Slaughter City

Qian Xunji was on the verge of killing Qin Xuan when a sudden voice echoed in the room:

"Your Majesty the Pope, I know I'm not worthy of Your Highness the Saint, but I have perseverance. I've decided to go to the Slaughter City to obtain the realm of the God of Killing. If I don't succeed, I will never come back."

Qin Xuan struggled to raise his head, feeling Qian Xunji's unabated killing intent. He gritted his teeth and stared resolutely at the former.

With his current strength, breaking into the Killing City was out of the question for Qin Xuan. Unlike Tang San and Hu Liena, who were secretly protected by two killing gods, possessing a head soul bone, an external soul bone, and the unique skills of the Tang Sect, Qin Xuan, at level 50 or above, would meet certain death if he attempted to enter the Killing City.

He had already planned to leave the Spirit Palace, lay low for a few years, and seize any opportunities that presented themselves. Even if things didn't work out, being forced into the Killing City by Qian Xunji might grant him a few more years of life. After all, it was better to die than to be under the constant scrutiny of the venomous snake, Qian Xunji.

Qian Xunji was taken aback by the mention of breaking into the Killing City. As he processed this information, he dispelled the soul pressure he had exerted on Qin Xuan, a glint of realization crossing his golden pupils.

"Are you serious?" A majestic and composed voice filled the hall, echoing a deep inquiry.

Qian Xunji knew better than to offend the two worshippers. Even if they allowed Qin Xuan's demise, it would still lead to dissatisfaction, and dealing with his father, Qian Daoliu, wouldn't be easy. Such conflicts weren't conducive to maintaining his rule over the Spirit Palace.

As for whether Qin Xuan could escape the Killing City, it was no longer Qian Xunji's concern. Even as a titled Douluo, he wasn't entirely sure. To put it bluntly, staying in such a high position for a long time bred a fear of death.

Tang Hao, once hailed as the Haotian Sect's top genius, had spent several years acquiring the Killing God Domain. Despite Qin Xuan's exceptional talent, there was still a significant gap between him and Tang Hao, who possessed the 'world's best martial spirit.' Additionally, Tang Hao's soul power far exceeded Qin Xuan's.

When Qin Xuan heard this, he found it intriguing. Driven by a sense of drama, he nodded emphatically and declared, "Yes, Your Majesty the Pope, I am willing to give my heart for Her Royal Highness the Saint, for the Spirit Palace, and for you."

Qin Xuan stood up, straightened his posture, clenched his right fist, and lightly hammered his heart—a gesture akin to unsheathing a peerless sword. He then continued, "Okay, since you have this intention, then I will help you. If you can obtain the God of Killing Domain, it won't hurt to betroth Dong'er to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Qin Xuan retires." Qin Xuan feigned excitement, expressing his gratitude before leaving in apparent fear. Before he had enough strength, self-preservation was his top priority, especially considering Qian Xunji's unpredictable nature.

Once Qin Xuan left, the silent atmosphere returned to the hall.

"Your Majesty, this boy's talent is not weak. You just showed murderous intent towards him. This boy must have noticed it. Why not..." one of the Popes personally guarded Douluo suggested, making a gesture of slicing his own neck.

"That's right, Your Majesty. This kid actually tried to get involved with the Saint. We must not let him go," another personal guardian Douluo concurred.

As the personal guardians and absolute confidants of the Pope, they knew what was going on in Qian Xunji's heart. They believed that Qin Xuan, with his talent, daring to propose to the saint was a sure way to meet his end.

"Do you think he can get out of the Killing City?" Qian Xunji walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back, his tall figure exuding an evil and cold aura that lingered, unaffected by the direct sunlight.

The two personal Titled Douluo were uncertain and shook their heads. Like Qian Xunji, they doubted Qin Xuan's ability to escape the Killing City. Soul skills couldn't be employed in that place, making it incredibly challenging for even Soul Douluo or titled Douluo to exit successfully.

Undeterred, Qian Xunji continued, "But to avoid unexpected developments, let Yue Guan and Gui Mei personally escort the boy to the Killing City tomorrow morning."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pope Mountain, a majestic peak resembling a giant sword forged by nature, towered above. The Papal Palace stood proudly atop it, accessible only to the Pope, the Pope's disciples, personal guardian Douluo, and the cardinals directly under his command.

Qin Xuan lived near Pope Mountain due to being accepted as a disciple by two priests. While other Spirit Palace disciples lived scattered in Spirit City, only the elders or the Pope could enter Pope Mountain after being summoned.

It wasn't until Qin Xuan was a considerable distance from the Pope's Palace that he dared to stop and take a deep breath.

"Damn, that was close." Qin Xuan glanced back at the 'Pope's Palace' plaque in Douluo Continent script and sighed with a hint of confusion.

However, it wasn't time to give up. Urgency prevailed. To ensure his survival, Qin Xuan needed to reclaim his soul power, soul skills, and combat skills. Otherwise, he was just an empty shell without any cultivation, incapable of achieving his goals, including confronting Tang San, tormenting Yu Xiaogang, destroying the Haotian Sect, marrying a Bai Fumei(a fair, rich and beautiful woman), and reaching the pinnacle of his life. Without these abilities, any Soul King could easily end his life.

Reaching the midpoint of Pope Mountain, Qin Xuan walked into the depths of the forest alone. Confirming no one was around, he summoned his martial spirit.

A surge of red light enveloped his right hand, revealing a peculiar-shaped sword with a red body, sealed magic lines, and flashing blood-red thunder arcs—a sword entwined with flame.

Simultaneously, the five-ring soul formation representing a Soul King emerged. With innate soul power and the backing of the two major enshrined disciples, Qianjun and Jiangmo, Qin Xuan had the optimal soul ring configuration: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black.

The fiery sword energy, infused with terrifying thunder, instantly filled the surroundings, slightly raising the temperature.

Vaguely, a phoenix cry echoed through the sky as the sword energy transformed into a red bird, spreading its wings and soaring into the sky.