Ch. 941 - Meat Filling

Xu Zimo saw this city, and it was unlike any other city he had seen.

The city walls were built of black bricks, nothing more than ordinary.

As the endless city wall faded from sight, from above it appeared like a cross-shaped structure.

The four ends of the cross each symbolized a city gate in different directions.

Be it the bricks or the materials used to build the city, all were plain and common.

Xu Zimo had seen many cities before, especially those vast in size, each with its own style.

Some were grand and ethereal, some like a coiling dragon, others like a tiger swooping down.

But this City of Destruction left him with no words to describe it.

If he had to, it would simply be “ordinary.”

The land itself seemed steeped in despair, devoid of life.

Beneath their feet was barren earth, not even a blade of grass, even the hardiest kind, could be seen.

The celestial cranes landed at the station nearest to the city.

Flight within the city was forbidden.

“In this City of Destruction, no identity matters,” Ji Ruobing acted like a guide as she explained to Xu Zimo. “No matter if you’re a disciple or elder of some great sect, if you break the rules of the Land of Destruction, you’ll be punished.”

“What are the rules of the Land of Destruction?” Xu Zimo asked.

“You cannot approach the sealed ground of the Blood Rune Space. If you do, you’ll be killed without mercy,” Ji Ruobing replied.

As the cranes touched down, a voice shouted from below.

“Niu'er! Niu'er!”

Xu Zimo looked and saw that someone was already waiting at the station.

The man who had earlier said he was from Ox Village hurriedly waved, shouting back at the one waiting for him.

“Everyone, I’ll be leaving first,” Niu'er said to the others. Before the crane even came to a complete stop, he leapt down into the air.

“An interesting fellow,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“Then we’ll part ways here,” the old man from earlier also replied with a smile, then left with his wife.

“Let’s go too,” Xu Zimo stepped onto the thick ground, gazing out at the ruins.

……………

At this moment, within the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground.

At the peak of a mist-shrouded mountain, a young man in purple robes sat beside a stone table.

On the table was a chessboard, black and white pieces laid out. The young man had no opponent and was playing against himself.

The black and white pieces wrestled in endless struggle, no clear victor.

Or rather, each side claimed victory in turns, back and forth.

The surroundings were quiet, only the swirling mist moving about noisily.

Suddenly, footsteps came from within the mist.

Soon after, Lu Changhen appeared, holding a long sword, walking step by step in silence.

The young man playing chess didn’t lift his head, only spoke softly: “I heard from Grand Patriarch that you were killed.”

“I have the Undying Physique,” Lu Changhen replied calmly.

“Not his match?” the purple-robed youth asked.

“A one-sided slaughter,” Lu Changhen said flatly. “I couldn’t even discern his depth.”

“When did such a figure arise among the younger generation?” the purple-robed youth finally raised his head, smiling faintly.

“The Holy Son of the True Martial Sacred Ground is really troublesome. He should be with my junior sister Ji right now.”

“That’s none of my concern,” Lu Changhen replied.

“Returning from that battle, even your nature seems changed,” the purple-robed youth remarked.

“I want to defeat him,” Lu Changhen stared straight into the young man’s eyes, his black pupils holding many emotions, though he kept them hidden.

“The Imperial Mark was the best way to strengthen yourself. Such a pity,” the purple-robed youth sighed slightly.

“What will you do next?” Lu Changhen asked.

“What else? Between me and my junior sister, there can only be one victor.” The purple-robed youth said: “The one who loses must quietly vanish. So no matter who helps her, I will crush anything that stands in my way.”

The mist on the mountain grew denser, finally engulfing both of them completely.

Their figures blurred, and their voices faded.

……………

Within the City of Destruction, in less than five minutes, Xu Zimo had already seen many instances of burning, killing, and looting.

This city was practically lawless.

There were seductive women, bloodthirsty men, and no one here was simple.

Anyone too simple would likely be eaten alive, bones and all.

“Tell me about the Blood Rune Beasts,” Xu Zimo asked.

“With the power of the Land of Destruction, aren’t those escaped beasts easily killed? Why bring in outsiders?”

“The Land of Destruction can crush almost any imperial lineage. Strength isn’t the issue.” Ji Ruobing smiled: “But those Blood Rune Beasts are extremely cunning. They can disguise themselves as other races, blending in and confusing people. The Lord of Destruction can’t just slaughter everyone, right?”

“You mean the beasts are hiding within the city, perhaps in another form right beside us?” Xu Zimo asked.

“You could say that. Since the crack appeared in the seal, the City of Destruction has been closed off.” Ji Ruobing said: “Only entry, no exit. Those beasts cannot escape. All this I specifically investigated for you.”

“Then I owe you thanks,” Xu Zimo said.

As they walked along the street, a man suddenly bumped into them head-on.

Ji Ruobing frowned, instantly struck with her palm. Blood splattered, and the man was destroyed on the spot.

The restless eyes of those around them seemed to settle.

“In this place, you must be ruthless and speak with strength,” Ji Ruobing said. “Otherwise, many will try to take advantage, especially when facing a woman of my looks.”

“Enough,” Xu Zimo waved his hand slightly. “Where is the Blood Rune Space?”

“I don’t know either,” Ji Ruobing shook her head.

“You don’t know?” Xu Zimo asked, surprised.

“My guess is it lies within the mountain city where the Lord of Destruction resides. But no one is allowed to approach that place,” Ji Ruobing said. “Still, since the Lord of Destruction has ordered the capture of the beasts, if you catch one, you should gain entry.”

“That’s your plan?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Do you have a better one?” Ji Ruobing countered.

“My plan is… let’s eat first,” Xu Zimo said.

The two found a small roadside stall.

The owner was selling dumplings.

“What kind of dumpling filling do you two want?” the owner asked with a smile.

“What kinds do you have?” Ji Ruobing asked curiously.

“There are plenty, Minotaur, Moon Shadow… the eight major races of the Land of Destruction are all available. If you want human meat, that’s no problem either,” the vendor said with a grin. “In the Land of Destruction, the one thing we’re never short of… is meat filling.”

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