At the end of the passageway, the path had already submerged into the blood pool, leaving no place to step.
Fortunately, Ning Tianchen possessed the ability to fly and didn't need to worry about the ground below.
As he drew closer to the exit, the singularity at the exit gradually expanded into a doorway large enough for a person to pass through.
Without hesitation, Ning Tianchen dove straight in.
Before his eyes stretched an endless expanse of white.
Here, he couldn't summon even a shred of strength. The freezing aura around him made him feel drowsy, as if he were about to enter hibernation.
The temperature continued to drop, causing his muscles to shiver uncontrollably, generating faint warmth that slightly alleviated his discomfort.
One side effect of the Clear Mind Pill was drowsiness, and the environment here only amplified its soporific effects. At this moment, Ning Tianchen's eyelids felt as heavy as lead, impossible to open. Gradually, he drifted off into unconsciousness.
He didn't know how long he had been asleep.
Suddenly, Ning Tianchen's eyes snapped open.
Having spent so much time in the Slaughter City, vigilance had become ingrained in his muscles.
Leaping to his feet, the Seven Kill Sword martial soul materialized, and a milky-white soul power spread rapidly from his body.
Upon closer inspection, Ning Tianchen realized he was no longer in the Slaughter City but in a forest filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
Above him, dazzling sunlight streamed down, prompting him to instinctively reach out to embrace it.
After days without sunlight, the sight of it lifted his spirits immensely.
The soul power emanating from his body froze everything around him. Birds in the air turned into icy sculptures, shattering upon hitting the ground.
"This is my Killing God domain," Ning Tianchen thought with a surge of joy.
With a thought, he retracted the domain back into his body, and everything around him returned to normal.
Looking down, he noticed a crimson Asura mark etched onto the hilt of his Dragon Patterned Seven Kill Sword martial soul—this was the unique emblem of the Killing God domain.
With the Killing God domain now part of him, the killing intent within his body finally found a home and no longer threatened to erupt uncontrollably.
Taking a few steps forward, Ning Tianchen decided to first ascertain his location.
He had obtained the Killing God domain two years earlier than Tang San or Hu Liena, so he wasn't worried about running into Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo or Tang Hao after exiting.
Not far from where he stood, he accidentally stepped on a branch, snapping it with a loud crack.
The sound immediately heightened his alertness.
However, when he moved his foot, he realized the noise had been caused by himself.
Taking a few deep breaths, he sat down on a nearby boulder and furrowed his brows. "This must be post-traumatic stress disorder—it's a psychological issue!"
After all, anyone who spent a year or more in a place like Slaughter City would go mad.
For now, Ning Tianchen needed to find a way to control his volatile emotions.
Yuexuan would be a good option; Tang Yuehua's methods could indeed calm his mind.
But she was, after all, a member of the Hao Tian Sect, and her intentions might not be entirely pure.
After much deliberation, Ning Tianchen decided to try overcoming his condition on his own.
For now, the high temperatures exacerbated his emotional instability. With that in mind, he resolved to head to a cold region to cool his mind.
The coldest place on the continent was undoubtedly the Extreme North. It was also an excellent training ground.
Moreover, Tian Chao had once invited him there, so heading to the Extreme North now seemed fitting.
But before that, he needed to figure out his current location and secure his sixth soul ring as soon as possible.
After observing his surroundings, he determined that he was on a mountainside. In the distance, a vast forest stretched endlessly before him.
Using his third soul skill, Ning Tianchen activated his Flying Sword technique and set off in one direction, confident that he would eventually leave this place.
Once he found a human settlement, he could determine his exact location.
---
Not long after Ning Tianchen left, a young man with the number 9528 arrived in Slaughter City—none other than Tang San in disguise.
(A/N: In the original work, Tang San's number was 9528.)
A Killing Envoy guided him around Slaughter City. Tang San occasionally asked questions, displaying a humble attitude.
However, as he learned more about the Slaughter City, his perception of the place gradually changed.
By his standards, everyone here was courting death, whether they had come willingly or not.
Of course, Tang San didn't include himself in that assessment.
The Killing Envoy said indifferently, "Number 9528, your luck is quite good. Just before you arrived, a new Killing God emerged in the Slaughter City."
Tang San hurriedly pressed, "Who is he?"
According to Tang Hao, only eight Gods of Slaughter had appeared in the Slaughter City over the past millennium.
Wouldn't that make this one the ninth?
The Killing Envoy sneered, "Who he is has nothing to do with you. Just know that he's no longer in the Slaughter City, so you don't have to worry about your safety while fighting in the Hell Arena."
Tang San clenched his fists, feeling irritated by the envoy's condescending tone.
What followed unfolded just as it did in the original timeline—Tang San encountered Hu Liena in the inner city.
Hu Liena had stopped drinking Bloody Mary, and her condition was much better than in the original timeline.
However, having altered his appearance, Tang San had no intention of revealing his identity.
For now, he was ostensibly a wandering disciple of the Hao Tian Sect.
During subsequent matches, Hu Liena took notice of his Hao Tian Hammer martial soul and began to speculate about his identity.
At first, she paid him little attention.
After all, it was common to see participants in the Hell Arena achieve one or two consecutive victories. But when Tang San achieved over a dozen consecutive wins, the two met in the city under mutual interest.
"A disciple of the Hao Tian Sect? How rare," Hu Liena remarked indifferently.
Tang San sneered, "Though I possess the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul, I am not a disciple of the Hao Tian Sect—I'm merely a free soul master."
It was common for influential sects to have illegitimate children outside their walls.
Tang San's words effectively cemented his identity as an illegitimate child.
Compared to official disciples of the Hao Tian Sect, these illegitimate offspring were prime targets for suppression by the Spirit Hall. While the Hao Tian Sect remained secluded, life within the sect continued as usual, with little impact on its disciples.
These illegitimate children, however, faced harsh treatment while the Hao Tian Sect turned a blind eye. As a result, they harbored deep resentment toward the sect.
Hu Liena was somewhat intrigued. This young man before her exuded maturity and caution in battle, fitting the profile of an illegitimate child.
If she could recruit him, it might pave the way to attracting widows of the Hao Tian Sect and surrounding the sect with enemies.
"What's your name?" Hu Liena asked.
"Tang Yin," Tang San replied curtly.
Then, feigning dissatisfaction, he added, "You've only asked me questions. Who are you, and where are you from?"
"Hu Liena, from the Spirit Hall."
Tang San sneered, "So there's still enmity between us!"
Hu Liena chuckled, "You're not a disciple of the Hao Tian Sect. Would you really fight alongside them against the Spirit Hall?"
"Meeting is fate. If you're willing to join the Spirit Hall, I can recommend you..."
Tang San interrupted, "All this talk is pointless. If we can't leave here alive, your promise to make me Pope is worthless."
Far from being angered by his rudeness, Hu Liena calmly continued the conversation.
Since Ning Tianchen's departure, she had become truly isolated, with no one to talk to in the Slaughter City.
And though Tang Yin lacked Ning Tianchen's heroic and resolute appearance, he still met her aesthetic standards.
The two chatted casually, gradually becoming more familiar.
Seizing the opportunity, Tang San asked a question that had been on his mind for a while: "Hu Liena, do you know who completed a hundred victories and passed through Hell Road before I arrived?"
This wasn't a secret—many in the Slaughter City knew the answer. Tang San's straightforwardness amused her; if it were her, she'd simply grab someone and ask.
"It was the Sword Asura, an old friend who wields a sword."
Tang San pressed, "You know him?"
Hu Liena replied proudly, "Of course. He arrived here before me. Before he completed his hundred victories, we exchanged ideas and I learned many of the hidden rules here."
Tang San's heart grew heavy.
According to Tang Hao, geniuses like Hu Liena, who were key talents cultivated by the Spirit Hall, had spent most of their lives within the Spirit Hall Academy.
Even after leaving the academy, they were burdened with rigorous training missions.
Thus, Tang San deduced that Hu Liena hadn't had the chance to interact with outsiders. The "old friend" she referred to could only be a genius or strong individual within the Spirit Hall.
The stronger the Spirit Hall grew, the more urgent Tang San felt.
Though he didn't yet know what had transpired between the Spirit Hall and his family, the fact that the Spirit Hall had targeted them after the Soul Master Tournament was enough. He vowed to make the Spirit Hall pay dearly in the future.
The addition of another Killing God significantly boosted the Spirit Hall's overall strength, posing a major obstacle to his revenge plans.
Tang San clenched his fists tightly.
In the Slaughter City, he not only had to speed up his training but also surpass his rival!
"Tang Yin, what are you thinking about?" Hu Liena smiled knowingly. "Are you planning to compete with my friend? Forget it—I don't know your strength, but chances are, you're no match for him."
"Why!" Tang San protested indignantly.
Hu Liena chuckled softly, "Because he was already called the Sword Asura after achieving eleven consecutive victories. You're nearing twenty victories, yet you still have no title. That's the difference!"
"Of course, I'm no match for him either."
Tang San's mood grew heavier.
Over the next period of time, he devoted himself to cultivating his Hao Tian Hammer martial soul and dominated the Hell Arena.
Gradually, he began to earn his own title.
...
After searching through the forest for a long time, Ning Tianchen finally found an exit.
That forest was none other than the Great Star Dou Forest. However, it was located within the borders of the Star Luo Empire, not the Tian Dou Empire.
Flowing Water City
True to its name, the city was bland and unremarkable. Once you left, you'd hardly remember it existed.
The Star Luo Empire had strict household registration policies. Ordinary people without travel permits couldn't enter cities outside their registered area.
However, soul masters were exempt.
The killing intent emanating from Ning Tianchen's body marked him as someone who either wasn't an ordinary soul master or was at least a soldier in the army. The guards didn't dare stop him but warned him not to commit any violent acts in the city, lest he face legal punishment.
After wandering in the forest for a long time, Ning Tianchen's killing intent had receded significantly. He no longer became angry without cause or killed indiscriminately.
Entering the city, he casually entered a teahouse to inquire about events on the continent.
Calculating the time, it had been one year and eight months since he first entered the Slaughter City until now. Adding the time he spent in his sect, it had been almost two years since the end of the Soul Master Tournament.
During this period, nothing earth-shattering had occurred on the continent.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had undergone several rounds of commercial expansion during this time and had established a branch within the Star Luo Empire.
It was said that this decision came directly from Crown Prince Dai Weisi.
Notably, Dai Mubai hadn't returned to the Star Luo Imperial Palace in time to spar with Dai Weisi after coming of age.
The Emperor of Star Luo personally issued an edict, stripping Dai Mubai of his royal status and demoting him to a commoner.
With this decree, unless the Emperor personally rescinded it, even if Dai Weisi were to die suddenly, Dai Mubai would never be able to inherit the throne.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had little influence within the Star Luo Empire, so Ning Tianchen couldn't rely on disciples gathering intelligence to learn about the sect's internal affairs or the movements of Chen Huayu and others.
While Ning Tianchen was inquiring about the situation from the waiter, a group of burly men entered the teahouse. One of them arrogantly declared, "Today, this teahouse is reserved by our young miss. If you don't want to die, scram!"
The waiter sighed sorrowfully, "Young Master Hong's daughter is here again. Sir, you'd better leave quickly."
Ning Tianchen calmly sipped his tea, "Is the Hong family really that powerful? What level is their patriarch at?"
The waiter, afraid of offending anyone, quickly closed the private room door and whispered, "The Hong family isn't from Flowing Water City but is the top family of nearby Feng Wu City."
Feng Wu City's scale was similar to Suotuo City, though much smaller compared to the capitals of the various kingdoms within the Tian Dou Empire.
The Hong family patriarch was at the Soul Emperor level, but it was rumored that the previous patriarch hadn't passed away and had even broken through to a higher realm.
"How high?" Ning Tianchen asked with interest.
The waiter replied, "Reportedly, a high-level Soul Sage."
A high-level Soul Sage was comparable to twenty or thirty individuals within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. But in such a small city, a force backed by a Soul Sage was considered far more prestigious than an emperor in the eyes of ordinary people.
Take, for example, the Shrek Academy once established in Suotuo City. Both Flender and Zhao Wuji were Soul Sages, making them the strongest figures in Suotuo City on the surface.
This was why, despite the Ministry of Education of the Balak Kingdom refusing their registration, they were still able to keep the academy running.
Ultimately, it all boiled down to the fact that the city lord of Suotuo City lacked the strength to challenge them, let alone forcibly dismantle the Shrek Academy.
Ning Tianchen sneered and continued drinking his tea.
Suddenly, the door to the private room was kicked open, and a burly man barked, "Are you deaf? Clear out! Or do you want me to drag you out myself?"
The waiter bowed and scraped, pleading, "Master, please wait a moment. I'll chase him away right now."
Ning Tianchen's attire suggested he might come from a prominent family—there was no telling who he was. The waiter dared not offend him, but neither could he afford to anger the Hong family.
However, the burly man ignored him and stepped forward to grab Ning Tianchen.
When he was only a step away, a chilling aura erupted from Ning Tianchen's body, swiftly enveloping the entire teahouse.
In the burly man's eyes, Ning Tianchen resembled a human Asura, seemingly ready to take his life at any moment.
Under Ning Tianchen's mental marking, the waiter and the teahouse staff were unaffected. Meanwhile, the group of burly men were so terrified that they wet themselves.
Outside the teahouse, a luxurious carriage pulled to a stop.
A middle-aged man dressed in fine robes lifted the curtain, followed by a youthful girl around sixteen or seventeen.
As the killing intent surged, the middle-aged man stepped in front of the girl, flicking his sleeve to dispel the soul power.
Unfortunately, his strength was insignificant against the Killing God Domain. His attack dissipated like a stone sinking into the ocean.
Simultaneously engulfed by the domain, he felt his strength suppressed by ten percent.
"This is a domain!"
Without time to think, he immediately erected a soul power barrier to shield the girl from the pressure.
"Esteemed senior, if we have offended you, the Hong family will apologize sincerely."
Seeing that Ning Tianchen had the strength to stand up to the Hong family patriarch, the waiter felt conflicted.
Ning Tianchen nonchalantly swirled the teacup in his hand and retracted the Killing God Domain. "The Hong family patriarch is quite interesting. Come up."
The environment of the Extreme North was harsh. Ordinary carriages wouldn't make it to the Frozen Forest without breaking down, and regular horses couldn't withstand the cold climate.
With the Hong family's influence, obtaining the type of carriage Ning Tianchen needed wouldn't be difficult—it was just a matter of exchanging favors.
His voice was low, so those outside couldn't hear. The waiter tactfully ran downstairs to relay the message.
The Hong family patriarch was named Hong Kui. After learning what had transpired from the waiter, he showed no signs of displeasure and instead apologized profusely toward the teahouse, saying, "It's only proper, only proper. I'll go up right away."
"Dad, why are you letting him intimidate us?" the girl questioned naively.
Hong Kui doted on his daughter and gently reminded her, "Xinyue, mind your manners. Offending a senior will bring trouble to the family."
With that, he didn't dare delay and hurried upstairs.
Finding the situation amusing, the girl followed.
Father and daughter stood before Ning Tianchen. Hong Kui even took the initiative to pour him tea, "I am Hong Kui. I didn't expect such a young senior. My family has offended you first, and if you don't mind, tonight the Xiang Yue Pavilion will be reserved by my family to apologize to you."
Ning Tianchen beckoned with a finger, and the waiter tactfully approached to explain.
The Xiang Yue Pavilion was the largest restaurant in Flowing Water City and the most famous in the surrounding cities. It was evident that Hong Kui's apology was sincere.
Ning Tianchen smiled faintly and casually pushed a chair over, "Master Hong, there's no need for formalities. I'm not a senior—I'm quite young."
Hong Kui naturally knew his age wasn't advanced.
But in the world of soul masters, strength equated to seniority. Ning Tianchen's demonstrated power clearly surpassed his own, so addressing him as a senior wasn't inappropriate.
"Then may I ask how I should address you?"
"Tianchen."
It was best not to reveal his identity while traveling.
"Hey, are you letting me stand here? What kind of Tianchen are you? You even dare share the same name as the captain of the champion team from the last Soul Master Tournament? I think you—" the girl didn't finish her sentence before Hong Kui's palm slapped her across the face.
Hong Kui scolded, "Xinyue, show some respect when speaking to a senior! Kneel!"
Having already offended Ning Tianchen, if she further provoked him with her words, the Hong family would be in serious trouble.
After all, Ning Tianchen was alone, while the Hong family was an extensive household.
If he were to recklessly hunt down their family members, it wouldn't be a conflict that could be resolved over a meal.
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