Zi Chen was very curious about Duan Changsheng's origins.
He could sense a different kind of power coming from him, as if he didn't belong to this world at all.
Even after channeling the power of the Heavenly Dao, Zi Chen couldn't discover anything about Duan Changsheng.
To him, Duan Changsheng was a complete unknown.
Since his origins were unclear and he possessed the special Immortal Constitution, he was a perfect candidate to inherit the Sky Screen Gold Ranking.
"Sorry, I'm not interested!"
"I think being a person is much more fun."
"Have a little wine every day, flirt with pretty girls, raise my daughter. That's a pretty good life."
Who was Duan Changsheng? How could he fail to understand what Zi Chen meant?
Becoming the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao and controlling the Sky Screen Gold Ranking might sound incredible. You could toy with people's lives.
But there was only one turnip to each hole!
Once he took on that role, he'd be bound by all sorts of Heavenly Dao rules.
He was used to being free and didn't want to get involved in this mess.
Freedom was best!
"Fine. Take your time thinking it over. Whenever you've made up your mind, you can take over for me!"
"As for your wine, I'll pass. It's not for me!"
"Take this jar of wine as a gift to mark our first meeting."
"We'll be seeing each other often from now on."
"For you, the Douluo Universe isn't the end of the road."
"If one day you want to visit other planes or other universes, you can contact me."
Zi Chen wasn't impressed by Duan Changsheng's wine. After leaving him a jar of Enlightenment Wine infused with the energy of heaven and earth and the power of the Heavenly Dao, he turned into a streak of golden light and disappeared into the sky.
"What the hell was that?"
"Trying to trick me into a trap? Dream on!"
Duan Changsheng didn't even look at the jar. He casually tossed it into the space he'd created, then sauntered home with an easygoing swagger, sipping wine from his gourd.
"Dad, where on earth did you go?"
"Tell me, was that masked guy in the strange outfit you?"
Wang Yuyan saw Duan Changsheng and stormed over, pouting as she confronted him.
That familiar gait and posture had looked exactly like his.
"Yuyan, how could it have been me?"
"If I had that kind of ability, would you still be here?"
"What are you thinking? Go warm up the food. I'm starving!"
Duan Changsheng didn't panic at all. He patted his belly with an aggrieved look.
Had he given himself away somehow?
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
Wang Yuyan rose onto her tiptoes and leaned close to his face, staring at him without blinking as if she wanted to see right through him.
"Really. Now go warm up the food!"
Duan Changsheng pinched her cheek, then slouched into a seat, crossed his legs, and picked his nose.
"Fair enough. There's no way the peerless expert in the world would be as sloppy and unconcerned with his appearance as you."
"Forget it. I'm in a bad mood. Figure it out yourself!"
Wang Yuyan hadn't noticed anything amiss. Looking a little dejected, she returned to her room.
She still felt that her dad was the masked Superman.
But she had no proof.
"This is such a pain!"
Duan Changsheng was speechless. He ate a little something, then took out his frustration on the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
Since Wang Yuyan had taken leave these past few days, she hadn't gone back to work at Spirit Hall.
The news of her change in status hadn't reached her, either.
Seven days flew by. Every living being on the Douluo Continent eagerly awaited the announcement of the Combat Power Ranking.
Compared to the Combat Power Ranking, the Love Saint Ranking and the Scumbag Ranking were just child's play.
[Sky Screen: Combat Power Ranking.]
[This ranking is based on an initial assessment of overall strength. It lists the ten peak experts of the Douluo Continent. Three days of challenges will determine the final ranking.]
[Combat Power Ranking, TOP 1–10: Masked Superman, Gu Yuena, Di Tian, Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, Tang Chen, Qian Daoliu, Bo Saixi, Evil Eye Tyrant Sovereign, Snow Empress, Bibi Dong.]
[The initial list has been announced. Everyone who takes part in a challenge, win or lose, will receive a reward as encouragement.]
[Requirement: Challengers must be at least level 95.]
[Challengers, please begin!]
Everyone on the Douluo Continent was stunned by the ranking.
Masked Superman, Di Tian, Snow Empress—none of them were names they recognized.
When had so many hidden experts suddenly appeared on the Douluo Continent?
Unbelievable!
"I didn't make the list."
"Grand Consecrator, no wonder Bibi Dong dares to defy you now. She's hidden her strength incredibly well."
Golden Crocodile Douluo stared at the ranking, shaken and dismayed.
He'd thought he would make the list outright, then just wait for challengers and hold on to his place.
Who could have guessed that even Bibi Dong outranked him?
Bibi Dong had hidden her strength well!
"Uncle Jin, don't worry."
"This is only the initial ranking. You'll still have a chance."
"I think you can beat Bibi Dong and hold on to tenth place."
Qian Daoliu was surprised by the ranking, too.
He hadn't heard of many of these names. He could only guess that Masked Superman might be his teacher.
It seemed he'd have to challenge them one by one to uncover the true identities of these mysterious figures.
"Ah, perhaps."
Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed, dejection plain in his eyes.
"I'm at the bottom of the ranking?"
"I'm afraid I'll be challenged by a crowd of people next."
"But whoever it is, I won't give up my place!"
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, already bracing herself to accept challenges at any moment.
"Impossible!"
"Why am I not on the list?"
"When did so many experts appear on the Douluo Continent?"
"I, Tang Hao, refuse to accept this!"
"And Masked Superman? What kind of stupid name is that!"
"I'll challenge you first and let you taste the might of my Clear Sky Hammer!"
Ever since Tang Hao made it onto the Love Saint Ranking, he'd received a Soul Bone dating back roughly seventy thousand years.
That bone had helped him break through to level 96 and granted him a powerful Berserk Soul Skill, which doubled his strength and explosive power.
If he was going to challenge someone, he'd challenge the top-ranked fighter!
"Heavenly Screen, I, Tang Hao, challenge the top-ranked fighter. I'll make the might of the Clear Sky Hammer known!"
Having made up his mind, Tang Hao immediately registered with the Heavenly Screen, challenging Masked Superman—the identity Duan Changsheng had assumed.
"What kind of number one is that? I, Xiong Jun, refuse to accept it!"
"Heavenly Screen, I, Xiong Jun, challenge Masked Superman."
With a cultivation of over four hundred thousand years, Xiong Jun was even more dissatisfied with the ranking.
Di Tian had made the top three, so why couldn't he even make the top ten?
If he was going to challenge anyone, he'd challenge the number one.
Only then could he show the Heavenly Screen just how powerful he was, earn even better rewards, and claim a place on the Combat Power Ranking.
Di Tian and Gu Yuena looked at Xiong Jun's blustering and sighed helplessly.
All brawn and no brains.
Even if the Heavenly Screen's initial ranking was a little off, it couldn't be that far off.
Where did Xiong Jun get the confidence to challenge the number one?
Had he lost his mind?
Still, this was a perfect chance to see just how powerful the top-ranked fighter really was.
Let him stir up the waters first.
They might see something unexpected.
[Challengers: Tang Hao, Xiong Jun. Target: Masked Superman.]
[Will Masked Superman accept their challenges at the same time, or fight them one at a time?]
In front of every living being on the Douluo Continent, the Heavenly Screen announced the challengers and asked the defender to choose.
"Zi Chen, you're such a pain in the ass!"
"If they want to challenge me, let them come together. That'll save me time."
"Yuyan, I'm going for a drink. Enjoy the show!"
Seeing the challengers, Duan Changsheng shook his head helplessly. He waved to the expectant Wang Yuyan and quietly slipped away.
At that moment, Wang Yuyan was completely focused on the upcoming challenge broadcast. How could she spare a thought for him?
[Masked Superman accepts the challenges from Tang Hao and Xiong Jun at the same time. The match will begin in one minute!]