Tang Hao Becomes a Laughingstock! Humiliation!

Slap!

A crisp sound rang out.

That hammer shadow, containing the power of chaos and capable of destroying heaven and earth, was casually... slapped apart by that massive hand.

It turned into countless specks of light and vanished without a trace.

The smile on Tang Hao's face froze instantly.

Before he could react, the blue-gold hand that had shattered the hammer shadow continued onward and struck him directly.

Bang!

Tang Hao became like a baseball hit with full force, turning into a tiny black dot and vanishing over the horizon at a speed that seemed to break through the sky. No one knew how many thousands of meters he had been sent flying.

From deep within the forest came a calm voice tinged with impatience.

"Too noisy."

The scene ended there.

The Sky Screen slowly faded away.

Since the Golden Ranking had descended, this was probably the most underwhelming, anticlimactic, and speechless reward scene ever.

Within the Clear Sky Sect, after a long silence.

Sect Master Tang Xiao opened his bloodshot eyes.

"Send disciples."

"No matter what, go... bring him back."

Spirit City, Papal Palace.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo looked at each other, unable to hide their glee.

"Pfft... Tang Hao really is a walking joke."

"This time, he's disgraced the Clear Sky Sect all by himself."

Yet upon the throne.

There was not the slightest hint of amusement on Bibi Dong's face.

Her expression was more solemn than ever before.

What others saw was Tang Hao's wretched humiliation, but what she saw was something entirely different.

She stared fixedly at the place where the Sky Screen had vanished, the image of Tang Hao's final hammer strike replaying over and over in her mind.

That chaotic aura that distorted space and annihilated all things...

Bibi Dong's grip on her scepter unconsciously tightened.

This time, she truly could not remain seated.

She did not care what others thought.

But she understood the power of the Primordial Chaos Energy Hammer all too well!

If that strike had fallen upon Spirit City...

Bibi Dong asked herself honestly: even if she went all out and unleashed her Ninth Soul Skill, she would not dare claim she could take it without a scratch!

That strike already possessed... God-Slaying Power!

No one could understand Bibi Dong's worries.

Just as no one but the Clear Sky Sect itself could taste its humiliation.

The uproar across the continent had nothing to do with them. At this moment, the glory belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire.

Heaven Dou Imperial City.

The moment Xue Ke appeared atop the city walls, the entire city erupted.

Cheers surged like mountains and tsunamis, each wave louder than the last.

The streets were packed with citizens who had come of their own accord to welcome her. They shouted the Ninth Princess's title, their faces filled with fervor and reverence.

Within the imperial palace, lanterns and decorations adorned every corner in celebration.

Xue Ye stood at the entrance of the palace to welcome her personally.

Looking at his daughter, dressed in imperial robes but utterly Transformed in temperament, the smile on his face nearly reached his ears.

"Good! Wonderful!"

Xue Ye said "good" twice in a row, his voice resounding with barely restrained excitement.

No matter how deep the foundations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were, and no matter how powerful the Clear Sky Sect had once been.

From this day onward, as long as Xue Ke was here, the Heaven Dou Royal Family would no longer be that weak imperial clan forced to live by others' expressions!

What was more, standing behind Xue Ke was the Blue Silver God King, who had revived a Forest with a thought and sent Tang Hao flying with a single slap!

The Heaven Dou Empire had truly found a powerful patron.

The Sky Screen had descended, the Golden Ranking had appeared, and the course of the world had already changed. The Heaven Dou Royal Family had undoubtedly seized the greatest opportunity.

This was a true rise to power!

"Father."

Xue Ke stepped forward and offered a graceful bow, her manner calm and composed.

"It's good that you're back, good that you're back."

Xue Ye helped his daughter up and examined her carefully, becoming more satisfied the longer he looked.

At that moment, a gentle voice came from the side.

"Congratulations, little sister."

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe walked out slowly, smiling warmly, his eyes full of admiration and concern.

"Brother." Xue Ke returned the gesture with a bow.

Xue Qinghe's gaze fell upon Xue Ke as he examined her closely.

He discovered that his younger sister had truly changed.

She was no longer that delicate and innocent little princess. Her gaze was calm yet powerful, and a sacred aura surrounded her—one that ordinary Spirit Masters could never possess.

It was a transformation originating from the very essence of her Martial Soul.

Nine Heavens Neon Phoenix...

Xue Qinghe silently repeated the name in his heart.

To elevate an ordinary Swan Martial Soul to such a level in only a few years—what kind of existence was that Blue Silver God King?

It seemed he had to meet him in person.

"Father, my sister's return is cause for nationwide celebration, but she is ultimately the God King's disciple. Her cultivation cannot be delayed."

Xue Qinghe turned to Xue Ye and spoke respectfully.

"After the celebration, I wish to personally escort my sister back to the Sunset Kingdom, as a sign of the Heaven Dou Royal Family's respect for the God King."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye was overjoyed.

"Good! The Crown Prince is thoughtful!"

Naturally, he supported the Crown Prince having more contact with that God King. If the God King could develop even greater favor toward the Heaven Dou Royal Family, it would be an immense blessing.

Thus, after the grand celebration ended, a royal convoy set out magnificently from the imperial city, heading toward Sunset Forest.

Inside the carriage, Xue Qinghe rested with his eyes closed, yet his mind was considering how he should probe the Blue Silver God King's true background after meeting him.

Sunset Forest, beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Gu Nian had just set up a spirit-gathering array for the reborn Ah Yin to stabilize her Divine Soul.

After finishing, he turned around and saw Ye Lingling pulling Dugu Yan toward him, looking somewhat bashful.

"Master."

Ye Lingling first bowed, then nudged Dugu Yan beside her with her elbow.

Dugu Yan's pretty face reddened. She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Master... I... I also want to..."

She stammered for a long time without managing to say what she meant.

Seeing her like this, Gu Nian smiled faintly.

"You want your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor to evolve as well?"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan nodded rapidly like a pecking chick.

Gu Nian said, "What is there to be embarrassed about? Raise your head."

"I had already made plans for you. It was only because the backlash from the poison in your body had not yet been fully removed that the time was not right."

"Now is the best time."

As he spoke, Gu Nian spread open his palm.

With a flash of light, two items appeared in his hand.

One was a drop of blood as deep as Obsidian, yet containing majestic dragon might. The mere moment it appeared, ripples spread through the surrounding space.

The other was an Immortal Herb shaped like ganoderma, its entire body gleaming with nine-colored radiance and giving off a refreshing, intoxicating fragrance.

"This is a drop of the Nine Nether Dragon King's Essence Blood, and a Nine Profound Dragon Ganoderma Grass."

Gu Nian's tone was casual, as though he were speaking of two insignificant trinkets.

"Your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor already contains a trace of ancient dragon-serpent bloodline. Using these as a catalyst will be enough to let your Martial Soul undergo a complete transformation."

"Perhaps it may even help you make the Golden Ranking as well."