As he watched the Sky Screen's earth-shaking appraisal of Gu Yuan, the commotion in the teahouse seemed to fade away, leaving the two of them in their own little world.
Gu Yuan drew his gaze back and met Gu Yuena's eyes.
A knowing smile passed between them.
To the world, this was a shocking secret, a terrifying truth that upended everything they knew.
But to them, it was simply an established fact brought into the open.
"Looks like keeping a low profile will be difficult from now on."
Gu Yuan teased her, then was about to discuss their plans for Suotuo City.
Just then, a crisp mechanical notification rang without warning in his mind, interrupting his thoughts.
[Ping! The ranking of the 'Top Ten Hidden Powerhouses (Human Edition)' is complete.] [Generating new ranking... Generation complete.] [Preview of the next ranking: 'Top Ten Peak Soul Beasts'!] [Special notice: To increase the ranking's impact and entertainment value, the 'Top Ten Peak Soul Beasts' ranking will introduce the 'Heavenly Dao Blessing' mechanism. All those who make the list will receive special rewards from the myriad worlds, according to their rank!]
Gu Yuan froze for a moment, then his pupils contracted slightly as irrepressible delight surged through his heart.
Rewards?
The previous ranking had only revealed people to the world. Though it had brought fame and intimidation, making forces like Spirit Hall wary of acting rashly, it had offered no tangible gains.
But this time was different!
A Soul Beast ranking? It was practically tailor-made for him and Gu Yuena!
Across the Douluo Continent today, who ruled over the Soul Beasts?
The Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena, right beside him!
As for the other powerhouses, whether the Ferocious Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest or the overlords of the Extreme North, they were all forces he planned to bring under his control. They would form the foundation of the "Soul Beast Empire."
If they received rewards, grew far stronger, and perhaps even broke through the bottleneck of tens of thousands of years...
Then their resources for opposing the Divine Realm would multiply exponentially!
And Gu Yuena in particular—if she could seize this opportunity to obtain a treasure that healed her injuries, their grand plan of revival would be brought forward considerably!
Gu Yuan took a deep breath, tamped down his excitement, and leaned closer to Gu Yuena. Lowering his voice, he spoke with barely concealed eagerness.
"Na'er, I have some good news for you."
Gu Yuena had been staring out the window. At his words, she turned and blinked her violet eyes in confusion.
"What is it? You look so happy. Has something happened with the Golden Dragon King's clone?"
"Even better than that."
Gu Yuan smiled mysteriously and pointed toward the sky.
"The Sky Screen just sent a message. The next ranking won't be about humans. It'll be the 'Top Ten Peak Soul Beasts.'"
Gu Yuena's brows lifted slightly, but her expression barely changed. Instead, a trace of worry appeared.
"Soul Beasts?
"Then Di Tian and the others will definitely make the list.
"How is that good news?
"Revealing them could draw the greed of human powerhouses, and might even attract the Divine Realm's attention."
As the Soul Beast Co-Lord, she instinctively recoiled from the idea of exposing their trump cards to the light of day.
Though the Divine Realm couldn't interfere with Douluo Planet right now.
And even if these Soul Beasts were exposed, humans wouldn't be able to harm them.
Still, it would bring its share of trouble.
"No, the ranking isn't the important part."
Gu Yuan took her hand from the table. The warmth of his palm passed to her as he spoke earnestly.
"The important part is that this time, the ranking comes with rewards."
"Rewards?" Gu Yuena was stunned, a flicker of bewilderment in her violet eyes.
"That's right. Every Soul Beast that makes the list will receive a special reward from the Sky Screen."
His eyes gleamed as he analyzed the possibilities.
"The Sky Screen can even shield itself from the Divine Realm. Its level is beyond imagination.
"The rewards it offers won't be ordinary.
"Think about it. What if Di Tian could break through the bottleneck of several hundred thousand years?
"What if Snow Empress could resolve the hidden danger of taking human form?
"Or... what if you could obtain a divine treasure capable of healing the Dragon God's injuries?"
At that final sentence, Gu Yuena's calm, peerlessly beautiful face finally changed.
She gripped Gu Yuan's hand in turn, squeezing so hard that he felt a twinge of pain. Her breathing quickened, and an unprecedented radiance blazed in her violet eyes.
"You mean... it's really possible?"
If there truly was a reward that could heal her injuries, why would she need to lie low for another ten thousand years?
Once restored to her full strength, she would be a God King even without the Dragon God Core!
Add Gu Yuan's Golden Dragon King clone to that... what would there be to fear from the Divine Realm?!
Gu Yuan nodded firmly.
"I'm certain."
While the two of them were speaking, the sky outside transformed once more.
The dazzling golden radiance that had belonged to Gu Yuan slowly faded, replaced by an ancient, primeval, wild green aura, as if the entire Douluo Continent had been dragged back into a desolate age.
The wind changed.
It carried the dampness and bloody stench of a primeval forest.
Roars that shook the soul echoed faintly in everyone's ears, making the Martial Souls within every Soul Master tremble.
On the enormous screen, new gilded characters appeared slowly, bearing an overwhelming pressure:
[Human powerhouses are but a drop in the ocean.] [All things possess a spirit; beasts, too, may reign supreme.] [The next ranking begins—] [Douluo Continent: Top Ten Peak Soul Beasts!] [All who make the list will receive supreme fortune, blessed by the Heavenly Dao!]
Shrek Academy, in the woods behind the school.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Dull blows echoed through the quiet woods, each one accompanied by a violent shudder of the tree trunks and a flurry of falling leaves.
A figure was attacking an Iron Wood tree, its trunk wide enough for three people to encircle, as if possessed by madness.
He used no Soul Skills, not even his Martial Soul. He relied solely on the strength of his body, pounding the sturdy trunk with one fist after another.
Tang San's fists were already mangled and bloody. Blood trickled between his fingers, staining the dirt beneath his feet.
But he seemed unable to feel pain. His once-clear, deep eyes were now webbed with blood-red veins, filled with a violence and despair that made the heart shudder.
Ever since Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena had appeared that day and seized Xiao Wu in front of everyone, Tang San's world had collapsed.
When he woke, he had desperately tried to chase after them, only to pass out from exhaustion.
After waking again, he had gone mad with the urge to rush back to the Star Dou Great Forest, but Flender and Zhao Wuji had joined forces to forcibly subdue him.
Reason told him that, with his current strength, going there would mean certain death. He wouldn't save Xiao Wu; he would only get himself killed.
But he couldn't accept it!
Xiao Wu had been taken by a beast of that caliber, and her life or death was unknown. Every second that passed was an agony like being slowly tortured to death.
"Argh—!!"
Tang San suddenly let out a hoarse roar and threw every last bit of strength into a punch. With a sharp crack, the Iron Wood—hard as iron—snapped in two and crashed to the ground.
Before you continue