114: Ten Billion Zombie Trial

“Oh? Then please, Mr. Mo, do tell,” Pan Han said, his interest piqued by Mo Li's words.

“First, this Billion Zombie Trial truly has a billion!” Mo Li began by explaining the numbers.

Everyone was astonished, realizing this was a major bombshell right from the start.

Where did the Twelve Palaces, those twisted individuals, get a billion zombies?

“Excuse me, I've only heard of a billion subsidies, not a billion zombies,” Pan Han almost pulled out his phone to show them Pinduoduo.

“Haha, I didn’t expect you to be so humorous,” Mo Li was amused by him.

“Mr. Mo, you just said that this world is already finished. Why be so bitter? Right, have one of these!” Pan Han pulled out another box of cigars, offered one to Mo Li, and distributed them to everyone else.

“I didn’t expect Lord Pan to even have cigars. Truly a hero in his youth!” Mo Li said, suddenly, while toying with the cigar.

You see, as long as it's thick enough, it's bound to get good reviews! I've been upgraded to a hero in the blink of an eye, Pan Han thought, feeling smug.

“Mr. Mo, do you like cigars?” Pan Han quickly pressed his advantage, though his inner monologue was: You want it, you want it, just say so.

“I wouldn’t say I like them, just that I’ve studied them a bit. Unfortunately, I haven’t come across them in recent years,” Mo Li said with a touch of melancholy.

“Cheng Xiao, go get a box for Mr. Mo.”

“Yes, Master.” Cheng Xiao turned and headed straight for the second floor.

“Lord Pan, how can I accept this?”

“Mr. Mo, please continue.”

“Alright, then I thank Lord Pan.” Mo Li took a puff of his cigar and continued his narration.

“Our Twelve Palaces have indeed gathered quite a few small base lords and some experts in recent years. It’s just that the higher-ups found it uninteresting and wanted to make some changes.”

“Oh? What changes?”

“I’m sure everyone knows that to obtain an Intermediate Evolution Potion, one must first drink a Slave Potion and sign a life-and-death contract with the Twelve Palaces.”

“That’s right,” everyone nodded in agreement.

“But doing so has both pros and cons. Firstly, becoming a slave is indeed very safe for us, but it lacks creativity. Currently, the entire world is basically under the control of the Twelve Palaces. However, from a long-term perspective, slavery has no future.”

“Wow, for you, as beneficiaries, to see this far is truly remarkable,” Pan Han couldn't help but exclaim.

Mo Li smiled faintly, not responding, but continued: “Secondly, there are always some talented individuals in this world who are unwilling to become slaves. And the heights these people can reach if they consume an Intermediate Evolution Potion are incomparable to those who evolve simply for the sake of evolution.”

“That makes sense, Mr. Mo, please continue.”

“We’ve also observed recently that some people exploit loopholes to become Intermediate Evolvers. They simply curry favor with our Twelve Palaces. This has led to the quality of the recent batches of Intermediate Evolvers being significantly lower than the early ones.”

“Exactly, some people just rely on violent plunder, then offer it to you in exchange for potions,” Qin Laoda couldn't help but say, as he had witnessed such incidents several times.

“Therefore, our higher-ups have decided it's time for a change. This time, we plan to recruit a group of capable young people and invite them to a Trial. If successful, they can obtain an Intermediate Evolution Potion and will not need to become slaves,” Mo Li said, his expression serious and his gaze piercing.

“You’re trying to overturn your own table!” Pan Han mused.

“One cannot say that. More accurately, it should be creating a new type of cooperative relationship and governance model. After all, even though this world is nearing its end, no one wants it to end in their own hands, right?”

“You see, this is what you call professionalism!” Pan Han turned his gaze to everyone.

After listening, everyone also felt that this plan was indeed very forward-thinking and required the determination to break the existing ecological balance.

“Lord Pan is joking. I’ll continue. The Twelve Palaces spent three full years transforming a super-large city into a Trial ground. They also rounded up a billion zombies to set up the challenges. At that time, invited candidates will go there to undergo the challenge. Ultimately, 12 individuals will be selected and granted an Intermediate Evolution Potion.”

“What is the danger level of this challenge?”

“Based on the danger level, it can be divided into four grades: Easy, Normal, Difficult, and Hell. However, at every level, people may die,” Mo Li further explained.

“Do they die if they fail?”

“No, that won’t happen. We won’t set up a death trap; as long as you forfeit midway, we will send someone to pick you up. However, if candidates directly sabotage each other, then it’s hard to say.”

“It sounds both exciting and dangerous.”

“Lord Pan might not yet know the power of the Intermediate Potion. I already told Qin Zhong about it yesterday,” Mo Li said, realizing Pan Han was intrigued.

“Mm, I have a general understanding.”

“Mr. Mo, please, what kind of person is qualified to participate in the Trial?” Old Six, having patiently listened for a long time, finally couldn't help but ask.

“Old Six, this Trial is by invitation only. In your base, only Lord Pan is qualified to go.”

“Ah? I wanted to try it too.” Upon hearing it was invitation-only, Old Six deflated like a punctured balloon.

“Old Six, don’t be discouraged. This is only the first Trial; maybe it will be opened up later,” Old Three comforted Old Six.

“Then, what are the consequences if one doesn’t go?” Pan Han wanted to ask about all the details.

“There are no consequences for not going. It just means you’ll never get an Intermediate Potion in this life. If by some chance you miraculously obtain one and the Twelve Palaces find out, they will hunt you down until you die.”

“Jianghu Assassination Order?”

“Jianghu Pursuit Order!”

“See, this is what you call professionalism!” Pan Han exclaimed, a million alpacas stampeding through his mind, yet he humorously joked to everyone.

Everyone heard this and felt that the Twelve Palaces' actions were truly meticulous, combining both grace and power.

The person leading the Twelve Palaces must be someone with grand ambitions and extremely strong execution. Once something is decided, it must be achieved, no matter the method.

“So, it seems I have no choice but to agree!” Pan Han said, though in his heart, he had already decided to give it a try.

Experience! Experience! Experience! He hadn't forgotten the secret the system told him for a single moment.

“You can also refuse, but you will soon witness the power of an Intermediate Evolver. Perhaps then, you will make up your mind,” Mo Li replied with a smile.

“You’re referring to the Z Tower?”

“Precisely. According to the information I’ve received, their team already set off this morning and is expected to arrive this afternoon,” Mo Li said, dropping a bombshell.

“That fast?” Pan Han was taken aback.

“Lord, I have already deployed outposts along their inevitable path, which can provide a 300-kilometer warning,” Qin Zhong immediately replied.

“Mr. Mo, since that’s the case, may I be allowed to resolve the Z Tower issue before I give you my answer?” Pan Han’s gaze was intense.

“No problem. I can wait. The Trial doesn't begin for another month anyway.”

“Second Sister, see Mr. Mo out. Qin Laoda, let’s discuss our strategy.” Pan Han took the cigar from Cheng Xiao’s hand and placed it in Mo Li’s hand.

The other party took the cigar and left, satisfied.