Ten Day Ultimatum

Chapter 317

Chapter 317 Odd and Even

"Who is it?"

The phone was picked up by a man with a sharp, cutting voice.

"Ah, hello, hello…" Chen Junnan greeted warmly. "We’re currently promoting a limited-time {life-staking gamble} event. Would you be interested in joining?"

"Not interested," the man replied curtly. "Who are you?"

Chen Junnan had more or less grasped the man’s temperament; unlike the anxious one from before, this guy wouldn’t back down under pressure.

"I…" He paused deliberately, then said evenly, "I’m the one staking my life against Terrestrial Snake."

"What?" The sharp-voiced man paused, then after several seconds of silence asked, "So that long pause earlier… was because of you?"

"Exactly," Chen Junnan confirmed. "I’m calling this time to confirm your stance."

"I see now." The man’s tone shifted, sharp intellect flashing through his voice. "So calls can be deliberately ignored… You want to know whether I’ll support you or Terrestrial Snake.""Yes." Chen Junnan nodded. "I want Terrestrial Snake to vanish completely from {End Point}, but I can’t do this alone; I need allies."

"Unfortunately, I can’t give you an answer," the man replied flatly. "I don’t want to get involved in the feud between you two. I just want to survive this game and leave with {Dào}, intact."

Chen Junnan considered this, then said, "In that case… you’d want to earn more, right? If we simply win, there are only forty-eight {Dào} to divide. But Terrestrial Snake…he’s likely carrying far more. If he dies—"

"I’m just an ordinary participant," the sharp-voiced man interrupted firmly. "I’m not interested in becoming a pawn in the power plays of people like you. No matter who I offend, it won’t end well for me."

"So, in other words… you’re neutral?"

"I'm not entirely neutral," the man replied coolly. "If anything, I lean toward Terrestrial Snake. After all, the {Earthly Branches} hold far more power than us ordinary participants."

"Got it…" Chen Junnan's brow furrowed. "Then if I ask you not to answer the phone later… would you agree?"

"No," the man said without hesitation. "Do whatever you want, but I will strictly follow the rules. As long as the phone rings, I will pick up."

"I see." Chen Junnan exhaled slowly. "Alright, I’m hanging up."

After ending the call, Chen Junnan turned back to the layout sketched across the wall, reviewing the arrangement one more time.

To the left of Xu Qian was the {Nervous Male}, and beyond him, the {Sharp-Voiced Male}.

With the {Sharp-Voiced Male} refusing to ignore any future calls, Chen Junnan's line of reconnaissance had hit a wall.

Still, the overall picture was beginning to take shape.

The identity of the person to the left of the {Sharp-Voiced Male} remained unknown, but it had to be a man. Further left sat the unmistakable {White Dress Female}.

Chen Junnan slowly ran his finger across the paper, drawing two question marks on either side of her name.

Out of all the participants, only the two men flanking the {White Dress Female} were still unaccounted for.

This meant {Zhong Zhen} was definitely adjacent to the {White Dress Female}; though whether on her left or right remained uncertain. What was certain, however, was that the two were now connected by phone.

With no better option, Chen Junnan had Xu Qian begin relaying the question once more, then settled into a tense wait for the current round of transmissions to conclude.

Minutes dragged by.

The screen in front of Chen Junnan remained dark far longer than any round before. Finally, it flickered to life.

"This is bad…" Chen Junnan’s eyes narrowed. The situation was beginning to spiral beyond his control.

"The verdict for this round—{True}."

Above, the sound of grinding chains echoed ominously as the giant sphere shifted with a heavy clang, sliding into coordinate {1}.

"What’s going on…?" Chen Junnan muttered, a creeping sense of unease spreading through him. The situation was slipping further and further from his grasp.

Another {True} verdict?

But that made no sense.

He was certain the question had been passed through at least three people to his left, and all three had most likely answered {False}. Adding Yun Yao and himself, that should’ve made five votes for {False}.

Out of eleven people total… did that mean the remaining six all chose {True}?

"That can’t be… What the hell?" Chen Junnan glanced to his right. The iron ball now lingered above the woman beside Yun Yao. Was she doomed?

"Don’t do this…" Chen Junnan stood abruptly, his chair scraping harshly against the floor. He looked around the sealed chamber in helpless frustration. "We’re running out of chances… We have to crush Terrestrial Snake…"

But his voice echoed into the void, swallowed by the cold, cramped room. No one could hear him.

Chen Junnan sensed that among the remaining participants, a powerful figure was already making their move.

This round’s recipient was {2}, the {Taciturn Male}.

Chen Junnan knew he was at position {-1}, dangerously close. Now that Yun Yao would no longer deceive him, there was a strong chance he’d finally hear the true question being asked.

Moments later, his phone rang.

His expression hardened as he lifted the receiver.

"What’s happening?"

"I’m not sure either…" Yun Yao said with unexpected calmness, "The girl to my right doesn’t seem likely to survive."

"Why are you so calm?"

"Chen Junnan… It just occurred to me," Yun Yao said. "I can’t die…"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you even realize how close that iron ball is to you right now?"

"It is close," Yun Yao admitted, "but that’s exactly why I’m completely safe."

"What…?"

Taking a deep breath, Yun Yao explained, "Chen Junnan, I’m at an even-numbered position. Right now, only those at odd numbers can die…"

For a moment, Chen Junnan couldn’t grasp her logic. He stared blankly at the layout chart sprawled before him.

"Even and odd numbers?"

He placed a finger on {1} and began counting aloud, slowly—one, two, drop… one, two, drop.

His eyes suddenly widened in shock. If the pattern truly was one, two, drop—then the iron ball at {1} would never actually reach Yun Yao’s position at {0}.

"What?!" Chen Junnan’s mind twisted in confusion.