A month passed in the blink of an eye.
In a secluded town, two figures cloaked in black robes entered a tavern situated even further off the beaten path.
The air inside the tavern was thick and stagnant, with all its decorations rendered in monotonous black.
Even though it was daytime outside, stepping into the tavern brought an immediate sense of oppressive darkness and chill, creating a deeply uncomfortable atmosphere.
About thirty percent of the seats were occupied. Despite the murky air, very few people spoke, contributing to the profound quietude.
The arrival of the two black-robed figures drew considerable attention, but most gazes flickered away after a fleeting glance.
Beneath the concealment of his hood, a young man with long, dark blue hair surveyed his surroundings with serene, azure eyes, absorbing all discernible information.
The black-robed figure walking ahead found a table in a corner. Upon seating himself, he casually and plainly pulled back his hood, revealing a rough, dark, and unshaven face.
A waiter dressed in black approached the new patrons, his voice flat, "What can I get you?"
"Two cups of Yellow Spring Dew," Tang Hao said in a low voice. Hearing this, the waiter's expression shifted slightly, a hint of surprise entering his gaze as he looked at Tang Hao. "Are you sure?"
Tang Hao looked up, his icy, deep gaze sweeping over the waiter. The waiter's pupils contracted, as if realizing something, and without further inquiry, he turned to prepare the order.
Moments later, the waiter returned with two cups of murky liquid.
The liquid, served in bronze cups, was a dark crimson, emitting a strong, fishy odor reminiscent of fresh blood. Yet, it bubbled and steamed, appearing like some peculiar, dark culinary creation.
Tang Hao, leading the way, lifted his cup and drained its contents in a single gulp, his expression unchanging from start to finish.
Across from him, the young man with a refined appearance frowned, staring at the strange beverage placed before him without touching it.
"Xiao San, drink it."
Tang Hao spoke calmly, his tone brooking no refusal.
Tang San, who had already undergone his second martial soul awakening, resulting in significant changes to his appearance and hair color, opened his mouth as if to speak. However, he ultimately closed it, picked up the strange, dark concoction, closed his eyes, and chugged it down.
The moment the peculiar liquid touched his taste buds, Tang San nearly vomited on the spot.
The strange drink tasted like the foul stench of compressed, aged, and stale blood, utterly repulsive.
The taste of tree bark would have seemed delightful in comparison.
"This is human blood," Tang Hao suddenly said as Tang San swallowed.
Tang San's pupils constricted, his face changing dramatically. He turned and clutched the table, retching violently.
Tang San's forceful vomiting shattered the tavern's tranquility and drew the attention of all the patrons.
"What kind of greenhorn is this? Go home. This isn't a place for you."
"Can't even handle a cup of Yellow Spring Dew, and you think you're qualified to enter?"
"Haha, go find your mom and drink milk, kid."
Malicious voices permeated the tavern. The patrons, finding an outlet for their repressed emotions, attacked Tang San without reservation.
Only the waiter who had initially served them the Yellow Spring Dew remained impassive, arms crossed, watching the scene with a cold demeanor.
"Kill them."
Tang Hao looked up calmly at the accusers, his voice still even, yet imbuing everyone present with a palpable sense of hostility.
The others paused, then resumed their mocking remarks, not taking Tang San and Tang Hao seriously at all.
Tang San also paused for just a second, but then his gaze gradually turned icy. His aura fluctuated, and strands of golden-blue silver grass scattered outward. His five spirit rings silently materialized.
Within minutes, aside from the tavern's waiter and owner, and Tang Hao and himself, the tavern was strewn with the freshly dead.
Tang San, who had eliminated over twenty individuals without hesitation, remained composed after the killings, his gaze unwavering and free of panic.
Tang Hao paused slightly, a subtle shift occurring in his gaze as he looked at Tang San. He nodded inwardly.
"Very good, Xiao San. Remember, once you enter the Slaughter City, you are entirely on your own."
"There are no companions there, only enemies. You must kill anyone who poses a threat to you. When you win the arena championship, I will come to pick you up."
As Tang Hao finished speaking, the indifferent waiter in black scoffed, "You think killing a few people qualifies you to enter the Slaughter City? You're not worthy."
Before Tang Hao could speak, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass pierced the waiter's chest.
Having done this, Tang San did not stop. He brushed past the owner, who regarded him with wary apprehension, then injected spirit power into his palm and smashed the sturdy bar counter.
A dark, flat expanse came into view. Tang San's eyes narrowed, betraying no surprise. He opened his five fingers, and the Clear Sky Hammer suddenly appeared in his hand.
He tensed his calf, and the Clear Sky Hammer transformed into a streak of black light, smashing into the ground.
With a thunderous "boom," the ground itself trembled.
The floor beneath the bar cracked and caved in, revealing a dark, gaping passage.
A chilling, sinister wind blew out from the opening, carrying an unshakeable, potent scent of blood.
"This must be the entrance to the Slaughter City."
From the moment he stepped into this town, Tang San had extended his spiritual power, constantly vigilant against any danger.
Upon entering the tavern, Tang San's spiritual sense had detected the anomaly beneath the bar.
They had come specifically to enter the Slaughter City.
But the town itself could not be the Slaughter City, implying that the entrance must be located within this town.
Having answered his own unspoken question, Tang San, with a clear understanding of the situation, turned to look for Tang Hao, only to find that Tang Hao had already vanished from the tavern.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, he turned back to face the dark passage, pursed his lips, and without hesitation, leaped down.