As the King of Slaughter City, He deeply relished the authority he held over the city.
However, with the birth of every new Slaughter God, it was akin to the rise of another uncrowned king within Slaughter City.
After all, once someone obtained the Killing God Domain, they could freely use Spirit Rings and Spirit Abilities within Slaughter City—a direct threat to the Slaughter King's absolute control.
Naturally, the Slaughter King never wanted to see even a single Slaughter God born!
"In that case, I now announce the winner—Doombringer!!"
Inside the Hell Slaughter Arena, after another hard-fought victory in a death match, one of the arena's officials loudly proclaimed the results.
All around in the stands, countless depraved Spirit Masters were howling with red eyes, filled with excitement and fanaticism:
"Doombringer!"
"Doombringer!"
"Doombringer!"
On the Spirit Duel stage, Ye Yu calmly used his External Spirit Bone, Demon Willow Fluff, to absorb the corpses of the defeated Spirit Masters until nothing was left.
Only then did he turn and leave the arena.
After half a year of death battles in the Hell Slaughter Arena and achieving ninety victories, Ye Yu had already earned a well-known title:
Doombringer.
This title held a double meaning:
On one hand, anyone who faced Ye Yu had already been "sentenced to death" the moment they stood before him.
On the other, it acknowledged Ye Yu's strength as demonic and divine—utterly unstoppable.
As for Hu Liena, she still bore the title: Hell Emissary, signifying that anyone who encountered her would be guided straight into the abyss.
As Ye Yu returned to the waiting area through the contestant passage, before he could even regroup with Hu Liena, a figure in a black robe approached.
The man gave a small bow and smiled respectfully.
"Doombringer, congratulations on your ninety consecutive victories.
Slaughter City hasn't seen such talent in a long time.
We now have hope of witnessing you achieve one hundred wins and earn the right to challenge the Hell Road—
and ascend as the next Slaughter God in Slaughter City."
"By decree of His Majesty the Slaughter King, I have come to escort you to Slaughter Castle.
His Majesty wishes to bestow a reward upon you!"
Just then, Hu Liena arrived, her stunning, enchanting face frowning slightly.
She'd heard of the Slaughter King before—knew him as the ruler of this twisted city.
And in a place like this, Hu Liena had no reason to believe the Slaughter King was anything resembling a decent being.
His sudden summons of Ye Yu didn't feel like a good omen.
Ye Yu thought the same.
"A reward? Who's buying that nonsense?"
He scoffed inwardly.
As a transmigrator, how could he not know the truth behind the Slaughter King?
This so-called king never wanted to see a new Slaughter God arise.
He allowed Tang Hao to become a Slaughter God only because Tang Hao was Tang Chen's grandson. He couldn't afford to kill him—Tang Chen's spirit might've retaliated.
As for Bibi Dong, she was chosen by the Rakshasa God.
The Slaughter King's true form was the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King, a spirit that had taken over Tang Chen's body. And the Rakshasa God had played a part in helping that possession happen.
There was no way he'd dare harm Bibi Dong either.
That's why Tang Hao and Bibi Dong were allowed to complete the Hell Road and become Slaughter Gods.
But Ye Yu?
He came here alone.
Unlike Hu Liena, who had Bibi Dong's protection, Ye Yu had no such backing.
And now the Slaughter King had summoned him—but not Hu Liena?
Clearly, he was either planning to recruit Ye Yu…
Or kill him.
"Fine. Let's see what cards the Slaughter King wants to play.
I may not have a powerful background—but I've got my fists."
Ye Yu sneered in his heart.
"Let's see how much of Tang Chen's power you've actually inherited."
"Alright then!" Ye Yu said calmly.
"An audience with the Slaughter King?
I've heard of his majesty's fearsome reputation. Lead the way."
Surprised that Ye Yu had agreed so readily, the black-robed man grew visibly excited.
"Ye Yu!" Hu Liena called, seeing this. She stepped forward, trying to dissuade him.
"Nana, relax," Ye Yu replied with a slight smile, voice calm.
"It'll be fine."
The black-robed man gestured forward with both hands:
"This way, Doombringer."
Ye Yu followed him out of the waiting area toward Slaughter Castle.
Behind them, Hu Liena watched his silhouette disappear, her hands unconsciously clenching, her stunning face clouded with worry.
"No... I can't just sit back."
Gritting her teeth, Hu Liena quickly followed after them. She couldn't rest easy unless she was sure Ye Yu was safe.
...
Following the black-robed guide, Ye Yu left the inner city of Slaughter City.
After a winding journey through the forests outside the city, they arrived at an ominous gray-black fortress, dotted with faint traces of red.
In the sky above, a blood-red full moon loomed.
Seeing the castle and the crimson moon, Ye Yu couldn't help but feel something odd.
"This looks exactly like a vampire castle from my previous life's movies and anime…"
But it made sense.
The Slaughter King's true form was the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King—a bat just like vampires.
Now possessing a human form, this castle suited him perfectly.
"Doombringer, please enter."
The black-robed man opened the massive doors and respectfully gestured Ye Yu inside.
They ascended to the second floor of the eerie castle and arrived before a sealed chamber.
The black-robed man knelt before the door and announced:
"Your Majesty, I have brought the Doombringer."
A cold and commanding voice echoed from within:
"Enter."
The black-robed man opened the door.
Inside, beneath the crimson lamplight, sat a tall, armored figure on a blood-colored throne.
The man wore a full suit of scarlet armor, had long silver hair, and two small blood-colored horns protruding from his head. His face was covered with crimson markings, his features indistinguishable, his aura wholly sinister.
This was the Slaughter King.
"So you're the Doombringer?" he said, gazing at Ye Yu.
"Truly, a youth of immense talent."
"Congratulations on achieving ninety consecutive victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena."
"Win ten more, and you'll gain the right to walk the Hell Road—
and perhaps become our next Slaughter God."
As his gaze fell upon Ye Yu, the Slaughter King's blood-marked face wore an uncharacteristically warm smile.