In the City of Slaughter, the strong reign supreme.
Only those with strength have the right to live.
Qian Gu Yun Ying had already achieved sixty-six consecutive victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena.
"Hey, have you heard?" a scar-faced man said excitedly to those around him. "That Spirit Hall kid—Qian Gu Yun Ying—just secured her sixty-sixth win! I was there. The others didn't stand a chance!"
Another person sighed. "Compared to people like us, dragged here by fate or force, she's truly chosen. I came here only because I had no way out. She came willingly, aiming for the legendary Slaughter Domain. We're walking completely different paths."
Someone else snorted. "Don't embellish it. You didn't just kill your enemies—you wiped out an entire village. That's why you were forced in."
—
At that moment, Qian Gu Yun Ying was resting in her room.
The City of Slaughter possessed most of the conveniences of a normal city—but only the strong were qualified to enjoy them. And she was undoubtedly among the strong.
She changed out of her bloodstained clothes, lay back on her bed, and exhaled softly.
"Xiao Zhang… I don't know where you are right now," she thought quietly. "I miss you. It's lonely here."
In the City of Slaughter, soul skills could not be used, nor could one cultivate. For Qian Gu Yun Ying, the true gains here were the Slaughter Domain she would obtain after one hundred victories and surviving the Hell Road—as well as the battle instincts and mentality forged through constant life-and-death combat.
—
After fully refining the medicinal power of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Yin Zhang's soul power rose from Rank Seventy-Four to Rank Seventy-Eight.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"If the system rewards me for this breakthrough," he thought, "I can directly absorb Xiao Wu's soul ring and step into the Soul Douluo realm."
Now that things had reached this stage, Yin Zhang began calmly assessing his true combat strength.
Ordinary Titled Douluos no longer posed a threat. As for the strongest among them, he didn't feel the need to boast—results would speak for themselves.
His gaze sharpened.
"This journey across the continent has achieved almost everything I set out to do. One last stop—Heaven Dou City. I'll explain everything to Qian Renxue… then return to Spirit Hall, bring down Bibi Dong, and take her place."
As the dragon bloodline within Yin Zhang grew denser, the Golden Sacred Dragon became visibly more majestic, clearly resonating with his growth. The change filled him with quiet delight.
Hu Liena asked curiously, "Brother Zhang… just how strong are you now?"
Yin Zhang smiled faintly.
"I'm not sure myself—but I'm certainly standing at the peak of the continent. Before, when I fought Gu Rong, I barely held my ground. If we fought again now, he wouldn't stand a chance."
—
Before leaving Notting City, Yin Zhang paid Tang San one final visit.
Tang San was clearly depressed. He had begged Zhang Wei to rescue Xiao Wu, insisting that he didn't care whether she was a soul beast—he only wanted her to escape Yin Zhang and return to the forest.
Zhang Wei was left speechless. If Yin Zhang hadn't been completely beyond his ability to oppose, he would have taken Xiao Wu and fled long ago, even abandoning Notting Academy.
Tang San's words only highlighted his naïve sincerity.
Yin Zhang looked at him and let out a cold laugh.
"Once Tang Hao is dealt with… it will be your turn."
He had no interest in Zhang Wei anymore.
After bidding farewell to Matthew, visiting Holy Soul Village to say goodbye to Old Jack, Yin Zhang left Fasno Province and headed straight for Heaven Dou City.
—
Heaven Dou City.
Upon arrival, Yin Zhang and Hu Liena went directly to the Dugu residence.
Dugu Bo's soul power remained at Rank Ninety-Two, but it was steadily improving. Reaching Rank Ninety-Three was only a matter of time.
Yin Zhang spoke with him alone.
"Brother Bo, you seem even stronger than before."
Dugu Bo smiled at first—but when he sensed the deliberately released Rank Seventy-Eight soul power aura, his eyes nearly bulged.
"You little monster—Level Seventy-Eight?! You're fourteen! A fourteen-year-old Soul Saint? That's absurd!"
Yin Zhang smiled calmly.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
He didn't possess his martial soul. Instead, the Fire-Breathing Dragon appeared behind him as a phantom, seven jet-black soul rings shining beneath it—nearly blinding Dugu Bo.
"Seven ten-thousand-year soul rings… and your seventh is over eighty thousand years?" Dugu Bo swallowed hard.
Silence fell.
Finally, Dugu Bo laughed helplessly.
"You really are a beast. Fine—tell me. You didn't come to Heaven Dou City without a reason."
Yin Zhang withdrew his martial soul and met Dugu Bo's gaze.
"Brother Bo, when I return to Spirit Hall this time, I'm seizing power. I hope you'll come with me—and help."
The moment had arrived.
Please, Your Holiness—abdicate.