Loyalty!!!

"I remember you made your name with your Poison Skill."

"If I remove the poison in your Martial Soul, then your Poison Skill will probably disappear as well."

After Dong Sen explained it again, Dugu Bo felt a little more at ease.

But for a moment, he was still caught in a dilemma.

"You... want to recruit me into the Bright Realm?" Dong Sen asked again.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo pushed his dilemma aside for the time being and nodded eagerly.

"I've admired the Bright Realm for a long time, but never had the opportunity to join."

"I only ask that Senior grant my request!"

Though Dugu Bo had never joined any faction—not even the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, where he had done little more than lend his name—

he was, after all, a Titled Douluo.

He could sense the turmoil spreading across the continent ever since the Heavenly Screen Arrival.

And Spirit Hall's power was growing stronger by the day. If he didn't find a powerful backer soon, he feared his future would be no better.

The Bright Realm was the best choice.

Its strength was in no way inferior to Spirit Hall, which stood at the peak of the continent.

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

Joining the Bright Realm was the perfect solution for both.

Dong Sen nodded thoughtfully as he studied Dugu Bo.

After a long while, under Dugu Bo's expectant gaze, he finally spoke.

"The Bright Realm is in need of capable people right now."

"Though you're only level 92 and your strength is modest, you're still a Titled Douluo."

"You're qualified to join the Bright Realm."

At these words, Dugu Bo grew excited at once.

But before he could say anything, Dong Sen spoke again. "There's only one requirement for joining the Bright Realm."

"Name it, Senior. I'd climb a mountain of blades or plunge into a sea of flames without so much as furrowing my brow." Dugu Bo swore at once, his gaze resolute.

Dong Sen shook his head, his expression growing solemn.

"There's only one requirement for joining the Bright Realm, and that is..."

"Loyalty! Loyalty! And damn it, more loyalty! Absolute loyalty!"

Jun Hao chimed in from the side. "That's right. Once you join the Underworld, you must be absolutely loyal to His Majesty."

"If I ever discover even the slightest hint of rebellion in you, I'll drag you out no matter how far you run."

"I'll make sure you'll wish you were dead!"

Looking at the two men's grave expressions, Dugu Bo swallowed nervously.

"Rest assured. I may not be a good person, but I'd never commit such a disgraceful betrayal."

"But... who is His Majesty?"

Pleased with Dugu Bo's assurance, Dong Sen nodded and explained.

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

"And once you return to the Bright Realm, His Majesty may be able to do something about the poison in your body."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. Dong Sen had rekindled the flame of hope in his heart.

Then, as if remembering something, Dugu Bo asked again, "Hall Master, may I bring my granddaughter with me when I join the Bright Realm?"

Dong Sen nodded casually. Such a small matter was hardly worth mentioning.

Then the hand radiating life force pressed against Dugu Bo's chest of its own accord.

It healed the injuries Jun Hao had inflicted on him earlier.

After a short while, Dugu Bo felt completely refreshed, his strength restored to its peak.

He stared at Dong Sen in shock and murmured, "Incredible... What an astonishing ability to heal."

Before he could take it all in, Dong Sen spoke again.

"Our purpose in coming here was to take the entire Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye back with us."

"Since you've joined the Bright Realm, come help us."

"Yes!" Dugu Bo replied.

Then he sidled up to Jun Hao.

"Heh, Brother Cang Lang."

Jun Hao shook his head at Dugu Bo's ingratiating smile. "Now that you've joined the Bright Realm, we're all brothers. You don't need to be so formal."

"My name is Jun Hao. I'm a level 91 Strong Attack System Titled Douluo."

"As for anything else you want to know, we can talk after we return to the Underworld. For now, let's take care of business."

With that, Jun Hao ignored Dugu Bo and walked straight toward Dong Sen.

But Jun Hao's words had left Dugu Bo stunned on the spot.

"L-level 91?!"

"He defeated me, a level 92 Titled Douluo, with ease despite being only level 91?!"

"The Bright Realm... The Bright Realm really is terrifying!"

Dugu Bo swallowed reflexively, staring wide-eyed at Jun Hao's retreating figure.

He was utterly shocked, but his resolve to join the Bright Realm had only grown stronger.

Unlike the calm in Sunset Forest,

the outside world was in an uproar over the changes to the Heavenly Screen.

Inside the Worship Hall.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at his ranking on the Heavenly Screen, disappointment flashing in his eyes.

He was disappointed in the powerful strength he had always taken pride in.

Then, as a golden light flowed into his body, his strength began to rise steadily.

In the end, he reached the level of a Level 99 Limit Douluo.

"Second Brother, congratulations." Qian Daoliu looked at the brother who had been by his side for so many years and finally broken through, offering his congratulations with relief.

But Golden Crocodile Douluo didn't look as happy as expected.

He shook his head and sighed. "So I really did make the list."

"I never imagined that after more than a century of arduous cultivation, I still wouldn't rank among the continent's top ten."

"I was so confident before. What a joke."

Mighty Lion Douluo tried to comfort him. "If the Bright Realm hadn't appeared out of nowhere, Second Brother's strength would've easily placed him among the top five."

Guang Ling Douluo nodded in agreement. "That's right. Second Brother, don't sell yourself short."

"Still, the Bright Realm's strength really is getting more and more terrifying."

"Two level 98s—and if we count the Heavenly Screen's rewards, that means two Level 99 Limit Douluos!"

Qingluan Douluo watched the Heavenly Screen Battle Power Ranking reveal one name after another, his expression grave.

At those words, all the other Worshippers fell silent.

Their joy at Golden Crocodile Douluo's breakthrough to Level 99 Limit Douluo had faded considerably.

"Sigh..."

In the end, all they could offer was a silent sigh.

Outside the Papal Palace.

"Golden Crocodile! He only ranked thirteenth?!"

Bibi Dong's beautiful face was now covered in frost, shock written across it.

A sense of absurdity washed over her.

The confidence she had once felt in her own strength had given way to boundless unease.

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

She reported in a grave voice, "Your Holiness the Pope, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, the two elders, have disappeared. We don't know where they are."

"What did you say?!" Bibi Dong was already in a foul mood, and hearing this news—

only made her furious.