Chapter 163: You Only Lose Your Life But I…
Han Li had no knowledge of what was happening in the God Realm.
However, he immediately noticed the shifting atmosphere in the City of Slaughter.
To be precise, the fact that it had taken three months to reach this critical point was already beyond his expectations he had initially thought it would happen much sooner.
Inside the room, Han Li looked at the others, feeling a bit exhausted.
"Let's take a break. Everyone, get some proper rest."
Prolonged vigilance and constant slaughter, even with the Blood Fiend Art, had left them all emanating a fierce killing intent.
At this moment, their physical, soul power, and mental states were all at their peak. However, the exhaustion deep within their minds couldn't be recovered so easily.
"I'm starting to miss Spirit City," Dugu Yan said as she collapsed, sprawling across the laps of the other two girls.
"Now that you mention it, I kinda miss Master too," Han Li leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes with a sigh.
"Heh, I doubt he misses you. He's probably still busy with his research on Martial Soul Fusion Techniques who knows when he'll finally break through that last hurdle," Dugu Bo remarked, the most energetic among them.
For him, life in the City of Slaughter was the easiest.
His overwhelming strength put him leagues ahead of everyone here, his combat experience was vast, and his role was simple just kill.
He didn't need to strategize or worry about other matters. For him, it was all straightforward.
"There's no rush. Master and the others have all the time in the world," Han Li swayed slightly in his chair, unfazed by Dugu Bo's teasing.
"Man, I also wanna get out of here. This place really isn't meant for humans," Dugu Bo shook his head. He could adapt, but that didn't mean he liked it here.
"At our current pace, if we maintain reasonable control, we'll need at least another nine months," Han Li said, sighing.
"A full year is already pretty fast that's only because I had my senior uncle inform Spirit Hall to intensify their crackdown on fallen Soul Masters and funnel them in here."
He had literally paid to speed up the process.
The Spirit Hall's army divisions and officers in charge of cleansing dark forces had all received extra compensation.
A boss willing to pay overtime? Not something you see every day.
The others, fully aware of Han Li's efforts, exchanged glances but remained silent.
After all, their cultivation speed even outside the City of Slaughter was entirely reliant on an absurd amount of resources. They had no right to complain. Ordinary people would never have access to such luxuries.
"Alright, let's not dwell on it. It's just a little over half a year. Sure, it's oppressive, inhumane even, but the power we're gaining is very real."
Han Li opened his eyes, gauging their reactions. Was he trying to reassure them, or himself?
He had to admit, in this regard, he fell short compared to Tang San.
To be honest, just three months in, he was already fed up.
"Rest properly for the next few days. Don't go outside. You all know the situation in the city next time we show up, it might be when the final battle breaks out."
Han Li's voice carried a serious warning. He had no intention of letting anyone mess up now.
The group nodded solemnly in agreement.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, none of them left the house.
In fact, no one even appeared in their residential area, as if they were the only people left in the inner city.
But Han Li knew that wasn't the case.
Through the Plane Consciousness, he had been monitoring everything, tracking everyone's movements.
"This time, we have to strike hard scare them so badly they won't dare bother us anymore."
"And that damn bat… really thinks he's some big shot?"
Han Li dismissed his surveillance, his eyes flashing with a cold glint.
The King of Slaughter had to be aware of the situation.
Yet he still played his little tricks while allowing the situation to escalate.
In that case, Han Li wouldn't hold back.
He had expected to be targeted eventually, but the fact that it had taken this long suggested something was off.
Han Li had always been kind and generous.
While keeping the city's flow of souls going, he had even added extra souls to the mix actively replenishing their numbers.
If the King of Slaughter wanted to break their mutual understanding and personally interfere, then there was only one possible response.
"Can you temporarily halt all energy flowing into the city?"
Han Li communicated with the little light orb in his spiritual space.
"For a short period, I can completely block the City of Slaughter from receiving any energy."
The small sphere of light pulsed with excitement.
"However, resisting the inheritance ground's divine power and rules will force me into a period of dormancy."
Han Li thought for a moment before asking, "How long will it take for you to recover? Will it affect our future plans?"
"It won't impact future control, but I'll be asleep for about a year to a year and a half. If your strength improves during that time, I'll awaken faster."
The little orb spun around Han Li's head before nestling into his palm, rubbing against him affectionately.
"Then let's do it. I'd love to see the consequences of going all out. Let's see if a mere bat can handle it. Just because he's taken over Tang Chen's body, does he really think he is Tang Chen?"
"It's also about time we see where Shura truly stands…"
The voice in the spiritual space gradually faded, leaving behind silence.
On the sixth day, the sky above the City of Slaughter once again turned its familiar murky gray, and Han Li and his group finally stepped out of their residence.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Dugu Bo confirmed once more.
"No need. Just look after the three of them. In the middle of a chaotic battle, I might not be able to protect this place."
Han Li shook his head, rejecting Dugu Bo's offer. If not for the fact that this was also a valuable opportunity to improve, he would have preferred to have them hide away for now.
"Alright, just be careful. Your recovery ability and defense are two different things," Dugu Bo reminded him. Seeing Han Li's determination, he gave up trying to dissuade him. He trusted that Han Li wouldn't take a risk without certainty.
"Got it," Han Li nodded, saying no more. He took the lead, walking forward as he activated his Blood Fiend Art at full power.
This was also the first time the others had seen him fully unleash his killing intent.
Unlike them, who had to regulate their intake to maintain stability while training the Blood Fiend Art, Han Li had the Plane Consciousness filtering the energy, faith power shielding him, and a spirit strong enough to endure it all.
For three months, he had actively absorbed killing intent, on top of already being the one with the highest kill count among them.
Now, Han Li's entire body was engulfed in a crimson aura so thick it was nearly tangible. He looked like a true demon god.
Releasing his aura without restraint, he walked directly toward the ambush awaiting them.
"You wanted to kill me? Then why are you all hiding?"
"A bunch of rats that can only scurry around in the filth get the hell out here."
Amplified by his soul power, his voice echoed throughout the eerily silent city. Some people shivered, while others scowled.
Indeed, they had underestimated Han Li's strength based on his sheer presence alone.
But so what? They had the numbers if nothing else, they could wear him down.
A few self proclaimed leaders exchanged glances, nodding at each other before stepping forward cautiously, keeping a safe distance.
"Young man, don't "
Before they could finish, a barrage of fireballs rained down on them.
"Why are you forcing my hand? Unlike you worthless scum, I just wanted to quietly earn my hundred victories. You brought this upon yourselves."
"You're only losing your lives but I'm wasting precious time and money."
The explosions continued, but Han Li's muttering still reached everyone's ears.
Hearing this, many couldn't help but curse aloud.
We might be monsters, but you're a damn lunatic!
In this cesspool filled with human garbage, where some had even forsaken their humanity entirely, Han Li's words were still utterly outrageous.
And could someone please explain why was this bastard still able to use soul skills inside the City of Slaughter? What were those fireballs?!
No one had time to answer.
At that moment, Han Li's wings spread open, his figure wrapped in a crimson aura as he shot forward like a streak of blue green light, plunging into the crowd.
The glow darted unpredictably through the battlefield, while behind him, the soul masters who had planned to encircle him collapsed in droves like harvested wheat.
Limbs and blood flew everywhere.
No one could even stall his advance for a second.
The once confident mob quickly descended into chaos, people fleeing in all directions.
Of course, there were still those who remained clear headed, their rage intensifying as they witnessed the scene.
One of them ruthlessly killed a fellow escapee before throwing his head back and shouting:
"STOP RUNNING! With his speed, do you really think you can escape? Fight him! No matter how strong he is, he's still just one person! Kill him, and our lives will finally be easier!"
"Do you want to live with a sword hanging over your head for the rest of your days?"
"We've already chosen to come here why the hell should we cower now?! Get him!"
His words made many hesitate, then seethe with fury.
To hell with it.
"Count me in!"
"If I'm dying, I'm taking a piece of him with me!"
"Kill him! He has a way to use soul skills in here capture him and force it out of him! Then we will be the rulers of this city!"
The battlefield erupted into chaos.
Some tried to fish in troubled waters, others incited further madness, but most were now consumed by greed and bloodlust.
Eyes red with fury, they all turned toward the relentless blue green figure still weaving through the slaughter.
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