Only then did Bai Chenxiang come back to her senses. She quickly withdrew her hand and composed herself before reporting:
"Master, people from the Heaven Dou Empire have entered the city."
"Their leaders are that Yu Xiaogang, who calls himself the Grandmaster, and the Star Luo Empire's prince, Dai Mubai."
"They brought quite a few troops. They say they're here to... requisition our supplies and manpower to fight the Spirit Hall Empire together."
As she spoke, a trace of disgust flashed in Bai Chenxiang's eyes.
After hearing her out, Venti merely shrugged indifferently.
"That's all?"
He lay back down, even crossing one leg over the other in comfort.
"I thought it was something serious."
"Their legs belong to them. If they want to come, let them."
To Venti, worldly conflicts and changes in power were all dreadfully dull.
As long as nobody disturbed him while he drank wine and listened to the wind, what difference did it make who became emperor?
Watching her master's nonchalant expression, Bai Chenxiang felt a little helpless, yet also thought it only natural.
That was just how her master was.
He could watch Mount Tai collapse before him without changing his expression.
It was as if nothing in this world could catch his eye.
"But Master, they don't seem to come in peace."
Bai Chenxiang said with some concern:
"That Dai Mubai is supposedly already a Titled Douluo, and he's terribly arrogant."
"Besides, now that the Sky Curtain has appeared and the continent is in turmoil, should we...?"
Venti waved a hand, interrupting her.
He pointed to the golden list in the sky, his eyes gleaming with keen interest:
"I'm more interested in this than those jumping clowns."
"With this Golden Ranking appearing, I'm afraid this continent is about to fall into complete chaos."
"As for those people from the Heaven Dou Empire..."
Venti turned to Bai Chenxiang, a gentle smile curving his lips:
"If they're polite, treat them as guests."
"If they dare cause trouble..."
He paused, his tone still as casual as if he were remarking on the nice weather:
"Then wipe them out."
"You can handle a little thing like that yourselves. There's no need to come ask me."
Hearing this, Bai Chenxiang felt reassured.
With her master's word, she had the confidence she needed.
"Yes, Master!"
"Xiangxiang understands."
Bai Chenxiang rose to her feet. Looking at Venti's exquisite profile, she felt a warmth well up in her heart.
Her master might usually leave everything alone, but at crucial moments, he always made her feel so secure.
Not wanting to disturb Venti as he watched the list, she bowed and quietly withdrew.
The instant she turned around, the tenderness in Bai Chenxiang's eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp, icy gleam.
Since her master had said to wipe them out if they caused trouble,
she wanted to see just how capable this so-called Grandmaster and prince really were!
The main road in Godwind City.
The streets, usually bustling and prosperous, were now in utter chaos.
A troop of soldiers wearing the Heaven Dou Empire's standard armor was wantonly ransacking shops and homes along both sides of the street.
"By order of the Imperial Preceptor, we're requisitioning military supplies!"
"Everyone, behave yourselves!"
"That vase looks nice. Take it!"
"This sack of grain is for the army. Confiscate it!"
The soldiers roughly shoved the civilians, loading all the valuables and food onto their wagons.
Some even forcibly dragged young, able-bodied men over and shoved them into the ranks.
Cries, pleas, and curses rose one after another.
Yu Xiaogang sat astride a tall horse, his hands clasped behind his back and his expression righteous.
Looking at the frightened civilians around him, he called out loudly:
"Good people, don't panic!"
"The Spirit Hall Empire has launched an unjust war, bringing devastation to the people."
"We're doing this for justice and peace!"
"Every grain of rice and every copper coin you contribute will become a force against evil!"
"This is your honor!"
He spoke with such lofty conviction, as though delivering a sacred sermon.
As for the soldiers' petty theft and lining their own pockets, he deliberately turned a blind eye.
In his view, those who achieved great things didn't fuss over trifles.
As long as they defeated the Spirit Hall Empire and proved his theories correct, these sacrifices were necessary.
Beside him, Dai Mubai looked impatient.
He couldn't be bothered to pay attention to these ants of commoners.
His eyes were fixed on the Sky Curtain, his brows tightly furrowed.
The Clear Sky Sect was only sixth.
So who were the top five?
This unknown variable made the newly ascended Titled Douluo feel a trace of unease.
"This Golden Ranking... why hasn't it announced fifth place yet?"
Dai Mubai muttered irritably.
Just then, a commotion erupted up ahead.
"Stop!"
A sharp cry rang out across the street like a clap of thunder.
Immediately afterward, a burst of green poisonous mist exploded, blasting away several soldiers who had been about to lay hands on a young woman.
It was Dugu Yan!
She had arrived with a squad of Godwind City's guards.
Seeing the scene before her, Dugu Yan trembled with rage.
The street was a shambles, the civilians were panicking, and some people had been beaten until their heads were bleeding.
What kind of army was this?
They were nothing but bandits!
"What are you doing!"
Fury burned in Dugu Yan's emerald eyes as she glared at Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai:
"This is Godwind City, not the backyard of your Heaven Dou Empire!"
"Robbing, killing, and looting in broad daylight—have you no shame?"
At that, Dai Mubai slowly pulled his gaze away from the Sky Curtain and turned to look at Dugu Yan.
When he recognized her, a trace of contempt flashed in his mismatched eyes.
"Well, look who it is."
"It's Dugu Yan, the defeated loser from back then."
A mocking smile curled Dai Mubai's lips.
In the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament all those years ago, Dugu Yan's Heaven Dou Royal Academy had been utterly crushed by their Shrek Seven Devils.
That memory was a humiliation for Dugu Yan, but for Dai Mubai, it had marked the beginning of his glory.
"What? All these years later, and you still have such a short fuse?"
Dai Mubai urged his horse a few steps forward and released without restraint the terrifying pressure of a ninety-fifth-level Titled Douluo.
Boom—!
The air seemed to freeze in an instant.
Behind Dugu Yan, the guard soldiers turned pale under the pressure, their legs going weak as they nearly fell to their knees.
Even Dugu Yan had to summon her Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, to resist it.
Dai Mubai looked at Dugu Yan, his disdain growing even stronger:
"Dugu Yan, for old times' sake, I advise you to know your place."
"I've long since been reborn. I'm no longer someone you can afford to provoke."
"Step aside, and hand over the city's supplies and people. Perhaps I can put in a good word for you with the Grandmaster and have Godwind City submit to the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Otherwise..."
A murderous glint flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes:
"Today will be the day Godwind City is destroyed!"