77: Chapter 76, the Trial Chamber of the Carnival, is open for a limited time!!

The Golden Leopard float vanished behind them like a streak of light, taking with it the deafening roars from the soccer field.

The clamor faded, and the world seemed to have its mute button pressed.

Royal Guard Captain Balam retracted the terrifying killing intent that could shatter mountains. Now, he put away his spear, slightly bowed, looking less like an S-class weapon of mass destruction and more like a tour guide still in his probationary period.

“Eldest Princess, the core living area of Xibalba is just ahead.” Balam’s voice was deep, carrying a coarse texture like grinding metal.

Pei Duo, Xu Mo, and Lin Sa all looked up, their steps halting in unison.

What greeted their eyes was a vast, meticulously planned expanse of—farmland?

A gigantic automatic irrigation system hovered in mid-air, flowing with pale gold spiritual fluid, resembling a precise network of blood vessels nourishing every inch of soil.

They weren't planting crops in the fields, but rather giant ears of corn that were completely crystal clear, as if carved from jade. Every kernel glowed, emitting an enticing, sweet fragrance.

Even more absurdly, there wasn't a single living person in this farmland; only stone puppet figures carved with runes labored tirelessly.

“This is the ‘technology’ the maya Divine Clan prides itself on,” Balam said with a hint of pride in his tone. “By utilizing the spiritual energy from the earth veins to accelerate ripening, we can achieve three thousand six hundred harvests a year. This is also one of the reasons we are self-sufficient.”

Xu Mo pushed up his glasses, looking at the crystal cornstalks taller than a person, and his mouth twitched involuntarily.

“Good heavens…” he muttered under his breath. “Did the agriculture channel take a wrong turn and end up here? With this level of spiritual energy concentration, if a mouse accidentally fell in, it would probably become a spirit by the next day. It seems the farming DNA of Chinese people has spread to the underworld too.”

The bullet comments in the live stream were also in an uproar.

[ (IP: Dragon Country) Am I seeing this right? Full automation, soilless cultivation in the underworld? This farming talent etched into Chinese DNA has actually been unlocked by a group of maya Gods? ]

[ (IP: USA) I told you these gods were homebodies! Look at this hoarding of grain; they must be preparing to stay put until the universe is destroyed! Survival maniacs rejoice! ]

[ (IP: Bear Country) I have to admit, this corn looks perfect for pairing with drinks. Makes me want to grab a couple of ears. ]

Pei Duo, however, watched with great interest. This scene, filled with magical realism, greatly alleviated her tension about being in the Underworld.

This place didn't feel like the land of the dead; it felt more like a slightly strange paradise.

Passing through this farming area, which was enough to make modern agronomists doubt their existence, the architectural style suddenly changed.

Ancient maya stone structures were arranged neatly, their walls covered with glowing vines.

The air was filled with the smell of roasted meat and spices. There were even small stalls selling “Skull Candy” and “Obsidian Figurines,” full of the vibrancy of daily life.

However, right in the center of this cluster of quaint buildings, an extremely incongruous behemoth stood like a thorn, stabbing sharply into everyone’s field of vision.

It was a bizarre house enclosed by six massive totem poles.

Its upper half was made of decaying ancient wood bearing the marks of time, carved with ferocious grimaces and twisted limbs; every line exuded primitive savagery.

The lower half, however, had been crudely grafted with a cold, hard modern steel structure.

The two completely different materials were forcibly mashed together by some unreasonable rule, radiating a twisted sense of beauty.

“What is that?” Pei Duo stopped, pointing at the building.

Balam, who had been acting extremely respectfully, visibly stiffened in the muscles of his back the moment he saw the structure. His pupils contracted slightly, and just as he was about to explain—

“Hiss—”

A sharp sound, similar to high-pressure steam venting from a cooker.

The heavy steel door of the strange house suddenly slid open to the sides.

White steam gushed out, and a tall figure slowly emerged from the mist.

It was a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He wore a perfectly tailored high-fashion suit, his hair neatly combed, and a blood-red orchid still dripping dew pinned to his chest.

If it weren't for his eyes—pupils entirely black without any whites, deep as two black holes—Xu Mo would have mistaken him for another elite scumbag who had time-traveled from a Wall Street investment bank.

“Greetings, Lord Kaban!”

Balam knelt immediately on one knee without hesitation, bowing his head deeply.

“This is Lord Kaban, the top candidate for the ‘Next Rotating Lord’ of Xibalba,” Balam explained to Pei Duo, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible... fear, in addition to reverence.

Kaban ignored the kneeling Balam and walked with elegant steps to Pei Duo, performing a standard gentleman's bow.

“Beautiful Eldest Princess, welcome to Xibalba.”

Kaban’s voice was smooth as jade, possessing a warm affinity that felt like a spring breeze. “I once lived in the mortal world for a hundred years and have long admired Eastern culture. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation.”

Pei Duo nodded somewhat awkwardly: “Hello.”

“No need to be reserved.” Kaban smiled and stepped aside, pointing to the bizarre building behind him. “This is Xibalba’s most famous attraction—the modern modified version of the ‘House of Fear.’”

“House of Fear?” Pei Duo blinked.

“Yes. In ancient legends, this was a trial ground filled with traps and death,” Kaban spread his hands, his tone as casual as if he were introducing a Disney haunted house. “But that’s all ancient history now. It has been converted into an interesting experience hall. It can reflect the deepest little secrets of the participants. It’s very exciting, but absolutely harmless.”

He looked at Pei Duo, a sincere light flickering in his black pupils: “Since the Eldest Princess is here for tourism, wouldn’t it be a pity not to experience a local specialty?”

“Sounds… kind of interesting?” Pei Duo was young after all and had a natural curiosity for this kind of ‘haunted house adventure.’ Moreover, with her brother here, there would be no safety issues, so she instinctively moved forward.

“Wait a moment.”

A hand suddenly shot out, blocking the way in front of Pei Duo.

Xu Mo pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, and a cold reflection flashed across the lenses.

He didn't look at the suave young man but stared intently at Balam, who was kneeling to the side.

Just now, Xu Mo had keenly caught a detail—

Balam, this Royal Guard Captain, was now so scared he didn't dare to lift his head, and cold sweat had already soaked the stone slab beneath him.

He was afraid.

He was terrified of this house, or rather, terrified of the smiling young man before him.

If it were just an ordinary tourist attraction, why would the S-class Guard Captain be so frightened?

Xu Mo’s internal alarm bells rang loudly. He took a step forward, subtly shielding Pei Duo behind him, his gaze stabbing toward the young man like a knife.

“Since it’s an attraction, I presume you don’t mind if we come in to look around as well?” Xu Mo said with a forced, thin smile, his body tense, ready to draw out his tools at any moment. “After all, we are the Eldest Princess’s personal bodyguards; it’s our duty. If you don't let us accompany her, I fear the Eldest Princess won't be able to enter either.”

The young man’s smile didn't change in the slightest; even the curve of his lips seemed perfectly measured by a ruler.

He didn't answer Xu Mo directly, merely smiled meaningfully, stepped aside to clear the doorway, and made a gesture to 'please' them in.

“The Trial House has a will of its own,” the young man’s voice drifted lightly, carrying a tone of fatalism. “Whether you can enter, and how many people can enter, is not up to me. You are all welcome to try. Xibalba never bears malice toward its honored guests.”