Chapter 45

Chapter 045: Guest Mode?

Why would those people give their Elimination Points to Huaxia?

Yan Cang was also a bit curious about this question, so he continued reading:

"As everyone knows, the Trial Ground's faction assignment is based on one's inner inclination!"

"This means that every Trial Participant has a certain sense of belonging to their own faction."

"So logically speaking, since our Huaxia is currently in first place with a massive point lead, it's unlikely that eliminated participants from other factions would choose to give us points."

"After all, that would be equivalent to making it harder for their own faction to win."

"But judging from today's ranking results, a small number of people still did it."

"This is undoubtedly puzzling, but the reason is actually quite simple, with only two possibilities: First, there are a very few who, after experiencing several days of extreme hardship, had a mental breakdown and developed resentment towards their own faction."

"The rest should be acting out of consideration for their own interests."

"Out of consideration for their own interests?"

"That's right, their own interests!"

"Rule Three: [While increasing points for your faction, you will also gain corresponding Faction Contribution]"

"Based on this rule, what can you think of?"

"Hiss... You mean, those 10 points that eliminated participants give to other factions also fall under the clause 'increasing points for the faction'."

"So, by giving their Elimination Points to Huaxia, they might also gain Huaxia's Faction Contribution?"

"Of course... I don't know either, the rules don't specify that much."

"But what if it works? Some people will definitely choose to take the gamble."

"With that said, could the reason the United States' points performed so stubbornly today, even surging to second place, be partly attributed to this—that many eliminated participants chose it?"

"Of course. Actually, it's not just the United States. Traditional powers or regional powers on Earth like Russia, who managed to hold their ranking or even improve slightly on today's leaderboard, probably benefited somewhat from this 'Elimination Bonus'."

"After all, a big name is easily 'casually' chosen."

"What about Britain? I didn't even see it in the top fifty of today's rankings."

"A strong country... Whether the 'Little United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Can't Unite Kingdom' still counts now is a matter of opinion."

"But after all, its ancestors were once wealthy, so it still retains some historical inertia and prestige. It's estimated that some eliminated participants would still choose it out of habit."

"It's just obvious that more people were eliminated from that faction, leading to a deficit and a terrible collapse."

"It seems Europe is used to a leisurely life. When real trouble hits, people run fast?"

"That's not quite right. What about France, which skyrocketed to fourth place today? Isn't that also Europe?"

"Ahem... Be precise! France is actually an African country."

"...The hell it's an African country!"

"Don't underestimate this point. France has deep influence in Africa, especially in West and Central Africa, with a lingering colonial legacy."

"It's estimated that many eliminated participants from that region subconsciously chose it in their final moments. A dying camel is still bigger than a horse; its ancestral assets can still pull in another wave now."

"Wait, if we follow the logic that 'elimination points might also earn contribution,' then doesn't that mean our Huaxia faction's extra points... seem a bit too few?"

"Other factions today—I roughly estimate they've eliminated seven or eight hundred million trial participants. That's a flow of seventy to eighty billion points."

"And yet we only got an extra hundred million points. Converted, that means at most just over ten million eliminated chose Huaxia?"

"But our advantage yesterday was so obvious even a blind person could see it. If people were betting on contribution, the proportion shouldn't be this low."

"Isn't it simple? The Trial Ground has twelve rules—not everyone has the memory to dissect and analyze each one thoroughly."

"True! People calm enough to figure this out probably wouldn't easily reach the point of giving up."

"Wait, so that means... we could take the initiative and try to persuade other factions to surrender?"

"After all, their chances of winning are slim. Coming over to us would also add points to our side."

"That logic is flawless, but the problem is—have you actually encountered any trial participants from other factions?"

"...No."

"It's not just you. On the entire Fate Net, no one has posted about meeting trial participants from other factions so far."

"This likely means that the Trial Ground, in its spatial allocation, separates different factions' participants into distinct, non-adjacent areas."

"Physically cutting off any chance of direct contact."

"That's actually better. Otherwise, the odds of fighting would be much higher than successful persuasion."

"Still a shame! Every time I think of those lost elimination points that could have flowed into our faction, I feel inexplicably pained, like I've lost a hundred million."

"Hey, about that... maybe we could suggest to Chief if we could bring other factions' people into the Fate Net?"

"Just give them read-only access to the forum, let them see our survival guides and mutual aid atmosphere, and then subtly hint... you know."

"Yeah! Just let them view the forum and the Trading House list, block all other functions."

"Then bombard them with information—attack the heart first!"

"Not bad, not bad. I'll immediately post a surrender-persuasion article on the forum, guaranteed to be maxed out on agitation!"

"Nonsense, stop it! Don't suggest random stuff like that!"

"If we mishandle it and backfire, letting other factions see we have such an incredible Fate Net, their mentality might shatter, turning envy into hatred."

"If they collectively funnel their elimination points to a single opposing faction, wouldn't that be a huge problem?"

"True!"

Bring trial participants from other factions into the Fate Net?

Read-only, no interaction... a guest mode?

Seeing this, Yan Cang fell into thought.

This idea was somewhat interesting.

As for the worry about a "united backlash," it was unlikely.

As long as they weren't given the right to speak.

Without the ability to communicate, it would naturally be hard for them to reach a consensus.

Granting "Guest Mode" to trial participants from other factions was indeed an unprecedented direction for expanding the boundaries and influence of Fate Net.

However, just as Yan Cang was following this line of thought, preparing to further deduce its pros, cons, and possibilities—

Buzz!

A new message notification came through on Fate Net, interrupting his train of thought.

The source was a merchant in the Food Zone: Chef Song from [Song's Delicacies · State Banquet Heritage].

"Dear customer, the Clear Soup Lion's Head and accompanying dishes you ordered have been prepared. The flavors are at their peak; please pick up and enjoy as soon as possible to avoid affecting the taste."

Yan Cang was momentarily stunned before snapping back to reality.

Oh, right—I haven't eaten yet, and I ordered lunch this morning.

He'd been so absorbed in watching the commotion on Fate Net that he'd completely forgotten about it.

How careless!

With that thought, he immediately switched out of the forum interface and completed the pickup in an instant.

The tantalizing aroma of that state banquet-level lunch, which had haunted his thoughts, seemed to drift faintly through his Mental Space.

Yan Cang quickly retrieved it.

Then, he devoted himself entirely to savoring the meal.

As for the concept of "Guest Mode," it was instantly cast aside.

"Anyway, getting other factions connected to Fate Net is still too early for now. I'll deal with it later."

...