"Your method is too risky," Bibi Dong finally replied coldly. "I won't gamble with her mind."
"Tsk, womanly sentimentality." The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox seemed somewhat disdainful. "Fine, since you're reluctant, let's try a gentler method."
"Speak," Bibi Dong said coldly.
"What you can't have always seems more alluring; once you get it, you realize it's nothing special," the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox said leisurely.
"If you satisfy her desire in a small way, making her less fantasizing about it, her obsessive longing for what she can't have will naturally diminish."
However... there is also a risk.
"What risks?" Bibi Dong asked.
"A risk that I'm not entirely sure about," the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox said.
"She's not a real celestial fox after all; I don't know if she would do that."
"However, if the Heavenly Fox Clan chooses this method to overcome their love tribulation, then the object of their affection will become indispensable to them."
"If this person is gone, or doesn't want her anymore, she can't go on living; her heart will wither away without any relief."
"Is it better to depend on others for survival, or to live independently?"
I can't say which one is better or worse.
"It's up to you to choose."
A year has passed quietly amidst the bloody backdrop of the Slaughter City.
Inside the stone house, the atmosphere was more subdued and calm compared to a year ago.
Hu Liena sat cross-legged on the stone bed, surrounded by a faint pink halo. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her brows were furrowed, clearly indicating that she was engaged in a difficult tug-of-war with the surging power within her.
Her breathing was sometimes rapid, sometimes long, and her body would occasionally tremble slightly, but she always managed to hold on to herself when things were about to get out of control.
Xuan Ming sat quietly not far away, emanating a faint, icy aura.
His very existence was like a piece of ice that calmed the soul, constantly helping Hu Liena fight against the burning desire that originated from the depths of her soul.
Occasionally, when Hu Liena's breathing became too erratic, a cool white light would brush past her, helping her to calm down.
That year, with Xuan Ming's help, Hu Liena struggled to learn how to control the power that had almost consumed her.
The process was painful and long; each act of suppression felt like dancing on a knife's edge, but her eyes were more determined than they had been a year ago.
As for the Hell Slaughter Arena, under Bibi Dong's covert pressure and the "active cooperation" of the King of Slaughter, although no one dared to challenge Xuan Ming, they could always "coincidentally" find some coerced or lured desperados who had just entered and were unaware of the situation, and every now and then they would put together a match for Xuan Ming.
His winning streak increased slowly and steadily, in a strange, unspoken agreement.
During this time, Bibi Dong visited several more times, not only to check on the two of them but also to bring news of the changing situation in the outside world.
The Spirit Hall has officially changed its name to the Spirit Hall Empire, and with Thunderclap force, it has annexed several kingdoms on the border of Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire, rapidly expanding its territory.
After the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was also completely bound to the Spirit Hall Empire's war chariot.
The two great empires' vigilance towards the Spirit Hall Empire has reached its peak. A large number of Soul Master families and sects that were unwilling to submit have flocked to the Heaven Dou or Star Luo Empire Empires, resulting in a tense standoff between the three great empires.
In this turbulent game, some pieces have quietly changed positions.
Yu Xiaogang appeared in the Heaven Dou Empire. By exposing the true identity of " Xue Qinghe " and Tang San's teacher, and with the contrast of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect "defecting to the enemy," he actually gained the great trust of Xue Ye and was appointed as the national teacher. He was also able to gather the remaining disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and obtain strong support from the Heaven Dou Empire, becoming a banner of resistance against the Spirit Hall Empire.
Someone in the Elder Hall suggested assassinating Yu Xiaogang, but Bibi Dong rejected the idea.
In her view, keeping such a "theoretical Grandmaster " and "emotional leader" in Heaven Dou is far more worthwhile than replacing them with an unknown and potentially more formidable opponent.
As for Tang Hao and Tang San, they seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace whatsoever.
Dai Mubai was "sent" back to the Star Luo Empire by the Spirit Hall, where he is likely stirring up new trouble.
However, all these disturbances were overshadowed by a more urgent message during Bibi Dong's last visit.
Qian Renxue remained deep within the Elder Hall, and Qian Daoliu made no further move.
" The Worship Hall is almost completely silent. I'm 90% certain that she has begun the Angel God Trial."
"With Qian Daoliu's full assistance, her progress may exceed expectations. If I fail to achieve the Rakshasa Godhood before her... our previous agreement may be subject to change. At that time, not only me, but also Gu Yuena and the others... may face great danger."
Once Qian Renxue succeeds, the power of the Spirit Hall Empire will change hands in an instant.
The structure of the Wuhun Empire and even the entire continent will be completely overturned.
Xuan Ming paid no attention to the conflicts in the outside world or the rise and fall of empires.
However, the potential consequences of Qian Renxue becoming a god, especially the threat to Gu Yuena, were something he could not ignore.
He glanced at Hu Liena, who was still struggling with her own desires, and then felt the surging power within him and his long winning streak that had stalled for so long.
It seems the day to leave the Slaughter City will have to be brought forward.
Xuan Ming pushed open the bone gate and stepped into the eternally crimson night of the Slaughter City.
Inside the room, Hu Liena remained in meditation, struggling against the power within her body, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.
Xuan Ming's nearly two years in the Slaughter City had given him an intimate knowledge of this sinful place.
He didn't need to search deliberately; simply walking along the twisted streets of the inner city, the chilling killing intent emanating from him, almost solidified, was enough to terrify any lurking observers and send them fleeing in panic.
But there are always some newcomers, or desperate outlaws driven to the brink, who will rush forward with bloodshot eyes, becoming nourishment for the Blood Spear.
Xuan Ming's figure moved like Gui Mei among the jagged rocks and blood-stained buildings.
He didn't actively engage in mass slaughter; he was more like a cold-blooded reaper, clearing away the weeds that deliberately came to him.
The Blood Spear did not materialize, but whenever an attack approached or he locked onto a target, a dark red afterimage would flash by like a venomous snake.
There was no earth-shattering display of power, only extreme speed and precision, and the opponent's instantly shriveled corpse after the attack was completed.
The killing now feels like nothing to him, as natural as breathing.
The relentless killing over the past two years has resulted in an astronomical number of Fallen dying at his hands.
The Slaughter Envoy had personally approached him and vaguely revealed some information: since his arrival, in less than two years, the population of the Slaughter City, which had been accumulating for nearly a thousand years, had decreased by almost one-third.
The massive amount of Life and Soul Power was devoured and refined by the Blood Spear Blood Spear, bringing it to a state that even he could not quite understand.
But what followed was an increasingly clear sense of stagnation.
Especially in the last six months, he has found it increasingly difficult to fully unleash the power of the Blood Spear.
It wasn't that his power had weakened; on the contrary, the energy contained in the Blood Spear had become so immense that even he himself felt a chill.
The problem lies in control.
The Blood Spear that appeared alongside his Martial Soul Awakening seemed to have given birth to a vague, extremely primal will after devouring countless Life.
A pure, unadulterated craving for killing and devouring.
It's like a Ferocious Beast that's been overfed and is about to break free of its reins.
But in the last two weeks, an even stranger change has occurred.
The Blood Spear's ever-present devouring desire and bloodlust began to weaken.
It didn't disappear, but rather became... lethargic?
Like a glutton who, after a long and unrestrained binge, is finally nearing the point of satisfaction.
It still craves killing, but that craving is no longer so urgent or so difficult to suppress.
Xuan Ming could clearly sense that the vast, ocean-like power within the Blood Spear was approaching a certain saturation and stability.
The energy he received became increasingly refined, but the quantity decreased.
It's almost full.
This realization left Xuan Ming with mixed feelings.
On the one hand, the stability of the Blood Spear means that the possibility of him regaining complete control over it has increased, and he no longer needs to worry about backlash when using it.
On the other hand, he was also curious about what would happen to a Martial Soul that had devoured so many Life and was almost the most vicious and evil in the world after it reached saturation.
Will it fall into silence, or... give birth to something even more terrifying?
He stopped and stood atop a watchtower made of bones, looking down at the hellish inner city below.
The stench of blood and the frenzied screams never ceased.
He raised his right hand, a thought flashing through his mind.
Buzz--
A dark red spear, seemingly forged from congealed blood, quietly appeared.
On the spear shaft, the dragon scale patterns that were originally just faint black have now become clear and deep, with a faint shimmering light.
The tip of the spear was a deep, dark red that seemed to devour all light; looking at it for too long would make even the soul tremble.
The Blood Spear hovered silently in his palm, no longer humming with thirst as before, but instead exuding a calm, restrained, yet even more unsettling aura.
Xuan Ming could sense that the faint barrier between him and the Blood Spear still existed.
It was no longer entirely an extension of his body, but more like a symbiote that had begun to exhibit some instinctive reactions.
Chapter 299 Finally Full
After six months of tireless efforts and eager anticipation from the King of Slaughter, Xuan Ming finally achieved a hundred consecutive victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena in an almost comical manner.
In the final match, when the host announced in a trembling voice that [ Pluto ] had achieved a hundred victories, the entire Hell Slaughter Arena fell into an eerie silence, followed by an unprecedented, almost roof-lifting frenzy of cheers!
The faces of the Fallen in the stands radiated genuine joy and... relief!
This plague is finally leaving!
They no longer have to live in fear, worrying that they might be casually harvested while walking down the street!
The King of Slaughter appeared in the center of the arena almost instantly, his face plastered with an almost fawning smile; where was the slightest trace of the majesty of the ruler of the Slaughter City?
Congratulations! Congratulations to Pluto on his victorious campaign! Congratulations to the Hell Messenger on their triumphant return!
His voice was loud and clear, and he even led the applause, as if afraid that Xuan Ming would change his mind if he was even a second late.
"These two are exceptionally talented, truly geniuses unseen in the Slaughter City! This shallow water can never truly contain a true dragon!"
He spoke quickly and urgently, giving Xuan Ming and Hu Liena no time to react, as if afraid they would stay and fight a few more rounds.
"Both of you have proven your absolute qualifications to challenge the Hell Road! It is the only way to leave the Slaughter City, and the testing ground for true powerhouses!"
"I, the King, wish you both great success in your martial endeavors, that you may successfully traverse the Hell Road, acquire the Divine Slaughter's Domain, and leave this place for a wider world!"
His tone was so sincere it was almost exaggerated, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible urging.
In the audience, all the Fallen held their breath, their hearts screaming a shared cry: Go! Go! Go!
Xuan Ming glanced expressionlessly at the poorly acting King of Slaughter, then looked around at the cheering spectators lining the streets.
He naturally understood the implications behind all of this.
Seeing that Xuan Ming and Hu Liena did not act immediately, the King of Slaughter seemed afraid of complications, and a resolute glint flashed in his scarlet eyes.
He suddenly spread his arms wide, and a terrifying burst of blood-red light erupted from his body!
"Now that you two have achieved your wishes, I, the King, will personally see you off. With the lifeblood of all living beings here, I will open this Hell Road for you! May you... have a safe journey!"
His voice became ferocious and fanatical, tinged with a cruel excitement.
Before the words were even finished, the stands, completely enveloped by that eerie red light, instantly transformed into a maddening inferno more terrifying than hell itself!
The Fallen touched by the red light convulsed violently, their last shred of reason completely extinguished, replaced by a madness born from the extreme pain and twisted ecstasy of Bloody Mary's poison being detonated to its limit!
"Ughhhhhh--!"
"Hahaha... It itches! It's so itchy!"
The piercing screams and maniacal laughter mingled together, creating a chilling scene.
They began to scratch their skin frantically, their nails digging deep into their flesh, tearing off bloody wounds, as if countless insects were gnawing at their bodies, and only by tearing themselves apart could they relieve the indescribable pain and itching.
Blood gushed out like a fountain, instantly staining every inch of the stands red.
The entire Hell Slaughter Arena instantly transformed into a massive and bloody slaughterhouse, with themselves as the slaughterers.
The suffocating stench of blood was almost tangible. Countless streams of Life energy and blood energy, as if drawn by an invisible force, surged wildly from the bodies of those Fallen, transforming into viscous, blood-red streams that rushed and roared as they flowed into the slowly opening entrance to the Hell Road below the arena!