Looking at the seven Spirit Douluo level powerhouses who walked out, Oscar's vast and terrifying spiritual power swept across them, almost as if about to see through their very being.
The seven of them could not help but raise their brows under the pressure of such overwhelming spiritual power.
The weakest among them was at least level eighty-three and had been in the City of Slaughter for more than a year. In this place, beings whose spiritual power surpassed theirs were extremely rare.
Yet Oscar's soul power foundation would not exceed level eighty. Although he appeared very young, his strength was indeed extraordinary.
They never expected Oscar to possess such terrifying spiritual power. With just one glance from him, they felt as if all their hidden cards had been exposed.
And Oscar truly did see some clues. Although their states did not seem as abnormal as most fallen ones, in the depths of their eyes flickered a strange red light, as though their hearts longed for battle.
From their usual behavior, however, three of these seven had not appeared before Oscar in the past month, and the four he had seen rarely participated in the Hell Arena matches. Clearly, they were not so eager to fight.
Each of them carried a faintly unique aura. Even without releasing their martial spirits, under Oscar's Title Douluo level spiritual sense, everything about them was exposed without reservation.
Holding Dugu Yan's hand, Oscar stepped forward and softly addressed the bald man with the scar. "Mad Blade King, ever since entering the City of Slaughter I have heard your reputations. But how is it that all of you are gathered together?"
Seeing that Oscar did not seem to harbor hostility, the Mad Blade King laughed and replied, "It is nothing but empty reputation. Surely War God knows, this City of Slaughter is a lawless place. We gather together only to seek protection."
A charming woman among them then spoke. "Since War God and the Poison Queen are here, you must also have noticed this place's peculiarities. We will not hide the truth. Since you are here, why not join us?"
The Mad Blade King said, "Green Snake speaks well. We are all intelligent people, there is no need for roundabout talk. The territory here is limited. What do you two think?"
Hearing this, Oscar raised his brow. He had expected some trouble today, yet he did not expect them to be so easy to speak with.
Oscar and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance, then said, "That was exactly our intention."
The Mad Blade King laughed heartily. "Since that is so, War God and Poison Queen, why not come inside to talk further. There are too many eyes and ears outside."
Oscar nodded, still holding Dugu Yan's hand, and followed the seven into the slaughterhouse.
Inside, Oscar noticed that the slaughterhouse was indeed different. It was divided into three main areas. At the center was a courtyard nearly two hundred square meters, filled with various training equipment. On the left were several relatively clean guest rooms.
The most striking was on the right. There stood rows of racks where one would expect pork to hang. Instead, hanging from them were corpses,over a hundred of them, some still dripping blood into a giant iron barrel below.
What surprised Oscar and Dugu Yan was that despite the many bodies, there was no foul stench in the courtyard. The corpses had not decayed. Once the blood dried, they hardened into mummified husks like dried meat.
Oscar was not greatly surprised. After all, this was the City of Slaughter, and such things were the norm.
Dugu Yan, however, could not help but frown. Looking at the many corpses and hearing the drip of fresh blood, she instinctively tightened her grip on Oscar's hand.
The Mad Blade King and his companions noticed Dugu Yan's reaction. At the same time, they also saw Oscar's calm indifference.
The Mad Blade King said, "These people were all deserving of death. We do not kill the innocent. We only do this so as not to waste a single drop of Bloody Mary."
Green Snake stepped to Dugu Yan's side and softly said, "In truth, we have been observing you since you first entered the City of Slaughter. In this month, while we do not fully understand you two, we did realize one thing. You are absolutely not ordinary fallen ones. But you are not the same as us either. How to put it… you seem to be here for training."
Green Snake's tone grew excited. "Yes, training. For you, this place seems like a necessary step in life."
As she spoke, the other five who had remained silent all showed agreement, except the Mad Blade King.
Dugu Yan forced a smile despite her discomfort. "Elder sister truly has sharp eyes. So those puzzling stares these days were from you."
Green Snake covered her mouth with a laugh. "Do not misunderstand, younger sister. We bore no malice. We only wished to understand you both better. We did not expect you to notice the strangeness here so quickly and find us within a month. That was unexpected."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan looked toward Oscar. He nodded slightly, then followed the Mad Blade King into the courtyard to sit.
Oscar glanced at the seven sitting before him on the ground, still feeling that something was hidden.
Although they had only just met, it was obvious these seven were unlike normal fallen ones. They were not deeply affected by the City of Slaughter, yet they were also different from him and Dugu Yan.
Even Spirit Douluo level experts rarely remained so clear-headed after spending over a year here.
Moreover, they bore no hostility toward him, instead inviting him and Dugu Yan to join. That was difficult to fathom.
After a brief silence, Oscar finally said, "Since you have been observing us, I suppose you must have something to say. Since we are here today, why not speak openly? After all, you do not seem to be true fallen ones."
The seven exchanged glances. The Mad Blade King finally spoke. "War God comes from the outside, and it seems you came here for training, is that right?"
Oscar and Dugu Yan did not deny it. They nodded. "Correct."
Hearing this confirmation, the Mad Blade King and Green Snake looked at each other, emotions flickering in their eyes.
The Mad Blade King continued. "In truth, we are the same as you. We are not truly fallen ones. We may not have the backing of a great power to support us in training here, but at least we retain the thinking of normal people.
The seven of us were either hunted by enemies or offended the wrong people. Each of us had our reasons and no way out, forcing us to this place. But we are unwilling to hide here for life, so we banded together."
Oscar asked suddenly, "All seven of you have Spirit Douluo level cultivation. At this level, would you really flee here because of enemies or grudges?"
His suspicion was not unfounded. Even if they offended nobles or royalty, with Spirit Douluo strength they could escape far away. Almost anywhere would be better than the City of Slaughter.
The Mad Blade King and the others revealed helpless expressions. "If we had only offended common nobles, it would not matter. We admit we are not good men and have taken lives, but in doing so we offended Spirit Hall.
Spirit Hall's power reaches across the continent. We had no choice but to hide here to survive."
Hearing this, Oscar and Dugu Yan quietly exchanged a look. As expected, how could these people be good? Dugu Yan had once imagined they might be innocents forced here by circumstance, but now it was clear: their hands were stained with too much blood, hunted here by Spirit Hall.
Oscar merely smiled calmly. "Though spirit masters are esteemed, it is still a profession that licks blood from the blade's edge. Sometimes taking lives is unavoidable. I will not judge your past."
At this, the Mad Blade King and his group's faces lit up with joy. "As expected of one from a great clan, War God sees things far more clearly than that rigid Spirit Hall."
The Mad Blade King then got to the point. "Since that is so, we will not hide it. We can share our secret, but we ask that War God and Poison Queen agree to one small condition."
Oscar's silver eyes behind the smiling mask narrowed sharply before relaxing again. The others tensed until he calmed, then they eased slightly.
Oscar said, "If it is within my ability, I may consider it."
The Mad Blade King and the others were not offended. They said, "With your word, we are reassured."
The Mad Blade King explained, "It is not a major matter. Since you two are here to train, you must intend to walk the Hell Road. We wish to make a deal, or rather, a cooperation.
Among us, the least has survived forty-three Hell Arena matches, and the most seventy-one. Our plan was to all reach one hundred victories together, then walk the Hell Road as a group. With more companions comes greater security.
Now with the two of you joining, when we reach one hundred victories together and enter the Hell Road, with our seven supporting you, your chances of surviving will increase.
In return, we ask that after leaving, you take us into your sect and give us shelter. What do you think?"
Oscar immediately understood. They wanted to use him and Dugu Yan to survive the Hell Road, then rely on their sect's protection from Spirit Hall.
But was it really so simple?
One hundred victories were not easily achieved. Even for Spirit Douluo, seven people reaching one hundred victories together was extremely difficult.
Moreover, Oscar's spiritual sense had detected that at least two of them would not resist the City of Slaughter's influence for more than a year.
As Oscar hesitated, the Mad Blade King continued, "Rest assured, War God. If we truly make it out, we are willing to serve you loyally."
Green Snake added, "Think about it, War God. If you bring back several Spirit Douluo at once, will your position in your sect not be even more secure? If you face rivals for inheritance, with us aiding you, you will gain more strength.
And you need not pay anything. On the Hell Road, we will act as your vanguard. We will also share our secrets with you. It is a deal where you can only profit, is it not?"
Hearing this, Oscar's eyes gleamed, as if tempted. After a long silence, Dugu Yan spoke. "But why would you help us? According to your words, we do nothing yet gain your secret, one you have hidden so long. Falling into fortune like this, I have never experienced before."
Seeing Oscar tempted, Dugu Yan grew cautious. Green Snake stepped closer with a bitter smile. "All we seek is a place to live. If we survive, who would wish to return here?"
Hearing this, a trace of sympathy flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes. After a long silence, she looked to Oscar without speaking, waiting for his decision.
Oscar said slowly, "Though your offer is tempting, I cannot fully trust you yet. But I can promise this: if you prove yourselves sincere, I will grant you the wealth and honor you desire once we leave."
Dugu Yan added, "We are not exaggerating. Though our Sword Sect has only recently reemerged, our sect has five Title Douluo. Our grandfather's soul power has reached level ninety-five. Protecting you will not be a problem."
The seven froze slightly at her words. They had guessed Oscar and Dugu Yan's backgrounds were unusual, but they had not expected them to be so terrifying.
They had never heard of Sword Sect, but five Title Douluo was enough to shock anyone.
The Mad Blade King laughed. "Since that is so, then let us show our sincerity…"
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