Yu Tianheng slowly raised his eyes, his once calm gaze now hardened with ice, and a cold, sharp smile curved his lips. The defensive technique he had just used was not Soul Skill, but a protective aura that Martial Dao practitioners could only use when they reached a certain Protective Gang Qi, and it was extremely powerful.
"After killing so many people in the Slaughter Arena, someone still dares to ambush me! They truly have no regard for their own lives!"
The invisible aura rippled slightly with Yu Tianheng's words, and the oppressive feeling it emitted made Hu Liena inexplicably feel uneasy—she had underestimated the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Before the crisp sound of the dagger hitting the ground had even faded, Hu Liena had already crouched down like a cat, grabbed a broken table leg from the corner, and pounced on Yu Tianheng again with her toes barely touching the ground.
She didn't believe the opponent's defense could last indefinitely, and she also didn't believe that someone who had just returned from the Slaughter Arena could still have much combat power in this Slaughter City Soul Skill were forbidden.
Yu Tianheng merely shifted his body slightly to avoid her sweeping left leg, while simultaneously striking her ribs with his elbow.
Hu Liena felt a sharp pain and her movements faltered. Just as she was about to change her move, her wrist was gripped by the opponent's iron-like hand.
She suddenly spun around, trying to break free with a clever move, but was twisted by an even greater force, and staggered forward uncontrollably.
Within just a few rounds, Hu Liena had already revealed numerous flaws. Her speed and agility, which she was so proud of, were like children playing around in front of Yu Tianheng. Soul Master who cannot use Soul Skill is simply no match for Martial Dao practitioner.
Then Yu Tianheng made his move.
His movements were unpretentious; every punch and kick carried the ruthlessness honed in the hellish arena, each move locking down her escape route.
"Bang!"
Yu Tianheng dodged her elbow strike by sidestepping, and then delivered a palm strike to the back of her neck.
Hu Liena's vision went black, and her body went limp instantly, but before she could fall to the ground, he grabbed her by the back of her collar and lifted her up.
The next second, she felt a dull pain in her abdomen, as the other person's knee pressed down firmly against her, and her breath caught in her throat.
A warm but strong hand gripped her neck; the force wasn't fatal, but it carried absolute dominance.
Hu Liena struggled to lift her eyes and met Yu Tianheng's cold gaze. His aura still carried the lingering stench of blood, mixed with an undeniable air of authority.
"Which faction sent this again?" Yu Tianheng's voice was deep and hoarse, still hoarse from the recent battle.
He watched as the struggles of the person in his arms gradually subsided, his gaze falling on her face covered by a black cloth, his brows furrowing slightly—her figure and the ferocity she displayed earlier didn't seem like those small fry.
He freed one hand, hooked his fingertips around the edge of the black cloth, and ripped it open.
With a "rip," the black cloth fluttered down. The face revealed made Yu Tianheng's pupils shrink abruptly—exquisite features covered with a little dust, and his Charm eyes still held lingering shock, anger, and resentment. Even in his disheveled state, the familiar silhouette was unmistakable.
" Hu Liena?" Yu Tianheng's voice held a hint of surprise, and the hand gripping her neck involuntarily loosened slightly. "How could it be you?"
Yu Tianheng knew that, based on the timeline, Hu Liena should also be honing her skills in the Slaughter City. He had intended to keep to himself, but he never expected her to come and kill him.
Is there really such a deep grudge?
It seems that he didn't do anything to her, except for beating them up during the Soul Master Tournament back then.
Why can't it be me?
Hu Liena looked up at him, her golden eyes showing no trace of cowardice or pleading, but rather burning with an inextinguishable flame.
A dull pain shot through her abdomen where Yu Tianheng's knee was pressed against her, but she gritted her teeth and didn't utter a sound. Her voice was hoarse from being pinched, but it was still as hard as a rock. "Did you see that? Today I'm the one who's outmatched. If you want to kill me, then kill me. Stop dawdling here pretending to be nice."
She thought she would be met with even greater suppression or a cold taunt, but Yu Tianheng just looked at her quietly. In his eyes, which always carried a hint of arrogance, there were complex emotions she couldn't understand—surprise, doubt, and a trace of indescribable melancholy.
After a moment of silence, Yu Tianheng slowly raised his knee, which was pressing against her abdomen, and gradually loosened his grip on her neck.
Caught off guard, Hu Liena's body went limp, and she staggered back two steps before regaining her balance. She clutched her neck and coughed violently. When she looked up, she saw Yu Tianheng had already straightened up and was looking at her with a mocking gaze.
"You're not going to kill me?" Hu Liena asked, puzzled.
"Why would I kill you?" Yu Tianheng retorted.
"I am a member of the Spirit Hall, and I was just about to kill you. According to the rules of the Slaughter City, you have every right to kill me!"
"Is that so? Then I'll spare you this time, consider it as you owing me a life!" Yu Tianheng said. To be honest, if this assassination had been done by someone else, he would have already killed them and disposed of the body, instead of wasting so much time on this nonsense.
However, he could not kill Hu Liena, because Hu Liena was the most valued disciple of Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, the future Holy Maiden, and the first in line to inherit the Pope. If Yu Tianheng killed her, he would undoubtedly offend Bibi Dong to the death.
Although Yu Tianheng was confident that he could handle the matter cleanly and leave no evidence.
However, given Bibi Dong's methods, she might be able to find some clues.
After much deliberation, Yu Tianheng decided not to kill Hu Liena.
Upon hearing this, Hu Liena looked puzzled. She looked up at Yu Tianheng a few steps away. There was no murderous intent in his blue eyes as she had expected. Instead, there was a complex contemplation in them.
"You..." Hu Liena frowned, her voice rising involuntarily at the end.
A soft scoff escaped her throat, but she couldn't hide the doubt in her eyes. "Why? Aren't you afraid I'll attack you again if you keep me around?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng chuckled and looked at Hu Liena, saying in a deep voice, "First of all, I don't believe you have the ability to threaten me. Whether outside or in this Slaughter City, you are no match for me."
"What did you say?" Hu Liena was furious. What she couldn't stand the most was being looked down upon, especially by her own opponent.
Yu Tianheng waved his hand. "What I said is true, and the battle just now proved that you are no match for me. If I wanted to kill you, it would be a piece of cake!"
"Furthermore, I am not an enemy of the Spirit Hall. On the contrary, I have close ties with the Spirit Hall and Pope Bibi Dong."
What do you mean by that?!
"The meaning is simple: I am not your enemy, and you have no need to kill me."
"That's not what I meant. What did you mean by saying you have a close relationship with His Holiness the Pope?" Hu Liena asked, more concerned about this issue than anything else.
After all, in Hu Liena's mind, Pope Bibi Dong was both a teacher and a mother figure, whom she respected immensely, even more than herself.
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng's lips unconsciously curled up. "Since you want to know, I don't mind telling you."