Special Martial Soul Ranking

Lu Xiao snapped out of his thoughts, his face returning to its usual calm and composed expression.

He spread his hands and smiled faintly. "That's not quite right. You never asked about my actual strength, did you?"

His relaxed words, carrying a hint of teasing, left Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing speechless.

They were at a loss for words inwardly, but it did seem to be true!

Thinking back carefully, ever since they had joined Big Dipper Academy, this young dean either lounged in a chair basking in the sun or wandered around the academy.

Even when guiding their cultivation, he mostly offered verbal instruction. They had never seen him seriously meditate and cultivate.

No matter how they looked at him, he seemed like an idle ordinary man, worlds apart from the words "Top Expert."

And it was precisely because of that.

When the truth had been revealed in such a shocking fashion, they had felt such an enormous impact.

Still, this exchange had also eased the previous tension.

The three women quickly calmed the turmoil in their hearts, replaced by an indescribable excitement and exhilaration.

At last, they had caught a glimpse of the true foundations hidden beneath the surface of Big Dipper Academy.

A dean capable of drawing forth Heavenly Tribulation, possessing top combat power beyond imagination.

And Teacher Li Bai, whose Sword Qi soared into the heavens and whose depths could not be fathomed.

Joining such an academy meant that their future paths would far surpass what ordinary people could imagine.

Titled Douluo?

Perhaps that was merely the starting point!

Becoming peak experts renowned across the continent no longer seemed like an unattainable dream.

At that thought, bright light flickered in all three pairs of beautiful eyes, and they were filled with unprecedented confidence and anticipation for the road of cultivation ahead.

Just then, Ning Rongrong seemed to recall something.

She hurried over to Lu Xiao and solemnly took out the Immortal Herb that radiated noble Golden Light and resembled glazed crystal—the Aromatic Silk Beauty—from her storage Soul Tool.

"Dean, I would like to take leave and return home."

Ning Rongrong spoke earnestly.

"I want to bring this Aromatic Silk Beauty back for my father to consume. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Martial Soul has always had a flaw. At most, it can only be cultivated to Rank 79."

"Since this Immortal Herb was able to help my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, perhaps... perhaps it can also make my father's Martial Soul evolve!"

Her eyes were full of hope.

As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi's greatest lifelong regret had been that his Martial Soul restricted him from breaking through Rank 80.

If that could be changed, it would be tremendous joyful news for both her father and the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Lu Xiao looked at Ning Rongrong, then Glanced at the dazzling Immortal Herb in her hand. After pondering briefly, he nodded.

Not only did he agree to Ning Rongrong's request, he also said to Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing, "You two can take this chance to go home for a few days as well. Relax a little. You've worked hard in your cultivation lately."

Then his gaze returned to Ning Rongrong, his tone gentle but carrying a hint of warning.

"Rongrong, the Aromatic Silk Beauty truly possesses the miraculous ability to promote the evolution of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"But you must understand that the effects of an Immortal Herb are closely related to the consumer's age, foundation, and potential."

"The younger one is, the lower one's Soul Power Level, and the greater one's bodily plasticity, the more thoroughly the Immortal Herb can improve one's talent and trigger evolution, allowing its full Medicinal Power to be unleashed."

He paused before continuing, "Your father, Sect Master Ning, possesses profound cultivation, and he is already advanced in years. The form of his Martial Soul has long since stabilized."

"If he consumes this Aromatic Silk Beauty, it will certainly greatly benefit his body, increase some of his Soul Power, and may even cause a certain degree of beneficial mutation in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"But whether it can directly evolve into the perfect Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as yours did... there are too many variables involved. It is far from guaranteed."

After hearing this, a trace of barely perceptible disappointment flashed through Ning Rongrong's bright eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

She nodded firmly. "Dean, I understand what you mean, but no matter what, this is still hope."

"Even if it can only make my father's Martial Soul evolve a little, it will be worth it. This Immortal Herb is of no use staying with me for now, so it would be better to let Father try it!"

Seeing that her mind was made up, and that her filial devotion was commendable.

Lu Xiao said no more and nodded with a smile.

Meanwhile, Dugu Yan also said that she wanted to return to Heaven Dou City to visit her grandfather, Dugu Bo.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, shook her head. Her cool voice carried unquestionable determination.

"Dean, I won't be going back. With the rewards from this Martial Soul Ranking, Rongrong and the others have increased their Soul Power considerably. I want to use this time to continue cultivating in seclusion and consolidate my cultivation. I cannot slack off."

She knew full well that she came from the Star Luo Empire, that her circumstances were unusual, and that she had both an engagement and a competitive relationship with Dai Mubai. Strength was the foundation of her survival.

With the appearance of the Sky Screen this time, Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong had pulled far ahead of her.

She had to seize every moment to consolidate her advantages and catch up head-on.

"Good!"

Lu Xiao praised Zhu Zhuqing's choice.

Just as they finished discussing their plans and prepared to act separately, another sudden change occurred!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The skies, which had only just returned to clarity, suddenly rippled once more with invisible waves.

Streams of golden radiance began to gather, as if an invisible hand were wielding a brush across the Sky Screen.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it, and they once again turned their gazes toward the mysterious Sky Screen.

The Golden Light slowly converged, transforming into lines of clear and imposing words that floated Above the Sky:

[Special Martial Soul Ranking, to be announced in three days.]

[To reveal the unique Martial Souls of Douluo Continent, each possessing its own special and singular qualities.]

(Note: Any Martial Soul already listed on the earlier Martial Soul Ranking will not be included in this ranking.)

The instant these words appeared, countless Soul Masters across the entire continent were briefly stunned.

Then, an even more fervent wave of discussion erupted than before!

"Special Martial Soul Ranking? It only includes one-of-a-kind Martial Souls?"

"Wonderful! Those monstrous Martial Souls from before won't be on the ranking, so we have a chance now!"

"My Martial Soul is only high-tier, but I heard it mutated among my ancestors. Maybe it's one of a kind!"

"Quick! Search the clan genealogies and ancient records immediately. See whether our Martial Soul has any special records!"

Countless Soul Masters who believed their Martial Souls were special, possessed mutated Martial Souls, or inherited ancient but obscure Martial Souls.

Immediately had blazing flames of hope ignite in their hearts.

This meant that they, too, had a chance to ascend this mysterious Heavenly Ranking and obtain the coveted Heaven and Earth Gift!

Yet the changes in the Sky Screen did not stop.

Below the [Special Martial Soul Ranking], Golden Light continued to flow.

More lines of heart-pounding words gradually emerged one after another:

[Douluo Continent Power Ranking...]

[Douluo Continent Soul Beast Ranking...]

[Artifact Ranking...]

[Faction Ranking...]

[...]

Silence!

A deathly silence blanketed every place that could see the Sky Screen!

But that silence lasted only an extremely brief instant before being replaced by utterly explosive fervor!