From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

"This is the City Lord's Mansion," Ren Xing said as he entered the grand hall of the mansion. He casually sat in the City Lord's chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

Star City was much larger than Sirius City, and becoming the city lord of such a significant place was a huge achievement.

"Now, I need to focus on cultivating quickly," Ren Xing muttered to himself.

He held the Demon-Slaying Sword in his right hand, and as he looked at it closely, he could feel that even the speed at which he absorbed the energy from the surrounding air had increased. This sword was truly extraordinary.

"No wonder Lin San became so powerful," Ren Xing mused.

Although he was eager to begin his cultivation, there were some pressing matters he needed to deal with first.

Ren Xing started by spreading the news that Zhang Tianchong had been killed by him. He also spread word that Luo Xiaotian had died accidentally in battle. The message he wanted to send was that Ren Xing was the one who had dealt with the madman Zhang Tianchong.

The citizens seemed to have no objection to Ren Xing temporarily taking over as acting city lord.

"Once I report to the empire's overseer, I'll be officially named city lord," Ren Xing thought to himself.

"Ren Xing, so you're planning to become the city lord?" A voice suddenly called out from outside the City Lord's Mansion.

"Reporting to Lord Ren, it's the Steel Mercenary Group," said two guards as they entered and addressed Ren Xing.

"Alright, I understand. You may go," Ren Xing replied nonchalantly, heading towards the entrance.

The Steel Mercenary Group was the largest in Star City. Dealing with them would secure his position as city lord, without anyone challenging him. After that, when the overseer arrived, Ren Xing could be officially recognized by the empire.

"Captain Huang," Ren Xing greeted Huang Conghui, the leader of the Steel Mercenary Group, as he approached.

"Aren't you an instructor from Tianqiong Sect? And now you're trying to be a city lord?" Huang Conghui glanced at Ren Xing, his eyes filled with contempt.

"I'm just the acting city lord for now. The final decision will be made once the imperial overseer arrives," Ren Xing said with a smile.

Huang Conghui narrowed his eyes. "In that case, I think I could also be acting city lord."

"Yeah! Our Captain Huang could do it too!" one of the mercenaries chimed in. "You're just an old guy from Tianqiong Sect, trying to be city lord at your age?"

The other mercenaries laughed and jeered, egging Huang Conghui on.

"I'm a fifth-tier warrior," Ren Xing said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the group with a smirk.

"So what if you are? Being fifth-tier isn't such a big deal," Huang Conghui retorted, raising an eyebrow. "I'm also a fifth-tier warrior."

He had only recently advanced to the fifth tier. In a place like Star City, fifth-tier warriors were among the strongest.

Ren Xing shook his head, his eyes flashing with disdain. "There are levels within the fifth tier, and you're clearly not at the top."

"I have to say, I'm quite interested in your Steel Mercenary Group," Ren Xing suddenly remarked.

"Oh? Are you planning to join my group?" one of the mercenaries mocked with a sneer.

"No. I was just thinking that maybe I could take over as the group leader," Ren Xing said coldly.

"You're looking for death!" one of the mercenaries shouted angrily. Without hesitation, he drew his long blade and swung it at Ren Xing.

Foolish!

In an instant, Ren Xing's eyes flashed with killing intent. He drew the Demon-Slaying Sword from its sheath.

Whoosh—

The sword gleamed in the air, and in the blink of an eye, the mercenary's blade was shattered. A thin line of blood appeared on the man's throat.

A moment later, his head fell to the ground.

Killed a second-tier warrior, gained 200 evolution points.

"This second-tier warrior was a fool," Ye Fan muttered, clearly unimpressed. "Thinking he could take on Ren Xing? That was just asking to die."

Ren Xing wasn't like Lin San—he was a true villain. Anyone who dared attack him would pay the ultimate price.

"Old Seven!" the other mercenaries cried out in shock, their faces a mixture of fear and anger. They never expected Ren Xing to kill one of their comrades so quickly.

The strike had been so fast that the Demon-Slaying Sword hadn't even been stained with blood. Ye Fan hadn't absorbed any energy points.

"Ren Xing, this is going too far!" Huang Conghui growled, his face darkening.

He had come here to cause trouble for Ren Xing, not because he wanted to be acting city lord. But now, with one of his men dead, he couldn't just walk away. If he didn't stand up to Ren Xing, his own group would lose respect for him.

"That man attacked me first," Ren Xing said with a smile. "I'm a man who fears death. If anyone tries to kill me, I'll kill them first."

Huang Conghui's face twisted in anger. But if he didn't confront Ren Xing now, he would lose his standing among his men.

"Very well. Let me see your skills for myself, then," Huang Conghui said coldly. In an instant, he drew his long blade and slashed at Ren Xing.

Whoosh—

The blade cut through the air, heading straight for Ren Xing.

Hmph!

Ren Xing sneered, effortlessly raising the Demon-Slaying Sword to block the attack.

Clang—

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and Huang Conghui was forced back several steps. Ren Xing, on the other hand, stood firm, completely unmoved.

With the Full Attribute Amplification effect in place, Ren Xing's strength had already reached the level of a sixth-tier warrior. In fact, in some aspects, he was even stronger than most sixth-tier warriors.

"Captain!" the mercenaries called out, their eyes wide with shock.

"Stay back!" Huang Conghui roared, gripping his sword tightly. He channeled all of his energy into his weapon, which began to emit a searing heat. The space around them seemed to distort from the heat, as if the very air was on fire.