The tunnel stretched endlessly into the abyss, as black as ink and eerily silent, a place that would compel any ordinary person to tread with utmost caution.
Yet, Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena were anything but ordinary. Instead of showing vigilance, they strolled leisurely through the passage, engaging in a lighthearted conversation.
"So, in just over three years, you've transformed from an ordinary mortal to someone at the peak of the Golden Core stage, capable of rivaling even a God King?"
"Indeed."
"That's incredible. Three years… Just three years to achieve what countless people could never attain even with a lifetime of painstaking effort. I must say, I'm envious."
"Take your time envying me."
"…."
As Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena chatted, their footsteps brought them closer to the end of the tunnel, where a dazzling, radiant light pierced through the darkness.
That light signified not only the end of the tunnel but also their destination: the Slaughter Capital!
In the original story, when Tang San first entered the Slaughter Capital, he faced obstruction from the knight, Scott. However, Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena experienced none of that. On the contrary, they were welcomed—and not just with an ordinary reception.
Lu Yunzhou's gaze fell upon the grand, towering city ahead, where two rows of people stood in perfect formation beneath its massive gates.
The reception party consisted almost entirely of beautiful women with alluring figures, their grace and charm undeniable. Each of them wore tight black dresses resembling body-hugging skirts, accentuating their curves. The low-cut necklines of their outfits revealed an expanse of fair, snowy skin, drawing attention with an almost overwhelming allure.
With a soft chuckle, Lu Yunzhou murmured, "Hourglass waists, swan-like necks, slender jade arms, and stunning figures. The Slaughter Capital truly doesn't lack beauties. That Slaughter King sure knows how to make an impression."
His words drew a slight frown from Gu Yuena, her heart suddenly clouded with annoyance.
I'm standing right here, a peerless beauty with silvery-white hair, and yet you're staring at those worldly women? What's that supposed to mean? Am I not good enough for you, Lu Yunzhou?
Her delicate hands clenched slightly, her snow-white fingers curling into fists as a faint hostility flickered in her enchanting eyes when she glanced at the black-clad women.
As the two approached the city gates, still about a hundred paces away, the women in black suddenly spoke in unison, their voices clear and respectful:
"Welcome to the Slaughter Capital!"
Hearing their synchronized greeting and gazing at the charming faces surrounding him, Lu Yunzhou couldn't help but entertain a whimsical thought:
Why does this feel like… a certain kind of "special service"?
Before his amusing thoughts could go any further, a deep, warm voice echoed from above:
"Welcome to the Slaughter Capital, honored guests. Your presence truly graces our humble domain with unparalleled brilliance!"
The voice had barely faded when a figure descended from the sky.
It was a tall, imposing man with crimson eyes, draped in a blood-red robe. Behind him, a pair of blood-colored wings extended ominously, his pale complexion lending him an air of dread.
This was none other than the Slaughter King of the Slaughter Capital—Tang Chen, the former Clear Sky Douluo, whose body was now parasitized by the Nine-Headed Blood Bat King!
Seeing Tang Chen in this state, Lu Yunzhou couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
Who would have thought that the once-mighty Clear Sky Douluo, a legend revered throughout the land, would end up like this? Life truly has a way of turning the tables.
Tang Chen's past was intertwined with that of Qian Daoliu, as one of the few individuals the Spirit Hall's Grand Consecration considered both an enemy and a friend.
However, the relationship between Tang Chen and Lu Yunzhou was far less amicable.
After all, Lu Yunzhou had killed Tang San, crippled Tang Hao, and imprisoned two elders of the Clear Sky Clan. On top of that, he had orchestrated a full-scale war between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Clear Sky Clan.
Their enmity ran too deep for reconciliation.
If there had been no conflict between Lu Yunzhou and the Clear Sky Clan—or Tang San and Tang Hao—perhaps he might have been willing to help Tang Chen escape the parasitic grip of the Nine-Headed Blood Bat King.
But now? He had no intention of getting involved. Let it be. None of my business, none of my concern.
With a polite smile, Lu Yunzhou clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Lu Yunzhou of the Ethereal Sanctuary greets the esteemed elder."
In the face of Tang Chen's respectful demeanor, Lu Yunzhou responded in kind, offering an equally courteous salutation.
On the side, Gu Yuena, hearing these words, followed up and said, "Gu Yuena, of the Land of Ferocious Beasts, offers her respects."
Gu Yuena, a being who had lived for tens of thousands of years, naturally could not address Tang Chen as "senior." After all, such a term would be far too much for Tang Chen to bear, wouldn't it?
Seeing that both Gu Yuena and Lu Yunzhou displayed friendly attitudes, Tang Chen, who had been parasitized by the Nine-Headed Blood Crimson Bat King, finally let out a sigh of relief.
From the moment Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena entered the City of Slaughter, Tang Chen knew that either of them alone far surpassed his strength. Because of this, he dared not offend them. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent someone to greet them, much less personally come to welcome them.
After slowly regaining his composure, a smile appeared on Tang Chen's face as he spoke once again,
"Two esteemed guests, having traveled so far, if the City of Slaughter's hospitality has been lacking, please forgive us. Now, may I invite the two of you to step inside the city?"
Though Tang Chen had no idea why Gu Yuena and Lu Yunzhou had come to the City of Slaughter, he understood one thing: he needed to proceed cautiously and methodically, step by step.
Thus, he extended the invitation to the two for a private discussion inside.
Hearing this, Lu Yunzhou replied, "It would be impolite to decline."
It was just as well—Lu Yunzhou still hadn't prepared much for the bride price for the upcoming grand wedding.
Therefore, this visit to the City of Slaughter was an opportunity for him to acquire treasures from Tang Chen. Whether it was domains, soul bones, immortal herbs, exotic beast inner cores—whatever Tang Chen had, Lu Yunzhou intended to take!
With that thought in mind, Lu Yunzhou, accompanied by a visibly displeased and irritated Gu Yuena, followed Tang Chen's lead into the City of Slaughter.
However, upon entering the city, the very first scene they encountered left Lu Yunzhou utterly dumbfounded.
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