73: Chapter 73 The Kill List of the Twelve Zodiac Animals

His voice suddenly turned cold.

Everyone involuntarily shivered.

"If you obtain a forbidden artifact inside, the Twelve Zodiacs will purchase it at ten times the market price."

"Ten times." He repeated those two words, as if trying to nail them into everyone's brain.

"But if anyone obtains a forbidden artifact and does not sell it to the Twelve Zodiacs, but instead sells it to another organization..."

His gaze swept across everyone's face like a cold blade, cutting deep enough to cause pain:

"The Twelve Zodiacs will place him on the kill list."

The entire room fell silent.

No one spoke, no one moved, and no one even breathed.

Kill list—those four words were more terrifying than anything inside the temple.

Anyone placed on the Twelve Zodiacs' kill list has never lived to see the next day's sun.

Never.

Wang Lin stood in the crowd, his fingers tightening slightly inside his pocket.

Kill list—he had heard of this thing.

The Twelve Zodiacs' kill list was one of the most terrifying legends in the camp.

Those on the list, no matter where they fled, no matter how deeply they hid, and no matter how many people protected them, would die.

Not assassinated, but killed openly and publicly.

The Twelve Zodiacs would use the most brutal methods to tell everyone that this is the fate of those who betray the Twelve Zodiacs.

Wang Lin had a faint feeling that this temple might be even more dangerous than Xingtian described.

Xingtian remained silent for a few seconds, letting those words ferment in everyone's minds.

"According to our judgment, the temple will open within three days."

"Inside, you can find teammates yourself, or you can go in alone."

"When the time comes, these babbling sounds will guide us to the location of the temple."

"Everyone, gather here in three days, and the Twelve Zodiacs will lead the team to the temple entrance."

"Once you enter, life and death are up to fate."

Xingtian observed everyone's reactions but said nothing.

He waited a few seconds: "Additionally, I must emphasize one thing: when the temple opens, it won't just be us, the Twelve Zodiacs, going in."

"Other organizations in the camp will also receive the news."

"As long as they have the ability to enter, they won't pass up this opportunity."

"After you enter, you will not only have to face the things inside the temple but also people from other organizations."

"Fighting, killing, betrayal... inside the temple, these are all commonplace."

"You have only one mission: survive. No matter what method you use."

After finishing his speech, he said nothing more and turned to walk into the mist behind him.

The crowd gradually dispersed, disappearing into the mist in twos and threes.

Wang Lin also turned and walked towards the inn.

The babbling sounds continued.

As Wang Lin walked, he suddenly stopped.

He realized that the sound didn't seem to be speaking, but rather breathing.

One exhale, one inhale, the rhythm slow and heavy.

Every time it exhaled, the mist grew thicker;

Every time it inhaled, the mist grew thinner.

It was breathing; the entire Mist Forest was breathing.

A chill rose in Wang Lin's heart.

Assuming this Mist Forest is alive... then...

At this moment, a voice interrupted his thoughts: "Brother Wang Lin!"

The sound of footsteps grew closer; it was Su Tang.

"Brother Wang Lin, shall we team up?"

"Two people are always safer than one! I can help you keep watch, help you scout the path, help you..."

Wang Lin interrupted her: "No. I'm used to being alone."

Su Tang's words stuck in her throat.

Her footsteps slowed for a moment, but she quickly caught up: "How dangerous it is to be alone,"

"What if you run into people from other organizations?"

"What if you run into monsters in the temple?"

"What if..."

Wang Lin stopped, turned around, and looked at her coldly.

Su Tang's voice grew lower and softer, until it finally disappeared completely.

"Alright then, take care, Brother Wang Lin. Good luck!"

She raised her hand, made a gesture of encouragement, and the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing a sweet smile.

Wang Lin didn't speak; he turned and continued walking towards the inn.

Su Tang stood in place, watching his back, the smile on her face slowly fading.

"Sure enough, he is a cold and heartless person."

Fifteen or sixteen years old, alone, no background, no backing,

and having survived the Twelve Zodiacs' selection process until now—this in itself is not normal.

Moreover, when she killed that man in self-defense, her technique was too clean.

It was a premeditated, one-hit kill.

That kind of technique is not innate; it is practiced.

Since when did he start practicing?

Ten? Eight? Or even earlier?

Wang Lin shook his head, casting these thoughts away.

No matter who she is, no matter what she wants to do, it has nothing to do with him.

As he is now, one-on-one, even against an LV5,

he can kill gods if they block him, or Buddhas if they stand in his way.

...

The next day, Wang Lin walked out of the inn.

At the inn entrance, Su Wan stood by the street.

Behind her stood two members of the Dark Blade, one male and one female.

Su Wan heard the footsteps, looked up, and smiled: "Good morning, Young Master Wang."

Wang Lin put his hands in his pockets and looked at her: "What is it?"

Su Wan didn't beat around the bush: "The commander would like to invite you to the Dark Blade for a visit; there is something to discuss."

"I won't go to the Dark Blade. Let's meet at the usual place, that Tea House."

Su Wan didn't say anything more.

Of course, she understood that Wang Lin had not yet let down his guard against the Dark Blade.

So she turned to the young female member behind her and said: "Go tell the commander that Young Master Wang wants to meet him at the Tea House to chat."

The female member acknowledged and quickly turned to leave.

Su Wan stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation: "Young Master Wang, shall we head over first?"

Wang Lin nodded: "Alright!"

The two of them walked through a few streets and arrived at the Tea House.

It was still the seat by the window, still that pot of Longjing tea.

Before long, footsteps came from across the street.

Captain Huo Xiao was wearing a dark jacket, his hair combed neatly, looking quite energetic.

No one followed him; he came alone.

"Young Master Wang, sorry to keep you waiting."

He sat down opposite Wang Lin, and Su Wan moved over one seat to make space for him.

Wang Lin put down his teacup: "Did you have something to discuss, Commander Huo?"

Captain Huo Xiao didn't answer immediately; he picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Young Master Wang, you've heard about the temple, right?"

"I have. It opens in three days."

"Yes."

Captain Huo Xiao was silent for a moment, then spoke: "I want to team up with you, Young Master Wang."

Wang Lin put down his teacup: "Why ask me?"

"In terms of strength, I'm only LV3. The Dark Blade has plenty of LV4 and LV5 members,"

"And Captain Huo Xiao, you are an existence at LV7. Any one of them is stronger than me."

Captain Huo Xiao sighed.

He had struggled and crawled through the camp for many years and had a clear understanding of the rules by which this world operated.

"Young Master Wang, you might think the Dark Blade is already very strong."

"An LV7 commander, LV5 and LV4 core members—in the camp, we can walk sideways, and no one dares to provoke us."

"But in front of those major powers... the Dark Blade is nothing."

"When the temple opens, that is exactly when those major powers will arrive."

"Every time the temple opens, there will be experts above LV9 leading the teams."

"A single power will have anywhere from dozens to over a hundred people, with every level from LV1 to LV9 present."

"Do you know why they bring so many people, Young Master Wang?"