Many days later, outside the Slaughter City.
"There are so many hidden sentries here." Tang San's brows furrowed. His father Tang Hao had once entered the Slaughter City, and his aunt Tang Yuehua also knew of its existence. He had anticipated that others might know as well, and was well aware his father had been here before.
So, he had deliberately kept his guard up.
He hadn't expected that along the way he would actually discover quite a few hidden sentries, and judging by the situation, they were all from Spirit Hall.
"The perimeter may even have warning arrays set up… I'll have to wait until later before slipping in."
"Heh, just with your clumsy little scouting tricks you think you can stop a Tang Sect disciple? Pure fantasy."
He sneered coldly, then turned and walked off in another direction.
Time passed. Deep into the night, a figure crept toward a tavern at the edge of a small town.
"This should be the tavern marked on the map. There may be Spirit Hall spies inside." His eyes narrowed slightly as he peered at the shadows dancing through the windows.
After a moment of thought, he chose to wait patiently.
A long while later, a man pushed open the door and strode out toward the grass patch.
Just as he was about to loosen his belt—
Pu!
A muffled sound. His hands shot to his throat, and he collapsed weakly.
Tang San's body flickered like a phantom. He darted forward, dragged the man into the grass, and pressed a hand firmly to his throat, voice like ice.
"Speak. How do I enter the Slaughter City? The poison in you can only be cured by me. You don't have much time."
"Dr-drink the Bloody Mary… wait for the guide to come… take the trial…" the man rasped.
Crack!
A crisp snap. His neck was broken.
Tang San glanced down at the man's filthy clothes, then at his own plain garments. Without hesitation, he stripped and changed.
Rising to his feet, he wrinkled his nose at the stench clinging to him, but endured it. Drawing a few daggers from his soul tool, he strode toward the tavern.
The Clear Sky Sect was destroyed. His Blue Silver Grass spirit was universally regarded as useless, nearly impossible to cultivate beyond rank 30. At this moment, exposing either his Clear Sky Hammer or his Blue Silver Grass with its six rings would betray his identity.
Aside from man-made weapons, he had no choice.
Creak. The tavern door swung open. Cold wind whistled in. A quick sweep of his eyes—besides the servers, there were twenty-two patrons.
All turned in unison, gazes bloodthirsty, sizing him up like prey.
Expressionless, Tang San strode to the counter. His voice was chilling.
"I need a Bloody Mary."
He didn't know what a Bloody Mary was, but from the man's words earlier, it was something to drink.
"You're sure?" The server's face shifted slightly.
Tang San gave no reply, only stared icily. Then he turned away, refusing to speak further.
Soon, a cup of dark red liquid was set before him. The stench of blood rose thickly.
His brows twitched. Still, he lifted it and drank deep. The taste hit his throat, and his pupils shrank sharply before he coughed, choking.
It was human blood.
"What a fledgling! Can't even stomach a Bloody Mary? And you want entry qualification? Go home and drink your mother's milk!" jeers erupted all around.
Tang San turned his head. His cold gaze swept across them, then he faced forward again, lifted the Bloody Mary, and drained it in one gulp. Wiping his mouth cleanly, he looked back at the server.
"When will the guide come?"
"Ten days." The server's eyes held a trace of mockery.
"Too long." Tang San's brows furrowed. His eyes flicked to the space beneath the counter. His voice was flat. "The entrance is right below, isn't it?"
The instant he entered, he had probed the area with his spiritual sense. Beneath the counter was hollow. The map marked this tavern—yet clearly this town itself wasn't the Slaughter City.
That left only one explanation: the counter concealed the entrance.
The most logical conclusion.
And places like this weren't unique. If there were only one, Spirit Hall could simply station a high-level spirit master to slaughter everyone who tried to enter.
Perhaps, in fact, they had done so before. But since he hadn't appeared for so long, their vigilance had waned.
As these thoughts flickered, the server's face changed.
At that very moment, Tang San moved.
With a single sweep of his leg, he smashed the counter to splinters. Pu! The server was sent flying with the fragments. Bang! He stamped hard, the stone floor cracking underfoot.
Cold air rushed in. A pitch-black tunnel gaped before him.
"You. Get in." He ignored the server's terrified face, turning instead to the patrons.
No one moved. Entering this way clearly broke the rules. Punishment unknown—none were willing to gamble with their lives.
"Otherwise, die." His voice was frigid.
"This is a test! It's the Slaughter City's trial! Kill him, and we can enter properly!" someone shouted.
At once, bloodlust ignited. Weapons were drawn. They charged like madmen.
"Just you rabble?" Tang San sneered. His gaze flicked to several who had hung back—likely Spirit Hall agents—then his body blurred into motion.
Daggers gleamed coldly as he rushed into the crowd.
Twenty-two people. Only five spirit masters, the strongest a mere four-ring Soul Ancestor. How could they stand against a Soul Emperor? He didn't even need to open his Purple Demon Eye. A flicker, a flash, a knife—each strike dropped a foe.
At one point, his fingers twitched. Shu! A hidden weapon flew, felling the suspected Spirit Hall agent on the spot.
Moments later, bodies littered the floor. Only a few ordinary men remained.
"D-don't kill me! I'll go in!" One begged first. Others followed in panic, pleading for mercy.
Only then did Tang San stop. He watched coldly as they scrambled into the tunnel, one after another.
No screams, only the sound of sliding descent.
So, no traps.
His eyes lifted to the server. A flash of motion, pu pu pu! He cut them down without hesitation. Dragging the corpses beside the others, he staged a chaotic brawl scene. Then, without another glance, he stepped to the tunnel and jumped down.
Every man he had slain was steeped in wickedness. Their deaths were no loss, and their energy would serve him. He had no time to waste—other Spirit Hall sentries might arrive at any moment.
The cold wind whistled. A moment later, pa! His feet struck stone. He looked around. The tunnel slanted downward, long and deep. No one in sight—those before had fled further to avoid his pursuit.
Without hesitation, he advanced.
Counting silently with each step, at the 1,462nd, a cold voice rang from every direction.
"Welcome to the Slaughter City. This is the capital of Hell, the world of slaughter. Here, you can gain everything you desire."
"And the price… is your life!"
"So, it really is underground." His face hardened, but he pressed forward. Soon, a massive gate loomed.
He passed through.
Before him, a hundred armored guards. At their head, a black-armored knight astride a steed, spear in hand. At his feet lay corpses, chests pierced clean through.
The knight's cold voice resounded.
"You, like them, have broken the rules."
"So what?" Tang San's tone was icy.
"Defeat me, and you shall earn qualification!" the knight declared, then leveled his spear and charged.
"What?! Soul skills can't be used here?!" The instant he tried to summon his spirit power, Tang San's expression shifted.
"No wonder Father once trained me under sealed spirit power." His thoughts raced.
One step, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Purple Demon Eye flared. He slid past the spear and horse in a blur, hand seizing the saddle to vault upward.
"So fast!" the knight's eyes widened—then his neck snapped sideways from a crushing kick. His body toppled, rolling across the ground.
"I believe that's my victory." Tang San's voice was flat.
"You have passed the trial." The knight forced himself up, teeth gritted. He tossed a black token. "This is your identification within the Slaughter City. At the gates, someone will receive you."
Tang San caught it without a word and strode away.
At the gate, a girl veiled in black silk appeared. She bowed slightly.
"Welcome to the Slaughter City. Please, come."
She stepped aside, gesturing.
Tang San gave a curt nod and entered.
As they walked, the girl explained the city's rules.
The Way of Death. Everyone here lived by it. The more he learned, the colder Tang San's eyes grew.
"So Spirit Hall truly knows of this place?" he asked suddenly.
"If they know, why don't they destroy it? They claim to uphold justice."
"Know? So what?" She sneered. "Don't forget, Mister 9528. Almost no one who enters the Slaughter City ever leaves again."
"Every soul here is steeped in sin and depravity. To Spirit Hall, this place is a prison, holding the worst of mankind. Why would they destroy it? If anything, they wish more filth would crawl here willingly."
His gaze hardened further.
As expected. This Slaughter City was propped up by Spirit Hall's indulgence. Perhaps even their secret support kept it thriving.
Otherwise, where did this underground city's food come from? Its supplies?
This city should not exist.
"Take me to the Hell Arena." His voice was low.
She said nothing more, leading him on.
Noise erupted ahead. A crowd surrounded something.
Suddenly, blood spurted, and the spectators parted. A seductive figure emerged.
Tang San's face tightened.
It was her.
Hu Liena's steps echoed. She cast him a single glance, then turned away without pause.
"If you value your life, don't provoke that woman." The veiled girl spoke quietly once Hu Liena was gone.
"Why?" Tang San asked, eyes scanning the hostile gazes around them.
"She has been here nearly four months. In that time, she has fought eight matches in the Hell Arena. Eight victories. The fastest record in a century."
"Four months, eight wins? That's considered fast?" Tang San's tone was dismissive, but his heart was heavy. His thoughts whirled.
Nearly four months… then she knew of Clear Sky Sect's relocation before entering. By now, she likely already knew of its destruction, and that he had entered this city.
The sentries outside confirmed it.
If he used his spirits in the Hell Arena, or killed Hu Liena, Spirit Hall's agents might swarm him.
And he… could not leave any time soon.
Though they said the Slaughter City was a prison with no exit, if Spirit Hall supported it, surely they had their own way in and out. He dared not gamble otherwise.
His fists clenched.
Damn it.
"Mister 9528, you do not seem a fool." The girl's voice carried lightly.
"I am enlightened." He gave a faint reply, then followed her to the Hell Arena's gates.
"You may go now." His tone was cold.
"Good luck, Mister 9528." She bowed and left.
With her gone, his protection ended. Around him, hostile eyes locked on, brimming with malice.
Tang San's lips curled into a cold smile. He turned away, striding into a dark alley.
Screams soon echoed.
Moments later, Tang San emerged, slipping corpses into his soul tool, a cup of fresh blood in hand. Calmly, he walked toward the Hell Arena.
Slaughter City's outer district forbade killing. Only the inner district permitted it. And there, spirit masters gathered far more densely. To hunt depraved spirit masters for cultivation, the inner district was ideal.
So each year, he would complete one arena match as required.
What if he could not use soul skills? What if he could not reveal his martial spirits? He was of Tang Sect. His hidden weapons and combat skills were endless. And with the poison of his Eight Spider Lances now at a new level, any blade he wielded was death incarnate.
Besides, spirit power itself remained.
He need only avoid using overly distinctive Tang Sect hidden weapons.
A few thrown daggers—Hu Liena would never recognize him.
As he thought this, he took out a mask to hide the Purple Demon Eye.
To dominate in close combat, he would need that vision.
With his strength, completing the yearly Hell Arena matches was no issue. Meanwhile, he could continue hunting fallen spirit masters to devour. He could wait until Hu Liena finished her hundred victories and departed.
After all, aside from Xiao Wu safe in the Star Dou Forest, he had no attachments. There was no need to rush.
The Slaughter City… was his perfect training ground.
"For now, I must vanish into the crowd. Hunt the fallen, learn the city, probe the Arena, and especially the ties between Spirit Hall and this place. If their dealings are frequent, it will be trouble. If not, then once Hu Liena leaves, I can complete my hundred battles."
"For now… just one fight. And I'll stay."
With that thought, he strode into the Hell Arena.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, East Palace.
"Reporting, Holy Son. The results of the Seven Great Sects' re-election are in." Snake Lance Douluo bowed. "The new upper three sects are the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Elephant Armored Sect, and Holy Dragon Sect. The lower four are—"
"Also, the spies monitoring Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong have returned with news."
"Good. Record it all and deliver it later." Yang Yunhai nodded.
"Yes." Snake Lance Douluo bowed deeply, then withdrew.
"Yu Xiaogang, I have let you live this long. It's time you proved your worth. And Bibi Dong—if you remain stubborn, then as my mother-in-law, I'll see you well cared for in retirement." Yang Yunhai's eyes flickered as he watched Snake Lance Douluo depart.
Then he turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Teacher, in a few days, accompany me to Spirit City."
"Alright." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded lightly.
(End of Chapter)
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