Chapter 239

Hearing Gu Xuan's words, the black‑clad girl's expression hardened a bit: "You..."

Translation: Hearing Gu Xuan's words, the black-clad girl's expression stiffened somewhat: "You..."

We need to keep the ellipsis as in the original; the original shows "You..." with two dots? Actually Chinese uses two dots? It shows "You..." with two dots? It's ambiguous. We'll keep it as "You..." (three dots). The original had two Chinese ellipsis? It shows two dots? We'll just use "You...".

This was the black‑clad girl's first time seeing Gu Xuan take action, yet his performance was completely unlike that of previous newcomers.

Translation: This was the black-clad girl's first time seeing Gu Xuan act, but his performance was completely unlike that of previous newcomers.

She knew that bald, muscular man; in the Hell Slaughter Arena, that bald guy had already endured nine matches.

Translation: She knew that bald muscular man; in the Hell Slaughter Arena, that bald guy had already endured nine matches.

In other words, he was the sole survivor who fought his way out of ninety people, having already taken at least eighty‑one lives—not counting those he killed outside the Hell Slaughter Arena—showing just how formidable this bald man's strength is.

Translation: That is, he was the sole survivor who fought his way out of ninety people, his hands stained with at least eighty-one lives, not counting those he killed outside the Hell Slaughter Arena—showing this bald man's strength was extraordinary.

The young man before her didn't seem much stronger than his opponent, yet killing him was as easy as crushing an ant.

Translation: The young man before her seemed not much stronger than his opponent, yet killing him was as easy as crushing an ant.

The black‑clad girl said in a low voice: "Although random killing isn't allowed in the inner city, if someone provokes first, it's permissible."

Translation: The black-clad girl said in a low voice: "Although random killing is not allowed in the inner city, if someone provokes first, it is permissible."

Of course, the one clearly provoking now is Gu Xuan, but his strength gives him the right to do so.

Translation: Of course, the one obviously provoking now is Gu Xuan, but his strength gives him the qualification to do so.

Gu Xuan turned his head to look at the bald man, whom he was holding like an ant, and said indifferently: "You don't have to die, but I still need a Bloody Mary."

Translation: Gu Xuan turned his head to look at the bald man, whom he held like an ant, and said indifferently: "You don't have to die, but I still need a Bloody Mary."

As he spoke, Gu Xuan caught the base of the Bloody Mary and swung it back; the cup landed in Du Gu Yan's hand nearby.

Translation: As he spoke, Gu Xuan caught the Bloody Mary's foot and flung it back; the cup of Bloody Mary landed in Du Gu Yan's hand not far away.

Gu Xuan caught the base of the Bloody Mary and swung it back, sending the glass into Du Gu Yan's hand nearby.

The bald man was completely cowed by Gu Xuan; compared to dying outright, he'd rather give up half a kilogram of his blood.

Translation: The bald man had been completely cowed by Gu Xuan; compared to dying outright, he would rather contribute half a catty of fresh blood.

The bald man's head kept nodding like a sieve; Gu Xuan didn't waste words, raised his right hand, slit the man's left vein, took from his soul‑tool a cup about the size of a Bloody Mary glass, filled it completely, then flung the bald man aside like a dead dog.

Translation: Seeing the bald man's head nodding nonstop like a winnowing basket, Gu Xuan didn't waste words, raised his right hand to slit the man's left vein, took from his Soul Tool a cup about the same size as the one holding the Bloody Mary, filled it completely, then flung the bald man away like a dead dog.

The bald man who was thrown out didn't utter any harsh words; instead, he fled as if escaping a disaster.

Translation: The bald man who was thrown out didn't utter any harsh words; instead, he fled as if having survived a catastrophe.

Note: there is a duplicate "bald man"; we will translate it as "the bald man who was thrown out".

But he might not survive anyway; Gu Xuan isn't a saint—the bald man's hostility is too great, clearly not a good guy—and the only reason he didn't strangle him outright was to avoid drawing too much attention, even though he had already attracted plenty of notice....

Translation: But he might not survive anyway; Gu Xuan is no saint, the bald man's hostility is too heavy, obviously not a good thing, and the reason he didn't strangle him outright was to avoid drawing too much attention—although he had already attracted considerable notice……

We need to keep the ellipsis at end. Original has "…………". We'll keep as "……".

However, the sensation of killing in front of the Hell Emissary still feels different.

Translation: However, the sensation of killing in front of a Hell Envoy is still different.

The reason he was let go is that Du Gu Yan's poison needle had already left a deadly toxin in his bloodstream; it won't be long before the bald man succumbs to poisoning.

Translation: The reason he let him go was that Du Gu Yan's poison needle had already left deadly poison in his body; before long, that bald man would die from the poison.

Holding a cup of Bloody Mary, Gu Xuan waved at Du Gu Yan and said, "Let's go."

Translation: Holding a cup of Bloody Mary, Gu Xuan waved at Du Gu Yan and said, "Let's go."

Du Gu Yan followed in quick steps, her pair of pale legs drawing countless gazes as she linked arms with Gu Xuan and stepped into the Hell Slaughter Arena.

Translation: Du Gu Yan followed with quick steps, her pair of fair legs attracting countless gazes, she linked arms with Gu Xuan and stepped into the Hell Slaughter Arena.

Even though Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan were dressed splendidly and clearly newcomers, after that scene no one dared to step forward to stop them.

Translation: Just because of that scene, even though Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan were dressed splendidly and obviously newcomers, no one dared to step forward to stop them.

Upon entering, the cup of Bloody Mary that Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan were holding was poured into a large container.

Translation: Upon entering, the cup of Bloody Mary that Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan held was poured into a huge container.

Inside, the Hell Slaughter Arena is even more rudimentary than it looks from outside, with no barriers; the perimeter is lined with tiers of seats that rise upward, while the floor is a vast open space about a hundred square meters in diameter. At the moment, the audience isn't large—the huge venue is only filled to less than twenty percent capacity.

Translation: The interior of the Hell Slaughter Arena was even more rudimentary than its exterior, with no partitions; the outer perimeter consisted of tiered seating extending upward, while below was a vast open space a hundred square meters in diameter; at present, the spectators were not many, the huge venue seated less than twenty percent.

Inside the arena, cries of agony rang out continuously; of the ten combatants, eight were already dead, leaving only the last two fighting for survival.

Translation: Inside the arena, cries of misery rang out continuously; among the ten people, eight corpses already lay, leaving only the last two fighting for survival.

"Please sign me up for the next match," Gu Xuan said to the black‑clad girl.

Translation: "Trouble you to register me; I want to join the next match." Gu Xuan said to the black-clad girl.

The black‑clad girl didn't leave, because newcomers enjoy a twelve‑hour protection period.

Translation: The black-clad girl did not leave, because newcomers' protection period lasts twelve hours.

By now, the black‑clad girl no longer saw the young man as merely arrogant; Gu Xuan's strength evoked an involuntary hint of fear in her.

Translation: By now, the black-clad girl no longer saw the young man before her as arrogant; Gu Xuan's strength involuntarily gave rise to a hint of fear in her heart.

Although she is a follower of the Slaughter King, she had never before seen someone who, upon arrival, displayed such terrifying power as Gu Xuan did.

Translation: Although she was a follower of the Slaughter King, she had never before seen someone like Gu Xuan who displayed such terrifying power upon arrival.

Upon hearing Gu Xuan's words, she nodded without hesitation and took the identity card he handed her.

Translation: Upon hearing Gu Xuan's words, she nodded without hesitation, took the identity card he handed her, and left.

Du Gu Yan naturally couldn't sign up at this moment, since the Hell Slaughter Arena's rule is that a match begins as soon as ten fighters are gathered; if she signed up now, she and Gu Xuan would inevitably become opponents, and only one can win each bout.

Translation: Du Gu Yan naturally could not register at this time, for the Hell Slaughter Arena's rule is that as soon as ten people are gathered, the match begins immediately; if Du Gu Yan registered now, she and Gu Xuan would undoubtedly become opponents, and each Hell Slaughter Arena match allows only one victor.

Therefore, while Gu Xuan competes, Du Gu Yan stands guard to prevent any opportunistic small fry from sneaking attacks—and vice versa.

Translation: Therefore, when Gu Xuan competes, Du Gu Yan takes on guard duty, preventing those seeking to take advantage from sneaking attacks, and vice versa.

Although Gu Xuan's strength makes him indifferent to petty harassers, it never hurts to be cautious.

Translation: Although Gu Xuan's strength means he wouldn't care about petty sneak attacks from small fry, being cautious is never wrong.

Hadn't this black‑clad girl already kindly warned us earlier? Here, being cautious is always wise.

Translation: Earlier, hadn't this black-clad girl also kindly reminded that in this place, being cautious is always good?

Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan's slaughter‑filled journey began today, for they came here not to hide but to gain experience.

Translation: Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan's slaughter journey began this day, for they came here not to hide, but to train.

In this dark, blood‑soaked, decadent world, they must not only win battle after battle but also survive long enough to walk out alive.

Translation: In this dark world, in this world filled with bloodshed and decadence, they must not only win battle after battle, but also survive and walk out alive.

Because Gu Xuan is a newcomer, as soon as the previous match ended it was soon his turn to fight.

Translation: Because Gu Xuan is a newcomer, right after the previous match ended, it was soon his turn to go on stage.

The fighting platform in the Hell Slaughter Arena spans nearly a hundred square meters, making ten combatants appear quite sparse upon it.

Translation: The stage of the Hell Slaughter Arena is nearly a hundred square meters; with ten people on it, the stage appears quite empty.

Gu Xuan observed that among the other nine fighters, the strongest were merely Soul Kings—still far weaker than the bald man he had effortlessly crushed earlier.

Translation: Gu Xuan observed that among the other nine, the strongest were merely Soul Kings, still inferior to the bald man he could crush effortlessly before.

Perhaps they all saw Gu Xuan as a newcomer and hoped to pick up an easy win by challenging him.

Translation: These people perhaps saw Gu Xuan as a newcomer and thus wanted to come up and take advantage.

The match began quickly, yet none of the nine opponents glanced at Gu Xuan; to them, his flashy attire made him seem no threat, while the real danger lay in the other few fighters.

Translation: The match soon began; those nine people didn't even glance at Gu Xuan, because in their eyes, this kid dressed so splendidly was not a threat—the real threat was the others.

As long as they defeated the other threats, Gu Xuan would appear to them as an insignificant minor nuisance they could easily handle.

Translation: As long as they defeated the other few threats, Gu Xuan would be just a small fry in their eyes, easy to pinch at any time.

Gu Xuan was happy to play along, feigning a delicate, helpless demeanor while watching them slaughter each other; when only the strongest Soul King remained, he struck directly.

Translation: Gu Xuan was also pleased with this; he pretended to look fragile and pitiful while watching them slaughter each other, and when only the strongest Soul King remained, he struck directly.

That Soul King hadn't even reacted before his neck went limp like putty, and Gu Xuan crushed it outright.

Translation: That Soul King hadn't even reacted before his neck went limp like putty, and Gu Xuan directly crushed his neck.

Gu Xuan didn't even use his martial soul; relying solely on his physique, he has already reached the level of a Titled Douluo, and in this place where soul skills cannot be used, his advantage is fully manifested.

Translation: Gu Xuan didn't even use his martial soul; now, relying solely on his physique, he had already reached the level of a Titled Douluo, and in this place where soul skills cannot be used, his advantage was maximized.

Undoubtedly, Gu Xuan's first foray into slaughter ended in victory.

Translation: Undoubtedly, Gu Xuan's first slaughter journey ended in victory.

After three days in the City of Slaughter, the number of fallen foes slain by Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan together has already exceeded three digits.

Translation: Three days after entering the City of Slaughter, the number of degenerates slain by Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan together had already exceeded three figures.

Although Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan have each fought only two matches over three days, they now realize that the true danger here isn't the opponents inside the Hell Slaughter Arena, but the relentless sneak attacks they face when they're weakest after a bout ends.

Translation: And they had only participated in two matches each, taking three days; now Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan also realized that what is truly terrifying in this place is not the enemies inside the Hell Slaughter Arena, but the incessant sneak attacks one faces when weakest after a match ends.

Although neither Gu Xuan nor Du Gu Yan is weak.

Translation: Although he and Du Gu Yan are not weak.

Worth noting is that on that platform, Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan discovered that a portion of the soul power of the slain soul masters could be absorbed and converted by them—far faster than ordinary cultivation.

Translation: Worth mentioning is that on that stage, Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan discovered something special: a portion of the soul power of the Soul Masters they killed could be absorbed and transformed by them, which is far faster than ordinary cultivation.

Both Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan tried to absorb those stray soul fragments; although they come with immense frenzy and hostility, if they can be fully refined and absorbed, they become no different from ordinary cultivated soul power.

Translation: Both Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan tried absorbing those stray soul powers; although they carried immense frenzy and hostility, if they could be fully refined and absorbed, they would be no different from the soul power gained through regular cultivation.

Although few can completely suppress those violent soul forces, this is undoubtedly a good opportunity to boost one's strength.

Translation: Although few can completely suppress those violent soul powers, this is undoubtedly a good opportunity to enhance strength.

Yet Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan are able to suppress and refine those forces into their own soul power—albeit only temporarily.

Translation: Yet Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan can suppress and refine it, turning it into their own soul power, although this is only temporary.

This discovery led Gu Xuan to think of the cultivation method of the evil soul masters in the future Tang Sect; isn't this essentially the same approach? Or perhaps this is exactly how evil soul masters train.

Translation: This discovery led Gu Xuan to think of the cultivation method of the evil soul masters in the Absolute Tang Sect ten thousand years later—isn't this exactly the same principle? Or rather, this is the evil soul masters' cultivation method.

It's merely being put to use here in the Hell Slaughter Arena.

Translation: It's merely being utilized here in the Hell Slaughter Arena.

In fact, Gu Xuan doesn't object to using this method to grow stronger, since everyone here is utterly wicked; their deaths enhance his power, which can be seen as the sole good deed they performed in life.

Translation: In fact, Gu Xuan doesn't object to using this method to grow stronger; after all, the people here are utterly wicked, and their deaths can boost his strength, which can be considered the sole good deed they did in life.

But if he were to take this method outside and apply it to innocent lives, Gu Xuan could not accept it.

Translation: But if this method were taken outside and used on innocent lives, Gu Xuan could not accept it.

This isn't double‑dealing on his part; it's simply that the targets differ—one is an utterly evil villain, the other a helpless ordinary person.

Translation: This is not double standards on his part; it's that the targets differ—one is an utterly wicked evildoer, the other a defenseless ordinary person.

As long as Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan can still suppress and refine those soul forces, they won't reject this method of rapid empowerment.

Translation: As long as Gu Xuan and Du Gu Yan can still suppress and refine those soul powers, they will not refuse this method of rapid strengthening.

Because they also compress and refine those soul forces, what they end up with is the purest soul power, without side effects.

Translation: Because these soul powers they also compress and refine, ultimately yielding the purest soul power, with no side effects.

PS: typos will be corrected later.

Translation: PS: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)