"City of Slaughter."
Four large characters hung high above the city gate.
Paired with the heavy, enormous deep-black gate, it evoked an inexplicable sense of oppression.
The occasional gusts of cold wind made the surrounding atmosphere even more eerie.
Ning Rongrong, who was embodying the White Queen, had her silky hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders. Her slightly loose twin tails swayed gently with the cold wind, blending seamlessly with her pale gray dress.
The attire accentuated Ning Rongrong's cold, striking beauty.
Her heterochromatic eyes shifted their focus away from the words "City of Slaughter."
Her gaze landed at the entrance.
Two rows of black-armored warriors stood guard at the gate, and a veiled girl in black emerged from within.
"Welcome to the City of Slaughter." The girl's posture was elegant as she extended her hand in a gesture of invitation, as if welcoming a guest from afar.
Had this not been the City of Slaughter, one might have mistaken it for the entrance of a grand auction house.
"Take me inside." Ning Rongrong handed over the token in her hand.
The black-veiled girl glanced at the token and nodded. "Please follow me."
The two walked together along the streets of the City of Slaughter.
"Tell me about the rules here. Rumors say the City of Slaughter's regulations have changed quite a bit compared to before." Ning Rongrong inquired. Knowing oneself and the enemy was the key to victory—especially since this was the City of Slaughter that Tang San had influenced. Who knew what it had become now?
The black-veiled girl nodded and began explaining the changes in detail, as if pouring beans from a bamboo tube.
Ning Rongrong listened attentively, lost in thought for a long while before finally speaking. "So, that Asura King used the new rules to achieve a hundred consecutive victories at an unprecedented speed?"
"Yes," the girl replied. "Under the new rules, every additional ten opponents counts as one extra victory, with a maximum of one hundred opponents per battle."
"The Asura King single-handedly fought against a hundred opponents three times in a row, defeating a hundred Soul Masters, thereby accumulating thirty consecutive victories. He became the fastest to achieve a hundred consecutive victories in the City of Slaughter's thousand-year history, earning the title of Slaughter God."
"Truly impressive," Ning Rongrong praised.
Tang Chen changed the rules for Tang San to help him achieve a hundred consecutive victories quickly, and the Asura God didn't object? How strange. Or perhaps the Asura God tacitly approved, or maybe he's currently unable to intervene, being watched by the other God Kings?
Well, it doesn't matter either way.
"So, as long as I win ten battles against a hundred opponents in the Hell Competition, it counts as a hundred victories, right?"
"Uh, yes!"
The black-veiled girl was slightly unsure of Ning Rongrong's line of thinking.
Ning Rongrong continued, "First, take me around to familiarize myself with this place. Don't I have twelve hours of protection?"
"Correct." The black-veiled girl nodded. "As your guide, I must remind you."
"Your appearance may make you a target for others'... less savory intentions. Please be mentally prepared."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
Good grief, Kurumi, look at this! I haven't even entered the inner city yet, and the guide is already warning me. The skin you transformed based on your preferences is practically a magnet for trouble!
"Thanks for the warning," Ning Rongrong said, changing the subject. "By the way, I've heard that the Slaughter King is none other than Tang Chen, the Title Douluo from the Clear Sky Sect. Is that true?"
"This..." The black-veiled girl hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes. Over two years ago, His Majesty suddenly changed his usual demeanor, becoming much more lenient."
"However, the City of Slaughter itself hasn't changed much. Though there were a few young men and women who stayed here for a while before being taken away by His Majesty."
"Among them, the most famous were called Evil Tiger and Phoenix. They were... notorious in certain aspects. Even some of my sisters..." The girl trailed off.
"How terrifying. I really don't think I'd adapt well to life here," Ning Rongrong sighed. "Speaking of which, is it still possible to leave the City of Slaughter after entering?"
"Yes," the girl replied. "Compared to a few years ago, as long as you achieve a hundred consecutive victories and obtain the Great King's permission, you can leave. It's a more humane approach now."
"Without going through the Road to Hell?" Ning Rongrong pressed.
"No need." The girl studied Ning Rongrong carefully. The White Queen's exquisite appearance inevitably stirred desires of defilement in others. Suppressing such thoughts, the girl continued, "If a Slaughter God with a hundred victories wishes to challenge the City of Slaughter, that is also allowed."
"But from ancient times to the present, only nine have ever succeeded in conquering the City of Slaughter and obtaining the Slaughter Domain."
"You seem to know a lot," Ning Rongrong remarked, noticing the girl's veiled features. "You're clearly more than just a guide, aren't you?"
"I am the Great King's secretary, usually handling external affairs and guiding newcomers into the City of Slaughter."
"I see." So this girl is the one who, in the original story, was the most beloved woman of Tang Chen—before he was controlled by the Nine-Headed Bat King and killed her.
Tsk tsk—
If Bo Saixi learned about the Nine-Headed Bat King's actions in the City of Slaughter, would she grow to despise Tang Chen?
But upon reflection, probably not.
After all, this is the Land of Love!
Ning Rongrong turned to the black-veiled guide and said, "Find me a place to stay. The twelve-hour newcomer protection period should cover this, right?"
"Of course."
The black-veiled girl led Ning Rongrong to a relatively bustling area of the district.
Though "bustling" here only meant a semblance of order compared to the lawless inner city.
This was the City of Slaughter, after all.
It wasn't uncommon to see men dragging women into houses on the streets.
Of course, in the outer city, such exchanges were consensual—with the payment usually being a cup of Bloody Mary.
Under the girl's "protection," Ning Rongrong safely secured an empty room.
"Tomorrow, take me to the inner city. I also intend to sign up for the competitions there."
"Are you sure?" The black-veiled girl was taken aback.
"Yes."
After the girl left, Ning Rongrong scanned the room, confirming there were no surveillance devices, before observing the city that would later be known in the Douluo Dalu series as the prison for evil Soul Masters.
"If we devour all the Soul Masters in the City of Slaughter, Kurumi will probably recover fully!"
Ning Rongrong muttered to herself—then froze.
Since when did I become so cold-blooded?
Most of the people in the City of Slaughter were far from virtuous, but after so many years of accumulation, its population was far from small—far exceeding the hundreds of thousands poisoned by Dugu Bo in the original story.
And yet, she had spoken of it so casually.
Is this... the result of rushing things too much?
Thinking of the alliance between Star Dou Forest and the Spirit Hall, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but sigh.
The Spirit Hall and Star Dou Forest...
Without a way to counterbalance them, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School might be in grave danger.
"Close to the peak of the Sovereign realm, but without a fortuitous encounter, breaking through further in a short time will be difficult. I wonder if the City of Slaughter can provide such an opportunity."
Ning Rongrong gazed out the window, lost in thought.
There were still about six months until the finals of the Soul Master Tournament. According to the plan, reaching the peak of the Sovereign realm was achievable—but if she couldn't reach the Transcendent level, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School might not be able to secure its position firmly.
As she pondered, the night passed quickly, and morning arrived.
The black-veiled girl returned to Ning Rongrong.