"Why are you here?" I stared in shock at Ironmask as he stepped toward me. I was beginning to realize that none of this was a dream—it was all real. I couldn’t make sense of what was happening between me and Ironmask; yet in my dreams, I always saw the things he did.
"Why I’m here is none of your concern, Ethan Zhang. Haven’t you had enough trouble already?"
Ironmask asked in a harsh tone. I knew what he was getting at, but I still shook my head.
"The Ten Tribunal Road is closed. How did you get in?"
I asked, but Ironmask just laughed, raising one hand. In that instant, I felt a terrifying power—dark Deathbane Aura swirling around it. The sensation was like witnessing a vast field of withered, decaying flowers.
"How I got in is none of your concern, Ethan Zhang. Tomorrow will be the greatest trial of your life. If you want to become a king, look closely at what all this truly means. Cross this threshold with your instincts."
Ironmask spoke, his eyes glinting with amusement. I didn’t understand why he had come to Hades Village.
"Watch Rachel Lan carefully. Don’t let anything trample this love, if you truly care for her."
I looked at Ironmask in surprise, then nodded resolutely.
"Can you tell me who you really are? When I look at you, I can’t help but feel something strange. We’re so alike, almost as if..."
"Ethan Zhang, when faced with overwhelming power, you must suppress it with even greater strength. Remember this: in Hades, the Trial Marriage Stone is your first obstacle. If you wish to be with Rachel Lan, you must destroy it."
After Ironmask finished speaking, I jolted awake. My eyes snapped open—the room outside was already bright. I scrambled out of bed, relieved to find the place was modern, equipped with a washstand and a bathroom.
I took a quick shower, washed up, and stepped outside. Yin Choujian and the others were already waiting, and at that moment, Walter Wu was standing on the steps, apparently expecting us.
Our group—humans and ghosts—walked over, but I didn’t see Vivian Maple among us. My heart tightened with anxiety. Hu Tianshu smiled and patted my back.
"Relax, Ethan. Ms. Maple returned last night. My suspicions have been confirmed—someone is indeed orchestrating events behind the scenes. Here in Hades Village, there are members of the Nether Syndicate, Ghost Syndicate, and the Underworld Court."
A chill shot through me, my eyes wide with shock.
"Brother, let’s go. It’s time to remind certain people what’s at stake."
I nodded, and together, our group moved forward.
"Everyone, please follow me."
Walter Wu said nothing, simply gestured for us to proceed. We descended the steps, and this time, Walter Wu led us toward the center of the thirteen buildings.
All around us, there was no longer a trace of anyone from the Hades Circle. Just as I was growing puzzled, Wu Zuo came to a halt. Between four houses and two others, I saw a small, round platform made of yellow stones, right in the center.
"Please, everyone. Step up here—this is the heart of the Hades Circle."
All of us entered the small platform. It was at least seven or eight meters wide and half a meter high, a circular dais. At that moment, Wu Zuo began to look around.
"Where is the last one?"
"I'm right here. I've been here all along—you just didn't notice."
Zifeng's voice rang out. Suddenly, I saw Zifeng standing right beside Huangfu Ruofei. Wu Zuo nodded in relief, then raised a hand.
A yellow radiance appeared in the sky, enveloping us. The light grew brighter and brighter, so intense I couldn't open my eyes.
When I finally opened my eyes again, we were standing in a sea of flowers. I stared in astonishment: on the ground, clusters of yellow spider lilies—every single one was yellow, unmistakably spider lilies. The sky was a bright blue-green. In front of us stood a round structure, built from massive, angular yellow stones, stacked together. Its shape resembled a well.
The structure was enormous. I could see shadows of people moving atop it—there seemed to be a crowd. A broad road led straight to the well-like building.
The structure was only a hundred meters or so from us. We followed Wu Zuo and walked toward it.
As we drew closer, I was struck by the sheer size of this hundred-meter building. Its well-like surface was covered in black characters—the same script I’d seen before, the kind only the highest ranks of the underworld could read. Each stone block bore a different word.
"This place is ninety-nine meters tall and seventy-seven meters wide. This is the heart of the Hades Circle."
As Wu Zuo spoke, we entered a stone gate. The inside was vast, like a sprawling football field. In the center stood a massive yellow stone, over ten meters high. I saw a familiar figure—Rachel Lan, already dressed in a bridal gown. Beside her was Mo Lin. I instantly wanted to rush over, but Yin Choujian held me back.
"Brother, look—that’s the Ten Guides of the Hades Circle, and the Thirteen Fates."
All around us, at regular intervals, stairways rose upward. On each step, people could sit. I saw many from the Hades Circle, scattered in twos and threes on the steps. Beyond the rows of steps, higher up, were tiers of rooms—densely packed, lining the walls all around.
Following Yin Choujian's voice, I looked over. Directly across from us, a broad staircase rose. On ten chairs sat ten people. I saw Lan Yin and Wang Su, and behind each of them stood thirteen figures—one of whom was Rachel Lan's mother.
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"This way, please," Wu Zuo said, leading us up the stairs to the right. My gaze stayed fixed on Rachel Lan below, and on the Trial Marriage Stone. It gave me a strange feeling. I remembered what Ironmask told me last night—he wanted me to destroy the Trial Marriage Stone.
As I mulled it over, I quietly spoke to Yin Choujian as we walked. He burst out laughing after hearing me.
"Brother, that thing is not something you can destroy so easily right now. After all, it’s the power of the Hades Circle, built up over countless years."
I let out a sound of surprise. We were circling the round building, walking toward the place where the Ten Guides sat.
About ten meters away from the Ten Guides, tables and chairs had been set up on the broad stairs. Wu Zuo invited us to sit, then turned and walked away.
At that moment, Lan Yin stood up and slowly walked toward us. He stopped about two meters away and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness Yin Choujian, Your Highness Ji Yun’er."
"Oh, is that the little brat from back then? The one who barged into my Blood Fiend Hall and nearly got himself killed? Not bad, not bad—look at you now."
Lan Yin smiled, as if greeting an old friend, then laughed aloud.
"If it weren’t for you seven, Your Highness Yin Choujian, I wouldn’t have had time to awaken my instincts back then. Thank you all."
As Lan Yin spoke, I glanced at the other nine Guides. Aside from Wang Su, who wore a smile, the other eight looked annoyed. Just then, I noticed a child, only about ten years old, sitting in the seat of the Fourth Tribunal.
The child giggled, stood up, and in a flash, floated over to us.
"You are all honored guests. Since you’re here, I hope you’ll quietly witness the wedding chosen by the Trial Marriage Stone."
The child's voice was tender, but there was a cunning edge to it.
Suddenly, Yin Choujian shot to his feet and stared at the child.
"And if we don’t keep quiet—what then?"
I blinked at Yin Choujian. His words were full of hostility. Instantly, the other Guides and all the Thirteen Fates turned to look at us—many wore sour expressions.
"Everyone, calm down."
A crisp tapping of a cane sounded. I turned to see Grandpa Cat behind us, leaning on his cat-headed cane. Beside him was a woman, scantily clad, with a stunning, seductive face. She walked down with Grandpa Cat, side by side.
The woman wore a sexy black leather outfit, patches of pale skin exposed. A bizarre smile played at her lips. When she reached us, she greeted Yin Choujian and Ji Yun’er with respect.
"It’s been a long time, Poison Star."
As Ji Yun’er spoke, the woman called Poison Star replied respectfully.
"Madam Ji, I haven’t seen you in ages. Boss Yin, likewise."
"Save your act, harlot."
My jaw dropped as I looked at Yin Choujian. He was clearly irritated, a cold sneer on his face.
"Uncle Yin, calm down. Heh, we’re all old friends—no need for this."
Grandpa Cat spoke, nudging Poison Star’s back. She walked off to the side and sat on her own. Suddenly, she looked at me, her eyes full of seductive charm. I quickly turned my head away.
"One of the Three Evil Stars of Ghost Mound—seeing is believing."
Tunjiu gulped down some wine and laughed.
I glanced over again. That woman was just like the other Evil Star, one of the Three Evil Stars of Ghost Mound. She must be a ruthless soul. I grew wary; when it came to people from Ghost Mound, anger simmered in my heart.
"Brother, relax. It’s almost your turn to take the stage. Show them what you’re made of."
Yin Choujian said, and I nodded, looking down below.