Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

A horse-drawn carriage is naturally not as fast as a tank, but it's just about enough for the city.

When he arrived at the entrance of Yitai Hutong, there was only half an hour left to deliver the food.

When Yasha and Tomoko saw him arrive, they ended their standoff and walked towards him.

Today, Yasha is wearing much more fabric than last time. Her black and red hooded outfit conceals her impressive figure but adds to her mysterious charm.

Tomoko, dressed in a blue and white schoolgirl uniform, looked pure and cute, and with the samurai sword at her waist, she seemed to have stepped right out of an anime.

"Should we kill him?"

Zhizi spoke first.

"Ah."

Yaksha chuckled dismissively.

"Can it be killed?"

She asked that question as well.

"No, and there's no need for that. You're all here to help me today. If you happen to hit it off and want a high-energy solo match, wait until I'm done with my work."

Liu Zheng said calmly.

"Hmph. This carriage can't get into Ether Alley. You've wasted your time."

Yaksha glanced at the carriage and driver, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes before he spoke with a mocking tone.

"Who knows if someone will chase after us? Besides, as long as it can be used as a means of transportation, it's not a complete waste. Want some?"

He took out some dried fish.

“I have no interest in such simple food.”

Yaksha shook his head.

She wasn't being stubborn; although the dried anchovies tasted quite good, the method of making them was indeed very simple.

Dark elves are a race that loves luxury and indulgence, and the Yakshas, ​​as high-ranking nobles among the dark elves, are no exception.

"Is it tasty?"

"I asked curiously."

"Highly praised."

Liu Zheng gave a thumbs-up with his tentacles.

"Then I want to eat."

Tomoko took the dried fish, tore off a piece, chewed it a couple of times, and a happy smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Is it delicious? Here, these are for you too."

Liu Zheng gave her Yaksha's share as well.

Yaksha frowned, but didn't say anything childish like "Why should I?"

"Alright, we don't have much time left, let's go in quickly."

Liu Zheng glanced at his phone and said.

Although Yaksha said we couldn't go in, he still told the driver to keep driving forward.

But just as the carriage was about to enter the alley, an arm simultaneously grew from the walls on both sides to block the carriage.

“These are earth golems guarding the entrance. If you insist on breaking in, it won’t just be your arms blocking the carriage.”

"Yaksha spoke."

"Don't the people who live here use transportation?"

Liu Zheng asked.

“Wizards have their own mode of transportation, and your carriage is clearly not in line with their style.”

"Yaksha said."

"Who said that? I know a very powerful grey-robed wizard who liked to ride in a carriage. Later he even became a white-robed wizard."

“It’s no use telling me; you need to convince the person in charge of Ether Alley.”

The Yaksha remained unmoved.

"Who?"

"I don't know. He has never revealed his true form; he always appears as a different elemental spirit."

Yaksha shook his head.

"Hiding like this fits my stereotype of wizards perfectly."

He teased.

"Once you're inside Ether Alley, you'd better not be disrespectful to that person. I don't want to get into trouble because of your loose tongue."

The Yaksha warned.

"I don't even know his name, how could I be disrespectful to him?"

Liu Zheng remained silent.

"No one knows his given name; there is only one common title for him."

"What is it?"

he asked.

"Grand Master."

"Yaksha said."

"Good name."

Liu Zheng patted the pony's rump, signaling the carriage to back up.

The earth golem's arm only retracted into the wall after it had retreated more than ten meters away.

"Then I'll trouble you to wait for me outside."

He said politely to the driver.

"I don't really care. It's just that it might get upset."

the driver said.

If they can't get into Ether Alley, Little Pony won't be able to take a black magic bath.

"Xilulu!"

Xiao Ma snorted in response and then nudged Liu Zheng's leg with his head.

The hard texture and heavy force made the latter grimace.

"Well, there's nothing I can do. I can't just start trouble when people aren't looking for it, can I?"

he said helplessly.

"Aren't you very good at this?"

The driver countered with a question.

"I'll try my best, I'll try my best."

After calming Xiao Ma (and perhaps the driver), Liu Zheng led the two into Yitai Hutong.

"what?"

As he stepped fully into Ether Alley, the view before him suddenly changed, transforming into a magnificent hall.

Although it's called a hall, many plants grow on both the floor and the walls.

Rows of lush oak, beech, and pine trees are scattered throughout the hall, making it look more like a forest or ecological park.

In the center of the hall hung a winding green vine. Following the vine upwards, one could only see a cloud of mist, but not the roots of the vine.

"Where have I come from? Is this Ether Alley?"

Liu Zheng scratched his head.

"This is the square in Taihu Hutong, or you could say it's a gathering hall. The style of the hall changes every month according to the preferences of the residents."

Yaksha explained.

"It sounds a bit like Si Xue's office."

He pondered.

However, the style of the office depends entirely on Si Xue's mood; otherwise, he might really make it so that even the floor is covered in food, showing off to his heart's content.

"See those treehouses? Those are the houses in Ether Alley."

Yaksha pointed to the treehouses in the trees and said.

The treehouses ranged in size from as small as a cardboard box to as large as a toilet.

But without a doubt, it must also have a space-folding function, just like Si Xue's office.

"What's that vine for?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"It's a vine now, and sometimes it's a ladder or a long staircase. But whichever it is, you can use it to go somewhere else."

"where to?"

he asked.

“I don’t know. Some say it leads to the location of the Grand Master’s true body, while others say it leads to another world. But those who climbed it out of curiosity have never returned, so no one knows the truth.”

Yaksha replied.

"Is it possible that the end of this thing is actually an incinerator or a mixer?"

Liu Zheng squinted and said.

In a metropolis like this, dark humor is perfectly normal.

"Possibly. Why don't you try climbing it?"

Yaksha urged.

"Do you think I'm stupid? You should at least set an example for me first."

Liu Zheng rolled his eyes.

Which room is number 666?

"You have to find it yourself; the location of the room will change every time the style changes."

"Yaksha said."

"You're quite lazy as a guide."

He grumbled and began searching the square.

Fortunately, he now has the boost from his legendary vest, and his eyesight is no worse than those of birds of prey, so he quickly spotted his target.

In the northeast corner of the hall, a treehouse resembling a bird's nest sits atop an old oak tree.

The numbers "666" are inlaid with colorful stones on the walls of the treehouse, which looks quite whimsical.

"Lord Yaksha, it's up to you now."

Liu Zheng gestured for him to proceed.

"Where's the incense you mentioned for inviting the gods?"

"Yaksha asked."

"here."

He took out the incense for inviting the gods.

"Give me."

Yaksha extended his hand without ceremony.