In a corner of the Imperial City, inside a dilapidated temple.
As night fell, a profound silence descended, save for sparse starlight piercing the thick clouds to cast mottled silver light, throwing Qin Haotian’s shadow across the floor.
Qin Haotian gripped the Devouring Demon Gourd tightly, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. The Netherworld Demonic Sword, gifted by the system, was soul-reaping and infinitely powerful. What, then, were the functions of this Devouring Demon Gourd capable of brewing Myriad Spirits Wine? He poured a century-old vintage into the gourd, then drew forth the essence blood of a savage beast, slowly trickling it into the vessel.
The essence blood was a deep, dark hue, like flames in the dead of night. The moment it met the wine, the surface of the gourd erupted in crimson light, trembling as if alive, and an indescribable energy fluctuation radiated from within.
As the liquid churned and blood-red light flashed, the entire courtyard seemed shrouded in a mysterious power. Sensing the surging energy, Qin Haotian sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to focus. He replayed the scene of his recent killings in his mind, every swing and strike cycling repeatedly.
"The Ruthless Sword Dao begins in the heart and ends with the sword. Take the sword as your heart, end killing with killing; slaughter is the righteous path..."
Qin Haotian mused silently. The demonic sword in his lap emitted a faint glow, and a sharp, icy sword intent—steeped in a heavy, soul-chilling aura of slaughter—began to permeate his surroundings.
"I, Qin Haotian, shall use this sword to cut down every obstacle!"
He snapped his eyes open, a brilliant light flashing within them. Whether it was love, hate, joy, or sorrow, all were but passing smoke. Unmoved by external things, only the sword intent would endure! The Ruthless Sword Dao demanded the validation of the path through slaughter; slay gods if they block your way, slay Buddhas if they stand in your path! This was the road he, Qin Haotian, was destined to walk!
Qin Haotian drew his demonic sword. The blade vibrated continuously, as if quivering in acknowledgment of his enlightenment.
Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps shattered the silence. A group of men in black burst in, exuding an aggressive aura.
"Qin Haotian, the men from Zuixian Tower were merely here to collect payment for the wine, yet you killed them all! How cold-hearted you are!" The leader held his long blade horizontally, glaring at Qin Haotian. "Kneel down and let me cripple your limbs and cultivation, or die!"
Qin Haotian sneered. "They sought to harm me, and I was forced to retaliate. You call that cold-hearted?"
"Nonsense! Everyone knows Zuixian Tower is backed by the Li Family. You dared to challenge our prestige, and today you will pay the price!" The leader roared, pointing his blade directly at Qin Haotian.
Qin Haotian chuckled coldly, a suspicion forming in his mind. He had killed, yet these men showed no intention of killing him—this was clearly suspicious. Could it be that the War King Manor was pulling the strings behind the scenes? Was Qin Langtian trying to leave him with nowhere to turn, forcing him to return to War King Manor to seek sanctuary?
What a pity, he was no longer the frail Qin Haotian of the past!
Qin Haotian looked at the leader and shook his head, slowly unsheathing the demonic sword. "Unfortunately for you, you’ve hit a bad patch of luck. I have just attained the Ruthless Sword Dao; I shall use you to sacrifice it."
Before the words had even faded, Qin Haotian vanished from his spot. The leader’s expression shifted to shock, his eyes darting around until he heard a sound behind him. He turned to see the man at the very end of his group lying in a pool of blood.
Qin Haotian casually wiped the blade of the demonic sword, looking up at the leader. The leader’s heart pounded, and he pointed a finger at Qin Haotian. "Quick! Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
Seeing their comrade down, the others drew their weapons and charged. Qin Haotian surged forward like a hunting leopard, his speed exceeding the limits of human perception. Before the man in the lead could react, the Netherworld Demonic Sword was already upon him.
"So—so fast!"
His head flew into the sky. That was the last thought that flashed through his mind before his headless corpse collapsed with a crash.
"Damn it, this guy is no ordinary martial artist!"
"His killing techniques are so vicious!"
"The useless heir of the War King Manor is actually a master!"
The men exclaimed, hesitating as they looked at the two corpses on the ground, terrified that they would be next.
"Afraid?" Qin Haotian murmured. The Netherworld Demonic Sword emitted an eerie glow, and a cooling sensation flowed into his body—it was incredibly refreshing. The satisfaction of the soul power feeding back was addictive.
Qin Haotian looked at the crowd and grinned. "Let your lives be the start of my path to enlightenment through slaughter!"
He dashed into the crowd. In an instant, blades flashed and screams erupted in succession. Every swing of the Netherworld Demonic Sword was accompanied by a low, lingering hum—the prelude to a symphony of death that made the soul tremble. Wherever the sword light struck, the space seemed to tear, the boundary between life and death crossed without mercy.
The Ruthless Sword technique was sharp and precise; each strike aimed for a vital point without the slightest hesitation. The enemies fell one by one beneath the blade, leaving them no chance to struggle.
Moments later, the air was thick with the scent of blood. Covered in gore, Qin Haotian walked slowly toward the leader with the demonic sword in hand.
"Wait, I—"
Before the words could fall, a cold light flashed. The leader clutched his throat, his eyes wide with terror, before he collapsed backward. A single stroke had sealed his windpipe.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining ten Houtian Realm kills! Reward: 10 Slaughter Value."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the first Xiantian Realm kill! Reward: 10 Slaughter Value."
The system's voice echoed in Qin Haotian's mind. It seemed to spark a hidden gene within him, and his whole body vibrated with excitement.
A vortex appeared on the blade of the Netherworld Demonic Sword. Transparent motes of light floated from the corpses and were absorbed in the blink of an eye, the white jade bead on the hilt glowing with an increasingly demonic, blood-red hue. Following this, the feedback of soul power washed over him, a cool sensation that instantly dissipated the fatigue of the battle.
Qin Haotian looked at the bodies on the ground and drew a deep breath. Had he not possessed this strength, would he be the one lying on the ground now? In this world, only if you are strong enough can you protect your life... and your faith and dignity.
"Qin Langtian, you want me to submit? Never!"
Qin Haotian stood before the temple and flicked his sword, carving large characters into the wall.
*If this place will not harbor me, I shall find somewhere that will! The world is vast, where can I not go? At worst, I shall simply leave the Imperial City!*
Qin Haotian’s voice echoed through the temple. He turned and left, his stride firm and resolute. Though the Imperial City was grand, it was not his destination; though the temple was small, it was not his refuge. Since he had chosen the path of the Ruthless Sword Dao, he was destined never to find peace in a small corner; he could only move forward.
He would sever all ties, cut down all obstacles in his path, challenge stronger enemies, and climb higher peaks.
"A man walks the four corners of the earth; where is not home?"
"This Shi Country Imperial City... it is not worth staying in anyway!"