Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou City.
A handsome young man walked down the street with the air of an eighty-year-old retiree.
Under the sunlight, his amber-colored long hair was exceptionally eye-catching.
His pupils were also amber, even more radiant than his hair.
"Hey, Zhongli!"
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind the young man.
The walking youth paused and turned to look at the person behind him.
"Oh? Fourth Prince, what happened to you?"
"Ugh, don't even mention it!"
"A bunch of country bumpkins tried to use connections to get into the Royal Academy. I only said a few words, and they beat me up like this."
The young man pointed at the wound on his face and spoke indignantly.
The newcomer was none other than Xue Beng, the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, a good-for-nothing playboy.
After driving the Shrek Academy group out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Xue Beng had decided to maintain his "persona" and come out to have some fun.
That way, he could deceive his elder brother, Xue Qinghe!
About three years ago, Xue Beng had met Zhongli.
It had been in a brothel...
He had discovered that Zhongli differed from other playboys. Whether it was his bearing or his every movement, he was exactly like a retired man of high standing!
Zhongli: Was it really that obvious?
As a Prince, he had that much discernment.
Thus, he had begun taking the initiative to befriend Zhongli.
The other man looked like a "playboy," while Xue Beng himself had established the persona of one.
Playboys hanging around with playboys would not contradict his persona.
Most importantly, he had found that Zhongli seemed to understand everything, yet care about nothing.
If such a person could be used by him, he would surely achieve something.
Even if Zhongli was not a Soul Master, he was still an exceptionally talented man.
From the Empire's perspective, people with brains were instead extremely precious.
As for Soul Masters, even the most powerful Soul Master would have to retreat in defeat when facing an army of hundreds of thousands!
"I'm the dignified Fourth Prince, you know!"
"They beat me up like this, and all I did was tell them to get out of the Royal Academy. Pretty magnanimous of me, right?"
Xue Beng patted his chest, grinned, and said proudly.
As his smile appeared, the pain in his face twisted it out of shape, making him bare his teeth.
Has it arrived...
Zhongli thought to himself, though his expression remained unchanged.
He was not a native of Douluo Continent. More precisely, he was a Transmigrator—and he had transmigrated twice.
The first time, he had reincarnated as Morax on Teyvat Continent.
Unlike the original timeline, he had saved the Yakshas and protected Guizhong.
He had just retired and was preparing to live the life of an old man when he unexpectedly transmigrated to Douluo Continent.
Retirement was retirement no matter where it happened.
Liyue had the Immortals, the Yakshas, and Guizhong. Nothing could go wrong there.
Coming to Douluo Continent was also a good thing for Zhongli, as his Erosion had stopped.
On Douluo Continent, there was no Erosion Curse imposed by the Heavenly Principle.
Now, he was in good condition and good spirits, spending every day strolling the streets, walking birds, and visiting brothels...
Seeing no reaction on Zhongli's face, Xue Beng fell silent for a moment, unsure what he was thinking.
A short while later.
Only then did Xue Beng let out an awkward laugh and speak.
"Let's not bring up such upsetting things when we're out having fun."
"Zhongli, a famous performer from Moonlight Pavilion will be performing at Bright Moon Brothel today. Want to go see for yourself?"
Bright Moon Brothel was a famous brothel in Heaven Dou City.
Many famous performers from across the continent gathered there.
As for Moonlight Pavilion, it was a place that taught nobles etiquette and musical instruments.
Most nobles were inherently proud. Getting them to perform in a brothel was nearly impossible.
"A famous performer from Moonlight Pavilion?"
"Worth seeing, I suppose."
Zhongli stroked his chin and said calmly.
Morax was Morax, the Geo Archon was the Geo Archon, and Zhongli was merely Zhongli.
An ordinary retired young man.
The two "playboys" slowly made their way toward Bright Moon Brothel.
To adapt to Zhongli's walking pace, Xue Beng had even practiced specifically for it.
For some reason, whenever he walked at this pace, he felt remarkably calm.
Suddenly, an extremely strange and mysterious power descended upon the entire Douluo Star.
In the sky, a golden scroll unfurled slowly, like a divine miracle.
This scene made Zhongli and Xue Beng stop in their tracks and look skyward in confusion.
At that moment, the entire Douluo Continent erupted into an uproar.
There had never been any record of such a miraculous phenomenon, and people could not help but be curious.
"What is that?"
Regardless of strength, status, or age, everyone wondered the same thing.
Only Zhongli seemed thoughtful after looking at the scroll.
If his memory was correct, this scroll had never appeared in the original timeline of Douluo Continent.
Zhongli had read quite a few novels in his previous life. Vaguely, he seemed to know what the thing in the sky was.
This caused Zhongli's expression to change slightly, though it quickly returned to normal.
The scroll continued to unfold, revealing a screen.
[Heavenly Ranking Review: The Ten Greatest Hidden Experts of Douluo Continent.] [All Top Listers will receive rewards. The higher the ranking, the richer the reward.]
Subtitles appeared on the Sky Screen, and a voice spread throughout the entire Douluo Continent.
It carried no emotion, like a machine without feelings.
"Reviewing the ten greatest Hidden Experts of Douluo Continent?"
"All Top Listers will receive rewards?"
All living beings on Douluo Continent erupted into excitement. Though they did not understand what the Heavenly Ranking was or what rewards would be given after the review ended.
This was still one of their ways to learn about powerful experts.
The Demon Whale of the deep sea surfaced, while the sleeping Silver Dragon opened his eyes.
With their current strength, they were actually unable to see through this so-called Sky Screen.
Just as all living beings were confused, new words appeared upon the Sky Screen.
[This Sky Screen was formed by the Great Universe Consciousness. Its review is absolutely fair, impartial, and public.] [The first ranking will be the Power Ranking.] [Judging criterion: combat power.] [Top Listers will receive rewards from the Great Universe Consciousness. Whether you question it has nothing to do with the Great Universe Consciousness.]
In short, whether anyone questioned it had nothing to do with it. The strong would not care about the doubts of the weak.
An elephant would not heed ants; it would only crush them beneath its feet.
Spirit City, Pope's Palace.
"A ranking formed by the Great Universe Consciousness?"
Seated upon the papal throne, Bibi Dong held her scepter with a confused expression.
She did not even understand the concept of the universe, much less what the Great Universe Consciousness was.
Not understanding did not mean she failed to recognize the terror of this Sky Screen.
She had already reached Rank 98 and possessed the Rakshasa God inheritance, yet she could not sense where the Sky Screen was at all.
It was clearly above her head. She could see it, yet she could neither sense it nor destroy it.
"The ten greatest Hidden Experts?"
"At present, I am only beneath that old fellow."
Bibi Dong's gaze turned toward the Angel Temple.
After the Sky Screen appeared, the other party had made no move. He presumably could not discover anything either.
"I wonder what my reward will be."
Bibi Dong thought to herself, then looked toward Ghost and Chrysanthemum before finally shaking her head.
There were at least seven people above the two of them. Including herself, that made eight.
Ghost and Chrysanthemum had no chance of making this ranking!
Before you continue