"I know that during the long time you have been waiting here, other concerns have always arisen."
"Such as contemplating the existence of gods, or suspecting that all experiences are but an illusion, and that you are still unable to escape this failed life."
"But now it's different."
Tang Sui felt the demon power still filling the air, and the corners of her lips curved slightly:
"You have already witnessed the arrival of this divine miracle."
A successful transformation from a completely different power system than this world.
"Proving that your choice was not wrong."
Many believers excitedly clenched the Eyes of God in their hands, their eyes bloodshot, shining with astonishing light.
They had not chosen wrongly!
The power of faith, invisible to the naked eye, rose continuously from them, turning into threads of light and flowing towards Tang Sui beside the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake.
The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake, which had transformed from its complete form into a true great demon, glanced at the threads of light flowing towards Tang Sui with one of its heads. It cooperatively maintained its majestic posture, bristling there.
Tang Sui's complexion gradually regained its color. She slightly raised her chin and declared loudly:
"If, at this moment, you have solidified your hearts, then take your oath."
"Swear your willingness to dedicate your strength to Our God. Swear your willingness to become the sharp blade that slays those who obstruct Us! To become the cornerstone that connects the two realms!"
After the last sonorous word fell, there was a surge of oath-filled roars like tidal waves.
At this moment, their minds were filled only with fanatical faith.
The other management members of the City of Slaughter, including their subordinates, who were infected by this atmosphere, also had their eyes light up with a strange brilliance.
Unlike the delirious believers, those who were privy to some of the details knew that this was another invitation to pledge allegiance, extended to them by their little princess.
The "two realms" as they understood it, was that Tang Sui intended to move the City of Slaughter to the surface, establish an independent empire, and build a new order.
By the time the City of Slaughter was established, they had already existed here, serving as members of the enforcement team, or as staff, for a very, very long time.
So long that they had forgotten what else they could do besides their current assigned duties.
The sharp edges of their ambition had been worn smooth by the long passage of time and years, and they had forgotten when their last exhilarating battle and slaughter had taken place.
Because of the peculiar rules of the City of Slaughter, most of their opponents lacked spirit skills and could not display their true abilities.
The day-to-day life of slaughter was not just something that made the residents who came here gradually lose themselves; it affected them as well.
But now…
They looked towards the colossal beast standing in the distance.
The Messenger of Hell raised her right hand and gently placed it over her left chest.
Beneath her palm, her heart was beating a little too fast.
Then, she lowered her head and silently swore her allegiance to Tang Sui.
Second… third…
One by one, they lowered their proud heads, and at this moment, they truly submitted to Tang Sui.
Very well.
Tang Sui raised her eyes. The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake, one of whose heads was focused on Tang Sui's expression, let out a peculiar hiss. Accompanied by the spreading pressure, the noisy clamor vanished, and it became Tang Sui's stage once more.
"From today onwards, the City of Slaughter will enter a state of preparedness and will no longer be open to the public."
After undergoing two major purges, those who remained would be her future soldiers, completely loyal to her.
"As long as your faith is pure enough, your spirit power will no longer be restricted. It will return to normal, and you will be able to cultivate."
Everyone fell silent.
They hadn't expected such good fortune to befall them.
Others hadn't expected Tang Sui to be so audacious.
However, this also proved that the authority of the City of Slaughter had now completely shifted to Tang Sui.
Indeed, the younger generation was formidable.
...
From far away, Tang Sui could feel the excitement of the believers.
She looked at the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake beside her. She no longer amplified her voice, instead handing over the matters to the fox mask, which had transformed into the King of Slaughter, to handle other affairs. She had more important matters to attend to.
"You shouldn't have said that last sentence."
The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake also looked at Tang Sui, its voice appearing in Tang Sui's mind.
Despite having ten heads, when it spoke, it produced only one voice and one set of words.
"Although they are all loyal to you now, the City of Slaughter originally belonged to the God of Asura. This was a trial space He opened before ascending. The old rules were all set by Him. Even the Old Bat couldn't change them, only exploit loopholes. You promised too much."
The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake's tail, even longer than its previous one, stirred in the molten lava, which was almost overflowing from underground, bubbling with heat.
"Uncle Snake, I know your concerns. Don't worry, I have it under control."
Both of them had been schemed against by the Rakshasa God. One lost an heir and was used as a stepping stone, while the other was the target of a blood feud.
When their interests aligned, it was not impossible to make a deal with the God of Asura. Although she was essentially poaching from his territory and stealing his home, well…
Tang Sui lowered her gaze to the open-air molten lava below, pondering for a moment.
The fox mask would arrange for someone to repair it, right?
The fox mask, having heard Tang Sui's thoughts in their entirety, ...
Fine, he only needed to issue commands anyway.
The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake looked at the pensive little one. The ruby on its forehead lit up, emitting winding red light that rapidly enveloped its entire body.
"Huh?" To Tang Sui's astonished gaze, the colossal Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake rapidly shrank within the ball of light, its shape changing, and coalescing into a tall, slender human figure.
"Uncle Snake?" Tang Sui couldn't help but call out to the man whose appearance was completely unfamiliar to her, not expecting him to suddenly transform into human form.
The man had long, dark gray hair, extremely pale lips, and his chiseled features were marked with symmetrical black snake patterns. He exuded a slightly lazy aura, like a lion resting with its paws tucked beneath it, temporarily hiding its dangerous side.
But when the man raised his eyes to glance at her, his dark crimson snake-like eyes inexplicably sent a chill down her spine.
"Mm." The man replied, a hint of disdain evident on his handsome face as he examined his human form. "Human bodies are truly too weak. Why do you and the Old Bat both like to use human forms?"
As soon as he spoke, Tang Sui recognized his familiar, nitpicking tone.
Tang Sui blinked, "Uncle Snake, you can shapeshift now?"
The man raised an eyelid. "I'm a demon. Any demon with a bit of cultivation can shapeshift. I just don't like appearing in human form."
Weren't human bodies far inferior to his original form?
He raised his hand, his pale fingertips unfurling. He pressed his palm against the top of Tang Sui's slightly upturned hair and ruffled it, saying, "But human forms are more convenient for work. Let's go, I'll accompany you to deal with my mess."
Unlike the generally cold touch of demons, even though the man's skin was unnaturally pale, as Tang Sui felt it on her hair, she distinctly felt a scorching heat penetrating her strands and reaching her scalp.
The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Snake was fire-attributed?
Perhaps she should let Uncle Snake fix his own mess?
Tang Sui fell into thought.
---
[Author's Notes]
A small bonus update will drop tomorrow, muah!