[...]

[You descend from your sword and gaze at the verdant forest before you...]

Lin Xun spent a considerable amount of time examining the ’Mysterious Forest’, but strangely, he couldn’t find any trace of the ancient tree people, not even a single small tree person.

The mysterious life-giving lake had also disappeared, along with the seedlings of the life tree.

The ’Mysterious Forest’ seemed no different from an ordinary forest, populated only by birds, animals, insects, and vegetation, with no trace of tree people.

He suddenly remembered the hint given by the underworld game when he entered the Chapter.

’Since you have obtained an ’SSS’ rating in the main Chapter of this egg Chapter, the relevant characters and events in this Chapter will evolve based on your progress, altering the plot to some extent!’

"So, even if I travel back to earlier Chapters, I can’t reclaim the rewards I’ve already received?"

Lin Xun thought that was very likely the case, and this was why the underworld game had removed the existence of related rewards.

The vast changes in geographical features between Chapter 323 of the main plot and Chapter 326 of the egg plot could have rationalized the act of erasing old rewards, according to the underworld game’s explanation to the Apostles.

Having confirmed that there were no previous rewards to claim, he had to reach Saint Lance immediately.

During the time he spent searching for these rewards, the number of candidates had reduced from 24 to 18.

Each deceased candidate has met the same fate as the previous ones, dying shortly after being revived as a Wandering Soul, resulting in the annihilation of the Apostle’s spirit.

According to information from Amos, the egg Chapter of the disciple’s election is always short.

The longest previous selection process took only three or four days, and in the shortest instances, the winner could be determined in just a day.

Hiding from other Apostles in ’Slaughter Mode’ isn’t the best choice. The only chance to be the ultimate winner is to actively seek out other Apostles and defeat them.

After an Apostle manages to defeat a certain number of competitors, the underworld game will provide a Slaughter BUFF to strengthen the Apostle’s abilities.

Deciding to hide in a corner will only increase the gap with the other competitors.

In the end of the egg Chapter, the underworld game would force all surviving Apostles to participate in the final event.

If someone decides to hide in a corner from the start and hasn’t acquired even a single Slaughter BUFF, their fate will be incredibly tragic once the final event commences.

[...]

[You reach the edge of the ’Mysterious Forest’ and look afar. A bustling and majestic town lies in the distance.]

[There are no impressive ’Graveyards’ on the way to ’Saint Lance’, the road ahead is open and unobstructed...]

Lin Xun didn’t choose to travel by flight, instead, he switched to the ’Master Ninja’ Shell for a stealthier journey.

[...]

[You gradually approach the ’Moonlight Town’ of ’Saint Lance’...]

[The moat outside the town of ’Saint Lance’ is crystal clear, sparkling under the sunlight.]

[On the flat metal drawbridge, there are many pedestrians. You also see many merchants carrying fruits and vegetables into the town on their wagons...]

[The most noticeable are the town guards in light armor collecting entry taxes from the entering travelers.]

[You remain invisible, blending into the crowd to enter the town...]

[Suddenly, you see a figure shimmering in red light, also trying to blend into the crowd to enter the town.]

[You have spotted the ’Unknown Apostle No.23’!]

[The figure, clad in a green embroidered robe with long hair draped over their shoulders and a sharp sword hanging at their waist, looks entirely different from the others.]

[Several guards stop ’Unknown Apostle No.23’ to collect the entry fee, but the figure in red light draws their sword without hesitation!]

[Blood splatters as the figure thrusts the long sword repeatedly, and the guards collapse one after another.]

[Ignoring the screaming crowd around them, ’Unknown Apostle No.23’ forcibly rushes through the city gate. After just a few dashes, the figure is about to disappear from your sight...]

[Will you give chase immediately, or choose to turn a blind eye?]

Lin Xun narrows his eyes.

He decisively chooses the ’Pursue’ option.

[You remain invisible, lightly treading on the ground with the ’Qi’ circulating within your body, chasing after the enemy.]

[The gap between you and ’Unknown Apostle No.23’ closes quickly. Just as you’re about to catch up...]

[A red light abruptly emanates from an ordinary farmer in the crowd on the street!]

[The ’Farmer’ suddenly appears behind ’Unknown Apostle No.23’, thrusting a dark blue dagger forcefully into the figure’s back!]

[’Unknown Apostle No.23’ stiffens, their face showing visible blue streaks.]

[’Unknown Apostle No.23’ falls to the ground powerless, their shell dissolving into tiny specks and vanishing...]

[Having struck successfully, the ’Farmer’ quickly melts into the crowd. Morphing into a ’Merchant’, the red light around them extinguishes, and they become indistinguishable from the rest of the people.]

[The ’Merchant’ pretends to flee with the terrified crowd...]

Lin Xun once again sees the ’Slaughter’ option flash.

There’s no need for an explanation — it’s the notification of ’Unknown Apostle No.23’s’ demise.

"Damn! Kill stealers!"

The ’Farmer’ who stole the kill was clearly another disciple elector.

Amos had provided information about this Apostle.

This candidate is a standout among those with Level 5 difficulties, possessing a unique ’Disguise’ skill that allows temporary transformation to blend into surroundings.