Chapter 351.
"Why would he save us because of this?"
Both Hu Liena and Tang San were surprised, unable to comprehend the reasoning. They had only offered him a small reminder, a few words exchanged in passing…yet this "White Death God" seemed to remember it all too clearly.
Hu Liena cast a doubtful look at him, and Tang San, equally perplexed, mused to himself. Would he really save me just for that? While it makes sense, something feels off.
As they recovered, a figure slowly descended from above, landing with quiet authority. A tall man draped in a cloak that spread out like wings touched down, his pale face and blood-red eyes conveying an intense chill. His presence had an unsettling similarity to that of Bloody Mary—but strangely more refined.
The Great Slaughter King.
The thought appeared simultaneously in the minds of all three, realizing they were in the presence of the Slaughter City's sovereign, a warrior with the strength of a Titled Douluo. The Great Slaughter King surveyed them from his high platform and, with a slow, chilling voice, declared:
"Congratulations on winning the Championship in the Hell's Killing Field! Impressive… the Slaughter City hasn't seen a Champion in ages, let alone three at once. That you've survived is remarkable."
He studied each of them, and there was something odd in his expression as he continued, "Now, you have two choices. The first is to continue and face Hell Road. The second is to accept a special offer to become a guest of Slaughter City, earning the title of God of Killing, with the privilege of coming and going as you please."
The Great Slaughter King's tone was light, but the choice felt foreboding.
In the Slaughter City, where survival itself was a challenge, why come all this way only to turn back now? The Hell Road was the true test.
"I advise you to consider your choice carefully," he added, his gaze sharpening. "Before you, several other Champions have attempted Hell Road, and each one had perished along the way—none of them were weaker than you."
If the Great Slaughter King's words held any truth, it meant that past champions of the Hell's Killing Field, each with formidable strength, had fallen in their attempts to survive Hell Road. The warning only underscored the gravity of the path ahead.
However, neither Tang San nor Hu Liena hesitated, both stepping forward toward the path. Wang Feng, observing, saw a strange glint in the Great Slaughter King's eyes and felt a sense of foreboding. Is this Great Slaughter King planning something against them?
He pushed aside his doubts and followed.
The Great Slaughter King's lips curved into a strange smile as he watched them. "Very well then, I wish you luck!"
Tang San and Hu Liena exchanged wary glances, equally unnerved by the Great Slaughter King's unsettling smile. Even Wang Feng felt uneasy, wondering if Hell –Road could somehow be different from what he remembered.
After a moment, the Great Slaughter King's body emitted a red light that filled the arena. The corpses that littered the killing field, left from the earlier riot, began to seep blood, which flowed toward the trio's feet. Even the unconscious bodies, as if possessed, mutilated themselves, adding more to the blood spilling onto the floor.
Slowly, a large, blood-red bat symbol formed beneath them, pulsing with power. A wave of intense red light emanated from it, covering the three of them. The sheer energy in that light created an unsettling feeling. As it washed over them, Tang San and Hu Liena's bodies exuded a mist of killing intent that shielded them from the overwhelming aura, while Tang San's blue light added another layer of protection.
Wang Feng, however, remained unaffected. Some kind of teleportation array? he thought. Is there really such a thing in Douluo World? It does seem similar…using blood as a catalyst.
As the blood-red light intensified, Wang Feng's vision faded to black, his senses dulling.
He wasn't sure how long it lasted, but when the light finally dissipated, his perception returned.
The blood light is quite nourishing, he noted internally. It could strengthen his blood marks…A soul master might find the energy within overwhelming, but my own murderous aura is enough to withstand it.
For Tang San, the Blue Silver Domain proved more than capable of resisting the blood light, while Hu Liena's pink light from her skull soul bone and her –natural killing aura shielded her.
Tang San awoke first, followed shortly by Hu Liena. Wang Feng regained his senses soon after.
As they regained full awareness, they took the look of their surroundings. The three stood on a small, suspended platform, large enough to hold perhaps a dozen people, surrounded by a faint, red glow. Below them, a sea of thick fog spread out, veiling the abyss in red light.
From the platform stretched a single, narrow path—barely wide enough for one person. It led off into the unknown, floating above the endless blood-red chasm.
The three stood in silence for a moment, taking in the gravity of the situation.
"Let's work together," Hu Liena suggested gently, her eyes flicking first to Tang San, then to Wang Feng. "In this place, like in Slaughter City, only one –of us can pass at a time. If we fight each other, none of us may make it out alive. Besides, we don't hold personal grievances against each other if we put aside our affiliations."
"I have a hunch that this path and the blood fog below are extremely dangerous."
"There's no need for a hunch," Wang Feng replied. "It's inevitable."
Tang San remained silent. The terrain wasn't challenging for him, but there was no telling what lay ahead.
Hu Liena's instincts had been correct.
Although Tang San knew her as part of Soul Hall Palace's golden generation, he held no personal grudge against her. His deepest hatred was reserved solely for the Pope.
"My name is Hu Liena, a disciple of Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong from the Soul Hall," she said, introducing herself as if to gain their trust. "I'm currently at level 59, and my martial soul is a fox."
Hearing this, Tang San was taken aback.
Not only was she part of the golden generation, but she was also Pope Bibi Dong's personal disciple? That explained her strength and why his father regarded her as the strongest of her generation.
After a pause, Tang San responded to her introduction, neither accepting nor rejecting her offer of trust.
"My name is Tang Yin, from the Clear Sky School. I'm currently at level 55, and my martial soul is the Clear Sky Hammer."
He had long relied on the Clear Sky Hammer as his primary weapon while fighting in the Slaughter City.
Hu Liena nodded. Though the Clear Sky School and the Soul Hall were at odds, she had also long recognized the martial soul of the Shura. There was no point in bringing up old conflicts now.
With their temporary alliance established, they turned their attention to the figure before them.
Wang Feng, glancing around, finally introduced himself.
"My name is Wang Wu," he said.
"..."
"..."
The strange name caused Hu Liena and Tang San to exchange puzzled glances.
"From the Extreme North, currently level 57. My martial soul is… the sharp blade you see," Wang Feng added casually.
He didn't feel obligated to give his real name. Besides, they were using aliases themselves.
Despite the odd name, they didn't press the matter. The Extreme North, however, piqued Hu Liena's interest.
"The outer regions of the Extreme North are treacherous, and only elite soul masters manage to survive there," Hu Liena mused.
Tang San, though unfamiliar with the area, knew of its reputation and couldn't hide his surprise.
"Alright, that's settled," Hu Liena said with a somber expression. "Are you aware of the rewards for surviving Hell Road?"
Tang San shook his head, uncertain of what awaited them. His father had instructed him to take this path, and that was enough.
Wang Feng, while also in the dark about the specifics, was unperturbed. His journey here was primarily to solidify his cultivation, not to seek rewards.
"Didn't anyone brief you before coming in?" Hu Liena frowned, but continued, "Once we make it through Hell Road, we'll gain a unique DOMAIN. You do understand the power of a DOMAIN, right?"
Tang San's eyes grew sharper.
The blue light –he'd used to repel the blood fog was also a domain—the inherent domain of the Blue Silver Emperor. His teacher had taught him that domain skills were exceedingly rare, often –appearing only with a Title Douluo's ninth soul ability, if at all. Some appeared only through specific conditions.
Most Domain were innate to certain martial souls, rather than a learned ability, allowing them to manifest naturally.
The thought of gaining another domain skill as a reward for surviving Hell Road left him even more determined.
Wang Feng, familiar with Domain, knew his Dark Angel martial soul was on the verge of developing one. Yet, he remained unfazed by the Hell Road prize.
"The Slaughter City, where we are now, is cloaked in a vast field," Hu Liena continued. "I suspect it's somehow tied to the abyss beneath the blood mist. The air here carries the scent of Bloody Mary. Have you noticed it?"
Though they couldn't see beyond the blood mist below, Hu Liena theorized it concealed an abyss of blood—a pool from which the infamous Bloody Mary emerged.
Tang San had glimpsed it with his Purple Demon Eye, recognizing the vast blood pool beneath them, filled with those creatures.
Low, eerie growls echoed from below, making the already tense atmosphere even more unsettling.
The blood pool, he deduced, was likely the Slaughter City's core, powering the city's field and sustaining its eerie aura.
Rumors suggested a hundred-level powerhouse once inhabited the Slaughter City, but without a soul master to sustain it, the field shouldn't have endured. Fields generally required soul power to activate, and the Slaughter City's field was no exception.
The source of its power was likely human blood tainted with toxins.
After spending more than two years in the Slaughter City, both Tang San and Hu Liena had deduced as much. Observing the terrain now only reaffirmed their theories.
"This Hell Road is the only exit."
Pointing to the narrow path ahead, Hu Liena said, "It's best if we stick close to each other. That way, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead together."
This plan symbolized trust. Should one of them be attacked, the others would have to respond quickly to avoid putting themselves at risk.
Wang Feng surveyed the path with a frown. This road promised escalating danger the further they went.
Tang San, as the protagonist, would likely overcome any obstacles.
But Hu Liena? Her survival was less certain.
At that moment, Hu Liena retrieved several tools from her soul guide.
Ropes, hooks, and other equipment emerged, meticulously prepared.
"This rope is extremely durable," she explained, holding it up. "Made from celestial silk soaked in gel fat, it's flexible yet strong, able to bear the weight of fifty people without snapping."
She gestured to the hook. "This prevents sudden falls. Do you need it?"
Tang San shook his head. Well-prepared as she was, he didn't need her equipment, thanks to his climbing claws. Still, he was impressed by her foresight.
A cunning enemy like her was a force to be reckoned with.
He recalled their past battle, nearly suffering a defeat against her.
Wang Feng, similarly, had no need for the equipment.
"Fine–, we'll use the rope," she said, tying it around her waist. "Which of you will lead?"
"I'll go first," Tang San replied calmly.
He trusted Hu Liena enough to expose his back, knowing his Eight Spider Lances would defend him if necessary.
Hu Liena nodded and turned to Wang Feng. "Wang Wu, will you bring up the rear?"
"I'll be last," Wang Feng agreed, fastening his rope roughly two meters behind Hu Liena.
And thus, they set off into the unknown, trusting each other just enough to step into the depths of Hell Road together.
...….
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