The patrol squad's test came swiftly and decisively.
Su Mo and Xiao Wu had barely stepped out of the passage when a squad of black-armored warriors blocked their path.
At their head stood the patrol captain, his gaze like two rusty blades scraping over them.
He slammed the greatsword resting on his shoulder into the ground. Its tip smashed into the cracks between the stone slabs, sending up a few sparks.
"The rules are simple." The patrol captain's voice was rough and mechanical, as though he were repeating words he had said countless times before. "Challenge one of us. If you win, you may enter Slaughter City. If you lose, leave your lives here."
The twelve black-armored warriors behind him drew their weapons at the same time, their movements as synchronized as one person's. There was no pre-battle shouting, no contemptuous mockery; even their breathing followed the same rhythm.
Su Mo glanced at Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu nodded.
They drew their swords at the same time, then charged toward a soldier each.
Su Mo's Blood Shadow Sword left a dark red afterimage in the dim passage. The bloodline along its spine seemed to come alive as it moved at high speed, emitting an almost imperceptible tremor.
Xiao Wu's pink longsword left its sheath almost at the same instant.
Pfft—
Pfft—
Before the two patrol soldiers could react, they were struck directly by the longswords of Su Mo and Lin Yue, their armor split open by enormous gashes.
"How is this possible..."
The entire patrol squad was stunned.
Su Mo and Xiao Wu were simply too fast.
"Enough." The patrol captain finally spoke. "You've passed."
Su Mo sheathed his sword. Xiao Wu also withdrew hers, flicking away the remaining beads of blood from its edge.
The two passed through the heavy