75: Chapter 74 The Twelve Lords and the Highest Level of Reception

The golden leopard chariot shattered the void, its four hooves splashing dark golden streams of fire that cut through the eternal darkness of the Underworld.

Finally, this 'Underworld Limited Edition Supercar' stopped steadily atop the landmark building of Xibalba—the suspended viewing platform of the 'Ball Game Temple'.

This was the highest point in the entire subterranean city-state.

Beneath their feet lay a carpet woven from the legendary feathers of the 'Quetzal bird', soft as stepping on clouds;

The aroma lingering near their noses was a rich blend of aged tequila mixed with fermented cocoa—the scent of money and power.

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Tables and chairs carved from obsidian flowed with a dim light under the lamps, and the table was covered with crystal-clear spirit fruits.

However, Xu Mo and Lin Sa had no time to appreciate the scenery.

Because right in the center of the viewing platform sat twelve figures.

Their forms varied: some were clad in ancient bone china armor, some held obsidian scepters still dripping blood, and one was simply a pure gold skeleton adorned with blue-green feathers.

Even though they were sitting motionless, the aura of the Law of Death, almost solidified into substance, pressed down on everyone's shoulders like a Five Finger Mountain.

These twelve were the true rulers in maya mythology—the Twelve Death Lords of Xibalba.

"Damn it, every single one is a True God level..." Xu Mo adjusted his glasses, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Was this a trap, a Hongmen Banquet?

In the center of the twelve lords, the two highest-ranking speakers slowly rose to their feet.

The one on the left had a withered face, like a mummy desiccated in the desert for a thousand years. He was the First Sovereign of Xibalba—'One Death (Hun-Came)'.

The one on the right was surrounded by a faint green plague mist; he was his twin brother, 'Seven Deaths (Vucub-Came)'.

Their gazes, like bottomless cold pools, slowly swept over Xu Mo and Lin Sa.

That chilling sensation of being marked by the God of Death instantly turned Lin Sa's usually proud face pale.

Xu Mo gritted his teeth, instinctively wanting to shield Pei Duo.

On 'One Death's' face, dry as an orange peel, suddenly bloomed an extremely bizarre yet extremely enthusiastic smile.

He strode forward with giant steps, his thin arms spread wide, even stirring up a gust of wind: "Oh! My dear Eastern brother! You finally consented to move your noble backside to visit my humble backwater!"

'Seven Deaths' was not to be outdone; he pushed his brother aside and tightly grasped Pei Fei with both hands wearing bone rings: "To wait for you, we intentionally delayed this session of the Ball Game by half an hour! Pei, that set of 'Mahjong' you gave me last time is truly the greatest invention of the gods! I won ten souls just yesterday with a Gang Kai!"

Xu Mo: "..."

Lin Sa: "..."

The ten billion audience members whose livestreams had just stabilized had their worldviews declare desertion once again at this moment.

[ (IP: Sun Never Sets) Who am I? Where am I? The maya God of War is celebrating a Mahjong Gang Kai? ]

[ (IP: Dragon Country) I've studied maya history for nothing. Turns out the ultimate dream of the Chief Death God is to become the local Mahjong Sage? ]

[ (IP: Japan) This isn't a dungeon raid; it's a reunion for retired senior officials! ]

Pei Fei somewhat disdainfully patted his sleeve, seemingly trying to shake off the plague odor from Seven Deaths. He pulled over a golden chair carved with Quetzalcoatl patterns, sat down, and casually crossed his legs, his movements as practiced as if he were back in his own living room.

"Stop with the useless stuff. My sister is here. Watch your manners, clean up those rotten, pus-oozing things, and don't stink her up."

'One Death' immediately waved his hand, and several beautiful undead attendants brought over three huge soft couches covered with extremely pleasant-to-touch furs. The lords even slightly bowed, showing Pei Duo smiles they considered benevolent.

"Dong—!"

As a muffled horn sounded echoing through the Underworld, the massive 'I'-shaped stadium below instantly ignited with soaring purple ghost fire.

The Death Ball Game officially commenced.

Xu Mo looked down and saw two fully armed warriors standing on opposite sides of the stadium.

But the object they were competing with was not an ordinary ball, but the head of a condemned prisoner, enchanted with a springiness spell, currently blinking its eyes and screaming incessantly in the air.

The warriors on the field could not touch the 'head-ball' with their hands or feet; they could only strike it with their hips and elbows. Every impact caused the human head-ball to emit a sharp shriek.

This was the most brutal, yet most sacred, sacrificial ritual of the maya civilization—Pitz.

On the viewing platform, the Death Lords watched with great interest.

Whenever the head-ball was accurately struck into the ring on the wall, One Death and Seven Deaths would excitedly raise their cups and drink deeply—it was fresh soul juice.

"The logic behind this is actually a declaration of power by the gods of Xibalba..." Xu Mo suppressed his discomfort and explained softly to Pei Duo.

"Extreme cruelty breeds extreme entertainment; this is the sense of cultural cleavage."

Pei Duo sat on the soft couch, peeling a purple spirit fruit, but her gaze was somewhat distant.

She looked at the scene of flesh and blood flying below. Although she didn't speak, her brow was slightly furrowed, clearly showing physiological discomfort with this 'Underworld Olympics'.

Pei Fei had been observing his sister.

Seeing this scene, he directly interrupted 'One Death', who was preparing to introduce the 'exciting goals' to him.

"Old Withered One, this competition looks lively, but my sister is a girl after all. With all that blood and brain matter, it's not very appetizing."

Pei Fei pointed to the brightly lit streets in the distance: "I heard your 'Undead Market' here has quite a few good things? Why not have someone take her to wander around?"

'One Death', being an old fox who had lived for thousands of years, instantly understood.

This Eastern Emperor clearly had a 'high-level game' to discuss with these buddies. Some things were indeed inconvenient to say with the Eldest Princess present.

"Absolutely! Our Xibalba market is a famous treasure trove; even that old lecher Zeus wanted to disguise himself to shop here!"

'One Death' clapped his hands forcefully, his voice stern: "Balam!"

"Whoosh!"

A golden afterimage instantly flashed from the shadows of the temple and knelt steadily on one knee before the Eldest Princess.

It was a warrior clad in a complete jaguar pelt.

"Balam, Captain of the Xibalba Royal Guard, awaits the Eldest Princess's command!"

The killing intent emanating from this warrior firmly suppressed even Lin Sa, the top assassin.

'One Death' dropped his smile and looked coldly at the guard captain, instantly releasing the divine might belonging to a Sovereign:

"Balam. Take the Eldest Princess and her friend to tour Xibalba. Remember—"

'One Death' extended his withered finger and tapped Balam's forehead from a distance, his tone chilling:

"If a single disrespectful eye dares to disturb the Eldest Princess, you are to twist off your own leopard head and kick it down below as a ball."

Balam trembled all over, heavily striking his spear into the ground, causing several cracks to appear: "I humbly accept the divine decree! I swear to guard the Eldest Princess with my life!"

Pei Duo's eyes lit up.

Compared to watching these muscular men bump a head with their butts, 'shopping' at the market was clearly more appealing. This was the correct way for a college girl to approach things!

"Brother, we're going shopping then!" Pei Duo stood up, waved her hand generously, "Xu Mo, Lin Sa, let's go! Let's see what local specialties they have!"

Xu Mo looked at the Royal Guard Captain, whose combat power was enough to instantly obliterate an S-rank player, now leading the way like a docile tour guide. The hand adjusting his glasses had already gone numb.

He looked back at Pei Fei.

Pei Fei was still leaning lazily on the golden folding chair, shaking a cola bottle in his hand.

But the smile on the corner of his mouth slowly faded the moment Pei Duo turned around.

Xu Mo's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that the real 'high-level game' was only just beginning now.