"Welcome to Slaughter City!"
As soon as Tianlin entered, he heard a familiar female voice—the veiled woman who always guided newcomers.
She came to fulfill her duty upon learning someone had entered.
When she saw Tianlin's face, she was shocked. "You're… the Deathgod, Sword Asura!"
"Long time no see, Miss Hell Envoy. Has Slaughter City changed a lot? Where did all the people from the outer city go?" Tianlin asked with a smile.
"They died, unable to get Bloody Marys or protection," she replied nervously. "Lord Sword Asura, may I ask why you've come to Slaughter City today? This place isn't for someone like you."
"You seem afraid of my return," Tianlin noticed. Years ago, he'd left with only a rank in the 60s. People would assume he was only level 70-something now.
A Soul Sage in their 70s, even with soul skills, would be nothing in Slaughter City. Besides the King, there were Contra and a Titled Douluo among the enforcers.
If she wanted to force him out, she could have called them. Instead, she was overly cautious—the only explanation was that she knew he was now a Titled Douluo.
But Slaughter City was isolated. How did she know?
"It's the rules—Deathgods can come and go as they please. I just miss the Hell Slaughter Arena. Can't I check it out? Take me to the inner city," Tianlin said, heading in.
The veiled woman tried to stop him, but Tianlin vanished in a flash. She knew she was powerless to stop him.
"Damn it, stubborn Sword Asura! If you insist on courting death, I'll report to the King—let's see who prevails!" Her face twisted. She knew that if Tianlin reached the inner city and arena, the city's secret would be exposed.
So, Tianlin had to die.
Shaking her off, Tianlin entered the inner city, which looked the same as before—full of debauchery and vice.
But Tianlin noticed the population had dropped. Even the street killings had lessened. Some people eyed Tianlin, eager to kill, but seemed to restrain themselves, as if wary of something.
"Is this still Slaughter City?" Tianlin wondered. A city where no one dared kill didn't live up to its name.
"Xiao Tian, something's wrong. The atmosphere here is totally different—the people's behavior and the place itself. Feel carefully: what's missing?" Skydream Ice Silkworm prompted.
Tianlin released his spiritual sense. "Seems normal—the Asura Domain and Rakshasa God's power cover the city. Wait, only Rakshasa God's power? The Asura domain is here, but I can't sense any Asura divine power."
That was a problem. As a divine successor, entering a god's legacy site, he should sense the god's aura—like Qian Renxue with Angel God or Ning Rongrong with Sea God.
Suddenly, the Asura mark on Tianlin's forehead flashed, and the Asura God's voice sounded: "That's right, my successor. I had you investigate because I lost all control over Slaughter City—even my domain's power is gone."
"Asura God, so you noticed this anomaly and sent me?" Tianlin asked.
"Exactly. I created this place, but my divine sense couldn't enter. Tang Chen's trial has failed, and I can't contact him. Only now that you're here can I observe through the Asura mark. I never expected to lose all my power here."
"Now, besides that detestable Rakshasa, there's a very evil aura here. Be careful. My true self is in the God Realm and can't help, but with your current strength, you should be fine." The Asura God was confident—few could match Tianlin now.
"Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this," Tianlin promised.
He suspected it was related to the new Evil Sword Immortal. For both the Asura and Holy Emperor trials, he had to investigate.
"Good, I leave it to you, my successor!" The Asura mark faded as the god withdrew his divine sense.
Tianlin headed deeper into the inner city, towards the core—Hell Slaughter Arena.
Unlike other areas, this place still reeked of blood, with roars often echoing from within.
There was an entrance fee—Bloody Marys.
Tianlin couldn't be bothered; his figure flickered as he entered like the wind. The waiting crowd only felt a breeze.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!!!"
The roars from the Hell Slaughter Arena were just as fierce as before—a new round of slaughter had begun.