The veiled woman's heart skipped a beat.
Dugu Feng's momentum was terrifying.
When he had spoken just now, the killing intent rolling off his body was almost tangible, like venom ready to erupt and claim lives at any second.
She dared not speak further; this matter could only be handled by the King himself.
Following in her shadow, Dugu Feng walked the long, oppressive street ahead of the Hell Slaughter Field.
He was perfectly aware: by killing Tang Cheng and forcing Xiong Ba to submit, he had inevitably drawn the King's attention.
But wasn't that what he wanted?
The King of Slaughter did not want to open Hell Road, 'it' did not want to forge another God of Slaughter.
As long as Dugu Feng kept winning, that confrontation would come sooner or later.
Better to seize the initiative and strike down Tang Cheng and Xiong Ba on his own terms.
A Soul Saint and a Soul Douluo. In the arena, victory was never guaranteed.
Life was only once. Dugu Feng wasn't willing to gamble his.
Now came the true test. If he passed this hurdle, his journey through the City of Slaughter was already more than half done.
Moments later, he stepped into a vast hall.
The walls and floor were the same suffocating crimson.
Upon a massive throne sat a man wrapped in a scarlet cloak, skin so pale it seemed all the blood in his body had flowed into his eyes—eyes that glowed blood-red as they locked on Dugu Feng.
"Poison Demon King, you've given me quite the surprise."
The King of Slaughter's voice was sharp, shrill and like knives slicing through the air. Even Dugu Feng's eardrums trembled.
Dugu Feng advanced slowly, halting several meters away.
"Greetings, Lord King of Slaughter. The City of Slaughter forbids nothing—no rules, no restrictions. By your decree, anything can be done.
My actions… follow those rules."
His tone was calm, steady.
"Hmph!"
A wave of foul stench rolled out as the King snorted coldly.
"But your actions displease me. Now, I give you a chance—join the City of Slaughter, and I will make you my guest official, second only to myself."
Here it was. The same "invitation" once extended to Tang San and Hu Liena.
Dugu Feng smiled faintly. "Lord King of Slaughter, surely you've already investigated me. I am the young master of the Dugu Clan and our influence spreads across the continent.
It is impossible for me to remain here forever."
The King inhaled sharply. "When you achieve one hundred victories, I can grant you the title of Slaughter God, allow you free entry and exit. You may still walk with your clan."
Dugu Feng shook his head. "I came here not for a title alone.
I came to pass Hell Road. To claim the Slaughter God Domain.
If Lord King permits me that trial, then joining the City of Slaughter is not impossible."
He met the King's gaze without flinching. He understood perfectly: the so-called "title" was empty.
"It has been long since anyone dared refuse me…"
The King's blood-red eyes narrowed dangerously.
Before the killing intent could settle, Dugu Feng spoke again:
"Lord King, do you know how the outside world views the City of Slaughter?"
The veiled woman interjected coldly, curious despite herself. "And how do they view it?"
The King himself did not speak. He was listening.
Dugu Feng smiled faintly.
"To the world, this place is a paradise of criminals, a haven for the wicked.
The great sects have already discussed destroying it together. Only conflict between two of the strongest forces prevented them.
But now… Spirit Hall grows stronger under the lead of that God of Slaughter. Striking at the City of Slaughter is only a matter of time."
The veiled woman sneered. "Your guesswork. Even if Spirit Hall is powerful, here no one can use spirit abilities. Against us, what can one Slaughter God do?"
The King remained silent, waiting for Dugu Feng's reply.
Dugu Feng's smile widened.
"Who said there is only one? Do you know why Tang Cheng was here?
Before he died, a member of the Xiahou Clan revealed the truth—Tang Cheng's mission was to search for Tang Chen, the former Sect Master of the Clear Sky Clan's ancestor line.
Tang Chen, a Limit Douluo at the ninety-ninth rank, who vanished in pursuit of godhood.
Where could he have gone? There are only a few places on this continent that can touch the divine.
And the City of Slaughter… is at the top of that list."
The King's scarlet pupils swirled violently.
Inside, his mood was boiling.
Dugu Feng's lips curved coldly. He knew that the King feared nothing more than the wrath of two Slaughter Gods.
And the truth? The King himself had seized Tang Chen's body.
Wouldn't that mean he had made a mortal enemy of one?
The King stared hard at Dugu Feng, suspicion burning. Does this boy… know?
Yet Dugu Feng's calm face gave nothing away.
"My father once told me—the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall both searched for a certain immortal herb.
Even the Dugu Clan was approached.
Lord King, please look."
With a wave of his hand, a slip of yellowed paper floated across the air.
Upon it was drawn a pure white herb, each slender leaf arched like the neck of a swan.
The King's eyes flickered. "And this is…?"
"This herb is called Snow Swan Kiss. According to the two Slaughter Gods, it alone can annihilate the City of Slaughter.
Its sole effect… is amplification.
Our ancestor once obtained it. Mixed into poison, a single leaf multiplied its venom ten-thousandfold.
Here, the very air is poison. If Snow Swan Kiss were released into it…
Every toxin would magnify instantly. The City of Slaughter, and even you, Lord King—you could not withstand it.
Every soul master here would die.
And you Lord Slaughter, your face looks pale and bloodless…you probably consume Bloody Mary frequently and would fall first beneath the venom's flood."
Dugu Feng's tone was slow, deliberate. Every word struck like a hammer.
At once, scarlet beams erupted from the King's eyes, scorching the air, stopping just before Dugu Feng's forehead.
"Are you threatening me?"
Snow Swan Kiss… could such a thing truly exist?
Dugu Feng chuckled softly. "When I was but a Great Soul Master, I could already ignite the spiritual poison within every soul master's body here.
Do you really think, Lord King, that I am threatening you?
No. I am stating fact.
But rest assured. If Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect came seeking Snow Swan Kiss, my clan did not yield it.
We will not turn it against you.
The Dugu Clan's reputation is poor. We are despised.
But with you, Lord King—we share mutual interests."
The King of Slaughter had not attacked him.
That meant mention of Tang Chen, of two Slaughter Gods, of the immortal herb… all of it had pierced his heart.
Dugu Feng's pulse steadied.
This is the power of information. And I know the King of Slaughter's every secret.