The further he went, the hotter the very air became.
Within the scorching heat lurked a terrifying spiritual toxin, identical to the chronic poison that pervaded the Slaughter City, only it was more denser, more vicious!
At that moment, Dugu Feng felt the killing intent within his body stir once again. Those strands of killing aura, originally faint white light, were being invaded by dark-red spiritual energy.
This was the hidden trap of the Rakshasa God, using spiritual poison to taint the Shura God's inheritance.
To make the inheritor lose control over their killing intent and eventually be consumed by evil.
Dugu Feng grew tense, gathering all his soul power into the Jade Phosphorus Crimson Venom, focusing it within his martial soul to shield himself from the corruption.
Beneath him, the Jade Phosphor Dragon Serpents glowed faintly with emerald light, helping him maintain clarity.
An hour later, in midair, an oval-shaped light curtain appeared.
This was the final trial. But for one who could fly, Hell Road had already reached its end.
With a sudden burst of speed, he withdrew the two Dragon Serpents and let his body's momentum carry him into the white barrier.
A strange sensation of time and space twisting enveloped him, and he entered a strange realm.
All around was endless white void.
The only feeling was of cold. A biting, bone-piercing cold! Instinctively, he sat cross-legged, using soul power to resist.
But the cold wasn't passive. It pierced him like countless invisible swords, stabbing into his flesh, his bones, his very spirit.
The killing intent within him was triggered, bursting forth in a white ripple that encircled his body.
The ripple absorbed the cold energy ceaselessly.
Yet there was too much. Dozens of times more than his killing aura could balance.
The icy energy surged past the barrier, pouring into him, reshaping his body.
It was molding him into something new…no! it was creating the Slaughter God Domain.
His spirit, his blood, his body, even his martial soul, were all being reforged.
As more and more coldness poured in, Dugu Feng grew stiff, his thoughts freezing. Even his mind stopped functioning. He lost all awareness.
…
No one knew how long passed.
When he finally opened his eyes, the cold was gone. His body felt normal.
He hurriedly checked the killing aura within himself.
In that instant—
A surge of dazzling white light burst outward.
Once it left his body, the white glow transformed into colorless ripples.
Ripples spread out silently, covering everything around him.
Dominion. Control.
Yes—this was the feeling.
Within the field, everything was under his command.
This was the Slaughter God Domain.
Inside it, everything was revealed to him without the slightest concealment.
Even the Jade Phosphor Dragon Serpents at his wrist trembled instinctively.
Though the domain wasn't aimed at them, the oppressive aura made them deeply uncomfortable.
Within the domain, enemies' strength was suppressed by ten percent, while his own spirit power, physical strength, and soul techniques were enhanced by ten percent.
Against an opponent of equal level, that was a twenty percent swing.
And as the domain grew stronger, both the debuff and boost would only rise.
A field born purely for battle!
The amplification was only part of it—the true power was absolute control. Within his domain, no enemy could escape his perception.
Dugu Feng exhaled, heart soaring.
At just over eight years old, he had entered the Slaughter City. Nearly two years later, faster than Tang San himself, he had gained the Slaughter God Domain.
And he hadn't wasted his cultivation either—his soul power was now at Rank 27, he had mastered the Jade Phosphorus Crimson Venom, evolved the Nine-Section Jade Phosphor into Dragon Serpents, and even obtained the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent's inner core.
The gains of these two years were immense.
The only regret was the Pearls. Their growth hadn't benefited much here.
The energy had risen by less than twenty-three points, now at sixty-two percent.
At this rate, nearly three more years would be needed before the eighth Dan Pearl condensed.
He would have to prioritize feeding them with purer energy and higher-quality poison.
The Slaughter City's chronic spiritual poison, however, was the Rakshasa God's evil qi. Dugu Feng had not let the pearls absorb it.
He wouldn't risk it.
If, when inheriting a god's position, he were ambushed by that filth and ended up like Tang Chen… that would be a tragic joke.
Better to start planning for Immortal Herbs. With them, perhaps the Pearls' energy could gather faster.
And the Zhu sisters too—they would need to accelerate their cultivation. If not, he would have to push them harder.
Dugu Feng's thoughts wandered…
Star Luo City. Zhu Clan.
Before a lavish chamber, rows of maids carried in trays of food.
Medicinal meals, nourishing dishes, exquisite delicacies, everything was prepared.
Inside, at a grand dining table, two beautiful young girls were eating heartily.
Over twenty plates of food were already polished clean.
These were none other than Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing, the sisters Dugu Feng had just been thinking of.
It had been more than three years since the Battle Spirit match in Soto City. The two had grown remarkably.
Especially the elder sister, Zhu Zhuyun, now seventeen and in full bloom.
A pink napkin was tied across her chest, both to keep her dress clean and to support her proud curves, which would otherwise strain her posture.
Every movement carried a hint of charm. Even while eating, she smiled softly, clearly in good spirits.
By her side, Zhu Zhuqing was the opposite, she was cold and aloof.
The sisters formed a striking contrast, yet in eating, they were perfectly synchronized.
"Miss, the Crown Prince has arrived!" a maid reported.
Zhu Zhuyun's brows furrowed.
"Tell him I'm in closed-door cultivation…"
"Zhuyun, why lie to me?"
A loud voice interrupted. The doors burst open, and a tall, golden-haired young man strode in, arrogance written on his face.
Davis's gaze swept over the table, stunned by the cleared plates, but soon fixed on Zhu Zhuyun with burning intensity.
"Zhuyun, you said when I caught up to your spirit power, you would see me. Yesterday I broke through—I'm Rank 44 now!"
His tone carried pride.
Three years ago, ever since Zhu Zhuyun returned from Soto City, Davis had felt something change in her.
She had become utterly obsessed with cultivation.
Once, they had often met at various gatherings, Zhu Zhuyun lively and willing to attend banquets.
Now, she barely left her courtyard.
Unable to see her, Davis had grown restless and angry.
They were engaged, after all. And Zhu Zhuyun's tall figure, fair skin, and flawless curves had long made him obsessed.
Her change was like the sky collapsing for him.