Once the jets screamed past, the crowd collectively let out a breath they hadn't realized they were holding. It was only then that Chu Xuan murmured, "Alright, everyone take a short rest. It's a good solid forty minutes of flight time to reach that island. After all, our cruising speed is still a good ten to twenty percent slower than the maximum speed of the hoverboards. Carrying the weight of four adult men, this slight speed reduction is tolerable. So, flying the six hundred nautical miles to that other island... it will take us a good few tens of minutes before we even spot it."

Only then did everyone finally let out a collective sigh of relief. The moment their tension eased, a bone-deep ache spread through them. That entire sequence of brutal combat, followed by the desperate dash beneath the waves—it had kept their nerves and muscles coiled tight. If anyone deserved the credit for sinking two warships without a scratch, it was Chu Xuan’s piloting skills after unlocking his genetic lock. Without that agility and sharp evasion, the sustained barrage from just one warship would have shredded them; no matter how powerful their firearms were, it would have been useless.

After several minutes of rest and relaxation, Chu Xuan finally spoke in his usual even tone. "Then, following our usual protocol, let's use this downtime to analyze our current situation and the Branch Mission rewards we've acquired."

Zheng Zha and the other two exchanged glances, undisguised joy flashing in their eyes. This feeling was simply exhilarating. Although the journey had been fraught with danger, moments where they teetered on the brink of annihilation—especially when they recalled those countless, colossal insect swarms capable of blotting out the sky—it sent a tremor of near-numbness deep into their very marrow.

"For the Branch Mission rewards, we have two C-rank Branch Missions secured. We earned 4,000 Reward Points, and sinking those two warships back-to-back granted us an additional 2,000 Reward Points. In other words, even without counting the points gained from killing the dinosaurs, we have secured two C-rank Branch Missions and 6,000 Reward Points... but at the same time, we were deducted 4,000 Reward Points. As of now, we only possess two C-rank Branch Missions and 2,000 net Reward Points..." Zheng Zha and the others had been listening with keen interest, but as Chu Xuan delivered his final sentence, all three froze, exchanging bewildered looks. Chu Xuan continued, his voice maintaining its unhurried cadence, "You all were too engaged in the battle to notice the faint chime from the 'Main God.' It just notified us that we caused a massive premature exodus of the ancient insects from Isla Sorna. We received a negative reward of 4,000 points. Fortunately, it was only a deduction of points. The Branch Missions remain intact, which is a blessing in disguise... and this is precisely what I need to analyze and discuss with you all."

"Altering the plot—or rather, changing the storyline of a horror film world to a certain extent—does not guarantee a reward for every modification. On the contrary, some changes can trigger chain reactions, resulting in punitive rewards from the 'Main God,' such as negative Reward Points... Furthermore, the previous notification referred to the total personnel of the Central Continent Team. It is highly likely that those three rookies will not survive this."

The three were momentarily stunned into silence by the news. After a long pause,

Zheng Zha finally spoke, "Don't we still have two Branch Mission objectives left? Checking the island from the first movie—it clearly doesn't allow them to participate. But the third Branch Mission should allow them to join, right? If we bring them along for that mission, I think..." Chu Xuan shook his head. "That is exactly what I need to discuss. Before saying more, let me summarize the approximate rules and patterns of the Branch Missions I’ve observed so far. First, the type we just mentioned: a Branch Mission will cause a change in the main plot, leading to unknown plot developments within this horror world. The greater the change, the greater the reward we receive. This could be a positive reward, or it could be a negative one. However, at the moment of completing the Branch Mission itself, we are absolutely guaranteed a positive reward from that specific mission; subsequent developments might draw negative penalties. This is the first rule of Branch Missions: the larger the subsequent plot divergence, the larger the resulting reward, whether positive or negative..."

"The second rule is: Greater risk yields greater reward. We can see this just from our infiltration of the research facility. We were unbelievably lucky. First, we had the advantage of timing: the insects were already in massive decline, and the number of those beginning to mutate was at its lowest. Second, we had the geographical advantage: we possessed fast transportation tools—the Green Goblin hoverboards. If we had relied on running on foot, or conventional transport, or even helicopters, we would have certainly been killed by the swarming insects erupting from the facility. That's the second stroke of luck. Third, we had the advantage of manpower. Aside from my ability to quickly locate the documents, Zheng Zha's combat prowess was essential to completing this mission. None of it could be done without the others; otherwise, even if we broke into the facility, we would have been slain by the drones and the Queen Bee inside... This establishes the second rule of Branch Missions: Greater risk yields greater reward."

"The third rule concerns personnel: The more collaborators required to complete a Branch Mission, the more personnel receive rewards. Have you noticed? When we finished the Branch Mission on the island, the notification listed only the four of us. But when the swarm escaped the island, the notification listed the entire Central Continent Team members. Coupled with the second mission you completed ahead of time in the Mummy world, remember the task to kill the Scorpion King? Only you received the Reward Points for that one; although I participated in the cooperation, I did not receive the reward for that specific Branch Mission. Therefore, the more collaborators required for a Branch Mission—listen closely—I mean the collaborators required by the mission, not forcing a dozen people to participate when only ten are needed. For example, if a Branch Mission can only reward a maximum of five people, but twenty members of the Central Continent Team get involved, only the five who contributed the most will be rewarded. It's that simple. So, the third rule, summarized: The more required collaborators for a Branch Mission, the more personnel receive rewards."

Chu Xuan’s voice remained calm as he continued, "Based on these three rules: One, the greater the subsequent plot change, the greater the resulting reward, whether positive or negative; Two, the greater the risk, the greater the reward; Three, the more collaborators required to complete a Branch Mission, the more personnel receive rewards. Based on these three points, the third Branch Mission is likely to offer very few rewards, and probably only one person will be eligible to receive them. For the three rookies this time, you can choose one to save, and whether that rescue is successful will depend on the amount of Reward Points available... My personal inclination is Luo Gandao."

Bawang and Wang Xia both looked toward Zheng Zha. The man was gritting his teeth, silent, the internal struggle so palpable that the two men beside him could feel it—a battle waged against his own will. While he dreaded abandoning any rookie, the pressure of the environment forced him to make the difficult decision a captain must bear.

Zheng Zha murmured, "Is there really no other way? Or is it true that only one of them can possibly live...?"

"There is another way. Analyzing the current situation..." Chu Xuan smoothed his wind-tousled hair, gazing at the nascent dawn slowly creeping over the horizon. He stated calmly, "If we return now to pick them up and proceed together toward the island from the first movie, I believe the first Branch Mission reward could be shared among the four of us. This significantly increases the probability that the reward personnel count for the second Branch Mission will increase. However, doing so... our hoverboard speed will drop to seventy or even sixty percent of our current rate, and maneuverability and turning speed will naturally slow down as well. That is the first factor. The second is: when facing mission objectives or actual combat attacks, can these ordinary, unenhanced, untrained individuals truly remain composed under pressure? Will they not become a liability?" He paused. "That is the only alternative I can devise. The choice is yours."

Zheng Zha knew Chu Xuan was stating an undeniable truth, but that truth was agonizingly difficult to accept. It was akin to someone suddenly telling you that you and two strangers beside you could only save one life; would you readily volunteer your chance to live for the others? No, impossible! You would fight desperately to secure your own hope of survival. That is human nature. No one can be faulted for selfishness or anything else, because if the roles were reversed and you were the one choosing who lives and who dies... would you choose to surrender your life?

Chu Xuan spoke with detachment, "...If you cannot issue that command, then I will..."

"No." Zheng Zha rejected the offer instantly. "I understand the responsibility of a team captain: to maximize the interests and lives of every member of our team. Moreover, the Central Continent Team is still in the process of revival, and the three of you have no further chances of resurrection. Therefore, I cannot gamble your safety for the security of a few ordinary rookies... It is a brutal decision. The original plan remains unchanged: the four of us will complete the second Branch Mission, and the third Branch Mission will be assigned to... assigned to Luo Gandao to complete. This is the order issued by me, as the captain of the Central Continent Team!"