Bibi Dong shot to her feet from the Pope Chair.
Her magnificent Pope Robe billowed violently with her movement, revealing the turbulent storm in her heart.
Not a trace of composure remained on her incomparably beautiful face.
Her deep phoenix eyes stared fixedly at the Ranking on the Heavenly Curtain, her chest heaving violently.
Just moments ago, seeing the Tang Sect suffer a setback, she had been mocking Tang San's overestimation of himself.
She had even begun considering how the Spirit Hall Empire would sweep across the world after obtaining the top-ranking reward.
But in the blink of an eye.
Reality dealt her a resounding blow.
Sixth place.
The mighty Spirit Hall Empire, which commanded countless Soul Masters and possessed several Titled Douluo.
It had not even made it into the top five?
Had the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking gone mad?
If even the Spirit Hall Empire could only rank sixth.
What kind of monsters were the ones ranked in the top five?
Everyone's breathing became cautious.
Merely sixth.
For the Spirit Hall Empire, which aspired to unify the continent and boasted of its unrivaled martial might, this was undoubtedly a tremendous humiliation.
"Absurd."
Bibi Dong forced out those two words through clenched teeth.
"Could this Golden List be blind?"
"Or are there truly five colossal forces hidden in this world that can easily crush my Spirit Hall Empire?"
She did not believe it.
This simply defied all reason.
However, the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking did not give her much time to question it.
As golden light flowed, scenes concerning the Spirit Hall Empire slowly unfolded across the Heavenly Curtain.
It was a grand and lengthy history.
From the founding of Spirit Hall, to the glory of the Angel Clan, and then to the establishment of the present empire.
The awakenings of countless Soul Masters and the deaths of countless experts flashed through the image one by one.
The scene finally settled upon the throne in the Papal Palace, symbolizing supreme authority.
Though the image was grand, it seemed more like a sarcastic footnote to its sixth-place ranking.
Immediately afterward, the golden words that drove Soul Masters across the entire continent mad emerged once more.
[Given the Spirit Hall Empire's profound foundation and command over countless Soul Masters.] [Special reward: All core Elders and enshrined members of the empire shall each receive one compatible God-Bestowed Soul Ring!] [Additional reward: Pope Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue shall each receive one God-Bestowed Soul Bone!]
Boom!
The instant this line appeared, Bibi Dong's pupils suddenly contracted, despite her previous indignation.
A God-Bestowed Soul Ring was one thing.
There was actually a God-Bestowed Soul Bone as well?
One had to know that at her level, finding another suitable Soul Bone was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
The generosity of this reward far exceeded her expectations.
The fury that had been building in her chest instantly dissipated by more than half before such tangible benefits.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath.
She was proud, but she was not foolish.
Rejecting an opportunity that could directly increase her strength would make her a true idiot.
"Good."
"Very good."
Bibi Dong released her tight grip on her scepter, a sharp glint flashing through her eyes.
"Since it has been given, This Seat shall accept it."
"With these resources, what does it matter if we are only sixth?"
"Once my divine art is complete, I will personally visit each of the forces ranked in the top five."
She no longer hesitated and immediately sat down cross-legged.
A brilliant beam of golden light pierced through the dome of the hall and accurately enveloped her.
The pleasure of power filling her entire body made Bibi Dong narrow her eyes in comfort.
Daming Palace, Imperial Study.
The tranquility here stood in stark contrast to the clamor outside.
Li Xin suddenly raised his hand and pressed down on the soft hand gently kneading his shoulder.
Wu Zetian's movements paused slightly.
She lowered her head in puzzlement and looked at the calm-faced man.
"What is it?"
"Was I pressing too hard?"
Li Xin did not turn around. He merely patted the back of her hand lightly.
"No."
"I only wanted to remind you of something."
He slowly rose to his feet, his gaze passing through the window lattice and settling on the dazzling Heavenly Curtain.
"Prepare yourself."
"The appetizers are over."
"Next, aside from the soul beast forces that remain hidden from the world, the rest of the rankings should all belong to us."
He spoke these words with complete calm.
As though he were stating the simplest fact in the world.
Hearing this, a helpless, bitter smile appeared on Wu Zetian's exquisite face.
She walked to Li Xin's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
"If everything truly is exposed..."
"Then Great Tang will truly stand at the center of the storm."
"Whether it is the Spirit Hall Empire or that mysterious Tang Sect, they will likely see us as thorns in their sides."
"When that time comes, we will not be able to avoid this continental conflict even if we wish to."
Li Xin turned to look at her profile, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
He reached out and lifted a strand of dark hair beside Wu Zetian's ear, gently winding it around his fingertips.
"In this world, the strong have always ruled."
"I did not act before because I had no interest in playing children's games."
"But since this Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking insists on pushing us onto the stage."
"Then we may as well go along with it."
A domineering air that looked down upon the world shone in Li Xin's eyes.
"If we are participating, then we are participating."
"They are merely ants. Even if they join forces, what waves could they possibly stir up?"
Upon hearing this, the last trace of concern in Wu Zetian's heart miraculously vanished.
That was right.
As long as this man was here.
What was there in this world to fear?
As the two conversed, the golden light upon the Heavenly Curtain surged once again.
This time, the commotion was greater than at any previous moment.
Within that golden light, the faint sounds of clashing weapons and charging warhorses seemed to ring out, mixed with mournful zither music.
The fifth place was about to be revealed.
[Heavenly Dao Power Ranking, Fifth Place!]
Three blood-red characters looked especially glaring amid the golden light, radiating an intense Killing Aura.
[Wonderful Sound Workshop!]
As the name appeared, lines of heart-pounding information emerged one after another.
Nature: the Number One Assassin Organization.
Established: One hundred years ago.
Record: had assassinated Three Titled Douluo; never failed against targets at the Soul Douluo level.
Organizers: Jing, Li Bai, Gongsun Li!
The scene abruptly shifted.
It was no longer a grand battlefield, nor was it a towering palace.
Instead, it was endless shadows and cold light.
Amid the cold gleam of shattered Mirror Shards, a figure moved as swiftly as a ghost, harvesting lives.
As flower petals filled the sky, beneath a Paper Umbrella, an exquisite dance concealed the edge of certain death.
And there was also the Green Lotus Sword Song, with wine pouring into one's belly and sword qi stretching thirty thousand miles.
How could this be called a mere force?
It was clearly a sharp sword hanging above the heads of all experts!
Then, the rewards were announced.
[Wonderful Sound Workshop ranks fifth and kills with decisive ruthlessness.] [Special reward: All registered members of the Wonderful Sound Workshop assassin ranking shall collectively receive two God-Bestowed Soul Rings!] [Additional reward: All members shall receive the exclusive soul skill *Shadow Stealth*, allowing them to conceal their aura. Those below the level of a God-level Expert cannot detect them!]
Before you continue