C135 Going to the White Wolf Village as a Guest.

A dozen knights astride massive, snow-white Blue-Eyed White Wolves were making their way toward Grey Wolf Village, situated more than ten miles away. Their leader, a five-star Battle Spirit, was none other than Zhao Lang, the chief of White Wolf Village.

"Chief, the day to present our tribute to the Devil Dragon King is fast approaching. If that stubborn old fool Liu Jin refuses to comply this time, let's just take out Grey Wolf Village in one fell swoop!" a one-star Battle Spirit beside Zhao Lang said with a menacing tone.

Zhao Lang let out a cold laugh. "Relax. After the last incident, Liu Jin will surely split the offerings with us."

"Let's hope so."

Before long, Zhao Lang and his entourage reached the outskirts of Grey Wolf Village.

"Fetch Liu Jin for me. Tell him it's time to settle accounts," Zhao Lang commanded the villager standing guard at the village's entrance.

"It's White Wolf Village!"

"Quick, summon the chief!"

Faang Guhang was the first to receive the news and promptly brought Ning Qi forward, saying, "Chief, White Wolf Village has come to collect their dues."

"White Wolf Village?" Ning Qi's brow furrowed slightly. The name suggested a connection to his own village.

"Actually, White Wolf Village split off from us seven years ago," Faang Guhang explained. "Zhao Lang was exceptionally gifted, merely a Peak Grand Battle Master at the time. Now, after seven years, it's said he's reached the rank of a five-star Battle Spirit, surpassing Liu Jin in cultivation. He comes annually to collect tributes from us."

"Well, this year it's his turn to pay tribute to me. I've been concerned about not having enough sacrifices for the Devil Dragon King," Ning Qi said with a slight smile, leading the group to meet the visitors.

Zhao Lang's demeanor shifted. "And who might you be? Where is Liu Jin?"

"Liu Jin has met his end. This man is our new village chief," Faang Guhang announced.

A flicker of curiosity crossed Zhao Lang's face as he appraised Ning Qi. "Impressive. You've got my attention. But the tribute is still due. Hand over sixty percent of Grey Wolf Village's harvest for this year!" he demanded with a grin.

"Didn't you always take a fifty percent cut in the past? Why are you demanding sixty percent now?"

A villager voiced his dissatisfaction.

Zhao Lang sneered in response, "Liu Jin is a One-Star Battle Spirit, so I took fifty percent. This guy is merely a Peak Grand Battle Master. Is there a problem with me taking sixty percent?"

A smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

The One-Star Battle Spirit beside him bellowed with laughter, "Bring out the offering now, or we'll obliterate your Grey Wolf Village!"

Faang Guhang let out a cold chuckle, "This year, Grey Wolf Village won't be providing any offerings."

"And who are you to talk to me? Scram!"

The muscular man's anger flared instantly. The Middle-grade Profound Rank Battle Whip in his hand lashed through the air, then swept towards Faang Guhang.

Faang Guhang's heart skipped a beat.

Just as the whip was about to strike, Ning Qi stepped in, seizing it firmly and asked with a grin, "Do you even know where you are?"

"You've got guts!"

The strongman roared, yanking hard on the whip, but it wouldn't budge. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he tried to pull it back, but Ning Qi's strength, honed by the fourth level of the Dragon-shape Prajna Arts, was simply too much for him.

"Interesting. It's no wonder Liu Jin couldn't stand against you," Zhao Lang said with a smile.

At that moment, his henchmen mounted on Blue-Eyed White Wolves encircled Ning Qi and the others, eyeing them with ill intent, ready to strike at Zhao Lang's command.

Faang Guhang's eyes glinted with mockery as he took two deliberate steps back. He wasn't retreating out of fear, but rather to clear the stage for Ning Qi, and the rest of the Grey Wolf Village villagers did the same.

Zhao Lang caught the sneer in their eyes and was puzzling over whether the people of Grey Wolf Village had lost their minds when a massive creature descended from the heavens.

"The Purple Lightning Bird!"

Zhao Lang shuddered in terror.

The Blue-Eyed White Wolves beneath them were thrown into a frenzy of fear at the sight of the Purple Lightning Bird. Being mere Second Rank Demonic Beasts, they were naturally intimidated by the aura of a Fifth Rank Demon Beast.

A Blue-Eyed White Wolf was so terrified it actually wet itself. Had its master not kept it in check, it would have bolted in fear.

The brawny man locked in a contest with Ning Qi froze in place as his whip was swiftly snatched by Ning Qi. With the Dragon Devourer Hellfire, Ning Qi reforged the whip, erasing its previous marks, and casually tossed it to Faang Guhang.

Overjoyed by the unexpected gift, Faang Guhang couldn't help but beam with delight.

"My Blue Fire Whip!" the brawny man realized what had happened and let out a wail.

Purple approached Ning Qi and nuzzled him affectionately, a display that made it clear to Zhao Lang and the others that this Purple Lightning Bird was likely the demonic pet of the newly appointed chief of Grey Wolf Village.

"It makes sense that he could defeat Liu Jin," Zhao Lang thought, his mind racing with unease.

They had come with intentions to plunder, but the stark disparity in their powers was now glaringly apparent, leaving them at a loss for their next move.

Ning Qi affectionately patted Purple on the head before turning to Zhao Lang, "How many offerings did you plan to demand from Grey Wolf Village again?"

The villagers of Grey Wolf Village couldn't help but smirk with ill intent.

Zhao Lang forced a laugh and dismounted the Blue-Eyed White Wolf, addressing Ning Qi with a newfound humility, "We've misunderstood each other. I wouldn't dare lay claim to Grey Wolf Village's offerings. We'll be on our way."

He quickly shot a meaningful glance at the brawny man still mourning the loss of his Battle Weapon, warning him not to throw his life away over a Middle-grade Profound Rank Battle Weapon.

"I haven't given you leave to go. You came here not as guests, and if word of this gets out, I'd be criticized for lacking hospitality," Ning Qi said with a grin.

"You're too kind, truly, there's no need for that. We'll be leaving right away," Zhao Lang replied, his smile strained.

He considered it a stroke of luck just to escape with his life today. A single Purple Lightning Bird could easily annihilate them all. At this moment, his only wish was for Ning Qi to let them go. The thought of coveting the offerings was no longer on his mind.

Ning Qi's face took on a slight edge as he responded with a cold smirk, "You're free to leave, but how about this? I'll accompany you back to White Wolf Village. Offer up 90% of your village's offerings to me, and I'll overlook your disrespect today."

Ninety percent of the tribute! If he handed over the tribute to Ning Qi, there would be hardly anything left for their offering to the Devil Dragon King. This would surely incur the Devil Dragon King's wrath.

Zhao Lang found himself in a difficult position.

"Reluctant, are you? Well then, you can remain here while I visit White Wolf Village on my own," Ning Qi said, his voice laced with amusement.

Zhao Lang was startled and quickly responded, "In that case, please allow me to extend an invitation for you to visit White Wolf Village as our guest. I will dedicate ninety percent of our village's tribute to you."

"That's more like it," Ning Qi replied, still smiling.