Slaughter.

Ceaseless slaughter.

The square that originally stored the giant bell gradually transformed into a hellish purgatory. Flames and blood began to scatter everywhere. The screams coming from all directions almost drowned out all conversation.

The people fighting in the square could broadly be divided into three types.

The first type were those focused on fleeing for their lives. Their figures weaved through the crowd in various ways, never lingering in battle, only wanting to escape. There even seemed to be leader-like figures guiding them toward various directions. However, most of these people would encounter “Human-Level Zodiacs” at the outermost edge of the encirclement.

The second type were those focused on slaughter. They attacked almost indiscriminately all those who fled. It didn’t matter whether the other party was a “rebel” or not—as long as they discovered signs of the other party fleeing, they would swarm forward. If the other party could release an “Echo,” there was still a thread of hope for survival. If not, they could only be beaten to death on the spot.

The third type of people belonged to neither of the above two categories. They had simply killed until their eyes turned red, completely releasing their murderous nature, entangled in life-or-death struggles with the enemies before them. You couldn’t tell their faction or purpose from them—you could only see the desire to survive.

Yan Zhichun led the people behind her and smoothly arrived at the edge of the square. By this time, she had already separated from Zhoumo, Jiang Ruoxue, Auntie Tong, Old Sun, and the others. Each team leader was separately leading a small squad to break through from eight positions.

Just as they were about to escape the square, three “Human-Level Zodiacs” appeared blocking the road ahead.

These three were Man-Sheep, Man-Rabbit, and Man-Horse respectively. Yan Zhichun had no choice but to slow her steps, and her eyes also became cautious.

These were merely three “Human-Level Zodiacs.” As long as she used “Soul Seizing,” she could easily control them, but she must remember not to injure them.

After all, once they attacked a “Human-Level Zodiac,” it would definitely trigger “Zhu Que’s” arrival. Right now, one Baihu alone had caused countless deaths and injuries among everyone. If “Zhu Que” joined the battlefield, it would be impossible for anyone present to survive.

The leading “Man-Horse” slowly walked forward a step, stared at Yan Zhichun for a moment, then scratched his neck under his mask, his expression quite complex.

The two “Zodiacs” behind him were somewhat puzzled when they saw this scene.

The Man-Rabbit beside him also cast a suspicious look at him.

After a moment, Man-Horse shifted a step to the side, clearing the path behind him, then said, “They came to provide support. They’re not ‘rebels.'”

Yan Zhichun frowned, not understanding what he meant, but from the situation, it seemed the other party was letting them pass.

At this time, the situation was urgent—pursuers behind, tigers and wolves ahead. If they could leave this place without bloodshed, it would naturally be best.

However, from the looks of it, the Man-Sheep and Man-Rabbit behind him didn’t agree with this statement.

“Came to provide support…?” Man-Sheep asked doubtfully. “How do you know…?”

“Because before coming here, this woman was participating in my game.” Man-Horse said. “We departed from within the game venue, then came here and got separated.”

Man-Sheep narrowed his eyes within his mask and walked forward step by step. He always felt there was something fishy about this matter.

Although the other party’s statement was worth examining, why would a Man-Horse lie on behalf of “rebels”? If this matter got out, the impact on him would be too fatal.

At this point, he could only test the truth.

“Hey.” Man-Sheep stared at Yan Zhichun and said, “Earlier, I already chatted with Man-Horse. I know what his game is. Now, as long as you describe the contents of his game venue, I’ll let you leave. Otherwise, I’ll call all the people around to come encircle and suppress you together.”

After hearing this, Man-Horse’s brows furrowed. Just as he was about to step forward to speak, Man-Rabbit pulled him behind with one swift motion.

After hearing this, Yan Zhichun looked Man-Sheep up and down, then slowly raised the corners of her mouth.

Such a low-level fraud technique was actually being used on her.

The reason she called it “fraud” was naturally because there were only two possibilities for this matter. The first was that Man-Horse had never mentioned the content of his game, and the other party just wanted to judge through her microexpressions and statements whether Man-Horse was lying. In this situation, regardless of whether she stated Man-Horse’s game content or not, Man-Horse’s situation would be very dangerous.

The second was that Man-Horse really had told the other party what his game content was, but there was no way Yan Zhichun could guess a reasonable answer.

So this matter seemed unsolvable.

But it was quite unfortunate—the gap between their levels was too great.

She had once spent seven years conversing daily with that Baiyang. How could she possibly lose to a mere Man-Sheep now?

“Man-Sheep, you must be crazy, right?” Yan Zhichun didn’t answer his question at all. Instead, facing him, she also walked forward a step. “The real ‘rebels’ are still fighting around the square. Not only are you not going to help… now you’re even interrogating me.”

“You…” Man-Sheep paused.

Yan Zhichun used the same old trick, reaching out her finger to stroke her hair, and Man-Sheep also reached out at this moment to stroke his mask.

“If I were a ‘rebel,’ would I be here quietly listening to you talk for so long without taking action?” Yan Zhichun said again. “If I were a ‘rebel,’ could I, without any communication with Man-Horse, carefully fabricate a lie to deceive you, an insignificant stranger?”

“I…”

After hearing this, Man-Sheep felt like he had indeed guessed wrong. After all, the other party’s calm and composed appearance didn’t look like lying at all.

“Moreover, do you see how many people are standing behind me?” Yan Zhichun reached out to point behind herself again. “Have you ever seen such obedient ‘rebels’ in your life? We have other tasks that need to be executed right now. Don’t block the way.”

“You…” Man-Sheep blinked. “Now all the ‘rebels’ are here… What other tasks need to be carried out?”

“We’re going to guard the other three bells.” Yan Zhichun answered without thinking. “I have nothing to say if you won’t help, but don’t hinder me.”

After hearing this, Man-Sheep was stunned, but seemed unwilling to admit defeat. He changed his tone and asked, “Alright then… So… what’s the situation inside now?”

Yan Zhichun laughed lightly. She still didn’t answer his question, only saying, “Don’t try to take shortcuts. If you want to know the situation, go in and look for yourself.”

After speaking, she reached out to push Man-Sheep aside, then looked at Man-Horse with a meaningful glance before leading her team to disappear into the street.

As she walked, she recalled the situation just now, because she knew she didn’t recognize that Man-Horse. If that was the case… what other possibility would make him help her?

After thinking for a long time, Yan Zhichun arrived at the only answer.

That was that a former “Extreme Path” member had now become a “Zodiac.”

They carried a dual identity. Not only could they receive her “voice transmission,” but they could also safely guard the perimeter with their “Zodiac” identity.

The “Extreme Path” had only been established for seven years. This meant that even if there really were “Extreme Path” members who had become “Zodiacs,” most likely they would only be Human-Level.

She just didn’t know exactly how many of these “Human-Levels” there were…

If possible, she hoped all the other squads that were escaping could encounter their own people.