Chapter 242: King of Slaughter
"Master, Tang Xiao and Tang San have set off for the City of Slaughter!"
At the Nine Star Hall headquarters, with Xiao Yu's successful return from the Netherworld, his strength had already broken through to the Soul Douluo level. There was no longer a need to rely on borrowed authority, and the people around him had shifted their address from Young Master to Master.
"Looks like it's time for me to make my move as well."
Miao, who had been tasked with monitoring Tang San, delivered the latest report to Xiao Yu. Upon learning that Tang San was heading toward the City of Slaughter, Xiao Yu sneered. In truth, ever since his return from the Netherworld, he had been waiting for this moment.
Xiao Yu focused his mind, activating his spiritual power. Ever since gaining control over the entire Netherworld, he no longer needed to fully release his martial soul to establish a connection with it.
With a sudden whoosh, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yu appeared at the very core of the Netherworld—the Judas Ring.
Although he had modified the Netherworld's attribute rules to make the environment significantly more tolerable, within the depths of the Judas Ring, the frigid winds still howled like steel blades, chilling to the bone. Most of the Nine Star Hall soul masters training in the Netherworld remained in the earlier layers of the infernal realm, while only two resided within the Judas Ring—Saga and Shaka, the two strongest warriors of the Nine Star Hall.
When they first descended to the Douluo Continent, Saga and Shaka's strength had already reached the very limits of the realm, suffering the relentless suppression of the world's will. No matter how much soul power they accumulated, they were unable to take that final step.
However, the moment they entered the Netherworld, the power that had been suppressed for so long erupted like a volcano, instantly pushing them beyond the 100th level threshold.
"Master!"
Even while cultivating, the two newly transcendent powerhouses could perceive all changes around them. The moment they sensed Xiao Yu's arrival, they immediately ended their meditation.
"You two, come with me. There's a place we need to go."
The City of Slaughter was the inheritance ground of the Asura God. Even if the Divine Realm was no longer actively monitoring the Asura God's legacy, any disturbance in that place would immediately draw his attention.
Currently, the strongest members of Nine Star Hall had just begun their training in the Netherworld. Apart from Saga and Shaka, the others were still struggling to breach the barrier of the 100th level. Now was not yet the time for an all-out war with the Divine Realm.
Moreover, the continent remained fragmented, with countless factions vying for dominance. If a war against the Divine Realm were to break out, it should only happen once a unified power ruled over the entire Douluo Continent.
Thus, Xiao Yu brought Saga and Shaka—their immense power would allow them to sever the connection between the Asura God and the City of Slaughter before taking any further action. Even if the Asura God noticed something amiss, without concrete evidence, the Divine Realm would not allow him to blatantly descend upon the lower world.
—
The City of Slaughter—a land consumed by blood and depravity, where countless fallen ones indulged in their most primal desires. The air was thick with the stench of blood, an ever-present reminder of the countless lives lost within its walls.
Inside the Hell Slaughter Arena, within a sealed chamber bathed in crimson light, sat the King of Slaughter.
This man, known throughout the soul master world a century ago as the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen, reclined upon his throne, sipping his Bloody Mary as he watched the brutal death matches taking place below.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, the King of Slaughter lifted his head, a flicker of shock flashing through his eyes.
In that very moment, he realized that his outward spiritual perception had been forcibly severed.
The entrance in the far west and the exit of the Hell Road had been completely sealed off.
It was as if the City of Slaughter had been pulled into another dimension, surrounded by an impenetrable barrier that cut off all external senses.
"Who goes there?"
The King of Slaughter spread his massive, blood-red wings. His face, inscribed with crimson sigils, revealed a rare hint of wariness. Even he had to admit that he lacked the ability to completely sever the City of Slaughter from the outside world. Whoever had done so was no ordinary figure.
As soon as his words fell, three figures appeared before him—Xiao Yu, Shaka, and Saga.
It was Saga who had forcibly pulled the City of Slaughter into another dimension, evading the Divine Realm's perception of Douluo Star. After breaking past the 100th level, his ultimate ability—Alternate Dimension—had evolved into a divine technique. Under its influence, the entire City of Slaughter had been displaced to a location billions of light-years away.
"Greetings, King of Slaughter."
Xiao Yu was the first to speak, his tone casual. "I am Xiao Yu, of Nine Star Hall."
"Nine Star Hall?"
The King of Slaughter was momentarily stunned—not because he was unfamiliar with the name, but because he was quite aware of this rising force.
Each year, many fallen ones from the City of Slaughter ventured into the world, keeping them well-informed of the latest happenings across the continent.
Moreover, unlike most within the City of Slaughter, the King of Slaughter was not bound by its rules. Every four or five years, he would secretly venture into the outside world to gather intelligence.
A place like the City of Slaughter would always be infamous across the continent. While Spirit Hall had once made agreements to treat it as a prison for fallen soul masters, times changed. Nothing lasted forever.
If Spirit Hall were to be replaced by another force, there was no guarantee that the new ruler would uphold these agreements.
To ensure the City of Slaughter's survival, the King of Slaughter remained highly vigilant of all major powers. He could not afford to be caught unprepared should an enemy suddenly appear at his gates.
Thus, he was not only aware of Nine Star Hall, the mysterious force that had risen over a decade ago, but had also studied them in considerable detail.
"Ah, so it is the esteemed Young Master Xiao of Nine Star Hall," the King of Slaughter said, his tone polite. "Forgive my lack of welcome."
There was a reason for his civility.
His true form—the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King—was an ancient beast of the primordial era. As such, his sensory abilities were far more acute than ordinary soul masters. The three individuals before him, whether Xiao Yu or the two silent figures behind him, radiated an aura of mortal danger.
"You're too kind, King of Slaughter."
Xiao Yu smiled warmly, but his words carried an unmistakable chill.
"I wouldn't have come if I had no reason. This visit is purely for one purpose—to take your life."
"Presumptuous!"
The King of Slaughter's expression changed instantly. His crimson eyes surged with a terrifying killing intent.
"Young Master Xiao, I may not know the full extent of your strength or that of the two masters behind you, but do not take me for an easy target! If you push me too far, don't blame me for dragging you into mutual destruction!"
Xiao Yu waved a hand dismissively. "King of Slaughter, you overestimate yourself. The only possible outcome today is simple—the fish dies, but the net remains unbroken."
He then smiled faintly, his voice turning even colder.
"Besides, in my view, my true opponent today is not you.
But rather...
The rightful owner of the body you are parasitizing—the one once hailed as Unrivaled on Land, the legendary Limit Douluo…
Tang Chen!"
(End of Chapter)
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