Clear Sky Sect!
Some rejoiced while others worried, and Tang Xiao was one of the worried ones.
Ever since the sect had closed its gates, they had endured hardship and bided their time. Including him, the sect master, the Clear Sky Sect had already produced seven Title Douluo!
Such strength could let them look down on any other force. But if they faced Spirit Hall, Tang Xiao still had no confidence.
Unfortunately, before they could endure a little longer as they had been doing, the appearance of the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking made him frown.
"Things are bad. If all the Clear Sky Sect elders make the list, Spirit Hall probably won't be able to sit still!
I don't fear the other Title Douluo in the slightest.
With the Clear Sky Sect's natural defenses, even if Pope Bibi Dong personally led the charge, she would likely have a hard time achieving anything.
But...
Without Grandfather Tang Chen, who could possibly stop Qian Daoliu?
At this point, all I can do is hope Qian Daoliu is a gentleman who will honor his oath and stay away from the Clear Sky Sect's gates!"
In that battle years ago, Qian Daoliu, that hard-headed fool, had fought Tang Chen on the ground and lost by a single move. So he had sworn an oath.
He would never set foot in the Clear Sky Sect again!
As the saying went, a gentleman could be held to his principles. If not for that oath, the Clear Sky Sect would likely have borne the brunt of Qian Xunji's death.
But once his worries had passed, a hint of delight rose in Tang Xiao's heart.
In terms of talent, he truly couldn't compare with Tang Hao.
But ever since Tang Hao had been crippled and he had become the Clear Sky Sect's sect master, gaining access to its inherited resources, Tang Xiao's cultivation had reached level 97 over the years.
With such cultivation, the world's strongest Weapon Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, and the Clear Sky Sect's many inherited Spirit Skills, Tang Xiao might not say it aloud, but in his heart, he had long considered himself second only to one.
As long as that old Qian Daoliu didn't show up, who could stop him?
"By a conservative estimate, I should be among the top three.
And according to the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking, they're listing a full thirty experts this time. Surely the Clear Sky Sect's elders will make the list too.
There's a risk of exposing our strength, but there are opportunities as well.
If we can seize them, the Clear Sky Sect might just soar to new heights!"
At the heart of the continent, on the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire... Spirit City!
In the Palace of the Pope stood a woman in robes, holding an ornate scepter. Her beauty was beyond compare. She was none other than Spirit Hall's current Pope, Bibi Dong!
She might have been a little too lovestruck, and the Rakshasa God's interference had driven her somewhat mad.
But you could call her foolish; you couldn't say she was poorly designed!
Anyone with an unsteady heart would have their senses swept away by her beauty.
And yet...
She was young, immensely powerful, and wielded authority over the world.
By all rights, Bibi Dong should have been in high spirits.
But today, she had troubles she couldn't put into words.
"Cough..."
No longer able to hold back the sweet, metallic taste in her mouth, Bibi Dong coughed—and spat out a mouthful of blood.
The dark red blood fell onto the handwoven carpet. It wasn't especially noticeable, but in the Palace of the Pope, it stood out starkly.
Hu Liena, who was attending her, knew what to do. Seeing the reddish blood at the corner of Bibi Dong's mouth, she hurriedly took a white handkerchief from her Storage Soul Tool and handed it over.
"Teacher, are you all right?"
"I'm fine!"
Taking the handkerchief, Bibi Dong waved her hand lightly.
Her gaze sharpened as she looked at Gui Mei and Yue Guan, known as her right-hand men, and issued an order.
"Pass down my command. The Spirit Masters of our faction are not to attack the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking without my permission. Anyone who disobeys will bear the consequences!
Also, when the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking begins its roll call, the people in charge of Spirit Hall branches across the continent must keep track of everyone.
Recruit those who can be recruited. If someone absolutely can't be won over..."
Bibi Dong's expression shifted, and her voice turned cold.
"Remember their names. Once they've received their rewards from the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking, you two will pay them a visit yourselves!"
"Understood!"
As her trusted underlings, Bibi Dong had confidence in Yue Guan and Gui Mei's abilities.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought them along on so many dirty jobs.
So when she saw there were thirty places, Bibi Dong was certain Yue Guan and Gui Mei would both be among them.
If they encountered anyone disloyal, the two of them would naturally deal with them in private.
Once she had finished giving her orders, Bibi Dong noticed Hu Liena gazing at the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking with longing.
She raised her hand and gently stroked Hu Liena's head, then comforted her.
"Liena, don't be impatient!
As the Saintess of Spirit Hall, I know your talent well.
You might not have a place on the Strongest Dragon-Tiger Ranking, but since the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking is making a ranking of powerful experts, it will surely make other lists later, such as one for young prodigies.
With your talent, you're certain to make that list!
The Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking is no ordinary thing. I only tested it just now, and it reflected my attack back at me. I was caught off guard and suffered a serious injury.
Since it was able to hurt me, its origins must be extraordinary, and the things it rewards likely won't be bad either!
Let's wait and see!"
"Yes, Teacher. I'll do as you say."
At the same time, in a village in the Balak Kingdom.
Looking up at the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking hanging high in the sky, a group of people with all sorts of looks gathered below. They seemed like students, but they had no scholarly air about them—instead, they gave off a rather roguish vibe. They couldn't help discussing it.
They were none other than the original protagonists of Douluo Continent: Shrek Academy!
"Whoa! I've really seen something today! I wonder if there'll be a beauty ranking besides the strongest experts list. Preferably one with women I can actually afford to pursue!"
"Fatty, is your Evil Fire acting up again? Careful, or I, Sister Xiao Wu, will beat you up!"
Clenching her fist, Xiao Wu shot Ma Hongjun an annoyed look, then moved closer to the plain-looking Tang San. Her legs were strikingly long in proportion to her body.
"Brother, what exactly is this thing? Do you know?"
Looking at Xiao Wu's blinking eyes, Tang San's heart nearly melted.
He rubbed his head and replied apologetically, "This is my first time seeing anything like it too. I imagine only a learned and well-read teacher like ours could know something about it."
Yu Xiaogang: "..."
I didn't know before, but now that you've said that, this Grandmaster will have to put on a bit of a show!
All I have to do is make a guess. Nobody knows the answer, so who can prove I'm wrong?
Besides, as the wisest man on the continent, I've put so much effort into making this up—no, guessing. How could I possibly be wrong?
Yu Xiaogang: "I've never seen this Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking either, but based on reasonable speculation...
It's either a divine miracle or a special Soul Tool!
But judging from its message, it doesn't seem to mean us any harm.
Based on what I know of Douluo Continent, if thirty powerful experts are being listed, the top ten—or even the top seven—would be doing well to include Title Douluo.
The rest should be experts at the Soul Douluo level.
If they're lucky, even high-level Soul Saints might manage to squeeze into the bottom of the ranking!"
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