74: Chapter 74 The Human Heart Revealed

Lin Chen's words, "I was just playing a little joke," were like a thunderclap, leaving the entire square in dead silence.

One moment they were in a panic of despair due to "resource depletion," and the next they were told it was all just a test? The Fortress had ample resources? The Ghost Soldier Legion's fighting spirit was at its peak?

This massive contrast left everyone stunned.

Those who chose to stay and were already prepared to die were first stunned with disbelief, followed by a surge of ecstasy like surviving a disaster and an indescribable excitement! They had bet correctly! Their Master indeed had trump cards! They looked at the god-like figure on the high platform, their eyes filled with intense fanaticism and devotion!

On the other side, those who had received their "severance pay" and were preparing to flee froze in place as if a paralysis spell had been cast on them. The expressions on their faces instantly solidified, shifting from the relief of gaining "freedom" to extreme shock, confusion, then disbelief, and finally... a bone-chilling fear and regret that surged like a tide!

A joke? This is a fucking joke?!

Fatty Wang tightly gripped the pitiful amount of resources in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force. He looked at Lin Chen on the high platform, whose aura was as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain, then at the surrounding Ghost Soldiers with their blazing soulfires and murderous intent. His legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed. He felt like a complete clown!

Li Kui, the deputy captain of the Second Combat Team, had an ashen face and veins bulging on his forehead. He wanted to roar and question, but under Lin Chen's cold gaze, he couldn't even utter a single syllable, leaving only boundless chill.

More people looked ashen, their eyes filled with despair. They realized they had missed their last chance—no, they had made the worst possible choice!

Zhang Hao looked at the group of "flee-ers" below the stage who looked like they had lost their parents. The accumulated anger and disdain he felt finally found an outlet. He couldn't help but step forward, pointing at them and cursing loudly:

"Bah! A bunch of ungrateful white-eyed wolves! Fence-sitters! The Master just tested you a little, and you showed your true colors! When you were enjoying the Fortress's protection, why didn't I see you clamoring to leave? Now that you think the Fortress is failing, you run faster than anyone! Bah! Trash! Scum!"

His cursing was sharp and ear-piercing, lashing the hearts of those "flee-ers" like a whip, making their faces look even worse. Many lowered their heads in shame, but some also had eyes flashing with resentment and indignation.

Su Qingyu looked at these two completely different groups, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She felt relieved by the loyalty of those who stayed and saddened by the choice of those who fled, but more than that, she felt a sense of realization. In the face of an absolute crisis, human nature truly cannot withstand the test. Although Lin Chen's method was cruel, it was the most effective way to survive the apocalypse.

Lin Chen raised his hand, stopping Zhang Hao from further insults.

The square fell silent again as everyone's gaze focused on him, waiting for his final judgment.

Lin Chen's gaze, like a cold searchlight, slowly swept across the dense crowd on the right, which made up two-thirds of the people—the "flee-ers."

In his eyes, there was no anger or disappointment, only a high-and-mighty, all-seeing indifference.

"It seems the comfort of the Fortress hasn't taught you gratitude and loyalty," he said, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "You only saw the risks, but not the opportunities. You only thought of escaping, but forgot who gave you a safe haven."

His words were like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of every "flee-er."

"Since you chose to leave..." Lin Chen paused, his tone suddenly turning cold, like a Siberian cold front, "then, it shall be as you wish."

He waved his hand and gave an order to the Ghost Soldiers guarding the square:

"Open the Fortress gates."

"Let them go."

The Ghost Soldiers silently executed the order. The heavy gates of the Fortress slowly opened a crack with a tooth-aching creak. Outside was the apocalyptic wilderness shrouded in blood-red light and infested with Bizarre Monsters, filled with unknown dangers.

"No! Don't!" Fatty Wang was the first to break down. He fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing desperately toward Lin Chen, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Master! I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! I was blinded by greed! Please give me another chance! I don't want to leave! I'm willing to work like an ox or a horse to repay you! Please!"

With him leading the way, the other "flee-ers" also seemed to grasp at a last straw, falling to their knees one after another. Cries and pleas for mercy filled the air.

"Master! We were foolish!"

"We won't dare do it again!"

"Keep us! We will definitely be loyal!"

The scene became chaotic for a while.

Zhang Hao looked at these people who were arrogant before and humble now, spitting on the ground. "Now you know fear? Too late!"

Su Qingyu frowned slightly and looked at Lin Chen. Although she didn't sympathize with these people, expelling them all would be a significant loss of manpower for the Fortress.

Lin Chen looked at the wailing crowd begging for mercy, his eyes showing not the slightest ripple of emotion.

"The opportunity was given to you," his voice was cold, drowning out all the cries. "It was you who failed to seize it."

"The Fortress does not need wavering cowards."

"And it certainly doesn't need trash that can only share in prosperity but not in hardship."

His gaze turned cold as he barked at the Ghost Soldiers:

"What are you waiting for?"

"‘Escort’ them out!"

"Yes!"

The Ghost Soldiers responded in unison, their soulfires blazing brightly. They marched with steady, heavy steps, like a cold iron torrent, pressing toward the group of "flee-ers" kneeling and begging for mercy!

"No! Please, no!"

"Lin Chen! You can't do this!"

"We'll fight you to the death!"

Some cried out in despair, others tried to resist, but in the face of absolute power, it was all in vain.

The Ghost Soldiers mercilessly hauled up those who were limp or struggling, dragging them one by one like dead dogs toward the open Fortress gates, then heartlessly threw them out!

Cries, curses, and pleas echoed inside and outside the Fortress, intertwining with the faint roars of Bizarre Monsters from outside, composing a symphony of despair.

Fatty Wang, Li Kui... one by one, people who once held a place in the Fortress were now cleared out like trash. They were thrown outside, looking at the slowly closing Fortress gates—a symbol of safety and order—their eyes filled with endless regret and fear. They knew that without the Fortress's protection, their chances of survival in this apocalypse were slim to none.

In the square, only those who chose to stay remained.

They watched this scene, which was like a purge, their hearts filled with shock and an indescribable sense of relief. They realized more clearly that following Lin Chen was not just about survival, but a choice that required absolute loyalty.

Lin Chen's gaze finally fell upon those who stayed.

His eyes were no longer cold, but they still carried a scrutinizing look.

"You have passed the preliminary test," his voice softened slightly. "But that is not enough."

"The real test will be in seven days."

"At that time, I will need warriors who can die with me, not burdens who only know how to hide in the back."

His words made the hearts of everyone who stayed tighten, followed by a surge of hot blood.

"We will follow the Master until death!" someone shouted for the first time.

"We will follow the Master until death!!" More people joined the shout, their voices converging into a torrent that dispersed the previous oppression and panic, filled with the determination of burning their bridges!

Lin Chen looked at this group of people with firm eyes and usable morale, nodding slightly.

After clearing out the scum, what remained were the true cornerstones.

He turned, preparing to leave the high platform.

Next, it was time to deal with that "younger brother" Lin Tian, who had been locked up, and... think about how to gather the remaining nine hundred million plus nether talismans.

Now that the internal troubles were eliminated, it was time to fully address the external threats.