Within the Heaven Dou Empire, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, frowned slightly, a trace of disdain flashing through her golden eyes:
"An Innate Soul Power of merely level 8, and only barely level 43 now, yet she can still make the ranking? The threshold for this Heavenly Pride Ranking is far too low." (The original never specified her exact level, so level 8 is used here.)
In her view, only those with Innate Full Soul Power deserved to be called heavenly prides.
After all, she herself had Innate Soul Power at level 20 and was an unparalleled heavenly pride with a God-level Inheritance.
There was nothing unreasonable about thinking so.
Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's council hall, a flicker of surprise crossed Yu Yuanzhen's eyes before he said calmly:
"The Five Elements Academy actually has a disciple with such talent. That is somewhat beyond my expectations. But a level 43 Battle Soul Ancestor is still far inferior to Tian Heng."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng curled his lips into a proud smile. "Grandfather is right. Level 43 is nothing to fear. Once I make the ranking, I'll show them what a true top-tier heavenly pride is."
Within the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao looked at the information on the Sky Screen, surprise and delight flashing in his eyes. "A Fire Shadow Martial Soul, with outstanding control talent?"
He turned to Tang Long. "Xiao Long, if you encounter this Huo Wu in the future, be sure to keep a close eye on her. Anyone who can make the Heavenly Pride Ranking is no easy opponent!"
Tang Long nodded slightly, revealing boundless confidence. "Don't worry, Father. I'll pay attention. Since Huo Wu made the ranking at level 43, she must have something exceptional about her. But I'm no worse than she is! I'm definitely ranked much higher than her!"
"Good! Confidence is a good thing!" Tang Xiao forcefully patted Tang Long on the shoulder. "This is how disciples of the Clear Sky Sect should be! Forge ahead without fear! Let the name of Clear Sky resound across the continent!"
Inside the Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Palace, joy flashed through Xue Ye's eyes:
"The Five Elements Academy actually has such a heavenly pride. Dispatch people to Blazing Fire Academy at once. We must recruit Huo Wu into the Empire's service and nurture her well!"
The Imperial Grand Tutor bowed slightly and congratulated him. "Your Majesty is wise. Huo Wu's talent for flame is extremely rare. If she can be put to use by the Empire, she will surely become a great asset. Our Heaven Dou Empire has gained another fine talent!"
Star Luo Empire.
Emperor Dai Yutian snorted coldly. Without even thinking, he knew his old rival would certainly try to recruit an academy student within his territory:
"The Heaven Dou Empire wants to recruit her? They may not get their wish. Pass down my order: send envoys to Blazing Fire Academy, offer her high office and generous rewards, and make sure Huo Wu is brought under Star Luo's banner!"
"A Fire Shadow Martial Soul, and an assault-type one at that! How can we let her waste her years in that godforsaken Blazing Fire City of the Heaven Dou Empire?
Even if the Heaven Dou royal family devoted all its resources to nurturing her, they still couldn't bring out even a fraction of the Fire Shadow Martial Soul's potential! She should be handed over to our Star Luo instead!"
Meanwhile, at Dou Po Academy in the Sunset Forest.
Dugu Yan looked at Huo Wu's information on the Sky Screen, a disdainful curve rising at the corner of her lips:
"A level 43 Battle Soul Ancestor can make the ranking? The standards of this Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking really are low."
The Falling Heart Flame flickered in her palm. Level 43 Soul Power was as insignificant as an ant before her, a Peak Dou Wang.
Meng Yi Ran chimed in, "Exactly. Outstanding Flame Control talent? Before Heavenly Flames, any ordinary flame is completely worthless. If Huo Wu encountered us, she probably wouldn't even get the chance to make a move."
Zhou Xu smiled faintly and raised a hand, signaling his disciples to remain calm:
"The Soul Power System and the Dou Qi System are different. If a level 43 Battle Soul Ancestor can make the ranking, that means she truly excels among those of the same level. Although you cultivate Dou Qi and your talents far surpass hers, you must not underestimate any opponent."
His gaze swept across the five disciples, his tone calm yet meaningful. "Heavenly Dao Blessing is good, but it is ultimately external power. Your true foundation lies in your own Dou Qi and Heavenly Flames, in your day-after-day cultivation."
Gu Yue Na nodded slightly, a trace of agreement flashing in her cool eyes. "Teacher is right. Our goal is the Dou God Realm. This Heavenly Pride Ranking is merely scenery along the way."
Shrek Academy.
Flender pushed up his glasses. "To think that on this continent, there's another academy like Shrek that raises monsters! What a surprise!
Looks like the dean of Blazing Fire Academy is quite a figure too!"
Dai Mubai snorted from the side. "She's just a little girl with Innate Soul Power at level 8! Who isn't an eighth-level genius? This young master can surpass her with ease."
As he said this, Zhu Zhuqing beside him showed a flicker of discomfort in her eyes.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head, a grave look flashing through his eyes:
"Huo Wu's talent must not be underestimated. The potential of the Fire Shadow Martial Soul far exceeds that of ordinary Beast Martial Souls.
Making the ranking at level 43 is enough to show that her comprehensive potential is extremely strong. We cannot be overly arrogant."
Just as the various factions were abuzz over Huo Wu making the ranking.
The golden light on the Sky Screen surged once more. Before the information for twentieth place had fully faded, the nineteenth-ranked entry had already appeared, instantly drawing everyone's attention:
[Heavenly Pride Ranking, Nineteenth Place: Yu Tianxin] [Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon] [Soul Power Level: Level 37 Battle Soul Elder] [Innate Soul Power: Level 8] [Affiliated power: Five Elements Academy · Thunder Academy, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.] [Comprehensive Evaluation: A top genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and one of this generation's twin stars. His martial soul's Thunder Power surpasses that of ordinary clansmen, combining both speed and strength with blazing fighting spirit!] [Heavenly Dao Blessing: Thunder Affinity permanently +10%, Spirit Skill cooldown time reduced by 5%! Obtained an exclusive thunder-element Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring for a sub-dragon descendant! Full Body Dragon Transformation unlocked early!]
"Yu Tianxin?!"
"A member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? And not even Yu Yuanzhen's direct descendant?"
"A level 37 Battle Soul Elder! The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan supposedly already has Young Master Yu Tianheng. Who would have thought there was another expert? The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly is overflowing with talent!"
Compared to Huo Wu making the ranking, Yu Tianxin's appearance caused an even greater uproar!
As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was renowned across the continent for its powerful Beast Martial Souls.
Young Master Yu Tianheng had also earned a formidable reputation at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Yet now, even a branch disciple had entered nineteenth place on the Heavenly Pride Ranking. How could this not shock everyone?
On Thunder Academy's Training Ground, Yu Tianxin was holding a Thunder Spear as he sparred with academy disciples.
He wore silver tight clothes, his posture tall and straight, his features handsome. He carried the same pride between his brows as Yu Tianheng, yet there was also a greater streak of unruliness.
When the ranking on the Sky Screen entered his sight, he abruptly stopped. With a clang, his Thunder Spear plunged into the ground, while blue-purple Thunder Power burst uncontrollably from around him, forcing the surrounding disciples to retreat again and again.
"I made the ranking! Nineteenth place!"
Yu Tianxin threw back his head and laughed, his eyes brimming with triumphant light. Yu Tianheng, his cousin, had always been his greatest rival, and he had always wanted to compete with him. Yet Yu Tianheng had never paid him much attention.
Seeing the Sky Screen reveal this, he could not help but laugh heartily. "Yu Tianheng! Did you see that? I, Yu Tianxin, am nineteenth place!!
You are the clan's young master, with peerless talent, but you are not that much better than me! You can sit in that young master's position, and so can I!"
Not only did he see Yu Tianheng as his rival, but the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had always regarded the two cousins as each other's greatest competitors.
From childhood to adulthood, whether in cultivation speed or mastery of Spirit Skills, they had competed at every turn.
As a branch disciple, Yu Tianxin had always longed for the recognition of his clansmen, to prove that he was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's finest talent.
Now that he had reached nineteenth place on the Heavenly Pride Ranking, it was undoubtedly the greatest affirmation for him!
Before you continue