"You… you're actually this strong!"
As Ning Rongrong stepped out of the arena, the Black Maiden had been waiting for her for quite some time.
"Huh? I thought you'd left already!"
"Indeed, logically speaking, those who participate in the matches and win are no longer considered newcomers. But I do have some authority."
"Within twenty-four hours, I can still stay by your side to observe and understand you."
"This is a new directive granted by the great Asura God—to observe talented Soul Masters within Slaughter City."
"What do you mean?" Ning Rongrong frowned.
"Most Soul Masters in Slaughter City harbor hatred toward Spirit Hall."
"Do you understand what I'm implying?"
"That person… wants to deal with Spirit Hall?" A trace of surprise flashed across Ning Rongrong's face.
"I don't know. I'm not qualified to learn more for now," the Black Maiden said. "But the great King is recruiting talents. This is information I obtained from the captain of the Black Armored Knights."
The captain of the Black Armored Knights was the second most powerful figure in Slaughter City, second only to the Asura God himself. He was also the powerhouse responsible for maintaining order in Slaughter City.
In the original story, though mentioned, he never made an appearance.
It was only in passing discussions that he was referred to as a Title Douluo.
Under the rules set by the Asura God, he was able to use soul ring skills within Slaughter City.
After listening to the Black Maiden's explanation, Ning Rongrong could only exclaim inwardly, What the hell?
While my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is strengthening our forces, you, Tang Chen, are doing the same thing—and you're recruiting directly from Slaughter City!
Many of the Soul Masters in Slaughter City were either thrown in by Spirit Hall or had fled here to hide.
In a sense, they held deep grudges against Spirit Hall.
If they could get revenge, of course, that would be ideal. And joining Tang Chen's side would grant them the freedom to leave Slaughter City.
Did Tang Chen really have this much authority?
Or… was it a privilege granted by the Asura God?
This is absurd. The plot has been completely distorted!
The top factions on the Douluo Continent were all bolstering their own strength, trying to increase their bargaining chips in what might be the final decisive battle.
Spirit Hall had allied with the Star Dou Great Forest, likely with the approval of the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had someone as lovely and charming as herself working diligently for years, accumulating a modest foundation.
As for the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen had adapted to local conditions, using Slaughter City as his base.
Truly terrifying!
Then, the question arose—
Among Spirit Hall and the Top Three Sects, who had failed to keep up with the times?
That's right, it's you—
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
After finally recruiting Yang Wudi, they sent him to recklessly challenge Di Tian. If it weren't for Bi Ji's intervention to spare his life, he wouldn't have just ended up with shattered meridians—he'd have been completely crippled.
Speaking of which, Ning Rongrong had no idea how Yang Wudi was doing now.
After that incident, Yang Wudi seemed to have vanished within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Finally, after twelve hours—twenty-four in total—the Black Maiden, acting as the Asura God's envoy and guide for newcomers, departed.
Within just a few minutes of her leaving, Ning Rongrong was ambushed twice.
Did these people really think she was easy to bully?
After the first attacker, Ning Rongrong didn't make a visually shocking spectacle for the onlookers, so it wasn't long before a second wave came.
This time, it was a Soul Emperor.
And he actually said he wanted to tie her up and take her back for "training."
Could she tolerate that?
The Soul Emperor's body exploded on the spot, torn into pieces.
Murky blood scattered like rain, slowly trickling down the edges of the street.
Two consecutive attacks—especially the second one, where a powerful Soul Emperor was reduced to a bloody mist just by Ning Rongrong walking past him—left the onlookers horrified.
It also made those who had been eyeing her body quickly retreat.
Women could be found anywhere, and Slaughter City had plenty. There was no need to throw away their lives.
No matter how cute she looked or how fun her twin tails might be to play with, they had to be alive to enjoy it!
As the lustful gazes dwindled, Ning Rongrong sighed in relief, silently marking another debt in Tokisaki Kurumi's name.
If not for her… preferences, would she be this popular in Slaughter City?
As long as one had enough Bloody Mary, they could thrive in the inner city of Slaughter City.
Slaughter City was lawless.
But as part of the official management, those connected to the Asura God were not to be killed.
Ning Rongrong casually found an official inn and hired two guards to stand watch outside.
"I wonder if Slaughter City has always been like this, or if it was changed to this format later."
In the original story, when Tang San came to Slaughter City, even basic safety wasn't guaranteed.
However, in the original timeline, the Asura God was the Nine-Headed Bat King, who needed to drink blood and thus collected vast amounts of Bloody Mary.
But now, the Nine-Headed Bat King inside the Asura God's body had been suppressed by Tang Chen, who was the one controlling Slaughter City.
Bloody Mary had become a universal currency, which was probably why the place had gained a semblance of order.
After all, the Nine-Headed Bat King had been raising fighters like livestock, while Tang Chen wanted to recruit from among them.
Their fundamental goals were completely different.
"Hah—"
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, using her zhenqi to cleanse the scent of blood from her clothes.
As a Xiantian Grandmaster, wasn't it normal to have one or two unique life skills?
Bloody Mary was invaluable to others, but to Ning Rongrong, it was just currency.
She didn't drink it anyway, and even without it, she wouldn't starve. As a Grandmaster-realm expert, she had already reached the level of perpetual energy circulation.
Even if she had to survive on air (fasting), she could last a year or two.
Ning Rongrong pondered what kind of match she would participate in tomorrow.
Or maybe she could just jump straight into a hundred-man battle—that was also an option. But she decided to play it safe for now.
Meanwhile.
The Black Maiden returned to the highest structure in Slaughter City.
"Greetings, Captain and Vice-Captain of the Black Armored Knights." The Black Maiden gave a slight bow. "I have something to report to the great King. May I…?"
The captain of the Black Armored Knights frowned coldly.
"Didn't His Excellency inform you? This seclusion is extremely important. Unless it's absolutely urgent, no one is to disturb him."
"Yes, but this matter is too significant. There's a newcomer with both strength and talent. I believe we should recruit her."
"Just a newcomer? She could die any time—"
"Ah, Captain, let's hear her out." A masked man beside him raised a hand, stopping the captain's reprimand.
"Don't forget, I was also recruited by His Excellency. Otherwise, given my circumstances… you know how it would've ended."
"You're different." The captain glanced at his vice-captain.
This vice-captain had only recently taken up the position, becoming his right-hand man.
Though his strength was only at the 86th rank as a Soul Douluo, his terrifying offensive power forced even the captain—a Title Douluo—to take him seriously.
During their sparring sessions, the vice-captain had even won a few rounds. Though the captain had been careless, it still proved that this newly appointed vice-captain possessed strength comparable to a Title Douluo.
After a long silence, the captain finally spoke.
"Fine. Tell us about this person who caught your eye. She must have something extraordinary."
"Yes." The Black Maiden nodded.
"Her name is Yamada Sawa. I couldn't determine her exact strength, but she seems capable of using soul skills within Slaughter City."
"Are you certain?" The captain's expression turned grave.
"I can't guarantee it. But even if it's not a soul skill, her strength far surpasses that of a Soul Emperor."
She recalled the scene she had witnessed from afar—the girl killing a Soul Emperor in a single encounter.
"Is that so…" The captain fell into deep thought.
"Whether she can use soul skills or not, the fact that she can kill a Soul Emperor in one move makes her worth recruiting."
"Understood." After a moment of consideration, the captain nodded.
"Wait for now. If she can achieve fifty consecutive victories in a short time, we'll report it to the great King."
…