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

"Soul beasts... it's soul beasts again!"

Tang San gritted his teeth, his voice thick with jealousy and resentment.

"First there was Tang Xiao, and now this Xiong Jun has popped up. Is it possible that all the powerful forces in this world belong to soul beasts?"

Yu Xiaogang sat to the side, his face somewhat pale. He coughed twice and said weakly, "Xiao San, do not let anger blind you. This Xiong Jun is a supreme overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest; his strength is absolutely not inferior to an ordinary Peerless Douluo."

"And so what?"

Tang San let out a cold snort, a frantic light flickering in his eyes.

"He is nothing but a beast. Once I inherit the throne of the Asura God, I will not spare a single one of these soul beasts!"

Yu Xiaogang looked at the increasingly paranoid Tang San and sighed inwardly, but he did not try to dissuade him further.

In another wooden hut, Tang Hao lay on a pile of straw, watching the images on the Sky Screen with a complex 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 sect mention it; that is one of the supreme beings among soul beasts, possessing incomparably tyrannical attack power."

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

He lowered his head to look at his empty left arm and let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"As I am now, I am not even the equal of a soul beast."

On the ramparts of Jialing Pass.

Bibi Dong stood against the wind, dressed in white. She watched the images on the Sky Screen, a flash of gravity in her eyes.

"The King of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bears, Xiong Jun... a four hundred and seventy thousand-year super soul beast."

Bibi Dong withdrew her gaze and spoke to Hu Liena behind her.

Hu Liena looked at her teacher with some concern and asked in a low voice, "Teacher, such a terrifying existence was hidden in the Star Dou Great Forest? Then, our past hunts for soul beasts..."

"In the past, they simply couldn't be bothered to concern themselves with humans."

Bibi Dong sighed, a hint of helplessness appearing in her expression.

"If not for this Gold Ranking exposing them, who could have imagined that the foundation of the soul beast clan was so profound?"

Speaking of this, Bibi Dong turned her head to look in the direction of the manor, her eyes complex.

"However, even a ferocious beast of this caliber only ranks eleventh. Just how strong has Tang Xiao, who ranks first, become?"

Hu Liena shook her head; she could not fathom the might of a million-year soul beast.

"Teacher, now that we have submitted to the Blue Silver Empire, will the soul beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest pose a threat to us?"

Hu Liena asked with some worry.

"They will not."

Bibi Dong shook her head, her expression firm.

"With Tang Xiao there, those soul beasts cannot stir up any trouble. After all, he is the strongest man in this world."

As she said this, a sense of security unexpectedly rose in Bibi Dong's heart.

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

Inside the manor, on the terrace.

Tang Xiao held Qian Renxue in his arms, watching the Sky Screen with a leisurely expression. He did not even lift an eyelid at Xiong Jun's roar.

"Husband, the power of this Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear does indeed look quite formidable."

Qian Renxue said with a light laugh, extending a slender finger to bring a peeled grape to Tang Xiao's lips.

Tang Xiao opened his mouth to take it, enjoying the beauty's service, and spoke in a casual tone:

"The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear clan is indeed gifted by heaven. It is no small feat for this Xiong Jun to have cultivated for four hundred and seventy thousand years. It is just a pity that he isn't very bright."

"Not very bright?"

Qian Renxue blinked curiously, leaning against Tang Xiao's shoulder.

"He possesses nothing but brute force, yet he does not understand how to utilize the laws."

Tang Xiao explained indifferently.

"In the eyes of a true powerhouse, no matter how strong the brute force is, it is nothing more than tofu that is slightly firmer than usual. One light touch, and it will shatter into pieces."

Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.

"My husband always sees to the heart of the matter. That Xiong Jun clamoring on the Sky Screen that he is unconvinced is truly laughable."

"If he truly had the ability, he would go and challenge Di Tian."

Tang Xiao smiled and said.

"However, I'm afraid it doesn't have the guts to do so in this lifetime."

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

"Husband, then tell me, who do you think will be ranked ahead of it?"

"It can only be those old fellows in the Star Dou Great Forest, the projections from the God Realm, and... us."

Tang Xiao's expression remained calm, his tone revealing a natural, self-evident confidence.

Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes shifted, gazing at Tang Xiao's handsome profile, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"Husband will definitely be first."

"That goes without saying."

Tang Xiao said indifferently, without a hint of modesty.

Because he possessed the strength to back it up.

Beside the Lake of Life, in addition to Di Tian, Bi Ji, and the King of Ten Thousand Monsters, there were also the Scarlet King and Zi Ji.

The Scarlet King's three massive dog heads shook in unison, and one of them mocked:

"Xiong Jun, don't you usually brag that you're the strongest after the boss? How come you didn't even make it into the top ten?"

"Bullshit!"

Xiong Jun whipped his head around, his copper-bell-sized eyes glaring fiercely at the Scarlet King.

"Scarlet King, is your skin itching? Do you believe that this King will tear your dog mouth apart right now?"

The Scarlet King shrank his neck and retreated in fear, but he still muttered:

"I'm just stating facts. This was ranked by the Heavenly Dao Gold List, not something I made up."

"You!"

Xiong Jun was furious, raising his massive palm to strike down.

"Enough!"

Di Tian barked.

Although he did not release an overwhelming pressure, that aura of a superior was enough to make Xiong Jun and the Scarlet King fall silent instantly.

Xiong Jun retracted his hand with some reluctance and said in a muffled voice:

"Boss, I just don't accept it. Aside from your dragon claws, who can withstand my Dark Gold Terror Claw? Could those ranked ahead of me really have something sharper than my Dark Gold Terror Claw?"

Di Tian looked at the Sky Screen and said slowly:

"Xiong Jun, your strength is indeed formidable. But in the face of absolute cultivation and laws, strength cannot determine everything."

"That Tang Xiao's strength has already surpassed the limits of this world. Even if all of us were to join forces, I'm afraid we wouldn't be a match for him in a single exchange."

Hearing Di Tian's words, the surrounding fierce beasts fell silent.

Although they were arrogant, they never doubted Di Tian's judgment.

"Million-year cultivation... Supreme Blue Silver Emperor..."

Zi Ji murmured, somewhat lost in thought.

"To think that the soul beast clan could actually give birth to such a terrifying existence."

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

The King of Ten Thousand Monsters said with a sinister tone.

"And so what?"

Di Tian's expression remained calm.

"As long as he is still a soul beast, he is the pride of our soul beast clan. Moreover, the bloodline within him is more noble than any of ours."

Xiong Jun scratched his head in annoyance:

"Boss, what do we do now? Just watch?"

"Just watch."

Di Tian said indifferently.

"This Heavenly Dao Gold List will expose all secrets. When that time comes, the entire Douluo Continent will face an unprecedented transformation."

Inside the Heaven Dou military camp, Emperor Xue Beng looked at Xiong Jun on the Sky Screen, his face deathly pale.

"Imperial Preceptor, this... how can these soul beasts be so powerful?"

Xue Beng asked with a trembling voice.

"Four hundred and seventy thousand years of cultivation—this is simply not a power that humans can contend with!"

Yu Xiaogang sat to the side, sighed, and said:

"Your Majesty, soul beasts have long lifespans. Those who can live to this age are all existences favored by heaven."

"This Xiong Jun is one of the top overlords in the Star Dou Great Forest. Its strength has already surpassed the understanding of ordinary Title Douluo."

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

Xue Beng slumped into his chair in despair.

"With Tang Xiao in front and these terrifying soul beasts behind, does our Heaven Dou Empire truly have any hope left?"

Yu Xiaogang fell silent.

He could not answer that question.

Because even he himself could no longer see any hope.

"Your Majesty, perhaps... we could attempt to communicate with the God Realm."

Yu Xiaogang said with some hesitation.

"Communicate with the God Realm?"

A glimmer of light flashed in Xue Beng's eyes.

"That's right! Isn't Tang San the heir to the Seagod? He must have a way to contact the God Realm!"

"As long as the gods of the God Realm descend, whether it's Tang Xiao or these soul beasts, they will all be doomed!"

Thinking of this, Xue Beng stood up eagerly.

"Quick! Go and summon Lord Seagod!"

Inside the manor.

Qian Renxue looked at the Sky Screen and said with some concern:

"Husband, the Heavenly Dao Gold List has exposed all these hidden powers. I fear the God Realm will not sit idly by, will they?"

Tang Xiao gently stroked her long hair, his expression dignified.

"Sit by? With what will they intervene?"

"The God Realm prides itself on being the managers of this world, but in reality, they are nothing more than a bunch of selfish, self-interested individuals."

"If they dare to descend, I will ensure they never return."

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

"Husband, I believe in you."

Qian Renxue leaned into his embrace and whispered.

"However, that Tang San will likely not give up so easily. Having suffered a setback today, he will surely try to find a shortcut."

"For example, inheriting the Asura God position."

Hearing this, Tang Xiao's lips curled slightly, revealing a look of disdain.

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

"Even if he truly becomes the Asura God, before me, he is still nothing more than an ant."

Tang Xiao said indifferently.

"There are gaps even between God Kings."

"And I have long since surpassed the category of an ordinary God King."

Qian Renxue looked at his confident demeanor, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.

"Husband, you are truly amazing."

She couldn't help but lean forward and gently kiss Tang Xiao on the cheek.

Tang Xiao took the opportunity to pull her closer, lowering his head to kiss her delicate red lips.

Their breathing gradually grew rapid, and the temperature in the room rose quietly.

Outside the window, the golden light on the Sky Screen remained brilliant, but within this quiet manor, there was only the warmth and sweetness belonging to the two of them.

In a dark chamber within the walls of Jialing Pass.

Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo stood before Bibi Dong, both of their faces looking rather grim.

"Your Holiness, must we truly surrender to the Blue Silver Empire?"

Snake Lance Douluo asked with unconcealed reluctance.

"Our Spirit Hall has been passed down for ten thousand years; are we really to be incorporated under someone else's banner just like that?"

Bibi Dong looked at them, her voice calm yet filled with majesty.

"If we don't surrender, can you withstand a single strike from Tang Xiao?"

The two men fell silent at once.

They recalled the earth-shattering strike Tang Xiao had unleashed before Jialing Pass. Even Tang San, clad in the Seagod Divine Armor, had been severely wounded by a single blow. As ordinary Title Douluo, they would likely not even be enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.

"But..."

Porcupinefish Douluo wanted to say something more.

"There are no 'buts'."

Bibi Dong interrupted him.

"Tang Xiao has already agreed to preserve the heritage of Spirit Hall, and after the Spirit Hall Empire is merged into the Blue Silver Empire, I will continue to manage it."

"This is already the best possible outcome."

"If we remain obsessed and refuse to see reason, not only will we die, but the ten-thousand-year foundation of Spirit Hall will be completely destroyed at my hands."

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

"You may withdraw and prepare for the merger. If anyone dares to stir up trouble in the shadows, there will be no need for the Blue Silver Empire to act; This Seat will personally send them on their way."

"Yes, Your Holiness."

The two exchanged a glance, sighed helplessly, and respectfully retreated.

Bibi Dong walked to the window, looked up at the Gold List on the Sky Screen, and muttered to herself:

"Tang Xiao... I hope my choice was not a mistake."

Beside the Lake of Life, Xiong Jun paced back and forth, his massive body cracking the ground with every step.

"No, this King cannot swallow this insult!"

Xiong Jun roared.

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

"I am going to challenge him right now!"

The King of Ten Thousand Monsters sneered:

"Xiong Jun, what is your hurry? Once the Gold List is announced, you will naturally know who it is."

"However, I advise you to behave yourself. Anyone ranked ahead of you is undoubtedly stronger than you. If you rush in blindly and lose face, don't blame us for not warning you."

"Bullshit!"

Xiong Jun glared, his eyes wide.

"I would lose? On this Douluo Continent, besides the Boss, who can reliably defeat this King?"

"Even if I can't beat that million-year-old fellow, surely I can handle the tenth place?"

As he spoke, he swung his massive bear paws, creating a series of shrill, whistling sounds in the air.

"As soon as the tenth name appears, I am setting off immediately!"

Di Tian sat to the side with his eyes closed, as if he hadn't heard Xiong Jun's clamoring at all.

He knew that this was simply Xiong Jun's nature—arrogant and conceited; he wouldn't learn his lesson without suffering a bit.

Moreover, he was also somewhat curious about who exactly would make up the top ten of the Strongest Power Ranking.

The Douluo Continent is truly about to change, Di Tian thought to himself.

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

The night breeze blew, catching Qian Renxue's golden hair and making it shimmer with a charming luster under the moonlight.

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

"Are you cold?"

"Not at all. With my husband here, everywhere is warm."

Qian Renxue turned her head and smiled playfully.

"Husband, what do you think the reaction is over at the Heaven Dou Empire right now?"

"What kind of reaction could there be? Fear, despair, or perhaps a death throe."