Five people stared at their flowers, unease churning within them.
Their gazes flicked repeatedly towards Bai Youwei and Shen Mo's flowers. The pristine white lotus and the elegant peony remained almost perfectly preserved in their glass vases, a stark contrast to the others.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
Anxiety, impatience, jealousy, and unease clung to these individuals like an invisible net, suffocating them in its grasp.
Only when more people returned from the forest, their flowers withered even further, did the gloom in the eyes of the five dissipate slightly.
Among the third group to return, Zhang Qi's flower stood out.
He carried a vibrant green cactus, a golden flower blooming at its peak. Nourished by the entire cactus, the flower showed no signs of wilting.
However, Zhang Qi's hands were covered in scratches and bloodstains from the thorns.
Bai Youwei guessed that Zhang Qi must have encountered someone returning and, noticing their wilting flower, devised this solution. It was a clever improvisation.
Aside from Zhang Qi's, the flowers of the third group were severely withered, some beyond recognition.
No comparison was needed. A single glance was enough to determine the ranking. Bai Youwei and Shen Mo were undoubtedly in the top two spots, followed by the five from the second group. Zhang Qi's flower would surely be in the top ten as well. This left only two spots remaining…
The Overseer spoke cheerfully, "Now, please place your chosen flowers into the empty vases."
Zhang Qi placed his cactus in the eighth vase.
The remaining ten vases remained empty.
Those holding their flowers knew that once placed in a vase, they would face elimination.
Elimination from the doll's game never boded well.
Some began to tremble…
The Overseer's smile widened. Patiently, they repeated, "Everyone, please place your choices in the vases."
Still, no one moved.
Panic welled within Wu Lili. Her eyes darted between the others' flowers, silently comparing them to her own, trying to gauge her chances of securing a spot in the top ten.
The flower in her hand had withered, barely maintaining its shape, its color a dull, unpleasant hue. Of course, the others' flowers weren't much better.
She bit her lip and, steeling herself, raised her flower, preparing to place it in a vase—
Suddenly, a hand shot out, snatching her flower and ripping it apart!
The withered petals scattered.
Wu Lili's face contorted in fury. She whirled around, demanding, "Auntie He! What are you doing?!"
The middle-aged woman, addressed as Auntie He, ignored her, quickly placing her own flower in a vase.
Enraged, Wu Lili raised her hand to smash the vase but found that once a flower occupied a vase, the area became untouchable, as if shielded by an invisible barrier.
The sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
Wu Lili gritted her teeth, her heart filled with malice. With one hand, she shoved the bare stem of her flower into a vase. Then, raising the branch she used as a walking stick, she lashed out at the others.
Chaos erupted. Shouts and curses filled the air.
Some dodged, others retaliated. The island's lazy men, gossiping women, frail patients, and sly old and young—all transformed into enemies, engaging in a desperate brawl.
The empty glass vases shattered.
Wu Lili's branch had been snatched away. She curled up on the ground, bruised and battered, her head ringing, her body aching. She felt as if she would be beaten to death in the next instant.
Then, the blows abruptly ceased.
She opened her eyes and saw the lush lawn rolling up like a green carpet, revealing the damp soil and thick roots beneath.
The roots resembled pale, fleshy limbs.
Crimson gashes split the flesh.
And within those gashes were rows of densely packed teeth.
Between those sharp teeth were the swallowed remains of one person after another…