As the golden writing on the Sky Screen slowly settled into place, all of Douluo Continent seemed to have been pressed under a mute button.
[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.]
The words gave off a faint, shimmering glow that lingered in the air.
Before Jialing Pass, the fierce fighting came to an eerie halt.
Countless soldiers of the Heaven Dou Allied Forces stared blankly at the sky, their lips trembling. They could barely keep their weapons in their hands.
"A 390,000-year-old Soul Beast... and it's only in twelfth place?"
"What kind of terrifying beings are ranked above it?"
Whispers spread through the million-strong army, and the soldiers' already high spirits plunged to rock bottom in an instant.
At the center of the battlefield.
Tang San gripped the Seagod Trident, his face so dark it looked as though water might drip from it.
Looking at the ranking on the Sky Screen, he felt a stifling pressure in his chest.
"390,000 years..."
"So many powerful Soul Beasts are still hidden on this continent."
Tang San gritted his teeth inwardly. He had thought that, after inheriting a godhood, he would be able to roam this continent unchecked.
But the appearance of the Gold Ranking had shattered his pride.
On the city wall not far away, Bibi Dong looked at Tang San's shifting expression and let out a cold laugh.
"Tang San, it seems this so-called Sea God of yours doesn't amount to much on this continent."
Wrapped in Soul Power, Bibi Dong's voice rang clearly across the battlefield.
Tang San turned to look at Bibi Dong atop the wall, a flicker of anger in his eyes.
"Bibi Dong, stop spreading your lies here."
"Today is the day the Spirit Hall Empire falls!"
Tang San gave a cold snort and was about to summon the Sea God Divine Power again.
But at that very moment, a sudden change occurred.
The ground, which had been still, began to shake violently.
As everyone watched in shock, the blood-soaked plain before Jialing Pass erupted with Blue Silver Grass, growing wildly in every direction.
In just a few breaths, the once-ordinary Blue Silver Grass had grown several meters tall.
A faint golden-blue light shimmered from the leaves of every stalk.
The light gathered, dyeing the entire sky golden blue.
"This is..."
Tang San stared at the Blue Silver Grass growing wildly around him. First he was startled, then his face lit up with delight.
"My Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul is resonating!"
"Haha, heaven is helping me!"
Tang San couldn't help laughing aloud.
He looked at the people of the Spirit Hall Empire opposite him, his eyes brimming with smugness.
"Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, do you see this?"
"Even the Blue Silver Grass of this world is cheering for me!"
"Before the power of the Sea God and the Blue Silver Emperor, you're no more than mantises trying to stop a chariot!"
Tang San raised the Seagod Trident high, trying to commune with the vast power of the Blue Silver Grass around him.
"By the name of the Blue Silver Emperor, heed my command! Gather the source of life and break through the pass!"
Tang San's voice rang through heaven and earth, carrying an overpowering pressure.
And yet.
One second passed.
Then two.
Not a single blade of Blue Silver Grass across the plain stirred.
The golden-blue leaves didn't even sway.
They ignored Tang San's command completely.
"How... how is this possible?"
Tang San's smile froze on his face. Soul Power surged wildly through his body as he tried to force the Blue Silver Grass under his control.
But no matter how hard he tried, the grass remained as immovable as a boulder, utterly unresponsive to the aura of the Blue Silver Emperor he released.
Worse still.
The instant Tang San forcibly channeled his Soul Power, an immensely powerful force of rejection burst from the Blue Silver Grass.
Boom!
A muffled thud rang out.
A force like a landslide crashing down on him. Tang San staggered backward through the air more than a dozen steps before barely managing to steady himself.
His face turned pale, then flushed, and his blood and qi churned violently within him.
"Why?"
"I'm the Blue Silver Emperor! Why is the Blue Silver Grass rejecting me?"
Tang San screamed inwardly, nearly hysterical.
Just then, the Blue Silver Grass that had been growing wildly suddenly bent toward the south in unison.
Countless stalks bowed toward the south like devout believers offering their prayers.
That direction was where Sun Moon Continent lay.
The soldiers of the Heaven Dou Allied Forces began talking among themselves at once.
"What's going on? Lord Sea God's command doesn't seem to be working!"
"Look! That grass seems to be bowing to the south!"
"The south... isn't that where the Blue Silver Empire, ranked first on the Gold Ranking, is located?"
"Could it be that Lord Sea God isn't the true master of Blue Silver after all?"
Hearing the soldiers' murmurs, Tang San trembled with rage.
He had never imagined that his attempt to show off would end with him making a fool of himself.
On the city wall, Qian Renxue looked at Tang San's discomfiture with disdain.
"Tang San, you're nothing but a hypocrite who stole a sliver of bloodline power."
"Before the true Supreme, you're not even worthy to carry his shoes."
Qian Renxue's voice brimmed with pride.
She knew full well that there was only one person who could make all the Blue Silver Grass on the continent bow its head.
That was her husband, Tang Xiao.
At the same time.
Far away, on Sun Moon Continent, peace reigned within the Blue Silver Temple.
In the garden behind the temple, rare flowers and exotic plants bloomed in a dazzling profusion.
Ah Yin was patiently watering a medicinal herb that gave off a faint glow with a jade watering can.
Her body had now been completely restored. Her skin was as smooth and warm as fine white jade, and her long blue hair spilled down her back like a waterfall. She radiated an air both sacred and gentle.
"Mother, the maids can take care of such chores. Why do them yourself?"
A gentle voice rang out.
Dressed in a simple white robe, Tang Xiao walked slowly into the garden.
He looked at Ah Yin, his eyes full of warmth.
Hearing him, Ah Yin turned around, her face blossoming into a gentle smile.
"Xiao'er, you're here."
Ah Yin set down the watering can, walked over to Tang Xiao, and took his hand.
"Staying in the temple all day gets boring. Tending to the flowers and plants helps me calm my mind."
Ah Yin spoke softly. Looking at her eldest son, who stood a head taller than her, her eyes filled with pride and guilt.
"Xiao'er, you've suffered so much all these years."
"If that man hadn't..."
At that, Ah Yin's gaze dimmed, and her voice trembled.
Tang Xiao gently patted the back of his mother's hand, comforting her.
"Mother, let the past stay in the past."
"Now that I've reached the God King realm, no one in this world can hurt me—or you."
"Those who hurt us will all pay the price they deserve."
Tang Xiao spoke softly, yet his words carried an undeniable force.
Ah Yin looked into her son's calm, deep eyes and nodded gently.
"Xiao'er, have you come to see me today because you have something planned?"
Ah Yin asked softly.
Tang Xiao turned to look in the direction of Douluo Continent, his gaze growing profound.
"Mother, Xue'er is at Jialing Pass, fighting the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Tang San and Tang Hao are there too."
"I'm going to Douluo Continent. It's time to settle our grievances."
At Tang Xiao's words, Ah Yin's body trembled slightly.
She closed her eyes. In her mind appeared Tang Hao's merciless gaze from all those years ago, and Tang San's face, so similar to Tang Hao's.
After a long while, Ah Yin opened her eyes, her gaze clear once more.
"Go, Xiao'er."
"I ask for nothing else. Just come back safely."
"As for that man... he schemed against me for my Soul Ring and heartlessly abandoned you as soon as you were born. The ties between us were severed long ago."
Ah Yin's expression was resolute.
Tang Xiao smiled faintly and helped Ah Yin sit on the stone bench nearby.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'll be back before long."
"Rest well here in the empire. I'll bring Xue'er back to meet you."
Ah Yin smiled and nodded. Holding Tang Xiao's hand, she continued to give him reminders for a long while.
The sun had nearly set by the time Tang Xiao finally left the Blue Silver Temple, with Ah Yin watching him go reluctantly.
After leaving the temple, Tang Xiao didn't disturb anyone.
His figure shifted slightly, and he vanished into the void.
With his current cultivation in the God King realm, crossing the sea that separated the two continents would take no more than an instant.
Douluo Continent, southwestern border of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Only a few hundred li from the battlefield at Jialing Pass, this place had once been a prosperous border town called Wind Stone City.
But with war breaking out, the town had become desolate.
The streets were filled with refugees hurrying along, most of the shops on either side were shut tight, and a gloomy, oppressive air hung over everything.
Tang Xiao appeared soundlessly on a street in Wind Stone City.
He reined in his aura. He looked like a refined young noble from an ordinary clan, gentle and cultured, with an otherworldly air.
He looked at the gaunt townspeople, his brow furrowing slightly.
"So this is the result of the so-called 'righteous' army?"
Tang Xiao sneered inwardly.
To sustain the million-strong army, the Heaven Dou Empire was ruthlessly squeezing the border people for every drop of blood and sweat.
This was the continent Tang San claimed he wanted to save.
What a joke.
Tang Xiao walked slowly along the street, lost in thought.
Just then, a short distance ahead, a noisy commotion erupted, accompanied by a woman's sobs and an old man's pleas.
"Out of the way! All of you, get out of my way!"
"Are you blind? If you disturb Lord Phoenix, you'll pay with your worthless lives!"
Several soldiers in the officer's armor of the Heaven Dou Empire were viciously driving the townspeople away with their whips.
Surrounded by the soldiers, a red-haired, obese man swaggered down the street.
The fat man wore an incredibly lavish red robe, but his bulk stretched it tight across his body, making him look ridiculous.
His face was full of arrogance and lechery. His small eyes roamed restlessly over the women on either side of the street.
This man was Ma Hongjun, one of the Shrek Seven Devils, now a Titled Douluo.
With the fighting at Jialing Pass growing fierce, he had been ordered to oversee the transport of provisions in the rear.
But in his hands, the duty of overseeing the provisions had become an excuse for carousing.
"My lord, please, spare my daughter!"
"She's still young. She doesn't know any better!"
Up ahead, an old man in ragged clothes knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately, his forehead already slick with blood.
Behind him, a girl of about seventeen or eighteen trembled in fear.
Though she wore coarse clothes, she was remarkably pure and lovely, like a lotus rising from clear water.
Her eyes brimmed with terrified tears as she clung tightly to the old man's sleeve.
Ma Hongjun stopped and looked down at the father and daughter, a flash of greed in his eyes.
"Old man, get out of my way!"
Impatient, Ma Hongjun kicked the old man in the chest.
Thud!
The old man cried out as he was sent flying several yards, crashing heavily into a nearby stall and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Father!"
The girl cried out and started to rush over, but Ma Hongjun grabbed her by the wrist.
"Pretty girl, don't be in such a hurry to leave."
Ma Hongjun gazed at the girl's delicate little face, a lecherous smile spreading across his own.
"I'm the Great Enshrined of the Heaven Dou Empire, a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse!"
"Being able to serve me is a blessing your whole family has earned over generations."
"Come with me, and I'll make sure you live in luxury from now on."
As Ma Hongjun spoke, his pudgy hands began roaming over the girl's tender face.
"Let go of me! Let me go!"
The girl struggled desperately and wept, but she was an ordinary person. How could she break free from the grasp of a Titled Douluo?
The onlookers watched, furious but afraid to speak.
That was a Titled Douluo.
On this continent, Titled Douluos were like gods. Who would dare provoke one?
What's more, he was a powerful noble of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"You decrepit old bastard, if you keep bawling, I'll burn you to a crisp right now!"
Ma Hongjun looked at the old man still writhing and pleading on the ground, a vicious glint in his eyes.
As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of scorching red flames suddenly surged around him. The temperature soared in an instant, and the wooden houses lining the street began to crackle as they charred.
Nine dazzling Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath Ma Hongjun's feet.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red!
The red ninth Soul Ring looked especially blinding in the sunlight.
"Titled Douluo..."
The onlookers felt that terrifying pressure and dropped to their knees in fright, trembling all over.
The girl looked at the nine Soul Rings, despair in her eyes.
"Take her away!"
Ma Hongjun laughed triumphantly, then dragged the girl toward his luxurious carriage.
"So this is how the Titled Douluos of the Heaven Dou Empire conduct themselves."
A calm, cool voice suddenly rang out over the noisy street.
The voice was not loud, yet every person there heard it clearly.
Ma Hongjun's steps abruptly halted.
He turned around, narrowing his small eyes as he looked toward the source of the voice.
A young man in a white robe, with an air of scholarly refinement, was walking over with his hands clasped behind his back.
His face showed no trace of emotion. He looked at Ma Hongjun as though he were already dead.
"Kid, what did you just say?"
Ma Hongjun's expression darkened at once.
It had been a long time since anyone in the Heaven Dou Empire had dared speak to him in that tone.
Tang Xiao stood quietly where he was, looking at Ma Hongjun as he spoke in an even voice.
"I said the Titled Douluos of the Heaven Dou Empire are nothing but a bunch of bullies who hide behind their power."
The instant those words were spoken, the entire street fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared at Tang Xiao in shock.
Was this young man out of his mind?
He actually dared insult a Titled Douluo in the middle of the street.
Before you continue