Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Rewards

Tang San stood rooted to the spot, utterly motionless, like a statue.

His fists were clenched tight, his nails digging deep into his palms. Blood dripped through his fingers, yet he was completely unaware of it.

His usually gentle blue eyes were now filled with shock, confusion, and intense unwillingness!

Clear Sky Hammer!

One of his greatest trump cards!

The pride his father had left him!

It had only ranked 13th Place?

The blow to his convictions was unprecedentedly immense!

"Third Brother..."

Xiao Wu worriedly held his bleeding hand, her beautiful eyes full of heartache.

Dai Mubai and the others gathered around, wanting to comfort him but not knowing how to begin.

This ranking had likewise shattered their earlier optimism and expectations.

"Fake! This Ranking List has to be fake!"

Ma Hongjun could not help shouting.

"Fatty, shut up!"

Dai Mubai rebuked him, though his own eyes were also full of uncertainty.

With Flender and Zhao Wuji supporting him, Yu Xiaogang barely managed to stand firm. Seeing Tang San looking so lost and distraught, he forced himself to rally and said with all his strength.

"Little San, raise your head! Rankings do not represent everything. Don't forget, you still have another Martial Soul!"

"You have Twin Martial Souls! This Ranking List only displayed the Clear Sky Hammer, which means it judges individual Martial Souls!"

"Your potential is far beyond what any ranking can define!"

Tang San's body trembled as he slowly raised his head and looked at his teacher.

Seeing his teacher's pale yet resolute eyes, the unwillingness and turmoil in his heart eased slightly.

That was right, he still had Blue Silver Grass.

Though it seemed weak for now, it was still another Martial Soul...

Yet the shadow of the Clear Sky Hammer being ranked 13th Place had already branded itself deeply into his heart.

For the first time, he realized with such clarity.

This world was far broader and more terrifying than he had imagined.

Big Dipper Academy.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were already numb from shock.

"Clear Sky Hammer, thirteenth..."

Ning Rongrong felt as though her mind could no longer keep up.

"Zhuqing, am I dreaming? How could the Number One Tool Martial Soul Under Heaven..."

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and tried hard to calm her storm-tossed emotions. Her gaze turned once more toward those mysterious teachers and the unfathomable dean.

"Rongrong, do you understand now? This academy is probably even more terrifying than we imagined."

"Even the Clear Sky Hammer can only rank thirteenth..."

When the two girls looked at Lu Xiao again, their eyes were filled with endless reverence.

They finally understood why the dean had always treated the Heavenly Dao Ranking List with such casual indifference.

Because in this dean's eyes, the so-called "top-tier Martial Souls" that soul masters across the outside world fought desperately over.

Really... were nothing much.

Clear Sky Sect, hidden away from the world.

Among cloud-wreathed mountains, ancient and majestic buildings appeared and disappeared through the mist.

At this moment, in the plaza before the sect main hall, several broad-built elders with solemn auras had gathered, led by Sect Master Tang Xiao.

Everyone gazed up at the Golden Sky Curtain stretching across the firmament, their expressions more solemn than ever before.

When the words [Clear Sky Hammer, 13th Place, Holder Tang San] appeared clearly.

The entire plaza fell into dead silence, so quiet that a needle dropping could be heard.

After a brief silence, voices of doubt and fury erupted like a volcano!

"13th Place? The Clear Sky Hammer is the Number One Tool Martial Soul Under Heaven. How could it rank only thirteenth?"

"This Heavenly Dao Ranking List is utterly absurd! Our Clear Sky Sect has withdrawn from the world—does the Heavenly Dao dare look down on us like this?"

"Tang San? Who is this child? Since when has our younger generation of the Clear Sky Sect had a disciple named Tang San?"

An elder with white hair and beard frowned deeply and looked toward Sect Master Tang Xiao.

Another elder with a grim face said in a low voice, "Sect Master, regardless of whether this child belongs to our sect, since he possesses the Clear Sky Hammer, he carries the bloodline of our Clear Sky Sect! We must find him as soon as possible and have him acknowledge his ancestry and return to the sect!"

"With such talent, if he remains out in the world—especially if Spirit Hall discovers him—he will surely face a catastrophic disaster!"

The crowd discussed heatedly, all eyes focused on Tang Xiao.

The Clear Sky Hammer's ranking being so low had completely exceeded their expectations.

And a genius disciple stranded outside the sect tugged at every one of their hearts.

Tang Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his powerful body as steady as a mountain. Yet deep in his sharp eyes, complicated emotions churned.

When he heard the name "Tang San," his heart suddenly jolted.

A figure buried in dust for many years surfaced in his mind.

His younger brother, Tang Hao.

Little San, could he be Hao's child with Ah Yin...?

Tang Xiao sighed inwardly.

As expected, this child still inherited the Martial Soul of our Clear Sky Sect, but...

Thinking of the lingering disputes within the sect over Tang Hao's past actions, he knew that for Tang San's safety, it was indeed not suitable to acknowledge him openly and on a grand scale just yet.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and worry in his heart, then slowly spoke. His booming voice silenced all discussion.

"Elders, remain calm!"

Everyone's gaze gathered on him.

Tang Xiao swept his gaze across the crowd and said gravely, "The Heavenly Dao Ranking List is mysterious and unfathomable. Its Judging Criteria are beyond our ability to speculate upon. The Clear Sky Hammer ranking 13th Place is indeed unexpected, but perhaps this reveals that even more powerful forces unknown to us are hidden in this world."

"As cultivators, we should use this to reflect upon ourselves and press forward with determination, rather than blindly question the Heavenly Dao's fairness!"

He paused before continuing, "As for the disciple named Tang San, this matter is of great importance and must be considered carefully."

"Our most urgent task is to wait and observe, to see exactly what existences rank above the Clear Sky Hammer. This is crucial to our Clear Sky Sect's future return to the world!"

Though the elders still felt unwilling and doubtful, the sect master had spoken, and his words made sense.

For the moment, they suppressed their tangled thoughts and turned their attention back to the Sky Screen.

Yet the glaring words "13th Place" were branded into the hearts of every Clear Sky Sect disciple.

Just as forces across the continent were shaken by the Clear Sky Hammer's ranking, Golden Light flashed across the Sky Screen again, and a new ranking appeared:

[Martial Soul Ranking, 12th Place: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda]

[Holder: Ning Rongrong (Big Dipper Academy)]

[Rating: Top-tier Auxiliary system Tool Martial Soul, rarely seen in a hundred years. The ultimate evolution of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, containing ultimate support abilities with heaven-defying effects. It breaks the original seven-ring limit of the Martial Soul and can be called the undisputed Number One Support System Martial Soul on Douluo Continent. Current development level: 79%]

[Rewards: Soul Power Level increased by four levels, all Soul Ring Ages increased by Three Thousand Years, obtained Innate Domain: Glazed Divine Light, obtained one Immortal Herb, 'Aromatic Silk Beauty']

"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"

"12th Place! A Support System Martial Soul can actually surpass the Clear Sky Hammer?!"

"There is even an Immortal Herb among the rewards? Aromatic Silk Beauty? It sounds extraordinary just from the name!"

Cries of astonishment once again rang across the continent.

The legend of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had become reality, and it had ranked as high as twelfth.

This thrilled many Auxiliary system soul masters, as though they had glimpsed a new hope.

Big Dipper Academy, plaza.

"It's me! It really is me! Twelfth place!"

Seeing her name, her Martial Soul, and those Generous Rewards, Ning Rongrong jumped about in excitement.

Especially when she saw that the rewards actually included an "Aromatic Silk Beauty," she covered her little mouth in delighted surprise, tears of excitement glimmering in her eyes.