A Bite of Douluo Continent

“Dai Yuansheng has made his move, why aren’t you doing anything?” In the study of the Prime Minister’s residence, a man hidden under a black hood spoke in a deep voice.

Xu Changling stood with his hands behind his back, gazing quietly at the scenery outside the window, a look of struggle and hesitation flashing in his eyes.

A beautiful figure appeared in his sight. Watching his beloved daughter swinging adorably in the yard, the struggle in his eyes slowly dissipated, replaced by a resolute light.

"Hey, I'm asking you a question!" The man under the hood grew impatient after not getting a response from Xu Changling for a while.

"noon."

"What?" the man asked, somewhat bewildered, before being stunned by the imposing aura in Xu Changling's eyes as he turned around.

Can a weakling from the seventh ring road intimidate me?

The man felt a surge of anger, and just then, he heard Xu Changling's deep voice.

"At noon today, I witnessed your power."

The man grinned from under his hood. "Okay."

“Restrain them and prevent them from harming the people in the city.”

"That's beyond my control. After all, you know about evil spirit masters, they..."

"I'm not asking for your opinion!" Xu Changling abruptly interrupted the man, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, his aura intensifying. "If you can't manage it, then let's not talk about cooperation."

"This..." For some reason, he felt a little disheartened despite being at the ninth level. "Alright, I'll have them be careful."

"No, it's a must!" Xu Changling stared intently at the man, a cold glint in her eyes. For a moment, the man was stunned.

"it is good…"

The man felt even more humiliated.

It's just the Seventh Ring Road!

How dare you scold me!

Once we get what we want, I'll kill you the moment we get it!

Sitting in his armchair, Xu Changling pressed his temples. "I'll have my trusted confidants in the Enforcement Division lock the city gates and temporarily impose a city lockdown. But the competition has just ended, and there are too many people and too many eyes in Xingluo City. The city lockdown won't last long, so... you know what you should do, right?"

"Killing an ant with an eighth-ring rank is nothing." The man sneered, glancing meaningfully at Xu Changling.

Even an octagonal ring is nothing but an ant in my eyes, so what about your octagonal ring?

As if oblivious to the deeper meaning in the man's eyes, Xu Changling spoke softly, "But this eighth-ringed one has at least one Super Douluo and two Title Douluo-level guardians by his side."

"It doesn't matter!" The man pulled back his hood, his face once again displaying arrogance and contempt. "Kill them without hesitation!"

Chapter 222 Watching a Big Show

"Why can't I leave the city? Are they saying I can't go back after watching the game?"

"Yes, yes, we're just tourists here. Why can't we leave after the competition is over?"

"... "

Numerous clamorous sounds came from beneath the tall city gate, which was now tightly closed, and a dense crowd surged within.

Those who wanted to leave Xingluo City were now venting their frustrations.

"quiet!"

A powerful figure leaped down from the high city tower, eight spirit rings slowly emerging behind him. The terrifying pressure of a Soul Douluo instantly overwhelmed the noisy crowd before him.

Then, everyone quieted down.

Among the crowd were naturally powerful Soul Masters from all over the continent. After all, there would be no shortage of Soul Masters interested in the Soul Battle Tournament. However, these Soul Masters did not have the strength of an Eighth Ring. Faced with a Soul Douluo powerhouse with his full aura, they could not help but fall silent.

Ordinary people without soul power fared even worse, and several of them fainted on the spot.

Why won't you let me leave!

In the end, there were always some stubborn fools who, hiding in the crowd, would suddenly shout out from who-knows-where.

The powerful figure vanished instantly, while another was tossed out like trash and then seized and taken away by the swarming guards.

Silence reigned.

Seeing that the intimidation had been sufficient, the powerful figure slowly withdrew his aura. "A high-ranking criminal of the Empire has mingled in the crowd, attempting to escape Star Luo City amidst the chaos. We have no choice but to temporarily close the city gates. We hope everyone understands. The closure will be lifted in no more than an hour."

Faced with such a massive crowd, even a powerful expert at the Contra Douluo level had to speak more gently.

Perhaps the deterrent effect worked, coupled with the fact that the Contra Douluo promised to lift the ban within an hour, the crowd's emotions stabilized considerably. Soon, the guards in charge of the city's defenses brought over some chairs and cushions, asking them to rest on the spot for the time being.

Seeing that the guards were so understanding, they could no longer lose their temper and could only acquiesce to the matter.

The eighth-ring expert nodded slightly, then flashed away and headed to the next city gate.

The competition just ended yesterday, and Xingluo City is now a melting pot of people. The noise at the city gates is not an isolated case; it's the same at almost all the city gates.

If we had waited a few more days until most of the outsiders had left, things might have been better. But that emperor couldn't even wait a few days; it was truly...

That's it.

The eighth-ring expert shook his head slightly.

As Xu Changling's confidant, he was merely following Xu Changling's orders; he didn't bother with anything else.

...

"Uh…"

Qi Han and Ke Ke walked downstairs and looked at the empty street in front of the door, both showing blank expressions.

Qi Han glanced at the time, skeptical.

10:30 a.m.

That's right?

Isn't this exactly the time when Qin Yue and Qin Yao arrive? The two girls are usually very punctual.

and…

At this time of day, there are usually long queues outside, but why is the street so empty today?

Are they not eating?

That's not right either.

Even if they don't come to the restaurant to eat, how could there be not a single pedestrian on Morning Star Street?

This is really quite illogical.

"Sit down for a bit, I'll go outside and take a look." Raising an eyebrow slightly, Qi Han said to Ke Ke, then walked straight to the door, opened it, and peeked out to look around.

The entire Morning Star Street was deserted, with all the shops closed, as if Star Luo City had turned into a dead zone overnight. The sudden emptiness of Morning Star Street, which used to be bustling with lights and activity even at midnight, gave Qi Han a chilling feeling.

What happened?

Did you wander onto the wrong set?

"Hey, Xiao Qi, you've opened the door? I was just wondering where to have lunch today."

A familiar, gentle voice suddenly appeared. Qi Han turned his head and found that Tang Qianqiu, dressed in a simple long robe, had appeared beside him at some point.

"Uh... Senior Tang, do you know what's going on?"

"Oh, this?" Tang Qianqiu glanced at the towering palace in the distance and shrugged. "It's a small problem, but you probably won't be able to do business normally this afternoon."

"As for your two employees, they are probably unable to leave the city due to the lockdown, but that will be lifted soon."

Hearing Tang Qianqiu's words, Qi Han finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that the Qin sisters are alright.

Although he didn't know what had happened, Tang Qianqiu's relaxed tone reassured Qi Han somewhat.

It's probably not a big deal, right?

Since they couldn't operate normally and the Qin sisters wouldn't be coming, Qi Han hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Senior, why don't you come in now?"

"it is good."

Tang Qianqiu nodded and was about to walk into the store when a strange expression suddenly appeared on his face.

"Looks like I'll have lunch with someone today."

Qi Han was puzzled when he saw a man wearing a straw hat walking slowly towards them. Upon seeing Qi Han and Tang Qianqiu, he paused for a moment, then quickened his pace.

It's him?

Qi Han's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

He still vaguely remembered this diner.

During this period, he would come to the restaurant for every meal, and he was very generous with his money. He also seemed to be very familiar with Keke.

"Senior, you've come too?" The man wearing a straw hat had a deep, magnetic voice, but there was a hint of doubt in his words.

What is this person doing here at this crucial moment?

"I'm here for a meal; I don't like the food from other places," Tang Qianqiu explained, a rare occurrence for him. Then, his tone shifted abruptly, "But you, at a time like this, you can actually eat?"

"Senior is too kind. I did not come here for a meal." The man in the straw hat spoke with a hint of bitterness.

"Coming to a restaurant and not eating? What's wrong with you?" Tang Qianqiu muttered to himself, then turned and walked into the restaurant.

The man in the straw hat was still standing there, stunned. Qi Han glanced at him a couple of times, but couldn't help asking, "Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"

Qi Han was also a little curious. If they came to Hanshi Festival not to eat, what were they here for?

Surely they can't be here to claim relatives, right?

“I…” the man in the straw hat began slowly, “I have something to discuss with Keke.”

what?

Qi Han was somewhat surprised by the man in the straw hat's answer, but since this matter was related to Keke, he nodded and said, "Then please come in."

As the man in the straw hat entered, Qi Han slowly closed the door.

"Uncle in the straw hat?" Coco looked at the newcomer with some surprise and couldn't help but stand up.