Outside the City of Slaughter.
On the desolate, eerie expanse of dry grassland, flanked by leafless, twisted trees that seemed dead yet clung to a semblance of life, a hundred-strong regiment of knights stood in perfect formation. The purple moonlight cast a ghastly glow over the scene.
At the head of this regiment sat a tall, imposing figure atop a jet-black warhorse, clad in dark armor, holding a formidable lance. His cold, hollow voice cut through the night as he addressed Tang San:
"You have broken the rules!"
Tang San's heart skipped a beat as his pupils contracted, tightening with anxiety. He immediately recognized this armored figure— Scott, the Dread Knight, who had appeared in the infamous City of Slaughter livestream.
Tang San had defeated Scott in that future vision, but he had been much stronger back then. He had been a Soul King, boasting a soul ring configuration of Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Black, and Black, far beyond the ordinary. He also possessed two spirit bones and had awakened the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, which had evolved his Blue Silver Grass into the Blue Silver Emperor, granting him the powerful Blue Silver Domain.
From that vision, the Tang San was at least two or three times stronger than he is now. While that version of him could have handled Scott, his current self stood little chance.
Yet, Tang San had no other options.
He had no idea what rule he had supposedly broken, and his father, Tang Hao, had never had the chance to explain it. Perhaps Tang Hao believed it wasn't necessary to say. But Tang San knew that, just like in the vision, he had to defeat Scott if he wanted to enter the City of Slaughter.
"You've seen the livestream, I assume," Scott's voice continued, as he pointed his lance at Tang San. "You know the consequences of breaking our rules. If you can defeat me, you and your companion can enter the City of Slaughter."
With that, Scott gestured with his free hand, and the other knights retreated to the sides, leaving him and Tang San to face off. Then, with a swift motion, Scott spurred his warhorse forward, transforming into a black blur as he charged, his lance aimed straight at Tang San's chest.
Seeing Scott's charge, Tang San quickly shoved Yu Xiaogang aside, his voice tense and urgent. "Master, stay back! I'll handle this!"
Tang San knew his master had no combat capabilities to speak of. It was up to him alone to face this terrifying foe. He summoned his Clear Sky Hammer, opting to use only this spirit instead of revealing both his spirits, fearing that doing so might attract unwanted attention from the City of Slaughter's enforcers.
As Scott bore down on him, Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, narrowly dodging the initial strike. He leaped into the air, swinging the Clear Sky Hammer down with all his might toward the Dread Knight.
But Scott's reaction was swift and ruthless. With a sneer hidden beneath his helm, he swung his lance in a wide arc. The weapon blurred through the air, smashing into Tang San's side and sending him hurtling through the air, blood spraying from his lips as he crashed into the ground.
"Little San!" Yu Xiaogang gasped, panic lacing his voice, but he knew better than to draw attention to them by calling out. He watched helplessly from the shadows as his disciple struggled to rise.
Tang San staggered to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, his thoughts heavy with despair. The difference in strength between them was glaring. The Tang San from the vision had possessed power leagues beyond his current state.
But even so, he couldn't afford to give up. Not now. He had to survive, to enter the City of Slaughter, and to one day avenge his father's death.
"Argh!" Tang San roared, forcing himself back into the fight. He hefted the Clear Sky Hammer again, this time charging with more caution, holding back a portion of his strength with each swing. He kept his Purple Demon Eyes locked onto Scott's movements, using Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon to try and manipulate the direction of Scott's attacks and create openings for himself.
Despite his strategy, the disparity in power was too great. Time and again, Scott's lance found its mark, slamming into Tang San's body with crushing force. Each strike sent him tumbling back, blood splattering the deadened earth as his body collided with the twisted trees lining the battlefield.
While Tang San was far stronger than an ordinary soul master his age—boasting a Soul Elder's rank and the physical prowess of a Soul Ancestor due to the mysterious vitality-enhancing pills he had taken—Scott was no mere opponent. As a guardian of the City of Slaughter, he was a formidable Soul Emperor.
For all Tang San's skills and techniques, he could not bridge the gap between them. Scott's relentless strikes left him bloodied and battered, barely able to stand.
On the sidelines, Yu Xiaogang's eyes filled with tears. He wanted to help but knew that anything he did would only be a hindrance.
Tang San tried every weapon in his arsenal, including his hidden weapons. But his strongest device, the Zhuge Crossbow, proved useless against Scott's heavy armor. If he had mastered the Clear Sky Sect's Great Sumeru Hammer technique, specifically the Explosive Ring ability, he might have had a chance.
But he had spent less than two years with Tang Hao, barely scratching the surface of the sect's advanced techniques. The Explosive Ring's ultimate mastery was beyond his reach.
With every impact of Scott's lance, Tang San felt his insides churn. Even when he managed to block with the Clear Sky Hammer, the sheer force rattled his bones, leaving him gasping for breath.
As he was sent flying one final time, crashing into a tree and collapsing to the ground, he clutched his aching chest and let out a bitter laugh.
Was this the end of his dreams for revenge?
Just as Scott prepared to deliver the finishing blow, a new figure stepped forward from the shadows of the tunnel. She held a majestic staff in her hand, her robes adorned with intricate patterns, and a cold smile played on her lips.
It was Bibi Dong, who came to witness the fall of Tang San herself.