Qian Renxue

Hearing this, a look of shock appeared on Zhong Lingyue's fair, delicate face.

Two vast, boundless continents were actually merging?

Such a feat was simply beyond her comprehension.

Tang Xiao turned around.

"The merging of the two worlds is already an unstoppable fact. Since that's the case, I can't stay here any longer."

"I have to go to the Douluo Continent at once."

When Zhong Lingyue heard that Tang Xiao was leaving, reluctance flashed in her eyes. But she was a clever woman and knew she couldn't become an obstacle.

She released her grip on Tang Xiao's robe, bowed slightly, and said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, I'll await good news from you here in the imperial capital."

Tang Xiao looked at the submissive last empress before him. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a gentle smile.

He raised his hand and tenderly stroked Zhong Lingyue's fair, jade-like cheek.

"Keep the empire safe in the imperial capital. Wait for me to return."

As soon as the words left his mouth,

Tang Xiao vanished from the great hall.

Meanwhile,

at the Spirit Hall Empire's frontline camp on the Douluo Continent,

Jialing Pass.

This imposing fortress, built from black iron and massive stones, was now shrouded in a grim, murderous atmosphere.

Inside the Spirit Hall Empire's temporary palace,

Bibi Dong sat on the lofty throne.

She wore a gorgeous purple-gold papal robe, a Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown on her head, and the Pope Scepter in her hand. She appeared both noble and coldly beautiful.

Not a trace of emotion showed on her flawless face. Her phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed as she watched the ranking just announced on the Sky Screen.

Beneath her papal robe, her long, shapely legs were clad in exquisite black stockings and crossed elegantly. They stood out all the more in the dim hall.

Below the throne, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei stood respectfully.

"The Far North is only ranked fifth?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan gently rolled a golden Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum between his fingers, his tone mild.

The people of the Spirit Hall Empire were all rather indifferent to the ranking.

In their eyes, the Far North was nothing more than a force of Soul Beasts hiding in a world of ice and snow. It could hardly compare to the Spirit Hall Empire, which was now at the height of its power.

Ghost Douluo Gui Mei spoke up:

"They're just a bunch of beasts. Making the list is already a gift from the Heavenly Dao."

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan turned toward Bibi Dong on the throne, his face alight with excitement. He bowed and said:

"Your Holiness the Pope, our Spirit Hall Empire has swept across the continent, and several god-level powerhouses stand ready to defend us."

"The title of the world's number-one power must belong to our Spirit Hall Empire!"

"Once the first-place reward is handed down, that rabble from the Heaven Dou Empire can be wiped out with a flick of our fingers!"

Hearing this, the other Spirit Hall Empire elders in the hall nodded one after another, their faces brimming with fervor and excitement.

In their eyes, the Spirit Hall Empire's power was now the greatest on the continent.

First place was theirs, and no one else's.

Bibi Dong watched the excited crowd below. Though she said nothing, anticipation flickered in her eyes.

However, in another side hall of the palace,

Qian Renxue stood alone by the window, gazing at the golden Sky Screen overhead.

Her long golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. A faint trace of worry rested on her stunning face.

Her shapely legs showed faintly beneath her golden battle skirt, and her skin was as fair as the finest porcelain.

As she looked at the Gold Ranking on the Sky Screen, Qian Renxue's heart grew heavy.

"Tang San has already inherited the Sea God Godhood. His strength has increased enormously."

"If the Tang Sect or the Heaven Dou Empire ranks above our Spirit Hall Empire and receives a reward from the Heavenly Dao, the battles ahead will be even more difficult."

Qian Renxue silently weighed the possibilities.

She knew all too well how troublesome Tang San was. Tang San alone, now a god, was already enough to give the Spirit Hall Empire a headache.

If his faction received a reward from the Heavenly Dao as well, the consequences would be unthinkable.

At the thought, Qian Renxue couldn't help sighing softly.

At that moment, a handsome figure surfaced involuntarily in her mind.

The man who had shared drinks with her in a remote tavern.

The man who had become her husband on a stormy night.

"My husband..."

Qian Renxue murmured softly, a deep longing welling up in her beautiful eyes.

Many years had passed since they parted.

All those years, she had thought of him every moment.

"After all these years, I wonder how far my husband's cultivation has come."

"If he were here, perhaps I wouldn't have to face all this alone."

Qian Renxue gazed wistfully into the distance, her longing spreading like the rising tide.

Unlike the Spirit Hall Empire, which was filled with worry,

the Heaven Dou Empire's camp was filled with celebration.

Everyone from Shrek had gathered in the spacious tent, watching the golden Sky Screen overhead. Excitement was written across every face.

Yu Xiaogang stood in the middle of the tent with his hands behind his back, wearing a confident smile.

"Xiao San has now inherited the Sea God Godhood. His strength has reached the pinnacle of this world."

"The Tang Sect he founded has brought together the four single-attribute clans, and it also has Hidden Weapons and the protection of the gods."

"Who else could qualify for the title of the world's number-one power, if not the Tang Sect?"

Yu Xiaogang's voice brimmed with pride.

Hearing him, Ma Hongjun immediately laughed and chimed in:

"The Grandmaster is right! Third Brother is a god now!"

"With Third Brother around, the Tang Sect is unquestionably number one!"

Oscar also grinned and said:

"Once the Tang Sect takes first place and the Heavenly Dao's reward comes down, our strength will surely double again. Then beating the Spirit Hall Empire will be as easy as playing a game!"

Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai, and the others all nodded, their faces full of agreement.

In their eyes, the Tang Sect, with a god watching over it, was absolutely invincible.

Tang San stood to one side, clad in blue Seagod Divine Armor and holding the Seagod Trident. His expression was calm, but a hint of pride flickered deep in his eyes.

He too believed the Tang Sect was strong enough to claim the title of the world's greatest power.

Just then, the golden Sky Screen overhead erupted in dazzling light once more.

Huge golden characters slowly appeared across the screen.

[World Power Ranking, fourth place: Tang Sect.]

Buzz!

As those words appeared, it was as if the whole world fell silent.

The cheers in the Heaven Dou Empire's tent abruptly stopped.

The Shrek group, who had been brimming with excitement, stood rooted to the spot when they saw the characters on the Sky Screen.

The tent was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Tang San's previously calm face stiffened.

His pupils contracted slightly as he stared at the huge words "fourth place" in the sky, his eyes full of disbelief.

"What... My Tang Sect is only ranked fourth?"

Tang San murmured in a daze.