Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

Under immense pressure, Shi Nian trembled uncontrollably, his molars nearly grinding to pieces.

Realizing that negotiations had failed, a trace of ruthlessness flashed through his eyes.

"No choice—I'll have to fight!"

Muttering to himself, Shi Nian's seventh spirit ring began to glow, and in an instant, black light erupted.

"Seventh Spirit Ability: Nightmare!"

It was widely known that Spirit Sages possessed Spirit Avatars. However, Shi Nian was an exception. His Fragmented Dream Spirit, much like its name, was incomplete.

As such, his seventh spirit ability wasn't a Spirit Avatar but rather a powerful skill: Nightmare Space.

"Boy, you brought this upon yourself. Even if I must expend all my reserves today, I will... I will..."

Before Shi Nian could finish speaking, he saw Wang Chen approaching him as though completely unaffected.

The words that had reached his lips were swallowed back down forcefully.

The dagger he had unknowingly drawn fell to the ground with a clatter.

"You... you're unharmed?"

Shi Nian instinctively asked. At that moment, he felt his scalp go numb as cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

"My will is indestructible!"

"My faith, my bonds..."

"Mere illusions cannot shake my judgment in the slightest."

Wang Chen spoke coldly, the red glow in his eyes akin to that of a ferocious beast.

Shi Nian involuntarily took two steps back, terror written all over his face as he stared at Wang Chen.

His seventh spirit ability, his ultimate trump card, had no effect whatsoever on the person before him!

This man was his nemesis...

Illusions didn't work on him—how could Shi Nian possibly win this fight?

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Shi Nian seemed to go mad, letting out a roar. He picked up the dagger from the ground and charged at Wang Chen.

"I refuse to believe this!"

"This must be an illusion—there must be a stronger illusionist targeting me!"

Shi Nian couldn't believe that there existed such a terrifying Spirit Sage in the world.

He was a master of illusions, with mental strength among the strongest of his rank.

Moreover, he possessed a head spirit bone, further amplifying his mental power to rival even some Spirit Douluos.

Yet this man claimed to rely on will, faith, and bonds to resist his seventh spirit ability.

Impossible! It had to be fake! It was all an illusion!

"Clink..."

A crisp sound echoed. Shi Nian looked at the dagger in his hand, his expression turning blank.

It was an ordinary dagger, but one that had ended the lives of countless prodigies.

Yet such a seemingly simple dagger had broken upon colliding with the opponent's "armor"!

Wang Chen paid no attention to Shi Nian's astonishment. He raised his right hand, slicing through the air like lightning, and struck Shi Nian hard across the face.

"Slap..." The sound was crisp and loud. Shi Nian's frail body spun twice and a half in mid-air before crashing to the ground.

"That slap was for that young lady."

"You conspired to murder the rising stars of the younger generation and took pleasure in it. Your sins are heinous."

With his left hand, Wang Chen grabbed Shi Nian off the ground. With his right hand, he delivered another heavy slap to Shi Nian's face.

"That slap was for the innocent lives lost at your hands."

"Evil and wrongdoing will be cleansed, and the departed shall rest in peace!"

Qian Renxue: "!!?"

She snapped her head toward Zhongli, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion.

Just how had this man trained Wang Chen?

He seemed far more "righteous" and "upright" than she, the descendant of angels.

Feeling Qian Renxue's gaze, Zhongli spread his hands helplessly and said, "If I said I didn't teach him, would you believe me?"

"Yes, yes, I can vouch for that!"

Paimon nodded hurriedly, chiming in. She had been with Zhongli the entire time and knew for a fact he hadn't taught young Wang Chen anything.

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes. Not you?

Heh... do you think I'd believe that?

"Heh~"

Shi Nian suddenly chuckled and said, "You're far stronger than me; that's the only reason you can say such grand, righteous things."

"Talking about cleansing all evil and injustice—such words can only fool children."

"Even Spirit Hall can't accomplish that."

"I know a place, a haven for criminals. If you're so capable, go ahead and cleanse it."

"You're nothing special!"

After saying this, Shi Nian let out a bitter laugh. In the end, he had lost utterly and completely.

If the man before him believed his words and went to that hellish place, maybe they'd meet again on the path to the underworld.

Even with his Spirit Sage-level cultivation, Shi Nian was no more than a small fry in that infamous place. Those people were the embodiment of true evil.

"If such a place exists, I, Wang Chen, will erase it from this world," Wang Chen declared, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. He was born to protect, and his will was as steadfast as his mission.

"Tell me, where is it?"

"The City of Slaughter!"

Seeing that Wang Chen had taken the bait, Shi Nian didn't hesitate. He revealed the name and detailed location of the City of Slaughter, almost as if afraid Wang Chen wouldn't find it.

"If you truly manage to erase the City of Slaughter, I promise that in my next life, I'll be a good person!"

Shi Nian knew he had no chance left. Death was inevitable for him today.

As a strong individual, he had his dignity. He wouldn't beg for mercy like those he had once killed.

This man's will couldn't be swayed by a few desperate pleas—it had withstood even Shi Nian's Nightmare.

"Then in your next life, even if you're not human, you'll surely be something good."

With that, Wang Chen's right hand gripped Shi Nian's throat and tightened slightly.

"Crack..."

Shi Nian's eyes widened in disbelief, his death marked by unfulfilled bitterness. Wang Chen, unfazed, dropped his corpse to the ground.

Few moments earlier, "Paimon, you and Qinghe return to Heaven Dou City first. Wait for me at the Seven Treasure Hotel; I'll be there shortly," Zhongli said abruptly.

His sudden words startled both Paimon and Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue seemed to realize something. Glancing at Wang Chen and then at Paimon, she finally understood.

Zhongli truly was gentle—such a scene wasn't suitable for someone as innocent as Paimon to witness.

"Huh?"

Paimon tilted her head in confusion. "Zhongli, are you hungry again?"

"Little Paimon, I heard the Seven Treasure Hotel has a new menu. Shall we go check it out?" Qian Renxue suggested seriously.

"Sure!"

Zhongli: "..."

It had to be you, Qian Renxue.

Shortly after the two left, Wang Chen ended Shi Nian's life.

Taking a step forward, Zhongli walked over to Wang Chen.

"Lord Zhongli!"

Wang Chen clasped his hands respectfully and, with an apologetic expression, said, "I may disappoint you. I've heard of a place steeped in evil and wish to eliminate it. I won't be able to stay with the Body Sect to continue my studies."

Zhongli patted Wang Chen on the shoulder and said, "You haven't disappointed me."

"Your actions reassure me that entrusting you with the Vision was the right choice."

"Go, and follow your heart!"