Chapter 3683: The Death Slaves

Someone exclaimed, “Those are the death slaves!”

Duan Ling Tian looked at the group of people in the air. There were at least a dozen young men, middle-aged men, and old men. Their eyes were lifeless, looking as though they had lost their souls. After probing them with his Divine Consciousness, he discovered that although they looked normal outwardly, they were without fluctuations and completely emotionless.

“Death slaves?” This was the first time Duan Ling Tian had heard these words.

Zhang Yao Ji, who was standing nearby, overheard Duan Ling Tian and asked, “You’ve never heard of death slaves?”

“That’s right,” Duan Ling Tian said. He was rather curious about the death slaves. He had encountered death warriors while he was in the Ten Stars student’s trial grounds back when he was still in the Hidden Fog Academy. However, the death warriors were not emotionless or lifeless like the death slaves. Perhaps, due to their lack of emotions, the death slaves attacked fearlessly without caring about sustaining injuries, making them ferocious opponents. Unless one was stronger than the death slaves and could kill them quickly, it was inevitable that one would sustain injuries while fighting the death slaves.

“Who were they before they became death slaves?” Duan Ling Tian asked curiously.

Zhang Yao Ji shook his head and said with a sigh, “They could be anyone. This is one of the darker aspects of the Realms of Gods. Prisoners are usually turned into death slaves if they didn’t die while being imprisoned. Even a King of Gods with a strong soul can easily turn an advanced god into a death slave. Accordingly, a Lord of God is needed to turn Kings of Gods into death slaves. Usually, those with strong soul attacks can create death slaves. In the Realms of Gods, death slaves are treated like commodities. You can buy them as long as you’re wealthy enough. Death slaves are loyal to their masters so one need not fear betrayal. Even rudimentary gods or those who have yet to attain godhood can control death slaves who are Kings of Gods or Lords of Gods as long as they possess the token that controls the death slaves.”

Chills ran up Duan Ling Tian’s spines after he listened to Zhang Yao Ji’s explanation. It seemed like there was no cure after one was turned into a death slave. Moreover, only those who were skilled in soul attacks were capable of creating death slaves. Soul defense divine artifacts could provide somewhat of a protection against being turned into a death slave unless the divine artifacts were destroyed.

Upon seeing Duan Ling Tian’s reaction, Zhang Yao Ji said with a smile, “Don’t worry. No one would dare to do such a thing in the sect without permission. Regardless of status, those who violate this rule will be punished. It’s the same in all forces. Members are prohibited from turning fellow members into death slaves. Even if one commits a great crime, it’s likely that one will be sentenced to death rather than being turned into a death slave due to ethical reasons. However, those who don’t belong to any forces are different; they don’t have any scruples and are profit-driven. Since the demand for death slaves is high, many of them will create death slaves to be sold. For this reason, you have to be careful when you leave the sect. It’s better not to wander outside alone before you’re strong enough. Who knows if you’ll be captured and turned into a death slave? With that, you’ll just be a weapon in someone else’s hand. Who knows if you’ll be used to hurt your family and your friends? After all, death slaves are devoid of emotions. They’ll only do their masters’ bidding. In any case, my father deliberately placed these death slaves here to prevent us from leaving.”

After Zhang Yao Ji finished speaking, his body shone with a golden light as he shot out and attacked the death slaves.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Tens of thousands of golden sword rays sailed in the air.

Based on this, it was easy to see that Zhang Yao Ji had comprehended the law of metal. Moreover, it was obvious that he had just cast a triple Fused Profundity.

Zhang Yao Ji managed to push a few death slaves back with his attack. However, he was quickly overwhelmed as the remaining death slaves charged toward him. With this, he bellowed, “Hurry up and help me!”

With this, the inner disciples rushed up. They joined forces to deal with the death slaves and managed to push the death slaves back. It did not take long before they successfully forced the death slaves to retreat. Apart from a few injured death slaves, none of them died.

‘The death slaves are all advanced gods who had comprehended many double Fused Profundities. Moreover, they even possess primitive divine artifacts,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. He also realized that Zhang Tian Heng must have ordered the death slaves to retreat once the death slaves were overwhelmed. After all, death slaves were expensive. It would be wasteful to kill them just because of the core disciples’ test.

Just like that, Duan Ling Tian passed the first obstacle without having to do anything.

‘Zhang Yao Ji is as strong as Qi Yu. This means he must be among one of the ten strongest inner disciples who are gods,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself as he looked at Zhang Yao Ji. With that, he turned to Zhang Yao Ji and said, “I didn’t expect you to be strong.”

“I’m nothing compared to monstrous talent like you,” Zhang Yao Ji said with a wry smile, “It would take a lot of effort on my part to defeat Qi Yu, let alone kill him with a single strike like you did.”

“So you’re capable of defeating Qi Yu? This means your rank among the ten strongest inner disciples who are gods is higher than his.”

“Of course! I’m in the top five after all,” Zhang Yao Ji said proudly. However, after a moment, he added with a sigh, “Even then, none of us can compare to a genius like you.”

At this moment, one of the inner disciples shook his head and said with a chuckle, “Senior Brother Zhang, how can you compare yourself to Senior Brother Duan?”

“That’s right. Senior Brother Duan has a high chance of becoming a core disciple, after all. It’s foolish to compare yourself to him,” another inner disciple said.

“Alright, alright. Let’s move on,” Zhang Yao Ji said, stopping his peers from further inflicting damage on his ego. Then, he said, “Since we won’t be able to pass the test anyway, I suggest we help Duan Ling Tian as far as we can so he can conserve his strength to face the more difficult obstacles. With this, he has an even higher chance of becoming a core disciple. If he succeeds, we can brag to the others about witnessing Duan Ling Tian becoming the first core disciple in 10,000 years!”

The inner disciples’ eyes brightened upon hearing these words.

“Sounds exciting! I agree!”

“Let’s do it!”

“Senior Brother Duan, you should conserve your strength! We’ll try our best to help you go as far as possible!”

The inner disciples were very enthusiastic about Zhang Yao Ji’s suggestion.

Although Duan Ling Tian did not think it was necessary, he did not refuse their kind intentions. “Thank you.”

“Alright! Let’s go!”

Zhang Yao Ji took the lead and flew up into the air before the inner disciples followed suit.

In just a moment, fearsome beasts as huge as a small hill appeared, staring at them menacingly.

“Kill them!”

Zhang Yao Ji and the inner disciples charged at the demon beasts. It took them a bit longer to force the beasts to retreat compared to the death slaves, but they still succeeded in the end.

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Tian Heng was naturally privy to what was happening in his Little World. He thought to himself, “This brat… He can barely take care of himself, and yet, he wants to help Duan Ling Tian…’

After a moment, Zhang Tian Heng turned to look at the old man standing next to him and asked, “How’s the test for the inner disciples who are Kings of Gods going?”

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