Heaven Dou Empire, imperial palace.
Emperor Xue Ye sprang up from his dragon throne, an unprecedented gleam bursting from his eyes!
"Level 99! A Level 99 in their early twenties!" His voice trembled. "Th-this... is she even human?"
Xue Ke muttered softly beside him, "Sister Lingling is so beautiful... even prettier than me..."
Emperor Xue Ye shot her a glare, but this time he didn't scold her.
Even he had been deeply shaken by the blue-haired woman on the Sky Screen.
"The Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... not the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique..." he murmured. "So she has no connection to Brother Cao?"
Once the thought surfaced, it spread like wild grass.
If the woman at the top of the rankings had no connection to Brother Cao, couldn't they win her over?
A Level 99 Limit Douluo in her early twenties! If she could be persuaded to serve the Heaven Dou Empire...
Spirit Hall, Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu stood before the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the breathtaking face on the Sky Screen. He remained silent for a long time.
Behind him, Golden Crocodile Douluo lay on a soft couch. His face was still pale, but now he, too, stared wide-eyed at the Sky Screen.
"Level 99... in her early twenties..." Golden Crocodile Douluo murmured, his voice full of bitterness. "I cultivated all my life and only reached Level 98. This girl..."
Qian Daoliu spoke slowly:
"The Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... not the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique. She should have no connection to Brother Cao."
Golden Crocodile Douluo froze. "Then how did she do it? In her early twenties, and already Level 99? How is that possible?"
Qian Daoliu shook his head and said nothing.
Blue Tyrant Academy.
Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and the others all stared blankly at the Sky Screen, unable to speak.
Level 99... in her early twenties...
This was even more outrageous than those girls who relied on Brother Cao!
Yu Xiaogang stroked his smooth chin, his eyes burning with fervor. "The Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... the Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... What kind of cultivation method is this? Is it even more powerful than the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique? If I could learn it..."
He rubbed his smooth face, quietly making plans in his mind.
Ma Hongjun's mouth hung open. He murmured, "Good heavens... there are monsters like this in the world? She can reach Level 99 without even having a cheat?"
Only Tang San stared fixedly at the Sky Screen, his eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.
Level 99... When would he ever reach that level?
Brother Cao had already driven him to despair, and now another genius had appeared...
He clenched his teeth, his fists tightening with a creak.
Ye Family Fortress.
Xiao Cui was still chattering away. "Miss, you're incredible! Level 99! You're even stronger than those who rely on Brother Cao! You're the real genius, Miss!"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, completely failing to notice her young mistress's expression growing increasingly complicated.
When the golden light of the Sky Screen had completely faded, she carefully put away the several rewards that had fallen into her hands.
Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.
A portly, middle-aged man rushed in. It was Father Ye.
There was not a trace of joy on his face. Instead, he looked deeply anxious and grave.
Seeing him, Xiao Cui was bewildered and couldn't help asking, "Master, why aren't you happy that Miss made the rankings? This is wonderful news! The whole continent is talking about her!"
Father Ye waved a hand and let out a long sigh. "Lingling making the rankings isn't a good thing!"
Xiao Cui froze. "Master, why not?"
Father Ye walked to the window and gazed at the golden light fading from the Sky Screen, his voice low. "Lingling cultivates a method different from the other girls. It isn't the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique. At first glance, that might not seem like a problem. In fact, she's even more powerful than those girls."
He turned to look at his daughter, his eyes full of concern. "But that's precisely the problem. Since she doesn't use the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique, it means she doesn't belong to Brother Cao."
Xiao Cui's face changed instantly as she finally understood. "So... Miss is different from the others. She doesn't have Brother Cao backing her?"
Father Ye nodded heavily. "Exactly. If anything goes wrong, our Ye Family Fortress could be wiped out!"
He took a deep breath and slowly explained, "Who wouldn't want the Sky Screen's rewards? Every girl who made the rankings has Brother Cao backing her. That's why nobody dares lay a finger on them. But Lingling..."
"She rose through her own cultivation, without anyone backing her."
"What will those great sects and powerful forces think? A Titled Douluo from a minor family, with no backing and no connections. They'll try to win her over, threaten her, and seize what she has. The Sky Screen's rewards, the Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art, even Lingling herself... all of them will be targets of their greed."
Xiao Cui's face turned deathly pale as she finally realized how serious the situation was.
The room fell deathly silent.
Ye Lingling, however, remained calm, her thoughts merely drifting.
Years ago, she had accidentally found a jade pendant that contained the Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art. From then on, her cultivation speed had been unbelievably fast. And whenever she shared a bed with her husband, it became even more astonishing. In just a few short years, she had reached Level 99.
Afraid her husband might feel inferior, she hadn't told anyone.
After a long while, she finally spoke. "Father, there's no need to worry. Your daughter is a Level 99 Limit Douluo, after all. Ordinary people can't threaten me. With my current strength, there aren't many on the whole continent who could defeat me."
She paused, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes. "But you and the others may be in danger, especially my husband... He's just an ordinary man."
Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the door. "My lady, there's no need to worry. I'm here."
Cao Xiyu came in at an unhurried pace, carrying a cup of tea.
Ye Lingling looked at him, the worry in her eyes deepening.
She walked slowly toward him. They had been husband and wife for over ten years. Though he was not especially capable, he had always treated her with tenderness and care, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance.
"Husband," she said softly, her voice trembling faintly. "We married young, and we've been together for more than ten years. We've always been of one heart, like a zither and lute in harmony. I can hardly bear to part with you..."
Seeing the tears glimmering in her eyes, Cao Xiyu felt warmth well up inside him. He set down his teacup and said seriously, "My lady, the truth is, I really..."
Before he could finish, Ye Lingling pressed a finger to his lips.
"You're my husband," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "To me, you matter more than my own life."
Cao Xiyu froze.
"I don't know that Brother Cao, so making the rankings is a curse rather than a blessing. Those girls have him backing them, so no one dares touch them. But I... can only rely on myself."
She reached out and gently wrapped her arms around Cao Xiyu's waist, holding him tightly.
"So," she murmured against his chest, "please hide somewhere safe for now, husband. Once this is settled, I'll come for you."
As she spoke, Ye Lingling pressed a Teleportation Talisman against Cao Xiyu.
In an instant, a spatial passage formed.
"Take care, husband." Then she let go.
The spatial passage's pull instantly swallowed Cao Xiyu.
When the passage closed, the room fell quiet again.
Ye Lingling stood still, gazing in the direction where Cao Xiyu had vanished.
After a long while, she gently raised a hand and wiped the dampness from the corner of her eye.