"Your Majesty, say something!"
Yu Xiaogang was getting anxious.
Just as he was about to launch into another lengthy speech—
Boom—!
The Heavenly Curtain trembled.
The vast radiance of the Golden List actually pierced straight through the hall's dome, bathing everyone in light.
Every voice abruptly fell silent.
Whether it was Qian Renxue, Yu Xiaogang, or Shrek's Monsters, all of them raised their heads in shock.
Their gazes pierced through the roof of the hall and beheld that breathtaking sight.
"What... is that?"
Ma Hongjun's mouth fell open as he muttered to himself.
The hall fell deathly silent.
The previously tense, drawn-out atmosphere was instantly shattered by the sudden appearance of the Heavenly Dao Ranking List.
No one cared any longer about negotiations or support.
Before this blazing heavenly might, all mortal conflicts appeared utterly insignificant.
Golden light poured down like the Milky Way of the Nine Heavens flowing in reverse, instantly drowning out the clamor of the entire Daming Palace.
Everyone's gaze was drawn to the enormous ranking list that had pierced through the hall's roof and floated in the sky.
Mysterious Great Dao runes flowed across the entire list, and every character that appeared was accompanied by a hum that made their souls tremble.
Qian Renxue gracefully withdrew the Soul Power she had been about to release.
She turned slightly, her long golden court dress appearing even more luxurious beneath the radiance.
The hem swayed gently with her movement, and through the slit, a pair of slender, shapely jade-like legs could vaguely be seen.
They were not merely symbols of beauty; they also contained explosive strength capable of crushing mountains and rivers.
She was in no hurry to resume their previous topic.
As the inheritor of the God of Angels, she possessed confidence and pride beyond the reach of ordinary people.
In the eyes of this future God of Angels, this so-called Power Ranking was practically a coronation ceremony tailored specifically for the Spirit Hall Empire.
Looking across the Douluo Continent today, what other power could possibly surpass the Spirit Hall Empire?
There was none.
There simply was no second one.
Once the Heavenly Ranking made the Spirit Hall Empire's rank public, it would serve as the finest letter of surrender.
By then, the Great Tang Empress seated behind the curtain would naturally understand what it meant for a wise bird to choose the right tree to perch in.
A trace of calm control over everything showed in Qian Renxue's pale golden eyes.
She even had the leisure to extend her slender hand clad in a lace glove and gently smooth the loose strands by her temple.
The sight was breathtakingly beautiful, yet it carried a sacred aura that kept others at a distance.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall.
Yu Xiaogang likewise lifted his proud head.
His hands were clasped behind his back. Though his attire was nowhere near as extravagant as Qian Renxue's, there was not the slightest trace of timidity on his face.
If anything, he bore the aloofness and arrogance unique to a scholar.
The timing of the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking's appearance was simply perfect.
Though the Spirit Hall Empire was powerful, it was ultimately the enemy of the world.
What he represented, however, was the vast alliance formed by the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, the major sects, and Shrek Academy.
Their peak combat strength might be slightly inferior, but in terms of the breadth of their influence and the number of their allies, they held an absolute advantage.
As long as the Great Tang Empress saw the mighty momentum of their Allied Forces through the Heavenly Curtain, why would Great Tang not side with them?
Both sides harbored their own schemes, waiting for the Heavenly Ranking to build their momentum.
Behind the beaded curtain.
Wu Zetian lounged lazily against the Dragon Throne, her previously tense body now completely relaxed.
Her majestic phoenix eyes watched the figure standing in the corner through the gaps in the beads.
Li Xin.
As long as this man stood there, she would not fear even if the sky came crashing down.
As for those so-called struggles between empires and inheritances of God Positions outside, they were nothing but passing clouds in her eyes.
If Li Xin had not specifically instructed her before entering seclusion to maintain the continent's balance and not become easily involved in conflict, she would have long since ordered the guests sent away.
Now, things were different.
He had emerged from seclusion.
Therefore, the fate of Great Tang and the chessboard of this continent would all be decided by him.
The corners of Wu Zetian's lips curved upward slightly, revealing an exceptionally rare girlish expression.
She even felt a little anticipation, wondering how Li Xin would handle this farce before them.
Just then.
The Golden List in the sky finally changed.
Golden clouds and mist churned as lines of gilded characters slowly emerged, as though a celestial god were writing upon the void.
[Heavenly Dao Power Ranking, tenth place!]
Everyone's breathing stopped for an instant.
Who would be the first power to appear on the ranking?
[Shrek Academy!]
The image upon the Heavenly Curtain shifted.
An introduction to Shrek Academy appeared.
It was an academy steeped in legend. Though it had not existed for long, it had raised a generation of monstrous geniuses.
Its ranks had also produced Tang San, the current Tang Sect Leader, and it possessed countless ties to the rising power known as the Tang Sect.
Although its shallow foundation, along with the transfer of some of its core combat strength to the Tang Sect, left it ranked only tenth.
For an academy, however, this was already supreme glory.
Immediately afterward.
The most anticipated moment arrived.
[Ranking reward distribution!] [Shrek Academy's dean, Flender, has taught well and raised countless talents.] [Special reward: Soul Power Level increased by ten levels!] [Special reward: one God-Bestowed Soul Ring (its age will be determined by the recipient's endurance)!]
Boom—!
A chorus of sharp intakes of breath instantly rang out in the hall.
Even a flicker of surprise flashed through Qian Renxue's indifferent eyes.
A direct increase of ten Soul Power levels?
And an additional God-Bestowed Soul Ring?
One had to know that Flender had originally been an eighty-third-level Soul Douluo.
Wouldn't this reward allow him to step directly into the realm of a Titled Douluo?
And a Titled Douluo with a God-Bestowed Soul Ring, at that!
Such an increase was practically a heaven-defying change of fate.
Yu Xiaogang trembled faintly all over with excitement.
He stared fixedly at the Heavenly Curtain, greed and envy nearly overflowing from his eyes.
How wonderful would it have been if that reward had gone to him?
But he quickly adjusted his mindset.
Flender was his good brother and a steadfast supporter of the alliance.
If Flender grew stronger, the alliance grew stronger, which meant Yu Xiaogang's own confidence grew stronger as well!
"Ahem."
Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat, and the confident radiance of a "Grandmaster" returned to his face.
He took a step forward, staring directly at Wu Zetian behind the beaded curtain as his voice rang out:
"Your Majesty, did you see that?"
"This is the choice of the Heavenly Dao!"
"Shrek Academy is a place into which we have poured our hearts and efforts, and now it has received the recognition of the heavens."
As he spoke, he deliberately paused. His gaze swept past the cold-faced Qian Renxue at the side before he continued at length:
"Moreover, the Tang Sect has now been established."
"Tang San, the Tang Sect Leader, is a peerless talent of this age. He has also united the Clear Sky Sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the royal families of the Two Great Empires."
"The power we have gathered represents the justice and hope of the entire continent."
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