After brief treatment, Tang Chen slowly opened his eyes and looked at the unfamiliar Tianlin. "Who are you?"
"I am Jun Tianlin, the new Asura God inheritor," Tianlin replied. "Tang Chen, I've completed what you couldn't—killed the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King. But your time is short. Any last words?"
"Is that so? The new Asura inheritor… So strong at such a young age. I was never your equal. What do I have left to say?" Tang Chen sighed.
"Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? I can try to help," Tianlin asked, though he already knew Tang Chen's wish but wanted him to say it himself for maximum benefit.
"A wish?" Tang Chen thought, then said, "Just one. I want to see Bo Saixi on Sea God Island one last time. I've wronged her—she must have waited so long for me."
Tang Chen's fate was even worse than in the original: now, with poison in his body, soul power exhausted, and his limbs broken by Tianlin, he couldn't move at all.
"Sea God Island is far. Frankly, I doubt your body can make it," Tianlin said.
"Young man, I've never begged anyone, but I beg you now. I don't have much to offer, but I have six soul bones. If you fulfill my last wish, you can take them all, including a 100,000-year one."
That's what Tianlin had been waiting for. He knew the only thing Tang Chen could offer was his soul bones. Though he could take them now, Tang Chen would die, ruining his promise to Bo Saixi. If he took them after reaching Bo Saixi, he'd risk making her an enemy. Only by Tang Chen's voluntary offer could Tianlin avoid trouble.
Tianlin cupped his hands. "Since you're so sincere, I'll help you. I'll use a seal to slow the poison. Once we reach Sea God Island, I'll release you. Agree?"
"Fine. As long as I can see her, I'll endure anything."
Tang Chen nodded. Tianlin then used a dark gold seal on him, but before sealing him completely, he noticed a pendant at Tang Chen's waist and used his soul power to draw it over.
It was a hammer-shaped order—Clear Sky Order, the highest token of the Clear Sky Sect. With it, one could become the chief elder and intervene in sect matters. Though Tianlin wasn't a sect member and couldn't control the sect, the token might come in handy later.
Once Tang Chen was sealed, Skydream smirked, "Well done, Xiao Tian. If Tang Chen knew you were always planning to take him to Bo Saixi, he'd die of anger."
"Uncle Tianlin is bad—a liar!" Xiao Bai teased.
"Be good, Xiao Bai. Don't learn from me, or your mother will freeze me to death," Tianlin warned, but didn't care about Skydream's opinion.
He added, "Bad or not, don't forget, Tang San and Tang Hao died because of me. Tang Chen and I are mortal enemies, even if he doesn't know it yet. With enemies, trick them as much as possible."
Tianlin put the sealed Tang Chen into his magic pouch and walked to another crystal—Demon Spear Douluo was still sealed inside.
Tianlin didn't plan to kill him, as he was needed to help manage Slaughter City.
Taking Demon Spear Douluo with him, Tianlin returned to Slaughter City. The veiled girl, having waited for the outcome, saw Tianlin return instead of the Slaughter King and was briefly surprised.
"Congratulations, Your Grace, on your victory and gaining control of Slaughter City," she said respectfully, recognizing Tianlin as her new master.
"You're really calm for a secretary. Your boss is dead and you barely react?" Tianlin joked.
"I'm used to death. Even if the Slaughter King dies, nothing changes. In Slaughter City, the strong rule, the weak lose all," she replied.
"Well said. You can keep being my secretary—I think you're perfect for the job."
"Your Grace, I'm an emissary, not a secretary!"
She seemed insistent, but Tianlin didn't mind the title. He had more important things to do.
He released Demon Spear Douluo from the soul tool. Demon Spear Douluo realized he was back in Slaughter City and, seeing Tianlin, attacked with his spear.
Tianlin easily grabbed the spear, warning, "Still fighting? You're no match for me. Don't seek death."
"By the Slaughter King's order, I must kill you," Demon Spear Douluo insisted.
Tianlin was troubled. He didn't want to kill him but didn't know what else to do.
The veiled girl explained, "The Demon Spear clan has no independent will. From birth, they're taught only one thing: the Slaughter King is their master, whose orders must be obeyed, guarding Slaughter City forever."
That gave Tianlin an idea. "Demon Spear, I am the new Slaughter King. I order you to stop!"
"New Slaughter King?" Demon Spear paused. Slaughter City had existed for millions of years—it was normal for the King to be replaced. "To prove it, please open Hell Road."
Only the Slaughter King could open Hell Road—a perfect test.