Yu Xiaogang looked at everyone's expectant gazes, and panic filled his heart.
What did he know about gods? But since he had already blustered, he could only put on an act and say:
"Ahem, Soul Masters become gods upon reaching level one hundred. The Sea God was promoted from a level-one-hundred Sea Soul Master, and their Martial Soul evolves into a divine artifact after godhood!"
Zhao Wuji and the others suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.
"I've learned something. As expected of the Grandmaster—you know everything."
"Level one hundred... Hiss, I wouldn't even dare dream of it!"
Xiao Wu, however, burst into laughter and covered her mouth as she said:
"Grandmaster, isn't that wrong? Don't tell me you just made it all up?"
Though she did not know the specifics either, as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, she had heard a thing or two from her mother.
One could not become a god simply by reaching level one hundred; one needed a divine position, and divine artifacts were certainly not evolved Martial Souls.
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened. Maintaining his dignity by force, he said in a low voice:
"What makes you say this Grandmaster is wrong? What is your basis?"
Xiao Wu smiled and was about to answer.
But Tang San's rebuke interrupted her:
"Enough! The Grandmaster cannot be wrong!"
Xiao Wu froze. It was the first time Tang San had spoken to her like this, and she could not help feeling wronged.
"I just think the Grandmaster has a problem with what he said! Why are you being so fierce? I'm your little sister!"
Tang San furrowed his brows tightly, showing no sign of relenting as he said coldly:
"The Grandmaster cannot be wrong! No one can question my teacher in public and embarrass him—not even you, Xiao Wu!"
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened. Biting her lip, she said angrily:
"Heh, then you're right, okay? I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Remembering Tang Hao's special instructions to keep a close eye on Xiao Wu, Zhao Wuji hurried over to Tang San and persuaded him:
"Little San, Xiao Wu just likes to play around. You're a grown man, so give her some leeway. Go comfort her."
Hearing that, Tang San realized that he might have gone too far.
Just as he wanted to apologize, Yu Xiaogang stopped him and snorted coldly:
"Little San, she dares act so presumptuously because you indulge her too much. You need to teach her a lesson so she can learn who is the master and who is the servant!"
Dai Mubai also snorted.
"That's right. Women are nothing more than accessories to us men. If they want to eat at the table, they have to watch our expressions!"
Ma Hongjun, never one to shy away from stirring up trouble, said with a wicked grin:
"If you don't beat them for three days, they'll tear the roof off. If you want women to behave, you have to train them. Only after they're obedient can you spoil them. As the saying goes, give them a date after a slap!"
Tang San's gaze gradually turned cold, and there was added sharpness in the way he looked at Xiao Wu.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu felt even more wronged and angry. In a huff, she went over to Zhu Zhuqing in the distance.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. She had already been thoroughly disappointed in this place and only hoped the Sky Screen would reveal a suitable power for her to join.
Heaven Dou Empire, imperial palace of Heaven Dou City.
"Heaven truly favors our Heaven Dou!"
Xue Ye abruptly rose to his feet, his voice trembling with uncontrollable excitement.
"Our Heaven Dou's national treasure, the 'Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud,' is actually a divine object!"
The civil and military officials all echoed his words, and unprecedented cheers erupted throughout the hall.
Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, still had her brows tightly furrowed, though she secretly let out a breath of relief.
As long as her identity had not been exposed, she still had a chance, even if Heaven Dou possessed such a divine object!
Prince Xue Xing noticed her expression, and his suspicions deepened. He spoke up, breaking the atmosphere in the hall:
"Your Majesty, the exposure of this divine object will surely attract covetous eyes. It must be guarded a hundred times more strictly, and we must uncover its secrets as soon as possible so that it may truly serve Heaven Dou!"
Xue Ye instantly calmed down and nodded repeatedly, about to issue an order at once.
But the next moment, the Sky Screen suddenly sent down a golden pillar of light that enveloped Marshal Ge Long.
Under the astonished gazes of everyone in the hall, Marshal Ge Long's Soul Power surged wildly.
His bottleneck at level eighty-eight was instantly shattered, and he broke through to level eighty-nine!
He was only one step away from becoming a Title Douluo!
"What a divine miracle! Congratulations, Marshal Ge Long!"
Witnessing such a miracle, the civil and military officials instantly felt that they had no regrets left in life.
Marshal Ge Long trembled with excitement and knelt before Xue Ye to express his gratitude.
At that moment, another, smaller golden pillar of light descended and landed in Xue Ye's hand.
When the light faded, it revealed a top-grade soul bone, making everyone's eyes in the hall burn with desire.
Even an ordinary soul bone was a treasure that countless people would fight over until blood flowed like rivers, let alone such a top-grade soul bone!
Xue Ye's gaze shifted to Marshal Ge Long, and he said majestically:
"Marshal Ge Long is now only one step away from becoming a Title Douluo. I have decided to grant this bone to him! Do any of you object?!"
The civil and military officials were initially stunned, then immediately bowed and echoed:
"Your Majesty is wise! If Marshal Ge Long can use this bone to successfully advance, he will surely deter all enemies in every direction for Heaven Dou!"
Qian Renxue also bowed in agreement, though a gloomy glint flashed through her eyes.
What a Sky Screen. Not only had it let Heaven Dou learn of a divine object, but it was also about to give them another Title Douluo!
Marshal Ge Long was overwhelmed by the favor and hurriedly knelt to decline:
"Your Majesty, you must not! It is already an immense honor for this subject to receive a Heaven-Sent Reward. How can I accept both rewards? Please revoke your decree!"
Xue Ye strode forward and helped him up, his tone filled with gravity.
"Marshal Ge Long, even with the protection of a divine object, Heaven Dou failed to rank among the top ten. Who knows what terrifying existences lie above us, or whether they may threaten Heaven Dou!"
"You are now only one step away from becoming a Title Douluo. Only in your hands can this soul bone become a sharp blade to protect Heaven Dou's millions of citizens and save the collapsing structure!"
As he spoke, he spread open Marshal Ge Long's hand and placed the soul bone in it. A trace of tears glistened in his eyes.
"Heaven Dou's future depends on you, my beloved minister Ge Long. You must accept it and strengthen our Heaven Dou!"
Seeing this, the civil and military officials all dropped to their knees and shouted in unison:
"Marshal Ge Long, please strengthen our Heaven Dou!"
Tears instantly streamed from Marshal Ge Long's eyes. He dropped heavily to his knees and kowtowed.
"This subject thanks Your Majesty for this gift! I will not fail your trust. I will break through to become a Title Douluo and swear to defend Heaven Dou with my life!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he rose and quickly left the hall to find a quiet place to absorb it.
Watching Marshal Ge Long depart, Xue Ye's gaze instantly became sharp again as he issued an order loudly:
"Prince, heed my command. I appoint you to take full charge of guarding the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and uncovering its secrets!"
Prince Xue Xing glanced at Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, then bowed to accept the order and departed.
After handling these matters, Xue Ye looked up at the Sky Screen in the heavens and murmured:
"The Upper Three Sects and the Two Great Empires have all made the list. Other than Spirit Hall, what other power could possibly make the rankings?"
Qian Renxue was equally curious. Among all those unknown powers, she wondered whether Spirit Hall could still claim first place.
Chang'an City.
Ye Han watched the Sky Screen, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he murmured:
"The Upper Three Sects and the Two Great Empires are the five strongest powers on the continent apart from Spirit Hall, yet they could not even enter the top ten. The outside world is probably going mad with anxiety."
Shangguan Wan'er frowned slightly at his words, her red lips parting as she said:
"City Lord, the more this is the case, the greater the risk of Chang'an City being exposed. What if the various outside powers covet us and join forces..."
Ye Han smiled dismissively.
"Don't worry. I understand the thoughts of those outside powers better than anyone. Once Chang'an is exposed, they will only rush to win us over. Just wait and see."
As the two spoke, the entire continent stared eagerly at the Sky Screen.
Everyone wanted to know what kind of power could rank above the mighty Two Great Empires.
Finally, under the tense and expectant gazes of countless people, the golden Sky Screen above updated:
[Power Ranking, Tenth Place: Sunset Forest...]
Before you continue