Rite of Descension!

Liyue Harbor, Yujing Terrace.

The annual Rite of Descension was underway.

This was Liyue's most important ceremony, presided over by Ningguang, the Tian Quan.

It welcomed the Geo Archon's oracle, which would guide Liyue's course for the coming year.

On Yujing Terrace, green smoke curled from the incense burners, and the atmosphere was solemn and reverent.

Liyue's citizens and merchants all looked toward the sky, while the Millelith maintained order at the scene.

Dressed in brocade robes, Ningguang stood with dignified poise, preparing to carry out the final steps of the ritual.

The Sky Screen not only displayed the scene, but also provided a brief explanation so those watching could understand what the people on screen were doing.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"The Rite of Descension?"

Ning Fengzhi stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had plenty of money and was never afraid to spend it.

To the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, any problem that money could solve was no problem at all.

"Perhaps we could hold a Rite of Descension if Lord Emperor likes it..."

"No!"

As though he had thought of something, Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up, and his gaze grew even firmer.

"It wouldn't be impossible to hold a Rite of Descension every month!"

Hearing this.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong, seated nearby, exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

This was not a question of whether they could hold the ceremony, but whether an Immortal would respond.

Liyue had been founded by Morax and Hagintos. When Liyue's people invited the Immortals, Morax would naturally answer.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had no connection to Liyue whatsoever.

Chen Xin looked toward the Sky Screen, his gaze settling on the Tian Quan.

She was the woman for whom the Sky Screen had provided subtitles.

[Liyue Qixing—the Tian Quan, Ningguang.]

"One of the Liyue Qixing? Are there six more people like her?"

What puzzled Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong was this.

This Tian Quan Ningguang was actually a Great Merchant!

Wasn't that... rather similar to their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Shrek Academy.

Flender, Zhao Wuji, Ma Hongjun, and the others were still moving bricks, staring at the Sky Screen while they worked.

This sort of physical labor was nothing to Soul Masters, provided they could use Soul Power.

"Damn, the Emperor Lord's life is really fucking enviable!"

"White hair, red eyes, mature woman..."

Ma Hongjun stared fixedly at the Sky Screen as a tear slipped from the corner of his mouth.

This Big Sister Ningguang was far too gorgeous, wasn't she?

Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing... they were still too young and simply lacked that kind of aura she had!

Bang!

Zhao Wuji hammered Ma Hongjun on the head. Caught off guard, Ma Hongjun landed squarely on his buttocks.

This was a construction site, after all. Nothing strange could appear on the ground.

An iron rod stood upright where Ma Hongjun had sat. It was used for laying the foundation.

Pfft...

Ma Hongjun's eyes widened, cold sweat sliding down his forehead. His entire body trembled, and his gaze instantly cleared.

Zhao Wuji had only wanted to warn Ma Hongjun not to think what he should not think or say what he should not say.

He had never expected it to be such a coincidence!

Could this be the legendary... retribution?

"Ah..."

Ma Hongjun sprang five feet into the air. This time, tears truly fell from the corners of his eyes, and the fat on his face twisted horribly.

His scream drew the attention of Shrek's Teachers and Students.

Ma Hongjun lay sprawled on the ground, sweat and tears falling nonstop...

Who knew whether he would get tetanus.

Flender looked at Zhao Wuji, then at Ma Hongjun.

For a moment, he had no idea what to say.

Zhao Wuji had meant well by reminding him, but Ma Hongjun...

"If Hongjun doesn't change that temperament of his, he'll face a great disaster sooner or later!"

Flender personally carried Ma Hongjun away, intending to find a healing-type Soul Master to treat him.

This... was truly too miserable.

Spirit City, Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong's bedroom.

Bibi Dong sat before her dressing mirror. Behind her stood a young girl with fairly pretty features, though the more one looked at her, the more attractive she became.

The young girl was combing Bibi Dong's hair.

"Teacher, ever since the Great Universe Consciousness descended and the Sky Screen appeared, Douluo Continent has undergone tremendous changes."

The young girl was Bibi Dong's direct disciple, Hu Liena.

She was now around eighteen or nineteen years old.

Bibi Dong had high hopes for her and placed the love she had for her daughter onto Hu Liena.

She hated the aura of angels. Whenever she saw Qian Renxue, an inexplicable fire rose within her.

"The appearance of the Sky Screen has indeed brought many changes."

"Many matters are no longer under Spirit Hall's control."

Even Bibi Dong did not know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Her goal was to pull the angels down from their altar and destroy Spirit Hall!

As for the Spirit Hall Empire... once an empire had been established, Spirit Hall naturally counted as destroyed.

If not for the exposure of the Hidden Expert Ranking's TOP 1, a god who "loved people."

Douluo Continent would likely have already undergone enormous upheaval.

"Nana..."

Bibi Dong tilted her head and glanced sideways at Hu Liena.

"You young people do not need to worry about these matters. Focus on cultivating and strive to win this Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition."

Yes, even if they might have to go to war with the Beast Gods, the competition would not stop. It would continue as planned.

This was an old tradition on Douluo Continent.

There was nothing that a competition could not solve.

If there was, then they would hold two.

"Yes, Teacher, I understand."

Hu Liena answered obediently. She admired and respected Bibi Dong greatly.

She wanted to become an outstanding female powerhouse like Bibi Dong.

For that reason, she worked extremely hard and had not disappointed Bibi Dong.

The major factions all had their eyes fixed on the Sky Screen, as did the commoners.

At this moment, a new development appeared on the Sky Screen.

Ningguang raised her head to look at the sky. With the sun directly overhead, she faced the crowd and spoke solemnly.

"The auspicious hour has arrived."

Upon hearing this.

The two Young Girls beside Ningguang bowed and stepped aside.

The crowd all looked toward Ningguang, holding their breath.

They would finally get to see the Geo Archon's true form again. They were overwhelmed with excitement.

Ningguang crossed her hands, then swiftly lowered them. Numerous amber-colored stones immediately appeared around her.

Following Ningguang's movements, the stones glowing with amber light circled her several times before flying toward the Incense Burner.

At this sight, everyone was briefly stunned.

Wasn't Ningguang a merchant?

Why, why did she possess special powers too?

She truly deserved to be the woman the Sky Screen had given subtitles to!

After the stones fell into the Incense Burner, a dazzling amber beam shot into the sky from within it, reaching straight into the clouds!

"Damn, so those weren't just decorations?"

"This Rite of Descension is truly spectacular!"

The clouds split apart, revealing a corner beyond the heavens.

Suddenly, the clear sky changed color!