"Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe this is an auspicious sign!"
Marshal Ge Long was the first to step forward. He cupped his fists, his voice booming like a bell.
"The Upper Three Sects are all within Heaven Dou's borders. Though they do not answer to Heaven Dou, they have deep ties to it. If they make the rankings, it will surely benefit Heaven Dou without causing any harm!"
"Strictly speaking, an empire also counts as a power. With Heaven Dou's national strength, we will certainly rank near the top, receive Heaven-Sent Rewards, strengthen Heaven Dou, and intimidate foreign enemies!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the civil and military officials all nodded in agreement.
Xue Ye nodded in satisfaction, but noticed that Xue Qinghe had not reacted.
"Qinghe, what is wrong? Could it be that you have a different opinion?"
Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, immediately gave a slight bow in response.
"Reporting to Father Emperor, I have no objections. My view is completely in line with Marshal Ge Long's."
Yet deep within Qian Renxue's eyes was grave concern.
With Spirit Hall's foundations, taking first place would not be difficult.
She only did not know whether the reward would be worth the risk of exposing Spirit Hall's foundations.
Xue Ye did not notice anything unusual about her.
Prince Xue Xing, however, noticed something from the side and grew even more suspicious of Xue Qinghe's identity.
But without any concrete evidence, he could only helplessly shake his head and look toward the Sky Screen, waiting for the rankings to be announced.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi immediately summoned Chen Xin and Gu Rong.
Looking up at the miraculous Sky Screen above, Ning Fengzhi spoke after careful consideration.
"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has developed steadily over the years. With Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone here, ranking among the top five should not be a problem!"
Sword Douluo Chen Xin spoke with a hint of pride.
"Only top five? Fengzhi, you are being too modest. Among all the powers today, only Spirit Hall can firmly suppress us. As for the others, that is hard to say!"
Bone Douluo Gu Rong chimed in as well.
"The old sword fool is right. It is rare for me to agree with him even once!"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his tone steady.
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, have you forgotten that there is a mysterious Spirit Master Island beyond the sea?"
"Besides, the empires may also count as powers. We must include the Two Great Empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo."
Chen Xin and Gu Rong froze at those words.
They had indeed forgotten about that mysterious Spirit Master Island and overlooked the existence of the empires.
The empires controlled vast territories, populations, and resources. They were not something sects like theirs could compare to.
After a pause, Ning Fengzhi frowned and spoke solemnly.
"More importantly, what kind of changes will the rewards from this ranking bring? Could they cause the major powers to fight over them?"
"Back then, a single hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast had caused Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect to fight bitterly... Sigh, the continent is probably about to change!"
Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a glance, then said worriedly at the same time.
"Rongrong ran off in anger some time ago. Now that the situation is unclear, we must bring her back!"
Ning Fengzhi stopped the two men as they prepared to leave, smiling reassuringly.
"Do not worry. According to the covert guards who returned not long ago, Rongrong has joined an academy called Shrek."
"That academy is in a remote location, far from the territories of the major powers. It also has a Soul Sage headmaster overseeing it, so there is no need to worry."
Chen Xin and Gu Rong frowned deeply.
Shrek? They had never even heard of it. What kind of backwater academy was that? Was it worthy of teaching their Rongrong?
Only after Ning Fengzhi's persistent persuasion did the two finally let the matter drop and quietly wait for the rankings to be revealed.
Clear Sky Sect, in a treacherous, frigid land isolated from the world.
Tang Xiao likewise gathered all the sect elders at the first opportunity.
Gazing at the golden Sky Screen in the heavens, Tang Xiao spoke with an incomparably grave expression.
"Elders, if our Clear Sky Sect makes the rankings, I fear it will draw Spirit Hall's attention again. That would be detrimental to us!"
Upon hearing this, the highest-ranking Second Elder stroked his beard and pondered.
"The greater the storm, the greater the catch! The Heaven-Sent Rewards gained after making the rankings may allow our Clear Sky Sect to return to the world of spirit masters and restore our former glory! With our sect's foundations, are we afraid we will not get a high ranking and good rewards?"
The other elders all nodded in agreement.
"In terms of overall foundations, 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 also have the Clear Sky Secret Technique left behind by Grandfather Tang Chen!"
"Although Spirit Hall severely wounded us and forced us into seclusion back then, we have all advanced to Title Douluo in recent years. The sect's overall strength does not fall short of what it was before. We will certainly have a place in the top three!"
The most agitated was Seventh Elder, whose son had been killed by Spirit Hall. He roared angrily.
"That is right! We have endured and hidden for many years. It is time to let the continent witness the might of the Clear Sky Sect once more! Sooner or later, I will collect the debt Spirit Hall owes me!"
Seeing the elders brimming with fighting spirit, a surge of heroic emotion rose in Tang Xiao's heart. He said excitedly.
"Good! We will use this Sky Screen to make the entire spirit master world remember the weight carried by the name 'Clear Sky Sect'!"
Everyone stared at the Sky Screen above with excitement in their eyes, waiting for the rankings that might change the sect's fate.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen looked up at the Sky Screen, his proud voice exploding like thunder.
"The Clear Sky Sect was severely wounded and went into seclusion back then. Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is now the strongest sect in the world. Even if we do not rank first, we will certainly rank second!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Yu Luomian beside him echoed his words.
"Big Brother is absolutely right. Looking across all the powers in the world, only Spirit Hall can firmly surpass our sect. The rest are not worth mentioning."
"Of the two sects once known alongside ours as the Upper Three Sects, one is a support sect, while the other was severely wounded and went into seclusion. They deserve only to be trampled beneath our feet!"
The other elders all chimed in, but one elder objected.
"Heh, Spirit Hall is nothing either. It is just a bloated weakling with a strong exterior and an empty core!"
"Back then, its Pope, Qian Xunji, led Elders Ju and Gui to hunt down Tang Hao for sheltering a transformed soul beast!"
"All three were level ninety-five Title Douluo, yet Tang Hao broke through to Title Douluo in the middle of battle and defeated them, severely wounding them. Qian Xunji later died of his injuries!"
"And that was only because Tang Hao showed mercy! If he had truly intended to wipe them out, would Ju and Ghost Douluo still be alive today?"
The more the elder spoke, the more excited he became. Lightning crackled around his body.
"Because of this, the world calls Tang Hao a war god descended to earth! But in my eyes, Spirit Hall's Title Douluo only have cultivation piled up through resources. They look impressive but are useless in battle!"
"If our sect master had gone instead, he could have fought multiple Title Douluo from Spirit Hall alone. Tang Hao could fight one against three, so our sect master can fight one against four!"
As soon as these words fell, all the elders found them reasonable and nodded in agreement.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes shone brightly as he listened. He was thrilled, his voice rolling like a dragon's roar.
"Well said! Spirit Hall is nothing but trash! The top spot on today's Golden Ranking belongs to none other than our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
Everyone looked toward the Sky Screen above, their eyes full of pride and anticipation, as though the top spot were already theirs.
Suotuo City, Shrek Academy.
The shock brought by the Sky Screen's descent did not interrupt the dispute within the academy.
Ning Rongrong had failed to complete her running training and broke down after being reprimanded by Flender. She snapped angrily.
"Flender, you are only a mere Soul Sage. What right do you have to lecture me? I am from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
Flender did not care in the slightest and sneered disdainfully.
"Heh, is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect so impressive? At the end of the day, it is only a support sect, the weakest of the Upper Three Sects."
Ning Rongrong pointed stubbornly at the Sky Screen above, gritting her teeth in anger.
"If the Heavenly Ranking reveals that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not the weakest of the Upper Three Sects, then kneel and kowtow to apologize to me. Do you dare to bet?!"
Before you continue