Chapter 290: Two New Killing Gods in the Spirit Hall? Rewards for the First Trial

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Tang San and Hu Liena simultaneously entered the Hell Road.

As in the original timeline, Hu Liena lacked long-range attack capabilities. When facing swarms of bats and the Dark Golden Three-Headed Bat King, she relied entirely on Tang San's abilities to eliminate these threats.

Notably, the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake that usually guarded the end of the Hell Road had its core stolen by Ning Tianchen, causing it to suffer a significant loss of vitality. This time, it did not appear to block Hu Liena and Tang San.

As the exit came into view, Tang San glanced back at the entire Slaughter City.

"This place is a paradise for sin, breeding crime without any reason to exist!"

Unfortunately, he didn't have Snow Swan Kiss with him, and other poisons were negligible compared to the vast Blood Pool.

Hearing his words, Hu Liena was taken aback and quickly retorted, "This place has a special significance. We only entered it for training purposes. Those who voluntarily enter this place aren't normal people—they're all wanted criminals from the two empires and the Spirit Hall."

"For these fallen ones, the Slaughter City is a natural cage. In nearly a thousand years, including us, only eleven people have successfully left. Meanwhile, the number of fallen ones here is countless. These fallen ones are trapped in the Slaughter City, which helps maintain stability on the continent."

Hu Liena's reasoning made logical sense, but to Tang San, it sounded twisted.

He sneered, "I can't agree with that. These people deserve death; they should all be killed to restore peace to the continent."

Hu Liena already didn't think much of Tang San. Their cooperation in the Hell Road was purely a matter of mutual benefit.

Now, Tang San's words made her feel utterly exasperated.

"Hey, what are you talking about! We've also been in Slaughter City. By your logic, we deserve death too—why don't you just kill yourself?"

Tang San flicked his sleeve. "Unreasonable!"

With that, he leapt into the blinding white light before them.

Even the usually good-natured Hu Liena couldn't help but curse after hearing Tang San's words. "What kind of person is this? Is his brain broken?"

How dare he say others deserve death when Tang San himself had killed countless people in the Slaughter City?

Tang San considered himself the embodiment of justice, dealing ruthlessly with these fallen ones.

But he wasn't an executioner or hangman for the empire. If pursued, he would also be wanted for killing so many people.

After all, most of these fallen ones didn't deserve death, yet Tang San still slaughtered them mercilessly!

Snorting coldly, Hu Liena stepped into the light gate and left the Slaughter City.

---

Outside World

After obtaining the Killing God Domain, Hu Liena didn't go looking for Tang San.

Their paths were different, so there was no point in working together.

The Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo stationed nearby sensed the commotion and approached. "Nana, congratulations on completing your training in the Slaughter City."

The perilous nature of the Slaughter City was enough to make even Title Douluo like them shudder. That Hu Liena had completed her training proved her strength and talent.

The Ghost Douluo asked, "By the way, Nana, I saw someone come out with you earlier. Do you know him?"

Hu Liena sneered, "I know him, but I'm not close to him. Hmph, as expected, the people of the Hao Tian Sect are completely unreasonable!"

"The Hao Tian Sect?" The Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances.

After Hu Liena explained, they finally understood the situation.

Since the person had helped Hu Liena in the Hell Road, and Hu Liena had no intention of causing trouble for him, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo decided to abandon pursuing Tang San and returned to the Spirit Hall to report.

---

On the Other Side

Tang Hao took Tang San away, avoiding the sight of the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, and exited through another side of the forest.

On the way, Tang San said gravely, "Father, the person who came out with me earlier was Hu Liena, one of the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall."

Tang Hao nodded in understanding. "Her teacher is Bibi Dong. If I'm not mistaken, Bibi Dong is also one of the Killing Gods."

Tang San was shocked. After a pause, he said, "Father, before Hu Liena, another strong individual from the Spirit Hall entered the Slaughter City for training. By the time I entered, that person had already passed through the Hell Road."

"This means the Spirit Hall now has two new Killing Gods, making a total of three. As for us—"

Tang Hao waved his hand. "Xiao San, you've done well. Our family's relationship with the Spirit Hall will be explained to you later. For now, the priority is to clear the murderous aura from your body. Otherwise, you'll eventually be consumed by it and become nothing more than a killing machine."

Tang San nodded solemnly.

After obtaining the Killing God Domain, the murderous aura within him had been somewhat suppressed, but there was still a risk of it erupting.

Father and son didn't linger and quickly left the Great Star Dou Forest.

A few days later, they entered Tiandou City.

As before, Tang Hao took Tang San to Yue Xuan, where they met Tang Yuehua.

Initially, Tang Hao didn't know about Tang Yuehua's situation. During the Soul Master Tournament, he had been hiding in Tiandou City and accidentally encountered her. After some investigation, he learned that Tang Yuehua was a visible asset of the Hao Tian Sect, providing logistical support for the sect.

After a reunion, Tang Yuehua arranged for Tang San to study alongside noble children, then led Tang Hao to a room on the top floor of Yue Xuan.

"Hao Ge, I urgently need your help with something," Tang Yuehua said anxiously.

Tang Hao held her hand and asked, "Yuehua, tell me. If I can help, I will."

Tang Yuehua was extremely worried.

When she had hired Hao Te's team to transport grain, she hadn't intended for them to survive. However, they hadn't used the agreed-upon signal to attack, leading Tang Xiao to misjudge the situation and let Hao Te's team escape.

Only recently, when Tang Xiao came to Yue Xuan to meet with Tang Yuehua, did she realize the mistake.

But by then, a long time had passed since the grain delivery. Despite sending people to search for Hao Te's team, Tang Yuehua's subordinates had found no trace of them.

Moreover, Hao Te was a Soul Sage, and Tang Yuehua's men were no match for him.

And with the Hao Tian Sect still in seclusion, the sect's powerful members couldn't freely move around the continent, let alone pursue Hao Te's team.

Listening to Tang Yuehua's explanation, Tang Hao immediately understood. "Yuehua, you're saying these people might deduce the sect's location?"

Tang Yuehua nodded heavily. "The convoy transporting the grain was massive. If it hadn't been delivered near the sect, Tang Xiao and a few sect disciples would've needed a long time to transport it. I originally planned to deliver the grain near the sect and then have Xiao Ge eliminate them. But I didn't expect—"

She felt deeply guilty. If she had been more cautious initially, this trouble could have been avoided.

Tang Hao asked, "Yuehua, do you know their names or identities?"

Tang Yuehua shook her head.

At the time, she hadn't intended to spare Hao Te's team, so she hadn't asked about their origins.

Looking back now, her actions seemed rather reckless.

"The Spirit Hall hasn't exterminated our sect largely because they can't find our hidden location. If these people reveal our location, given Bibi Dong's temperament, she'll likely send people to attack the sect."

Tang Hao's concerns weren't unfounded.

At the end of the Soul Master Tournament, he had caused a ruckus in the Pope's Palace. Given Bibi Dong's mad personality, she wouldn't let them off easily.

After a pause, he asked, "When Xiao Ge came, did he mention any spies from other factions near the sect?"

Tang Yuehua thought for a moment and shook her head.

When Tang Xiao came, everything in the Hao Tian Sect was as usual. If there had been spies from other factions near the sect, he would've definitely asked her about the specifics.

When Tang Xiao learned they couldn't let Hao Te's team go, he remained relatively calm, clearly indicating that the sect's location hadn't been exposed.

Hearing this, Tang Hao thought for a moment and slowly said, "In that case, it shows that Hao Te's team has no connection to the Spirit Hall. Since Xiao Ge and the others didn't reveal their martial souls while receiving the grain, no one could guess their identities."

"That team probably thought it was just a routine escort mission. In that case, the sect is still safe."

"Yuehua, give me portraits of that team's members. If I encounter them in the future, I'll deal with them for you."

Tang Yuehua hesitated. "Hao Ge, I only interacted with their captain. As for the others in the team…"

Tang Hao reassured her. "Don't worry. Once we find the team's captain, the others' identities will naturally follow."

---

Extreme North Ice Plains, Temple of the God of Light

More than a year had passed, leaving only two months until the divine trial ended.

Through prolonged training under immense pressure, everyone had improved significantly.

Currently, Ning Rongrong could train under pressure at the 120th step. Tian Guozhen and the others had already reached their trial requirements, but they delayed completing their goals to take advantage of the environment for further cultivation.

Ning Tianchen could now train comfortably at the 300th step, but the pressure increased exponentially the higher he went. Reaching the 400th step posed a tremendous challenge for him.

"It's been two and a half years since we entered the Extreme North Ice Plains. We must leave soon, or our respective sects will think something has happened to us," Tian Guozhen said gravely.

His position was equivalent to the sect's second-in-command. A prolonged absence would inevitably cause unrest among the sect's disciples.

Moreover, the Snow Mountain Sect was about to emerge from seclusion, requiring extensive preparations. He needed to return to the sect.

Ning Tianchen agreed. "Alright, everyone should hurry and attempt to complete their trials."

The five-year agreement was approaching, and the journey back was uncertain. With other trials ahead, they couldn't afford to waste too much time on the first trial.

Tian Guozhen and the others quickly completed their trials, each receiving a reward of one level of soul power. Additionally, all of Tian Guozhen's spirit rings were increased by a thousand years, becoming purple-purple-purple-purple-black-black.

"Haha, the methods of the gods are truly extraordinary. I'm only one step away from breaking through to level seventy. This trip was worth it!" Tian Guozhen laughed heartily.

At the Soul Emperor level, cultivation progress slowed significantly. Without the divine trial's assistance, he wouldn't have advanced so quickly.

After a pause, he urged, "You two should hurry as well. Your trial levels are higher than ours. I'm curious to see what rewards you'll receive."

Ning Tianchen nodded, then patted Ning Rongrong's shoulder. "You go first. If you can't climb past the 200th step, I'll lend you a hand."

The divine trial didn't explicitly forbid accepting help from others.

Ning Rongrong nodded firmly and stepped forward onto the staircase.

The first fifty steps of the staircase were easy for her to ascend, but by the time she reached the fiftieth step, she began to feel the pressure. The higher she climbed, the more intense the pressure became. As an auxiliary-type soul master, Ning Rongrong felt immense strain at the 180th step, making it nearly impossible to continue.

"Killing God Domain!"

Her domain expanded instantly, boosting all her attributes by fifteen percent.

With the alleviation of pressure, Ning Rongrong was able to push forward.

By the time she reached the 195th step, her legs trembled uncontrollably as if a thousand-pound weight bore down on her, making further progress almost impossible.

"Hang in there, victory is just ahead!" Ning Tianchen and the others cheered her on.

Ning Rongrong panted heavily, her forehead drenched in sweat. The remaining five steps felt like an insurmountable chasm to her.

Just as she lifted one foot, the other leg couldn't bear the pressure, causing her to collapse.

The staircase only applied pressure and wouldn't eject someone from its bounds. Thus, Ning Rongrong simply fell in place without failing the trial.

As Ning Tianchen prepared to help her up, he heard her resolute voice: "Tianchen Brother, this is my trial. I can climb the remaining steps on my own."

Unable to support her weight with one leg, Ning Rongrong lay flat on the steps and slowly crawled upward.

Her knees were already scraped raw from the friction against the stairs, but she didn't give up, enduring the pain and continuing forward.

Ning Tianchen stared in awe at the scene before him.

In his memory, Ning Rongrong had never pushed herself so hard. Of course, with the influence of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and her status within it, she had no real need to exert herself to such extremes.

Now, Ning Rongrong was striving for the divine trial, finding a direction for her efforts.

After about half an hour, Ning Rongrong mustered all her strength and finally climbed onto the 200th step.

Upon completing the trial, the pressure on her body vanished instantly, leaving her feeling much lighter.

Ning Tianchen steadied his mind and continued onward.

The 200th step was only halfway to his goal; the path ahead still awaited him.

With the aid of his Killing God Domain, he surged forward to the 300th step.

The higher he climbed, the slower his progress became. By the 370th step, he was under immense strain.

"Dragon Sword Guardian!"

The Seven Kill Sword materialized before him, forming a barrier of sword qi.

Though the barrier couldn't fully block the pressure from the stairs, it did ease his burden slightly.

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, after a period of rest, gradually recovered her strength.

Seeing Ning Tianchen struggling under the immense pressure, she immediately activated her Nine-Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial soul to provide him with enhancements.

"Nine treasures shine with glaze, nine treasures renowned—one for strength, three for the soul, four for defense."

A dazzling nine-colored light infused his body, granting him a sixty percent boost.

A turtle-shell-like shield enveloped him, absorbing some of the pressure.

Clenching his teeth, Ning Tianchen quickly ascended to the 399th step.

Every hundred steps represented a significant hurdle. If he couldn't overcome it, this attempt would end in failure.

The external spirit bone wings sprouted from his back as he raised the Seven Kill Sword.

"Third soul skill—Sword Wing Ascension!"

Using the flight capabilities of the sword wings and the Seven Kill Sword, Ning Tianchen resisted the pressure, almost being pushed forward.

His right foot landed on the 400th step, and with a powerful push from his left foot, he finally crossed the threshold.

"Phew, Tianchen Brother finally made it," Ning Rongrong sighed in relief, preparing to withdraw her enhancement when she noticed that Ning Tianchen hadn't stopped climbing.

"This isn't his limit—he wants to reach his true peak," Tian Guocheng sighed. "What a pity. If we'd known, we shouldn't have stopped so early."

With their physical prowess, the three of them could've climbed many more steps.

Unfortunately, once the first trial was completed, the pressure disappeared, rendering further climbing no different from ascending ordinary stairs.

…

Ultimately, at the 411th step, Ning Tianchen could no longer withstand the pressure. Just as his body was about to fall, the pressure suddenly vanished, preventing injury from hitting the stairs.

At the same moment, a majestic voice echoed in his mind.

"The first trial of the Asura God has been completed within the allotted time. Due to exceeding the trial requirements, the reward has been increased—spirit ring years boosted by ten thousand years, and Asura affinity increased by ten percent."

"Total affinity: ten percent."

Subsequently, a gentle force entered Ning Tianchen's body, restoring his condition instantly while transforming all his spirit rings into black.

Though there was no increase in soul power, which was regrettable, enhancing spirit ring years was difficult through personal cultivation, whereas gaining one level of soul power merely required time.

In comparison, boosting spirit ring years was undoubtedly the best reward.

"Six black spirit rings!" Tian Guozhen and the others exclaimed.

Enhancing spirit ring years not only increased the power of soul skills but also significantly improved a soul master's physical condition.

It could be said that Ning Tianchen's physical prowess now rivaled Tian Guozhen's.

On the other side, Ning Rongrong also received her divine trial rewards.

Her soul power increased by one level, and her spirit ring years were boosted by three thousand years, resulting in four purple and one black spirit ring.

"Tianchen Brother's reward is truly impressive. However, my soul power has already broken through to level sixty," Ning Rongrong said happily.

"It seems I need to work harder too. When the time comes, let's hunt for spirit rings together!" Tian Guozhen laughed heartily.

However, before they could contemplate where to hunt for spirit rings, a milky-white light descended from the top of the hall and landed before Ning Rongrong.

"What is this?"

Before their words faded, the milky-white light condensed into a precious pearl, landing in Ning Rongrong's hands.

Information about the object flowed into her mind. "This is a divine-bestowed spirit ring. This spirit ring has no set years and, during absorption, will sense the soul master's limits and transform into the highest possible spirit ring suitable for them. Moreover, the provided soul skill will be the most fitting for the soul master."

"Since Rongrong has already broken through, she can absorb the spirit ring here. This temple is extremely safe, and no one will disturb her. Tian Guozhen, you should hurry and break through as well—you might also receive a divine-bestowed spirit ring," Ning Tianchen said with a smile.

His current soul power level was at sixty-eight, two levels away from breaking through to seventy.

However, the higher the level, the slower the cultivation progress. Without the additional soul power granted by the divine trial, Tian Guozhen would have needed much more time to reach level seventy.

As everyone moved away from the staircase, the towering steps in the center of the hall began to retract, eventually disappearing entirely as if they had never existed.

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