If previously causing trouble underground had left the experts in a frenzy, unable to grasp the situation, Bai Qi's actions this time were in the open, right in the imperial capital. If the empire didn't react, it was unlikely to survive much longer.
Indeed, things unfolded as Bai Qi had predicted.
The empire's higher-ups soon discovered Bai Qi's presence.
At first, they dismissed it, assuming it was just another new supervillain causing a scene, and dispatched only the capital's security force.
However, someone arrived even faster than the security force.
"Alright, villain, I don't know who you are, but now that I'm here, you're finished."
Hearing such a long and awkward opening line, Bai Qi frowned. As expected, no matter where you were, there were always self-proclaimed vigilantes dressed as clowns.
Bai Qi absorbed electricity while looking in the direction of the voice.
His opponent was a man in a gold, form-fitting suit with a white mask. More pathetically, this guy called himself the Golden Miracle, but to Bai Qi, he looked more like a golden clown.
"Alright, unknown villain, now take your hands off that thing. Don't make me kick your butt."
Facing the Golden Miracle's threat, Bai Qi raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of mockery, "Oh really? I'd love to try. It's been a long time since anyone kicked my butt. If you have the ability, come on."
The Golden Miracle was also taken aback. Given his fame in the news and the power he displayed, even a novice villain should have heard of him. Unless, of course, the opponent wasn't from this planet.
However, this thought was quickly dismissed by the Golden Miracle himself. It was ridiculous. Planet Oa was right next door. What cosmic power would be foolish enough to target them? They must be insane.
Thus, the Golden Miracle naturally categorized Bai Qi as an ignorant bumpkin who crawled out of some obscure corner. Plus, with no reporters or audience around, the Golden Miracle lost the mood and decided to finish this quickly and get it over with.
"Since you insist on this path, then don't blame me."
With that, he began to charge up, streams of golden light converging in his hands, forming two basketball-sized, gleaming golden spheres.
But just as the Golden Miracle was about to unleash his finishing move, his body suddenly paused. His pupils contracted violently, and his gaze was fixed downward.
Two holes had appeared in his chest, and blood was flowing uncontrollably.
"If you're going to fight, fight. So much talk. Such a long charge-up for a skill. Are you seeking death or just showing off?"
With that, Bai Qi waved his hand. Flames erupted, instantly incinerating the Golden Miracle into a pile of ashes.
After dispatching the Golden Miracle, Bai Qi could finally collect electricity in peace. However, this quiet didn't last long, as the security forces arrived.
Initially, these individuals intended to force their way in. But upon learning that the Golden Miracle had been instantly killed by Bai Qi, these ordinary mortals instantly lost their nerve. They quickly changed their strategy from an assault to a siege and persuasion. After all, this was the capital, and few villains would be foolish enough to cause trouble here, especially with several self-proclaimed superheroes gathered. These vigilantes usually patrolled the streets, responding immediately to any lawbreaking, whether it was petty theft or bank robbery, with astonishing speed.
Over time, the once capable security force became relegated to cleaning up after battles, and their government funding was repeatedly cut due to the presence of these vigilantes.
Naturally, the police were unhappy with the poor treatment. But they were powerless against the vigilantes who enjoyed high public prestige. Ultimately, they chose to slack off, believing that their lives were their own, and the country's electricity was the state's responsibility. Sacrificing their lives to catch a villain was simply not worth it.
But even with their encirclement, the security forces were still playing a propaganda game, playing a deafening, repetitive plea for surrender through a loudspeaker.
Fortunately, another superhero soon arrived. This one had a pig-like head, wore a green suit, and had a green lantern emblem on his chest.
That's right, this was the Green Lantern of this planet, Volke.
It was fortunate that there were no pigs on this planet. The people here simply thought Volke had a strange-looking head. Combined with the good deeds Volke had performed since his arrival, the people gradually accepted this alien Green Lantern.
With such a major incident and the Golden Miracle's death, Volke rushed over, putting aside his other affairs.
"Green Lantern, you've arrived."
The captain of the security force clearly recognized Volke, and their tone suggested a good relationship.
"Mhm, what's the situation inside?"
The captain shook his head and said, "To my shame, we don't know much about the situation inside. We only know that the criminal is absorbing electricity madly and that the Golden Miracle went in to stop him but was brutally murdered."
Hearing the captain's words, Volke realized the severity of the situation. Ignoring the captain's objections, he entered alone.
If the one who rushed in was a native hero of this planet, Bai Qi might have shown a sliver of his meager kindness and spared them. But now that the Green Lantern had entered, there was no question; he had to be killed. Otherwise, if he couldn't defeat Volke and Volke returned to Oa to gather reinforcements, all of Bai Qi's previous efforts would have been in vain.
Thus, not long after Volke entered, the anxiously waiting captain outside heard cries of agony from within and felt the ground tremble slightly. But soon, everything returned to calm.
There was no doubt that another superhero had fallen victim to the villain.
The security forces, already hesitant to risk their lives, became even more cowardly upon witnessing the deaths of two superheroes in succession, and dared not advance.
Fortunately, Bai Qi knew when to stop. He didn't milk one cow dry.
After draining most of the empire's electricity, Bai Qi left on his own, leaving a mess for the security forces outside to clean up.
Seeing this, the security forces weren't angry or furious. Instead, they breathed a collective sigh of relief. After all, they were accustomed to cleaning up after battles, which was much safer than being on the front lines, fighting desperate criminals.
Just as the saying goes, all should share in the blessings. Why only fleece the empire and let the other two great nations laugh?
And so, after leaving, Bai Qi immediately arrived in the neighboring great nation. However, this time, Bai Qi did not choose to absorb the country's electricity with great fanfare. Instead, he set his sights on the country's rich fossil fuel reserves.