Atop the stone platform, there was a pair of gold scales with a black cat nestled beside it. As it asked the first question, it stretched out its little pink tongue and licked its paw, the picture of utter boredom.
Yet this question, to everyone’s ears, sounded like a greeting from the Death God, as if the next moment its scythe would hack at everyone’s necks and reap their souls.
The dark mist became thinner, allowing visibility to exceed fifty meters, but the environment was still dim and eerily silent, sending shivers down everyone’s spine.
There were also the variously posed Cat Statues, which seemed as though they might spring to life at any moment and bite everyone.
The man in black was the one being questioned, but everyone was pondering this query since it could very well be their turn next.
"You have thirty seconds to think!"
The little paws of the Black Cat tapped against the stone platform with a steady rhythm, counting down the time.
The man in black could not come up with an answer and looked to Lin Baici for help, pleading, "Lin God, please save me?"
"Your life is your own, give an answer you think is correct!"
Lin Baici shook his head; he didn’t know the answer.
The salesman cursed inwardly. Cannon fodder had offered itself on a platter, why not use it?
Even if it were wrong, it would eliminate one wrong answer.
Actually, Lin Baici had already considered this possibility, for the man in black had only a few options to choose from, and if he answered incorrectly, it would naturally eliminate one.
The man in black replied, trembling.
"What did you say? Speak up!"
The Black Cat was annoyed.
"Do these Cat Statues count as cats?"
The man in black asked.
"You’re not answering the question!"
The Black Cat expressed disdain, "Besides, I’m the one asking you questions. Forget it, seems you’re just another fool. Accept your punishment!"
"No, no, my answer is zero!"
The man in black blurted out an answer in confusion.
After saying this, the Black Cat flicked the gold scales.
"Give... give me another chance!"
The man in black panicked, and suddenly, he heard a woman’s voice beside his ear.
"Since you’re going to become a statue anyway, rush at it and fight for a chance to live!"
The man in black dared not hesitate, and after a few seconds, when he finally garnered enough courage to take a stand, he found he couldn’t move his body.
The crowd burst backward as if facing a torrential beast, quickly retreating away from the man in black.
On his skin, some parts began to petrify, displaying coin-sized black spots that rapidly spread, covering his entire body within seconds.
At the same time, a pair of cat ears sprouted on his head, and a tail emerged behind him.
The man in black transformed into a Cat Statue, his expression of terror and panic frozen on his face, life-like.
Song Huizhi shook her head. She had used Divine Grace to suggest that plan to the man in black, wanting to see if the Black Cat could be physically killed, but the man was too cowardly.
"It seems these Cat Statues were really transformed from living people. I wonder if they can be changed back?"
Gu Qingqiu murmured quietly, her curiosity getting the better of her as she couldn’t resist touching one of the statues.
It still had body heat!
The Black Cat inquired, its pair of spiritual cat eyes scanning the people: "If you volunteer, you only have to answer three questions!"
As the questions were all life-threatening, everyone felt they might as well wait for death.
The Black Cat was displeased, raising its paw to make a selection.
Many people started to hide behind others, seeking to conceal themselves.
Hua Yue Yu didn’t hide but drew closer to Lin Baici, clinging to his arm.
Kim Myungjin did the same.
Xia Hongyao was carefree, standing right beside Lin Baici.
Lin Baici saw Song Huizhi and a young man lurking behind others and couldn’t help but curl his lips.
So cowardly! Not worthy to be competitors after all?
Little did Song Huizhi and Bai Fugu know, in their eyes, Lin Baici and Xia Hongyao appeared as two fools. As God Hunters with high combat power, why not use this advantage?
Why save these cannon fodders for New Year’s?
Lin Baici noticed that Gu Qingqiu was not hiding either; the girl was actually groping the statues.
"What are you hiding for?"
The Black Cat was not pleased, its paw tapping three times: "You, you, and you, come out and answer the questions."
The fisherman, the girl with hairpins, and a man in a windbreaker were chosen.
Cai Wenqi was nearly scared to death.
She moved towards Lin Baici to hide, but luckily the Black Cat did not choose her.
"First question, how old do you think you can live to be?"
The question had surprisingly changed, making everyone breathe a sigh of relief, as it appeared to be quite simple.
That was the fisherman’s lowest expectation; dying too early meant he wouldn’t collect much from his pension.
The girl with hairpins said somewhat at random; she had never really thought about it.
The man in the windbreaker hadn’t given it much thought either, but he figured it was best to aim high. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI[F]ire.net
"Hmm, except for this girl, it seems you all have quite a longing for old age!"
The Black Cat nodded: "You’ve passed!"
Hearing this, the three individuals immediately beamed with joy.
Others were astonished.
"That’s it, they passed?"
The salesman thought the question was too easy.
"Second question, are you willing to give me 20 years of your lifespan?"
The Black Cat inquired.
"Willing! I am willing!"