The heightened sensitivity Xu Yang had developed wasn't just limited to external perception. The most significant transformation was in his control over his own body. With the assistance of his soul power, Xu Yang could now manipulate even the subtlest movements—such as the swaying of a single strand of hair or the opening and closing of his pores—feats that would have been unimaginable before.
If he truly focused, he could even control the contractions of his digestive system, allowing him to rapidly break down food and convert it into energy.
Inside a cramped, dim room, Xu Yang completed his day's cultivation, fully refining the last wave of soul power circulating in his body. He then stripped off his armor and retrieved some metal materials from his storage soul tool to begin repairs.
After all, his armor was only a Grade 1 Soul Tool. While it offered decent protection, it had still suffered damage in his last encounter with a Soul Sage–level Evil Soul Master.
He patched it up as best he could, then stepped outside into the shadowed alleys of the City of Slaughter and made his way toward the Hell Slaughter Arena.
To be honest, if it weren't for his self-created Body Tempering Methods and the meticulous refinement of his Soul Tools—plus the visualization technique that kept the blazing sun in his spiritual sea to drive away inner demons—he might have already lost himself to madness or fallen into depravity like the rest of them.
The pressure here was relentless. The constant edge of danger, the need to remain alert every moment... it was suffocating.
There were, of course, female Evil Soul Masters who had tried to approach him with more… personal offers. But every time, Xu Yang simply released a sliver of killing intent, which was enough to scare them off. It wasn't about chastity—it was about survival. In the City of Slaughter, no one could be trusted, especially not women. More than a few had taken their partner's life at "critical" moments. Stories like those were all too common.
The tension had made him desperate to finish his trials in the City of Slaughter and leave. But by now, with his win streak so high, finding suitable opponents took much longer. At best, one match every five days. At worst, it could take up to half a month.
So, to reach the hundred victories required to challenge the Road of Hell, he still needed another ten months—even if he didn't lose a single match.
After repairing his armor, Xu Yang donned it again, checked his early-warning arrays, then drifted off into a shallow, guarded sleep. Here, one had to be alert even while resting. Only that way could one maintain peak mental condition for the dangers ahead.
The next morning, he took out food from his storage ring. It wasn't provided by the City of Slaughter—it was rations he had stockpiled before entering. Compared to what was available here, his food was vastly better in both taste and nutrition.
After eating, he slung his blade over his back and headed toward the Hell Slaughter Arena. Today would mark his 54th match. At this level of win streak, his opponents were almost always Soul Emperors or Soul Sages—and occasionally even a Soul Douluo.
He was the only one in the entire arena still at the Soul King level and holding this kind of streak.
"It's Purgatory! Get out of the way—he's heading to the arena again!"
"That guy's getting more brutal by the day…"
"…"
The Evil Soul Masters around parted instinctively at the sight of Xu Yang. Those with spare Blood-Red Marys (the addictive drink of the City of Slaughter) and other resources rushed toward the betting counters, hoping to make a profit.
A full year of nonstop killing had made Xu Yang famous throughout the City of Slaughter. Due to the golden flames that coiled around his blade, people had given him a nickname—Purgatory.
Xu Yang didn't care for the nickname. He just wanted to finish his training here and claim the Ten-Headed Fiery Yang Serpent's Core before returning to the human world.
Before long, he stepped into the arena. Alongside him were nine others. Seven of them were visibly trembling. Only two managed to stay calm—albeit barely.
As the iron gates slammed shut, the nine surrounded Xu Yang instantly. They understood: if they didn't kill him, they wouldn't survive.
Xu Yang didn't mind. He was used to this. By now, he expected every match to begin with everyone ganging up on him.
He unleashed his killing intent without reservation. A crimson glint appeared in his dark pupils, and that suffocating aura of slaughter surged outward. His opponents instantly felt as if they'd plunged into an icy abyss—their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"AHHH! KILL HIM!"
They roared, trying to drown out their fear. All nine charged at once.
Xu Yang moved with deceptive slowness—yet his speed was unmatched. Behind him, his Sun Martial Soul appeared, casting radiant golden light. In a flash, a refined Tang Blade was in his right hand, and a Soul Tool pistol in his left.
As the enemies surrounded him, Xu Yang swept his blade in a full 360-degree arc. The golden-red blade energy was compressed to the thickness of a silk thread, forcing his opponents to retreat.
In that instant, he raised his left arm and fired. The Explosive Flame Rounds, enhanced to the power of a Grade 4 Soul Tool, shot out—eighteen in total. These custom bullets could also be remotely detonated.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All eighteen rounds locked onto a Soul Sage. Though the man tried to dodge, Xu Yang detonated seven midair. The explosions sent him off-balance—unable to escape the remaining eleven.
He died instantly.
"He's using that technique again—force them back with blade energy, then snipe the strongest with that strange weapon. Can no one break his rhythm?"
"Well, like the saying goes—old tricks are fine if they work! Besides, this Purgatory guy's techniques are constantly evolving. He's taken down too many already. That says everything."
"…"
As the audience erupted into debate, Xu Yang calmly eyed the six remaining fighters. He holstered the pistol and instantly switched to a new one—he had four total, each preloaded to minimize reload time.
Then, he activated Cloud-Treading Step, his figure vanishing in a golden blur toward the nearest Soul Emperor.
"You think I'm scared?! I replaced both my arms with refined steel just for this match! Let's see if your blade can cut through this!" the Soul Emperor roared, revealing gleaming prosthetic arms as his soul power surged.
The other six readied their weapons and locked onto Xu Yang.
"Slaughter God's Blade—One Slash!"
Xu Yang charged straight in. His blade radiated with sunfire, and the moment he struck, the Soul Emperor froze. The blade sliced through his steel arms as if they were paper and continued straight through his body.
Shlick!
Blood sprayed across the battlefield. The Soul Emperor's body split in half and collapsed.
The arena floor ran red once again.