"How did he do that? Was 8657 just an idiot?! Why didn't he dodge?!"
The moment the slash ended, everyone was stunned—those in the stands, and even the eight remaining contestants in the ring. Their eyes were filled with disbelief, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. Logically speaking, 8657's arms had been replaced with soulforce-infused steel prosthetics. With soul power reinforcing them, they should have been enough to block Purgatory's strike, maybe even counterattack.
But reality was the complete opposite.
While the others hesitated, Xu Yang did not. The moment his blade cleaved through the Soul Emperor, he flowed seamlessly into his next move. Soul power burst from beneath his feet, propelling him forward toward the next closest Soul Emperor. His Tang Sword, wreathed in intense force and soul power, came cleaving down once more.
This second Soul Emperor wasn't weak—he had spent his life killing at the edge of a blade. Though briefly stunned, he recovered almost instantly. But it was too late. As the blade descended, a torrent of killing intent and malice surged into his mind, paralyzing him with dread. His thoughts froze, his body refused to obey.
In that instant, he understood why the first man hadn't moved.
But he had no time to warn the others. Everything went black. His body, too, was split cleanly in two.
"Again?! What the hell is going on?!"
The remaining seven combatants reacted swiftly, scattering to avoid him. But how large could the cage of the Slaughter Arena be? There was nowhere to run. Within seconds, Xu Yang had slain two more.
"Get him—together!"
The final five finally snapped, roaring in fury as they launched themselves at him.
"Slaughter God's Blade — One Slash!"
Xu Yang grinned savagely. His Tang Sword spun with blinding speed, golden-red soul power flaring outward like a tide of blood. The force tore through all five enemies in a single instant, cutting them clean in half mid-air.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Five thunderous gunshots rang out.
Their severed heads exploded like overripe melons, reduced to a rain of blood and bone.
As always, Xu Yang absorbed the 10% of soul power released from the corpses. A high-temperature blaze trailed behind him as he turned and left the Hell Slaughter Arena, heading silently back to his quarters.
Slaughter City – Central Chamber
In a wide, dark chamber at the heart of Slaughter City, the Slaughter King sat on his massive black stone throne. His brow was furrowed for the first time in years, gaze somber.
"The great King, Purgatory has claimed another victory. He's becoming more dangerous with every match," came the cold voice of the Slaughter Envoy from the shadows.
"I know," the Slaughter King replied, his voice equally frigid. "The moment I saw that slash, I realized… he's the real thing. A true powerhouse. He's already learned to fight using killing intent. The Hell Slaughter Arena can no longer contain him."
"Then… should we try making contact?" the Envoy asked.
"We'll try," the King said coldly. "If he refuses… we'll have no choice but to open the Path of Hell."
"But, Your Majesty," the Envoy's voice sharpened. "Every time the Path of Hell is opened, it spells disaster for Slaughter City. Why not kill him now—before it's too late?"
The Slaughter King cut her off with a snarl. "Don't think that just because I favor you, you have the right to question my orders. You don't."
The Slaughter Envoy immediately dropped to one knee, trembling. She did not rise.
"Go," the King said. "Find Purgatory. If he refuses… prepare the Path."
"Yes… Your Majesty!"
She fled the room without looking back.
The Slaughter King watched her go, his blood-red eyes flickering in the shadows.
"It's not that I don't want to… but the rules of this city were made by a god. Even I cannot defy them. All I can do is test their will… within the bounds of my authority."
Meanwhile
Back in his room, Xu Yang leaned silently against the wall, eyes closed, reviewing the moment of that strike again in his mind.
"So… Slaughter God's Blade — One Slash is finally complete," he murmured. "Now comes the refinement."
The principle behind the technique was simple: it fused the killing intent and murderous will he'd accumulated in Slaughter City with his soul power and blade technique. By merging this killing intent directly into his spiritual power, he created a blade strike that could shock and overwhelm an opponent's mind.
Anyone whose spiritual power was weaker than his—would freeze.
That was why the Soul Emperors never even moved.
The inspiration? From the future, of course. Specifically, Huo Yuhao's "Sovereign's Descent" and "Three Ultimate Moves of Absolute Winter." Techniques that fused emotional energy and spiritual power with soul skills for devastating effects.
Xu Yang didn't have the emotional volatility of a love-struck youth—but he had killing intent. Plenty of it. Slaughter City was a breeding ground for that. Combined with the Sword Intent and Seven Kill Swordplay passed down from Chen Xin, he forged his own path—one slash at a time.
But it had cost him. Nearly a thousand kills.
Just then, Xu Yang's eyes snapped open. A crimson glow flashed briefly in his pupils.
"Since you're here… come in."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Well well, Purgatory really lives up to his name. I thought I was hiding well." The Slaughter Envoy slowly stepped into the room, clapping her hands.
Xu Yang didn't bother with pleasantries. "Spare me the act. What do you want?"
The Envoy paused, but then smiled coyly. "Purgatory, I've come on behalf of the King… to invite you to officially join Slaughter City. Whatever conditions you have, name them."
As she spoke, she even puffed out her chest and gave him a seductive smile.
"I refuse."
Xu Yang's voice was cold. "I came here to train—and only to train. This place disgusts me. Even if you killed me, I wouldn't join you. So give it up."
The Envoy's face turned dark. Her stare lingered for a long moment before she finally said, "I hope you don't regret those words."
"That's none of your business."
Realizing the rejection was absolute, the Slaughter Envoy turned and stalked out of the room without another word.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin