The Major Factions Are Stirring, the Continent Is About to Change!

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe this is an auspicious sign!"

Marshal Ge Long was the first to step out of the ranks, cupping his hands together, his voice as resonant as a bell:

"The Upper Three Sects are all within our Heaven Dou borders. Although they are not subordinate to Heaven Dou, they share deep roots with us. Surely, appearing on the list will be of benefit to Heaven Dou with no drawbacks!"

"Furthermore, strictly speaking, the empire itself counts as a faction. With Heaven Dou's national strength, we will certainly rank among the best, obtain the Heaven-Sent Reward, strengthen Heaven Dou, and deter foreign enemies!"

As soon as his voice fell, the civil and military officials nodded in agreement.

Emperor Xue Ye nodded with satisfaction, though he noticed that Xue Qinghe had no reaction.

"Qinghe, what is the matter? Do you perhaps have a different opinion?"

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, immediately bowed slightly to respond upon hearing this:

"Reporting to Father Emperor, I have no objections. My views are entirely consistent with those of Marshal Ge Long."

Yet, deep within Qian Renxue's eyes lay a heavy sense of gravity.

Given the foundation of Martial Soul Hall, ranking at the top of the list would be no problem at all.

She only wondered if the rewards would be worth the risk of exposing Martial Soul Hall's true strength.

Emperor Xue Ye did not notice her anomaly.

Prince Xue Xing, standing to the side, sensed something and grew increasingly suspicious of Xue Qinghe's identity.

However, lacking concrete evidence, he could only shake his head helplessly and look up at the Sky Screen, waiting for the list to be announced.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi had also summoned Chen Xin and Gu Rong immediately.

Gazing up at the miraculous Sky Screen in the heavens, Ning Fengzhi spoke after careful deliberation:

"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has developed steadily over these years. With Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone here, ranking in the top five should be no problem!"

Sword Douluo Chen Xin, hearing this, spoke with a hint of pride in his voice:

"Only the top five? Fengzhi, aren't you being too modest? Among all the current factions, only Martial Soul Hall can firmly suppress us; it's hard to say for the others!"

Bone Douluo Gu Rong also chimed in:

"The old sword-man is right. It's rare for me to agree with him for once!"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his tone filled with composure:

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, have you forgotten that there is also a mysterious Spirit Master Island across the sea?"

"Moreover, empires can also be considered factions. We must include the two great empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo, in our calculations."

These words left Chen Xin and Gu Rong stunned.

They had indeed forgotten about that mysterious Spirit Master Island and had overlooked the existence of the empires.

The empires controlled vast territories, populations, and resources that their sect could not compare to.

Ning Fengzhi paused, then frowned with gravity:

"More importantly, what kind of variables will the rewards from this list bring? Could it possibly incite the major factions to fight amongst themselves?"

"Back then, a single hundred-thousand-year transformed spirit beast was enough to cause Martial Soul Hall and the Clear Sky Sect to fall into a bitter feud... Alas, the continent is likely about to change!"

Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged glances, both expressing concern:

"Rongrong ran off in a fit of temper a while ago. Now that the situation is unclear, we must go and bring her back!"

Ning Fengzhi stopped the two as they were about to depart and smiled with relief:

"Rest assured, according to the report from the secret guards who returned not long ago, Rongrong has joined an academy called 'Shrek'."

"That academy is located in a remote area, far from the territories of the major factions, and has a Spirit Saint as its dean. There is no need to worry."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong furrowed their brows deeply.

Shrek? They had never even heard of it. What kind of backwater academy was that? Was it worthy of teaching their Rongrong!

Under Ning Fengzhi's persistent persuasion, the two finally gave up on the idea and waited quietly for the list to be announced.

Clear Sky Sect, a precipitous and frigid land isolated from the world.

Tang Xiao also summoned all the elders of the sect at the first opportunity.

Looking at the golden Sky Screen in the sky, Tang Xiao said with an incredibly grave expression:

"Elders, if our Clear Sky Sect makes the list, I fear it will once again draw the vigilance of Martial Soul Hall, which would be disadvantageous to us!"

Hearing this, the Second Elder, who held the highest seniority, stroked his beard and mused:

"The higher the waves, the more valuable the fish! The Heaven-Sent Reward obtained after making the list might allow our Clear Sky Sect to return to the spirit master world and recreate the glory of the past! With our sect's foundation, are we afraid of failing to secure a good rank and a good reward?"

The other elders also nodded in agreement:

"In terms of comprehensive foundation, our Clear Sky Sect has been passed down for a thousand years. Our martial soul, the 'Clear Sky Hammer', is the number one tool martial soul in the world, and we have the blessing of the Clear Sky Secret Technique left behind by our grandfather, Tang Chen!"

"Although we were heavily wounded by Martial Soul Hall and forced into seclusion back then, we have all advanced to Title Douluo in recent years. The sect's overall strength is no less than it was in the past; we will certainly secure a spot in the top three of the ranking!"

The most intense reaction came from the Seventh Elder, whose son had been killed by Martial Soul Hall. He roared in anger:

"That's right! After years of enduring and lying low, it is time to let the continent witness the might of the Clear Sky Sect once again! The debt Martial Soul Hall owes me, I will collect sooner or later!"

Seeing the fighting spirit of the elders surging, a sense of heroism rose in Tang Xiao's heart, and he said excitedly:

"Good! We shall use this Sky Screen to make the entire soul master world remember the weight of the name 'Clear Sky Sect'!"

Everyone stared at the Sky Screen above with eyes full of excitement, waiting for the announcement of this ranking that could change the fate of their sect.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Yuanzhen looked up at the Sky Screen, his arrogant voice booming like a thunderclap:

"The Clear Sky Sect was heavily wounded and went into seclusion back then, making my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan the strongest sect in the world today. Even if we aren't ranked first, we will definitely be ranked second!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the elder beside him, Yu Luomian, chimed in:

"Big brother is absolutely right. Looking at all the powers in the world, only Martial Soul Hall can firmly suppress our sect; the others are not even worth mentioning."

"The two sects that were once known alongside us as the Upper Three Sects—one is a support sect, and the other is a wounded recluse—they only deserve to be trampled under our feet!"

The other elders agreed one after another, but one elder spoke up in disagreement:

"Heh, Martial Soul Hall is nothing either; just a bloated, hollow shell!"

"Think back to when their Pope Qian Xunji took the two elders, Ju and Ghost, to hunt down Tang Hao for protecting a transformed soul beast!"

"All three were level 95 Title Douluo, yet they were defeated and severely wounded by Tang Hao, who broke through to Title Douluo on the spot, and Qian Xunji died from his injuries!"

"And that was only because Tang Hao showed mercy! If he had really wanted to kill them all back then, how could Ju and Ghost Douluo still be alive today?"

The elder became more agitated as he spoke, lightning crackling around his body:

"Because of this, the world says Tang Hao is a god of war descended to earth! But in my opinion, the Title Douluo of Martial Soul Hall are just cultivators propped up by resources—all show and no substance!"

"If our sect master went, he could also fight multiple Title Douluo of Martial Soul Hall alone. If Tang Hao can fight three, our sect master can fight four!"

Once these words were spoken, all the elders felt it made sense and nodded in agreement.

Yu Yuanzhen's eyes shone with excitement, his voice sounding like a rolling dragon roar:

"Well said, Martial Soul Hall is nothing! Today, the top spot on this Golden Ranking belongs to none other than my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

Everyone gazed at the Sky Screen above, their eyes filled with pride and anticipation, as if the top spot were already within their grasp.

Suotuo City, Shrek Academy.

The shock brought by the arrival of the Sky Screen could not interrupt the dispute within the academy.

Because Ning Rongrong had not completed her running training, she was scolded by Flender until she broke down, shouting in anger:

"Flender, you are just a lowly Soul Saint, what right do you have to lecture me! I come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

Flender was unimpressed and sneered disdainfully:

"Heh, is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect so amazing? At the end of the day, it's just a support sect, the tail end of the Upper Three Sects."

Ning Rongrong pointed at the Sky Screen above, unconvinced, and gritted her teeth in anger:

"If the Heavenly Ranking reveals that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not the tail end of the Upper Three Sects, you will kneel and kowtow to apologize to me. Do you dare to bet?!"