Xiong Jun Was Stunned-I Didn't Make the Top Ten!

"Soul beasts... Soul beasts again!"

Tang San gritted his teeth, his voice full of jealousy and resentment.

"First Tang Xiao, and now Xiong Jun. Could it be that every powerful force under heaven belongs to soul beasts?"

Yu Xiaogang sat nearby, his face somewhat pale. He coughed twice and said weakly:

"Xiao San, don't let anger blind you. Xiong Jun is a supreme overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest. His strength is absolutely no weaker than that of an ordinary Peerless Douluo."

"So what?"

Tang San gave a cold snort, madness gleaming in his eyes.

"He's nothing but a beast. Once I inherit the Asura God's position, I won't spare a single one of these soul beasts!"

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, who was growing somewhat obsessive, and sighed inwardly, but said nothing more to dissuade him.

In another wooden hut, Tang Hao lay on a pile of straw, watching the images on the Sky Screen with a complicated expression.

"Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear... four hundred and seventy thousand years..."

Tang Hao muttered to himself in a hoarse voice.

"I once heard the elders of the clan speak of it. It's one of the supreme beings among soul beasts, with a fearsome attack power."

"I never imagined such a terrifying existence truly existed in this world."

He lowered his gaze to his empty left sleeve and gave a self-mocking laugh.

"Now, I'm not even as good as a soul beast."

On the walls of Jialing Pass.

Bibi Dong stood in white, her clothes fluttering in the wind. As she watched the images on the Sky Screen, a trace of solemnity flashed through her eyes.

"The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear King, Xiong Jun... a super soul beast with four hundred and seventy thousand years of cultivation."

Bibi Dong looked away and addressed Hu Liena behind her.

Hu Liena watched her teacher with concern and asked in a quiet voice:

"Teacher, could such a terrifying being really have been hiding in the Star Dou Great Forest? Then the soul beasts we hunted before..."

"They simply couldn't be bothered to hold it against humanity."

Bibi Dong sighed, a trace of helplessness in her expression.

"If the Gold Ranking hadn't exposed them, who could have guessed that the Soul Beast Clan had such deep reserves?"

As she spoke, Bibi Dong turned toward the manor, her expression complicated.

"But even a ferocious beast like that could only rank eleventh. Just how powerful is Tang Xiao, who ranks first?"

Hu Liena shook her head. She couldn't imagine the might of a million-year soul beast.

"Teacher, now that we've submitted to the Blue Silver Empire, will the soul beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest turn against us?"

Hu Liena asked worriedly.

"No."

Bibi Dong shook her head, her expression resolute.

"With Tang Xiao here, those soul beasts won't be able to stir up any trouble. After all, he's the strongest man in the world."

As she said this, Bibi Dong felt a sense of security rise within her.

It was something that would have been absolutely impossible in the past.

On the terrace of the manor.

Tang Xiao held Qian Renxue in his arms, leisurely watching the Sky Screen. Xiong Jun's roar didn't even make him bat an eyelid.

"Husband, that Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear really does look powerful."

Qian Renxue said with a soft laugh. She picked up a peeled grape with her slender fingers and brought it to Tang Xiao's lips.

Tang Xiao opened his mouth and took a bite, enjoying the beauty's attentions as he replied casually:

"The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear Clan really is blessed by nature. Xiong Jun managed to cultivate for four hundred and seventy thousand years, which is no small feat. It's just a pity he doesn't have much of a brain."

"Doesn't have much of a brain?"

Qian Renxue blinked curiously and leaned against Tang Xiao's shoulder.

"He has brute strength, but doesn't understand how to wield the laws."

Tang Xiao explained calmly.

"In the eyes of a true powerhouse, even the greatest brute force is just tofu that's a little firmer. A light touch is all it takes to smash it to pieces."

Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.

"My husband certainly has a way with words. Xiong Jun shouting on the Sky Screen that he refuses to accept the ranking is rather amusing."

"If he really had what it takes, he'd challenge Di Tian."

Tang Xiao smiled.

"But I doubt he'll ever have the nerve."

Qian Renxue giggled, her body trembling lightly in Tang Xiao's arms.

"Husband, who do you think will rank ahead of him?"

"It's nothing more than those old fellows in the Star Dou Great Forest, the projections from the Divine Realm, and... us."

Tang Xiao remained composed, his tone brimming with the self-assurance of someone stating the obvious.

Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes roved over Tang Xiao's handsome profile, filled with tenderness.

"My husband must be number one."

"Of course."

Tang Xiao replied calmly, without a hint of modesty.

Because he had the strength to back it up.

Beside Lake of Life stood Di Tian, Bi Ji, King of Ten Thousand Monsters, Scarlet King, and Zi JI.

Scarlet King's three enormous dog heads bobbed in unison. One of them taunted:

"Xiong Jun, don't you always brag that you're the strongest after Big Brother? How come you couldn't even make the top ten?"

"Bullshit!"

Xiong Jun whipped around, fixing Scarlet King with his huge, bell-like eyes.

"Scarlet King, are you itching for a beating? Believe me, I'll tear that dog's mouth right off!"

Scarlet King hunched his shoulders and edged backward in fear, but continued muttering:

"What I said is true. The Heavenly Dao Gold List ranked you, not me."

"You!"

Furious, Xiong Jun raised his enormous paw to strike.

"That's enough!"

Di Tian barked.

He didn't release much pressure, but his commanding presence was enough to make Xiong Jun and Scarlet King fall silent at once.

Xiong Jun reluctantly lowered his paw and grumbled:

"Big Brother, I just refuse to accept it. My Dark Gold Terror Claw can be stopped by your dragon claws, but who else could block it? Are those ranked above me really sharper than my Dark Gold Terror Claw?"

Di Tian gazed at the Sky Screen and spoke slowly:

"Xiong Jun, your strength is indeed formidable. But before absolute cultivation and the laws, strength alone doesn't decide everything."

"That Tang Xiao has surpassed this world's limits. Even if all of us joined forces, I'm afraid we wouldn't withstand a single blow from him."

At Di Tian's words, the Ferocious Beasts around them fell silent.

They were proud, but they had never doubted Di Tian's judgment.

"A million years of cultivation... Supreme Blue Silver Emperor..."

Zi JI murmured, momentarily dazed.

"The Soul Beast Clan really can give birth to such a terrifying being."

"It's just a pity that he's built a human empire."

King of Ten Thousand Monsters said darkly.

"So what?"

Di Tian remained calm.

"As long as he's still a soul beast, he's the pride of the Soul Beast Clan. Besides, the bloodline within him is more noble than any of ours."

Xiong Jun scratched his head irritably.

"Big Brother, what do we do now? Just sit here and watch?"

"Just watch."

Di Tian replied calmly.

"This Heavenly Dao Gold List will expose every secret. When that happens, the entire Douluo Continent will undergo a transformation unlike anything it's ever seen."

Inside the Heaven Dou encampment, Emperor Xue Beng watched Xiong Jun on the Sky Screen, his face drained of all color.

"Imperial Preceptor, how... how can a soul beast be so powerful?"

Xue Beng asked in a trembling voice.

"Four hundred and seventy thousand years of cultivation... That's a level of power humanity simply can't contend with!"

Yu Xiaogang sat nearby and sighed.

"Your Majesty, soul beasts live long lives. Any one that survives to such an age is blessed by nature."

"Xiong Jun is one of the top overlords in the Star Dou Great Forest. His strength is already beyond what ordinary Titled Douluos can comprehend."

"Then what... what should we do?"

Xue Beng slumped hopelessly into his chair.

"With Tang Xiao ahead of us and these terrifying soul beasts behind us, does the Heaven Dou Empire really still have any hope?"

Yu Xiaogang fell silent.

He couldn't answer the question.

He himself could no longer see any hope.

"Your Majesty, perhaps... we could try to contact the Divine Realm."

Yu Xiaogang said hesitantly.

"Contact the Divine Realm?"

A glimmer flashed in Xue Beng's eyes.

"That's right! Tang San is the Sea God's successor. He must have a way to contact the Divine Realm!"

"As long as the gods of the Divine Realm descend, Tang Xiao and these soul beasts will all be doomed!"

At the thought, Xue Beng sprang to his feet.

"Quick! Go invite Lord Sea God!"

Inside the manor.

Qian Renxue watched the Sky Screen and said worriedly:

"Husband, now that the Heavenly Dao Gold List has exposed all these hidden powers, the Divine Realm probably won't just sit back and do nothing, will it?"

Tang Xiao gently stroked her hair, his expression composed.

"Do something? What can they do?"

"The Divine Realm claims to govern this world, but in truth, they're nothing but a bunch of selfish people."

"If they dare descend, I'll make sure they never leave."

His voice was calm, but the absolute confidence in his words made Qian Renxue feel completely at ease.

"Husband, I believe in you."

Qian Renxue leaned against him and spoke softly.

"But Tang San probably won't give up so easily. After today's setback, he'll definitely look for a shortcut."

"Like inheriting the Asura God's position."

At that, Tang Xiao's lips curled into a disdainful smile.

"The Asura God's position? That depends on whether the Asura God is willing to pass it on to him."

"Even if he really became the Asura God, he'd still be nothing but an ant before me."

Tang Xiao said calmly.

"Even among God Kings, there are different levels of strength."

"And I've long since surpassed the realm of an ordinary God King."

Qian Renxue looked at his confident expression, her beautiful eyes full of admiration.

"Husband, you're incredible."

She couldn't help leaning closer and placing a light kiss on Tang Xiao's cheek.

Tang Xiao drew her close and lowered his head to kiss her tender red lips.

Their breathing gradually grew uneven, and the temperature inside the room quietly rose.

Outside the window, the golden light on the Sky Screen still shone brilliantly, but within the quiet manor, there was only the warmth and sweetness the two of them shared.

In a secret chamber inside the walls of Jialing Pass.

Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo stood before Bibi Dong, both wearing troubled expressions.

"Your Holiness the Pope, are we really going to surrender to the Blue Silver Empire?"

Snake Lance Douluo asked reluctantly.

"Spirit Hall has been passed down for ten thousand years. Must we really come under someone else's command?"

Bibi Dong looked at them, her voice calm but carrying an air of authority.

"If we don't surrender, can the two of you withstand even a single move from Tang Xiao?"

The two fell silent at once.

They remembered Tang Xiao's earth-shaking strike outside Jialing Pass. Even Tang San, wearing his Seagod Divine Armor, had been gravely injured by a single blow. Ordinary Titled Douluos like them wouldn't even be worth a bite to him.

"But..."

Porcupinefish Douluo started to say something else.

"There are no buts."

Bibi Dong interrupted him.

"Tang Xiao has already agreed to preserve Spirit Hall's legacy. And after the Spirit Hall Empire is incorporated into the Blue Silver Empire, I'll still be the one in charge."

"This is already the best possible outcome."

"If we stubbornly refuse to accept it, not only will we die, but Spirit Hall's ten-thousand-year foundation will be completely destroyed by my hand."

She looked at the two of them, a trace of weariness in her eyes.

"You may leave. Go prepare for the merger. Anyone who dares to cause trouble in secret won't need the Blue Silver Empire to act. I'll personally send them on their way."

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope."

The two exchanged glances and sighed helplessly before respectfully withdrawing.

Bibi Dong walked to the window and gazed at the Gold Ranking on the Sky Screen, murmuring to herself:

"Tang Xiao... I hope I haven't made the wrong choice."

By Lake of Life, Xiong Jun paced back and forth, his enormous body cracking the ground beneath his feet.

"No! I can't swallow this!"

Xiong Jun roared.

"Who's that guy ranked tenth? Why hasn't the Heavenly Dao Gold List announced it yet?"

"I'm going to challenge him right now!"

King of Ten Thousand Monsters sneered.

"Xiong Jun, what's the rush? Once the Gold Ranking is revealed, you'll find out who it is."

"But I'd advise you to behave yourself. Anyone ranked ahead of you is definitely stronger than you. If you rush over there and end up making a fool of yourself, don't blame us for not warning you."

"Bullshit!"

Xiong Jun glared, eyes wide with rage.

"I could lose? On Douluo Continent, who besides the boss could beat me for sure?"

"Even if I can't beat that million-year-old guy, you think I can't beat the one in tenth place?"

As he spoke, he swung his enormous bear paws, each swipe unleashing a shrill whoosh through the air.

"Once the tenth-ranked name comes out, I'm heading out immediately!"

Di Tian sat nearby with his eyes closed, seemingly deaf to Xiong Jun's bluster.

He knew Xiong Jun was just like that—arrogant and conceited. He wouldn't learn his lesson until he'd taken a beating.

Besides, Di Tian was also curious about who would make up the top ten of the Strongest Power Ranking.

"Douluo Continent really is about to see a world turned upside down."

Di Tian thought to himself.

Tang Xiao and Qian Renxue were now fully dressed, standing on the terrace of the estate.

The night breeze swept past, stirring Qian Renxue's golden hair, which shimmered with a captivating glow in the moonlight.

Tang Xiao wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder, asking softly:

"Are you cold?"

"Not at all. With you here, my love, everywhere feels warm."

Qian Renxue turned her head and gave him a playful smile.

"My love, what do you think the Heaven Dou Empire is doing right now?"

"What could they be doing? Feeling fear and despair—or struggling desperately before the end."