His expression shifted between light and shadow, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!!
Just then, several figures suddenly appeared beside Yu Yuan like ghosts.
There were five newcomers. Each had a different bearing, yet all radiated a powerful aura, deep as an abyss and solid as a mountain.
They all wore close-fitting battle robes of a similar style, though each had its own details.
Faint emblems representing their respective armor systems shimmered on their robes.
These five were among the core figures Yu Yuan had painstakingly cultivated over the past decades—the first few to awaken the Main Armor Martial Soul.
All five stared solemnly at the Sky Dome.
The leader, a man with a gentle, tranquil air, stepped forward.
He bowed respectfully and asked, "Your Majesty, this Heavenly Screen seems to cover the entire continent. Should we take any precautions?"
This man was Yan Nan, wielder of the Flame Dragon Armor Martial Soul.
The area fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. The other four, along with everyone else present, focused their attention on Yu Yuan.
They waited for his orders.
At this, Yu Yuan gave a slight shake of his head. "There's no need to worry too much. The Heavenly Screen may well become a great help to us."
Having read countless novels in his previous life, he naturally understood what the Heavenly Screen was.
He also knew what it meant for the Heavenly Screen to reveal all.
He just hadn't expected to encounter it himself.
It's both an opportunity and a stage, Yu Yuan thought to himself.
The Heavenly Screen's appearance had disrupted his original plan: to become a god, then unify the world with overwhelming force.
But it might also bring unexpected advantages.
It could even directly stir the continent's fortune.
Yu Yuan's gaze swept across those standing before him, and he spoke calmly:
"Yan Nan, Beiming, prepare yourselves."
"The time has come. It's time for the Bright Realm to make its appearance!"
His words rang out like a clap of thunder from a clear sky.
Yan Nan, Beiming, and the ordinary people gathered around them were all swept up in excitement.
After a brief silence—
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yan Nan was the first to react, shouting at once.
His eyes blazed with boundless battle spirit and joy.
"Wonderful! We've finally waited for this day!" Beiming clenched his fists in excitement as deep-blue light radiated from his body.
Xi Feng's lips curled into a sharp grin, and the Geng Metal Qi around him rang faintly.
"Hahaha! At last, we're going to make our appearance!"
"It's been over a decade. It's time to make Douluo Continent understand that this era belongs to the Bright Realm!"
"Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Bright Realm!"
The passion and longing they had suppressed for decades now erupted like a volcano.
Cheers and shouts rang out from every direction, swiftly converging into a mighty tide.
They echoed throughout Bright Realm Space.
After all, Yu Yuan had always kept them in Bright Realm Space, quietly cultivating.
They had been safe and well provided for, but as warriors and members of a power destined for greatness, who wouldn't yearn to distinguish themselves and make a name across the world?
At last, the day had come for them to make their mark.
Yan Nan bowed and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, the Fire Element Hall is willing to lead the vanguard of the Bright Realm!"
"We'll clear every obstacle in your path!"
The other four saw Yan Nan shamelessly ask to lead the charge first and glared at him in displeasure. Then, one after another, they followed his example.
"Your Majesty, the Water Hall..."
"Your Majesty, the Metal Element Hall..."
Seeing the crowd's fervor, Yu Yuan pressed down a hand, signaling for them to calm down.
"We'll discuss who leads the vanguard later," Yu Yuan said gravely. "The Gold Ranking is about to begin, and the whole world is watching."
"We'll discuss our next steps once this ranking is over."
"A new era is about to begin. The Bright Realm will fire the first shot!"
"We obey Your Majesty's command!" the crowd answered, their voices booming like bells and shaking the heavens.
Yu Yuan turned, his deep gaze passing through the city gates toward the outside world.
The storm had arrived!
The hidden dragon... was about to emerge from its abyss!
The outside world.
The various powers—
The Heavenly Screen's arrival had already stirred up a storm.
Before the Papal Palace of Spirit Hall,
Pope Bibi Dong held a splendid scepter, shock written across her regal, elegant face.
And beneath it all, a fervor she could barely conceal.
A Divine Miracle!
An absolute Divine Miracle!
This was a being countless times more powerful than the Rakshasa God.
Under this power, Bibi Dong couldn't even summon the will to resist.
Yet the more overwhelming it was, the more fervently Bibi Dong burned inside.
She recalled the Heavenly Screen's earlier words: everyone who made the ranking would receive a Heavenly Dao Blessing and an unparalleled reward.
Her excitement became all the harder to contain.
"Get it, get it! I have to get it!!" Bibi Dong gripped her scepter tightly, her frenzied gaze fixed on the Heavenly Screen.
Beside her, Gui Mei and Yue Guan, the two Titled Douluo elders, couldn't help swallowing at the sight of her terrifying expression.
They exchanged a glance, silently agreeing not to say a word.
They stayed quietly by Bibi Dong's side.
The Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu stared gravely at the Heavenly Screen above the sky.
Feeling the vast divine power within it—more terrifying than that of the Angel God—he shook his head and sighed helplessly.
"With the Heavenly Screen's arrival, is this a blessing or a disaster?"
Jin'e Douluo, standing beside him, smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Big Brother. It's bound to be a blessing, not a disaster."
"Didn't the Heavenly Screen say it? Everyone who makes the ranking will receive a Heavenly Dao Blessing and an unparalleled reward."
"The Combat Strength Ranking's top spot is bound to belong to you, Big Brother!"
Guang Ling Douluo sat cross-legged on the steps nearby, fiddling with his longbow as he spoke nonchalantly.
"Big Brother, don't fret too much. Spirit Hall is sure to dominate the Heavenly Screen's Combat Strength Ranking!"
Azure Luan Douluo nodded in agreement. "Fifth Brother is right. Spirit Hall is sure to benefit the most from the Heavenly Screen's arrival!"
The other Douluos burst into laughter as well, all of them eagerly anticipating the rewards the Heavenly Screen had promised.
Listening to his brothers' confident boasts, Qian Daoliu couldn't help shaking his head.
"The world is full of heroes. You shouldn't underestimate everyone else."
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu's thoughts drifted back to the past.
There was Bo Saixi, the Great Offering of Sea God Island, who also had a god as her backer and whose origins were shrouded in mystery.
And there was Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect, whose whereabouts were unknown.
With those two around, how could Spirit Hall possibly dominate the rankings?
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen and his younger brother, Yu Luomian, watched the Heavenly Screen, their faces alight with excitement.
"Hahahaha! There's bound to be a place for me on the Combat Strength Ranking!" Yu Yuanzhen laughed, beaming.
Yu Luomian flattered him. "Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul is the greatest Beast Martial Soul in the world, and Big Brother is a Titled Douluo at level ninety-five."
"Besides Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, who could possibly rival you, Big Brother?"
"You're sure to rank in the top five!"
Yu Luomian's flattery pleased Yu Yuanzhen immensely, and his smile grew even brighter.
He seemed to think the Heavenly Ranking's rewards were already his.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, where do you think your strength would place you?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at the Heavenly Screen and asked the two men beside him.
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