The Little Raccoon Picking Up Trash, The Sky Screen Arrives

Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City.

Beside a pile of trash near the main gate of Heaven Dou City, a long-legged, grey-haired figure, looking entirely out of place, was carefully prying open a trash can.

A pair of clear, curious orange-gold eyes darted around, peering straight into the bin.

Behind Stelle, a small, pink, rabbit-like sprite with fluffy ears and a twitching tail was pulling desperately at her shoulder.

The pink sprite's eyes were narrowed into two curved arcs, her small arms and legs tensed straight; she was clearly exerting every ounce of her strength.

She kept letting out soft, muffled "Mimi..." cries.

Her expression of utter exasperation made it look as if she were trying to drag the trash-rummaging Stelle into a crack in the ground to hide her, terrified that passersby would see her and lose all sense of shame.

Passersby stopped one after another, pointing at Stelle from a distance, each putting on a self-righteous air as if standing on the moral high ground.

"How is it that in this day and age, someone is still picking through unwanted trash?"

"Ew~ She looks so bright and pretty, why would she do such a filthy, disgusting thing? She can't be a decent woman, can she?"

"Hey, I recognize this Stelle! She wanders around the city all day, specifically picking out trash cans to rummage through!"

"I even saw her in the Sunset Forest, actually gnawing on the spirit rings left behind after a spirit beast died!"

"That's not even the half of it! A few days ago, I saw with my own eyes her climbing onto someone's roof, doing backflips and shouting, 'I am the Aeon of The Hunt, bring me my wheelchair!'"

"This person must be a lunatic! My perfectly fine cat was shaved into a bald monk's tonsure by her!"

"Exactly! Last time I was carrying a box home, this madwoman suddenly jumped out to block my path and challenge me, saying that if she won, the treasure chest in my hands would be hers! Who would want to compete with her!"

Hearing that Stelle was a deranged person who loved to snatch things, the passersby immediately retreated three steps as if avoiding a plague, terrified of inviting trouble upon themselves.

"Boss Dai! It... it's that trash-picking pest again! Heh... talk about enemies crossing paths, damn it!"

Just then, a group of people walked toward the city gate.

The short, stout, red-haired youth in the group caught sight of Stelle and immediately blew his top, grinding his teeth and growling in a low voice.

This person was none other than Ma Hongjun of the Shrek Seven Devils, whose favorite pastime was sneaking off to pleasure houses to vent his evil fire.

A few days ago, he had accidentally bumped into Stelle, and her appearance—possessing both the aura of a mature woman and a dazed, cute charm—had instantly sent his evil fire spiraling out of control.

Lust-blinded, Ma Hongjun had immediately tried to approach the beautiful girl to commit an indecent act.

The result was predictable: he was instead beaten black and blue by Stelle, ending up in a pathetic state.

Even the money on his person had been snatched clean away!

"Fatty? You know this trash-picker?"

"But honestly, this girl is quite the looker, and that little pink fur-ball next to her is pretty interesting too. Could it be an external spirit beast soul like the Grandmaster's?"

Oscar curiously leaned in, his peach-blossom eyes wide, looking at Stelle with a lecherous expression.

"Hmph! I am a genuine four-ring Soul Ancestor now! Little beauty, you just wait and see!"

Ma Hongjun snorted coldly, sticking his neck out to issue a threat.

As for the embarrassing incident where he had been beaten up by the beautiful girl's baseball bat after being driven by lust, he would rather die than admit it.

After all, this was completely different from being kicked out of a brothel or being humiliated for his appearance by those arrogant young masters.

"Ugh... you boys have nothing but filth in your minds, it's absolutely disgusting."

Ning Rongrong furrowed her delicate brows, casting a look of contempt at Ma Hongjun and Oscar, having guessed their petty thoughts with perfect clarity.

"Mi... Mimi..."

Stelle sheepishly closed the trash can lid, and Mimi immediately floated to her side.

With her two fluffy little hands on her hips, she chattered away at her indignantly, looking exactly like an elder scolding a junior.

Stelle reached up to scratch the back of her head, blinking her eyes in confusion:

"Mimi, why are you stuttering again?"

That's right, this girl with the grey hair and bizarre behavior was none other than the protagonist of Honkai Star Rail—Stelle.

After finishing the adventure on Amphoreus, she had opened her eyes to find herself inexplicably transported to this strange world.

Stelle had long since realized that her current situation was likely identical to what Little March had encountered on Amphoreus.

March 7th had arrived on Amphoreus ahead of time, and she, too, had likely arrived at the next stop of the Astral Express early.

The only difference was that the silly March 7th had spent ninety-four days on Amphoreus before realizing she had become a ghost.

As for her, Stelle, she had known her position from the very first day and only needed to wait patiently for Uncle Welt and the others to rendezvous with her.

With nothing better to do, Stelle had simply wandered around, mapping out the location of every trash can in Heaven Dou City.

Stelle looked up at the cloudless sky, pondering when her companions might appear.

Suddenly, a brilliant, dazzling golden light tore through the horizon without warning.

The golden light expanded with lightning speed, instantly transforming into a massive Sky Screen that blotted out the sun.

On the Sky Screen, lines of vigorous, powerful golden characters slowly emerged.

[Heavenly Ranking Countdown: Top Ten Young Geniuses of Douluo!]

[The Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies is imminent; all soul masters aged twenty-five and under are eligible for the ranking!]

[Ranking Rules: The lower the age and the stronger the combat power and talent, the higher the placement!]

[All those who make the list shall receive generous rewards!]

"What... what is this thing?"

Stelle looked up, her pure, naive eyes filled with confusion, her small face etched with profound bewilderment.

"Mi... Mimi..."

Mimi also tilted its head, gazing at the Sky Screen above, and let out a puzzled cry.

The golden light radiating from the Sky Screen was as tangible as reality, dyeing the entire firmament a dazzling gold.

The characters upon it were so clear that every living creature in every corner of the Douluo Continent could see them.

At the same time, a voice, ancient and distant as if it came from beyond the nine heavens, resounded majestically across every inch of the Douluo Continent.

"A countdown of the top ten young geniuses of Douluo, and there are rewards to be won?"

In an instant, the entire continent was in an uproar.

One had to realize that this was the very moment the Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies was about to commence.

Those budding young talents were already the favorite topics of conversation for the common folk during their leisure time.

Some championed the ice beauty Shui Bing'er of Skywater Academy, praising her unparalleled beauty, brilliant wisdom, and supreme strength.

Others touted Feng Xiaotian of Godwind Academy, who possessed Innate Full Soul Power, lauding his self-created soul skills and his boundless potential.

Countless others held the Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall in the highest regard, believing them to be the true cream of the crop among the younger generation.

Opinions varied, and no consensus could be reached.

Ultimately, this was because the common people's understanding of soul masters was far too superficial, forcing them to speculate wildly based on mere scraps of information.

Everyone gazed up at that golden Sky Screen, their hearts shaken beyond measure; such a heaven-defying, earth-shattering spectacle was undoubtedly the descent of a divine miracle!

The commoners knelt to the ground one after another, kowtowing in worship, while simultaneously filled with anticipation, hoping that the geniuses they supported would make the list.

"A Genius Ranking? Heh, what we recruit at Shrek Academy are one-in-a-million little monsters!

As of now, except for Xiao Wu, they have all broken through the forty-level threshold and ascended to Soul Ancestors!

To possess such combat power at this age—this list is undoubtedly the exclusive opening show for our Shrek Academy! Hahaha..."

Flender pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, his horse-faced visage filled with a smug, triumphant grin, the pride in his tone practically overflowing.

Yu Xiaogang also looked up at the Sky Screen, but his gaze involuntarily fell upon his direct disciple, Tang San, his eyes brimming with expectation.

The Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall was certainly gifted with extraordinary talent and formidable strength.

Yet, no matter how high their talent, even Hu Liena—the Innate Full Soul Power genius taken as a personal disciple by Bibi Dong—had been a year older than Tang San when she ascended to Soul Ancestor.

Furthermore, she lacked Tang San's pride-inducing fourth ring of ten-thousand-year quality, as well as his incredibly powerful External Soul Bone.

The corners of Yu Xiaogang's mouth lifted slightly, and he couldn't help but straighten his long-hunched back, feeling absolutely certain:

The number one spot on this list belonged to none other than his disciple, Tang San!

When that time came, even if Tang San did not participate in the soul master tournament, it would be enough to prove to the world that his soul master theories were by no means mere armchair strategy!

And that he, himself, was no waste!!

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi gazed at the Sky Screen with a grave expression, then turned to look at Sword Douluo, who was attempting to strike the screen to no avail, and asked in a deep voice:

"Uncle Sword, what is the situation?"

Sword Douluo slowly shook his head, his brow furrowed with gravity:

"This Sky Screen is mysterious and unfathomable, certainly not something we mere mortals can comprehend. My full-force strike didn't even stir a ripple."

"With such an earth-shattering commotion, surely we are not the only ones in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect testing it."

Ning Fengzhi sighed softly, then changed the subject, a flash of brilliance crossing his eyes.

"Since the Sky Screen remains hanging high in the sky, completely unscathed, I fear that even those old monsters in Martial Soul Hall are at their wits' end regarding it."

He paused, his tone filled with pride:

"Rongrong's martial soul has long since evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and by now, she must have already obtained her fourth soul ring. With Rongrong's talent, she will certainly have a place on this Genius Ranking!"

Martial Soul Hall, Pope's Palace!

Bibi Dong stood proudly in the center of the great hall, clutching her scepter, her gaze cold as she stared at the Sky Screen in the sky, then slowly swept her eyes over the members of the Golden Generation standing below.

When her gaze fell upon Hu Liena, her frozen features finally softened slightly, a glimmer of expectation appearing.

However, she soon furrowed her brows again, musing to herself:

Twenty-five and under... that bastard of the Angel Family...

Martial Soul Hall, Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back beneath the massive, towering Angel Statue. His white robes were as pristine as snow, and his aura was vast and imposing, commanding respect without a hint of anger.

He gazed up at the Sky Screen and declared with resonant conviction:

"Xiao Xue is twenty-four this year, and she is now only a single step away from breaking through the Soul Emperor realm to ascend to Soul Saint. Who else could possibly take the top spot on this ranking but her?"

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

The wild laughter of Clan Master Yu Yuanzhen echoed through the heavens, causing the entire clan grounds to tremble slightly:

"Hahaha! The Genius Ranking! The Twin Stars of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will undoubtedly be on this list and shine brilliantly!! Wahahahaha..."