The moment they crossed the threshold, they first felt a heaviness in their bodies, as if something was pressing down on them, but then everything returned to normal.
The only change was that the soul rings above their heads had disappeared, and they could no longer connect with them. They could only use the most basic forms of their martial souls and soul bones.
This was the special feature of the Slaughter City that Han Li had mentioned. Was this why he insisted on honing his combat skills and developing self-created spirit abilities over the years?
"You… violated… the rules."
At this moment, a broken voice came from the area ahead, which was covered by the ice crystal fire lotus that Han Li had exploded.
They looked towards the direction of the voice and saw a person wearing heavy black armor.
The armor on his body was already damaged, but the soul power shield was barely holding up. A large amount of blood was flowing from his body to the ground, quickly being locked by the cold or burned by the flames.
"Rules? Since when did Slaughter City have rules? Isn't it just about killing everyone in front of you?"
Han Li asked knowingly.
"Absurd, we are the Enforcer, the subordinates of the great King of Slaughter, representing the will of the King and maintaining the order of Slaughter City!"
The Dread Knight Scott looked at Han Li and yelled angrily.
"The waiter outside didn't mention this to us, just told us that in Slaughter City, the only way to survive is to kill others."
"Perhaps, you should go find him and hold him accountable," Han Li said with an expression of considering it for him.
"He has already been killed by you. How am I supposed to ask him? You must be punished."
Scott's aura became even more unstable.
"That's your problem. It has nothing to do with us. We are just visitors. Internal issues are not for me to worry about. As for punishment, come on, I'm not unreasonable. Tell me, what will you do since we violated the rules?"
Han Li looked at Scott challengingly.
"Pass our test, defeat…"
Subconsciously responding halfway, Scott realized that out of the original 101 people, only he was still alive, thanks to the special armor he wore.
"It seems we have already completed it, right?"
Han Li walked over to him, pulled off a bag hanging on him, and opened it.
He casually picked up a black token engraved with a skull and the number 7777.
"Oh, nice, I like this number."
Han Li put the token in his pocket, threw the bag to the others, letting them choose a number they liked, and turned back to look at Scott.
"Keep talking, you must have more lines."
Scott realized at this moment that the person in front of him had a significant background.
"The token is proof of Slaughter City. When entering the city, register according to the number, and someone will guide you inside."
Scott answered honestly, while inwardly hating the messenger who sent him to test these newcomers and cursing the people in front of him to die inside.
He had no choice; while answering Han Li's questions, he felt his right arm being ignited by that terrifying flame, but he dared not move.
"Good, I hope we have the chance to meet again."
Han Li slapped his shoulder hard, took the bag thrown by the others, stuffed it into Scott's arms, and walked towards the distant city gate without looking back.
Scott dared to try moving his body only after the five of them had walked three hundred meters away.
However, he was desperate to find that his left shoulder and the left side of his body, which Han Li had slapped, were completely frozen, while the flames on his right arm suddenly flared up. He fell to the ground with his eyes wide open.
"We haven't even entered the city yet."
Dugu Bo glanced back at the fallen Scott and then looked at Han Li.
"Since we greeted them and they tested us, we had to respond, or they would truly think of us as easy targets."
Han Li replied casually without even wanting to look back.
"Sure enough, having a background allows one to act freely."
Dugu Bo sighed.
Fortunately, now he was not only someone else's background but also had powers backing him. It felt really good.
Thinking about this, although the sealing of his spirit abilities made him a bit uncomfortable, his mood improved significantly.
Not far ahead, they saw the pitch-black city gate, with the blood-red word "Slaughter City" hanging high above.
On both sides of the gate, guards dressed like the previous black-armored warrior stood silently, staring straight ahead, seemingly unaware of their arrival.
Han Li had no intention of showing the token but looked at the veiled woman in black standing to the side of the black-armored guard.
"Honored guests, welcome to Slaughter City. The King of Slaughter asked me to greet the five of you on his behalf."
The veiled woman walked three meters in front of them, bowing to them, gracefully showing off her enchanting figure.
"Don't dare to accept. I hope the King of Slaughter does not consider us unwelcome guests."
Han Li did not return the greeting but smiled at the veiled woman.
"As long as you follow the rules of Slaughter City, you will always be honored guests."
The veiled woman in black still smiled as she responded.
"Yes, we will follow the rules."
Han Li understood the implication in her words, indicating that both parties had reached a tacit understanding and were actively exchanging information.
"Please."
Upon hearing this, the veiled woman in black became even more enthusiastic, turned around, and made a welcoming gesture.
Following behind her, the five of them walked towards the city.
After entering the city gate, it felt like they had stepped into a new world. It was even darker than the outside, with bluish-purple lights hanging on both sides of the street, creating a perpetually oppressive atmosphere.
"I am your guide. For the next twelve hours, I will be at your service. You can ask me any questions you have."
The veiled woman in black swayed her body as she walked and introduced herself.
"No need to explain the rules, just take us directly to the inner city, to the Hell Slaughter Arena."
Han Li interrupted her introduction and instructed directly.
"Alright, please follow me."
The veiled woman in black was not surprised. She had been directly dispatched by the King of Slaughter and was well aware of their identities. Her previous explanations were merely procedural.
As they quickly moved through the outer city, many who saw them initially prepared to provoke them. However, upon seeing the veiled woman in black leading the way, they quickly retreated into the buildings on the side of the road, as if they had seen something terrifying.
Han Li observed this scene thoughtfully but did not ask any questions.
Behind him, the other four also watched their surroundings with alert and curious eyes. Seeing the outer city residents, they couldn't help but frown.
After walking for more than half an hour, they arrived at a city wall. Compared to the previous wall, this one was relatively low, only about ten meters high. The city gate was wide open, with no guards, but no one from the outer city dared to approach.
Perhaps sensing the confusion of the women and Dugo Bu behind Han Li, the veiled woman in black explained, "There is no restriction on outer city residents entering here, provided they can endure it once they enter."
This brief explanation highlighted the cruelty of the place.
"Next, you will enter the real Slaughter City. If you do not wish to fight immediately, stay within five meters of me. However, if you make a move, you forfeit your protection, and the newcomer's protection period will end automatically."
The veiled woman in black proactively reminded them, as it was something she had to say.
They nodded and followed her into the inner city without hesitation.
In just a few meters, after crossing the city wall, they immediately understood what the veiled woman in black meant by the "real Slaughter City."
Not far from the wall, two people were fighting to the death. Around them, four or five others watched like predators, ready to pounce and kill both fighters at the first sign of weakness, their greed evident in their eyes.
In another direction, a man and a woman were entangled with each other, their clothes discarded carelessly, engaging in intimate acts in broad daylight, indifferent to being on the street.
Further away, they saw a person about to enter a house. Just as the door opened, a sharp blade decapitated him.
Unlike the outside world, chaos and madness were the main themes here, causing some discomfort among the group.
"This is a hell ruled by beastly instincts. Showing mercy to others is being cruel to yourself. Be ready to fight at any moment."
Han Li turned to look at the three women and noticed that the one in the best condition was Xiu'er. She looked around with eyes full of killing intent.
Despite previous warnings, Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er still looked a bit pale but gripped their weapons tightly and nodded heavily.
The veiled woman in black seemed oblivious to Han Li's words and continued to lead them through the streets toward the Hell Slaughter Arena.
Fights continued to break out beside the road, sometimes as close as less than ten meters from them.
However, as the veiled woman in black had said, no one approached them. Unlike the outer city residents, the inner city people observed them discreetly, assessing the newcomers' strengths.
As they approached the Hell Slaughter Arena, more people followed them.
For the inner city residents, it was rare to see five newcomers at once, and they hoped to take advantage of the situation.
At the conical entrance of the Hell Slaughter Arena, with the loud and intense cheering from inside, the veiled woman in black stopped.
"To spectate, you need a Bloody Mary."
"What if we want to participate directly? How many spots are left for the next match?"
Han Li ignored her words and asked directly.
The veiled woman in black closed her eyes as if praying. After a moment, she reopened them and said, "Two spots are left for the next match."
Han Li nodded, quickly approached one of the people following them, grabbed him by the neck, lifted him, and returned to the veiled woman in black.
"Now, the spots are filled. He has decided to join me in the next match."
The person he held struggled and tried to speak, but Han Li tightened his grip, forcing him to nod reluctantly.
The veiled woman in black ignored his actions, nodded slightly, and said, "You may enter now. The match will start soon. You also need four Bloody Marys for your companions to watch."
"Alright, no problem."
Han Li flipped his left hand, revealing four cups taken from the tavern outside.
Meanwhile, the person he held had his arm cut open at some point, and his blood was filling the cups.