[Assessment: Tang Xiao, as the Clear Sky Sect's Sect Master, possessed the Clear Sky Hammer, the greatest weapon-type Martial Soul under heaven. His strength was unrivaled, and a single swing of his hammer could break a million soldiers. He had also mastered the Clear Sky Sect's secret techniques, including the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and the Great Sumeru Hammer. Unfortunately, his understanding of the Clear Sky Hammer and his mastery of the sect's secret techniques were ultimately a cut below those of his younger brother Tang Hao and his ancestor Tang Chen, so he ranked twenty-fourth] [Reward: Soul Power Level Increased by One Level, all Soul Ring Lifespans increased by 1,600 years, one 20,000-year Right Arm Bone, and an insight into the Clear Sky Hammer]
The moment the ranking was announced, the entire continent was once again in an uproar.
After all, who hadn't heard of the Clear Sky Hammer, the greatest weapon-type Martial Soul under heaven?
The Clear Sky Sect fell silent.
Sect Master Tang Xiao looked at his name on the Sky Screen.
For some reason, despite his rank falling far short of his expectations—not even making the top twenty—he couldn't help feeling relieved.
"Sect Master."
The Second Elder glanced at Tang Xiao, who stood frozen in place, and assumed the news had hit him too hard. He was just about to step forward and comfort him.
But Tang Xiao waved a hand and said with a faint smile,
"Phew. It's no big deal, no big deal."
"When Qianjun and Falling Devil, the two Spirit Hall Enshrined Douluo, appeared on the ranking, I already suspected as much."
"Now it's merely confirmed my guess."
After sensing the improvement in his strength, Tang Xiao chuckled.
"And my strength has improved greatly, so this is good news in its own way."
Then Tang Xiao clasped his hands behind his back, raised his head slightly, and gazed out at the scenery beyond the Clear Sky Sect's plaza.
"Douluo Continent is full of hidden talents."
As if mocking himself, Tang Xiao glanced at the elders beside him and said, "Perhaps my Clear Sky Sect really has fallen into decline."
The elders had nothing to say in response. They all fell silent.
All their former arrogance, all the confidence they'd taken in being members of the Clear Sky Sect and wielders of the greatest weapon-type Martial Soul under heaven—
The Sky Screen had mercilessly shattered it all.
Of the Clear Sky Sect's eight Titled Douluo, only Sect Master Tang Xiao had made the ranking, and he was merely twenty-fourth.
There were a full twenty-three Titled Douluo stronger than their Sect Master ahead of him.
Whenever the elders thought of this, they couldn't summon the slightest trace of pride.
They were all overcome with defeat.
"Damn it! If our ancestor Tang Chen were still here, how could the Clear Sky Sect have fallen so far!" the Second Elder cried out in frustration.
The other elders were just as indignant, but there was nothing they could do.
After a long silence, the Third Elder finally spoke. "What if... we brought Tang Hao back?"
"The world is changing, and the Clear Sky Sect needs his strength."
At those words, everyone present changed color.
The Third Elder saw their expressions and immediately understood what they were thinking.
He hurriedly explained, "Now that the Sky Screen has appeared, I believe the powers across the continent will soon be reshuffled."
"The Clear Sky Sect must change, too, and Tang Hao is an indispensable source of strength."
"No matter how many mistakes Tang Hao made in the past, he is still one of us."
After a brief silence, the Seventh Elder was the first to speak. "Perhaps Third Brother is right."
His words were like a breach opening in a dam. The Fifth and Sixth Elders quickly voiced their agreement as well.
Seeing this, Tang Xiao made his decision at once. "Good! Since all the elders agree..."
"From this day forward, we'll send people out to find Younger Brother Hao!"
Tang Hao stared at the enormous golden characters on the Heavenly Ranking and stood dazed for a moment.
"Could it be that my Clear Sky Sect has only one person on the ranking—Big Brother? And he's only twenty-fourth?"
"Alas, if I weren't so badly injured, I'd surely have a place on the Combat Strength Ranking!"
After taking stock of his battered body, Tang Hao shook his head and sighed helplessly.
Then he gazed up at the Golden Sky Screen hanging high in the heavens, unwilling to accept it.
"Just give me a little more time. I only need a little more time!"
"I'll be able to recover some more of my strength!"
[Combat Strength Ranking, Twenty-Third: Jian Douluo Chenxin] [Affiliated Force: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect] [Martial Soul: Seven Kill Sword] [Level: Rank 96 Assault Type Super Douluo] [Assessment: Jian Daochenxin, an enshrined elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, devoted his life to the sword. His Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul was comparable to the Clear Sky Hammer, and even slightly surpassed it. Its sharpness was peerless; nothing could withstand its slashes, and nothing escaped unbroken. His own offensive power was also unmatched, so he ranked twenty-third] [Reward: Soul Power Increased by One Level, all Soul Ring Lifespans increased by 2,000 years, one 30,000-year Right Arm Bone, and one insight into the Way of the Sword]
As soon as this ranking appeared, the continent's many forces were left speechless.
The Sky Screen always managed to reveal things beyond their imagination.
There was no need to dwell on the insight into the Way of the Sword.
But how could the Sky Screen Battle Power Ranking claim that the Seven Kill Sword was on par with—or even slightly superior to—the Clear Sky Hammer?
The Clear Sky Hammer was the greatest weapon-type Martial Soul under heaven. How could it be inferior to the Seven Kill Sword?
What a joke.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect,
Chen Xin stood atop a mountain peak, absorbing the rewards granted by the Heavenly Ranking.
What Chen Xin valued most was the insight into the Way of the Sword.
In his view, that reward was several times more valuable than an increase in Soul Power or Soul Ring Lifespan.
In the distance, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo Gu Rong watched in silence.
Looking dejected, Bone Douluo Gu Rong turned to Ning Fengzhi and asked, "Fengzhi, do you think I didn't make the ranking at all?"
He'd had that feeling ever since Qianjun and Falling Devil had appeared on the ranking.
Now that his old friend had made the list, it only confirmed his suspicion.
Though he often sparred with Chen Xin and the two had traded barbs for years, Gu Rong had to admit that Chen Xin was stronger than him.
As he thought about it, Gu Rong irritably scratched his head. "But how can that be? There's no way I'm weaker than that old dragon!"
Seeing Bone Douluo in such a state, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help sighing.
He naturally hoped that both of the sect's guardian Douluo would make the ranking.
But now it seemed Gu Rong had little chance of appearing on the Combat Strength Ranking.
Even so, he offered some consolation. "Bone Uncle, don't worry. Perhaps you're even stronger than Sword Uncle."
"Try to look on the bright side."
Gu Rong had just been about to reply to Ning Fengzhi's reassurance when, on the distant mountain peak, a sword energy of dazzling sharpness suddenly surged forth.
Though they were far away, Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi could feel a faint sting on their faces.
The pain only grew more intense.
At once, Gu Rong activated Martial Soul Possession and stepped in front of Ning Fengzhi.
He stared in shock at the upright figure atop the mountain peak, as straight as a drawn sword.
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