After sending Tang San away, Tang Sui glanced at the Ten-Headed Sun Serpent, which was pretending to be non-existent and sunk in the lava, and sighed into the void, "Uncle Snake, I'm going to see Grandpa."
With that, Tang Sui vanished into the void.
"Gurgle."
A large bubble rose from the scorching lava, and a giant head emerged. The enormous snake eyes stared fixedly at the spot where Tang Sui had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.
...
In the spacious room with a dark red base, an exceptionally wide chair inlaid with blue and purple crystals sat in the center.
Suddenly, the person on the chair moved a finger, and blood-red eyes opened, a thick crimson hue settling in their depths. "They've arrived?"
"Mm."
A faint response echoed in the room. Tang Sui stepped out from the shadows cast by the walls, slowly standing in the flickering firelight.
The King of Slaughter stared at Tang Sui expressionlessly. Under Tang Sui's silent gaze, he seemed weary and closed his eyes, saying in a low voice, "Have you made up your mind?"
"Tang Chen is the great-grandfather of my current reincarnated identity. But you, you are my grandfather." Tang Sui indirectly informed the King of Slaughter that her memory had been fully restored.
"Regarding the reform of the Slaughter City, even if I am not physically here, newcomers will still follow the path of their 'predecessors.' That plan's implementation remains effective. This was always meant to be a stepping stone for you."
"In the next two days, I will create demon crystal stones. As long as I exist, placing them next to the underground energy source of the Slaughter City will allow them to operate independently and guide new disciples."
She looked earnestly at the King of Slaughter, who opened his eyes again, gazing at her with an inscrutable expression, as if waiting for her next words.
But after several seconds of silence, he slowly spoke, "You've regained all your memories, and it seems you've gained a lot more humanity."
Humanity...
Tang Sui smiled. "Perhaps it's because half of my bloodline now belongs to a human."
After speaking, she suddenly took a step back and bowed ninety degrees to the King of Slaughter, "Grandpa, thank you for bringing me back to the Slaughter City. And thank you and Uncle Snake for taking care of me over these past three years."
"Before recovering my memories, I thought of succeeding you and continuing to lead the Slaughter City. But after regaining my memories, I finally remembered my original goal."
She straightened up, her gaze burning as she looked at the King of Slaughter, "Grandpa, for me, the Slaughter City is not the final destination, but it is another unique haven. This separation will not be a farewell, but if I hear good news from you upon my return to the Slaughter City, then I can accept such a parting."
The King of Slaughter stared intently at Tang Sui for several seconds before saying, "You've spoken many pleasant words. Where are your things? Have you packed everything else?"
Tang Sui paused, thinking carefully, and shook her head, "There's nothing I need to bring. Oh, right, besides the demon crystal stones, I will also write a plan for you, or for the captain of the enforcement team..."
"You're being noisy. Do you think I, your grandfather, who has ruled the Slaughter City for so many years, am a king who only has authority and brute strength?" the King of Slaughter interrupted impatiently.
Tang Sui blinked, and the next moment, he suddenly vanished from his chair, and a pulling sensation came from the back of her collar.
"After all, you are the cub I've acknowledged. You can't leave with such a dejected air."
He placed Tang Sui in the crook of his arm, as he always did.
"Let's go, we're heading to the energy core now. I'll give you something to protect yourself too."
Something to protect herself?
Her vision changed. After darkness, familiar crimson and wisps of rising heat appeared.
They were back in the Hell Road.
Tang Sui used her demon power to stick herself to his arm and looked curiously at the King of Slaughter's profile, "What is it?"
The King of Slaughter grinned, his smile tinged with an emotion Tang Sui couldn't quite decipher.
"Naturally, it's the best soul bone... suitable for demons."
A soul bone!?
Tang Sui's pupils constricted.
"Splash!"
Even more potent and magnificent demonic energy than Tang Sui's condensed into a dark barrier, enclosing the large and small figures. Like falling stars, they plunged into the scorching lava.
The intense heat was no different from bathing in a steam room, with flowing molten lava of orange-red as far as the eye could see!
"Beneath here is the energy core of the Slaughter City."
The King of Slaughter's voice rumbled low.
Tang Sui squinted, the suffocating hot wind hitting her face. Even within the barrier, she could feel the scorching heat in the air.
When she saw the giant fireball, as bright as the sun, casting a crimson hue on the surrounding lava, her eyes widened, "This is... the energy center of the Slaughter City?"
"Heh," the King of Slaughter chuckled enigmatically, gesturing for Tang Sui to look closer, "Look again."
Tang Sui looked confused, but the three masks dormant in her spiritual consciousness suddenly vibrated in unison.
"That is—!"
"How can this thing be here!"
"Little master, use your demon power to see!"
Da Fei let out a surprised cry, Yuan Mian made a sound of astonishment, and Hu Mian urged her on, all at the same time within Tang Sui's mind.
As soon as she gathered her demon power into her eyes, she was suddenly thrown out of the barrier by the King of Slaughter.
Yes, thrown.
Tang Sui:?
Although demons are indeed unafraid of lava and it felt like a hot spring, there was no need for that.
—Author's Notes—
(Rubbing hands together) Guess what Hu Mian and the others saw?
Also, it's the first day back at work, and I'm a bit busy, so I'll only post one chapter for now.