Loyalty!!!

"I recall you built your reputation on this Poison Skill of yours."

"If I remove the toxins from your Martial Soul, then this Poison Skill of yours will likely cease to exist."

After Dong Sen's further explanation, Dugu Bo's inner heart settled slightly.

But for the moment, he fell into a state of hesitation.

"You... wish to join my Ming Realm?" Dong Sen spoke again.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo set aside his inner turmoil for now, his eyes filled with anticipation as he nodded repeatedly:

"This Humble One has admired the Ming Realm for a long time, but never had the opportunity."

"Now I only beg the senior to grant my request!"

Though Dugu Bo never joined any force—even the Heaven Dou Royal Family only had his name on their roster—

Still, as a Title Douluo, He could sense the upheaval sweeping the continent since the Heavenly Screen descended.

And with Martial Soul Hall's power growing ever stronger, if he didn't find himself a backing, his future prospects would likely be grim.

The Ming Realm was the best choice.

Its strength was in no way inferior to Martial Soul Hall, which stood at the continent's peak.

It could also treat the toxins in his and Yanyan's bodies.

Joining the Ming Realm was simply the perfect solution.

Dong Sen nodded thoughtfully, sizing up the Dugu Bo before him.

After a long pause, under Dugu Bo's expectant gaze, he finally spoke slowly:

"The Ming Realm is currently in need of talent."

"Though you are only Level 92, weak in strength, you are still a Title Douluo."

"You are barely qualified to join the Ming Realm."

At these words, Dugu Bo immediately grew excited.

But before he could say anything, Dong Sen spoke again: "Joining the Ming Realm has only one requirement."

"Senior, speak it. Even if it means walking through fire or treading on blades, I, Dugu Bo, will not so much as frown." Dugu Bo's eyes were firm as he immediately swore.

Dong Sen shook his head, then his gaze gradually turned solemn.

"Joining the Ming Realm has only one requirement, and that is..."

"Loyalty! Loyalty! And fucking loyalty—absolute loyalty."

Jun Hao also spoke up from the side: "That's right. Join our Underworld, and you must be absolutely loyal to His Majesty."

"If I later discover even a hint of rebellious intent in you, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I will drag you out."

"And make you wish for death but find none."

Seeing the utterly serious expressions of the two men before him, Dugu Bo swallowed slightly.

"Rest assured, you two. Though I, Dugu Bo, am no saint, I would never stoop to such virtue-less acts as betrayal."

"But... who is this 'His Majesty'?"

Hearing Dugu Bo's pledge, Dong Sen nodded in satisfaction, then explained:

"His Majesty is the Lord of the Ming Realm."

"As for the toxins in your body, once we return to the Ming Realm, perhaps His Majesty will have a way to resolve them."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo's eyes lit up sharply, the flame of hope within him reignited by Dong Sen.

Then, as if remembering something, Dugu Bo asked again: "Hall Master, might I bring my granddaughter to join the Ming Realm as well?"

Dong Sen nodded casually; such a trivial matter was hardly worth mentioning.

Then, the palm radiating life force pressed itself against Dugu Bo's chest.

Restoring the injuries Jun Hao had inflicted on him earlier.

After a short while, Dugu Bo felt his entire body lighten, his strength returning to its peak.

He stared at Dong Sen in shock, murmuring under his breath: "Such... such astonishing healing ability."

Before he could savor it further, Dong Sen's words reached him.

"The purpose of our trip here is to take this entire Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye back with us."

"Since you've joined the Ming Realm, come and help as well."

"Yes!" Dugu Bo acknowledged.

Then, Dugu Bo sidled up beside Jun Hao.

"Heh heh, Brother Cang Lang."

Seeing Dugu Bo's ingratiating smile, Jun Hao shook his head: "Now that you've joined the Ming Realm, we're brothers. No need to be so formal."

"My name is Jun Hao, a Level 91 Strong Attack System Title Douluo."

"As for what else you wish to know, we can take it slow once we return to the Underworld. For now, let's handle the business at hand."

With that, Jun Hao paid no further heed to Dugu Bo and walked straight toward Dong Sen.

However, Dugu Bo was frozen on the spot, thunderstruck by Jun Hao's words.

"L-Level 91?!"

"A Level 91 effortlessly defeated me, a Level 92 Title Douluo?!"

"The Bright Realm... the Bright Realm is truly terrifying!"

Dugu Bo swallowed instinctively, staring dumbfounded at Jun Hao's retreating figure.

Though his heart churned with shock, it also solidified his resolve to join the Bright Realm.

But unlike the calm within the Sunset Forest, the outside world was thrown into a great commotion by the changes on the Sky Screen.

Inside the Worship Hall.

Jin'e Douluo stared at his own ranking on the Sky Screen, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes.

Disappointment in the formidable strength he had always prided himself on.

Then, as a beam of golden light merged into his body, Jin'e Douluo's power began to surge upward.

He finally reached the level of a Level Ninety-Nine Extreme Douluo.

"Second Brother, congratulations," Qian Daoliu said, watching his longtime brother finally break through, offering his congratulations with relief.

But Jin'e showed none of the expected joy.

He shook his head and sighed, "So I did make the list after all."

"I never expected that after over a hundred years of bitter cultivation, my strength couldn't even crack the top ten on the continent."

"And here I was, so confident before—truly laughable."

Mighty Lion Douluo comforted him from the side, "If not for the Bright Realm's sudden emergence, with Second Brother's strength, you'd at least rank in the top five."

Guang Ling Douluo nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Second Brother, there's no need to sell yourself short."

"Still, the Bright Realm's power is growing more terrifying by the day."

"Two at Level 98—if you factor in the Sky Screen's rewards, that's two Level Ninety-Nine Extreme Douluo-level powerhouses!"

Qing Luan Douluo stared at the successive reveals of the Sky Screen Battle Power Ranking, his expression extremely grave.

At these words, all the Worship Hall elders fell silent.

The earlier joy over Jin'e Douluo's breakthrough to Level Ninety-Nine Extreme Douluo was greatly dampened.

"Sigh—!"

A thousand words ultimately condensed into a single silent sigh.

Outside the Papal Palace.

"Jin'e! Even he only ranked thirteenth?!"

Bibi Dong's beautiful face was now covered in frost and a trace of shock.

A sense of absurdity instantly coiled around her heart.

Her former confidence in her own strength had now turned into boundless dread.

Just then, Lingyuan Douluo, who had been gone for some time, stepped forward again.

With an extremely grave tone, he reported:

"Your Majesty the Pope, the two elders, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, have vanished without a trace."

"What did you say?!" Bibi Dong, already in a foul mood, heard this news

and flew into a rage.