"Hey, didn't you say students from Heart of Fire Academy are the most reasonable?"
"Teacher Xin is my idol too!"
"Cooperation for win-win!"
At the edge of Slaughter City's inner district, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling gathered again to review their cultivation progress.
During this time, their training efficiency had increased significantly, partly due to the harsh environment of Slaughter City and partly due to the guidance they had indirectly received from Xin's teachings and resources.
Not far away, a charming young woman had once again appeared beside Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Her presence was calm, persistent, and slightly out of place in the brutal atmosphere of the city.
Ye Lingling couldn't help but ask in confusion,
"Senior Sister Xiao Wu, Senior Sister Zhuqing… isn't that Hu Liena from Spirit Hall? She doesn't seem hostile. Why do you two always seem to avoid her?"
Xiao Wu immediately waved her hand.
"Lingling, don't be fooled by appearances. She's here for Teacher Xin."
"What?" Ye Lingling blinked.
Before she could react further, Ning Rongrong had already stepped forward with her fists raised, her expression dangerous.
"So you're still chasing after the teacher, huh?"
A faint pressure radiated from her as she cracked her knuckles.
"Leave. Now. Or don't blame me for using an Inch Punch."
The implication was clear—she wasn't joking.
After all, no one here underestimated Ning Rongrong anymore. Her "small" fists could easily turn into something far more terrifying when infused with her enhanced strength.
Hu Liena's expression stiffened slightly. Cold sweat appeared at the back of her neck.
But instead of retreating, she closed her eyes and sighed softly.
"I won't fight back," she said quietly. "If you want to hit me, go ahead."
Her voice carried an unusual calmness.
"I believe Teacher Xin will judge fairly. I also brought over twenty cups of Bloody Mary, plus supplies from the Hell Slaughter Arena. You can take them if needed."
"Go, go, go!" Ning Rongrong immediately panicked. "We're changing places! This Spirit Hall woman is crazy!"
"She's too dangerous!" Xiao Wu added quickly.
Even Zhu Zhuqing frowned. The sheer "self-sacrificing sincerity" tactic was far more difficult to deal with than open hostility.
Seeing that none of them actually struck her, Hu Liena quietly followed at a distance, a faint smile forming beneath her veil.
One Year Later — Slaughter Tavern
Time passed.
Since being injured once by Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld technique, Tang San had become far more cautious. He rarely appeared in the Hell Slaughter Arena anymore and spent most of his time in the taverns of Slaughter City, drinking and recovering his strength.
Today was no different.
A woman in a black veil entered the tavern quietly and stood beside him.
"Number 9528," she said calmly, "it has been one year since your last victory in the Hell Slaughter Arena. Your grace period has ended."
"You must now re-enter the arena for a life-or-death battle."
"Alternatively, you may comply with the monthly requirement of two cups of Bloody Mary like other survivors."
Tang San exhaled slowly, finishing the drink in his hand.
Then, without another word, he stood up.
His spirit ring flashed.
The Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his hand.
He walked outside.
A nearby target was selected without hesitation.
A single strike followed.
Not long after, he returned calmly, using Blue Silver Grass to guide the collected blood into prepared containers with precise control.
He placed the filled cups in front of the black-veiled woman.
"Four cups," he said flatly. "Two months covered."
Then he paused briefly.
"And add two more. I want another Bloody Mary."
The tavern fell quiet for a moment.
Only the faint clinking of glass could be heard as the system registered his payment.