"Kid, such a young brat dares come to the City of Slaughter. To be favored by our boss is your greatest honor. You won't have lived in vain!"
The scar-faced man leapt like a starving wolf, while the monkey-faced man flanked from the other side.
Though their words dripped with contempt, their movements were cautious. This was the City of Slaughter, any carelessness meant death! Both were clearly veterans, honed by countless fights.
Dugu Feng smirked. "Right on time."
The instant his twelve-hour protection period ended, assassins arrived. He raised his sleeve and stood, a cold smile tugging his lips.
He had prepared the room thoroughly.
As the two lunged, a pungent stench filled the air.
Dugu Feng sneered. "Wait. I'll ask. You'll answer. Don't struggle. Understood?"
The scarred man's face froze. His body suddenly wouldn't obey.
"W-what is this?"
Terror widened his eyes.
The monkey-faced thug also panicked, trying to flee, but his legs felt weighed down with lead.
Dugu Feng stepped forward, his voice icy: "This is the poison of death, brewed just for you. The moment you entered, your fates were sealed."
The color drained from both faces. Neither had expected this boy, still so young, to be so ruthless...laying such a trap in advance!
With dull thuds, both collapsed. Purple veins bulged on their skin, faces twisted in pain, but their bodies lay paralyzed.
Dugu Feng had lessened the venom's lethality but amplified its paralysis, rendering them helpless.
His eyes held no pity. "Who's behind you?"
The scar-faced man gasped. "Kid, release us now. Kill us, and you'll suffer for it!"
"In the City of Slaughter, mercy is self-destruction. Poisoned, your only fate is death. Just sooner or later. Cooperate, and I'll grant you a swift end. Refuse, and every cruelty in this world will be tested on you."
With a flick, he summoned a large bucket, setting it before them. Then rope.
He hoisted both men and tied them against the bucket, forcing their arms inside.
His short sword sliced their veins.
Terror overtook their eyes. This wasn't a naive youth! This was a demon!
"Bloody Mary is the most precious drink here. Not a drop will be wasted."
"Know what this is? Ginseng. Blood-nourishing grass. A thousand-year Polygonum root. All to replenish blood. Once you've bled half out, I'll feed you these herbs and guide their absorption with soul power."
"Over and over, five times at least, until every marrow in your bones becomes fresh blood again."
He laid the herbs out, slowly refining them with soul power.
Each deliberate motion was like a death knell, chilling their bones!
Blood dripped into the bucket, once a trickle, now steady drops.
Normally, a man would have fainted by now. But poisoned nerves kept them awake, unable to escape the torment.
At last, both reached their limits.
Dugu Feng sensed it. "Now then, answer me."
They nodded desperately.
"Names."
"Wolf Er!" "Hou San!"
"Who's your boss?"
The scar-faced one hesitated only a moment. "Our boss is Mo Li, Martial Spirit Devil Tiger. Over a hundred men serve him. He favors boys and young girls the most…"
Fear had broken him. His words poured freely, describing their faction.
Dugu Feng's eyes narrowed. Just as he expected, these were inner city power blocs.
One victory meant a year of survival rights. Multiple wins drew stronger opponents. Unless they sought tempering, most strong ones fought once a year, then enjoyed their spoils.
As the veiled girl had said, in the inner city, strength brought every indulgence.
Like him very few came seeking the Killing God Domain. In fact 99% didn't even know of its existence!
"How many people in the City of Slaughter? Tell me everything including the powerhouses, factions."
"Inner city, about thirty thousand. Outer city? Countless…"
Hou San spoke quickly, clearly well-informed.
"The strongest in the inner city is Xiong Ba, Spirit Douluo, Martial Spirit Rending Demon Bear.
"And a Spirit Saint named Tang Cheng, Martial Spirit Clear Sky Hammer."
Dugu Feng froze. Clear Sky Sect?!?
Wasn't it sealed away?
"Tang Cheng entered about eight years ago. Now eighty-three victories. Can't use spirit skills, but his Clear Sky Hammer techniques are terrifying. Even Soul Douluo's avoid him."
Eight years ago… exactly when the Haotian Sect withdrew.
So much more had happened than the simple story of Spirit Hall's pressure and Clear Sky's retreat! Boths ides had mobilized forces and engaged in numerous battles!
Tang Cheng likely never left the Slaughter City, he was either slain in battle or executed by the King of Slaughter.
The latter seemed more likely.
Half an hour later, Wolf Er and Hou San were dead.
Their blood stored in his spirit tool, Dugu Feng resumed cultivation.
For a week, he remained inside.
During that time eighteen more came hunting.
All met the same fate—becoming Bloody Mary within his storage.
By the eighth day, no one came again.
He had been acknowledged—these butchers now regarded him as one of their own.