Worth a Fortune

Absorbing two Spirit Rings at once—wasn't that courting death? Hu Liena was shocked by Bai Ying's madness, but there was nothing she could do now.

She could only sit quietly to one side and stand guard for him.

Two Spirit Rings flickered around Bai Ying's body, bright and dim in turn, like two giant beasts fighting over territory, emitting a low buzzing sound. His face alternated between paper-white and flushed red, as though he were undergoing a battle between life and death. Sweat covered his forehead, his hands clenched tightly into fists as he desperately absorbed the Spirit Rings' energy.

Hu Liena's heart rose to her throat. She knew that if he failed, Bai Ying might never wake up again. Yet she could not step forward to help him and could only pray silently for his success.

Bai Ying gasped painfully, every breath seeming to be forced through clenched teeth. The wounds on his body coiled across his skin like vicious snakes, but under the force of his unyielding will, they slowly began to heal.

He took out the Immortal Grade Medicinal Herbs. Those precious herbs emitted a faint glow, as if they contained the purest life force in heaven and earth. Without hesitation, Bai Ying swallowed them one after another. Each herb became a warm current the moment it entered his mouth, swiftly flowing through every part of his body.

These Immortal Grade Medicinal Herbs had all been rewards from the system over the past two years, and they were finally proving their worth.

As the herbs' power spread through his body, Bai Ying began to undergo a wondrous transformation. The horrifying wounds on his body gradually faded beneath the herbs' nourishment, eventually vanishing completely. His skin became firmer and more resilient, as if he had been reborn.

The two God-Bestowed Spirit Rings, under Bai Ying's frenzied devouring and the herbs' nourishment, began to undergo an earth-shaking change. The black slowly faded away, replaced by vivid crimson. It was as though new life had been breathed into them, and they shone with dazzling light.

Beneath that red radiance, the entire space seemed to be dyed in a mysterious color. Bai Ying's body was tightly wrapped in the crimson Spirit Rings. His eyes remained shut, yet his brows revealed an indescribable resolve and ecstasy.

As the Spirit Rings transformed, a powerful pressure radiated from Bai Ying's body. It seemed almost tangible, crushing the surrounding air until it warped and twisted. Sitting nearby, Hu Liena could clearly feel the terror of that pressure. She instinctively held her breath, afraid of disturbing Bai Ying at this critical moment.

Almost at the same instant, Bai Ying suddenly opened his eyes. Brilliant light gleamed in them, as if stars were spinning within his gaze. He lowered his head and looked at his hands, feeling the surging strength inside him, and a confident smile curled across his lips.

Seeing this, Hu Liena finally let go of her worries. She stepped forward and asked with concern, "Are you all right?"

Bai Ying shook his head and answered with a smile, "I'm fine. Don't worry." His voice carried a resolve and confidence unlike anything he had shown before.

Then he raised his head and looked into the distance, determination flashing in his eyes. "We should leave. But before that, I need to return to the City of Slaughter. Once I obtain Divine Slaughter's Domain, I need to go back there again."

Hu Liena looked at Bai Ying in confusion. "Go back? Why do we need to go back?"

Bai Ying took a deep breath and gazed into the distance with deep eyes, as though he could see through the barrier of space to that place filled with bloodshed and slaughter. He said calmly, "The City of Slaughter may be full of sin and darkness, but it is also home to many powerful people driven to the brink by fate. They may have committed mistakes before, but that does not mean they have no chance to turn over a new leaf."

He paused before continuing, "Now that the King of Slaughter is dead, the entire City of Slaughter has lost its former order. Those powerful people imprisoned there may take the chance to cause trouble and even escape, threatening the entire continent. I cannot stand by and do nothing. I have to go back and deal with it."

The two of them walked out through the exit, and their eyes lit up at the sight of a tranquil valley. Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, draping the valley in a golden glow. Lush trees stood tall around the valley, while birds occasionally chirped merrily from the branches.

Bai Ying and Hu Liena stood at the exit, savoring the long-lost freedom and peace. They exchanged smiles, both their eyes revealing relief and joy. Hu Liena gently stroked the Martial Soul at her waist, feeling the power flowing within it, and could not help sighing in admiration. "After two years of slaughter, we're finally out."

At that moment, a powerful killing intent suddenly erupted from Bai Ying and Hu Liena. It seemed to take physical form, condensing into streams of black air that revolved around them. Then the streams slowly gathered together, eventually forming mysterious totems upon their Martial Souls.

"Looks like this is Divine Slaughter's Domain."

Bai Ying turned to Hu Liena. "You should go back first. Wait for me at Spirit Hall."

Hu Liena nodded, gave Bai Ying one long look, then turned into a streak of light and vanished into the distance.

Bai Ying stood alone in the valley, staring resolutely ahead. He took a deep breath, and with a flash, entered the City of Slaughter once more.

Within the City of Slaughter, the previously chaotic scene fell silent the moment Bai Ying appeared. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their eyes toward the new King of Slaughter.

Standing on high ground, Bai Ying looked down at the crowd below. His voice was loud and firm. "People of Slaughter, quiet down. I have something to say."

As Bai Ying's words fell, the entire City of Slaughter sank into brief silence. Then deafening cheers and cries rose one after another, as though they might overturn this blood-soaked land.

"The Slaughter God has returned! The Slaughter God has returned!" The crowd raised their weapons and shouted excitedly, as if they had seen hope of escaping this land of despair. Long-lost smiles filled their faces, and their eyes shone with longing for freedom.

Bai Ying stood above them, looking down at the boiling crowd as a surge of passion rose within him. He took a deep breath, and his voice rang even louder through the entire City of Slaughter. "Do you want to leave?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Everyone shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens as though they would tear this space apart.

Bai Ying nodded, a trace of determination flashing in his eyes. He took a deep breath and formed hand seals, Soul Power surging wildly within him. With a low shout, the ground throughout the City of Slaughter began to tremble violently, as though some enormous creature were awakening.

The crowd stared in shock, unable to understand what Bai Ying intended to do. Then, a massive crack suddenly split open in the ground. A powerful suction force burst from within, seeming ready to swallow everyone whole.

"This is... a passage to the outside world!" someone cried out.

Bai Ying nodded and said solemnly, "That's right. This is a passage to the outside world. But if you want to pass through it, you must give up slaughter and cleanse yourselves of your sins. Only those who truly turn over a new leaf are qualified to be reborn."

As Bai Ying's words fell, unrest spread through the crowd. Some looked hesitant, as though considering whether they truly wished to abandon slaughter and leave this land of despair. Others walked toward the crack without hesitation, as if they could see the dawn of a new life.

At that moment, a burly man stepped out from the crowd. His face was covered in scars, yet his gaze was exceptionally firm. He walked before Bai Ying, dropped to one knee, and said in a deep voice, "I am willing to turn over a new leaf and become a new man."

Following the burly man's declaration, more and more people began walking toward the crack. Their faces held an unprecedented determination and resolve.

However, some people still chose to remain in the City of Slaughter. Some were unwilling to abandon their way of life, while others believed their sins were too grave to ever be cleansed.

Bai Ying did not force them. He knew that everyone had their own choices and destiny, and such things could not be imposed upon them. He merely glanced calmly at those who had chosen to stay.

Tang San wore black robes, the hood of his cloak concealing most of his face and revealing only a pair of deep eyes. He stood before Bai Ying, his gaze as sharp as a blade, piercing straight into the heart.

"Do you know what you've done?" Tang San's voice was cold and severe, carrying endless frost. His fingers lightly tapped Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist, producing crisp sounds that seemed to accompany his words.

Bai Ying's expression did not change. He smiled faintly. "Tang San, of course I know what I'm doing. These people may have committed mistakes, but that does not mean they have no chance to turn over a new leaf. I gave them a choice: continue sinking into depravity or start over. That is their freedom."

Tang San sneered. "Freedom? You think you gave them freedom, but you actually pushed them into an even deeper abyss. The City of Slaughter exists so they can atone here, not so they can escape so easily."

Bai Ying shook his head and retorted, "Tang San, you're wrong. The City of Slaughter is not a place of redemption, but a place of depravity. True redemption lies in the awakening and change within their hearts. I gave them a chance to choose their lives again. Isn't that a greater freedom?"

Tang San fell silent for a moment, a strange light flickering in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Perhaps you're right. But whether these people can truly turn over a new leaf remains to be seen. I will stay in the City of Slaughter and watch their actions. If they commit the sin of slaughter again, I will show no mercy!"

Bai Ying nodded slightly, seeming unconcerned by Tang San's surveillance. He turned and looked into the distance. "The future of the City of Slaughter will be decided by them. All we can do is give them a chance."

"Also, Hell Road can no longer be opened. In other words, there is no way you can leave through Hell Road. The only way out is through here."

"I destroyed the entire Hell Road. Isn't that awesome?"

"You bastard!"

Anger churned within Tang San. His eyes were like icy blades in the depths of winter, sharp and frigid. He clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white.

He suddenly turned around and strode toward the crack leading outside. Every step seemed to land on everyone's heart, bringing an inexplicable tremor. His cloak billowed with his movements, revealing his resolute and determined face.

Just as he was about to step into the crack, Tang San suddenly stopped and looked back at Bai Ying, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the fury in his heart, then said coldly, "I forgot to tell you, Bai Ying. I, Tang San, never give up easily. I will remember today's grudge. One day, I will make you pay for what you've done today!"

Just as Tang San's figure disappeared into the crack, a black figure silently appeared beside Bai Ying. She was a slender woman dressed in black, like a ghost in the night. Her face was covered by a black veil, revealing only a pair of cold, deep eyes.

She stood quietly beside Bai Ying. Her voice was like cold wind passing through withered branches, carrying a barely perceptible tremble. "You... really changed the rules of the entire City of Slaughter."

Bai Ying smiled slightly and turned to look at the woman in black, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Yes. I gave them a chance to choose, a chance to start over."

The woman fell silent for a moment, as though digesting the news. A complicated emotion flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed by indifference. She slowly raised her head and looked toward the crack in the distance. A trace of imperceptible gentleness entered her voice. "Perhaps this is the best redemption for them."

"Are you leaving?"

The woman in black nodded. "Yes, I am."

"I want to take a good look at this world." Then she walked toward the exit. "Perhaps we will meet again someday. But I don't want to see you again."

After settling everything here, Bai Ying left the City of Slaughter.

The moment Bai Ying stepped out of the City of Slaughter's exit, a spectacular sight appeared before him. Countless people knelt densely upon the ground, their heads lowered and bodies trembling, as though repenting for their former sins. Sunlight fell upon them, illuminating their devout and resolute figures.

Bai Ying frowned slightly. He stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Why are you kneeling here?" Though his voice was not loud, it carried unquestionable authority.

The crowd raised their heads, revealing weathered faces. Determination shone in their eyes, as though they had found a new faith. One of them said with a trembling voice, "We once sank into depravity in the City of Slaughter. It was you who gave us a chance to choose again. We are willing to become your servants and atone for the mistakes we committed."

Bai Ying stared at them, satisfaction flashing through his eyes. He nodded slightly, his voice loud and firm. "Are all of you willing?"

"We are! We are! We all are!" the crowd shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. Their eyes were full of reverence and devotion, as though Bai Ying were the god in their hearts.

"From today onward, you are members of my Spirit Sect." Bai Ying's voice echoed beside their ears, carrying unquestionable majesty.