City Lord Chang Tianyi led the way, kneeling and saying loudly, "Chang Tianyi, City Lord of the Northwest City, welcomes the envoy from the Central Continent."
However, the people who descended acted as if they saw nothing of Chang Tianyi. The more than twenty people were mostly young. Seeing them looking around curiously yet contemptuously, one said, "So this is the Northwest City. This place is too poor."
"This place was originally a barren land of poverty. How good could it be? Of course, it can't compare to the Central Continent. I don't want to stay here for even a moment."
"Forget it. We are here to help. We'll leave after the beast tide is dealt with."
"Are you the City Lord? We've traveled a long way. Prepare food and lodging for us," the old man commanded Chang Tianyi expressionlessly.
"Yes, Envoy. I have already made arrangements. It's just that we faced an attack from fierce beasts last night, and the city is still a bit chaotic. Please forgive us, Envoy," Chang Tianyi replied.
"Get up. Yesterday, the five border cities were attacked by the beast tide simultaneously. As long as you defended yourselves here, you did well. I will report your merits to the Central Continent when we return," the old man said, glancing at Chang Tianyi with a condescending tone.
"Thank you, Envoy. The Northwest City was able to withstand the attack of the fierce beasts due to the combined efforts and desperate struggle of everyone. Chang Tianyi dare not claim credit," Chang Tianyi replied humbly, not angered by the old man's tone. He knew that in the eyes of the people from the Central Continent, they were indeed insignificant, and there was no need for them to be polite.
Ning Beichen, standing in the distance, lost interest upon seeing this scene and returned to his room. Ning Beichen was too lazy to care about the attitudes of the people from the Central Continent, nor was he interested in fawning over them. However, since they hadn't made a move, Ning Beichen couldn't discern their strength. He could observe them during the beast tide attack.
Not long after, Yang Qianrou came to find Ning Beichen. It turned out that Chang Tianyi wanted to invite Ning Beichen to a banquet to welcome the guests from the Central Continent. It was likely an attempt to allow Ning Beichen to interact with the Central Continent people in advance, which was a kind gesture.
"I'm a bit tired after fighting fierce beasts all night. Please tell the City Lord I won't be going. Also, don't mention me to the people from the Central Continent," Ning Beichen told Yang Qianrou.
Yang Qianrou had no choice but to return and relay Ning Beichen's words to Chang Tianyi. Chang Tianyi was not displeased. After the battle last night, Ning Beichen had become mysterious in his heart, and he naturally didn't want to offend a super expert.
Since Ning Beichen would not attend the banquet, Yang Qianrou, as the副团长 of the King of Darkness, had to attend as their representative.
"You are the deputy leader of that so-called King of Darkness? Your strength is so poor, you only have some looks," a young man from the Central Continent said to Yang Qianrou as he approached her at the banquet, looking down at her.
Yang Qianrou frowned. However, she knew these people were from the Central Continent, where strength ruled. She couldn't say anything and tried to avoid him. But this person was annoying and blocked Yang Qianrou's path, speaking in a tone that did not allow her to refuse.
"I think you have some good looks. Follow me from now on and be my maid."
"I'm sorry, I'm not interested," Yang Qianrou replied, suppressing her anger. If this guy weren't from the Central Continent, Yang Qianrou would have already whipped him.
"You dare refuse me? Don't you want to go to the Central Continent?" the man threatened Yang Qianrou.
"I will go to the Central Continent, but I will do so through legitimate channels, not this way," Yang Qianrou said, trying desperately to control her temper.
"If you don't agree to my request, you'll never go to the Central Continent in your life. I advise you to think carefully." The man saw a woman dare to refuse him and thought she was ungrateful. Asking her to be his maid was already showing her favor; if she didn't have some looks, she wouldn't even qualify to be his maid.
Yang Qianrou was so angry that she couldn't even eat. She told her uncle that she wasn't feeling well and left indignantly. Yang Qianrou initially thought the matter was over, but that guy, along with a few others, found her residence and continued to pester her.
"I've already said I won't be your maid. Give up on that idea!" Yang Qianrou trembled with anger.
"Whether you become a maid or not is not up to you. I know the City Lord is your uncle. If I ask the City Lord to take you, do you think your uncle will agree?" the man threatened her with a sinister smile. Yang Qianrou was stunned, feeling a pain in her heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys from anger.
"Don't delusion yourself. It's useless even if you find my uncle," Yang Qianrou said through gritted teeth.
Just then, Cao Shuo entered from outside. He had come to discuss something with Yang Qianrou. Upon entering, he saw this scene. However, even more unfortunate things befell him. Before Cao Shuo could even understand what was happening, a hand grabbed his neck, filling him with terror. Cao Shuo's strength was not weak, and he was no inferior to Yang Qianrou, otherwise, he wouldn't have been the leader of the top-ranked hunting group. But as this hand gripped his neck, Cao Shuo found his strength completely sealed, unable to resist.
"This person is your subordinate, isn't he? If you don't agree, I'll kill him," the man threatened Yang Qianrou with icy eyes. To him, everyone from places other than the Central Continent was trash! Killing them was nothing; no one would blame him. It was just asking for a maid from a lowly place, not a big deal. In his mind, Yang Qianrou should be grateful to him and willingly serve him. Serving him was her honor; why would she refuse?
"You dare!" Yang Qianrou drew her whip and said angrily.
"Lowly woman!" The man slapped Yang Qianrou across the face and cursed her, completely ignoring the whip in her hand. Even a strong person like Yang Qianrou couldn't endure this. At this moment, she couldn't care about anything else and immediately whipped him. However, the man easily caught Yang Qianrou's whip, and no matter how Yang Qianrou pulled, she couldn't retrieve it from his grasp. At this moment, the enraged Yang Qianrou suddenly calmed down, and despair washed over her. This person was indeed from the Central Continent. She and Cao Shuo, who were considered top experts here, were no match for the people from the Central Continent. They were powerless to fight back in front of them.