Duan Changsheng didn't care one bit about being ranked first, nor did he care whether he could increase his Soul Power.
To him, increasing his Soul Power was easy. He just had to take his time.
If he'd devoted himself to cultivation, he would've become a Supreme God King long ago.
Besides, if he wanted to escape the Heavenly Dao's control, he couldn't accept its rewards.
The more you received, the tighter its shackles became.
That was because the Heavenly Dao's rewards all bore its mark. The more you received, the more Dao Marks were branded onto you.
When the time came, even if you weren't willing, the Heavenly Dao would enslave you by force.
Zi Chen made it sound as though he was adding some fun to this world, but in reality, he was using this chance to ensnare talented people and turn them into slaves of the Heavenly Dao.
For now, Duan Changsheng had received the Heavenly Dao's reward of ten levels of Soul Power, but it was still within his control.
He would use his special constitution to slowly wear away the mark of the Heavenly Dao.
Only then could he escape its shackles and, one day, surpass the Heavenly Dao and become an even more powerful being.
All living beings broke out in a cold sweat as they listened to Duan Changsheng.
Didn't this guy know he'd be punished for cursing the Sky Screen?
Just as everyone was waiting to see Duan Changsheng struck by lightning, no thunderbolt came down.
Everyone was stunned!
Holy crap!
What was going on?
Why hadn't the Sky Screen punished him?
Was it because he was first on the Combat Power Ranking and the Sky Screen favored him?
That was way too hypocritical!
All the living beings wore bitter smiles, but none of them dared object.
They were terrified the Sky Screen would retaliate!
"Changsheng, you're slapping me in the face right in front of everyone!"
Duan Changsheng had just returned to Spirit City when Zi Chen's helpless voice rang in his mind.
"So what if I slap you in the face?"
"Who told you to mess with me?"
"Don't think I don't know. You set up that group challenge rule specifically to target me."
"Messing with me day in and day out—is that fun?"
"I just want to be an ordinary person. I don't want to be famous!"
Duan Changsheng got riled up as soon as he heard Zi Chen's complaint.
What was so great about being famous? Fans were everywhere, and you couldn't even go out freely.
Being an ordinary person was much better. You could do whatever you wanted.
If Zi Chen got angry and tried to use the power of the Heavenly Dao to erase him—
Fine!
At worst, they could perish together.
If Zi Chen pushed him too far, he'd take out the Eastern Emperor Bell and fight this world's lousy Heavenly Dao head-on.
Zi Chen didn't reply. He chose to remain silent.
He'd considered punishing Duan Changsheng, but he was wary of him.
There were too many unknowns about Duan Changsheng.
If he ruined their relationship in a fit of pique, he'd gain nothing from it.
Though he seemed to be a clone of the Heavenly Dao, in truth he was just one of its dogs. He was restricted in many things.
Rather than pick a fight with Duan Changsheng, he might as well stay silent.
Whatever Duan Changsheng thought, as long as Zi Chen kept giving him rewards, sooner or later Duan Changsheng would be bound by the Heavenly Dao.
When that happened, no matter how many secrets Duan Changsheng had, Zi Chen would eventually bring him under control.
"Dad, where did you go?"
"I was worried sick!"
As soon as Duan Changsheng got home, Wang Yuyan rushed over to him.
"Where could I have gone? Obviously, I went drinking!"
"And you—you've been resting at home for days. Why haven't you gone back to work?"
"If you don't work, who's going to earn money to buy me drinks?"
Duan Changsheng knew Wang Yuyan was still suspicious of him, so he didn't give her a chance to press him. He changed the subject outright.
"Oh, Dad, I took leave so I could stay home and keep you company!"
"I'll go to work tomorrow. I can pick up this month's pay while I'm there."
At his words, Wang Yuyan realized she really hadn't been to Spirit Hall in a while, and felt a little awkward.
She had no idea whether Spirit Hall had struck her off the rolls.
"No. Go now. You can't let them fire you!"
Duan Changsheng pushed her out the door with a perfectly straight face, then turned and went inside to drink. His whole point was to get her moving—fast.
"Hey, you old Duan. You set me up so smoothly I walked right into it. You're a real schemer!"
"Whatever. I'd better go see what's going on at Spirit Hall first."
"If that bitch Hu Liena fired me, I'll just walk away!"
Just thinking about Hu Liena's face made Wang Yuyan feel sick.
She stuck both hands in her pockets and sauntered into Spirit Hall with a swagger.
Hadn't Hu Liena always disliked her?
Then let her fire Wang Yuyan if she had the guts!
But the moment Wang Yuyan entered Spirit Hall, everyone greeted her with a smile and bowed.
They were fawning over her so much that she was completely baffled!
Especially the followers who were closest to Hu Liena. Their attitude toward her had done a complete 180, making Wang Yuyan feel awkward!
She'd only taken some time off, hadn't she?
What on earth had happened at Spirit Hall?
Why were they being so polite to her?
Maybe she was about to be fired, and they were acting so warmly because they'd never see her again, sending her off with a farewell?
Or was Hu Liena deliberately setting this up to humiliate her?
Just as Wang Yuyan stood there, bewildered, Hu Liena came walking straight toward her with Yan and Xie Yue, chatting and laughing.
The smile vanished from Hu Liena's face the moment she saw Wang Yuyan. She turned around, intending to go the other way.
But the instant she turned, Wang Yuyan spotted her.
"Hey, Hu Liena! Why are you running away when you see me?"
"What's with everyone today?"
"Why's everyone acting so strange?"
"Did you arrange all this?"
"No matter how much you dislike me, you can't go around humiliating me like this!"
"If you want me gone, just say so. I can quit right now!"
Wang Yuyan had wanted to quit for ages. She wasn't afraid of offending Hu Liena, the Pope's disciple, and confronted her angrily.
The followers around them all looked over, eager to watch the show.
One was Bibi Dong's disciple, and the other had been appointed Adjudication Saintess by the Grand Consecrator.
Either one of them could throw her weight around in Spirit Hall!
"G-greetings, Saintess!"
Yan and Xie Yue knew they couldn't escape, so they had no choice but to bow to Wang Yuyan.
Hu Liena pressed her lips together and bowed to Wang Yuyan as well, her eyes full of resentment.
Although she was Bibi Dong's disciple, she didn't have an official position to match.
Wang Yuyan, on the other hand, held the actual high-ranking position of Adjudication Saintess in Spirit Hall, with the privileges and authority of a consecrator.
Even the elders had to bow respectfully when they saw Wang Yuyan.
Wang Yuyan stared at the three of them, stunned.
Saintess?
When had she become a saintess?
If anyone was going to be appointed a saintess, shouldn't it be Hu Liena, Bibi Dong's disciple? How had it become Wang Yuyan?
No, there was definitely something fishy going on. Hu Liena had set a trap for her.
Hu Liena was trying to get her killed!
There was a rule in Spirit Hall: appointing yourself to a position was a capital offense!
"Hu Liena, you're so cruel!"
"To get rid of me, you came up with such a vicious scheme—you're pretending to make me impersonate a saintess!"
"No wonder everyone's been acting so strangely today!"
"You're too wicked!"
"Even if it kills me, I won't let you get your way!"
"Since Spirit Hall is full of your people, I'll go to the Worship Hall and ask the consecrators to do me justice!"
Wang Yuyan was furious. She stormed toward the Worship Hall.
"Saintess, please, don't do anything rash!"
"Nana would never dare take revenge on you like that, and she doesn't have the authority!"
"The Grand Consecrator gave you the title of Adjudication Saintess. It's already been officially approved!"
Xie Yue hurriedly knelt in front of Wang Yuyan to stop her, afraid she'd cause a scene at the Worship Hall.
If the Grand Consecrator learned how angry Wang Yuyan was, he'd surely think Hu Liena had provoked her.
When that happened, no matter how many mouths Hu Liena had, she wouldn't be able to explain herself. The Grand Consecrator would punish her severely.
Hu Liena was his only family. Whatever happened, he couldn't let anything happen to his younger sister.
"That's right, Saintess. It's all true."
"Nana, say something!"
Yan knelt too, terrified that she'd make a bigger issue of it.
Hu Liena pressed her lips together, then walked reluctantly over to Wang Yuyan and knelt.
At that moment, Tang Hao challenged Bibi Dong, planning to fight for tenth place on the Combat Power Ranking.