The room fell quiet for a few breaths.
Luo Shang walked over, crouched down, and met Luo Yun's gaze. He placed a hand on Luo Yun's shoulder, his grip neither too light nor too firm.
"Xiao Yun, listen to me." Luo Shang's voice was serious, without its usual languidness. "The Law of Destruction is powerful, and so is the Moon Eclipse Sword. But you're only six. Your body and mind haven't finished growing yet, so it's perfectly normal that you can't control that power."
He paused, his gaze darkening.
"I've seen too many people destroy themselves because they obtained power they weren't meant to have."
Luo Yun pressed his lips together.
"So until you can fully control it, and until you're at least level thirty, try not to use the Moon Eclipse Sword. And don't use the Law of Destruction at all."
Luo Yun was silent for a while, then nodded.
"I understand."
Luo Shang studied his eyes, making sure he wasn't just humoring him. Only then did he release his shoulder and stand up.
"Go to sleep."
"After this, I'll teach you real swordsmanship."
"Real swordsmanship? So the stuff before didn't count?"
"Before, I was just playing with you."
Luo Yun: "..."
Douluo God Realm.
The Tree of Life.
God of Destruction sat on a branch with one leg crossed over the other, resting his chin in one hand as his purplish-red eyes peered through the sea of clouds at the azure planet.
His expression was not particularly pleasant.
"He's not allowed to use it?" He snorted. "Luo Shang really doesn't know what's good for him."
Goddess of Life sat beside him. Hearing this, she couldn't help laughing.
"Isn't it perfectly normal for a father to worry about his son? Your power of destruction is so strong. A six-year-old child can't control it. What if something goes wrong?"
"Something goes wrong?" God of Destruction's voice rose slightly. "My divine sense is attached to him. What could possibly go wrong?"
"You can't stay attached to him forever."
Goddess of Life shook her head. "Besides, possessing him places a burden on that child's body."
God of Destruction opened his mouth, then closed it again.
He had to admit Xiao Lu had a point.
But he wasn't going to admit it.
"Xiao Zi." Goddess of Life looked at him, a helpless smile on her lips. "Could you stop being so... protective? The boy's father has his own plans, and you insist on interfering."
"I'm not being protective." God of Destruction turned his face away, his purplish-red eyes narrowing slightly.
"I just think that boy was born to wield the power of destruction. You should've seen him holding the Moon Eclipse Sword. That look in his eyes, that stance—it was exactly..."
"Exactly like you when you were young?" Goddess of Life finished for him.
God of Destruction fell silent for a moment.
"...More or less."
Goddess of Life shook her head with a smile and said nothing more.
She knew Xiao Zi.
He never backed down in words, but in his heart, he understood things better than anyone.
So he was only grumbling. He had no real intention of interfering by force.
God of Destruction rested his chin in his hand, his gaze returning to Douluo Continent. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Come to think of it, I can think of a place where that boy would be perfect for practicing the power of destruction."
Goddess of Life's fingers paused.
"What place?"
"Slaughter City."
"Isn't that the inheritance ground of Asura God?"
"It won't be anymore."
Goddess of Life's brows furrowed slightly, but soon relaxed again. She looked at God of Destruction's smug expression and sighed helplessly.
Xiao Zi still loved playing games.
Douluo Continent.
Rose Hotel, late at night.
Luo Yun lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
The power of destruction in the Moon Eclipse Sword, the Law of Life in the Sun Corona Sword, the Ferocious Beasts in Star Dou Great Forest... These things kept circling through his mind.
Just as he was finally drifting off, two voices suddenly rang in his mind.
One was deep and icy:
"Destruction Nine Trials, Third Trial: Clear Slaughter City. Time limit: five years. Reward: one God-given Soul Ring, Soul Power increased by three levels. Failure penalty: annihilation."
The other was gentle and clear:
"Life Nine Trials, Third Trial: Complete the Third Trial of the Destruction Nine Trials. Time limit: five years. Reward: one God-given Soul Ring, Soul Power increased by three levels. Failure penalty: annihilation."
Luo Yun's eyes flew open.
Slaughter City.
What kind of place was that?
Before he could figure it out, his body had already moved ahead of his mind.
He sprang out of bed, dashed across the room, and knocked on the door opposite.
"Dad! Dad!"
Luo Shang had only just fallen asleep.
He was far more exhausted than Luo Yun from the journey.
He had done the fighting, led the way, and kept watch. All Luo Yun had needed to do was follow along.
Now the knocking woke him, and his first reaction was irritation.
But when he heard Luo Yun's voice, he got out of bed and opened the door. His hair was a mess, and his eyes were bloodshot, but he was already fully awake.
"What is it?"
"The Third Trial is here."
Luo Shang's brows instantly knitted together, and his drowsiness vanished. He pulled Luo Yun into the room, shut the door, and sat him down on the edge of the bed.
"Tell me."
Luo Yun drew a deep breath and spoke slowly, one word at a time. "Slaughter City. Clear it. Five-year time limit. The rewards are a God-given Soul Ring and a three-level increase in Soul Power. Failure... means annihilation."
Luo Shang fell silent.
His hand slid off Luo Yun's shoulder and dropped to his side. His fingers curled slightly, but he said nothing.
"Dad?" Luo Yun called tentatively.
Luo Shang didn't answer.
He walked to the window and pushed it open. The night breeze swept in, carrying the distinctive clamor of Suotuo City after dark.
Someone was singing in the distance. Someone else was arguing. A carriage rattled by.
The sounds blended together, completely at odds with what was going through his mind.
Slaughter City.
That place...
A forbidden ground for Soul Masters, a breeding ground for sin.
There were no laws and no rules there, only the law of the jungle, where the strong preyed on the weak.
Those who entered Slaughter City were forbidden from using Soul Power. They could only fight with the most primitive means:
Their bodies, their weapons, and their instincts.
Of every hundred people who entered, fewer than one would make it out alive.
And his son was six years old, about to enter that place...
Luo Shang closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.
In his mind, he had already cursed the one who issued the God Trial more times than he could count.
What a load of bullshit.
Trial after trial.
First, it sent a six-year-old child to the Core Circle of Star Dou Great Forest. Now it was sending that same child to Slaughter City.
Was this a trial or a death sentence?
But after cursing it out, he still managed to calm down.
Anger was useless.
Cursing wouldn't change the facts.
"Is it a dangerous place?" Luo Yun's voice came from behind him, tinged with uncertainty.
Luo Shang turned around and looked at his son.
He thought for a moment, then decided to tell him the truth.
"It's very dangerous," Luo Shang said. "Slaughter City will prevent you from using Soul Power. In there, you can only fight with your Martial Soul and your body. And everyone inside is a desperate cutthroat who's lived by the blade."
Before you continue