Spirit City.
Drums thundered, fireworks blazed.
The Continent Soul Master Tournament was held on schedule; nobody outside knew what just happened at Spirit City's gates.
"Please…"
Qian Daoliu gestured.
"You go first." Su Wen smiled.
Their mutual respect drew many curious glances—the rising new star, strong enough to awe the entire Spirit Hall; the other, one of the continent's grandest elders.
Many presumed the legendary master had died…
But now, even more eyes were drawn to the stunning, golden-haired girl sitting at the center—flanked by Su Wen and Qian Daoliu.
Grandpa was a peerless Douluo—ruler of the Angel Clan and Worship Hall. Her lover was legendary—and she was still so young.
She was the true girl of destiny.
"Do you know Tang Chen?" Su Wen called down.
"Tang Chen?" Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes—he didn't know Su Wen's meaning, but nodded.
"A hundred years ago, we were close friends—me, him, and Sea God envoy Bo Saixi—the Golden Generation."
His eyes filled with nostalgia.
"He's now the ruler of Slaughter City." Su Wen said, sipping tea.
"What?!"
Qian Daoliu almost jumped up in shock.
"Slaughter City?"
"He went for the Asura God inheritance, but failed. The Rakshasa God ensnared him, devouring his consciousness—now, neither man nor ghost." Su Wen said softly.
"Sigh…"
Qian Daoliu leaned back, deeply sorrowful.
Su Wen rapped the armrest, mind turning.
Right—Rakshasa God's inheritance would soon be vacant.
With Bibi Dong crippled, Rakshasa God would lose interest. He'd likely fixate on Tang Chen, opening up a rare opportunity.
Whether slim or not, Su Wen had to prepare to seize the Rakshasa succession.
Normally, the Rakshasa test didn't need Asura Domain, but visiting Slaughter City would definitely be a trial. Bibi Dong was only chosen after acquiring the Deathgod Domain.
Not planning to try it himself—he'd leave the task to…
Dugu Yan!
Yes, her.
As the only student financially backed by the series' top angel investor, Dugu Bo, and a trustworthy character, she was the best fit.
Besides, she was his first, and best-trained, disciple.
Sentimental value.
On stage, Dugu Yan rapidly won her opening match, soaking in thunderous cheers. She felt a chill up her spine, meeting her teacher's proud gaze.
"He's praising me!"
She never expected, once the tournament ended, life would get much harder.
Instead, she joked with her teammates.
"Teacher's definitely praising me!"
"Nonsense!"
"…"
Competitions continued as normal.
No one dared interfere again—with the two "founding Buddhas" present, no force on the continent could act up—including the ambitious Star Luo Empire.
Star Luo's team, led by Dai Mubai's brother, reached the semifinals with their fusion skills.
Shrek limped through, all gravely injured, losing Yu Tianheng, and barely made top thirty-two.
The five elemental academies went all-out but missed the final.
The grand final, fittingly, was Heaven Dou Royal Academy vs. Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
But Dugu Yan's team's improvement was so rapid—even the mighty Spirit Hall trio, at full effort, couldn't win.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy—the champions.
"We are… champions!!!"
Center stage.
With tens of thousands watching.
Dugu Yan and her team raised the trophy, awarded soul bones by their own teacher—inscribing their names in history.
"What did you say, Teacher? Slaughter City?!"
Sitting in a tavern, Dugu Yan stared anxiously at Su Wen—while the crowd ogled and leered.
A face of despair.
Please, no…
"This is a golden opportunity. If you don't want it, I have others." Su Wen breezed, sipping tea.
Among his students, she was the one most suited for the Rakshasa test; though some were eyed by the Space God (a First-Level deity), and he still had many possible evil/predator-type spirit beasts to train in future.
"I'm willing!"
Dugu Yan straightened.
She sensed Su Wen's seriousness—this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
"Aren't you afraid of dying inside?" Su Wen smiled.
"Not at all!" Dugu Yan said resolutely.
"Heh…"
He laughed, shaking his head.
He was fond of this girl.
Besides, as Dugu Bo's only heir, if anything serious happened, the old man would come for his head.
"This is a shot at godhood."
Su Wen fixed his eyes.
"Billions would die for this chance."
Dugu Yan breathed heavily.
What a teacher!
Her most precious opportunity—grasping it, she would soar.
"I won't let you down."
"No need to be so tense."
Su Wen laughed.
"Hey, pretty boy, old man's speaking to ya."
A burly, tattooed thug rose from another table, leering at the pair.
"Get lost, with such a chick—can you handle her?"
His towering stance made him bold.
"Here."
Su Wen ignored him, looking at Dugu Yan, who was tensed for action.
Ready to explode.
"Deaf? Any rabbits here—"
"Begin."
Su Wen smiled.
Boom—
A huge, dark-green serpent crashed through the tavern roof, clouds of poisonous miasma flooding out. People desperately ran, but fell clutching their chests—from Biying Qijue Huang's venom, the ultimate poison.
By now, Dugu Yan was already a Soul King, able to defeat Soul Emperors, even go toe-to-toe with a Soul Sage.
Against horrified stares, a graceful green figure strolled from the haze—as her spirit evolved and awakened, her beauty was now stunning, her figure remarkable.
No wonder outlaws lusted after her.
The poison soon contracted, disappearing into her body.
Horses thundered in the distance.
The air grew heavy, suffocating.
"Here they are…"
"Breaking the rules—now they face the Slaughter King's justice!"
"No one defies the Slaughter King—those two are dead meat."
"Shame about the chick, though…"
Teasing, regretful, mocking glances followed.
"Cough."
Su Wen raised a hand, stopping Dugu Yan from attacking, standing calmly.
Dozens of armored knights halted on cue, radiating killing intent.
"You broke the rules."
Scar Knight Scott spoke coldly.
"..."
Dead silence.
Crowds waited for the white-clad youth to be impaled.
"Who set these rules?"
Su Wen smiled.
"Slaughter King—the master of this city."
Scott retorted.
"Ask him—does he dare admit it?"
Buzz—
Blazing fire erupted at Su Wen's feet—forming a lotus, expanding rapidly to cover the whole town.
Hellfire Lotus.
The ground boiled, turning to molten lava.
Knights panicked, sinking as they were incinerated.
Yet the residents remained untouched; the white-robed youth appeared as expected, utterly calm.
Title Douluo? No!
He hadn't even released his soul rings!
"Who are you?!"
Scott's voice trembled.
"No!"
Suddenly—
A sharp, red-black-clad figure burst from underground.
"What's happening?!"
"It's the Slaughter King!"
"We're saved!!"
"The rules—yours?"
Su Wen stood at the heart of the lotus.
"No—there were never rules! And even if there were, they don't apply to you!"
The Slaughter King spoke urgently.
"Then good…"
The lotus drew back, vanishing.
The Slaughter King's pupils shrank.
This newcomer was stronger than he.
Pure, blazing fire—capable of burning all evil.
A peerless Douluo?
Or even more terrifying?
Maybe he missed some new monsters during the continent's recent turbulence.
Scott knelt on the scorched earth, begging for forgiveness—his master dared not impose rules on this one.
When strength breaks all boundaries—what could be done?
"What brings you here?"
The Slaughter King asked uneasily.
"To let a junior undertake your trial."
Su Wen smiled.
"Don't favor her because she's my disciple. If she dies, so be it—"
"Understood."
The Slaughter King's eyelids twitched.
Believe that? Not likely.
If she died, this guy would raze Slaughter City to ashes.
"And make sure she gains the Deathgod Domain."
Su Wen added.
Slaughter King: "…"
Dammit, I'm not your nanny!!
And if she dies, I'm screwed. "Freeze!"
The Slaughter King stiffened as Su Wen flicked a glance over.
Deathly chill ran down his spine.
Sight darkened.
He was frozen solid!
What the hell…
Through his blurry vision, he saw a shocked Scott and the smirking youth.
"What is going on…"
Half an hour later—
Boom!
The Slaughter King smashed out, disgraced.
Though not harmed, the humiliation left a deep mark.
"Master, are you all right!"
A seductive woman rushed to his side.
"Fine… he's just too strong, nothing unfair about losing."
Death Messenger responded coldly.
"Remember what he said? Watch that girl—mess up, and you answer for it!"
"Yes!"