Chapter 682 676: City of Sin (Part 1)

As Shen Haoran's group left Central City, a shadowy figure vanished from near the Cyan Dragon Race's territory and headed for the White Tiger Race.

In the study of Bai Zhennan of the White Tiger Race, Bai Zhennan was leaning back in his master's chair. It was impossible to tell what had been used to replace the limbs severed by Uncle Hei and Uncle Bai. His face was a deathly pale, giving him a grim and terrifying appearance.

"Clan Leader, Shen Haoran's group has left Central City. Based on their trajectory, it seems they're heading to the City of Sin in the south!" a figure knelt respectfully before the desk. If not for the voice, one would have thought Bai Zhennan was alone in the room—a testament to the figure's incredible stealth.

Upon hearing Shen Haoran's name, Bai Zhennan trembled, his face twisting into a savage scowl. He lifted an arm, glaring at the appendage that wasn't his own as a venomous hatred flashed in his eyes.

"The City of Sin. Hmph. Good. Go inform our people. I want them to cripple Shen Haoran's group in the City of Sin and bring them to me!" Bai Zhennan snarled, his face dark.

"Cripple them? But Shen Haoran is with the Little Princess of the Ji Family. I'm afraid it will be difficult to make a move," the figure said in a low voice, his brow furrowing slightly.

"The Ji Family's Princess? Hmph. In the City of Sin, she's nothing more than a pretty plaything! The people there are all desperados; they don't give a damn about status. As long as it entertains them, they'd even dare to kill the Clan Leader of the Ji Family!" A cruel smile crept across Bai Zhennan's lips.

With that, Bai Zhennan seemed to have an idea. He grabbed a brush and ink from the desk, hastily wrote a letter, and handed it to the figure below. "Deliver this letter to the King of the City of Sin," he commanded. "Tell him that if he handles this for me, I will agree to the terms he once proposed!"

"Yes, sir!" Taking the letter, the figure nodded. In a flash, he melted into the shadows and vanished.

'Hmph. Shen Haoran, Princess of the Ji Family... I'll make you regret ever crossing me,' Bai Zhennan thought, his face contorted with savagery as he stared into the darkness where the figure had disappeared.

...

After leaving Central City, Shen Haoran and his companions boarded a Flying Beast provided by the Cyan Dragon Race and sped toward the south. But even with the beast's speed, it took them several days to reach the southern territories of the Demon Race.

The Demon Race's southern region is also known among its people as the Barbaric Land. Countless factions, both large and small, populate this area, but resources are extremely limited. Consequently, these factions frequently clash in bloody battles. It's not uncommon for a newly formed faction to be completely wiped out the very next day. To the people of the south, this is just a part of life. In this environment, the Martial Artists of the southern Demon Race are extraordinarily savage. Here, even a three-year-old knows how to kill. There are no rules or laws to speak of. As long as your fists are strong enough, whatever you say or do is right.

The moment Shen Haoran and his companions entered the southern region, they witnessed the brutal local customs firsthand. At almost every turn, they saw individuals or entire factions fighting one another. They were even ambushed by several groups who coveted their Flying Beast mount, but Long Aotian made short work of them all.

Witnessing the state of the Demon Race's southern lands, Shen Haoran and his three companions couldn't help but wonder: if the conflicts on the outskirts were already this blatant, what would it be like in the City of Sin, the largest city in the south, known as a haven for criminals?

"I wonder how Xue Ling is doing in the City of Sin," Shen Haoran worried aloud. He knew a little about her personality; she was the fiercely competitive type. 'In a place like the City of Sin, where people attack at the slightest provocation, life must be hard for her.'

"If any of you dare to lay a single finger on Xue Ling, I'll make you regret the day you were born!" A vicious, murderous aura erupted from Shen Haoran, causing Ji Lingxuan and the others to look at him in surprise. Even the Flying Beast beneath them shuddered, nearly plummeting from the sky.

As if sensing Shen Haoran's urgency, the Flying Beast's speed surged once more. It shot toward the City of Sin, the shockwave from its passage carving a long trench into the ground below.

After another day of the Flying Beast traveling at a breakneck pace, Shen Haoran's group finally arrived outside the City of Sin. Hovering in mid-air, they stared at the city in the distance, their eyes wide with astonishment.

It was less a city and more a mountain peak. Countless rooms, large enough for people to rest in, had been chiseled into its steep cliff faces, making the entire mountain look as if it had been hollowed out. Against the black of night, fiery red lights adorned the City of Sin, giving it an exceptional beauty. But hidden beneath this beauty was violence and blood.

"Let's go down. We'll be too conspicuous if we fly in," Shen Haoran said quietly. He then had the Flying Beast land in a nearby forest, and the group proceeded toward the City of Sin on foot.

As they reached the gates of the City of Sin, they saw several Martial Artists squatting around, bored to tears. They were crudely boasting about which woman had given them the most pleasure the night before. The arrival of Shen Haoran's group drew their attention, and when their gazes fell upon Ji Lingxuan and Lady Ya, their eyes lit up with a predatory, green glint.

Shen Haoran felt the gazes of those Martial Artists on him. His brow furrowed for a moment, but then he relaxed and continued walking toward the gate.

"Halt! This is the City of Sin. We only welcome criminals!" Just as Shen Haoran's group was about to enter, a guard blocked their path. Judging by their dress and bearing, they looked like they came from some major family. They didn't have even a trace of killing intent, and the City of Sin did not welcome such people.

"Hahaha! Hey, pretty boy, do you even know what this place is? A smooth-skinned punk like you is just asking for a death sentence walking in here!"

"Kid, those two beauties with you are quite something. How about you let them entertain yours truly for a few days? In return, I'll get you inside. I might even watch your back."

"I bet these two are virgins, huh? Tsk, tsk... I can only imagine what it would feel like to pin them down and ravage them. Just the thought of it gets me going!"

The Martial Artists from before swaggered over with vulgar smirks, laughing crudely. Their lecherous gazes roamed up and down Lady Ya and Ji Lingxuan, making both women's brows knit in disgust.

Hearing the Martial Artists' words, Shen Haoran remained expressionless. He simply turned his head to the guard and asked, "Are you sure only criminals are allowed inside?"

"That's right. The City of Sin welcomes only the strong!" the guard affirmed with a nod.

At those words, Shen Haoran's eyes narrowed. In the next instant, he vanished from where he stood. A streak of black light flashed past, followed by the wet THWACK of flesh being severed. The heads of the Martial Artists who had just insulted Ji Lingxuan and Lady Ya flew high into the air as crimson blood sprayed across the ground.

A moment later, Shen Haoran reappeared before the guard. He casually wiped the blood from his Soul-devouring Sword and asked coolly, "Can I go in now?"

The guard stared dumbfounded at the seemingly frail Shen Haoran, then glanced at the headless corpses on the ground. A grin spread across his face. He made a welcoming gesture and said with a smile, "The City of Sin welcomes you..."