The stench of blood that would not disperse and the reek of sulfur in the air grew even stronger.
Mixed in with it were the smell of sweat, rotting food, and some indescribable air of madness, nauseating to the point of sickness.
An invisible, viscous will of madness pressed down on everyone's soul like something tangible, making Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran's faces turn even paler.
Dugu Yan also frowned slightly, her Brass Knuckles tightening unconsciously.
There were quite a few pedestrians on the street, yet it was terrifyingly deathly silent.
Most of them hurried along, or curled up in corners, each person shrouded in extreme indifference and wariness.
Their eyes were numb, vicious, or flashing with sickly excitement.
They wore shabby or bloodstained clothes, casting cold, appraising looks at Lin Xia's group—"newcomers" who were clearly fresh arrivals and dressed in fine clothes—as though looking at prey or dead things.
But perhaps because of the Identity Token in Lin Xia's hand, or because of the giant beast behind him, Tyranitar, radiating terrifying pressure, no one came forward to provoke them. Only the malice in their gazes was undisguised.
"This place... is Slaughter City?"
Ning Rongrong's voice trembled slightly as she clung tightly to Meng Yiran's arm.
"Mm."
Lin Xia gave only a simple response, his gaze calmly sweeping over the taverns and gambling houses on both sides of the street with their strange signboards, as well as the dark red stains faintly visible in the corners.
His perception was like invisible tentacles, quietly reaching deeper underground, where an even vaster, darker, and more frenzied core of Soul Power was entrenched.
"Hehe, welcome, honored guests."
The veiled woman gave a soft laugh, her voice still gentle and alluring, yet it sounded especially out of place in this environment.
"I am your