The foxfolk kneeling on the ground began kowtowing repeatedly after hearing Ren Kai's words.
Soon, the foxfolk behind them followed suit.
Before long, every foxfolk in the entire city was kneeling and knocking their heads on the ground.
At that moment, an elderly foxfolk crawled forward at surprising speed.
"O Anemo Archon! Please uphold justice for the foxfolk!"
The old fox raised his head toward Venti, crying loudly. His voice carried deep sorrow and was strangely infectious.
His face was bruised and swollen.
"I remember you."
"Chief Shahu of the Foxfolk Tribe… the Beastmen Grand Elder."
Venti looked at the old fox with confusion.
"This is getting more interesting."
Ren Kai smiled.
Shamena frowned slightly.
This old fox… he's trying to save the foxfolk.
As expected of the elves' long-time rival—cunning and calculating.
"That Simba from the Lion King Tribe led the war faction to attack the Elven Forest."
"I tried to stop them, but I couldn't!"
Chief Shahu cried while wiping his tears.
"So those injuries were inflicted by Simba?"
Ren Kai laughed slightly.
"Your acting could use some improvement. Those wounds look brand new."
"No! No!"
"I inflicted them on myself!"
"It's all my fault for failing to stop them!"
"And I never expected that fool Scorpion would offend the Anemo Archon!"
"I deserve death!"
"I will take responsibility for my mistake!"
"Please, Anemo Archon, do not blame the foxfolk!"
Shahu pulled out a dagger and stabbed toward his chest.
"I'm afraid the fate of the foxfolk is no longer under the Anemo Archon's authority."
Venti raised his hand and cut the dagger in half with a gust of wind.
His voice was cold.
Shahu froze.
Even if he died, he had hoped the Anemo Archon would spare the foxfolk.
But Venti's words sent him straight into despair.
He looked toward the two figures beside the wind god.
One was Shamena, his old rival.
The other…
At first he couldn't recognize him.
At second glance, the face seemed familiar.
At the third glance—
He realized it.
The True Martial Emperor of Liyue.
"Your turn, my lord."
Venti said respectfully to Ren Kai.
Shahu was stunned again.
Why was the Anemo Archon calling the Liyue deity "my lord"?
His mind was in complete chaos.
"Tell me."
"Were any elves or humans in this city harmed?"
Ren Kai asked calmly.
He wanted to determine whether the foxfolk had truly participated in the war faction's plans.
"My lord, the elves were merely imprisoned. None were harmed."
"Humans have continued living normally."
Shahu answered honestly.
He didn't dare lie.
"Did the foxfolk send troops to attack the Elven Forest?"
Ren Kai asked again.
"No."
"I refused to participate in that war."
Shahu answered.
At that moment, he secretly felt proud of his decision.
The night before, after careful consideration, he had concluded that a great war was coming to Teyvat.
Starting another war now would be foolish.
So the foxfolk had refused to join the campaign.
The cost was losing their share of the spoils.
The treasures and beauties of the Elven Forest were priceless.
But Shahu had chosen caution.
"Oh?"
Ren Kai glanced at Shamena.
"I'll follow your decision, my lord."
Shamena said calmly.
She had never expected the foxfolk to refrain from taking advantage of the situation.
Given the long history of trade rivalry between elves and foxfolk, their restraint was indeed a wise choice.
"The wrath of a demon god is not so easily extinguished."
Ren Kai said coldly.
Venti closed his eyes.
He didn't want to see what would happen next.
Shamena looked at Ren Kai in surprise.
Shahu's eyes filled with despair.
He didn't even dare think about resistance.
Facing the True Martial Emperor, whom even the Anemo Archon addressed as "my lord," rebellion would be meaningless.
"Shinra Tensei."
Ren Kai's eyes transformed into the Rinnegan.
He turned toward the forest outside the city.
A massive repulsive force erupted outward.
In an instant—
Dozens of kilometers of trees and earth were blasted away, leaving behind a gigantic crater.
Shamena smiled brightly at the sight.
Her admiration for Lord Rexasis only deepened.
Venti let out a long sigh of relief.
That was close.
Shahu was stunned yet again.
But he was also convinced.
The True Martial Emperor was truly an unfathomable god.
"I hope you continue to make wise choices."
Ren Kai said with a faint smile.
"Thank you for sparing us, my lord!"
"The foxfolk will never start a war again!"
Shahu began kowtowing excitedly.
"Thank you for sparing us, my lord!"
"The foxfolk will never start a war again!"
All the foxfolk shouted in unison.
Their voices were filled with relief.
Both Shamena and Venti couldn't help laughing.
If Shahu knew Ren Kai's true identity as the War Demon God Rexasis, he probably wouldn't dare shout so confidently.
"Release the elves."
"And treat them well."
Ren Kai said seriously.
"Yes! I'll go immediately!"
Shahu hurried back into the city.
"Since the Lion King Tribe has already marched toward the Elven Forest…"
"Let's go watch the show."
Ren Kai said gently to Shamena.
"Thank you, my lord."
Shamena smiled happily.
She opened another portal using her magical stone.
Venti sighed again.
It seemed that bloodshed was unavoidable.
After Ren Kai, Venti, and Shamena entered the portal—
The foxfolk still remained kneeling.
The ones outside the city were staring blankly at the massive crater stretching for dozens of kilometers.
This…
was the wrath of a god.
Meanwhile, the Elven Forest was already preparing for war.
According to intelligence reports, the beastmen army had already set out.
They would arrive within an hour.
Stepping through the portal, Ren Kai was greeted by a breathtaking sight.
The forest looked like something from a fairy tale.
Flowers swayed in the wind.
Trees overflowed with vitality.
Small animals ran freely.
Ren Kai even saw unicorns galloping through the forest.
From deep within the woods came the sound of a girl singing.
The melody was beautiful—
but carried a trace of sorrow that stirred the listener's heart.
"My lord…"
"That is the war song of the Elven Forest."
Shamena sighed softly.
It had been many years since she last heard it.
Venti fell into silent contemplation.
"What a beautiful voice."
"Let's go."
Ren Kai said.
"This way, my lord."
Shamena led the way.
As the three walked through the forest, the trees seemed almost alive—watching them carefully.
Fortunately, nothing unexpected happened.
After five minutes, they reached the area where the elves lived.
There were no walls or castles.
Instead, elegant tree houses filled the forest.
Only the central area resembled a small town.
Many houses stood clustered together.
"Lady Shamena has returned!"
One of the singing elf maidens spotted her and cried out excitedly.
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