The girl in the black veil spoke again, her tone carrying a measure of admonition and warning. "You must remember that this is no ordinary place. No currency changes hands here; every bite of food and every drop of water is provided free of charge. Here, the value of life has long since been redefined. The skulls of the fallen are the true measure of a person's strength. And if you wish to exchange your own blood and the skulls your enemies leave behind for what you need, you must be ready to face life and death at any moment."
Chen Xuanqing's eyes glinted in the darkness, and he gave a cold smile that betrayed his indifference to the fickleness of life and death.
"Say no more. Take me to this so-called Hell Slaughter Arena."
The girl in the black veil paused, seemingly startled. The eyes hidden beneath her veil seemed to reveal a trace of surprise and concern. "Have you truly decided? That is the cruelest place in Slaughter City. Countless powerful Soul Masters have fallen there, and very few have walked out alive. You need only enter once each year. As long as you survive one battle, you can spend another year in Slaughter City in peace. But you..."
Chen Xuanqing cut her off, his tone firm and resolute. "I'm certain. Take me there now."
The girl in the black veil fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
Through her black veil, she quietly studied Chen Xuanqing's resolute face, an inexplicable trace of admiration and concern stirring in her heart.
"Since you've made up your mind, please follow me." The girl in the black veil inclined her head slightly, her voice low, then turned and headed toward the inner city.
Her steps were light and steady, and