After the land auction ended, the shelter could be freely traded.

Zhang Shichao bought a shelter using 12 Gold Coins as agreed earlier.

This way, each of the five players from Community 9 could get a shelter with a 90% probability, ensuring their temporary safety.

Even if their players were "implicated" in the next round, it would not lead to an on-the-spot death situation like Community 7.

After Zhang Shichao left, the people from Community 17 gathered to discuss their next strategy.

Zheng Jie sighed, "Community 7 is really unfortunate.

"Jin Cheng obviously didn't expect to be the first sinner announced.

"If she had anticipated this, she would have spared no cost to compete with us for the D1 Nine-Box Grid."

Li Renshu shook her head, "We would never have compromised. The first phase of the auction is essentially a 'game of who is unwilling to spend Gold Coins first.'

"Community 7 conceded for two reasons.

"First, in the first five rounds, no one was sure about the open sequence of the land plots. Jin Cheng mistakenly thought there would be more opportunities after giving up the D1 Nine-Box Grid, so her bidding was hesitant.

"Second, she didn't believe her crime would be announced in the sixth round.

"So it's fair to say that the 'sequence of plot openings' and the 'announcement of crimes' being entirely contrary to her expectations resulted in this outcome."

Fu Chen pondered, "Does this mean it's confirmed that the 'announcement sequence of sinners' is determined by audience voting?

"Because selling 'poor-quality shelters' to the audience directly harms their interests.

"So, they decided to first vote Jin Cheng out for punishment, to set an example and warn the Inner Court Players against petty schemes.

"After all, as long as the audience slightly adjusts the announcement sequence, they can sanction a specific community or player group.

"It's quite intimidating."

Cao Haichuan shook his head, "I'm afraid that's not it.

"If Jin Cheng's crime hadn't been judged, then the Inner Court Players might still hesitate when selling shelters.

"But since Jin Cheng's crime has already been judged, henceforth, everyone will just sell 'poor-quality shelters' to the audience."

The people froze for a moment, then suddenly realized.

Zheng Jie widened his eyes, "Because every crime will only be punished once!

"Since Jin Cheng's crime has already been announced, this means that future players won't receive any punishment even if they sell poor-quality shelters to the audience!"

Zhou Guifen was still a bit confused, "But, aren't the probabilities of shelters different? A 90% probability shelter can preserve 90% of the audience's visa time, while a 50% one can only preserve 50%.

"If you price a normal shelter a bit higher, won't there still be audience members willing to buy it?"

Zheng Jie explained, "Not useful, because the audience can't distinguish between normal and poor-quality shelters!

"Normal shelters can be listed at high prices, and poor-quality shelters can also be listed at high prices.

"So, for us Inner Court Players, selling normal shelters is meaningless, except for those few lucky audience members."

Fu Chen thought for a moment, "But there are only 30 audience members. If we sell normal shelters at normal prices, securing the safety of one audience member with each sale can't be entirely meaningless.

"Surely there's no harm in this, right?"

Cao Haichuan was silent for a moment, then shook his head, "It's hard to say."

Fu Chen was a bit surprised, "Surely selling shelters normally can't be considered a crime? That wouldn't make any sense."

Cao Haichuan didn't provide a clear explanation, only saying, "The harm may not only come from crime."

Li Renshu looked towards Community 7, "Jin Cheng didn't come to us for shelter trading; perhaps their community has completely collapsed.

"I'll go have a chat with her, see if we can stabilize the cooperation."

Cao Haichuan reminded, "But be mindful of your words. If they've truly lost all hope, there's no need to press; avoid saying too much and making things worse."

Li Renshu nodded, "Don't worry, I have a good sense of it."

...

Meanwhile, in Community 12.

Fan Zehui looked at the completed shelters, lost in thought.

He looked at Chen Guangming, "Are we really going to list them all to the audience? Not keeping a single one for ourselves?

"But what if the sinner announced next round belongs to our community? Wouldn't we be doomed?"

Chen Guangming firmly stated, "After seeing the situation in this round, I'm absolutely certain that my initial 'sure-win method' is undoubtedly correct.

"So the sinner announced in the next round will definitely not be from our community.

"We only need to do two things now.

"Firstly, build all current plots into poor-quality shelters as much as possible, then sell them all.

"Secondly, use Gold Coins as much as possible to bid for all the remaining plots, regardless of the cost."

Fan Zehui hesitated, "But you have no idea what the other crimes are. If we get implicated due to some actions..."

Chen Guangming interrupted him, "Fan Zehui, listen to me.

"Why have you always been losing since coming to the New World? Are you really dumber than others? No, your biggest problem is underestimating people's malice and not being malicious enough!

"In the 'Wealthy Dynasty,' why were you deceived?

"Because from the start, you didn't imagine the worst in others, so you were already half-lost at the outset!

"You only cling to the superficial game rules and never ponder deeper meanings!

"With a disadvantageous position, you rely on fate; with an advantageous position, you hesitate.

"When will you win?

"Tell me, when will you win?

"We had a deal, you'll follow my lead, and now we've secured the 'Privileged Community.'

"I can clearly tell you, we have no more options but this one!

"This game is about 'extracting more Gold Coins from the audience,' and every community must adhere to this rule, especially our 'Privileged Community!'

"Failing to do so means doom!

"Besides, I didn't reserve a shelter for myself, did I? If I'm not afraid to die, what are you afraid of?"

Fan Zehui's expression gradually became resolute, "...You're right, then we'll sell them all.

"How much?"

Chen Guangming had the answer ready, "16 Gold Coins."

Fan Zehui was taken aback, "That much? But we're selling poor-quality shelters.

"The rule mentioned during the sinner announcement states selling a poor-quality shelter at 15 Gold Coins is considered a crime, implying it's overpriced!"

Chen Guangming shook his head, "Not high, not at all.

"This round, we're eager to reclaim funds, so we sell at 16 Gold Coins. It won't be this price next round.

"Before the game ends, even poor-quality shelters will reach 20 Gold Coins, or even more.

"Don't you get it? Jin Cheng's crime being announced first sends a clear signal: selling poor-quality shelters at high prices will become a completely safe action!"

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