could become a bargaining chip in the wall defense battle tonight.

On the open ground in the center of the territory, all the treasure chests harvested today were neatly stacked. On the left was a mountain-like pile of 150 black iron treasure chests, ancient and rough, emitting a dim metallic luster;

On the right were 15 silver treasure chests, which were much fewer in number but obviously more refined, as well as one golden Gold Treasure Chest.

"It is time to open the chests." Lin Tian rubbed his hands, a smile mixed with anticipation and helplessness appearing on his face.

Every time he opened chests, it felt like a test of his "unlucky soul" Physique, especially with the large base of low-tier treasure chests. "Let's start with these black iron ones; I hope they can add a few bricks to our city defense tonight."

Walking to the pile of black iron treasure chests, he communicated with the System panel in his mind and chose to open them in batches. To avoid blinding light, he only opened fifty at a time.

Hum... Hum, hum, hum...

Swaths of faint gray-black light lit up one after another and quickly dissipated. The process of opening the chests was without surprises, even a bit... "plain."

The first batch of fifty yielded mostly basic living supplies: large bags of coarse salt, bundles of inferior linen, rough pottery jars, and some pickled food emitting a strange odor. Basic wood, stone, iron ore, and a few blueprints: [Simple Public Toilet Construction Blueprint], [Bathroom Blueprint], [Basic Drying Yard Planning Map], [Large Cellar Excavation Guide]...

Lin Tian looked at these "gains," the corners of his mouth twitching slightly, and he shook his head helplessly: "Fine, at least it solved the brothers' problems of defecating, bathing, drying clothes, and storing food... although it feels weird."

He consoled himself, pushing these rough but perhaps practical living blueprints and supplies—which were obviously used by the Minotaur tribe itself—to one side.

Lin Yin, who was following closely behind him, swept her gaze over the "Public Toilet" blueprint. A subtle, indescribable expression seemed to flash across her cold face, but she immediately returned to calm, as if she had seen nothing.

The second batch... The third batch...

Obtained various living supplies and... wood × 10000 units, iron ore × 10000 units, stone × 10000 units.

"One hundred and fifty black iron chests: half are 'thoughtful gift packages' to improve people's livelihood, and half are 'resource packages' to solidify the foundation..." Lin Tian touched his chin and commented, "Hmm, very 'black iron,' very practical. At least I didn't lose out."

After dealing with the black iron treasure chests, he turned his gaze to the fifteen silver treasure chests lying quietly.

Theoretically, he should be able to get better things. He took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and chose to open them in bulk again, this time opening all fifteen.

Hum!

Obtained Refined Iron × 10000 units, stone × 10000, wood and iron ore × 20000.

"..." The air seemed to go quiet for a moment.

"As expected... I cannot escape the fate of an unlucky soul." He mocked himself in a low voice and shook his head; at least he had opened 10,000 Refined Iron.

"If you say it's good, Refined Iron is indeed a much-needed good thing; 10,000 units is enough for the Fusion Evolution of 10,000 Heavy Armored Spearmen. If you say it's bad... this drop rate and variety are indeed quite touching."

He smiled helplessly but quickly accepted reality.

After all, from a tribe like the Minotaurs that focused on production and actual combat, opening a large amount of basic resources and Refined Iron seemed reasonable; it was better than opening some fancy gadgets that were useless.

"Forget it, something is better than nothing. Refined Iron, wood, Ore, stone... they are all hard currencies that can be used."

After finishing with those "unadorned" black iron and silver treasure chests, the real highlight was still to come.

Taking a deep breath, he cast his gaze toward the Gold Treasure Chest that was quietly placed in the center of the desk, which was out of place with the surrounding environment and emitted a noble and restrained dark golden luster.

"A Gold Treasure Chest... that was not easy." Lin Tian muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the desk.

Since his Transmigration, after experiencing battles, the number of Gold Treasure Chests he had opened could be counted on one hand, and each one had brought a critical improvement. The one from the Secret Realm challenge was fought for, while this one in front of him was truly earned through a conquest.

In his heart, there was both anticipation for the harvest and a trace of instinctive anxiety when facing "probability." Who knew if the System deity would favor him this time or if he would continue to be an "unlucky soul"?

Walking to the treasure chest, he did not open it immediately but rubbed his hands in a proper manner, even closing his eyes and muttering:

"Heaven bless me, please open your eyes, treasure chest master, and give me something truly good; I still have to withstand the beast tide tonight..." That posture had a bit of the piety and comedy of a gambler before opening a dice cup.

Lin Yin, standing not far behind him, watched his childish behavior. The corners of her cold lips curved upward imperceptibly, and a faint smile flashed in her eyes.

She certainly knew the value of the Gold Treasure Chest and could understand Lin Tian's nervousness and anticipation at this moment.

She did not make a sound, just watched quietly, her hand holding the bow as steady as ever, as if her presence itself was a silent protection and blessing.