At the thought of all this, Ah Yin's heart ached so badly it trembled.
"Xiao'er!"
With a cry of grief, Ah Yin could no longer care about her composure. She turned into a streak of blue light and rushed straight into Tang Xiao's arms.
She held Tang Xiao tightly, gripping him so hard her knuckles turned white, as if the child she had lost and found again would vanish the moment she let go.
"Waaah... my Xiao'er... I'm sorry, my son!"
Ah Yin broke down in Tang Xiao's arms, her tears instantly soaking the front of his clothes.
"I was useless back then. I couldn't protect you, and you suffered 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, I've thought of you every day. I hate myself for being unable to protect you..."
Ah Yin trembled as she cried, her voice full of self-blame and resentment toward Tang Hao.
She hated Tang Hao's selfishness, and hated even more her own cowardice and helplessness back then.
Feeling the warmth of his mother's embrace and hearing her tearful cries, laden with guilt and tenderness, the heart of the God King—once 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 wasn't your fault."
Tang Xiao's voice was gentle, carrying a soothing strength.
"You were a victim of what happened back then, too."
"The sins that man committed had nothing to do with you."
He gently patted Ah Yin's back, letting his mother pour out the pain and grievances she had bottled up for more than twenty years.
"Now, I've grown strong."
"On this continent, in this whole world, no one can hurt you again, and no one can force you to do anything you don't want to do."
"I'll settle every last score with that man."
Tang Xiao's tone remained calm, but his resolve sent ripples through the surrounding space.
Ah Yin looked up, her face streaked with tears, and tenderly caressed Tang Xiao's face with her beautiful eyes full of heartache.
"Xiao'er, you must have had a hard time all these years, haven't you?"
"All alone in a foreign land, how many battles must you have fought to build such a vast empire and gain the strength you have now?"
Seeing the pure concern in his mother's eyes, Tang Xiao smiled faintly.
"It wasn't hard, Mother."
"Because I knew that one day, I would return and save you from that abyss."
"And now, I've done it."
Hearing her eldest son's words, Ah Yin felt warmth bloom in her heart. Tears spilled from her eyes once more, but this time they were tears of happiness and pride.
This was her son, the child she had risked her life to give birth to.
Now, not only was he alive and well, he had also become one of the strongest in the world and the steadiest support she could rely on.
Nearby, Zhong Lingyue watched quietly, her eyes red as well.
She had followed Tang Xiao for many years and naturally knew how proud and forceful the young emperor was before others.
Only when he was with his mother did this God King reveal such tenderness.
Just as mother and son were immersed in the warmth of their reunion above the Blue Silver Temple, the once-peaceful sky suddenly began to shake violently.
Rumble!
A deep, thunderous boom instantly swept across the entire continent. It could even be heard clearly on the Douluo Continent, tens of thousands of miles away.
Everyone instinctively raised their heads and looked toward the sky.
The Great Dao Golden Ranking, which had already faded from view, suddenly burst into a myriad of golden rays.
Its brilliance was so dazzling that it even outshone the sun.
[The Strongest Power Ranking: Thirteenth place will soon be announced.]
Rows of enormous golden characters slowly appeared across the Sky Screen.
At the same time, an inscrutable pressure swept across the entire world once more.
Countless gazes converged on the Sky Screen again.
On the Douluo Continent, in the Heaven Dou Allied Forces' camp.
"The thirteenth place is about to be announced!"
"Who will it be this time? Another hidden expert?"
"Golden Crocodile Douluo and Tang Hao were already that powerful. What kind of existence could possibly take thirteenth place?"
Soul Masters and soldiers murmured among themselves, their eyes full of anticipation and tension.
The Clear Sky Sect.
Tang Hao had just broken through to Level 98 and was still reveling in the surge of power. Now he abruptly raised his head, staring fixedly at the Gold Ranking in the sky.
"Thirteenth place..."
Tang Hao clenched his fists, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
"I'm already at the peak of Level 98, wielding the Supreme Clear Sky Hammer and a hundred-thousand-year-old divine bone, yet I'm only ranked fourteenth."
"I want to see who this thirteenth-ranked person above me is!"
His voice brimmed with unwillingness and fierce fighting spirit.
Above the Blue Silver Temple on the Sun Moon Continent.
Tang Xiao held Ah Yin's hand and stood quietly in midair, watching the Gold Ranking light up once more. His expression was as calm as still water.
"Mother, it looks like the show's about to begin again."
A trace of amusement crossed Tang Xiao's eyes.
Ah Yin stood beside him, watching the Sky Screen. A hint of worry still lingered in her heart, but the moment she felt her eldest son's boundless aura beside her, that worry vanished without a trace.
With this child at her side, she had nothing to fear.
Beneath the gaze of countless people, the golden light on the Sky Screen finally began to fade, revealing a new set of characters.
[The Strongest Power Ranking, thirteenth place: King of Ten Thousand Monsters, five hundred and thirty thousand years of cultivation, a Ferocious Beast of the Star Dou Great Forest, true form: Demon Eye Demon Tree.]
The moment this name appeared, the entire Douluo Continent fell silent once more.
A Ferocious Beast with five hundred and thirty thousand years of cultivation, yet it was only ranked thirteenth.
Inside the Clear Sky Sect.
Tang Hao, who had just fused with the hundred-thousand-year-old Giant Spirit God Left Arm Bone, stood atop a mountain peak.
Staring at the ranking on the Sky Screen, he clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked.
"A Ferocious Beast with five hundred and thirty thousand years of cultivation..."
"I'm already at the peak of Level 98, wielding the Supreme Clear Sky Hammer, yet I can't even outmatch a Soul Beast?"
Tang Hao's face was filled with unwillingness.
He had thought that, having received a reward from the Gold Ranking and greatly increased his strength, he would claim a much higher place on the Strongest Power Ranking.
He had never expected to rank only fourteenth.
And the one above him in thirteenth place was a Soul Beast with more than five hundred thousand years of cultivation.
The proud Clear Sky Douluo found this impossible to accept.
Above the Blue Silver Temple on the Sun Moon Continent.
Tang Xiao held Ah Yin's hand and stood quietly in midair, watching the ranking on the Sky Screen with a calm expression.
"Mother, the Soul Beasts of the Douluo Continent do have far deeper foundations than humans."
Tang Xiao spoke softly.
Ah Yin looked at her eldest son, her eyes filled with tenderness and pride.
"What about you, Xiao'er?"
"You're already a Supreme Blue Silver Emperor at the million-year level. Where will you rank?"
At his mother's question, Tang Xiao smiled faintly.
"Mother, I don't care about my ranking on the Gold Ranking."
"But no one except me can claim first place."
His words held undisguised confidence.
It was the confidence of a God King, the strongest being on this continent.
Ah Yin nodded gently, not doubting her son's words for a moment.
"Xiao'er, as long as you're safe, that's enough for me."
Ah Yin spoke softly and rested her head gently against Tang Xiao's shoulder.
Unlike the warmth on the Sun Moon Continent, the atmosphere in the Heaven Dou Empire's allied army camp was unbearably oppressive.
Inside the commander's tent.
Tang San sat in the seat of honor, his face dark.
He gripped the Seagod Trident tightly, the veins standing out on the backs of his hands.
The scenes broadcast on the Sky Screen had exposed the scandal of Tang Hao forcing Ah Yin to sacrifice herself and abandoning his eldest son.
Now the soldiers of the Heaven Dou Allied Forces looked at Tang San with a difficult-to-read expression.
The Clear Sky Sect, once so righteous and upright, had become a place of selfish hypocrisy in the eyes of the world.
"Xiao San, we can't wait any longer."
Yu Xiaogang stood and broke the silence in the tent.
"Teacher, you mean..."
Tang San raised his head and looked at Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang sighed, his expression grave.
"Now that the Sky Screen has exposed what happened back then, it's having a huge impact on our troops' morale."
"If we let the rumors keep spreading, the soldiers' fighting spirit will crumble."
"We must launch an attack as soon as possible and divert everyone's attention with a great victory."
Dai Mubai, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement with Yu Xiaogang.
"Grandmaster is right. The only way now is to prove ourselves with a victory."
"As long as we break through Jialing Pass and destroy the Spirit Hall Empire, you'll be the hero who saved the continent."
"Then who'll dare bring up the Clear Sky Sect's past?"
Dai Mubai looked at Tang San, his eyes alight with fighting spirit.
Ning Fengzhi sat nearby with his scepter in hand, and slowly spoke as well:
"Lord Sea God, the Spirit Hall Empire is in turmoil, and there seems to be a rift between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong."
"This really is the best time for us to attack."
"If we wait for them to recover, or for the Gold Ranking to reveal more names, the situation could 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 the war as soon as possible.
Tang San looked around at everyone.
Seeing the anxious yet expectant expressions on their faces, he took a deep breath.
He knew he had no way back.
Unless he could use a victory in battle to prove himself soon, his reputation would plummet.
And if he wanted to become a god and rule the world, he needed absolute prestige.
"Fine."
Tang San sprang to his feet and brought the Seagod Trident crashing down on the ground.
A blue glow spread across the ground, dispelling the oppressive air inside the tent.
"Pass on my orders: the entire army will advance!"
"Today, we will fight the Spirit Hall Empire to the death!"
Wrapped in Soul Power, Tang San's voice rang across the entire camp.
"Yes!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others answered in unison, excitement clear on their faces.
Before long, the entire Heaven Dou Allied Forces' camp was in motion.
A million troops set out, advancing toward Jialing Pass in a vast, surging mass.
The earth rumbled beneath the trampling feet of a million soldiers.
Atop the walls of Jialing Pass.
The wind howled, setting the Spirit Hall Empire's flags snapping.
Bibi Dong stood quietly at the edge of the wall, gazing into the distance at the Heaven Dou Army, dark and endless as a rising tide.
"Tang San, you couldn't sit still after all."
Bibi Dong let out a cold laugh, disdain flickering in her eyes.
With the Sky Screen exposing Tang Hao's disgraceful deeds, the Spirit Hall Empire had gained an enormous advantage in public opinion.
Unfortunately, Tang San wanted to use war to cover it all up.
"Your Holiness the Pope."
A streak of golden light flashed by, and Qian Renxue appeared at Bibi Dong's side.
She wore golden battle armor, her entire figure cloaked in a sacred radiance.
"The Heaven Dou Allied Forces are advancing on all fronts. There's no avoiding this battle."
Qian Renxue's voice was calm, but fighting spirit burned in her eyes.
She was fighting not only for the Spirit Hall Empire, but also to avenge her father, Qian Xunji.
The scenes broadcast on the Sky Screen had convinced her that Tang Hao was the murderer who had killed her father.
She would settle that score with Tang Hao and Tang San.
Bibi Dong turned her head and glanced at Qian Renxue.
"Xue'er, the Heaven Dou Empire has thrown its full strength into battle, and Tang San is wielding the Seagod's divine weapon."
"Are you confident?"
Qian Renxue gave a cold snort.
"He's nothing but a hypocrite who clawed his way to power through schemes and trickery."
"My husband is the strongest man in all heaven and earth. As his wife, how could I possibly lose to Tang San?"
At the mention of Tang Xiao, tenderness and pride flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Bibi Dong frowned slightly. She still had her doubts about the "husband" Qian Renxue spoke of.
An unheard-of Blue Silver Empire, and some so-called Supreme Blue Silver Emperor—could they really be that powerful?
But now was clearly no time to dwell on such things.
With a great enemy at their gates, there was only one choice: fight.
"If that's the case, then go all out."
Bibi Dong waved a hand.
"Pass down my order. Have the enshrined elders lead the Soul Master legions out of the pass to meet the enemy!"
"Yes!"
Qian Renxue nodded and turned around. The six golden wings on her back unfurled in an instant.
"Warriors of the Spirit Hall Empire, follow me into battle!"
Her voice rang across Jialing Pass.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, Qian Jun, Demon Subduing Douluo, and the other enshrined elders appeared one after another.
Leading the Spirit Hall Empire's most elite Soul Master legions, they surged toward the Heaven Dou Army like a golden torrent.
The two vast forces collided violently on the plains before Jialing Pass.
Boom!
In an instant, the heavens and earth changed color.
Countless Soul Skills blossomed in the air, their dazzling light concealing a bone-chilling killing intent.
Tang San flew through the air, sweeping the Seagod Trident through the sky in waves of blue that sent great numbers of Spirit Hall Empire Soul Masters flying.
"Qian Renxue, prepare to die!"
Tang San fixed on his target and charged toward Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue showed no fear. Sun True Fire blazed along the Angel Holy Sword as she met his attack head-on.
Clang!
The divine weapons clashed with a thunderous roar. The violent shockwaves sent every soldier within several miles tumbling to the ground.
Just as the battle reached its fiercest point and countless fighters on both sides had fallen—
The clear sky suddenly turned bitterly cold.
Flakes of crystalline snow drifted down onto the battlefield, making the soldiers locked in battle shiver.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
The golden light above the Sky Screen blazed once more.
The Great Dao Golden Ranking, which had fallen silent, shone again with brilliant divine radiance.
[Strongest Power Ranking, 12th place announced.]
Huge characters flashed across the sky, radiating supreme majesty.
Tang San and Qian Renxue exchanged a blow, then each retreated a hundred meters. Both turned their eyes to the Gold Ranking.
"Twelfth place..."
Tang San gritted his teeth, an ominous feeling rising in his heart.
As the golden light faded, a new name finally appeared.
[Strongest Power Ranking, 12th place: Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, 390,000 years of cultivation, one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North, true form: Ice Jade Scorpion.]
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