Chapter 39 Ghost City

"This must be what they call a Domain. Truly extraordinary."

Having been born into the Clear Sky Sect, Tang San had naturally witnessed various types of Domains. His aunt Tang Yuehua's Innate Domain, the Noble Circle; his father's later-acquired God of Slaughter Domain; and his uncle Tang Xiao's Spirit Ring Domain, obtained upon attaching his ninth Soul Ring—these practically covered all methods of acquiring a Domain.

The Domain possessed by Tang San's second Martial Soul was undoubtedly an Innate Domain like his aunt Tang Yuehua's. Tang Yuehua's Domain was supportive in nature, emitting a gentle undulation within its range. This soothing wave of Soul Power could calm emotions, making it highly effective against spiritual-type Martial Souls.

As Tang San walked, he silently manipulated his Domain. He discovered that when his Domain manifested, the emblem on the back of his hand projected a blood-red moon within the Domain. Then, wisps of bloody energy would rise from the ground of Slaughter City, converging into the blood moon.

He noticed that as time passed and the blood moon absorbed more of this energy, the Soul Power within his body surged violently, as if he had temporarily boosted his strength by consuming a Bloodthirsty Pill.

Tang San quietly observed the changes in his body and murmured, "It seems my Domain is different from Father's God of Slaughter Domain. This one directly enhances my body and Soul Power."

Over time, the crimson energy within the Domain grew thicker, enveloping Tang San entirely in an impenetrable blood mist.

However, he soon deactivated the Domain after realizing its drawback.

"Since childhood, I've consumed the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng and trained with the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique to strengthen my physique. Yet even so, I can only endure this for half a minute."

Tang San frowned. The potency of his second Martial Soul's Domain appeared to be tied to his physical endurance. He couldn't infinitely amplify his Soul Power—exceeding his body's limits risked bursting it apart.

"At present, my Domain only spans a three-meter radius. Moreover, it seems to function exclusively within Slaughter City. Is this because my Martial Soul hasn't fully awakened, or because the Domain can only absorb the residual special energy here?"

As he walked and tested, Tang San found that the Domain moved with him. If he remained in one spot, the bloody energy there would eventually deplete. Theoretically, his Domain could endlessly absorb this unique energy—but without it present, even the most capable hands were tied.

"Perhaps the best approach is to ask directly."

With those words, Tang San halted and slowly raised his gaze.

At some point, the scenery before him had drastically transformed. What had appeared from a distance as an empty, vast expanse now shimmered like a mirage—a massive stone gate materialized before him, towering amidst an endless landscape of mountains and rivers.

The gate stood roughly two hundred meters tall, its surface rough and pockmarked in a bluish-green hue. Two large characters were inscribed upon it:

Ghost City.

Tang San felt his head spin when he saw the words "Ghost City." He smiled bitterly and muttered, "What kind of place is this? Could it really be the so-called underworld?"

He was utterly baffled. First, there was Slaughter City, then Terror Knights, the Road to Hell, and now Ghost City—was this really the realm of the dead?

Although the Terror Knight hadn't told Tang San how to enter, he could guess.

Tang San pressed his left hand against the massive stone gate. In the next moment, the Slaughter Mark on the back of his hand emitted a piercing light. With a sizzling sound, the gate glowed white, revealing an entrance just wide enough for one person. Without hesitation, Tang San stepped inside.

As he passed through the gate and entered Ghost City, deep within its core, inside a towering pagoda, a graceful figure suddenly opened her eyes and gazed in a certain direction. Clad in black gauze that concealed her face, she resembled the Slaughter Envoy of Slaughter City—her features hidden as if, in this world, the visage of a Slaughter Envoy must never be seen.

Sensing something, the figure curled her lips into a faint smile. "Finally, you've arrived... my dear son."

"You haven't disappointed me. As expected, you've inherited my Martial Soul."

Meanwhile, Tang San blinked as he entered the stone gate and looked up at the sky. Ghost City was nothing like Slaughter City—it was bathed in light, with blue skies and white clouds above, the air fresh and clean. It was as if he had stepped into an entirely different world!

Surveying the landscape, Tang San noticed that Ghost City was filled with buildings and city walls, with exquisite towers and halls forming a bustling town. The streets were lively with vendors calling out their wares, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

If Tang San hadn't been certain he hadn't taken a wrong turn, he would have thought he'd returned to the Clear Sky Sect.

"This is Ghost City? Where are the ghosts?" He was momentarily stunned. This was nothing like Slaughter City, meaning the 'common knowledge' Tang Hao had told him was completely useless here.

If slaughter was the sole purpose in Slaughter City, and Bloody Mary was the currency, then here, Tang San didn't even know what money was. His only stroke of luck was that he had stored enough food to last him a while.

Just as Tang San was about to head to a tavern or restaurant to gather information and search for clues about his mother's whereabouts, his left hand suddenly grew warm, and a streak of red light flashed across the sky.

!!!

The light vanished as quickly as it appeared, but it was enough for Tang San to determine its direction.

Following the angle of the red light, he spotted a towering pagoda in the distance—the source of the glow.

There was no doubt—his arrival in Ghost City had already been detected by the mother he had never met.

"It seems my mother is extraordinary, holding a high status in Ghost City."

From just that single red light, Tang San deduced some basic information. Moreover, he was certain that even his father had never been to this Ghost City—their meeting must have taken place in Slaughter City.

Now that he knew the direction, Tang San wasted no time. He set off swiftly, avoiding crowded areas before activating Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to hasten his journey.

The saying goes that distant mountains deceive the eye, and the tower was even taller and farther away than Tang San had imagined. After walking for quite some time, he finally reached its entrance.

When Tang San stood at the door, two women with black veils covering their faces blocked his path.

"Ghost Tower is closed to all. Please leave."

Seeing their attire, Tang San immediately understood—these were the Slaughter Envoys of Slaughter City, exactly as his father had described. It seemed he hadn't come to the wrong place.

(End of Chapter)