The Genius Ranking had been filled from top to bottom with Brother Cao's harem, dealing a crushing blow to countless prodigies across the continent and leaving them questioning their lives.
Even so, their gazes remained fixed on the sky.
The reason was simple: the Sky Screen had released another ranking.
[Second Ranking: Combat Power Ranking.]
[Based solely on actual combat power. Talent, age, and level will not be considered.]
[Those already on the Genius Ranking will not be counted.]
[The top fifteen will receive generous rewards.]
As the Sky Screen announced the second ranking, people across the continent grew excited once more.
"The Combat Power Ranking! Hahaha! The Combat Power Ranking!"
"Now this is fair! This is what it means to have real ability! Who cares about talent? On the battlefield, nobody asks how talented you are!"
"Talent, age, and cultivation level won't matter?"
An old Soul Douluo with graying hair threw back his head and laughed.
"This old man has spent a lifetime cultivating, yet I couldn't compare to those little girls with Brother Cao backing them. But now, we'll let our real abilities speak for themselves. Let's see who dares say I'm inferior to those girls in their early twenties!"
"Those already on the Genius Ranking won't be counted!" Countless powerful figures' eyes lit up. "Does that mean everyone has a chance? Fantastic!"
The seasoned powerhouses who had been utterly crushed by the Genius Ranking now looked as if they'd been given a shot in the arm, hope blazing anew in their eyes.
The Genius Ranking belonged to the young. It was a stage for Brother Cao's harem.
But the Combat Power Ranking was their battlefield!
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen sprang to his feet, his eyes flashing as thunder rumbled faintly around him.
"Our chance has come."
"With my Level 95 cultivation and the continent's number one Beast Martial Soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, I'm sure to be among the top five on the Combat Power Ranking!"
Yu Luomian hurried to chime in. "My elder brother is right! Once those girls of Brother Cao's are out of the running, how many people are stronger than you? Tang Chen is dead... Your place in the top five is secure!"
The other clan members nodded one after another, confidence written all over their faces.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the continent's number one Beast Martial Soul, was destined to astound the continent!
The Clear Sky Sect.
The atmosphere was nowhere near as lively as it was in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The elders sat gathered together, each with a shadow hanging over his face.
Tang Chen's death weighed on them like a boulder.
"Our former former sect master... was slapped by that Brother Cao..." the Second Elder said, his voice trembling. "The Third Elder was slapped to death, and the First Elder was gravely injured by Bai Chenxiang... Since the Sky Screen appeared, our Clear Sky Sect has suffered one loss after another..."
The First Elder's face was ashen. His injuries had yet to heal, and at the mention of Bai Chenxiang, a dull ache stirred in his chest.
"But what can we do?" the Second Elder said with a bitter smile. "Take revenge? With what? Brother Cao killed ten God Officials with a single strike. We couldn't even stop one of his fingers."
Dead silence fell over the hall.
After a long while, Tang Xiao finally spoke. "Let's set revenge aside for now. The Combat Power Ranking is here."
He raised his head and looked toward the Sky Screen. "I'm Level 97, the First Elder is Level 94, and several other elders are above Level 90 as well. The Clear Sky Sect didn't appear on the Genius Ranking, but the Combat Power Ranking..."
"Our Clear Sky Sect is sure to rank near the top!"
At his words, the oppressive atmosphere finally began to ease.
The elders nodded, hope kindling in their eyes once again.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi stood by the window, looking at the Sky Screen with a faint smile.
"Uncle Jian, Uncle Bone."
"You two are sure to make the Combat Power Ranking."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin gave a slight nod. A fighting spirit surfaced on his still-sharp face. "This old man's sword has lain dormant for too long."
Bone Douluo Gu Rong stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "This old man would love to join in the fun! Let's see how the Sky Screen judges combat power!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile, though he was already calculating in secret.
Now that the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and Rongrong had connections through Brother Cao, the sect's standing on the continent had risen by leaps and bounds.
If Uncle Jian and Uncle Bone could also secure good places on the Combat Power Ranking...
Spirit Hall, Worship Hall.
At last, the oppressive atmosphere that had lingered for so long lifted.
The seven elders gathered together, each wearing a confidence and excitement they hadn't felt in ages.
The Genius Ranking was for young people, all members of Brother Cao's harem. They couldn't compete.
But the Combat Power Ranking was different!
Golden Crocodile Douluo had nearly recovered from his injuries. He sat upright, his eyes alight with certainty. "The Combat Power Ranking! Hahaha, good! Our chance has finally come! Surely it's Spirit Hall's turn now, right?"
Guangling Douluo clapped his hands and laughed. "Elder brother, this Combat Power Ranking might as well have been made for Spirit Hall! Even the weakest among our seven is Level 96. We're sure to all make the list!"
Azure Luan Douluo nodded in agreement. "Elder brother is a lock for first place! When the whole continent is stunned, we'll show everyone who the true ruler of the continent is!"
The other elders nodded one after another. For a time, the Worship Hall was filled with excitement.
Golden Crocodile Douluo grinned from ear to ear, as if he could already see them dominating the ranking and receiving the admiration of countless people.
But Qian Daoliu slowly shook his head.
"Second brother, and all of you."
"Have you forgotten Brother Cao? With him around, who would dare call themselves number one?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's smile froze. "Huh?"
His mouth hung open, his expression a sight to behold.
That was right... Brother Cao...
Brother Cao, who had killed ten God Officials with a single strike, and whom even Qian Daoliu admitted he couldn't match...
If he entered the Combat Power Ranking, then first place...
Golden Crocodile Douluo's face fell at once.
Watching his expression, Qian Daoliu chuckled inwardly. Still, Tang Chen is dead, and the Clear Sky Sect has been badly weakened. Setting Brother Cao aside...
He paused. "This is indeed Spirit Hall's moment to stun the continent."
The elders exchanged glances and nodded as one.
That was right. No matter how strong Brother Cao was, there was only one of him.
With seven elders from Spirit Hall, would they really have to fear competing with others for the remaining spots?
Star Dou Great Forest, Life Lake.
Di Tian stood with his hands behind his back on the surface of the lake, his golden dragon eyes fixed on the Sky Screen.
"The Combat Power Ranking?" he murmured, his voice like a dragon's roar.
"Interesting. I wonder whether our Soul Beast Clan will be counted."
Xiong Jun sat cross-legged nearby. At this, he let out a cold snort, his little eyes full of disdain. "Hmph, this Sky Screen clearly favors humans. Weak humans don't deserve to be compared with us Soul Beasts."
"These pointless rankings are better left alone!"
King of Ten Thousand Demons, Scarlet King, Yao Ling, and the other Ferocious Beasts also looked up. They said nothing, but each was thinking the same thing.
Could Soul Beasts make the ranking?
If so...
Then the top spot would unquestionably belong to their lord.
The Combat Power Ranking was about to begin.
And this time, the world would no longer belong to the young.
It would be a battlefield for seasoned powerhouses, a clash of the mightiest.
A true contest of kings!