Chapter 803: Although the Lottery Price Didn't Go Up, They Never Said the Drop Rate Didn't Change

Chapter 803: Though the Lottery Price Didn’t Rise, They Never Said They Wouldn’t Tweak the Drop Rate

On the official website of *Wasteland OL*, the forum was as lively as ever today.

Especially a suddenly posted announcement, which instantly caught the attention of all players and cloud players, igniting a hot topic of discussion.

[Server Announcement: The "Heaven’s War" expansion pack has concluded successfully!]

[With the successive fall of the Torch Church’s research base and frontline positions, this battle determining humanity’s fate has ultimately ended in victory for the Coalition Army!]

[Thank you all for your active participation! Your heroic deeds have once again saved this decaying world!]

[Additionally, expansion pack points will be settled within half an hour. Please redeem your rewards and loot within seven working days!]

Quit Smoking: "6666!"

Tail: "Whoa whoa whoa! A-Guang is awesome! (?ω?)"

Silver Sword: "Holy crap! I actually have 600,000 points!"

Silver’s Dad: "Pfft, 600,000 points is nothing! I’ve got a million points this time!"

Thunder Law King Professor Yang: "Damn, watching you guys have so much fun makes me feel worse than losing money. (Crying)"

Tyrant Lizard Warrior: "Is there any kind soul who can mail me a helmet for free? I’m still a student, please. T.T"

Proud as Hell: "Damn it, is this garbage game ever going into open beta!? It’s already Beta 0.7 plus the Nth expansion pack! A scam! If it doesn’t go open beta soon, just shut down! Grr! (Angry)"

Irena: "Wow, someone actually got triggered. (Ridiculous)"

Elf King Wealth: "Getting cocky, two million points... Damn, expansion pack points are totally worthless now! (Crying)"

Teng Teng: "But the lottery is still 100 per draw, seems like no impact? 0.0"

Crow Crow: "The planner is way too kind! (*≧▽≦)"

Canyon Fugitive Mole: "Based on my past experience, you’re speaking too soon. (Ridiculous)"

Night Ten: "A-Guang: Though the lottery price didn’t rise, I never said I wouldn’t tweak the drop rate. (Ridiculous)"

Quit Smoking: "Holy crap! Withdraw that! Don’t let A-Guang see it! (Terrified)"

Fang Chang: "Relax, with so many points, no one can dodge this blade. Exchange for limited rewards while you can, or if all else fails, swap for titles. Spend the leftover points on the lottery only if you have to. No need to thank me. (Squinting)"

The entire expansion pack spanned over half a year, so the points players earned were naturally astronomical, no need to think.

Given the game’s near-real economic system, if rewards were still handed out at the generous rate of 1 point to 1 silver coin like before, the Alliance would go bankrupt on the spot.

But Fang Chang also noticed that recently, many mysterious auction items with absurdly high starting prices had been listed.

It seemed Brother A-Guang had already planned where to dump the over-issued game currency once the expansion pack ended...

...

The protracted war had finally ended, and survivors on the wasteland were celebrating this hard-won victory in their own ways.

The survivors of the Southern Sea were no exception; all thirteen islands plus one underwater settlement were decked out in festive lights and decorations.

Though not every survivor living here supported the Southern Sea Alliance’s involvement in mainland affairs, for most, the fall of the Torch Church was the true end of this civil war.

After all, every chaos in the Southern Sea had stemmed from the Torch, not to mention the blood debts they owed locally, including the "Ocean Current Power Station" and the "Golden Coast."

Now that the Torch Church was destroyed, for the survivors of the Southern Sea, it felt like a great revenge had been exacted.

As people celebrated this monumental moment, a grand press conference was also being held at the Presidential Palace on North Island.

Witnessed by a crowd of presidential officials, media reporters, and camera lenses, Li Minghui, seated at his desk, signed an executive order declaring the end of the wartime state, officially announcing that this righteous war had finally drawn to a close.

Everyone present wore expressions of excitement and relief, including Li Minghui himself, who had just signed his name.

He had waited too long for this moment.

Placing his pen on the desk, Li Minghui turned his gaze to the camera aimed at him and began speaking in a solemn, dignified voice.

"At this thrilling moment, I announce to you all, as the interim president of the Southern Sea Alliance, that our war has finally ended."

"We have driven out Charas and the Torch, achieved true unity, and finally grasped our own destiny."

"I am delighted to have worked with you brave, upright, and generous people. I believe our future will be infinitely bright."

"Our children will live in a new era of hope, not under the ambition of any individual or the fear spread by any organization."

Li Minghui paused for a moment, glanced at the cameras before his desk, and cleared his throat as if prepared, then continued.

"Additionally, I will announce one more important matter."

"Since this righteous war has ended, in accordance with our shared declaration, I will resign from the position of interim president."

The office fell silent for two seconds.

Surprise was written on the faces of everyone crowded before the desk, followed by hushed whispers.

Though expected, it all came too suddenly, leaving them almost unprepared mentally.

No one had anticipated that their president would announce something so significant on such an occasion.

But Li Minghui gave them no time to slowly digest this flood of information. He simply reached into his drawer, pulled out a pre-written resignation letter, and gently placed it on the desk.

"This is my resignation."

Hearing his voice, everyone finally snapped back to reality, and sporadic applause began to rise around them.

The applause grew louder, shifting from a light drizzle to a torrential downpour, filling the not-so-spacious office.

Basking in the admiring gazes, Li Minghui rose from his desk, smiled, nodded in thanks, and then looked at the secretary standing beside him.

"...As compensation for being the shortest-serving president in Southern Sea Alliance history, may I take this pen with me as a souvenir?"

The secretary opened his mouth, then nodded.

"Of course, sir."

He, too, had been stunned by the president’s unexpected move, only coming to his senses when the applause started.

Seeing no objection from the civil servant, Li Minghui gladly tucked the pen into his breast pocket. Then, noticing the pen holder on the desk stuffed with pens, he suddenly regretted it.

"I should have used a few more pens when I signed earlier."

The secretary coughed dryly.

"...Your name wouldn’t have needed that many pens."

Li Minghui paused, then laughed heartily to ease the awkwardness.

"That’s true!"

Due to President Li Minghui’s sudden resignation, the press conference, originally scheduled for only half an hour, was extended by another half hour.

Reporters from various settlements bombarded him with a basketful of questions about his abrupt move at the press conference.

To every question, Li Minghui responded with a smile.

At this moment, he was riding high, and rightly so—he had reason to be proud.

Taking command in a time of crisis, then stepping back gracefully after achieving success.

No matter what happened in the future, his name would be remembered as a legend in the history of the Southern Sea Alliance.

Watching Li Minghui wave under the cameras and applause, Si Wen, standing at the edge of the crowd and clapping, wore a complex expression.

As Secretary-General of the Assembly, he both feared Li Minghui's greed for power and hoped the man wouldn't leave the Presidential Palace so soon.

Though it sounded somewhat unreasonable, he was considering it from the standpoint of the South Sea Alliance's collective interests.

To be honest, the fellow wasn't a professional administrative talent, yet when it came to getting things done, he unexpectedly had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Few could excel on the battlefield while also making achievements in post-war reconstruction and a host of other issues.

Though there was an element of coincidence, the man had indeed accomplished this incredible feat.

First, through the labor export of the Brahmin Province, he made the infrastructure of the Northern Island take off like a rocket; then, with loans obtained from the Xilan Empire, he directly offset the South Sea Alliance authorities' mountain of deficits.

If only this fellow could hold on until early next year.

It would be best if, before his term ended, he could sign a few more big deals with Xilan, that place full of money and nowhere to spend it.

At least half the credit for the South Sea Alliance authorities still being able to pay salaries now went to this lucky bastard.

After the press conference ended.

Looking at the beaming President Li Minghui, Siwen stepped forward and gave a soft cough, a hint of reproach in his voice as he spoke.

"Mr. Li Minghui, I must say a word to you—you really should choose the timing of your resignation more carefully..."

Watching Siwen's deflated expression, Li Minghui felt an indescribable joy, grinning as he patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, my friend, I've thought it over carefully—this moment is the best timing! There's none better!"

Siwen: "But we've only just ended our war—"

"I know, but that's precisely why I should set an example," Li Minghui said, smiling as he looked at him, continuing, "My term ends only with the war. Since it's over now, I'll leave the rest to you."

Watching the man's exuberant demeanor, Siwen's brow twitched violently, but he could do nothing about it.

Yet no matter how he looked at it, the timing of the man's resignation was terrible, and Siwen could only grit his teeth and try to retain him.

"That's as may be, but I still hope you can give us a bit more time to prepare... at least until we've chosen your successor."

Li Minghui laughed heartily at that.

"Don't worry, a short time without a president won't cause any trouble."

Siwen stared at him wide-eyed.

"You say it won't cause any trouble..."

Li Minghui shrugged, still smiling as he continued.

"Of course, I'm quite experienced in this matter. After all, what you need is just a mascot sitting here drinking tea and reading newspapers—what difference does it make whether there's one or not? At least from my own feeling, it's all the same with or without me."

Seeing that the man didn't seem to be joking, Siwen let out a deep sigh, a helpless expression on his face.

"I didn't come here to hear you boast about how you slack off... Alright, let's get down to business. The Alliance's Administrator plans to visit the Northern Island soon."

"The Alliance's Administrator is coming?"

Li Minghui's face showed surprise as he looked at Siwen in astonishment, continuing, "...Why isn't he returning to Dawn City at this time? What's he coming here for?"

Ever since they met in Dawn City, he had wanted to invite Chu Guang to the Southern Sea for a visit, but the latter had never given him a clear answer.

Now that Chu Guang had taken the initiative to come here, he couldn't help but feel a bit flattered.

Watching Li Minghui's surprised expression, Siwen continued in a very soft voice.

"Apparently, it's related to an investment worth several billion silver coins... I'm not sure of the specifics, but according to the gentleman himself, he's here on behalf of the Alliance's people to conduct an inspection."

"Several billion?!"

Li Minghui's eyes nearly bulged out as he stared incredulously at Siwen. "Are you sure you didn't get the unit of measurement wrong?"

Siwen fixed his gaze on him, lowering his voice.

"How could I possibly get something this big wrong... Though it's indeed a bit hard to believe, that's how it is."

Several billion silver coins!

That was even larger than the Xilan Empire's procurement of warships!

And far, far larger!

Li Minghui's imagination suddenly failed him; he couldn't fathom what the Alliance had prepared such a huge budget for, investing here in the Southern Sea.

Siwen clearly didn't know the details either, just staring at him as he continued.

"In any case, this matter is crucial for both the Alliance's citizens and the South Sea Alliance's citizens. I hope you'll postpone your resignation for now, at least until this is handled... That's also the will of the Assembly."

Li Minghui was stunned upon hearing this, laughing bitterly.

"Come on, if it's that important, why don't you all just form a delegation to receive him? Why insist on me, someone who's already retired—"

Siwen coughed dryly, cutting him off.

"You haven't retired yet..."

Before Li Minghui could speak, Siwen quickly continued.

"The Assembly has decided. We unanimously believe that you, as the President of the South Sea Alliance and Commander of the Navy, are the most suitable person to negotiate this matter... Moreover, a stable South Sea Alliance can better inspire confidence in our partners and also appear more dignified."

Watching Li Minghui's dumbfounded expression, Siwen shamelessly went on.

"Though you've submitted your resignation, approval requires a process. In short... we'll temporarily keep that resignation letter for you. Just do us a favor and work a few more months!"

Li Minghui: "..."

Good grief.

Holding it up without approval, huh?

Back when he hadn't thought of resigning, these guys watched him like a hawk; now that he'd written his resignation, he couldn't even quit...