Greed grew wildly in Tang San's heart, like weeds.
But a sliver of reason still remained.
"Two Supreme Divine Artifacts..."
Tang San furrowed his brow.
If it were only the Skyward Harp, he'd be completely confident he could take it.
But now there was also Elegy for the End.
If that Venti could wield both at once, one in each hand—one for slaughter, the other for boosting—then the resulting fighting power would be a real headache.
If things went wrong and he got caught off guard, not only would he lose all face as a wielder of Dual Godhood, he'd also become a laughingstock in Spirit Hall's eyes.
A brief silence fell over the hall.
Just then, a somewhat abrupt voice broke the quiet.
"Um..."
Oscar scratched his head. Looking at the one blue and one green divine bow on the Sky Curtain, he muttered in confusion:
"These bows are certainly powerful, but Venti is still just one person, right?"
"He doesn't have three heads and six arms."
"It takes both hands to draw one bow. He can't just grow two more arms and fight with both bows at once, can he?"
Those words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly cleaving the fog from Tang San's mind.
Tang San whipped around, his eyes suddenly lighting up.
That was right!
What was an archer's greatest weakness?
The inability to use both hands for different things!
No matter how powerful the divine artifacts were, their wielder still had only two hands.
If Venti attacked with the Skyward Harp, he couldn't use Elegy for the End to boost his power.
If he used Elegy for the End to provide support, his offensive power would take a serious hit.
As long as Tang San was fast enough to launch a thunderous strike while Venti switched artifacts...
"Xiao Ao, you're right."
Tang San rose to his feet. The oppressive aura around him vanished in an instant, replaced by unprecedented confidence and sharpness.
"In war, speed is everything."
"Divine artifacts may be powerful, but it depends on whose hands they're in."
"Since he can't use them both, we'll go and lend him a hand."
He spoke as though it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
Now that he'd identified his opponent's weakness, there was no need for any further hesitation.
He was going to Godwind City!
Just as Tang San made up his mind, the Sky Curtain high above shook once more.
A vast tide of golden light poured down like a waterfall, illuminating all of Douluo Continent.
It was the reward for the runner-up.
Since Elegy for the End had already been rated a Supreme Divine Artifact by the Golden Ranking, it didn't need to be elevated in quality like the Skyward Harp. The Golden Ranking's rules changed accordingly.
[Reward for the holder: Arrow of the End!] [Quality: Supreme Divine Artifact!] [Description: An arrow condensed from the pure laws of wind, designed to accompany Elegy for the End. Together, the two require no bowstring. Wherever the wielder's thoughts go, the arrow is sure to follow! The artifact's boosting effects will also be doubled!]
As everyone watched the dark green arrow slowly take shape on the Sky Curtain, Soul Masters across the continent were once again struck speechless.
Doubled effects?
It already granted unlimited energy and godspeed to everyone. If that was doubled, wouldn't they take flight?
And "wherever the wielder's thoughts go, the arrow is sure to follow"—that was practically a divine skill tailor-made to make up for an archer's weakness in close combat!
Godwind City, the back garden.
Venti raised a hand, and the dark green arrow that had descended from the sky drifted lightly into his palm.
The arrow was light, without any of the metallic heft he might have expected. It felt more like a wisp of wind made solid.
"Interesting."
Venti rolled the arrow nimbly between his fingers, a playful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"This saves me the trouble of making my own arrows."
He casually tossed it onto the stone table beside him. It clinked, like an ordinary twig being discarded.
Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps approached.
Bai Chenxiang quickly entered the back garden, her expression tense, with an unmistakable hint of awe.
"Master!"
"Someone's come... Someone's come from outside the city."
Bai Chenxiang caught her breath, then continued:
"She's from the Star Dou Forest. She calls herself Bi Ji and says she's here on behalf of the Soul Beast Clan to pay you a visit."
"Bi Ji?"
Venti blinked, picked up an apple from the table, and took a bite.
The name was familiar enough.
Fourth among the Ten Great Fierce Beasts, the Emerald Swan, and the strongest healing-type Soul Beast.
"Since she's a guest, we can't leave her outside in the wind."
Venti waved a hand, speaking casually:
"Go invite her in."
"Oh, and make sure she uses the front gate. We don't need another Old Poison trying to climb over the wall."
Bai Chenxiang couldn't help laughing. She acknowledged him and turned to leave.
Outside Godwind City.
Bi Ji stood quietly before the city gate.
She wore a long, emerald-green dress, its layered hem resembling a flower in bloom.
Her dark green hair fell down her back. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her features were delicate and gentle. Her whole being radiated a uniquely tender charm, brimming with life.
In particular, her long, slender legs appeared and disappeared beneath the hem of her dress, their beauty enough to take one's breath away.
At that moment, however, the fierce beast of the Star Dou Forest was filled with unease.
She looked up at the golden light that had just faded from the Sky Curtain, then turned her gaze to the seemingly peaceful city before her.
Too powerful.
Two Supreme Divine Artifacts in a row, and even a terrifying reward that could double their power.
This Wind God Venti was unfathomably deep.
"The Master was right. We must never make an enemy of someone like him."
Bi Ji drew a deep breath, steadying her somewhat erratic heartbeat.
She had come bearing the hopes of the entire Soul Beast Clan. She couldn't afford the slightest mistake.
Before long, the city gate swung open.
Bai Chenxiang stepped out. Though she seemed a little young and inexperienced beside Bi Ji's mature, gentle bearing, she remained neither servile nor arrogant as a disciple of Godwind City.
"Senior Bi Ji, my master invites you in."
Bi Ji gave a slight nod, her face breaking into a polite, gentle smile.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Following Bai Chenxiang, Bi Ji entered the City Lord Mansion and made her way to the inner courtyard.
She had expected to meet a white-haired old monster, stern and imposing, or perhaps one with a terrifying aura.
But when she actually saw the young man sitting beside a stone table, legs crossed, munching happily on an apple, she froze.
He was so young.
Not just in appearance; it was his very aura.
Pure.
Utterly pure.
To Bi Ji's senses, the young man before her seemed both to exist outside this world and to be the very world itself.
He simply sat there, like the freest wisp of wind—untainted by anything, and utterly without pressure.
To an Emerald Swan, born with an affinity for nature, that kind of presence held an irresistible allure.
As Bi Ji looked at Venti, she lost herself for a moment. A faint blush rose involuntarily to her cheeks.
"What is it?"
"Is there a flower on my face?"