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Wang Li had remained in the extreme north for over a year.
One day, he ventured deep into the heart of the extreme north once again. As soon as his aura was released, it immediately alerted the Three Beasts.
The Ice Emperor Scorpion hurriedly sought out the Ice Snow Empress, speaking in a rushed tone:
"Snow Empress, that human is back!"
The Ice Snow Empress also sensed Wang Li's presence. She soared into the air, landing on a snow-covered mountain. Her long hair fluttered in the wind, her beauty breathtaking. She spoke calmly:
"Human, are you here to challenge me again today?"
Wang Li landed gracefully before her, standing with his hands behind his back, smiling faintly:
"Not today. I've come to say goodbye. After over a year of sparring, I believe we can consider ourselves friends. So, before I leave, I wanted to come and speak with you."
"Thank you for sparring with me over the past year. I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything in the future, come find me. I'll never turn you away as long as it's within my power."
"You're leaving?!"
The Ice Snow Empress was momentarily stunned, but her expression quickly returned to calm. She had been born and raised in the extreme north, so she had long since become accustomed to its harshness.
Over the past year, Wang Li had made a lasting impression on her. He was the only human who had repeatedly challenged the Three Kings of the Extreme North in all these years.
Now that she heard he was leaving, she was a little surprised, but soon realized that Wang Li had originally come from outside the extreme north, so of course, he would eventually leave.
The Ice Snow Empress spoke quietly:
"I hope you'll remember your promise. When we come looking for you in the future, don't try to avoid us."
"I will!"
Wang Li nodded with a smile, then swept his gaze over the surroundings:
"Ice Snow Empress, Ice Emperor Scorpion, Titan Snow Demon King, farewell. I'll take my leave now."
After speaking, Wang Li gathered his soul power and flew south, his figure gradually shrinking until it vanished from sight.
On the snow-covered mountain, the Ice Snow Empress pressed her hand to her chest, watching Wang Li fade into the distance. Her voice was cold and filled with confusion:
"Friends..."
Born and raised in the extreme north, the Ice Snow Empress had never known parents, let alone friends. Her heart, as cold as the eternal ice, didn't understand why Wang Li would call her a friend.
Once Wang Li had truly left, the Ice Emperor Scorpion and Titan Snow Demon King finally emerged, both visibly relieved.
The Ice Emperor Scorpion hopped about excitedly:
"That human is finally gone! We won't have to be beaten anymore. He's so infuriating! Why did he hold back so much against us? My Ice Emperor's Fury couldn't even touch him."
The Titan Snow Demon King nodded in agreement:
"My Extreme Cold Storm didn't even faze him. He charged right through it and proceeded to beat me up. This entire year, I've just been taking hits."
Of course, having consumed both the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, Wang Li was immune to both extreme heat and extreme cold.
Even in the Extreme North, where the Three Kings of the Extreme North had the land's power boosting them, Wang Li could still negate a significant portion of their attacks. That was why he had been able to fight so effortlessly.
---
Meanwhile, on Wang Li's side!
Soaring through the sky, Wang Li's expression was contemplative. The problem before him now was how to choose his ninth spirit ring.
With his current physique, he had no intention of settling for a mere ten-thousand-year spirit ring. Even though spirit rings could be enhanced, a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone would each provide two powerful spirit abilities, as well as a significant boost to his life essence.
That was exactly what Wang Li desired. However, finding a hundred-thousand-year-old plant-type spirit beast was no easy task.
He had been fortunate enough to obtain the sacrifice of the Amethyst Celestial Ginseng for his eighth spirit ring, but that was only because of a past connection formed through the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng.
After a moment of thought, Wang Li spoke to himself:
"If I can't find a hundred-thousand-year-old plant-type spirit beast, I could always cultivate one myself. That hundred-thousand-year-old Blue Silver Emperor, even though she already sacrificed herself and I took her throne, at least she still has a solid foundation."
"Raising her again would be far easier than cultivating a brand-new hundred-thousand-year-old plant-type spirit beast from scratch. With my current strength, even facing Tang Hao wouldn't be an issue."
"The Blue Silver Emperor I left behind back then… It's about time I took her with me. First, I'll visit the waterfall valley, then return to the Sunset Forest."
With this plan in mind, Wang Li felt more at ease. At the very least, he now had a backup plan. If he failed to find a suitable spirit beast, reviving the Blue Silver Emperor would still be a viable option.
---
Meanwhile, in the City of Slaughter!
The Hell Slaughter Arena!
The stands erupted in cheers as Tang San achieved his hundredth consecutive victory, a dazzling and unparalleled feat.
In the City of Slaughter, where spirit abilities were forbidden, Tang San's mastery of Tang Sect techniques was perfectly suited for combat. Paired with the Hao Tian Hammer and Eight Spider Lances, he could easily defeat his opponents, who were unable to rely on their spirit skills.
As soon as he secured his hundredth victory, the Slaughter King appeared, his face plastered with a fake smile.
"Congratulations, Asura King! Our City of Slaughter has gained yet another hundred-win champion. As the Slaughter King, I bestow upon you the title of God of Slaughter. From now on, you will have permanent residency in the City of Slaughter, holding a status second only to mine."
In the center of the arena, Tang San's blood-red eyes burned with intensity. He relished the uninhibited slaughter within the City of Slaughter, but he still had attachments in the outside world—Tang Hao, Xiao Wu—they were waiting for him. He had to leave.
Dark energy coiled around him as he rasped in a hoarse voice:
"Slaughter King, the rules of the Hell Slaughter Arena state that achieving one hundred consecutive victories grants the right to challenge the Road to Hell. I don't need your so-called God of Slaughter title. I want to enter Hell Road."
The Slaughter King's smile faded, his brows furrowing as his gaze turned cold.
He could grant Tang San unparalleled privileges within the City of Slaughter, but the one thing he didn't want was for Tang San to step onto the Road to Hell.
Because passing through the Road to Hell meant completing the trial and becoming a candidate for godhood, a direct threat to his rule.
The thought of eliminating Tang San crossed his mind, but the young man was under the protection of a certain Slaughter God—someone even he dared not provoke. If he acted recklessly, that Slaughter God would return and throw the entire city into chaos.
At that moment, another figure stepped forward—Hu Liena, her own blood-red eyes glowing ominously.
Her graceful figure swayed with each step, exuding a deadly allure. Even the slightest motion of her waist could stir endless temptation.
Her voice was similarly hoarse but carried a sharp edge:
"Slaughter King, open the Road to Hell. Don't think about breaking the rules of the Hell Slaughter Arena."
The Slaughter King turned his gaze toward Hu Liena, his eyes growing even colder. If Tang San had a Slaughter God backing him, so did Hu Liena.
And now, these two had actually joined forces, intending to challenge the Hell Road together.
At first, when Hu Liena sought out Tang San, her intention was purely to use him—something Tang San was well aware of. However, upon learning that Hu Liena had come to the City of Slaughter to train herself for the sake of taking revenge on Wang Li, his attitude shifted.
Tang San no longer cared about her being from the Spirit Hall—after all, the enemy of his enemy was a friend.
In Tang San's mind, even though Wang Li had treated him sincerely, considering him a brother, seeing Wang Li suffer misfortune was still something he would happily witness.
Moreover, if he, wielding the Hao Tian Hammer, could drive away Hu Liena and rescue Wang Li in the future, he would not only repay his debt but also prove his dominance.
Tang San wanted Wang Li to see for himself—that he, Tang San, possessed the world's most powerful Assault-type Tool Spirit.
No mere mutated Blue Silver Grass could compare.
Besides, Hu Liena had one crucial thing Tang San wanted—the complete guide to Hell Road. Since she had promised to share this information, Tang San agreed to their alliance.
---
To the Slaughter King, this scene only fueled his killing intent.
Yet on the surface, his smile remained, though it was empty and insincere.
"I see, so you two have been planning this from the start."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Then, Asura King, Hell Emissary, let me confirm one last time—"
"You truly choose to challenge Hell Road, rather than remain in the City of Slaughter, accepting the title of God of Slaughter, second only to me, with unlimited power?"
Unlike those who had lost their humanity and drowned in their desires, Tang San and Hu Liena had clear goals when they came here. Though affected by the City of Slaughter's aura, they still retained a measure of sanity.
Hearing his words, they answered in unison:
"We choose Hell Road!"
"Good. Good. Good…"
The Slaughter King chuckled darkly, repeating the word three times.
Then, his voice suddenly boomed, resonating through the entire City of Slaughter:
"Then I wish you luck! Let us now begin this grand feast of blood!"
A mysterious force enveloped the entire Hell Slaughter Arena.
The spectators—who had been wildly cheering just moments ago—suddenly grew red in the face, their eyes becoming increasingly deranged.
Until—
BOOM!
One by one, they exploded, drenching the arena in a torrential downpour of blood.
The stench of iron was suffocating.
Tang San and Hu Liena's faces darkened. They felt something stirring within them—a boiling surge of energy, as if their very blood wanted to burst from their bodies.
Yet, the Slaughter King could not break the rules, so they remained unharmed.
But the spectators were not so lucky.
Every single one had perished in the ritual.
Their flesh and blood—the key to the sacrificial ceremony—converged at the center of the arena, expanding outward.
Until, finally—
A massive, bat-shaped formation took shape!
And with a thunderous boom—
The Gates of Hell Road were thrown open!
Tang San and Hu Liena exchanged a glance.
Without hesitation, they stepped into Hell Road, never once looking back at the Hell Slaughter Arena.
---
As they moved forward, a searing wave of heat engulfed them.
They found themselves walking along a narrow, winding passage, the scorching air thick with something far more sinister than just heat.
Their bloodlust surged.
An uncontrollable urge to kill took hold of them, threatening to consume their minds.
They were forced to circulate their spirit power, struggling to suppress the urge.
Tang San was shocked by the intensity of the effect.
But Hu Liena remained unfazed.
Seeing her calm demeanor, Tang San immediately demanded:
"Now is the time—you need to tell me everything about Hell Road!"
This Hu Liena was not the love-struck girl from the original story.
Before she came here, Bibi Dong had already prepared a complete strategy for her.
She spoke with unwavering certainty:
"Don't hesitate. Just move as fast as you can."
"The longer we remain in Hell Road, the lower our chances of getting out alive."
"From the moment we stepped inside, we lost any chance of turning back."
"There are only two options—we either make it through alive… or we die."
"The first challenge is the Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat, a Soul Emperor-level creature. It has smaller bats under its command, which are weak individually but numerous. The Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat can recover its wounds by devouring these smaller bats."
"So don't waste time fighting it. Push forward quickly and force it back, then pass through its guarded area. If you linger, your soul power will drain, and you'll end up as its prey."
Tang San's heart tightened. A Soul Emperor-level enemy was already difficult enough, but with its ability to regenerate by devouring smaller bats, it would be a grave mistake to get caught up in a prolonged battle. If they were delayed, their only option would be death.
The two of them moved swiftly, not pausing for even a moment. The longer they stayed, the harder it would be to suppress the boiling bloodlust that surged within them.
Soon, they reached the lair of the Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat. Swish, swish, swish, countless smaller bats flew out first.
Hu Liena shouted:
"Use everything you've got! Charge through! If we're delayed here, we'll never make it out alive!"
As soon as she spoke, a fox tail sprouted from her back, a spirit bone attachment. The tail grew over five meters long, and with a single flick, it turned the swarm of bats into a blood rain.
Tang San's expression was grim, his crimson eyes scanning the surroundings. This time, he couldn't rely on the same overwhelming strength he once had. So, he couldn't afford to hide his abilities if they wanted to clear the challenge. His hands moved swiftly, like a butterfly in flight, sending throwing weapons in all directions.
Any bat hit by his projectiles exploded instantly, unable to approach them.
As they pressed forward, a chilling, heart-stopping sonic wave pierced the air, and before them, the Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat appeared.
Without hesitation, Tang San pulled out a Zhuge Divine Crossbow in each hand, pulling the triggers and firing bolts at the massive bat. Once the bolts were expended, he quickly reloaded with fresh bolts.
Though the Zhuge Divine Crossbow was incredibly powerful, capable of killing a Soul Sect cultivator, it couldn't seriously injure the Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat.
However, it forced the bat into an angry screech, preventing it from closing in on them quickly.
Hu Liena, with the help of her spirit bone, took the lead, clearing a path through the smaller bats. Meanwhile, Tang San used his crossbows and various throwing weapons to keep the massive bat at bay.
In the end, they successfully broke through, with the Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat and its smaller minions seemingly confined to their lair, unable to freely roam the entire Hell Road.
Both of them sighed in relief. Their soul power had been significantly drained during the fight.
Tang San suggested:
"Should we rest for a bit and recover our lost soul power?"
Hu Liena sneered:
"What did I tell you before? It seems you've already forgotten. Resting now would be a waste of time. If we don't press on quickly, we'll only be assimilated by the killing aura of Hell Road and become mindless puppets of slaughter."
Tang San was furious upon hearing Hu Liena's words, and he nearly lost control of the boiling killing intent within him. However, he immediately activated Mysterious Heaven Skill, the supreme technique of the Tang Sect, allowing him to retain a sliver of clarity.
With no time to recover their soul power, they pressed forward, and along the way, Hu Liena revealed the details of the next challenge:
"The second trial is a Ten-Headed Serpent. Its strength is comparable to a Soul Saint. Just like before, we must strike with everything we have in an instant and then find a chance to escape separately."
When they finally saw the creature Hu Liena described, Tang San's heart trembled.
This snake—he knew it.
It was the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent, a prehistoric variant, an extremely terrifying existence.
Its massive body completely sealed the already narrow passage, leaving them no possible way to break through.
Without hesitation, both unleashed their full power as planned.
Hu Liena activated her spirit bone skill—Enchanting Seduction.
This was a precious head spirit bone Bibi Dong had personally gifted her before she entered Hell Road, meant to protect her within the Slaughter City.
Enchanting Seduction could disrupt an opponent's spiritual power while also slowing their nerve responses, making their actions sluggish.
Under the influence of Enchanting Seduction, the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent's movements slowed noticeably, but the rapid depletion of Hu Liena's spirit power caused her killing intent to surge dangerously close to taking over her mind.
Meanwhile, Tang San unleashed his Eight Spider Lances.
His aura was sinister and eerie, his appearance even more monstrous than before.
In these two years, he had used his Eight Spider Lances to devour countless strong foes, so much so that he himself had started resembling a humanoid Man-Faced Demon Spider.
Activating Mysterious Heaven Skill, and borrowing the enhancements of the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San prepared to unleash his most powerful offensive technique.
Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique!
Gripping the Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San began spinning violently in the confined space of the tunnel.
Faster and faster—
A dark glow enveloped the Clear Sky Hammer, and in the end, it even resembled a black dragon.
BANG!
With a furious roar, Tang San swung his black dragon-like hammer straight at the bewildered Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent, which was still reeling from the effects of Enchanting Seduction.
"ROOOOAR!!"
The serpent let out an agonized screech.
While Tang San's attack failed to deal a fatal blow, it was strong enough to flip the enormous serpent over, exposing the passage behind it.
However, the recoil from the immense impact was something Tang San couldn't withstand.
He was sent flying by the powerful backlash, and when he crashed to the ground, the Clear Sky Hammer vanished, unable to be maintained any longer.
Tang San coughed up mouthfuls of blood, his organs severely damaged.
This was the difference in their strength.
Even though he had executed the full force of the 81 swings of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer, he had only managed to topple the serpent, but the rebound force nearly killed him in return.
At that moment—
Hu Liena didn't even spare him a glance.
Unlike in the original timeline, she was not blinded by love.
She immediately sprinted toward the exposed passageway, leaving Tang San behind without hesitation.
Tang San was furious.
"Damn it, you wretched woman! You're asking for death…!"
But there was no time to rage.
Blood poured from his mouth, and his body was barely able to move. But relying on the spring-like elasticity of the Eight Spider Lances, he forcibly launched himself toward the passage as well.
The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent had turned itself back over and locked eyes on the two escaping humans.
It let out an ear-splitting roar and lunged forward, chasing after them with full force.
However—
Once it reached a certain distance, it suddenly halted, merely howling in frustration, unwilling to continue pursuit.
Tang San and Hu Liena, despite one being critically wounded and the other mentally on the verge of collapse, had successfully passed the second trial.
As they continued forward, the oppressive heat waves surged relentlessly, and in the distance, they saw the sea of blood that resembled magma, churning and glowing ominously. The poisonous miasma from the blood sea continued to provoke the killing intent boiling within Tang San and Hu Liena's chests.
Their eyes burned with bloodlust, their expressions twisted, and the fragile trust between them had long since shattered. At any moment, they could turn on each other in a deadly confrontation.
This was the final trial: the test of mentality.
The Shura Lord presided over slaughter, where the essence of killing was not about right or wrong—it was about control. The trial demanded the participants control their killing intent, rather than let it control them. Only by mastering their mental resolve could they succeed.
Before her, everything seemed a bloody haze. Red suffused the world, and if the old "love-stricken" Hu Liena were here, she would likely have succumbed to her instincts and slaughtered Tang San without a second thought.
But this time, Hu Liena had a clear goal in mind—revenge against Wang Li. That burning desire for vengeance focused her energy, allowing her to push forward despite the overwhelming bloodlust.
As for Tang San, the absence of his wisdom-enhancing spirit bone and his Clear Sky's emotional support had left him vulnerable. All he had left was his Purple Extreme Demon Eye, which made his spiritual power comparable to that of a Soul Emperor—but that was barely enough.
His eyes turned to Hu Liena, remembering how she had abandoned him earlier. Rage boiled within him, and his hands instinctively reached for his waist. The "death wish" surged in his mind, urging him to act.
Hu Liena, noticing the shift in his demeanor, steeled herself, speaking in a cold, detached tone:
"If you can't control your killing intent, you'll never make it through Hell Road. I won't hesitate to kill you and leave this place alone."
Tang San trembled, his mind reeling. Control the killing intent, control it—he bit down on his tongue, using the pain to snap himself back to reality.
"Ugh..."
Still not enough, he took out hidden weapons, stabbing them into his own body. The pain was meant to remind him to stay focused, but his eyes burned a deeper crimson, his mindset was shifting—he had become more bloodthirsty, his desire to rush through the Hell Road becoming ever stronger.
But even as his mind teetered on the brink of madness, they pushed forward without hesitation, knowing there was no time to waste. They couldn't afford to linger or hesitate—the poison in the blood sea threatened to break them, yet they kept moving.
Finally, when they saw the gateway of light at the end of the passage, both of them regained their focus, summoning their final ounce of strength. In a mad dash, they both raced toward the exit, desperate to break through.
Just as they passed through the light gate, both of them collapsed, their bodies unable to bear the toll of the trials, and they lost consciousness.
(End of Chapter)