Xu Yang had no objections to this. It wasn't just that his strength couldn't match the influx of soul power all at once—even if he tried to absorb too much at once, he couldn't handle it.
As for whether absorbing soul power from these dead Soul Masters would cause instability in his foundation and future cultivation difficulties, Xu Yang simply sneered at the thought. It was completely impossible. His Sun soul power had already completed its transformation, incorporating the attributes of Extreme Fire and Extreme Light.
The attribute of Extreme Fire was combustion, while Extreme Light provided purification. These two properties not only enhanced his soul power but also purified his spiritual power. With their combined effects, the soul power extracted from the corpses would be instantly refined, purging it of residual spiritual imprints and leaving behind only pure energy for Xu Yang to absorb and refine.
Besides, he was an Extreme Soul Master to begin with, cultivating at a naturally slower pace. This method of refining energy could precisely make up for that shortfall.
Still, Xu Yang directed most of the refined energy toward tempering his body and sharpening his spiritual power. Since he was only at the Soul Ancestor stage, not yet having hunted for his fifth soul ring, his internal soul power wouldn't increase further just by absorbing more energy. Strengthening his body and spirit not only solidified his foundation but also bolstered his combat strength, allowing him to survive longer in Slaughter City.
"The soul power from nine Soul Masters, once refined by my Sun soul power, equals about a month of hard cultivation. But I can't do this too often, or my soul power will lose its cohesion and become scattered."
Ever since his spiritual power reached the level of a Title Douluo, Xu Yang could perform an inner inspection of his body. He was keenly aware of his condition, able to identify hidden injuries and cultivation gaps, understanding that true cultivation began with self-awareness.
When absorbing the soul power from the corpses, he noticed subtle changes in his own soul power. After all, this wasn't energy he painstakingly cultivated drop by drop—it was like gulping down a meal. The quantity and quality were sufficient, but the sudden influx left his control slightly obstructed. It would take about seven days to fully digest.
"In that case, I'll enter the Hell Slaughter Arena once every seven days. That should give me enough time to digest the energy."
After absorbing the soul power from the nine corpses, Xu Yang had already planned his next steps. This schedule would allow him to become the champion of the Hell Slaughter Arena within two years and escape the Road to Hell.
He couldn't stand this disgusting environment any longer. No wonder Tang San in the original story wanted to destroy this place. If Xu Yang hadn't known the truth, he might have chosen the same.
Gathering the storage soul tools from the nine corpses, Xu Yang deliberately clutched his shoulder and limped out of the Hell Slaughter Arena.
No sooner had he left than he felt several presences tailing him from behind. These people hid their auras exceptionally well. If his spiritual power hadn't reached the level of a Title Douluo, he might not have even noticed them.
"You really think I'm clueless? Perfect. I'll just kill you all to send a message to the others."
A cold smirk tugged at Xu Yang's lips as he headed toward his residence in the inner city. When he passed a shadowed alley, over a dozen figures sprang from the darkness, weapons in hand, lunging at him.
"Perfect. I've been waiting for you!"
Xu Yang extended his right hand, summoning the Sun Sacred Blade, compressed with dense Sun soul power that formed razor-sharp blade energy. Activating his second soul skill's Splitting Secret Technique, he swung a single slash. Instantly, over a hundred streaks of golden blade energy shot forth, slicing through the attackers.
Blood splattered. The ambushers' bodies were sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
Expressionless, Xu Yang approached the corpses, delivering final strikes to ensure none survived. Afterward, following his principle of not wasting resources, he gathered all their storage soul tools.
Resources were scarce in Slaughter City. Although he'd stocked ample supplies before coming in, who would complain about having more? Some of these soul tools might even contain valuable materials he needed.
It was just a pity none of them possessed a soul bone. Otherwise, his gains would have been even greater.
Stepping over the corpses, Xu Yang quietly returned to his quarters, sat cross-legged on the crude bed, and entered meditation and visualization. While cultivating, he also purified the poisonous aura from Slaughter City that had infiltrated his body.
The toxins in Slaughter City's air were akin to drugs—once exposed, they were nearly impossible to purge. Only constant consumption of Blood Marys could suppress the burning agitation inside. However, the more one drank, the deeper the toxins accumulated, until they were irrevocably ensnared.
This was the true test of Slaughter City and why, in a thousand years, only eight had ever emerged as Slaughter Gods.
Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School…
"What?! Sword Uncle! How could you let Xu Yang enter Slaughter City without stopping him?!" Madam Ning, holding a slender sword, her nine soul rings (yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black) gleaming beneath her, glared furiously at Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
"I tried to stop him, but that brat wouldn't listen and insisted on going in!" Chen Xin waved helplessly, his tone guilty. He had anticipated this reaction. When it came to Xu Yang and Ning Rongrong, Madam Ning was fierce enough to challenge him directly, regardless of his identity as Sword Douluo and Grand Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"He wouldn't listen? Couldn't you just knock him out and drag him back?! Don't you realize how dangerous that place is?!"
"This…" Chen Xin was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Enough, Madam," Ning Fengzhi interjected, stepping in to calm her. "You know how headstrong Xu Yang is. Once he decides on something, it's almost impossible to change his mind. Besides, Xu Yang has always been level-headed. I believe he must have his reasons for choosing to enter Slaughter City."
Clang—the slender sword clattered to the floor as Madam Ning collapsed to her knees, her face buried in her hands, weeping.
"He's just a fourteen-year-old child! How could he go to such a place?!"
For a moment, Chen Xin, Gu Rong, and Ning Fengzhi fell silent. They knew she was absolutely right, and they had no words to counter it.
The next morning, Madam Ning left a letter behind and departed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School with Ning Rongrong, saying she was going out for a few days to clear her mind. Ning Fengzhi knew she was upset and let her go, dispatching a dozen Soul Douluo to secretly ensure their safety.
Chen Xin, feeling guilty, followed from a distance to protect them.