The netizens then turned their attention back to Zhou Lin.
At this moment, Zhou Lin was looking at an electronic page displaying images of trees. The best way to deal with them was fire.
He then noticed a golden flame on the electronic page and his eyes lit up.
Without a second thought, he exchanged for it.
However, to the netizens, Zhou Lin's expression suggested he had thought of a good way to extort money.
The crowd couldn't help but feel sorry for Old Tang.
He was the only professor being blackmailed, and yet the blackmailer was quite reasonable about it.
If he didn't pay, he would lose his life.
Just then—
One of the branches had already pulled one of the security guards into its embrace. The guard was struggling intensely.
A face emerged from the tree, its expression ferocious as it brought the security guard to its mouth. Then came the security guard's screams, followed by the sound of bones being chewed.
This sound, in the already tense atmosphere, felt like a curse, constantly echoing in their minds.
Especially the students. Having just watched their classmates being killed, they now saw the trees turning their murderous intent towards them. Their psychological defenses had completely collapsed.
One by one, they crouched on the ground, covering their heads and wailing in terror.
"No... I don't want to hear this sound. Stop eating, stop eating."
"I'm scared. Professor, can I go back? I don't want to stay here anymore. Can I go back now?"
The students from the archaeological team looked at their professor with fear, their voices high-pitched and choked with sobs.
Professor Lin understood their feelings. He was just as nervous and terrified in this situation, but he couldn't show it.
The Wolf King and the security personnel were desperately trying to clear the branches. The security captain watched as his brothers died so tragically, becoming part of the very things they were fighting.
He found it unbearable and could only vent his emotions and rage with his dagger.
Old Tang saw that the situation was not in their favor, and their area of operation was constantly shrinking. If this continued, they would all eventually become food for these strange silver fir trees.
He glanced at Professor Lin one last time. Professor Lin nodded resolutely.
There was a hint of helplessness in his eyes. If only Zhou Lin would act, even if it meant paying money, they could consider it buying their lives.
It was one thing for them, the old folks, to die, but these children, the participants, and the security personnel were still young and shouldn't perish here with them.
Old Tang walked over to Zhou Lin, observing his expression as he looked at the trees, and finally spoke.
"Young friend Zhou Lin, one million, to deal with these things? Is that acceptable?"
Old Tang then held up one finger. He had already extorted quite a bit; even a landlord wouldn't have endless reserves, so they had to spend sparingly.
"Oh my, Old Tang, why are you being so formal? What's our relationship? Talking about money makes us strangers... We are companions who have faced life and death together."
"Am I the kind of person who prioritizes money over life? Who are you insulting?"
As soon as Zhou Lin heard the word "money," his expression changed instantly, and he beamed with joy.
"Then... you're not giving it?"
Old Tang, hearing this, thought Zhou Lin had come to his senses and instinctively asked.
"Don't say that. This is your gesture, how could I not accept it? It would hurt our feelings... It's necessary for you to give it, I'm not someone who rejects others and makes them sad."
"Well... will you give it after we get out?"
Zhou Lin no longer played coy and quickly asked.
Old Tang's mouth twitched. The fear he had felt earlier vanished with Zhou Lin's words. This kid could really put on an act, as if it would be wrong for him not to accept.
Professor Lin, the historians, biologists, the architecture champion, the Olympic champions, and the gymnastics champions, and the others present, all twitched their mouths upon hearing this.
Their minds were filled with thoughts like, "Am I the kind of person who prioritizes money over life?"
Their gazes were all fixed on Zhou Lin.
Yes, you are the kind of person who prioritizes money over life. You really are.
In the live broadcast room.
"Damn, the tension and fear I felt just now have been completely thrown off by Boss Zhou Lin's words. What's going on? Why do I feel like laughing?"
"Boss Zhou Lin is the most pretentious person I've ever seen. He clearly wants money but can say it so righteously. Amazing."
"Haha, me too, me too. I'm really curious what the boss will do next?"
"Haha, looking forward to it."
...
The dean of the Archaeology Department twitched his mouth upon seeing this. This Zhou Lin...
He truly never forgot about money, not even for a moment.
The other professors and experts from the Archaeology Department also twitched their mouths.
But their hearts felt a little more at ease. As long as Zhou Lin agreed to act, everything would be fine.
Inside the tomb.
The tree branches that had been cut off earlier were now rapidly approaching the archaeological team.
The Wolf King was covered in sweat, his movements slowing down. The current situation was extremely unfavorable for him.
Finally, his hand was tightly entangled by a branch.
His dagger could not move an inch.
His gaze darkened.
Damn it, what are they going to do to him?
"You're finished."
The branch that had wrapped around the Wolf King's wrist smirked as it saw the scene before it, its expression turning ferocious.
Its eyes held a look of triumph.
The Wolf King gritted his teeth, trying with all his might to break free, but no matter how he struggled, he couldn't shake it off.
Just then—
"Oh, you're entangled?"
Zhou Lin's indifferent voice reached the Wolf King's ears. It sounded casual, yet it gave the Wolf King a strange sense of security.
As long as Zhou Lin acted, he was sure to succeed.
Immediately, his wrist felt a burning sensation, almost like a burn.
Then he saw the branch on his wrist seemingly feel pain and begin to loosen its grip.
The Wolf King looked at the branch on his wrist in disbelief.
What was happening? Where did this heat come from?
As the Wolf King was filled with suspicion.
The next moment—
The branch that had been entwining his wrist suddenly burst into flames.
Golden flames were seen spreading along the branches towards the trunk of the silver fir tree.
The face on the central trunk, which had been ferocious and terrifying, transformed into shock and fear.
"No..."
The face on the trunk was unfamiliar. It watched as the flames approached it.