As soon as the words left his mouth, a thick red mist burst forth from the Slaughter King's body, its overwhelming presence forcing Li Chang'an to stumble a few steps before he could steady himself.
As expected of a Limit Douluo—this aura alone could crush most opponents. Among all the people Li Chang'an had met, only Gu Yuena could completely suppress this level of power. Not even Bibi Dong could compare.
But this wasn't mere killing intent.
The aura exuding from the Slaughter King was something far more sinister—an icy, evil energy that chilled straight into one's bones. The dark red ripples spread outward slowly, and within just a few blinks, the entire arena was enveloped in it.
The Fallen spectators seated in the stands were visibly excited, eager to witness the opening of the fabled Road to Hell.
Little did they know… they were standing at death's door.
Aside from the Slaughter King and Deathgods themselves, no one had ever witnessed the Road to Hell being opened—because all who had seen it were dead.
Or rather, they'd become the sacrifice required to open it.
As the red light continued to expand, the crowd's deafening cheers gradually faded into eerie silence. The red aura descended across the entire arena, and the eyes of the spectators grew vacant, then bloodshot.
Moments later, shrill screams began to ring out—starting from those closest to the red light.
Under its influence, the Fallen began to claw madly at their own bodies—scratching their faces, tearing at their skin.
Most of those who survived in the inner city of the City of Slaughter were fairly strong. Now, as they turned their full strength on themselves, their cries were filled not just with agony… but with ecstatic pleasure, as if they were reveling in this masochistic self-destruction.
Li Chang'an frowned at the sight.
These people may have been unforgivable criminals, but even so—the Slaughter King's method was nothing short of inhuman.
As the screaming faded, their blood had been completely drained. All that remained was a giant blood-red bat symbol formed from their collected blood—coalescing right beneath Li Chang'an's feet.
"Go," the Slaughter King's voice echoed again. "Let's see if you survive."
Suddenly, Li Chang'an's vision blurred.
Finally—he was leaving this hellish place.
---
After Li Chang'an disappeared, a figure stepped out beside the Slaughter King—a woman dressed in deep violet robes, the leader of all messengers in the City of Slaughter.
"Ye Xuan is missing. She must've really gone with the Gentle Deathgod."
"I noticed," the Slaughter King replied. "Let's wait and see. If this Deathgod dies in the Road to Hell, it'll be over. But if he survives… I'll handle it personally. No one from the City of Slaughter is allowed to leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty…"
With that, the violet figure vanished without a trace.
---
When the dizziness subsided and Li Chang'an's vision cleared, he found himself standing on a small, circular platform—only about five meters in diameter. Though not large, the space gave off an intensely uncomfortable feeling.
First things first—assess the environment.
But as he looked around, Li Chang'an frowned. It was going to be a problem.
Everything around him was tinged with a dull blood-red hue. Beneath the platform was a seemingly endless abyss.
Only one way out: a narrow path extending from the platform, less than half a foot wide—just enough for two feet side by side—leading into complete darkness.
This… was the Road to Hell.
It lived up to its name. The sight alone, along with the thick stench of blood in the air and the heavy aura of slaughter, confirmed it.
In the original story, when Tang San passed through the Road to Hell, he faced countless blood-colored bats, a golden Bat King, and even a powerful Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent. All of that still lay ahead.
So, Li Chang'an didn't rush forward.
Instead, he began running through different scenarios in his mind—planning his responses and evaluating his chances of survival.
This was where being a transmigrator came in handy. Since he knew what was coming, he could think through everything in advance, prepare, and assess his current capabilities.
Just then, his shadow shimmered, and Ye Xuan stepped out—gasping for breath.
It was unclear whether the environment itself was draining her, or if maintaining possession and using stealth-related soul skills had taken too much of her energy.
"You're this exhausted? Test your soul skills. See if you can still use them here. We'll rest before moving forward," Li Chang'an said gently, reaching out to hold her hand.
He had a plan. Even if Ye Xuan couldn't fight, he was confident he could make it through alone.
"Thank you, my lord. My soul skills still work," Ye Xuan said after checking herself. Her soul power was intact—that meant they had a better shot at survival.
"Good. Focus on recovering your strength first."
Li Chang'an retrieved a soul recovery pill from his soul tool and handed it to her. Even though soul skills were restricted in the City of Slaughter, soul tools that relied on soul power still worked.
As the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, he had no shortage of basic pills.
"Master… when you took me away, the Slaughter King didn't try to stop us. Could that mean…" Ye Xuan asked hopefully as she accepted the pill.
After all, with or without the Slaughter King's pursuit were two very different scenarios.
"Maybe," Li Chang'an replied nonchalantly. "But for now, just focus on resting. It's too early to draw conclusions."
"Yes!" Ye Xuan nodded seriously, taking the pill and falling silent. She trust him.
---
One hour later
Ye Xuan opened her eyes—bright and full of energy. Her soul power had returned to its peak.
"Alright," Li Chang'an said with confidence. "Just stay behind me. I'll handle the bulk of the danger. You cover me if I miss anything."
The path ahead only allowed for one person at a time. This formation was the safest option.
"Got it. But… if you can't hold on, I'll take the lead," Ye Xuan replied. She had assumed that since she could still use her soul skills, Li Chang'an would ask her to lead the way.
But instead, he was stepping forward himself.
That touched her deeply.
So he didn't just see her as a tool for release after all.
"Don't worry. I've got this." Li Chang'an grinned, thumping his chest with confidence.
A man never says he can't.
Ye Xuan released her soul rings—two yellow, two purple, one black—signaling her Spirit Emperor-level strength.
Though her martial soul remained hidden, the soul power waves radiating from her were solid and stable.
Thanks to Li Chang'an, she had broken through to Spirit Emperor. But due to time constraints, her soul rings hadn't been fully adjusted yet.
Ye Xuan's talent was undeniable. At only 23 years old, she was already a Spirit Emperor—one of the most gifted among all the City's messengers.
Even without Li Chang'an's help, she would have reached Spirit Emperor on her own.
That's why she had long yearned to see the outside world. Maybe this desire… could be called the beginning of rebellion.
Li Chang'an glanced at her soul rings and gave a subtle nod. Her current power was more than enough for the early stages of his future elite squad, she deserved to be well taken care of.
Once they were out—soul rings and soul bones would be arranged immediately.
With nothing more to say, the two of them clasped hands—Li Chang'an leading, Ye Xuan following—and together, they stepped onto the blood-red path of the Road to Hell.