Though that world was dangerous—so dangerous that even a speck of dust there could crush someone to death—people would die for wealth, just as birds would die for food. Great risks often meant great rewards!
As long as they could find someone powerful to cling to, like Zhu Zhuqing, even working as a servant could let them rise to the heavens in a single bound!
As for the early stages, they just had to lie low. Then, as soon as the year was up, they could return to the Douluo World.
By then, what would Spirit Hall or the great sects matter? They'd all be nothing but clouds!
"Choose me! Choose me!"
"I'm willing to work like an ox or a horse for the Immortal Lord! I only ask for the chance to be chosen!"
"Bah, you're only a Soul Saint. You think you're worthy of being the Immortal Lord's beast of burden? I'm a Soul Douluo! I'm the one who belongs at the Immortal Lord's beck and call!"
For a time, countless Soul Masters across the Douluo Continent began shouting at the sky. Some even kowtowed on the spot, desperate to be chosen.
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy.
Dai Mubai, whose bones felt like they were about to break, struggled up from the mud pit. Ignoring the mud smeared all over his face, he stared fixedly at the Sky Screen, his eyes bloodshot.
"You have to choose me! Zhu Zhuqing, you wretched woman! When I get over there, I'll drag you back!"
"You're my fiancée. How can you wash someone else's sword? I won't allow it!"
At the thought, Dai Mubai's eyes turned red and his whole body trembled. His twisted possessiveness and jealousy had already driven him half-mad.
[Selection begins!]
The next second, golden light suddenly rippled across the Sky Screen, drawing every eye.
[ Ding! First person selected: Clear Sky Sect's renegade, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao!]
"Roar!!"
The instant the Sky Screen made its selection, a disheveled figure shot into the sky outside Holy Soul Village.
It was none other than the long-vanished Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao.
But now Tang Hao was no longer the listless, solemn man he used to be. He gripped the enormous Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. His face was still covered in stubble, but his eyes blazed with startling brightness!
"I can't believe it. That really chose me!"
Feeling the terrifying power emanating from the Sky Screen, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao couldn't help bursting into wild laughter, overwhelmed with excitement.
"Ah Yin, wait for me!"
"I don't need to become an immortal. I only need to find something that can bring you back to life!"
"So what if it's the Perfect World? I, Tang Hao, have never been inferior to anyone. Even if it's hell, I'll still venture in!"
[Ding! Second person selected: Sword Dao Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!]
"Good! Good! Good!"
Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo Chen Xin sprang to his feet from his flying sword, too excited to say anything but "Good" three times.
The Seven Kill Sword rested on his back, his white robes stirred though there was no wind, and a fierce sword intent radiated from his entire being.
"To hear the Way in the morning, then die content in the evening!"
"I must see the sword intent in that Sword Washing Pool with my own eyes!"
"Even if I die seeking the Way, that's still better than being a frog at the bottom of a well in this world!"
By contrast, Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, looked worried.
After all, Sword Douluo was one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's top fighters. What if he perished in that so-called Perfect World...
Ning Fengzhi didn't dare continue that thought. But before he could say anything, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had already turned into a streak of sword light and shot away, ready to be transported at any moment.
[Ding! Third person selected: Spirit Hall Golden Generation, Saintess Hu Liena!]
Inside the Pope Palace.
Hu Liena, selected by the Sky Screen, shuddered. A flash of panic crossed her beautiful eyes; she'd never expected the Light Screen to choose her.
"Teacher..."
In her distress, Saintess Hu Liena looked toward Bibi Dong on the throne beside her.
As if sensing her disciple's gaze, Pope Bibi Dong turned her head and looked at Hu Liena, giving her a stern warning on the spot.
"Nana, this is your opportunity."
"Remember, once you get there, put aside your pride as a member of Spirit Hall. That world is far beyond ours. Your first task is to stay alive."
"And best of all, you should be like Zhu Zhuqing. Whatever it takes—even if you have to sell your looks—find a faction to shelter you!"
"If you return safely from the Perfect World, the next Pope will be you."
Seeing the hopeful look in Bibi Dong's eyes, Hu Liena gritted her teeth and nodded firmly. "Nana understands! For Spirit Hall!"
[Ding! Fourth person selected: Shrek Academy, Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun!]
"Huh? Me?"
At Shrek Academy, the chubby Ma Hongjun had been hiding behind the crowd, terrified he'd be chosen. Now he stared at himself in bewilderment, pointing to his nose.
Then, as the realization hit him, he let out a shriek like a slaughtered pig.
"No, I don't want to go!"
"In that world, Golden-Winged Pengs are just snacks! They'll eat me like a fat chicken! No!"
"Boss Dai, save me! Third Brother, save me!"
Ma Hongjun nearly wet himself. He tried desperately to grab Dai Mubai's leg, but though he was fast, the pillar of light was faster. In the blink of an eye, it descended without mercy and enveloped him.
"Fatso, don't let me down! Remember, you have to find Zhu Zhuqing!" Just before Ma Hongjun was transported away, Dai Mubai shouted a reminder.
Then, staring at the empty space before him, he ground his teeth with hatred.
Damn it, why hadn't he been chosen?!
[Transmission begins!]
As a mechanical voice sounded, four pillars of light shot into the sky and flew into the enormous Light Screen.
Seeing four more lucky souls chosen by the Sky Screen, Soul Masters and Soul Beasts across the Douluo Continent all stared unblinkingly at the scene in the sky.
They were desperate to glimpse more of the truth hidden behind that world!
Soon, the Light Screen obliged. After a brief pause, new images began to appear.
Only this time, the viewpoint no longer followed Zhu Zhuqing. It showed a stubbled man instead: Tang Hao.
"Boom!"
Having learned from the previous two batches of chosen ones, Tang Hao didn't yell and scream like those cannon fodder when he landed.
Instead, he immediately activated his Clear Sky Avatar to withstand the force of gravity, then quickly ducked behind cover.
"So this is the Perfect World?"
Crouched behind cover, Tang Hao took a deep breath of Spiritual Energy. He felt the blood and qi throughout his body almost boiling.
"Sure enough, this is an opportunity!"
Tang Hao's eyes lit up as he felt it.
But knowing better than to let his guard down, he quickly suppressed his excitement and warily surveyed his surroundings.
Before him stretched a boundless expanse, as if he'd entered the depths of the Deep Great Wilderness. There wasn't a soul in sight, only an Ancient Village standing quietly in the distance.
At the village entrance, a charred Willow Tree had taken root.
Before you continue