"That's even better."
Hearing Sword Douluo's words, Ning Fengzhi smiled with relief. Originally, he had intended for Xu yang to manage his killing intent through self-cultivation and meditation. But with Sword Douluo now guiding him, the two approaches could be combined—sharpening Xu yang's mental state while also enhancing his combat capabilities.
Shortly afterward, Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi landed in front of the Seven Treasures Hotel and entered without disturbing Xu yang. Instead, they booked two rooms and waited patiently. They knew that anyone who had just returned from the Slaughter City would be mentally and physically drained. Sleep was often the best remedy.
Xu yang eventually stirred—woken not by noise, but by hunger. Otherwise, he might've continued sleeping for much longer. He couldn't help but mentally complain about the "cultivation system" in Douluo Continent—after all these years of training, he still couldn't even skip a few meals without starving.
Wearing sleepwear and rubbing his bleary eyes, he stumbled downstairs. He'd gotten enough sleep; now, it was time to feast—and reclaim all the delicious meals he'd missed out on in the Slaughter City.
As soon as he entered the dining hall, Xuy ang immediately perked up. Sitting at a table were two very familiar figures, and the table was filled with dishes made from spirit beast meat, along with vegetables, soups, and beverages—a complete and extravagant meal.
"Grandpa Sword, Teacher! You're already here? I just woke up!" Xu yang exclaimed in surprise as he hurried over and sat down across from the two.
"We're already here? You brat, you've been asleep for three whole days!" Ning Fengzhi responded with mock annoyance.
"Three days?! No wonder I'm starving!" Xu yang said, a bit stunned.
"Go ahead and eat. Afterward, tell us everything you saw and experienced in Slaughter City," Ning Fengzhi said, passing a bowl of soup to him with a smile.
"Mm!"
Xu yang nodded and downed the soup in one gulp to warm his stomach, then began to dig into the food. The moment the meat touched his tongue, he could tell it was different—the flavor and spirit energy far surpassed anything he'd had before. Clearly, this was specially prepared.
"These thousand-year spirit beasts were personally hunted by your Grandpa Sword, just for you—to help replenish your strength," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile, clearly having noticed Xu yang's reaction.
Xu yang froze for a moment, turning to look at Sword Douluo. He couldn't quite believe it—a Super Douluo had personally hunted down spirit beasts for him?
Sword Douluo didn't say anything, only nodding slightly. At that moment, Xu yang finally realized—Sword Douluo's previously sharp, domineering aura had become much more restrained, almost like an ordinary Spirit Master. He immediately understood: Sword Douluo had broken through again.
Just as he was about to offer congratulations, Sword Douluo gave him a subtle glance, and Xu yang silently returned to eating.
That meal lasted over two hours. They refilled the table several times. Thanks to his refined physique, Xu yang's appetite had greatly increased. No matter how much he ate, he could rapidly digest it and convert it into energy to nourish his body.
During the breaks between courses, Xu yang recounted in detail everything that had happened in Slaughter City—including the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent's inner core and the awakening of both the Deathgod Domain and the Sun Domain.
"Incredible... There are actually beings that aren't spirit beasts yet still possess such terrifying power. Life really is full of wonders." Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were equally astonished. They had always known that surviving Slaughter City could earn one the Deathgod Domain, but they'd never imagined the existence of such a creature like the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent—one whose inner core not only granted a spirit ring, but also awakened a Martial Soul's innate domain. It was simply unbelievable.
The Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent was a primeval anomaly, not a traditional spirit beast. This was evident from the fact that it didn't produce a spirit ring upon death. It had likely wandered to the Douluo Continent from another world—or perhaps had been placed in the Slaughter City by the God of Shura himself. In any case, it proved one thing: this world held more than one path to power.
After the meal, Xu yang took them outside the city to demonstrate the Deathgod Domain and Sun Domain. The two elders were full of praise. They agreed that below the Spirit Sage level, Xu yang was unbeatable, and even most Spirit Sages would struggle against him.
And so, the three of them began their journey back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
A few days later, outside the gates of Seven Treasure City, several familiar faces waited—Madam Ning, Gu Rong, Ning Rongrong, Ning Haiyan, Dugu Bo, and Dugu Yan. All of them occasionally looked toward the direction of the Dragonflame Province, eyes full of anticipation for the return of someone dear.
Soon, a massive Seven Kill Sword flew through the sky with three figures standing atop it—Xu yang, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo.
The moment they spotted Xu yang, Madam Ning and Dugu Yan covered their mouths in joy, tears welling up in their eyes.
Ning Rongrong also looked up in delight. It had been four years since she last saw her "Brother Yang." No one had told her where he'd gone—not a word about Slaughter City, nor its dangers.
Gu Rong and Dugu Bo stood silently in the back. Though they said nothing, the concern in their eyes was impossible to hide.
"Master! Senior Gu! Grandpa Bones! Yan! Rongrong! I'm back!"
Even before the flying sword landed, Xu yang leapt off. Using Cloud Tread Steps, he soared through the air and landed lightly before the group. His excitement was plain to see. After four years apart, he'd missed them all deeply—his words were simple, but his emotions were sincere.
"You're back. That's all that matters." Madam Ning stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug, tears streaming down her cheeks. For two years, she had feared for his life, terrified he wouldn't return. Now that she had him back, she could finally breathe again.
Xu yang said nothing, gently hugging her back, his eyes smiling as he looked at the others.
"Let's go home."
A moment later, Madam Ning wiped away her tears, took Xu yang by the hand, and led everyone back into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. But Ning Rongrong stared at him with a mixture of confusion and unease.
Why did her Brother Yang, after four years away, now feel so terrifying? She wanted to approach him, but some instinct made her hesitate.
Naturally, Xu yang noticed. Of everyone present, Ning Rongrong was the youngest and weakest. Even the faint trace of killing intent leaking from him was more than she could bear. That was why she instinctively avoided him.
He immediately tried to restrain his killing aura, not wanting it to affect her.
"Don't suppress it with force—guide it with your spirit. Circulate it within your body."
Just then, Sword Douluo's deep voice echoed in his mind. Xu yang instinctively followed the instruction, and sure enough, the killing aura became much easier to control. At least for now, he could keep it from leaking out.
Only then did Ning Rongrong feel more comfortable. Smiling, she stepped forward and took his hand.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin