The Destruction of Slaughter City

Gu Sheng leaned down, bracing his hands on either side of her, and scrutinized the newly enthroned Empress at close range.

"Rules?"

"In this Heaven Dou Empire, I am the rules."

Gu Sheng reached out his right hand, his fingertips gently threading through the golden hair beside her ear, and removed the heavy Nine Dragon Imperial Crown, tossing it aside carelessly.

With a crisp clatter, the imperial crown landed on the white jade floor and rolled a few times.

Qian Renxue's waterfall of golden hair cascaded down instantly, adding a touch of languor and allure to her appearance.

"You're the most imposing person in the world, destroying the Clear Sky Sect just like that."

"I, the Empress, have ended up as a little woman basking in your glory."

Qian Renxue gave a soft huff, released her grip, and let herself sink into the soft brocade quilt.

Gu Sheng sat on the edge of the couch, pulled her delicate hand into his, and gently stroked her palm.

"My lady, that is where you are mistaken. Everything I do is to ensure you sit firmly on this throne, is it not?"

"Those blind fools at the Clear Sky Sect were a hidden danger regardless; wiping them out was a mere trifle, not worth mentioning."

Watching his calm and indifferent demeanor, Qian Renxue felt a sweetness in her heart, yet she remained worried.

"Were you hurt? Tang Xiao is a Titled Douluo, after all; the power of the Great Sumeru Hammer is not to be underestimated."

She propped herself up, nervously searching Gu Sheng's body, her fair fingers wandering over his lapels.

Gu Sheng caught the mischievous hand and gave it a tug, pulling her back into his arms.

"Do they think they can hurt me?"

"If you don't believe me, my lady, you are welcome to inspect me yourself."

Gu Sheng's voice was low, carrying a hint of teasing.

Qian Renxue's pretty face flushed bright red, and she punched him in shy annoyance.

"You have no sense of propriety; it's broad daylight."

"And so what? Within this bedchamber, who would dare intrude?"

Gu Sheng's warm breath brushed against her ear, causing the beauty in his arms to tremble.

Unable to withstand such intimacy, Qian Renxue simply buried her head in his chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat.

"Husband, I often feel as if I am dreaming."

"Back when I was lurking in Heaven Dou City, every step I took was like walking on thin ice."

"Now that I have you, it feels as though I have nothing left to fear."

Gu Sheng gently stroked her back, soothing her emotions.

"With me here, you naturally have nothing to fear."

"Whatever you wish to do in the future, just do it. If the sky falls, I will hold it up for you."

Qian Renxue tilted her head back, her golden eyes reflecting his image.

"Then what if I want to be a tyrant?"

"Then I shall be the male favorite who ruins the country and brings disaster to the people, staying by your side every day."

Gu Sheng scraped her cheek, his eyes filled with doting affection.

Qian Renxue chuckled, her previously tense body and mind finally relaxing.

"You are no mere male favorite; you are my Saint Spirit King, the very foundation of this Heaven Dou Empire."

"No, I am simply your husband."

Gu Sheng corrected her, his fingers sliding from her cheek down to her ruby lips.

The distance between them was infinitesimal, their breaths intertwining, and the temperature in the bedchamber seemed to rise.

Lost in the moment, Qian Renxue slowly closed her eyes.

Gu Sheng did not hesitate and kissed her.

It was a kiss that was gentle yet possessed an intense possessiveness, conquering and plundering, giving her no chance to retreat.

Qian Renxue submissively cooperated, her hands climbing onto his shoulders once more.

After a long while, the two slowly parted.

Qian Renxue was breathless, her cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes hazy.

"Husband, you are truly wicked."

"The wickedest parts are yet to come, my lady; you had better be prepared."

Gu Sheng swept her up into his arms and walked toward the large bed.

The red silk curtains slowly descended, veiling the spring scenery and the lingering charm within the room.

Morning.

A sliver of golden sunlight pierced through the heavy curtains, casting a slanted glow across the luxurious white jade floor.

The room was still permeated with the faint, lingering warmth of the previous night.

Gu Sheng slowly opened his eyes.

The soft, fragrant beauty in his arms stirred, and Qian Renxue's waterfall of golden hair lay in disarray across his chest.

Looking at the exquisite, picturesque sleeping face of the beauty in his embrace, Gu Sheng's lips curled upward as he reached out to gently stroke her hair.

Qian Renxue seemed to sense his touch; her long eyelashes fluttered slightly before she opened those beautiful golden eyes.

"Awake?"

Gu Sheng's voice carried a hint of gentleness.

Qian Renxue shyly snuggled deeper into his arms, her voice lazy.

"Husband, you've risen quite early."

Gu Sheng smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Today is the fourth day since your coronation. Do you not intend to attend to state affairs?"

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at him, feigning annoyance.

"With you, the Saint Spirit King, by my side, which of those ministers would dare to rebel?"

"Besides, the state affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire are being handled by the confidants left behind by Xue Qinghe; there won't be any major trouble."

Gu Sheng nodded slightly, his expression gradually turning calm.

"That may be so, but hidden dangers must still be eradicated as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue propped up her delicate body, letting the silk quilt slide down to reveal a large expanse of fair skin.

She looked at Gu Sheng nervously.

"Husband, are you leaving again?"

Gu Sheng pulled her hand over and gently rubbed it in his palm.

"Indeed. Although the Clear Sky Sect has been destroyed, Tang Hao and Tang San are not yet dead."

"If you don't pull out the weeds by the roots, they will grow again with the spring breeze."

Qian Renxue was worried.

"They were so severely injured; what kind of waves could they possibly stir up?"

Gu Sheng shook his head, a profound look flashing in his eyes.

"Tang San is a man of immense fortune; leaving him alive will eventually prove to be a disaster."

"Moreover, I suspect they will go to one place."

"Where?"

"Slaughter City."

Upon hearing this name, Qian Renxue's expression changed slightly.

"Slaughter City? That lawless zone filled with the fallen?"

"Correct."

Gu Sheng said indifferently.

"Although that place is chaotic, it is also the easiest place to hide from pursuit."

"Furthermore, the ancestor of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen, is very likely inside."

Qian Renxue exclaimed in surprise.

"Tang Chen? He is still alive?"

"Alive, but not far from death."

Gu Sheng sneered.

"He is currently possessed by the Nine-Headed Bat King and has become the King of Slaughter of Slaughter City."

"I am going this time to finish him off and, incidentally, to obtain the Divine Slaughter's Domain."

The worry in Qian Renxue's eyes deepened.

"But I heard Grandfather say that no soul skills can be used in Slaughter City."

"Your strength will be severely restricted there; it is too dangerous."

Gu Sheng looked at her concerned expression, felt a warmth in his heart, and reached out to pinch her small face.

"Silly girl, to me, soul skills are merely the icing on the cake."

"Even without soul skills, no one in this world can harm me in the slightest."

"Just stay in Heaven Dou City and wait for my return in peace."

Watching his confident demeanor, the worry in Qian Renxue's heart finally dissipated for the most part.

She leaned into Gu Sheng's embrace, her voice low.

"Then you must return quickly."

"Without you, this throne holds no meaning for me."

Gu Sheng gently patted her back, soothing her with a soft voice.

"Rest assured, when I return, no one on this continent will be able to block our path."

The two lingered in intimacy on the couch for a long while.

Only then did Qian Renxue reluctantly rise, personally attending to Gu Sheng as he dressed.

It was a magnificent robe with a black base and gold patterns, embroidered with the fierce yet noble Saint Spirit Pattern.

Once fully dressed, Gu Sheng appeared even more distinguished, radiating the overwhelming pressure of one in a position of power.

Qian Renxue stood before him, carefully adjusting his collar.

"Go, return as soon as you can."

Gu Sheng stroked her head, turned, and strode out of the bedchamber.

Outside the palace doors.

The sunlight was blinding.

She Long and Ci Xue, the two Title Douluo, had been waiting respectfully for quite some time.

Seeing Gu Sheng emerge, the two hurriedly bowed in salute.

"Greetings, Saint Spirit King!"

Gu Sheng raised his hand slightly, signaling them to rise.

"How has the follow-up regarding the Clear Sky Sect been handled?"

She Long stepped forward, reporting respectfully.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, all resisting elements of the Clear Sky Sect have been killed."

"The sect's treasury has been sealed, and a large quantity of supplies and spirit bones are currently being transported to Heaven Dou City."

"However, we searched the entire sect thoroughly and indeed found no trace of Tang Hao or Tang San."

Gu Sheng listened expressionlessly, not at all surprised by this.

"It would be strange if they were still there."

"Is there any other news?"

Ci Xue followed up with his report.

"Regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi is being very obedient and has made no unusual moves."

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has also closed its doors to guests, seemingly frightened by our methods in annihilating the Clear Sky Sect."

Gu Sheng let out a cold snort.

"A bunch of sycophants; pay them no mind."

"I intend to leave Heaven Dou City for a period of time."

Hearing this, She Long and Ci Xue exchanged glances, both seeing the confusion in the other's eyes.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?"

She Long couldn't help but ask.

Gu Sheng swept a faint glance at him.

"Do not ask what you should not."

She Long's heart tightened instantly, and he hurriedly lowered his head.

"This subordinate deserves death!"

Gu Sheng withdrew his gaze, his tone calm.

"During the time I am away, you two must guard Her Majesty the Empress without leaving her side."

"If anyone dares to show disrespect to Her Majesty or harbors ill intentions, kill them without mercy."

"Do you understand?"

The expressions of the two turned stern, and they immediately replied in unison.

"This subordinate understands! We will protect Her Majesty the Empress with our lives!"

Gu Sheng nodded slightly.

"Additionally, keep a close watch on the movements of Martial Soul Hall."

"That woman, Bibi Dong, is not someone to be trifled with."

"If she makes any small moves, send word to me immediately."

Having finished his instructions, Gu Sheng said nothing more.

His figure flickered, and he vanished from the spot in an instant like a ghost.

Only She Long and Ci Xue were left to exchange glances, their hearts secretly struck with terror.

The strength of this Saint Spirit King seemed to have grown even stronger.

After leaving Heaven Dou City, Gu Sheng headed west.

His speed was extremely fast, leaving behind trails of afterimages in the air.

The location of Slaughter City was highly secretive, but for Gu Sheng, who knew the plot well, it was no secret at all.

It was a cursed place, situated in a desolate region to the southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Several days later.

The surrounding scenery gradually became desolate.

The once lush forests slowly disappeared, replaced by stretches of withered yellow sand and craggy, barren mountains.

The sky also appeared gloomy, as if shrouded in a layer of lingering haze.

The air was faintly permeated with a faint scent of blood.

Gu Sheng stopped in his tracks and looked at a small town not far ahead.

The town looked extremely dilapidated; all the buildings appeared aged, exuding an aura of decay.

On the streets of the town, a few people were walking about sporadically.

The complexions of these people were deathly pale, and their eyes held a sickly madness and vigilance.

When they saw Gu Sheng, dressed in luxurious attire with a noble temperament, their eyes revealed glints of greed and cruelty.

In their eyes, Gu Sheng was like a lost little lamb, delicious and juicy.

Gu Sheng turned a blind eye to these gazes and walked toward the center of the town with a calm expression.

His goal was clear: the only tavern in the town.

The tavern's sign was so rotted that the writing was illegible, and the worn-out wooden door creaked harshly in the wind.

Gu Sheng reached out, pushed open the wooden door, and walked inside.

The light inside the tavern was very dim, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of inferior ale, as well as an unmistakable scent of blood.

At this moment, quite a few people were already sitting inside the tavern.

These people were dressed in various ways, but each of them exuded a fierce and malevolent aura.

Seeing Gu Sheng walk in, the tavern suddenly fell silent.

Countless ill-intentioned gazes instantly focused on Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng remained composed and walked straight to the bar to sit down.

Behind the bar stood a tall, middle-aged man.

There was a long scar on his face, stretching from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth, making him look quite ferocious.

The scarred man coldly sized Gu Sheng up.

"Kid, this isn't a place for a young noble like you."

"Get out now, and you might still be able to keep your life."

Gu Sheng ignored his threat and simply spat out five words calmly.

"One Bloody Mary."

Upon hearing this name, a low burst of laughter erupted in the tavern.

The scarred man's eyes also became playful.

"Oh? Looks like you know the rules."

"However, the Bloody Mary here isn't so easy to drink."

As he spoke, he took a dirty wooden cup from under the counter.

Then, he lifted a massive clay jar and poured a full cup of viscous red liquid into the wooden cup.

The liquid emitted a strong, bloody stench and was even still warm.

This was not wine at all, but fresh human blood.

The scarred man pushed the wooden cup in front of Gu Sheng.

"Drink up. Once you drink it, you'll have the qualifications to enter."

The surrounding degenerates began to jeer.

"Haha, drink up, pretty boy!"

"Don't cry from fear; this is good stuff!"

"If you can't drink it, let me help you drink it!"

Gu Sheng looked at the cup of red liquid emitting a foul stench before him, his brows furrowing slightly.

He extended a finger and gave it a light flick.

"Clatter!"

The wooden cup overturned instantly, and the viscous red liquid flowed down the bar, dripping onto the filthy floor.

"Too dirty."

Gu Sheng's voice was calm, yet it reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.

The jeering laughter inside the tavern came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone widened their eyes, unable to believe that this young man would dare to commit such an act.

At the entrance of Slaughter City, wasting Bloody Mary was nothing short of a provocation against the rules here.