Bibi Dong glanced around the room before sitting down across from Lin Fan.
From the moment we stepped through the gates, the entire Slaughter City has been drenched in that oppressive, dark crimson tone. But this place of yours feels… different.
She took in a slow breath. "Even the stench of blood here is faint."
Hu Liena, standing respectfully at her teacher's side, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, the moment I entered this room, I felt as though I had stepped out of the Slaughter City altogether. It feels… out of place here."
Lin Fan leaned lazily against the sofa, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"That's where you're both mistaken. No matter where you are, food, clothing, shelter, and comfort come first. A proper environment keeps the mind at ease—and a calm mind makes cultivation smoother."
"So even in the dirtiest cesspit like the Slaughter City, you still need to live properly."
Bibi Dong raised a brow, a trace of surprise in her tone.
"You know how to enjoy yourself, don't you? Even in Slaughter City, you still have the mood to play the zither."
Her voice carried a subtle undertone—just the faintest hint of jealousy.
Lin Fan caught it instantly and replied with a helpless smile.
"You're mistaken again. In a place as dark as this, playing music doesn't just bring me peace—it helps protect my heart from being eroded by the killing intent in the air."
"You should know better than anyone, the killing aura of this city is poisonous."
Bibi Dong nodded gravely. She, too, understood this truth.
"I'm guessing your zither skills were taught by Tang Yuehua of the Clear Sky Clan, weren't they?"
Lin Fan didn't deny it. "Correct. Back when I stayed in Heaven Dou City, I studied under her. You already know the connection between us, so there's no point hiding it."
"No wonder," Bibi Dong said softly. "No wonder you've managed to make a place like this so livable. With your strength, aside from the Slaughter King himself, there are few here who could be your match."
Her tone carried admiration—but Lin Fan only shook his head, looking puzzled.
"Low profile. I might be strong, but this is the Slaughter City. The Law Enforcement Team here is no joke, and they're allowed to use spirit abilities. If one day the Slaughter King decides he doesn't like me, he could send them after me."
Bibi Dong blinked, then suddenly let out a laugh.
"You don't know? Or are you just pretending?"
Lin Fan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"From your face, it seems you truly don't know. How strange. Truly strange. Who would've thought there are still things in this world that you, of all people, don't know?"
Her laughter spilled out freely.
"Speak clearly!" Lin Fan said in exasperation.
"Haha, this is too much! A year ago, I thought you already understood. That's why you spoke so arrogantly about entering the Slaughter City. But now you tell me you didn't know?"
Bibi Dong leaned back on the sofa, amused beyond measure.
Hu Liena, watching her teacher laugh so uncharacteristically, couldn't help but think to herself, "Teacher… is it that funny?"
Meanwhile, Lin Fan's face darkened. Did I miss something critical?
Bibi Dong composed herself and said seriously,
"Very well, let me explain properly. Do you know why I dared to re-enter the Slaughter City? It's because I have the Killing God Domain. Within that domain, the rules of this city no longer bind me. I can freely use my spirit abilities and unleash my full strength."
"In other words, those with the Killing God Domain are not limited like the others here. You've been in the Slaughter City for a whole year, and you didn't know this?"
She looked at him with a half-smile.
Lin Fan's mouth twitched. "…I truly didn't."
Inside, he roared, System, why didn't you tell me this vital information?!
[ The Host never asked. ]
You dragged me into the Slaughter City! Isn't it your job to explain survival basics? What if I had died?!
[ This System is a Supreme God-Tier Counterattack System, designed to assist the Host in achieving godhood. ]
"…So?"
[ So I assist the Host in achieving godhood. ]
"Damn it!"
Once I ascend to godhood, the first thing I'll do is uninstall this idiotic system! Lin Fan cursed inwardly.
Bibi Dong, oblivious to his inner struggle, continued.
"With your strength, you can survive here even without spirit abilities. But now you know—you can use them. Tell me, after a year in the Slaughter City, how has your progress been? Have you found what you were searching for?"
Lin Fan nodded. "I've secured eighty consecutive victories. As for what I seek, I've found some leads."
Their conversation naturally referred to Lin Fan's search for divine inheritance.
"And you," Lin Fan asked, "did you come here just to train your disciple?"
Bibi Dong's gaze softened as she looked toward Hu Liena.
"Liena insisted. As her teacher, how could I stifle her growth? I had no choice but to bring her here. Originally, I didn't plan to enter myself, but when I thought of you, I decided to step in."
Lin Fan turned to Hu Liena.
"Hu Liena, right? With me on this third floor, no one will dare come up. Pick any room here—you can rest without worry."
"Thank you, Elder Lin," Hu Liena said with gratitude.
The next day, Bibi Dong left Slaughter City, satisfaction written all over her face.
Hu Liena, however, stayed—her room just across from Lin Fan's.
Lin Fan mused to himself, "So the Killing God Domain allows one to use spirit abilities here. If I truly end up facing the Slaughter King, that will be a crucial trump card. Strange, though… how could the Slaughter King not anticipate this? I haven't even walked the Hell Road, yet I already possess the Killing God Domain—one of this city's ultimate inheritances."
In the days that followed, Lin Fan had no matches as his opponents hadn't yet gathered. But Hu Liena fought multiple battles in quick succession.
Now, the once-innocent girl carried bloodlust in her aura, her eyes sharp with killing intent.
Each time she staggered off the stage, weakened and pale, the surrounding degenerates eyed her hungrily—only to be scared off by Lin Fan.
"Thank you, Elder Lin," Hu Liena said, her eyes already tinged red from bloodlust.
"No need. I promised your teacher I'd look after you here." Lin Fan replied casually.
Indeed, Bibi Dong had asked him to protect her disciple before she left—and for him, it was a trivial matter.
"Elder Lin," Hu Liena said hesitantly, "I've noticed many people here drink Bloody Mary to suppress their discomfort. I've won a few matches. Shouldn't I be allowed to drink it as well?"
Lin Fan's gaze hardened.
"No. That so-called drink is nothing but a slow-acting poison. The more you consume, the more the toxins accumulate. I guarantee you—before you ever achieve a hundred consecutive victories, you'll already have become a degenerate."
"As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, do you want to fall into that fate?"
He pointed toward one crazed, half-mad degenerate nearby.
Hu Liena's expression shifted sharply. After a moment of silence, she whispered,
But if I don't drink it, the urge to kill just keeps growing. If it bursts out completely… I'm afraid I'll lose myself.