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These were the marks that belonged to each of the Nine and by the time the platform came to a stop after nine full rotations, each mark was in front of their respective attendants.

Mendax walked around the platform, taking extra care not to step inside it anymore while he orated the recently transpired events.

"The five that could not make it here today have also entered their own respective candidates for the ritual, but as we are all aware, unless they are present in person we can neither attest to their abilities nor loyalty. Therefore, they will only be present as witnesses to the rest!" he clicked his heels twice and the center of the platform opened up.

Murky water poured out covering nearly half of the platform before stopping. Its surface rippled a few times and images of nine figures showed up.

"Let us begin!"

***

A few minutes earlier...

"See? I told you there would be another!"

Hao Xuan turned towards the enthusiastic speaker. It was a child, a little human boy no more than 10 years of age. He was pointing at him while pulling on the sleeve of a teenager.

Appearance-wise both the boy and the teenager looked like siblings. They were human through and through which couldn't be said for any of the others.

One of the remaining two was quite obviously a merman. He had dark blue skin, a pair of gills underneath his ears, and webbed hands and feet. Four black lines were going down from the jaw all the way to his abdomen.

Adorned in an extravagant green and gold robe he was quietly standing on the side leaning against one of the doors, presumably the one he had come out of.

He met Hao Xuan's gaze head-on almost as if he was waiting for it. His eyes narrowed as he released a sudden burst of spiritual energy aimed straight at his eyes. It was as if to warn 'Do not look at me directly!'

Everything from his demeanor to his aura had a hint of nobility to it. He was strong, very strong for his young age but his ego did not lag behind in the slightest.

But as powerful as it was, the moment it came into contact with Hao Xuan it was utterly obliterated without a trace. And this was without him even trying to fight back.

His eyes widened from shock and he immediately became alert. It seemed like he was expecting Hao Xuan to retaliate but he couldn't be bothered.

Hao Xuan turned towards the last of the four. It was an emaciated-looking guy sitting away from all the rest. From the looks of it, he was in his twenties with pale white skin and a figure so thin and gaunt that it could easily be mistaken for a corpse.

Two small white horns were coming out of his forehead. Head tucked in between his knees, he was cradling himself like a newborn but when he sensed Hao Xuan's gaze he looked up for a brief moment.

Hao Xuan felt a very strange energy hidden somewhere deep inside his body. It was the exact opposite of his meek appearance because to Hao Xuan he appeared more as a wicked beast than a frail-looking boy.

Suddenly Hao Xuan's eyes widened and he quickly stepped back. The human teenager was now standing just a couple of feet away from him.

He had gotten this close to Hao Xuan without alerting him in the slightest, which was nothing short of a miracle considering his current state.

"Hello, my name is Max!" he said with a cordial smile, "Are you human too? We should stick together since us three are the only humans in here!"

He extended a hand and waited for Hao Xuan to shake it but the little boy came from the side and kicked him in the shin with all his strength.

"See, you scared him stupid!"

The teenager fell to the floor in tears, "Ahhh, y-you're right, I d-didnt think about that at all."

Hao Xuan's brow began to furrow as he saw the comedy routine being played out in front of him. The question on his mind was the same as all the rest...which the little boy vocalized.

"But isn't there one extra person here?? There should only be nine..."

It was ten of them here including the five shadows.

The teenager massaged his leg as much as he could before slowly wobbling up to his feet.

"Haha...ha, s-should we introduce ourselves in the meantime? How about we go in a circle and mention which of the Nine we serve? I think I have a pretty good idea who some of us are," he said gesturing towards the merman.