The chubby man turned his head to look at Dongbo Xueying: “Brother, with your big brother here, no one can bully you!” Meanwhile, Yu Jingqiu, who had also been rescued, ran to Dongbo Xueying’s side. At this moment, Dongbo Xueying was truly filled with gratitude. He hadn’t expected the White Sand City Lord to stand up for him against the Venomous Ying World God at such a critical moment. Though they had sworn brotherhood before, Dongbo Xueying had thought it was merely a casual bond.
But now, the man had stepped forward without hesitation! How could Dongbo Xueying not be grateful?
“City Lord…” Dongbo Xueying couldn’t help but say.
“Call me big brother!” the chubby man glared. “What, still so formal?”
“Big brother,” Dongbo Xueying said. “Thank you. Otherwise, I…”
“Enough, enough. Let me deal with this woman first.” The chubby man stroked his upturned beard and turned to the wary yellow-robed woman, the Venomous Ying World God. “Venomous Ying, what? Still not satisfied? Want to fight me?”
The Second Highness and the other scions of noble families present remained silent, watching the scene unfold.
The White Sand City Lord versus the Venomous Ying World God.
These were two truly formidable figures, renowned throughout Anhai Prefecture. A direct confrontation between them was a rare sight.
“Aunt!” the silver-robed young man, General Ying, shouted.
“Silence!” the yellow-robed Venomous Ying World God snapped. General Ying, his eyes already bloodshot, ignored her and roared, “Aunt, we can’t let that Dongbo go! And his wife must be captured!”
The White Sand City Lord stroked his beard and sneered. “Tsk, tsk, Venomous Ying, your nephew’s true spirit is on the verge of collapse. Wouldn’t it be better for him to spend his remaining days quietly somewhere instead of causing trouble everywhere? And what’s with that poison trident of yours? Do you really think you can take me on? If you want a fight, I’ll oblige—and teach you another lesson.”
The Venomous Ying World God gritted her teeth.
Their strengths lay in different areas.
Venomous Ying was not particularly strong in direct combat, merely average among third-tier World Gods. Her true expertise lay in curses and poisons.
The White Sand City Lord was different.
He had created a terrifying secret technique, *Annihilating White Sand*, by combining World God-level arts. He had conceived it during his deity days and refined it over time, even adopting “White Sand” as his name and naming his city after it.
A single gust of white sand could annihilate all things—an overwhelming domain-type technique. Within its range, ordinary third-tier World Gods would flee grievously wounded. Even those who could resist would find their combat power drastically reduced, leaving them at the White Sand City Lord’s mercy.
Thus, the White Sand City Lord stood at the absolute pinnacle of third-tier World Gods. Combined with his sand-based body, his survivability was unmatched. That was why, when paying respects to the Anhai Prefecture Lord earlier, Venomous Ying had coyly called him “Brother White Sand.”
“You’re really protecting him?” Venomous Ying seethed.
“Of course,” the White Sand City Lord replied with a smirk. “Listen well, Venomous Ying. Dongbo is my sworn brother, and I will protect him. If you dare harm him in the slightest, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Venomous Ying clenched her teeth, then turned abruptly. The black mist swirling around her coiled around General Ying. “Let’s go.”
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, she and General Ying vanished from the hall.
—
General Ying, having long resided in Anhai Prefecture City, owned a lavish mansion there. Venomous Ying descended directly into its courtyard with him, paying no heed to his servants—they could find their own way back.
Inside a grand hall, Venomous Ying released General Ying from her black mist.
“Aunt, we can’t let this go!” the silver-robed General Ying snarled, his eyes bloodshot. “If the White Sand City Lord shields him, we’ll find another way—kidnap Dongbo’s wife in secret!”
“Silence!” Venomous Ying snapped.
“Aunt!” General Ying lunged to grab her hand. “If I don’t vent this rage, I’ll die resentful!”
Venomous Ying flicked her sleeve and strode away.
*Boom!* The hall doors slammed shut.
She glanced back, and countless tendrils of black mist coiled around the hall, forming a sealing array. Inside, General Ying raged, smashing doors and windows, but the barrier held firm. “Capture him! Kill him! KILL HIM!”
“Another fit,” Venomous Ying muttered, her eyes cold with disdain.
She was notoriously selfish and merciless, with few friends in Anhai Prefecture. However, her elder brother was a close guard of the Divine Emperor, wielding considerable influence. Thanks to him, her life had been comfortable.
As her brother’s only son, she had to humor General Ying—though she privately despised him.
Still, anyone who harmed her nephew insulted *her*. Given her ruthless nature, she would retaliate without hesitation.
“Completely deranged, losing control at random,” she muttered, watching the hall where General Ying continued his frenzied rampage. “The sooner his true spirit collapses, the better.”
She turned and walked away.
At the gates, guards stood at attention.
“Keep an eye on the General,” she ordered.
“Yes, my lady,” they replied, bowing. Glancing at the maddened figure inside, their eyes flickered with pity. His condition had worsened—his true spirit would likely shatter within a decade.
—
With matters having escalated to this point, Dongbo Xueying could hardly remain at the banquet.
The White Sand City Lord escorted him and Yu Jingqiu away, with the Second Highness personally seeing them off. “Brother Dongbo, against Venomous Ying, I was powerless to intervene.”
“This isn’t your fault, Second Highness. I’m grateful you stopped General Ying earlier,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
“Let’s go.”
The trio soared into the skies and swiftly departed.
—
Flying above Anhai Prefecture City, Dongbo Xueying and Yu Jingqiu expressed their thanks again.
The White Sand City Lord laughed. “Enough, you two. Since I’ve acknowledged you as my brother, protecting you is natural. I was staying at the Long Clan’s estate anyway—of course I’d step in. That General Ying’s true spirit is nearly gone. He’s prone to fits of madness, and even when ‘sane,’ his mind is twisted. You can’t reason with him.”
“I’d heard that losing one’s true spirit leads to madness, but I never imagined it’d be this extreme,” Dongbo Xueying mused.
Madness was a gradual descent. From rationality to insanity, General Ying had teetered on the edge—calm one moment, a raving beast the next.
“Now you’ve seen it firsthand,” the White Sand City Lord quipped.
“I have,” Dongbo Xueying nodded.
Though he’d learned much from the artifact spirit Redstone, witnessing it was another matter entirely. A deity or World God on the brink of death could become utterly unhinged.
“Remember—dying deities or World Gods are unpredictable. The stronger they are, the more dangerous their madness,” the White Sand City Lord warned.
“Understood,” Dongbo Xueying said.
“Though most who go mad are deities or weaker World Gods. Powerful ones usually seal their memories and reincarnate before it’s too late,” the City Lord added. “Starting anew, free of past burdens, sometimes helps them regain stability if they reawaken.”
Dongbo Xueying nodded. Such matters were still distant for him.
“As for this incident, ignore General Ying—he’ll be dead soon. But beware of Venomous Ying,” the City Lord cautioned.
“Oh?” Dongbo Xueying frowned.
“She’s vindictive. Once slighted, she never forgets. If she gets a chance, she *will* strike,” the City Lord said. “During the Divine Court’s Ten Thousand Flowers Feast, you’re safe. But afterward, when I’m not around… stay vigilant.”
“I will,” Dongbo Xueying said.
*Venomous Ying…*
Earlier, she had tried to abduct his wife as a plaything for her nephew. Suppressed fury burned within him. Yet he knew that even if he begged the mighty ‘Redfire Ancestor’ for help, at most, his wife might be saved—killing Venomous Ying was unlikely.
Great Ones rarely stooped to killing World Gods without cause—it was beneath their dignity.
*Venomous Ying… just wait.* Dongbo Xueying buried his killing intent deep.
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