Gold Ranking Twelfth Revealed! Tang Hao Unwilling!

At the mere thought of this, Ah Yin's heart trembled with pain.

"Xiao'er!"

With a sorrowful cry, Ah Yin could no longer maintain her composure. She transformed into a streak of blue light and instantly threw herself into Tang Xiao's arms.

She held him tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, as if she feared that if she let go, this child she had regained would vanish once more.

"Wuwu... my Xiao'er... Mother has failed you!"

Ah Yin sobbed uncontrollably in Tang Xiao's arms, her tears instantly soaking through his lapels.

"It was Mother's uselessness back then; I couldn't protect you, leaving you to suffer such a calamity the moment you were born."

"That heartless man... how could he do such a thing? How could he abandon you in a place like that?"

"All these years, Mother has thought of you every single day. I hate myself for not having the strength to protect you..."

Ah Yin trembled as she wept, her voice filled with self-reproach and resentment toward Tang Hao.

She hated Tang Hao for his selfishness, but she hated her own past cowardice and incompetence even more.

Feeling the warmth of his mother's embrace and hearing those cries filled with guilt and tenderness, Tang Xiao's heart—originally as cold and hard as iron—softened in that moment.

He slowly raised his hands and gently wrapped them around his mother's slender shoulders.

"Mother, it is not your fault."

Tang Xiao's voice was soft, carrying a power that soothed the soul.

"You were a victim of what happened back then as well."

"The sins committed by that man have nothing to do with you."

He patted Ah Yin's back gently, allowing his mother to vent the pain and grievances she had suppressed for over twenty years.

"Now, I have grown up."

"On this continent, in this entire world, no one can hurt you again, nor can anyone force you to do anything you do not wish to do."

"As for that man, I will settle the score with him, bit by bit."

Tang Xiao's tone remained calm, yet the determination within it caused ripples to spread through the surrounding space.

Ah Yin looked up, her face streaked with tears, her beautiful eyes caressing Tang Xiao's face with heartache.

"Xiao'er, you must have suffered so much all these years, haven't you?"

"Alone in a foreign land, how much slaughter must you have endured to build such a vast empire and attain the strength you possess today?"

Looking at the pure, unadulterated concern in his mother's eyes, Tang Xiao smiled slightly.

"It was not suffering, Mother."

"Because I knew that one day, I would return to save you from that abyss."

"And now, I have succeeded."

Hearing these words from her eldest son, Ah Yin felt a warmth in her heart. Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time, they were tears of happiness and pride.

This was her son, the child she had risked her life to bring into this world.

Now, not only was he alive and well, but he had become one of the world's top powerhouses and her most solid pillar of support.

Zhong Lingyue watched this scene quietly from the side, her own eyes reddening.

Having followed Tang Xiao for many years, she naturally knew how arrogant and formidable this young emperor was in front of others.

Only when facing his mother would this God King reveal such a gentle side.

Just as the mother and son were immersed in the warmth of their reunion above the Blue Silver Temple, the previously calm sky suddenly began to vibrate violently.

Rumble!

A dull, thunderous sound instantly spread across the entire continent, clearly audible even as far away as the Douluo Continent.

Everyone instinctively looked up at the sky.

They saw the Great Dao Golden Ranking, which had previously faded away, suddenly erupt with ten thousand rays of golden light.

The brilliance was so intense that it even eclipsed the sun in the sky.

[The Strongest Power Ranking, 13th place is about to be announced.]

Rows of massive golden characters slowly emerged upon the Sky Screen.

At the same time, an unfathomable pressure swept across the world once more.

Countless gazes were fixed upon the Sky Screen in that moment.

Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Allied Forces camp.

"The 13th place is being announced!"

"I wonder which hidden powerhouse it will be this time?"

"Golden Crocodile Douluo and Tang Hao were already so powerful; what kind of existence must this 13th place be?"

Countless soul masters and soldiers whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with anticipation and tension.

Clear Sky Sect.

Having just broken through to level ninety-eight, Tang Hao was immersed in the ecstasy of his surging power when he suddenly snapped his head up, staring fixedly at the Gold Ranking in the sky.

"Thirteenth place..."

Tang Hao clenched his fists, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

"I am now at the peak of level ninety-eight, wielding the Supreme Clear Sky Hammer and a hundred-thousand-year God Bone, yet I am only ranked fourteenth."

"I must see who this thirteenth place, ranked above me, truly is!"

His voice carried both unwillingness and a fierce fighting spirit.

Meanwhile, in the Sun Moon Continent, above the Blue Silver Temple.

Tang Xiao held Ah Yin's hand, standing quietly in the void as he watched the Gold Ranking light up once more, his expression as calm as water.

"Mother, it seems the show is about to begin again."

A playful glint flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes.

Ah Yin stood by his side, looking up at the Sky Screen. Though a trace of worry remained in her heart, it vanished the moment she felt the vast, ocean-like aura radiating from her eldest son.

With this child by her side, she had nothing to fear.

Under the gaze of the masses, the golden light on the Sky Screen finally began to recede, revealing lines of brand-new text.

[Strongest Power Ranking, Thirteenth Place: King of Ten Thousand Monsters, cultivation of 530,000 years, Star Dou Great Forest Fierce Beast, true form: Demon Eye Demon Tree.]

As soon as this name appeared, the entire Douluo Continent fell into a deathly silence once again.

A 530,000-year-old Fierce Beast was only ranked thirteenth.

Inside the Clear Sky Sect.

Tang Hao, who had just fused with the hundred-thousand-year Giant Spirit God Left Arm Bone, stood atop the mountain peak.

Watching the ranking on the Sky Screen, he gripped his hands until his knuckles cracked.

"A 530,000-year-old Fierce Beast..."

"I am now at the peak of level ninety-eight, wielding the Supreme Clear Sky Hammer, yet I cannot even compare to a soul beast?"

Tang Hao's face was full of resentment.

He had assumed that after receiving the Gold Ranking reward and seeing his strength soar, he would occupy a much higher position on the Strongest Power Ranking.

He never expected to be ranked only fourteenth.

And the thirteenth place pressing down on him was actually a soul beast with over 500,000 years of cultivation.

This was something the perpetually arrogant Clear Sky Douluo found difficult to accept.

Back in the Sun Moon Continent, above the Blue Silver Temple.

Tang Xiao held Ah Yin's hand, standing quietly in the void as he watched the ranking on the Sky Screen with a calm expression.

"Mother, the foundation of the soul beasts on the Douluo Continent is indeed far deeper than that of humanity."

Tang Xiao said softly.

Ah Yin looked at her eldest son, her eyes filled with tenderness and pride.

"Xiao'er, what about you?"

"You are already a million-year-level Supreme Blue Silver Emperor; what rank will you take?"

Hearing his mother's question, Tang Xiao smiled slightly.

"Mother, I do not care about the rankings on this Gold Ranking."

"However, no one can take the first-place position but me."

His words were filled with unmasked confidence.

It was the conviction of a God King, the strongest being on this continent.

Ah Yin nodded gently, not doubting her son's words in the slightest.

"Xiao'er, as long as you are safe and sound, Mother is content."

Ah Yin said softly, resting her head gently on Tang Xiao's shoulder.

Unlike the warmth in the Sun Moon Continent, the atmosphere within the Heaven Dou Empire Allied Forces camp was incredibly oppressive.

Inside the commander's tent.

Tang San sat at the head, his face gloomy.

His hands gripped the Seagod Trident tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.

The scenes displayed on the Sky Screen had exposed the scandal of how Tang Hao had forced Ah Yin to sacrifice herself and abandoned his eldest son.

This caused the soldiers of the Heaven Dou Allied Forces to look at Tang San with an indescribable meaning in their eyes.

The once righteous Clear Sky Sect had now become, in the eyes of the world, a place of selfishness and hypocrisy.

"Xiao San, we cannot wait any longer."

Yu Xiaogang stood up, breaking the silence within the tent.

"Teacher, are you saying..."

Tang San raised his head, looking at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang sighed, his expression grave.

"The Sky Screen has exposed the events of the past, and it is having a massive impact on our troop morale."

"If we allow this public opinion to ferment, the fighting spirit of our soldiers will be dismantled."

"We must launch an offensive as soon as possible and use a great victory to divert everyone's attention."

Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Dai Mubai, who stood to the side, nodded in agreement.

"The Grandmaster is right; the only way now is to prove ourselves through victory."

"As long as we breach Jialing Pass and destroy the Spirit Hall Empire, you will be the hero who saved the continent."

"By then, who would dare to gossip about the past of the Clear Sky Sect?"

Dai Mubai looked at Tang San, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit.

Ning Fengzhi sat to the side, gripping his scepter, and spoke slowly:

"Lord Seagod, the Spirit Hall Empire is currently in a state of panic, and there seems to be a rift between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong."

"This is indeed the best time for us to attack."

"If we wait for them to react, or for the Gold Ranking to reveal more rankings, the situation may become even more complicated."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was now bound to the Heaven Dou Empire, so Ning Fengzhi naturally hoped to end this war as soon as possible.

Tang San looked around at everyone.

Seeing the anxious yet expectant expressions in their eyes, he took a deep breath.

He knew that he had no way back.

If he could not prove himself with a victory in war soon, his reputation would plummet to the bottom.

And if he wanted to become a god and rule this world, he had to possess absolute prestige.

"Very well."

Tang San rose abruptly, the Seagod Trident in his hand slamming heavily against the ground.

A blue halo rippled outward along the floor, sweeping away the oppressive atmosphere inside the tent.

"Pass my order: the entire army is to advance!"

"Today, we shall fight the Spirit Hall Empire to the death!"

Wrapped in Soul Power, Tang San's voice echoed throughout the entire encampment.

"Yes!"

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others responded in unison, their faces filled with excitement.

Soon, the entire Heaven Dou Allied Forces camp was in motion.

A million-strong army set out, surging toward Jialing Pass like a vast, unstoppable tide.

The earth emitted a dull roar under the trampling of a million soldiers.

Atop the walls of Jialing Pass.

A fierce wind howled, causing the banners of the Spirit Hall Empire to snap and flutter.

Bibi Dong stood quietly at the edge of the ramparts, watching the black mass of the Heaven Dou army surging forward like a tide in the distance.

"Tang San, you couldn't sit still after all."

Bibi Dong sneered, a flash of disdain crossing her eyes.

The Sky Screen's exposure of Tang Hao's disgraceful acts was undoubtedly a massive advantage in public opinion for the Spirit Hall Empire.

It was just a pity that Tang San wanted to use war to cover all of this up.

"Your Majesty the Pope."

A golden blur of light streaked by, and Qian Renxue appeared at Bibi Dong's side.

She wore golden battle armor, her entire form shrouded in a sacred radiance.

"The Heaven Dou Allied Forces have committed their full strength; this battle is unavoidable."

Qian Renxue's voice was calm, yet her eyes burned with fighting spirit.

She was not only fighting for the Spirit Hall Empire but also to avenge her father, Qian Xunji.

The images played before the Sky Screen had convinced her that Tang Hao was the murderer of her father.

She intended to settle this debt with both Tang Hao and Tang San.

Bibi Dong turned her head and glanced at Qian Renxue.

"Xue'er, the Heaven Dou Empire has poured out its entire force, and Tang San even wields the Seagod's divine artifact."

"Do you have confidence?"

Qian Renxue let out a cold snort.

"He is nothing more than a hypocrite who rose to power through schemes and tricks."

"My husband is the strongest man in this world. As his wife, how could I possibly lose to Tang San?"

When mentioning Tang Xiao, a look of tenderness and pride flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes.

Bibi Dong frowned slightly; she still harbored doubts about this "husband" Qian Renxue spoke of.

Was a Blue Silver Empire that no one had ever heard of, and a so-called Supreme Blue Silver Emperor, truly that powerful?

But now, it was clearly not the time to dwell on such things.

With a formidable enemy at the gates, there was only one choice: to fight.

"Since that is the case, then go and fight with all your might."

Bibi Dong waved her hand.

"Pass the order: have the various High Priests lead the Spirit Master legions and sally forth from the pass to meet the enemy!"

"Yes!"

Qian Renxue nodded and turned around, her six golden wings instantly unfurling behind her.

"Spirit Hall Empire, follow me into battle!"

Her voice resounded throughout Jialing Pass.

Golden Crocodile Douluo, Thousand Jun Douluo, Falling Devil Douluo, and the other High Priests appeared one after another.

Leading the most elite Spirit Master legions of the Spirit Hall Empire, they surged forward like a golden torrent, charging to meet the Heaven Dou army.

Two massive forces collided violently on the plains before Jialing Pass.

BOOM!

In an instant, the heavens and earth changed color.

Countless spirit abilities bloomed in the air, their brilliant radiance concealing a biting intent to kill.

Tang San flew in mid-air, the Seagod Trident sweeping out waves of blue energy that sent large swaths of Spirit Hall Empire spirit masters flying.

"Qian Renxue, pay with your life!"

Tang San locked onto his target and charged toward Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue did not show the slightest fear; the Angel Holy Sword burned with Sun True Fire as she flew up to meet him.

CLANG!

The divine artifacts collided, erupting with a deafening roar, and the violent shockwaves of energy knocked over all the soldiers within a radius of several miles.

Just as the battle reached a fever pitch and both sides suffered countless casualties, the temperature in the previously clear sky plummeted.

Crystalline snowflakes drifted down from the heavens, landing on the battlefield and causing the soldiers in the heat of combat to shiver involuntarily.

Everyone looked up instinctively.

They saw the golden light above the Sky Screen flare up once more.

The Great Dao Golden Ranking, which had fallen silent, began to radiate brilliant divine splendor again.

[Strongest Power Ranking, 12th place revealed.]

The massive characters flickered in the sky, carrying supreme majesty.

Tang San and Qian Renxue traded a blow and retreated a hundred meters each, their gazes both fixed on the Golden Ranking.

"12th place..."

Tang San gritted his teeth, an ominous premonition rising in his heart.

As the golden radiance dissipated, the new name was finally revealed.

[Strongest Power Ranking, 12th place: Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, cultivation of 390,000 years, one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North, original form Ice Jade Scorpion.]