Boom!
The moment the blood-red domain expanded across the entire Hell Slaughter Arena, the atmosphere inside the arena completely changed.
The air itself seemed to ignite.
All the villains present—those who had once bathed in endless killing and madness—felt their blood surge uncontrollably under the Slaughter King's aura. It was not excitement born of joy, but instinctive submission mixed with primal fear.
Even so, they could not look away.
Because this level of battle… was beyond anything Slaughter City had seen in years.
Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling's expressions turned serious almost instantly.
One hour.
That was the condition.
But both of them understood clearly what that actually meant.
Before entering Slaughter City, Xin had already explained it to them. On the surface, the city had no rules—strength decided everything, and survival was the only law.
But in truth, every blade of chaos here still bowed to one authority.
The Slaughter King.
The absolute ruler.
The strongest existence in Slaughter City, rumored to be at the peak of Spirit Douluo level—possibly even touching the threshold of a titled Douluo at level ninety-eight.
And now…
They were expected to survive against him for an entire hour?
Ning Rongrong's fingers tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Assessment.
If they were honest with themselves, even a quarter hour might already be generous. In a direct confrontation, a single mistake could end everything in seconds.
This was not a test of endurance.
It was a declaration.
Submit… or die.
But there was no time left for hesitation.
Because the Slaughter King had already moved.
The blood-red domain condensed into countless bat-shaped energy entities, screeching as they filled the sky like a descending plague. Their cries pierced the mind, carrying both spiritual interference and killing intent.
"Kan Gate—Water Cascade!"
Xiao Wu reacted first.
A Five Elements Bagua pattern unfolded beneath her feet, and her body shifted smoothly into motion. With a precise circular motion, she drew out a surge of water energy from the Kan Gate.
In an instant, a roaring waterfall manifested mid-air, crashing downward like a suspended river.
The blood bats slammed into it and were instantly disrupted. Dozens of them disintegrated or were knocked out of formation, scattering across the ground.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing moved.
Her figure blurred into afterimages—light, silent, and deadly.
"Other Shore Ghost Shuttle."
A cold flash of light cut through the battlefield.
Every step she took left behind a fractured trace of space and energy. The Nine Yin Cold Claw technique erupted in full force, slicing through multiple blood bats and extending toward the Slaughter King himself.
But—
The Slaughter King merely raised his hand.
A single wave of blood light.
Zhu Zhuqing's attack was swallowed completely, like a drop entering an ocean of death.
Ye Lingling followed next.
The Ten-Grade Black Lotus bloomed in her palm, dark and elegant, like a flower grown from the end of life itself.
"Life is like a candle… fading into ash."
Black petals drifted outward.
Wherever they passed, the blood-red domain dimmed and withered, as if vitality itself was being erased.
For a moment, even the Slaughter King's expression shifted slightly.
"Interesting," he said coldly. "A life-devouring ability. If you had stayed in Slaughter City and served me, this place would have become even stronger."
A pause.
"Pity."
The blood-red wings behind him suddenly spread open, like molten magma erupting into the sky.
"This kind of power… is useless against me."
A surge of crimson energy exploded outward, instantly erasing Ye Lingling's lotus domain.
At the same time—
Ning Rongrong pushed forward.
Her body was already reinforced to the extreme, copper skin and iron bones activated. Her fist condensed terrifying force as she unleashed her Inch Punch at full output.
A single strike.
It pierced through layers of blood energy and actually reached the Slaughter King's forehead.
For a brief moment—
The arena fell silent.
Even the Slaughter King's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You are the first in decades," he said slowly, "to break through my Slaughter Domain and reach me."
A faint pause.
"You should be proud."
Then—
His killing intent exploded.
"Die."
A wave of pure destruction descended.
The blood domain collapsed inward, focusing all pressure toward Ning Rongrong alone.
"Senior Sister Rongrong!"
"Senior Disciple!"
Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ye Lingling reacted instantly, trying to rush forward.
But the residual shockwave from the Slaughter King's second burst of power hit them mid-motion, forcing them back.
The difference in level was absolute.
And for the first time since the battle began…
They truly felt it.
The gap between them and the ruler of Slaughter City.
A chasm measured not in effort—
But in life and death.