City of Slaughter (3)

"Mr. 8848, I know what you're thinking," the Girl in Black Veil suddenly said.

Qian Xunji paused. "You know what I'm thinking?"

"You must be wondering how the City of Slaughter protects its citizens, aren't you?"

Qian Xunji's heart stirred. "How did you know?"

The Girl in Black Veil said, "Because everyone who first comes to the City of Slaughter has that thought. But they soon abandon it. Entering the City of Slaughter requires enduring trials and the test of slaughter. Although you entered through a special method, the killing intent on you is sufficient. And you defeated Lord Terror Knight Scott. That is why you were permitted to join. However, there is one thing I must remind you of. Entering the City of Slaughter is easy, but leaving it is almost impossible."

Qian Xunji gave the young girl a meaningful look, smiled, and said nothing.

Looking at the young man before her, the Girl in Black Veil did not know why, but she had a feeling that he would successfully leave the City of Slaughter. Then she shook her head at the absurd thought. How could that be possible?

The Girl in Black Clothes continued, "There is a specialized Enforcement Team within the City of Slaughter. Lord Terror Knight Scott, whom you saw, is merely one of its members. The great Slaughter King controls everything here. The true strong people in the Enforcement Team are Soul Douluo granted the ability to use Soul Skills by the Slaughter King. Their captain is even a Titled Douluo. Many people have tried to force their way out before, but without exception, they all failed."

Qian Xunji was shocked. If a Titled Douluo could use Soul Skills, then they would still be powerful. But a Titled Douluo unable to use Soul Skills would almost certainly be unable to defeat a Soul Douluo who could use them. Moreover, according to the Girl in Black Veil, the captain of the City of Slaughter's Enforcement Team was actually a Titled Douluo capable of using Soul Skills. No wonder she said this place could only be entered, never left.

The Girl in Black Veil said calmly, "If you wish to leave the City of Slaughter, there is only one way. After gaining the qualifications to challenge Hell Road, you must break through Hell Road to leave the City of Slaughter. Any strong person who accomplishes that will be granted the title of Slaughter God. The City of Slaughter has existed for over a thousand years, and only eight Slaughter Gods have appeared in all that time."

Eight in a thousand years. What an incredibly unbalanced number.

Qian Xunji smiled. A Slaughter God? It seemed he would have to challenge it.

After thinking for a moment, Qian Xunji asked, "How does one live in the City of Slaughter? Are there restaurants or anything like that?"

The Woman in Black Veil answered, "Honored Mr. 8848, the City of Slaughter provides food and drink free of charge, though naturally, poison is not ruled out. Here, corpses are the most valuable things. Everyone regards the number of skulls they possess as a symbol of strength. The blood and skulls of opponents one has personally slain can be exchanged for other items."

"Tell me the rules of the Area of Slaughter," Qian Xunji said.

The Woman in Black Veil was slightly stunned, but she still explained, "The Area of Slaughter is the place with the highest death rate in the City of Slaughter. Each person is only required to enter the Hell Slaughter Arena once a year. As long as they survive one battle, they can continue living in the City of Slaughter for another year."

"Each group in the Area of Slaughter has ten people. No matter what methods you use, as long as you emerge alive from the room, you are considered victorious. And only one person in each group may come out alive."

Qian Xunji's expression turned slightly cold. One out of ten survived. As expected of the City of Slaughter—truly cruel.

"Take me to the Area of Slaughter."

"Are you certain you want to go now? Won't you wait, observe a little longer, and go after you've adapted?" the Woman in Black Veil asked in shock.

"Certain, and absolutely certain. Don't you know that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth?"

Qian Xunji suddenly revealed a strange smile. Of course you wouldn't know.

"If that is the case, then follow me!" Beneath her veil, a puzzled look appeared on the Woman in Black Veil's beautiful face, but she ultimately nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Qian Xunji followed her as they slowly made their way into the city.

He was in no hurry, carefully examining the surroundings.

On both sides of the street stood simple black stone houses. They appeared to be residences, but the conditions were simply terrible.

Only after walking some distance would they come across places specially meant for eating. Quite a few people stood in line there, waiting for food to be distributed. They seemed only slightly better off than beggars.

In his view, since this place called itself the Fallen Paradise, it should not have looked like this.

Although Qian Xunji was puzzled, he did not ask the Woman in Black Veil and simply continued onward.

As they advanced, the crowds on the streets gradually grew larger, but Qian Xunji's brows furrowed.

Not one of the people he saw looked normal. All of them were sallow and emaciated, their faces pale, clearly malnourished. Some were even skin and bones, with barely any flesh left on their bodies, their skeletons covered by only a thin layer of skin. They walked weakly, barely clinging to life.

If this was the so-called Fallen Paradise, this so-called enjoyment, then he certainly could not agree with it.

Naturally, the Woman in Black Veil beside him noticed his expression.

"Are you feeling somewhat disappointed? You needn't answer. I already know."

Then, the Woman in Black Veil gave an explanation.

It turned out that this was only the Outer City. The true Fallen Paradise was in the Inner City.

The Inner City was incomparably prosperous. Compared to it, the Outer City was not even worthy of carrying its shoes. As long as you were strong enough, you could do whatever you wanted and indulge yourself to your heart's content, provided you could stay alive.

As for the Outer City, the people Qian Xunji had seen were all weak people. They could barely survive only by contributing two cups of Bloody Mary each month. This was only because indiscriminate killing was not allowed in the Outer City. Otherwise, how could these people have the right to survive?

More than an hour later, led by the Woman in Black Veil, Qian Xunji arrived beneath a black City Wall—the inner wall of the City of Slaughter.

Compared to the outer wall, it was much shorter, only about ten meters at its highest point. Beyond this wall lay the Inner City of Slaughter, known as the paradise of the Fallen Ones.

Qian Xunji's eyes flashed. He would have a good look at what this so-called Inner City was really like.

The black City Gate stood wide open, with no guards in sight.

The Girl in Black Veil explained indifferently, "The Inner City needs no guards. As long as people from the Outer City have the courage to enter, they can go inside at any time. Of course, once inside, they must endure the unknowns of that world. That is why I advised you earlier, but unfortunately, you did not take my advice. After entering the Inner City, please do not leave my side by more than five meters. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee your safety."

"It's safe if I stay with you?" Qian Xunji asked strangely. He had already investigated her, and the Woman in Black Veil was not particularly strong.

The Girl in Black Veil glanced at him. A proud gleam flashed through her rather beautiful eyes exposed beyond the black veil. "I am the Envoy of the Slaughter King. Within the City of Slaughter, no one dares offend the Slaughter King's majesty. During the Twelve Hours after you enter this world, you are in the Newcomer Protection Period. With me by your side, your life will receive the best protection. Once that time passes, your life and death will be left to fate."

There was even a Newcomer Protection Period. It seemed that the City of Slaughter had already formed a complete system.

Qian Xunji's heart tightened. It seemed the Slaughter King's authority exceeded his expectations. Suddenly, he thought of a serious question.

Even if he achieved Hundred Victories in the Area of Slaughter and took the championship, what would he do if the Slaughter King did not want him to receive the title of Slaughter God? Could he resist?

Shaking his head and setting those thoughts aside, Qian Xunji closely followed the Woman in Black Veil into the Inner City.

The moment he stepped into the Inner City, Qian Xunji immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from that of the Outer City.

If the Outer City was a silent, indifferent world, then the Inner City was a luxurious, frenzied world. Its colors were also dazzling and vibrant, unlike the monotonous gray darkness of the Outer City.

Sure enough, this was more like a Fallen Paradise.

The City of Slaughter's trial was about to begin. Stay tuned.