"Master!"
Beast God Di Tian knelt on one knee nearby, his face etched with urgency and ferocity.
"This human is too dangerous!"
"But he's still only one man!"
"While he hasn't fully matured yet, while he hasn't become a god, if we gather all the Ferocious Beasts, we might still be able to..."
"Silence!"
Gu Yuena whipped around, her gaze terrifyingly cold as she cut Di Tian off.
"Fool!"
"What do you think it means to possess three Supreme Divine Artifacts?"
Gu Yuena drew a deep breath and looked toward Godwind City, her voice turning exceptionally grave.
"An ordinary Wind God could never possess such a foundation."
"I know those hypocrites in the Divine Realm all too well. Not even one of the Five Great God Kings could claim so many Supreme Divine Artifacts for himself."
"He... definitely isn't from the Divine Realm!"
At this conjecture, Di Tian shuddered.
He wasn't from the Divine Realm?
Then where was he from?
Gu Yuena shook her head, a deep wariness flashing in her eyes.
"I have a feeling Venti's strength is unfathomable."
"Even if the Dragon God of old were resurrected, he might not be able to gain the upper hand against this man."
"Di Tian, pass down my order."
"No Soul Beast is to set foot in Godwind City!"
"Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"
Gu Yuena turned around and looked up at the Sky Curtain.
"Next, they'll reveal the footage."
"I want to see just what kind of being this Wind God really is."
Outside Heaven Dou City, armies gathered.
A murderous aura hung over the entire plain.
The Tang Sect, the Shrek Seven Devils, and Heaven Dou Empire's elite Soul Master legions stood ready for battle.
Banners snapped in the wind, and warhorses neighed.
Tang San stood at the very front of the army, clad in Sea God Divine Armor and holding the Sea God Trident.
He made no move to order an advance.
His deep-set eyes were fixed on the Sky Curtain above.
When the Golden Ranking announced the top entry, "History of Dawn," a crack finally appeared in Tang San's previously calm expression.
His brows drew tightly together, forming a conspicuous crease.
That one man had claimed all three top spots.
Skyward Harp.
Elegy for the End.
History of Dawn.
Any one of these three Supreme Divine Artifacts, if it fell into the hands of someone on the continent, would be enough to unleash a storm of blood and upheaval—even to bring down either of the two great empires.
And yet now, all three were in that Venti fellow's possession.
This guy was far too rich.
Rich enough to make people envious and jealous—to make them want to rush over and strip him bare on the spot.
"Third Brother."
Ma Hongjun came over. Watching the dazzling sword projections on the Sky Curtain, he swallowed and said sourly:
"Does this guy's family own a blacksmith shop? How come every good thing belongs to him?"
"Our Tang Sect has worked ourselves to the bone for years, selling Hidden Weapons across the entire continent, and we still haven't amassed a fortune like his."
Oscar curled his lip nearby. Though jealousy flickered in his eyes, he quickly turned with a sly glance and put on a flattering smile for Tang San:
"Fatty, what do you know?"
"Divine artifacts may be wonderful, but they're just external possessions."
"Venti only got lucky and picked up a few treasures."
"When it comes to true strength, our Third Brother is the one to watch!"
As he spoke, Oscar pointed to the words "Continental Power Ranking," which had just appeared on the Sky Curtain, and raised his voice:
"Didn't you see? The Strength Ranking is about to begin!"
"The Divine Artifact Ranking is just a contest of wealth. It's the Strength Ranking that really matters!"
"Our Third Brother has Dual Godhood—both the Sea God and the Asura God!"
"Across the entire Douluo Continent, who could stand against him?"
"In my view, the top spot on the Strength Ranking can only belong to Third Brother!"
The Tang Sect disciples and Heaven Dou generals around them nodded in agreement.
They gazed at Tang San with fervent admiration.
In their hearts, Tang San was an undefeated legend.
Two gods dwelling within one person—that was a miracle unheard of even in legends.
So what if Venti had lots of divine artifacts? If his own strength was lacking, then wielding them would be like a child carrying gold—an invitation to disaster.
Listening to the praise around him, Tang San's tightly knitted brows relaxed a little.
Though he also believed that he was the clear choice for first place on the Strength Ranking, he still had to keep up appearances.
"Xiao'ao, don't speak recklessly."
Tang San waved a hand, his tone modest, though his chin lifted ever so slightly.
"The continent is full of hidden talents. Bibi Dong of Spirit Hall is unfathomable, and there may well be powerful figures over in Star Dou Forest, too."
"The top spot may not necessarily go to me."
Despite his words, his grip tightened around the Sea God Trident, and a glint of absolute confidence flashed in his eyes.
He was already calculating what sort of power he'd gain once he took first place on the Strength Ranking and claimed the rewards—perhaps a Godhead Fragment or a Super Divine Artifact.
Then, wiping out Spirit Hall and leveling Star Dou Forest would be child's play.
"However..."
Tang San changed tack, his gaze returning to the Sky Curtain.
"Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
"Since the Sky Curtain is going to reveal Venti's most dazzling battle scenes, we might as well watch them first."
"Let's see how much this 'Wind God,' armed with three Supreme Divine Artifacts, is really worth."
He intended to use the footage to get a thorough read on Venti.
If Venti was merely relying on the power of his divine artifacts and his own strength was mediocre, then there'd be nothing to hold back his plan to attack Godwind City.
The army rested where it stood.
Everyone raised their heads, waiting for the footage to begin.
Spirit City, Pope Palace.
Bibi Dong held her scepter as she stood atop the long staircase before the great hall.
The wind stirred her purple robe, making it flutter and snap.
Her gaze, too, rested on the Sky Curtain.
"The Strength Ranking..."
Bibi Dong parted her red lips, ambition burning in her eyes.
She had lost the Divine Artifact Ranking.
She had lost completely.
Though the Rakshasa Demon Scythe was powerful, it still fell short before a Supreme Divine Artifact.
But she refused to settle for anything less than the top spot on the Strength Ranking.
"Tang San..."
She spoke his name, murderous intent surging in her eyes.
The young man who had destroyed half a lifetime's worth of her efforts was indeed a formidable foe.
But compared to Tang San, that mysterious Venti made her even more uneasy now.
"Let's see this so-called iconic moment first."
Bibi Dong took a deep breath.
"If he really is a good-for-nothing, then Spirit Hall will claim a share of Godwind City's spoils."
Worship Hall.
Qian Renxue sat dazedly on the steps.
She had only just recovered from the shock of the "Gnosis of Wind" when the news of the "Triple Ranking Champion" hit her and left her reeling.
"Could it really be him?"
Qian Renxue took the cyan pendant from her embrace and gently traced its smooth, warm patterns with her fingertips.
The image of the green-clad youth who had given her an apple beneath the moon surfaced in her mind.
So carefree, so free.
He looked nothing like a peerless powerhouse capable of laying waste to heaven and earth.
"Venti..."
Qian Renxue murmured softly.
"Show me what you're really like."