Slaughter City.
Within the crimson, blood-soaked hall.
"Chang'an City... The Ultimate! Good, very good! I've finally found it!"
Upon seeing the Sky Screen, the King of Slaughter excitedly rose from his throne, his gaze blazing.
"That Ultimate may be able to help me completely erase Tang Chen's consciousness! I must have it!"
But after thinking it over carefully, the King of Slaughter sat back down with a dark expression, muttering resentfully.
"Hmph. Though I possess the Asura Demon Sword and Blood Demon's Fury, and my strength has reached the peak of the Quasi-God realm, Tang Chen's consciousness often affects me and hinders my abilities."
"With my current condition, I cannot seize that 'Ultimate' alone. It would be great if I could obtain support from outside forces, but where am I supposed to find them?"
"I can only continue waiting for the right opportunity—for the new ranking to appear! What a pity! Damn it! How hateful!"
Clear Sky Sect, an isolated land of treacherous peaks and bitter cold.
Tang Xiao and Seventh Elder Tang Lie had returned to the sect.
After some discussion, Tang Xiao swept his gaze over the elders and said solemnly.
"Elders, let us hurry to Slaughter City and bring my grandfather home!"
The other elders all agreed.
"No matter why Eldest Uncle has secluded himself from the world, as long as we go and implore him to return, he certainly will not stand idly by!"
Only the Second Elder frowned and spoke in a deep voice.
"Right now, all the major powers are heading to win over Chang'an. If we all leave for Slaughter City, wouldn't we miss the chance to recruit them? Though Heaven Dou and the other two sects have formed an alliance, they are not our own people after all!"
The elders exchanged glances, all finding his words reasonable.
The Third Elder said gravely.
"In that case, let us split into two groups. You go bring Eldest Uncle back, while I visit Chang'an."
Upon hearing this, Seventh Elder Tang Lie snorted and chimed in.
"Sixth Brother, I'll go with you. I want to see whether Chang'an City truly has what it takes!"
Tang Xiao and the other three elders nodded and unanimously agreed.
"Excellent! We shall proceed on two fronts. Once both succeed, let's see how Spirit Hall can handle it!!"
Just as the powers of the world remained caught in the storm of shock brought about by Chang'an City.
"Rumble—!"
The golden Sky Screen above suddenly erupted with a heaven-shaking boom and finally changed once more.
[First Ranking · Power Ranking concluded!] [The second ranking will be announced in two and a half days!] [As for what ranking it will be, all living beings, please look forward to it!]
Before the echoes of the Sky Screen had faded from the Douluo Plane, reactions across the world had already exploded like thunder!
"There is actually going to be a second ranking? What will the second ranking be?!!"
"No matter what it is, it'll open our eyes and show us just how deep the waters of this world truly run!"
Everywhere in the world, whether humans or soul beasts, all living beings were stirred into a frenzy by the Sky Screen's new announcement.
Yet this did not affect the several major-power contingents heading toward Chang'an City, nor the solitary figures traveling there for their own purposes.
After withdrawing from school together, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing discussed it and decided to travel together to Chang'an City!
In the blink of an eye, a day quietly passed.
With only a day and a half remaining until the new ranking was announced, the uproar throughout the world intensified.
Chang'an City, the rear mountain behind the City Lord's Mansion.
Ye Han stood beneath the Golden Ancient Tree with his hands behind his back, seemingly waiting for something.
The next moment, Shangguan Wan'er's slender golden figure flashed over. Her expression was slightly solemn as she reported.
"City Lord, several major powers have entered the canyon from different directions. They will arrive at the east, south, west, and north gates of the Great Wall within three incense sticks!"
Ye Han nodded slightly and asked calmly.
"Mm. Which powers are they, and which gates are they headed for? Explain in detail."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Wan'er immediately replied.
"Based on the areas visible to the several Defense Towers, six forces have arrived in total."
"Spirit Hall will soon reach the South Gate, while the Star Luo Empire will soon reach the west gate."
"The remaining three forces are traveling together, but perhaps to search more efficiently, they have split into two groups."
"The Heaven Dou Empire and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will soon reach the north gate together, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will soon reach the east gate."
"City Lord, what do you mean... shall we receive them or not?"
After hearing this, Ye Han smiled faintly.
"That will depend on whether they have enough 'sincerity.' If they bring divine treasures as gifts, then naturally we shall hold a banquet to receive them. Otherwise..."
"And since major powers have arrived, smaller powers will naturally come as well. We must guard against some unruly little mice sneaking in."
A sharp glint flashed through Shangguan Wan'er's eyes as she instantly understood his implication. Bowing, she answered.
"Wan'er understands! I will immediately send word for the Great Wall Guard to strictly defend the four gates. Those who come sincerely will be welcomed, while those without sincerity will be refused! At the same time, we will strengthen patrols within the city!"
Having said that, she turned to leave, only to be stopped by Ye Han's voice.
"Wan'er, how do you feel after absorbing the soul bones? Has your Soul Power improved?"
Shangguan Wan'er turned back and respectfully replied.
"City Lord, are you asking about the improvements gained by the Great Wall Garrison after absorbing the five soul bones? I will list them one by one..."
Before she could finish, Ye Han interrupted her.
"No, I was only asking about you personally."
"Ah?"
Shangguan Wan'er froze. A faint blush spread across her pretty face, and her voice became somewhat hesitant.
"Th-thank you for your concern, City Lord. After absorbing it, Wan'er broke through to Rank Ninety-Five."
Noticing her unusual reaction, Ye Han could not help feeling confused.
I was merely showing normal concern for a subordinate. Why was she so nervous?
"City Lord, is there something unusual on Wan'er's face?"
Shangguan Wan'er suddenly asked in a low voice.
Only then did Ye Han realize he had become distracted while thinking. He withdrew his gaze and said.
"Ahem, nothing. Go make the arrangements."
After gazing at Ye Han in a daze, Shangguan Wan'er turned and swiftly departed.
Yet she did not know what he was thinking. Perhaps she had misunderstood something...
Watching her leave, Ye Han released the Ark Core martial soul and activated the Universal Divine Sense Domain to overlook the canyon.
Next, he would get a good look at what kind of sparks these major powers would create with the Great Wall Guard!
Two and a half incense sticks later.
The outskirts of Chang'an City.
The Great Wall of Baili stood tall and majestic, its presence awe-inspiring.
Yu Yuanzhen led four sect elders as they searched in from the east.
After a rather long journey, the five of them finally found the east gate of the Great Wall.
"What an imposing city wall! Could this be the Great Wall of Baili outside Chang'an City that the Sky Screen spoke of?!"
Second Elder Yu Luomian was the first to notice it and cried out excitedly.
"It must be! Once we cross this Great Wall, we will reach Chang'an Mechanical City!"
Yu Yuanzhen and the other three elders' eyes immediately lit up at the sight, all of them shocked by it.
The Fifth Elder suddenly said.
"Sect Master, should I inform the Crown Prince and Sect Master Ning to come over?"
Before Yu Yuanzhen could speak, Yu Luomian glared at him and scolded.
"Idiot! Though they are our allies, it is only temporary. If we visit Chang'an first, perhaps we can seize the initiative!"
In the past, Yu Yuanzhen would certainly not have approved of such petty conduct.
But Chang'an City now concerned the future of the sect. After a moment of silence, he nodded solemnly.
"Second brother is right! Let us go and take a look at the city gate ahead! Mind yourselves and do not disgrace the bearing of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
As they drew closer, the sight of the Great Wall became clearer and clearer.
Several imposing figures in red and blue robes stood atop the wall in identical stances.
A little farther inside the Great Wall stood a domineering mechanical tower, seventy to eighty meters tall.
"Marvelous objects, truly marvelous objects!"
The elders were all stunned and discussed it in low voices.
"These must be those so-called Level Four Soul Tool Minions and Level Seven Soul Tool Defense Towers, right? They truly are extraordinary!"
Only Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly, carrying a trace of displeasure.
"Hm? Such a vast Chang'an, yet its defenses are entirely Soul Tools, without a single real guard? Could it be that Chang'an is deliberately slighting us?"
The instant his words fell, a clear shout like a dragon's roar rang out from atop the Great Wall, its echo shaking the surrounding wilderness.
"Chang'an lies ahead. Outsiders are forbidden from passing!!!"
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