Wounds of varying degrees of healing covered Xie Yue's body.

Thanks to the enhancements from the Soul Master physique and body-tempering techniques, the wounds from the previous battles had mostly healed, but some were reopened during today's killing tournament.

New wounds cover old scars.

Hu Liena used a short dagger that had been scorched at high temperature to help Xie Yue remove the rotten flesh contaminated by toxins from the wound. Xie Yue gritted his teeth and groaned, his forehead covered with a fine layer of sweat and his face visibly pale.

Qian Yuelong watched from the sidelines, only helping to keep watch, and did not intervene to treat Xie Yue.

Although she cannot use her soul skills within the City of Slaughter, the effects of her blood are comparable to those of healing soul skills.

To be fair, blood and pain are things a Soul Master needs to get used to.

They are partners who can rely on each other for support, but they cannot stay together forever.

There will always be times when you have to venture out on your own and face danger.

The enemy will not show mercy just because you are weak or unable to withstand the attack.

Qian Yuelong, who had erected a spiritual energy barrier that enveloped the entire room, watched as Xie Yue, whose lips were pale and whose body was wrapped in gauze, took out a porcelain bottle from her soul tool and tossed it to Hu Liena, who was helping her brother collect his blood-stained clothes:

"Nana, give this to Xieyue."

Hu Liena reacted quickly, caught the medicine bottle, and pulled out the cork from the mouth of the bottle.

The dark mouth of the bottle faced the evil moon, and a pleasant medicinal fragrance wafted from it.

Xie Yue's nose twitched, and he obediently opened his hand to Hu Liena, who shook the bottle and poured out a pale blue pill the size of a candy bean.

"This is the Green Sunflower Pill that I refined myself. It has the effect of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and accelerating the recovery of internal and external injuries."

Qian Yuelong explained.

Even though Qian Yuelong didn't explain, Xie Yue, who trusted her completely, nodded and swallowed the pill without hesitation.

A unique flavor, sweet with a hint of bitterness, spreads across the taste buds.

The elixir dissolved in the mouth, and the medicinal power of its essence permeated the limbs and bones.

Xie Yue could clearly feel the wounds on her body starting to burn, as if they had just been treated with a hot compress, and there was also some itching from the healing process.

Xie Yue, restraining himself from scratching his wound, turned his neck, making a crisp cracking sound.

"Yuelong, for your second test, is there anything we can do to help?"

He tried to distract himself.

Hu Liena also said earnestly, "Yuelong, if there's anything we can do to help, we must ask. Don't try to shoulder the burden ourselves."

They're partners!

Qian Yuelong smiled as she was looked at with concern and sincerity by her companions. A warmth appeared in her eyes, and she nodded directly without being polite, saying, "There really is."

The brother and sister immediately perked up: "What is it?"

"Hmm... I'd like to know what your thoughts are on the Killing City?"

Qian Yuelong posed a seemingly unrelated question.

Xie Yue was startled, his mind flashing back to what he had seen and heard since arriving in the City of Slaughter, and his brows furrowed.

Hu Liena made no attempt to hide her disgust, commenting almost coldly, "It's awful, a sinful city that shouldn't exist in this world."

There is no order here, and the established moral order has collapsed.

If a normal person lives here for a long time, their mental state will also become abnormal.

She herself was aware that she seemed to be becoming bloodthirsty.

The Killing City is like a plague; everyone who stays there will be infected with a contagious disease called "Bloodlust".

She hated everything here, even the air.

Qian Yuelong nodded and looked at Xie Yue: "Xie Yue, what about you?"

Xie Yue was silent for a few seconds before uttering an evaluation that surprised them:

"...It's a bit sad here."

Hu Liena asked in confusion, "What? Brother, why would you think that?"

Xie Yue raised his head, his pale, handsome face appearing strangely cold in the shadows cast by the furnishings. His dark red eyes stared unfathomably at his younger sister, his voice flat and emotionless:

"This place reminds me of our past, Nana."

A casual remark silenced Hu Liena.

His cold and murderous aura seemed to melt into the deep lake water, becoming silent and restrained.

Before going to the Martial Soul Hall for the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, the siblings had a very difficult time.

After his father and mother died, the compensation money was embezzled by other Soul Masters with powerful connections when it was available.

The siblings struggled to survive. During their most difficult and hungry times, they even fought a life-or-death struggle with other homeless children who had also lost their parents and relatives over a piece of spoiled bread.

The blood of the other looters stained the rotten bread crimson.

In the end, she and her brother managed to grab the piece of bread.

In contrast, her brother was covered in wounds.

Before receiving the Jiying Project, she and her brother went through a lot.

From another perspective, those who risk their lives for a bite of food are no different from those in the Killing City who fight, betray, and stab each other for a cup of Yellow Spring Dew.

Numb, but still driven by the instinct to survive, I want to live.

If they hadn't gone to the Spirit Hall, if they hadn't joined the Elite Gathering Project, if they hadn't met their teachers and friends, they would probably be living like zombies now.

The disgust between Hu Liena's brows disappeared, and she stood there silently.

Qian Yuelong looked at Xie Yue, a strange light appearing in her eyes: "Then do you think the Order of Slaughter should exist?"

This time, Xie Yue nodded without hesitation.

"Why?"

Xie Yue shared his opinion: "Although everyone here has blood on their hands and all sorts of people have gathered here, based on the principle that the Killing City only allows entry and no exit, this place seems more like a prison to me. A prison that confines the evil people of this world. As long as it exists, those bloodthirsty guys inside will not have the possibility of escaping and harming others."

Qian Yuelong's smile deepened slightly: "I also think this place should exist. Moreover, it can not only 'imprison' sinners, but also serve as a place for sinners to atone for their sins."

Hu Liena's eyes widened slightly.

Xie Yue's mind worked incredibly fast, and he immediately understood Qian Yuelong's meaning, exclaiming in astonishment, "You don't mean to 'reclaim the City of Slaughter,' do you?!"

Xie Yue cautiously swallowed the last few words, his face full of disapproval: "The greatest ruler here is that terrifyingly powerful King of Slaughter. Even with the Spirit Hall's gathering of experts, even titled Douluo cannot use their spirit skills after entering the City of Slaughter. How can they contend with that King of Slaughter?"

Qian Yuelong smiled deeply, "So I didn't intend to use force to subdue people. And, no, it wasn't me who reclaimed this place, it was you."

Xie Yue and Hu Liena: "???"

A dark light flashed in Qian Yuelong's gray eyes, and she spoke in a low, seductive voice:

"Xie Yue, have you ever thought about becoming a god?"

Xie Yue's pupils suddenly contracted.

—A side note—

A thrilling location scouting trip.