Slaughter City, outer city.
The sky was always the same oppressive leaden gray, and the air was thick with a nauseating stench of blood and rust. There was no sunlight here, only slaughter and depravity.
Yu Tianyu walked slowly down the street, dressed in a finely made black outfit. His refined bearing and almost eerily handsome face looked completely out of place in this land of crime, with its grimacing faces, filth, and scars.
"Stop! New guy, leave your Soul Tool and valuables!"
Three hulking degenerates with fleshy, brutish faces blocked his path. In Slaughter City, where Spirit Skills couldn't be used, a strong body and ruthless close-combat skills were the keys to survival. To them, Yu Tianyu—with his tender skin and delicate looks—was the perfect prey.
Yu Tianyu stopped and tilted his head slightly, the corner of his mouth curling in amusement.
"In a place like this, trash always seems to show up in packs."
"Who are you calling trash?! You're dead!" The burly leader roared and swung his huge cleaver, its blade smeared with dark red blood, down at Yu Tianyu's head.
Yu Tianyu didn't move. Only when the blade was just inches from his forehead did he suddenly raise his right hand.
"Clang!"
A sharp, ringing impact. The cleaver, powerful enough to split a boulder, was caught between two of Yu Tianyu's fingers as if he'd barely made an effort.
The man's pupils contracted. He tried frantically to yank his weapon free, only to find that Yu Tianyu's fingers were as immovable as iron pincers.
"You're not even strong enough to wipe the shoes of one of my pets."
Yu Tianyu spoke casually, then tightened his fingers.
"Crack!"
The cleaver, forged from fine iron, shattered instantly. Yu Tianyu followed through with a palm strike to the man's chest.
There was no glow of Soul Power, just the destructive force of his body. With a bone-crunching crack, the man flew backward like a cannonball and smashed through a broken wall dozens of meters away, dead on the spot.
The other two degenerates were scared out of their wits. They dropped their weapons and scrambled into a dark alley.
Yu Tianyu didn't even glance at them. He leisurely pulled a spotless white handkerchief from his clothes, wiped his fingers, then tossed it to the ground.
"The rules here... really do suit me better."
He could feel the bloodline within him, the one that carried Dragon Slayer Magic, cheering. Slaughter City forbade the Spirit Skills granted by Spirit Rings, but for someone like him, who fought with physical toughness, magic circuits, and the instincts of his own Martial Soul, the restrictions meant almost nothing.
On the contrary, without their Spirit Skills to rely on, his opponents were nothing more than lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
Hell Slaughter Arena.
This was the heart of Slaughter City, and a stairway for countless people on their way to hell or godhood.
Tang San sat in a corner of the dim waiting room.
He had long since lost his former air of a refined, courteous scholar. His upper body was bare, his strong muscles covered in ghastly wounds. Some had scabbed over; others still seeped blood.
His eyes had turned icy, and blood-red light constantly flickered in his pupils—the mark of killing intent made manifest.
From the shadows behind him, Tang Hao's hoarse voice rang out. "Xiao San, this is your sixtieth match. The Slaughter Arena is different from the outside. Everyone here is utterly vicious. Remember, don't give your opponent a chance to catch their breath. Not even for a second."
"I know."
Tang San's voice was dry, as if he hadn't had water in ages. He tightened his grip on the short sword, driving his nails into his palm again. Whenever the pain hit, he thought of Xiao Wu, whom Yu Tianyu had taken away.
That rabbit who had cried in his arms might now be suffering a fate worse than death.
The thought only stoked his killing intent, as if he were about to devour the entire arena.
"Now, welcome the challengers of Group Six!"
As the announcer shouted wildly, Tang San walked slowly toward the arena.
Nine opponents were already in position, every one of them glaring viciously. In Slaughter City, the only way to survive was to devour your opponents.
But just as the match was about to begin, a commotion broke out at the entrance to the arena.
A tall, slender figure passed the guards and leaped straight onto the platform as the degenerates watched in terror.
"Who are you? This match is already full!" the announcer shrieked.
The newcomer elegantly straightened his sleeve, then lifted his head to reveal a smiling face Tang San would never forget.
"Rules? They're made for the weak."
Yu Tianyu looked at Tang San, amusement in his eyes. "Third Brother, long time no see. I didn't expect to run into you here. You look like a stray dog scrounging for food. What a sight."
The moment Tang San saw Yu Tianyu, his whole body began to tremble.
It was a mixture of seething hatred and a hint of deep-buried fear.
"Yu! Tian! Yu!"
A beastly growl rose from Tang San's throat. His short sword hummed in his shaking hand.
"Stay calm, Xiao San!" Tang Hao shot to his feet below the platform, his eyes full of shock. He hadn't noticed when Yu Tianyu had entered the city, much less expected the devil to barge into the Hell Slaughter Arena so brazenly.
Yu Tianyu paid no attention to Tang Hao's glare. He looked around at the nine challengers, all of them baring their teeth, and sighed helplessly. "Never mind. There are too many people in the way. If we're going to catch up, I'll have to clear the place first."
"Arrogant bastard! Kill him!"
The nine thugs abandoned their plan to surround Tang San and attacked Yu Tianyu together.
Yu Tianyu curled his lip. His figure vanished in an instant.
"Too slow."
His voice seemed to come from every direction. Then came a rapid series of bone-crunching cracks and dull thuds.
All Tang San could see was a black blur weaving through the crowd. No Spirit Skills, no dazzling flashes. With nothing but blinding speed and blows heavy as a mountain, Yu Tianyu smashed the nine veterans—each of whom had survived dozens of matches—as easily as swatting flies.
Ten seconds later.
Only Yu Tianyu and Tang San remained alive on the platform.
Blood gathered in streams, soaking Yu Tianyu's boots, but his black clothes remained immaculate.
"Much better. Now it's quiet."
Yu Tianyu walked toward Tang San, each step landing like a blow to Tang San's chest.
"What... what did you do to Xiao Wu?" Tang San demanded, almost screaming.
Yu Tianyu stopped five paces away. He looked into Tang San's bloodshot, savage eyes and smiled faintly. "Her? She's my most treasured plaything now. You know, Third Brother, at first she still called your name. But after I made her drink a few bottles of my 'special' potion, she started crawling over like a well-behaved kitten whenever she saw me, licking my fingers."
"You monster! I'll kill you!"
Tang San broke.
No matter how strong his will was, hearing his beloved humiliated like this snapped the last thread of his reason.
He ignored the difference in their strength. His short sword let out a piercing shriek as he unleashed the Hidden Weapon technique Meteor Chasing the Moon with it. Soul Power surged into his arms as he charged Yu Tianyu.
"Tsk. Is that all the killing intent you've got?"
Yu Tianyu's gaze turned cold. He thrust out his right hand and caught the short sword aimed at his throat with pinpoint precision.
"Crack!"
The short sword crumbled into powder in his grasp.
Yu Tianyu followed up with a side kick that slammed into Tang San's stomach.
"Thud!"
Tang San flew backward like a broken kite and crashed into the iron railing at the edge of the arena. The bars caved inward. He spat out a mouthful of blood, mixed with pieces of his shattered organs.
"Xiao San!" Tang Hao started to rush onto the platform, but several enforcers from Slaughter City surrounded him and held him back. Here, the King of Slaughter was the absolute ruler, and Yu Tianyu seemed to have reached some kind of understanding with him.
Yu Tianyu walked up to Tang San and looked down at the former "chosen one."
He planted a foot on Tang San's bloodied face and ground it into the floor.
"That's more like it. Despair, pain, helplessness."
Yu Tianyu leaned close to Tang San and lowered his voice. "Did you think you could train here and beat me? Actually, I brought her to Slaughter City. She's in a loft in the inner city. If you can win a hundred matches and open Hell Road, perhaps... I'll let you see her one last time through the window."
"But first, you have to survive."
Yu Tianyu straightened and looked at Tang San, who was on the verge of losing consciousness. His smile was cruel. "For each of your next thirty matches, I'll take the stage before you. I'll make you watch as I take every 'nourishment' you long for. I'll show you that the greatest distance in the world isn't between life and death. It's when hope seems within reach, only for me to crush it beneath my foot."
With that, Yu Tianyu turned and left with effortless grace, leaving behind a floor covered in mangled flesh and Tang San, plunged into the depths of despair.
Heaven Dou Empire, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan residence.
In the luxurious bedroom known as the "cage," candlelight flickered.
Xiao Wu sat by the window, gazing into the pitch-black night. Her golden gauze dress was as light as a cicada's wings, shifting in the night breeze and revealing a figure that had grown thinner, yet possessed a sickly beauty.
The collar around her neck, a mark of humiliation, glinted with cold metallic light in the candlelight.
The door opened, but the person who entered wasn't Yu Tianyu.
It was Hu Liena.
Compared to the Soul Master Tournament, Hu Liena had become more alluring. Her eyes now held an almost fanatical adoration for Yu Tianyu.
She carried a plate of delicate pastries and set it on the table. Looking at Xiao Wu's vacant stare, she gave a cold laugh. "Still waiting for your Third Brother? Don't waste your time. Brother Yu has gone to Slaughter City. He told me your Third Brother is living like a stray dog there, even digging through garbage for food just to stay alive."
Xiao Wu's fingers trembled. She turned and stared at Hu Liena. "You're lying... Third Brother wouldn't do that."
"Lying?" Hu Liena walked up to Xiao Wu and lifted her chin. "You think you're worth lying to? Brother Yu was right. You look so pitiful now that anyone would feel sorry for you. Too bad your heart hasn't completely died yet. But it will soon. When Brother Yu personally crushes the last shred of Tang San's dignity at the exit of Hell Road, you'll beg to stay by his side."
"Get... get out!" Xiao Wu rasped.
Hu Liena didn't get angry. Instead, she giggled, the sound echoing through the room, grating on the ears.
"Enjoy your last bit of pride while you can. In Brother Yu's eyes, you're nothing but a pretty pet. I'm the one who walks by his side."
Half a month later, inner Slaughter City.
Tang San had just finished a bloody battle.
His body was nearly withered. He had lost a great deal of weight, and his skin had turned an eerie purplish-blue. It was the result of overexerting his body and Soul Power, as well as the nervous exhaustion caused by Yu Tianyu's constant verbal torment.
Over the past half month, Yu Tianyu had kept his promise.
Every match, Yu Tianyu took the stage before Tang San. He ended each fight in the most bloody and violent, yet elegant, fashion. Then he sat in the stands, sipping Bloody Mary and watching Tang San struggle below as if he were enjoying a show.
Whenever Tang San was close to winning, Yu Tianyu would glance at him with that mocking look.
It was worse than being killed outright.
Tang San walked through the inner city streets. The degenerates all moved aside when they saw him. The people here now called him "Asura," but he knew that the boy called the "Dragon Slayer" was the real Demon King.
"Cough... cough, cough."
Tang San braced himself against a wall, coughing violently.
Suddenly, a faint, sweet fragrance drifted in on the breeze.
That scent... it was Xiao Wu!
It was the familiar scent that clung to Xiao Wu, like sunshine and fresh grass!
Tang San jerked his head up and frantically searched for its source.
Atop a nearby tower, a figure sat in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Though it was far away, and though the light was dim, Tang San would never mistake that scorpion braid, which fell to her waist.
"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San let out a desperate cry and charged toward the tower without a second thought.
But the instant he reached its base, a golden barrier appeared out of nowhere.
"Boom!"
The powerful rebound sent Tang San flying. He slammed heavily into the ground.
"Third Brother, didn't I tell you? It's not time to meet yet."
Yu Tianyu's voice came from the top of the tower. He appeared at the window with a wineglass in hand, one arm resting casually on Xiao Wu's shoulder.
Tang San saw Xiao Wu's delicate body tremble. But she didn't resist. Instead, she obediently leaned against Yu Tianyu.
"No... no! Xiao Wu! Look closely! It's me! It's Third Brother!"
Tang San's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. He tried to get up, but his legs were too weak to support him.
The figure by the window didn't answer. Only Yu Tianyu's mocking laughter echoed across the night sky.
"See, Third Brother? She's chosen someone stronger."
Yu Tianyu lowered his head and kissed Xiao Wu beside her ear. Then he looked down at Tang San, his eyes full of amusement.
"Want her back? Then come to Hell Road. Tomorrow is your hundredth match. I've prepared one last surprise for you at the entrance to hell."
That night, Tang San sat beneath the tower for the entire night.
His tears had long since dried. What flowed now was blood.
Hatred, jealousy, resentment, despair—all his negative emotions erupted at once.
He stopped thinking about the sect. He stopped thinking about the future. Only one thought remained in his mind:
Become stronger, kill Yu Tianyu, and take Xiao Wu back. Even if it meant destroying the whole world, he wouldn't hesitate!
The next day.
The Slaughter Arena was packed to capacity.
The King of Slaughter appeared in person.
"Congratulations to you both on completing a hundred consecutive victories. Now, Hell Road will open!"
At the King of Slaughter's shout, a massive formation took shape at the center of the platform. Thick blood gathered into a crimson pillar of light that shot into the sky.
Yu Tianyu leaped into it first, his movements unhurried.
Tang San followed close behind, his eyes as cold as iron.
Hell Road.
It was a place filled with all kinds of terrifying creatures and deadly traps, a maze that could stir the deepest desires and fears in one's heart.
Above a river of lava, a narrow stone bridge wound into the darkness.
Tang San raced across the bridge, sensing that Yu Tianyu was somewhere ahead.
But when he reached the first open platform, he stopped.
There were no monsters, and no traps.
Yu Tianyu sat on a stone stool, turning two Spirit Rings over in his hand.
One was a deep black Spirit Ring. The other shone with an eerie crimson light.
A Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring!
"Third Brother, you're too slow."
Yu Tianyu stood up. Killing intent surged around him, instantly overwhelming the Asura killing intent Tang San had struggled to gather.
"Guess who these two Spirit Rings belonged to?"
Yu Tianyu tilted his head and revealed a dazzlingly sunny smile that drove Tang San completely mad.
"This is the 'surprise' I prepared for you. Actually... Xiao Wu isn't here at all. What you saw last night was just an illusion I casually conjured. But this, now, is a real gift."
Yu Tianyu tossed the red Spirit Ring into the air and caught it.
"To make you reach the absolute height of madness, I've decided that at the end of Hell Road, right in front of you, I'll turn your 'little bunny'... into my Spirit Ring for good. Tell me, wouldn't that be a beautiful sight?"
"AAAAAAH!! Yu Tianyu!! I'll kill you!!!"
Tang San's reason shattered completely.
Even if it meant burning through the last of his life, even if he had to blow up his soul, he would take the devil before him down with him.
Inside Hell Road, crimson thunder exploded.
The Eight Spider Lances behind Tang San grew wildly, turning jet-black and gleaming. He looked like an evil spider crawling out of hell.
Yu Tianyu, meanwhile, walked slowly into the darkness, his voice drifting back.
"Run, Third Brother. Run in despair. When you make it through this road and see the sunlight, you'll realize that's when your hell truly begins."
This game had never been fair from the start.
Tang San was struggling, while Yu Tianyu looked down on him.
The death knell of Slaughter City was tolling for Tang San.
Before you continue