After finishing their discussion with Yang Wudi and Sword Elder, the two decided to take a walk around Slaughter City to see what this infamous, terrifying place truly looked like.
Yang Xiong glanced at Ghost Tiger Douluo and Black Snake Douluo in the distance, as well as the black-veiled maiden beside them.
"Three of you, what are your plans moving forward?"
During Yang Xiong's battle with the Slaughter King, it had been Yang Wudi who restrained everyone. Now that the Slaughter King had been defeated and Tang Chen had already left, the three were powerless against Yang Xiong's Slaughter Domain without the Slaughter King's presence. The traces of the Slaughter King's aura on their bodies had been erased by Yang Xiong, leaving them unable to use their soul skills.
At this moment, the three stood before Yang Xiong like lambs awaiting slaughter—they had witnessed the Slaughter King being defeated by Yang Xiong and his group.
Black Snake Douluo was the first to bow deeply to Yang Xiong: "Lord Slaughter God, we were blind not to recognize your greatness. From now on, you shall be the new Slaughter King, the true ruler of this Slaughter City. I, Black Snake, pledge my life to serve you."
The other two quickly followed suit, bowing deeply: "We pay our respects to the newly appointed Slaughter King. We swear to serve you with our lives."
Yang Xiong scrutinized the three carefully, making them feel as if their scalps were tingling.
After what felt like an eternity, Yang Xiong finally spoke in a calm tone:
"Slaughter City now belongs to me, and I will need some subordinates. For now, the three of you will temporarily manage Slaughter City and maintain order. If any of you make a misstep, I assure you, your deaths will be far more miserable than those of the fallen."
Though Yang Xiong's words were calm, they carried an overwhelming aura of killing intent. Even these three powerful individuals felt as though they were trapped in hell.
The three immediately knelt on one knee: "We swear never to betray Lord Slaughter King!"
Yang Xiong nodded, and three blood-red beams shot out from his body, swiftly entering the three men.
The trio's faces lit up with joy—despite the suppression earlier, their soul rings and abilities could now be used again.
After dealing with them, Yang Xiong sat alone before the Asura Demon Sword.
Yang Xiong was fully aware of the danger posed by this sword.
Even standing close to it, the Asura Demon Sword emitted an endless aura of slaughter. This killing intent was pure, devoid of the evil taint found in Slaughter City.
Compared to the Sea God Trident that Yang Xiong had once wielded, the Asura Demon Sword seemed even stronger, purer, and more ferocious—a monstrous beast with its jaws wide open.
As Yang Xiong sat before the Asura Demon Sword, he summoned his martial soul and soul rings. A subtle resistance formed between the two.
Yang Xiong's Asura martial soul couldn't approach the Asura Demon Sword, but the sword's killing intent also failed to repel Yang Xiong entirely.
It was like a tug-of-war between the two.
As Yang Xiong drew closer to the Asura Demon Sword, a pure energy began to seep into his body. This energy was icy cold yet wildly violent, akin to the essence of a true Slaughter God.
Under the influence of this violent energy, Yang Xiong even felt his soul being affected. In that instant, he became crueler and bloodthirstier, his consciousness gradually slipping away.
Within Yang Xiong's spiritual sea, he had already transformed into a golden giant covered in eerie demonic patterns.
However, as the killing intent of the Asura Demon Sword invaded, the entire spiritual sea turned crimson. A colossal sword descended from the heavens, threatening to split the spiritual sea apart and annihilate the golden giant.
The descent of the colossal sword was agonizingly slow, but with each fraction of progress, the spiritual sea was further saturated with killing intent. Eventually, the killing intent filled the entire spiritual sea, leaving only the golden giant roaring defiantly, resisting the corrosive force.
By this point, Yang Xiong's eyes had turned crimson, and a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. It was clear that he was losing the battle against the Asura Demon Sword.
No matter how strong Yang Xiong's mental power or physical prowess was, the Asura Demon Sword was a Divine Artifact far surpassing ordinary weapons. Its power dwarfed even that of the Sea God Trident—it was beyond mortal comprehension.
At this critical moment, a blue light emanated from Yang Xiong's head, revealing the head soul bone of the Blue Silver King. He immediately activated its ability, causing his mental power to surge endlessly, as if becoming indestructible and immortal.
Within the spiritual sea, no matter how formidable the Asura Demon Sword was, the golden giant rose again and again after being crushed repeatedly.
Yang Xiong maintained his final vestiges of clarity, fully aware of the immense danger he faced. The Asura Demon Sword was infinitely stronger than he had imagined—far beyond the capabilities of a quasi-Title Douluo to withstand.
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth, and the Yin-Yang Meditation Technique surged through his body. His form transformed into a massive yin-yang fish, especially within his mind, where the killing intent of the Asura Demon Sword had completely taken over.
But in this moment, the golden giant underwent a transformation. Its body morphed into a massive yin-yang fish. Any killing intent that entered the yin-yang fish began to gradually integrate into it.
The destructive killing intent of the Asura Demon Sword was akin to obliterating heaven and earth, but the yin-yang fish seemed to merge with the universe itself, impervious to destruction. The two forces collided endlessly.
After an indeterminate amount of time, no matter how destructive the killing intent was, it began to gradually integrate into the yin-yang fish.
As the killing intent was slowly worn down and absorbed into the yin-yang fish, it eventually condensed into a golden giant, firmly gripping the Asura Demon Sword.
By this time, Yang Xiong's hands were already clasping the hilt of the Asura Demon Sword. His strength, soul power, killing intent, and domain were all pushed to their limits. Inch by inch, the Asura Demon Sword was pulled from the ground.
With a thunderous roar, Yang Xiong fully extracted the Asura Demon Sword. The entire Slaughter City seemed to undergo a cosmic shift, as if a massive sword had split the heavens and earth.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but let out a crazed laugh. The Asura Demon Sword was now firmly in his grasp. From this day forward, it belonged to him, and no one could take it away.
At the same time, a voice echoed in Yang Xiong's mind:
"First trial of the Asura Nine Trials, retrieving the Asura Demon Sword, complete. Reward: 15% increase in Asura affinity. Total affinity: 15%."
After this message appeared, Yang Xiong felt that the Asura Demon Sword no longer carried the initial repelling force—it felt like an ordinary treasure sword.
When Yang Xiong looked around again, Yang Wudi and Sword Elder had been by his side for an unknown amount of time. Both let out a sigh of relief.
Judging by their expressions, Yang Xiong's face must have looked terrible, even pained, when he picked up the Asura Demon Sword.
Yang Xiong quickly asked: "Old Goat, how long did this take?"
Yang Wudi replied: "Your condition earlier was terrifying—it looked like your body might collapse. Fortunately, you succeeded. This time, it took you thirteen full days."
Yang Xiong didn't dwell on it: "Teacher, Old Goat, how is Slaughter City now? What do you think of it?"
Sword Elder's expression grew serious: "Slaughter City lives up to its reputation as the darkest and most perilous place in the world. Even the strongest soul masters face immense danger here."
"But for me, it is indeed a treasure trove, especially the Hell Slaughter Arena. Battling without soul skills enhances both my killing intent and sword qi."
Beside him, Yang Wudi nodded: "The Hell Slaughter Arena is excellent—it suits my Soul-Breaking Spear combat style perfectly. However, the Bloody Mary drink here is rather nauseating."
Yang Xiong quickly asked: "Old Goat, you've spent your life studying poisons. Can you figure out what kind of deadly poison Bloody Mary is? Is there any way to counter it?"
A bitter smile appeared on Yang Wudi's face: "You're putting me in a tough spot. Though I've studied poisons my entire life and am familiar with most toxins in the world, I've never encountered anything like Bloody Mary."
"It's less of a poison and more of an addictive drug. While it doesn't kill immediately, it gradually makes people addicted. Bloody Mary affects one's soul power and mental strength, even influencing their thoughts, turning them into beasts."
"Furthermore, my research shows that trace amounts of Bloody Mary exist in the air of Slaughter City. Even simple breathing can cause gradual poisoning. Thus, this place is not somewhere one can stay long-term."
"Of course, your luck isn't bad, Yang Xiong. Under the effects of the Aromatic Silk Beauty, you can dispel Bloody Mary from the air."
Compared to Yang Wudi, Sword Elder seemed more interested in the Asura Demon Sword in Yang Xiong's hand.
Without hesitation, Yang Xiong thrust the Asura Demon Sword into the ground, allowing Sword Elder to examine it closely.
In the following period, Yang Xiong organized the situation within Slaughter City and made some arrangements.
After years of tempering, Yang Xiong was no longer a benevolent or naive person. Those who entered Slaughter City were rarely good-natured individuals; most were criminals who had committed heinous acts and had nowhere else to go.
Now that Yang Xiong governed the entire Slaughter City, he established rules. Anyone who behaved well would be given a chance. Aside from granting access to the legendary Killing God Domain, he offered various rewards, even the opportunity to rejoin the soul master community.
All Yang Xiong required was absolute loyalty and adherence to his rules.
Slaughter City was essentially a massive cage, but the people within were exceptionally combat-ready, with a large number of soul masters. In terms of overall strength, it rivaled the former Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
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