And in the center of Life Lake,
Beast God Di Tian, dressed in black with long hair draped over his shoulders, gazed up at the sky.
The flowing radiance of the Sky Screen was reflected in his golden, vertical pupils. He hadn't lost his composure like Xiong Jun, but the slight tremble of his fingertips betrayed the tempest raging within him.
"Heaven's favor... an unparalleled opportunity..."
Di Tian murmured to himself, his voice low and hoarse, as if bearing the sorrowful hopes of the Soul Beast Clan across hundreds of thousands of years.
"Since the Dragon God fell, the Divine Realm has sealed off the path to godhood for soul beasts. We of the Soul Beast Clan can only cling to life beneath the tribulations of heaven, or become human Soul Rings, forever denied the chance to rise."
"Although our lord has awakened, her injuries have yet to heal, and the gods of the Divine Realm are watching us like hawks."
Di Tian clenched his fist. The terrifying dragon might of the 890,000-year-old Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King swept across the entire area, forcibly suppressing Xiong Jun's savage aura.
Ten Thousand Demon King, Scarlet King, and the other Ferocious Beasts, who had been growing restless, fell silent under that dragon might and looked toward the undisputed Beast God with reverence.
Di Tian paid no mind to Xiong Jun's little schemes. His gaze was profound.
"But this Sky Screen doesn't seem to be under the Divine Realm's control."
"If this ranking can truly grant rewards that let us resist heavenly tribulations, or even break the shackles of our bloodlines...
Then this is the only chance for our Soul Beast Clan to defy fate and change our destiny!"
If all of the Top Ten Peak Soul Beasts could receive a major boost,
then the strength of the Star Dou Great Forest would swell to an unimaginable level!
By then, even if they faced Spirit Hall—or even the enforcers descending from the Divine Realm—they would have the power to fight!
"Our lord and Xiao Yuan are in the human world right now. They must be able to see this ranking, too."
Di Tian drew a deep breath. Golden light blazed in his eyes as he addressed the Ferocious Beasts gathered around him in a solemn voice:
"Watch closely!
Every rank on this list represents more than glory. It is also hope for the future of our Soul Beast Clan!
Whoever makes the list and receives a reward will become an asset to the Star Dou Great Forest!
Xiong Jun!"
"Here!"
Xiong Jun jolted when called out. Though he was disgruntled, Di Tian's authority compelled him to respond instinctively.
"Put those little schemes of yours away."
Di Tian shot him a cold glance.
"If you make the list, even if you outrank me, I'll protect you while you claim your reward!
But if anyone dares to turn against their own at a time like this and ruin our lord's plans, I'll show no mercy!"
"Hmph. Got it."
Xiong Jun grunted in reply, but the eagerness in his eyes hadn't faded. If anything, he stared at the sky with even greater fervor.
He was convinced that, with his terrifying attack power and defense, he was certain to claim a place in the top ten!
In the Extreme North, icy winds howled and snow blanketed the land.
It was forbidden territory for humans, but a paradise for ice-type soul beasts.
In the Core Circle, ancient ice covered everything, and the temperature was low enough to freeze steel solid in an instant.
On a crystal-clear ice cliff, as if carved from crystal, two stunning figures stood side by side, gazing through the swirling snow at the unbelievable Sky Screen.
One was a tall woman in a spotless white dress, as if she had become one with the surrounding snow and ice.
Her long, snow-white hair flowed like a waterfall, and her eyes were a deep sky blue. Her noble, aloof beauty made her seem like a goddess born from the Extreme North Ice Plains.
She was the leader of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North, Snow Empress, with a cultivation of 700,000 years.
Beside her floated a petite figure.
She was a girl who looked only eleven or twelve, dressed in a jade-green gown. Her twin tails swished through the air as she moved.
Her skin was fairer than snow, and her eyes were a peculiar jade green, brimming with liveliness and pride.
She was the second-ranked of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North: the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, the Ice Empress.
Compared to Snow Empress's cool serenity, Ice Empress was especially excited. She darted through the air, her jade-green figure tracing brilliant streaks through the snow.
"Sister! Sister!
Did you see that?
That human named Guang Ling ranked ninth despite being only level 97!"
Ice Empress stopped in front of Snow Empress, hands on her hips. She looked indignant, though there was also an eagerness she could hardly conceal.
"Hmph! If that insignificant fool dares come to the Extreme North, I'll pierce him clean through with one swipe of my tail!
If someone like him can make the list, then the two of us sisters can definitely make it, too!
And we'll rank high!"
Snow Empress turned her head slightly to look at the restless Ice Empress. A trace of helpless affection flickered in her cool eyes.
"Bing'er, be patient.
The human world is complicated and unpredictable. Although Guang Ling Douluo's Soul Power isn't as deep as ours, he does have his own strengths when it comes to controlling energy and using technique.
Besides..."
Snow Empress paused, her gaze returning to the Sky Screen. Her voice grew distant.
"Since this ranking is called 'Hidden Powerhouses,' perhaps it isn't limited to humans.
If it really is a ranking for soul beasts—or a combined ranking—then the opportunities it offers..."
"We're definitely on it!"
Ice Empress cut in, waving her little fists with absolute confidence. Her eyes shone with ambition.
"You're the Snow Maiden, blessed by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, while I'm the ruler of Ultimate Ice.
Apart from that Silver Dragon King in the Star Dou Great Forest and that dark, gloomy fellow, Di Tian, who could possibly match us?"
"If I can get a reward, maybe I'll have a better chance of surviving the next Four Hundred Thousand Year Tribulation!
And... and maybe you'll have a chance to reach that legendary divine realm, too!"
At the mention of heavenly tribulations, Snow Empress's usually calm expression shifted slightly.
They were a sword hanging over the heads of every Ferocious Beast.
After the Top Ten Peak Soul Masters had been revealed,
[The Top Ten Peak Soul Beasts of Douluo Continent]
"Are they... really ranking us soul beasts now?"
Ice Empress's eyes flew wide open, her lips parting in astonishment. Then, shock gave way to delight.
"Sister! Look! It's the Soul Beast Ranking!
A ranking made just for us!"
Snow Empress's beautiful eyes shone with a brilliance she had never shown before, and her breathing quickened despite herself.
As countless human Soul Masters across the continent stared in horror and countless soul beasts bowed in worship, green radiance gathered and slowly unveiled the identity of the tenth-ranked beast.
[Rank Ten]
The scene changed abruptly.
It was no longer a city or wilderness in the human world, but an ice plain so bitterly cold it took one's breath away.
Amid the swirling snow stood a petite scorpion on the peak of a glacier, its entire body as if carved from emerald-green jade.
Every segment of its carapace gleamed with a captivating luster. Its pincers were like diamonds, and its stinger glinted with deadly chill.
It raised its head and let out a long cry. The glacier behind it collapsed in an instant, and the extreme cold seemed capable of freezing time!
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