"Brother Bai, thank you!" Hu Liena expressed her gratitude to Su Bai as they entered Slaughter City.
She could sense how powerful the knight captain had been. Ever since they passed through that tunnel, she had felt changes within herself. Her soul skills seemed restricted, almost unusable. Although she still had her soul power and her spirit bone abilities, she knew she wouldn't have been able to defeat that knight captain alone. Entering Slaughter City was not going to be easy.
Su Bai gently caressed Hu Liena's cheek and smiled, "Silly girl, there's no need to be so formal between us."
Unexpectedly, Hu Liena pouted and said, "Then tell me, Brother Bai, what is our relationship?"
Recalling the times Su Bai had teased her before running off, Hu Liena felt a bit dissatisfied and threw a small tantrum.
Amused, Su Bai asked, "What do you think?"
Frustrated, Hu Liena replied, "I am the adopted daughter of my teacher, and you are my teacher's lover. What do you think our relationship is?"
"Oh?" Su Bai chuckled, "Then why don't you call me Dad?"
"Brother Bai~" Hu Liena stomped her foot in annoyance. That wasn't what she meant at all. How could she address him like that? It would be so embarrassing!
Just as Hu Liena was about to argue further, a woman in black appeared before them. She smiled and said, "Welcome to Slaughter City. I am the Hell Envoy and also your guide."
Hu Liena was startled. She hadn't even sensed anyone approaching, yet this woman appeared out of nowhere. If this person intended to kill her... the thought sent chills down her spine. No wonder her teacher said Slaughter City was extremely dangerous. Thankfully, Brother Bai was with her; otherwise, she might not have made it out alive.
Su Bai nodded without saying much, simply instructing, "Lead the way."
Given his strength, Su Bai had long noticed the black-clad woman's presence. Had he not known her intentions, he would have killed her immediately.
The woman nodded and began leading the way while explaining, "Here in Slaughter City, there are no rules. Strength is everything. As long as you are strong, you can do whatever you want."
Hearing this, Hu Liena couldn't help but ask, "How do we leave?"
The woman smiled and replied, "That's a question almost everyone who enters Slaughter City asks. But once you enter, it's nearly impossible to leave."
Hu Liena caught the loophole in her words and pressed, "You said 'nearly.' So there is a way, right?"
The woman nodded and explained, "The only way is to achieve a hundred consecutive victories in the Hell Arena. Then you will be eligible to open the Hell Road. Only by passing through the Hell Road can you leave."
Hu Liena nodded thoughtfully. Before coming here, she had already asked her teacher, Bibi Dong. What the woman said matched her teacher's explanation.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed nearby. Hu Liena tensed up, looking in the direction of the sound. A man, thin as a skeleton, stared at her with greedy eyes. His entire body exuded malevolence, and he made no effort to hide his ill intentions.
Frowning, Hu Liena prepared herself.
Su Bai spoke calmly, "Nana, kill him."
Hu Liena's expression changed, but she gritted her teeth, drew her dagger, and quickly ended the man's life.
The black-clad woman suddenly said, "I forgot to tell you, this is the outer city of Slaughter City. Here, you are under the King's protection. You have violated the rules."
Su Bai understood immediately that the woman had done this on purpose. Otherwise, she would have warned them earlier when he had instructed Hu Liena to attack.
He sneered, "Didn't you just say this is a city of sin where strength is the rule?"
The woman pursed her lips and nodded, "You are correct."
She had already received information about Su Bai's strength and knew that even the King had no intention of pursuing the matter.
They continued forward. Along the way, almost everyone they encountered was emaciated, skin and bones.
Hu Liena was puzzled.
Noticing her confusion, the woman explained, "In the outer city, you can receive the King's protection, but you must pay a price. That price is two cups of Bloody Mary every month."
Hu Liena asked, "What is Bloody Mary?"
The woman looked at Su Bai, surprised he hadn't explained it. Seeing he had no intention of doing so, she said, "Bloody Mary is blood."
"What!" Hu Liena was shocked. No wonder everyone here was so emaciated.
And then, recalling the drink she had earlier, her stomach churned.
Before long, they reached the inner city. Compared to the outer city, the inner city was even more lawless and chaotic. Scenes of violence, murder, and public indecency were commonplace. The atmosphere was oppressive, and every passerby seemed to exude murderous intent.
Hu Liena felt extremely uneasy. Her teacher's warning that everyone here was a criminal and not to show any mercy finally made sense. These people, or rather, these beings, were no longer human. They should be called degenerates.
The woman said, "Don't worry. Newcomers have a 24-hour protection period upon entering Slaughter City during which no one can attack you."
Su Bai took Hu Liena's uneasy hand and reassured her, "Don't worry, I'm here."
His simple words instantly calmed her. With Su Bai by her side, she felt safe.
She looked at him gratefully.
After walking a bit further, the woman pointed to a circular building ahead, "That is the Hell Arena. Everyone must participate in at least one match every three months. Each match consists of ten participants, but only one can survive. Only by achieving a hundred victories can you qualify to enter the Hell Road."
Su Bai's interest was piqued. Although he had read about the Hell Arena's brutality in the original story, he wanted to see it for himself.
He asked, "Can you arrange a match for me?"
"Brother Bai?" Hu Liena looked at him in surprise.
Su Bai gestured for her not to worry.
The woman was also surprised. She explained, "To enter the Hell Arena, you must pay with Bloody Mary."
Understanding, Su Bai immediately found an unlucky victim and killed him instantly, obtaining the necessary Bloody Mary.