Lu Zong was thoroughly perplexed, wondering what sort of phenomenon they had just witnessed that carried such an air of mystery. Mystery aside, no matter how enigmatic it was, he absolutely needed to see clearly what the object was.

With a sudden turn, he spun around. But in that very instant of turning, he felt a powerful, insistent suction pulling at his body. A jolt shot through his nerves, and he quickly looked back, realizing there was a pitch-black void behind him.

"Ah, what in the world is that thing?" Lu Zong exclaimed in astonishment. For some inexplicable reason, the object was showing signs of growing, albeit infinitesimally small; if one wasn't paying close attention, it would be easily missed. In his haste, he stumbled a few steps forward, finally regaining his footing, at which point the object's pulling force began to slowly subside.

Ma Xiong and Ge Mei also snapped out of their shock. Ma Xiong glanced back at the vast black hole behind them, asking with lingering fear, "Ma Xiong, what do you think that was? How did a giant hole just appear out of thin air, almost as if a hole had been dug right through the atmosphere."

Ma Xiong immediately lowered his head into deep thought, taking a long while before finally looking up and saying slowly, "From a botanical perspective, I have no idea." Ge Mei cursed, "Damn it, you’re such a tease."

Lu Zong and Ma Xiong both looked at Ge Mei in surprise. Ge Mei then showed a flicker of embarrassment. "Sorry, I’m usually quite candid. When we first met, I felt I needed to leave you both a good impression, which is why I’ve maintained this ladylike facade. But now I’ve realized—hell, my life is on the line! What good is a ladylike image then? Damn it, this is who I am, come at me if you dare."

Ge Mei delivered these words with surprising force, genuinely impressing Lu Zong and Ma Xiong. They could hardly believe that the normally demure and refined Ge Mei could be so brash. However, survival trumped personality now; as long as they lived, they didn't care what kind of temperament she had, even if she suddenly turned into a man.

Ma Xiong stared intently at the thing for a moment before stating, "In my estimation, this seems to be a tear in the air—could it be a vacuum environment? What do you think, Lu Zong? You’re always the most learned one here; show us your talent today."

At this moment, however, Lu Zong was sitting quietly on the ground, saying, "Ma Xiong, what does this thing remind you of?" Ma Xiong was slightly confused by the question, as he’d just said it looked like a hole. He repeated his answer, "It looks like a big hole."

"But what is this hole based upon? Have you considered that? What kind of thing can form a massive hole in the air? The question is complex when treated as such, yet simple when approached correctly. Actually…"

Hearing Lu Zong drone on, Ma Xiong grew annoyed. "We’re facing death, and you’re still being so long-winded! Get to the point, just tell us simply."

Lu Zong sighed, realizing he was facing a scholar confronted by a brute—unable to make his point clear. But he also understood that he didn't need to make it clear; Ma Xiong was fated never to understand. Lu Zong kept his explanation concise: "The only reason we can see this localized spacetime void and yet nothing behind this object is because the light emitted by whatever is inside this thing cannot escape. What kind of entity could possess such immense power, even capable of absorbing the propagation of light? Clearly, it must be some form of naturally occurring dark matter. Such matter is exceedingly rare, but its power is immense. For instance, a single particle of dark matter appearing here, after evolving over millennia, would have reached a very advanced, high state. I suspect what we are looking at right now is precisely that: dark matter."

Ma Xiong and Ge Mei froze instantly. But for different reasons. Ge Mei was stunned by the object's true identity, while Ma Xiong was shocked because he hadn't understood a single word Lu Zong had said.

Ma Xiong roared again, "What are you talking about? I can’t figure out what you people are thinking. Right now, just tell me its power and what it is! Don't tell me anything else; I find it tiresome to listen to—more tiresome than women!"

Lu Zong could only sigh; he felt like a scholar facing a soldier, unable to defend his position effectively. Yet, he realized it didn't matter; Ma Xiong was unlikely to ever grasp it. Lu Zong summarized: "This dark matter—it’s what we often see in movies as a black hole. Have you seen American sci-fi movies? Back to the Future uses this concept to time travel to the past or future. This assumption should establish a concept in your mind." Lu Zong paused, observing Ma Xiong.

Ma Xiong’s eyes widened instantly, seemingly grasping their predicament. His voice, however, was tinged with fear as he asked, "Like an American sci-fi movie? Are we really going to travel back to ancient times? But if we go back like this, aren't we wasting the opportunity? We could have brought back more things, like handguns or copper, items scarce in ancient times. Going back empty-handed like this is just asking for death."

Ma Xiong's excitement was building; he was thoroughly agitated.

But Lu Zong tried to soothe him. "It's fine, it's fine. Maybe where we're going is a time of great peace, perhaps even the mythical Kingdom of Women. So there’s no need to be terrified. The movies we watch are fiction; we don’t have to believe everything they say. I refuse to believe we’re actually going to time travel—besides, we aren't in a novel right now."

Ma Xiong shook his head, his mind feeling fuzzy. After a long moment, the lethargy persisted; he only felt sleepy and replied languidly, "Yes, yes, we aren't in a novel now, so why be afraid?"

Yet, Ge Mei’s body continued to tremble. She felt the attractive force acting upon her growing stronger. She looked back; the black hole seemed half again as large as before, nearly enveloping her.

Lu Zong looked at Ma Xiong. "Ma Xiong, what do we do now? We absolutely cannot touch this black hole, but look, it keeps expanding, blocking our exit. If we try to rush out, we'll all be swallowed by the black hole. Do you believe that?"

Ma Xiong retorted, "I don't believe a black hole would just appear here. This Cao tomb has been here for ages; how could a black hole suddenly materialize? If it had, wouldn't everything inside have been sucked in already? Come on, Lu Zong, let’s test it—let’s see if this thing is actually a black hole."

Saying this, Ma Xiong pulled a handgun from his coat and aimed it at the black hole. Bang! A dazzling white light cut through the air and instantly plunged into the void.

Bizarrely, the white light vanished within the black hole. Goosebumps erupted all over Ma Xiong’s body. Seeing the incendiary round meet such a fate, he couldn't help but feel a chilling terror run down his spine.

"Hey, what do we do now? This is a black hole. Look, the light the flare emitted was completely drawn in by it. If we go in, unless we exceed the speed of light, we will inevitably be pulled down by its intense gravity. Then we’ll only have three choices," Lu Zong declared solemnly.

Ma Xiong urgently asked, "What are the three choices? Hurry up and tell us!" I’m getting impatient just looking at your calm composure, Lu Zong," Ma Xiong prodded, anxious despite Lu Zong's apparent serenity.

"Stop talking! Can’t you see I’m thinking?" Lu Zong felt his own temper rising from being constantly scolded by Ma Xiong.

"Hey, Boss, we are facing life and death! If you aren't busy, please state your conclusions quickly. Are you afraid someone will steal your credit? Don't worry, even if we reach the King of Hell’s court, we’ll say you led the excavation of this tomb, that you were our leader."

Lu Zong’s anger flared too. He roared, "What did you say, kid? Say that again if you dare!"

At this moment, both men were on the verge of collapsing—they actually looked ready to fight. Ge Mei knew how dire the consequences of fighting in this place would be, so she cut in, "Hey, you two, calm down! Have you noticed anything strange since we entered this place?"

Lu Zong and Ma Xiong exchanged glances, stopping their argument, and quickly asked Ge Mei, "Ge Mei, what strange things have happened? Tell us quickly! It might be the key to getting out. Hurry up!"

Ge Mei said, "Alright, I’ll tell you. I feel like since we entered this place, our tempers have become explosive—especially you two, you almost fought just now! Do you know how severe the consequences would be if you two fought? If we were thrown into the black hole while fighting, the results would be unimaginable. Oh, right, Lu Zong, didn't you say there were three possible outcomes if we enter the black hole? Tell us what those three outcomes are."

Lu Zong looked at Ma Xiong, his expression softening considerably. He was doing this deliberately, knowing he had been overly harsh earlier. He was fortunate Ge Mei acted as the mediator, or they might have left this world already. He answered, "I feel there are three outcomes if we enter this thing. The first is that we are pulled by the black hole's powerful gravity to its lowest depths and crushed by the immense pressure. The second is that we exceed the speed of light during entry and travel through time, returning to the past. The third is that our speed suddenly decreases during the transit, causing us to fall and die upon impact with the ground again. Which outcome do you prefer? This isn't a multiple-choice question with a right answer. The only thing we can do is wait quietly for God's judgment upon us. We are passive now; only submission to God’s command remains. Amen, may God forgive us."

Lu Zong closed his eyes in pain. Ge Mei glanced at him and also closed her eyes mournfully. Only Ma Xiong, who feared nothing, believed in nothing, naturally didn't believe in any deity. He watched Lu Zong close his eyes peacefully and suddenly felt the attractive force intensify. He swiftly grabbed Lu Zong and Ge Mei, cursing, "Damn it, concentrate! That black hole is about to swallow us! Hurry up and grab this pillar! Maybe if we hold on, it will vanish when it can’t consume us immediately. Damn God, the only things that can save us are our own hands and our resolve! Hey, Lu Zong, Ge Mei, wake up!"

With that, Ma Xiong slapped Lu Zong and Ge Mei on the shoulders. They were jolted awake. They looked at Ma Xiong, gritted their teeth, and grasped the pillar. They felt the black hole’s power begin to exert itself fully; all three felt as if a tremendous force was trying to tear their bodies apart.

"Ah, it hurts so much! Can one of you help me? I can't take it anymore!" Ge Mei shrieked in agony. Being a girl, her tolerance was naturally weaker. But her cry sent a chill through Lu Zong and Ma Xiong. They realized if Ge Mei was pulled into the black hole, holding the pillar would be meaningless. They had to remain united to escape this Demon Tower.

"Ugh, this Demon Tower is so strange! Why must we encounter such bizarre things? Right now, I wish I could just sleep in my comfortable bed at home and quietly close my eyes without thinking about anything. How happy that would be."

As he spoke, he began to daydream again, sinking into fantasy and forgetting everything around him.

"Ah, I can't hold on anymore! I’m being pulled down! Can anyone help me?" Ge Mei’s desperate cry suddenly pierced the air, pulling Lu Zong out of his reverie. He looked at the falling Ge Mei, feeling a stab of pain in his heart.

But at that moment, he clearly felt his own hands trembling; he too could no longer resist the immense suction. Furthermore, the pillar itself seemed to be fracturing, and all the surrounding gold and jewels were hurtling violently toward the black hole, as if they found ultimate release there.

"Alas, let fate take its course. God will arrange things for us," Lu Zong thought with grim acceptance, knowing escape was impossible, and let go of his grip.

Simultaneously, he saw the pillar snap instantly. He and Ma Xiong were flung together toward the black hole. He heard the wind whistling past his ears, stinging them raw. He felt that speed, that pull, and the powerful effect of that velocity and suction acting upon him.

After an indeterminate amount of time.

Lu Zong slowly regained consciousness.

He opened his eyes and looked around, only to be blinded by the intense, glaring light. He had to shut his eyes quickly, allowing them time to adjust quietly.

"Hey, Lu Zong, wake up! Look at this place—where are we? How did we end up here?" He suddenly heard that familiar voice, a voice he knew intimately: his dearest friend, his sworn brother, Ma Xiong.

Ignoring the stinging ache in his eyes, he forced them open, but a wave of nausea immediately made him clamp them shut again—even the greatest friendship couldn't conquer a physiological reflex.

He took a long time to adjust before slowly opening his eyes again. The moment he did, he froze, because he realized he was outside. Everything that had just happened felt like just a dream.

But where exactly was this place? He felt certain he had never been here before. He gazed around hazily: the latticed windows papered with white sheets, the tables and benches carved from dark wood—a strong scent of timber filled the air.

His body ached, but curiosity compelled him. He struggled to stand. He rubbed his eyes, trying to figure out if his vision was malfunctioning, causing this bizarre scene. Sometimes, after dreaming too long, dreams seemed to manifest in reality. Could it be that he had dreamed too much, causing the surroundings to morph into dreamscapes?

Yet, everything around him was still ancient architecture, antiquated furniture; there was not a single piece of modern home appliance in sight. On the table, there was even a tripod wine glass.

He looked at Ma Xiong and was equally stunned, because Ma Xiong was now dressed in opulent robes—a four-clawed golden dragon emblazoned across his chest, with glittering gold and jade ornaments casually draped on him. He stood before Lu Zong with an air of nobility, completely speechless.

Did his eyesight fail him?

He looked up at the sky—no, that wasn't right; his eyesight had always been excellent.

Then there was only one explanation left: this was an illusion created by Ma Xiong.

But why would Ma Xiong create such an illusion to deceive him? To trick him? What benefit would deceiving him bring?

Perhaps they were filming a movie, or writing a novel. But who would cast him as the main protagonist?

Indeed, nobody would. Nobody would cast him as the lead.

Seeing Lu Zong’s utterly confused expression, Ma Xiong finally spoke. "Surprised, aren't you? Haha, I've discovered that life can indeed be lived this way. Get up, I’ve ordered a lavish dinner prepared for you. Come on, let’s go call that girl Ge Mei. She’s been asleep this whole time."

"Wait, Ma Xiong, tell me right now what exactly is going on?"

Lu Zong certainly wasn't going to follow this strange Ma Xiong off to eat before understanding the situation.

Ma Xiong’s expression immediately became tense. He looked around to ensure they were alone, then leaned close to Lu Zong’s ear and whispered, "Once we wake Ge Mei, the three of us will discuss what happened. Just act like you’re the master of this place; don’t worry about anything else. Do you understand?"

With lives on the line, Lu Zong could only nod heavily.