Slaughter City

"Only stay with me this morning. You're not allowed to think about cultivation."

"What about after breakfast?"

"Stay with me a little longer after breakfast."

"How long?"

"Until I'm satisfied."

"You're hard to satisfy."

"Then stay with me longer."

Lin Tian put away the wooden comb.

Hu Liena rose to her feet and turned to face him. She reached out to straighten Lin Tian's collar, then lifted her face and lightly brushed her lips against the corner of his mouth.

"This is your good morning reward."

"Only one?"

Hu Liena's eyes brightened.

"You're asking for rewards on your own now?"

"You said you would give me one."

"Then what else do you want?"

"You decide."

"That's not a bad answer."

She did not pull away immediately. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's waist and rested her face against his chest.

"Hold me a little longer."

Lin Tian supported her lower back.

Hu Liena closed her eyes, and her body gradually relaxed. The sunlight outside the window slowly brightened, falling across their shoulders.

Only after a moment did she raise her face.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"Breakfast is ready."

"Are we eating now?"

"Carry me there."

"You can walk by yourself."

"I want you to carry me today."

Lin Tian picked her up.

Hu Liena immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. The hem of her pale golden dress draped beside his arms. She pressed her face against Lin Tian's shoulder, the smile on her lips never fading.

"You're not allowed to feed me only spirit fruits today."

"There's Soul Beast meat too."

"I want you to feed me."

"Eat it yourself."

"You just promised to take care of me."

"I only promised to eat with you."

"Feeding me counts as keeping me company."

Lin Tian carried her toward the door.

Nestled in his arms, Hu Liena lightly traced her fingers across his collar.

"After we eat, stay with me while I cultivate too."

"Alright."

"What about after cultivation?"

"Rest."

"You have to hold me then too."

"Alright."

"You agreed very quickly today."

"Your requests won't affect cultivation."

Hu Liena raised her face and brushed her lips against the corner of his mouth again.

"Then I'll make a few more requests today."

Lin Tian pushed open the door.

Morning light spilled into the room as the two of them walked toward the table laden with food.

The dining table held roasted Soul Beast meat and several washed spirit fruits.

Lin Tian set Hu Liena down on a chair, her pale golden gown spreading over its surface.

She lifted her foot and kicked her white soft boots to the side.

"Feed me first."

"You can eat by yourself."

"I want you to feed me today."

Lin Tian picked up a piece of Soul Beast meat and brought it to her lips.

Hu Liena lowered her head and bit down on it.

She did not pull away at once, instead watching Lin Tian withdraw his hand.

"How does it taste?"

"Not bad."

"Is the meat good, or did I prepare it well?"

"The meat is good."

Hu Liena's brows furrowed slightly.

She picked up a spirit fruit and held it out before Lin Tian.

"Then eat it yourself."

Lin Tian opened his mouth and took a bite.

The spirit fruit was sweet and refreshing, its juice spilling from the flesh.

Hu Liena watched him, and the smile on her lips gradually grew more pronounced.

"Now it's my turn."

Lin Tian picked up another spirit fruit and held it before her.

Hu Liena opened her mouth and bit it.

Her red lips brushed across Lin Tian's fingertips, and she lifted her eyes to look at him.

"That's more like it."

"You're satisfied?"

"Of course."

She reached out and clasped Lin Tian's wrist, placing his hand at her waist.

"After breakfast, sit with me a little longer."

"Didn't you want to cultivate?"

"We can sit together for a while before cultivation too."

"It'll delay us."

"You cultivate every day. Missing this little bit of time won't matter."

Lin Tian looked at her for a moment but did not withdraw his hand.

Hu Liena leaned back, pressing her body against his chest.

Her pale golden skirt fell to the floor, black stockings wrapping around her slender calves.

She swept her light brown hair to one side, revealing her fair neck.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"Where are you planning to go today?"

"Worship Hall."

"What after seeing the Grand Worshipper?"

"Back to the cultivation room."

"What about Pope Hall?"

"Bibi Dong told me to go there every day."

Hu Liena turned around and braced both hands beside Lin Tian's knees.

"So you're going to see Teacher today?"

"She didn't give me a time."

"When do you plan to go?"

"This afternoon."

Hu Liena narrowed her eyes.

"I'll go with you."

"She only summoned me."

"I know."

She reached out and adjusted Lin Tian's collar.

"But I'm the Holy Maiden, and I'm your friend too."

"Both of those identities let you follow me?"

"Of course."

Hu Liena lifted her chin.

"If Teacher asks, I'll say I came to supervise you."

"Supervise what?"

"Whether you're cultivating seriously."

"I won't slack off."

"I know."

Her palm settled against Lin Tian's chest.

"So I'll supervise Teacher."

Lin Tian lowered his head and looked at her.

"What are you planning to supervise?"

"To make sure she doesn't get too close to you."

"She's the Pope."

"So what?"

Hu Liena sat back down in her chair and took a sip from her teacup.

"Teacher rarely summoned outsiders alone before."

"Now she tells me to go to Pope Hall every day."

"That's why I have to go with you."

"You're worried she'll try to win me over?"

"I'm worried that after accepting her Whale Rubber, you'll forget all about me."

Lin Tian glanced at the wooden box on the table.

"Six pieces of Whale Rubber aren't enough."

"Then how much would be enough?"

"That depends on the quality."

Hu Liena set down her teacup and walked over to Lin Tian.

She bent down closer, her light brown hair slipping over her shoulder.

"What if I gave you something other than Whale Rubber?"

"What would it be?"

"Guess first."

"A Soul Bone?"

"I don't have a Soul Bone."

"Cultivation time?"

"I've always given you my time."

Hu Liena raised her arms around his neck.

"So that doesn't count."

"Then there's no need to guess."

"You're not cooperating at all."

"You didn't explain clearly."

Hu Liena looked at him for a while, then suddenly raised her face and lightly brushed her lips against the corner of his mouth.

"Do you understand now?"

"I still don't."

A faint blush spread across her cheeks.

"I'll tell you tonight."

Lin Tian held her waist and pulled her closer.

Hu Liena sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You're not allowed to go to the training room first today."

"Why?"

"I still want to go to the Worship Hall with you."

"Master is only checking my Soul Rings."

"Then I want to see too."

"You've already seen them."

"Since returning to Spirit City, I haven't taken a proper look."

She raised a hand and touched Lin Tian's right arm.

"And that sword."

"Angel Three Absolutes?"

"Mm."

"Do you want to learn it?"

"I want to watch you practice."

"Swordsmanship doesn't suit your martial soul."

"I can sit beside you."

"All right."

Only then was Hu Liena satisfied.

She leaned against Lin Tian's chest, her fingers lightly tracing the black-gold lapel.

"After you finish practicing with the sword, I'll accompany you to the Pope Hall."

"You're not training?"

"I can train beside you."

"Your Soul Power hasn't stabilized yet."

"The Wisdom Skull has already fully fused."

Hu Liena lifted her face.

"My spiritual power is stronger than before too."

"Don't rush to break through to level fifty-five."

"I know."

She paused, then added:

"But you can't stop me from catching up to you."

"I won't stop you."

"Then will you wait for me?"

"Wait for what?"

"Until I reach level sixty."

"You're still six levels away."

"I'll catch up."

Hu Liena tightened her arms, pressing her forehead against Lin Tian's shoulder.

"Once I can enter the Great Star Dou Forest too, you have to take me to hunt Soul Rings."

"All right."

"Once I reach the Soul Emperor realm, you're not allowed to leave me behind either."

"I won't."

"Then it's settled."

She closed her eyes and quietly rested in Lin Tian's embrace.

The sunlight outside gradually brightened.

Lin Tian did not rise immediately.

A moment later, Hu Liena lifted her face again.

"Now you can go practice your sword."

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Not yet."

"How much longer?"

"Until tonight."

She climbed down from Lin Tian's lap and straightened her long dress.

Then she reached out and tugged on his sleeve.

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"First, to watch you practice your sword."

"Then the Worship Hall."

"Finally, the Pope Hall."

Hu Liena tightened her grip on his hand.

"I'll be with you all day today."

Hu Liena immediately followed him.

The two walked along the stone path beyond the courtyard toward the Worship Hall.

Spirit City was still quiet in the early morning.

The Soul Power lamps lining the streets gradually went dark, while pale golden sunlight fell across the towering buildings.

Hu Liena linked her arm through Lin Tian's, her pale gold dress swaying gently with her steps.

"How long are you planning to train today?"

"Two hours."

"What about after two hours?"

"Rest."

"And after resting?"

"Continue training."

Hu Liena stopped below the steps and looked up at him.

"You promised just now that you'd spend today with me."

"I will."

"Not just accompany me while we train."

"We can eat too."

Hu Liena looked at him and sighed softly.

She walked in front of Lin Tian and took his hand.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"You didn't make yourself clear."

"Then I'll make it clear now."

Hu Liena stepped closer.

Her pale gold dress pressed against Lin Tian's black-gold robes. Her light brown hair slipped over her shoulder, its ends brushing across the backs of their hands.

"After we leave the Worship Hall today, you have to accompany me to eat first."

"All right."

"After eating, accompany me to the Pope Hall."

"All right."

"After we return from the Pope Hall, stay with me in the training room."

"All right."

Hu Liena raised her face.

"Not to train."

"Then what are we doing?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"You can decide now."

"Can't you take the initiative for once?"

Lin Tian looked at her.

A faint blush spread across Hu Liena's cheeks.

She took Lin Tian's hand and placed it around her waist.

"You only need to remember this: today, you can't spend all your time training."

"I won't."

"Really?"

"Mm."

Only then was Hu Liena satisfied.

She linked her arm through Lin Tian's again and pulled him up the long staircase.

The doors of the Worship Hall were already open.

Qian Daoliu stood beneath the Angel God's statue, his golden robes trailing across the floor.

His gaze settled on Lin Tian.

"Have you begun practicing swordsmanship?"

"Not yet."

"Though Angel Three Absolutes has only three forms, it demands extremely precise control of strength."

Qian Daoliu walked to the center of the hall.

"Your Soul Power has risen too quickly. You must gain control over your own strength as soon as possible."

"I understand."

Lin Tian raised his hand.

A dark-gold longsword appeared in his palm.

The instant the blade left its sheath, golden light illuminated the hall.

Hu Liena stood to the side, her gaze fixed on the longsword.

"First form, Heavenly Light."

Lin Tian stepped forward.

The longsword slashed upward from below.

The blade cut through the air, its golden sword energy condensing into a straight line of light.

The air ahead was directly split apart.

The golden sword energy struck a stone pillar, leaving a sword mark half a foot deep.

Qian Daoliu raised his hand.

Golden Soul Power covered the pillar's surface, and the cracks around the sword mark stopped spreading.

"The power is concentrated. The sword energy didn't leak."

"You've already grasped the first form."

"Second form, Mountain Severing."

Lin Tian gripped the sword with both hands.

Dark-gold Soul Power gathered along the blade.

The next moment, the longsword cleaved downward.

Boom!

A straight crack split the floor of the hall.

The crack stretched all the way to the front of the Angel God's statue, while the surrounding stone slabs collapsed at the same time.

Qian Daoliu withdrew his Soul Power.

"The power is greater, but so is the consumption."

Lin Tian sheathed his sword.

"What about the third form?"

"Judgment can only be mastered in real combat."

Qian Daoliu looked at him.

"When do you plan to enter Slaughter City?"

"Bibi Dong has already arranged it."

Hu Liena held Lin Tian's arm.

"I'll go with him."

Qian Daoliu looked at Hu Liena.

"Slaughter City is no ordinary place for training."

"I know."

"Skills cannot be used there. Soul Masters can only fight with their martial souls, Soul Power, and bodies."

"I won't hold Lin Tian back."

Hu Liena raised her head.

"I'll come out alive."

Qian Daoliu did not try to persuade them further.

He took out two black tokens from his Soul Tool and handed one to each of them.

Skull patterns were engraved on the tokens' surfaces.

"These are your passes to enter Slaughter City."

"Once you reach the outskirts, someone will naturally come to receive you."

Lin Tian put away the token.

"When do we leave?"

"In three days."

Qian Daoliu looked at Lin Tian.

"During these three days, you need to familiarize yourself with the Angel Three Absolutes."

"Hu Liena needs to stabilize her spiritual power."

Hu Liena nodded.

"I'll cultivate diligently."

Qian Daoliu lifted his teacup.

"In Slaughter City, the most dangerous things are not Soul Beasts."

"They are Soul Masters."

"It gathers the most vicious people on the continent."

Lin Tian stored his longsword in his Soul Tool.

"They won't be able to stop me."

Qian Daoliu looked at him.

"You may think so."

"But do not underestimate any battle."

"I won't."

Qian Daoliu nodded.

"Come here again tomorrow to practice your swordsmanship."

"Understood."

Hu Liena hooked her arm through Lin Tian's and led him toward the hall's exit.

The two walked down the long steps.

Hu Liena lowered her head and glanced at the black token in her palm.

"Slaughter City."

"Mm."

"Can Soul Skills really not be used there?"

"Those are the rules."

"Then I can't use my Sky Fox Enchantment either?"

"You can't."

Hu Liena's brows furrowed slightly.

"Even without Soul Skills, you can still defeat a Soul Sage."

"You mean that after I enter, I can only rely on myself?"

"And me."

Hu Liena stopped walking.

She turned her face to look at Lin Tian.

"Will you protect me the whole time?"

"Stay close to me."

"What I'm asking is whether you'll protect me."

"I will."

The worry in Hu Liena's eyes gradually faded.

She tightened her fingers around Lin Tian's hand and leaned a little closer to him.

"This time, you're not allowed to leave me behind."

"There is no rear line there."

"Then I'll stand by your side."

"Fine."

Hu Liena lowered her head to look at their clasped hands.

"I heard Teacher say that there's a Hell Slaughter Arena inside Slaughter City."