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The moment those words left his lips, Hu Liena's face showed a flash of shock. She hadn't expected Davis to see through her intentions so easily. Realizing there was no point in hiding it any longer, she admitted frankly,
"Indeed, I came here to seek your cooperation. The Hell Road can be challenged by two people together.
My teacher once told me that the Hell Road is unimaginably dangerous. Even she barely survived the ordeal after countless hardships.
That's why I want to join forces with you. Will you go with me?"
When she finished, Hu Liena gazed at Davis with eyes full of anticipation, hoping he would agree.
If Davis refused, she could only look for someone else to cooperate with. Only as a last resort would she dare to enter the Hell Road alone.
Davis hesitated only briefly before nodding slightly. "Very well. I agree. Let's go together."
Just as Hu Liena had said, the Hell Road was perilous beyond measure. One more companion meant one more chance at survival. The odds of passing through successfully were that much greater.
Once they escaped from this wretched City of Slaughter, it wouldn't be too late to deal with Hu Liena afterward.
Seeing Davis nod in agreement, Hu Liena's eyes lit up in delight. "You—you agreed?"
"Of course," Davis said with a faint smile. "Working with you benefits me as well. Why would I refuse?"
Taking a sip of his tea, he continued casually, "I only have one more battle to win before achieving my hundred consecutive victories in the Hell Arena. When I'm done, I'll wait for you. Once you've completed your hundred victories, we'll challenge the Hell Road together."
"Then it's settled!" Hu Liena's face bloomed with joy. Then, somewhat shyly, she added, "Davis, thank you… for being willing to help me."
"No need to thank me," Davis replied lightly. "I'm doing it for myself as well."
Then his tone suddenly turned cold, his eyes flashing with a chilling light.
"But once we leave the City of Slaughter, we'll still be enemies. At that time—it will be a fight to the death."
"…"
Hu Liena was left speechless for a moment. After a long silence, she finally asked softly, "Is the Star Luo Empire truly going to start a war?"
Davis chuckled. "Miss Hu Liena, you seem mistaken. It's not the Star Luo Empire provoking war—it's your Spirit Hall.
Let's skip the distant past. Think only of what your Hall has done to me. Three years ago, your Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo sent assassins after me and my wife, Tang Yuehua. If not for the intervention of Poison Douluo, I'd already be bones in the ground.
Two years ago, those same elders led over a thousand Spirit Masters to ambush the Star Luo team in the Golden Ridge Mountains. If not for my grandparents and two elders of the Clear Sky Sect, none of us would have survived.
Once is misfortune, twice is fate—but thrice? Repeated assassination attempts! Tell me, shouldn't I seek revenge? Shouldn't I wage war against Spirit Hall?"
"…"
Hu Liena had no words. Everything Davis said was true. She couldn't refute a single point.
Davis went on, his tone firm as iron. "In the coming years, war will be inevitable—an all-out, life-or-death struggle. And in that war, the Star Luo Empire will utterly destroy Spirit Hall.
Those of your Hall who wish to live will have only one path—surrender."
"I will never surrender!" Hu Liena declared, her voice resolute, her gaze unwavering. "My brother and I were orphans. It was the teachers of Spirit Hall who took us in. No matter what fate awaits, I will fight for Spirit Hall until my last breath!"
With that, Hu Liena stood abruptly and strode out of Davis's room. Davis said nothing, returning to his quiet cultivation.
Half a month passed swiftly. Davis was the first to complete his hundred consecutive victories in the Hell Arena. Yet, to keep his promise to Hu Liena, he didn't proceed to the Hell Road immediately but waited for her.
After more than ten days, Hu Liena finally achieved her own hundredth victory.
On the stage of battle, she panted heavily, staring at the nine blood-soaked corpses around her. A cruel smile curved her lips.
A hundred matches—she had finally done it. At that very moment, a deep, cold, domineering voice echoed beside her ears.
"Congratulations, young Spirit Master."
As soon as the voice faded, tangible killing intent surged into the air. In an instant, that crimson aura blanketed the entire Hell Arena.
From its center descended a massive blood-red figure, stepping through the air as it approached Hu Liena, each step exuding overwhelming menace.
"Titled Douluo!"
That thought flashed in Hu Liena's mind. To walk through the air without releasing one's martial spirit—only a Titled Douluo could do such a thing.
"What terrifying pressure… As expected of a Peerless Douluo. This King of Slaughter's power might even surpass the Pope, Bibi Dong!"
Watching the figure in the sky, Davis murmured inwardly. This wasn't the first time he had seen the King of Slaughter. Over ten days earlier, when he completed his own hundred victories, he had met this being already.
He also knew the King of Slaughter's true identity—Tang Chen, Tang San's great-grandfather, a Level 99 Assault-type Peerless Douluo, a man whose might rivaled even Qian Daoliu's!
But now, his body had been overtaken by the hundred-thousand-year spirit beast—the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King—turning him into the ruler of this blood-soaked city.
"King of Slaughter! King of Slaughter! King of Slaughter…"
The crowd roared in unison as the King appeared, their voices shaking the entire arena.
Hu Liena stared up at him, eyes wide. She remembered the day the King had descended before Davis—she had watched from the stands.
Back then, she had only thought him terrifying. But now, feeling that suffocating killing aura firsthand, she finally understood the horror Davis had faced that day.
"This King of Slaughter… he's stronger than Elder Chrysanthemum or Ghost Grandfather!"
Realizing this, Hu Liena swallowed hard, her graceful body trembling unconsciously.
"Honorable King of Slaughter," Davis's voice came from behind her. She turned to see him standing on the stage, close behind her, one strong arm pressing gently against her back to steady her against the crushing pressure.
"We, the White Tiger of Calamity and the Messenger of Hell, wish to enter the Hell Road to become true Gods of Slaughter. We ask the King of Slaughter to grant us passage."
"Oh?" The King of Slaughter's icy face showed a flicker of understanding. "So the companion the White Tiger of Calamity was waiting for… is the Messenger of Hell."
Half a month earlier, he had asked Davis if he wished to enter the Hell Road. Davis had said he was waiting for a partner.
Now, it was clear who that partner was—Hu Liena.
(End of Chapter)