Sky Screen Inventory Begins, Heavenly Pride Ranking!

Under the gaze of countless living beings,

the Sky Screen hanging high in the heavens began to change.

A golden scroll appeared at its center, then slowly unfurled, revealing lines of text.

A voice capable of shaking the ages rang out:

[Sky Screen Inventory begins!]

[The first ranking to be inventoried: the Heavenly Pride Ranking!]

[Evaluation criteria: the overall abilities of the top twenty prodigies on the continent under the age of twenty-five!]

[This Sky Screen is formed from Cosmic Power and will continue its inventories. It is absolutely fair and impartial, and those ranked will receive generous rewards!]

Upon hearing the Sky Screen's voice,

the most shocked were naturally the contestants about to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament.

The contestants from these hundred-odd participating teams were all under twenty years old.

There were even several top experts at the Soul Emperor level. In the eyes of All Living Beings, the Heavenly Pride Ranking would surely have a place for them!

"The Heavenly Pride Ranking!"

Within Shrek Academy,

Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and the others visibly relaxed upon seeing the words on the Sky Screen.

Two Soul Emperors and five Soul Kings!

Ma Xiaotao's Soul Power had even reached level sixty-seven!

Among peers across the continent, how many could possibly surpass them in talent?

Xu Sanshi, Bei Bei, and the others also wore more anticipation and longing on their faces.

Seeing the state of these children,

Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction and continued looking toward the Sky Screen,

ready to see what other prodigies besides Shrek's elites would make the ranking.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, standing amid the crowd, both unconsciously took half a step back, as though worried about something.

At a pavilion somewhere in the Outer Court,

Dai Huabin stared excitedly at the Sky Screen, his body beginning to tremble slightly.

"There will definitely be a place for me on this Heavenly Pride Ranking!"

"Huo Yuhao, this ranking will be enough to prove the gap between us!"

"And Dai Yueheng—when I reach your age, I'll definitely surpass everything you've achieved!"

As the legitimate son of Duke White Tiger,

Dai Huabin had absolute confidence in his talent.

He believed that his name would certainly appear on that talent ranking.

When that happened, not only could he become a reserve member of the Shrek Seven Devils, but his status within the clan might even surpass Dai Yueheng's!

Just as Dai Huabin was thinking,

a graceful figure gradually appeared on the golden scroll.

The woman was slender and well-proportioned, with a noble and elegant bearing. Her nearly flawless beauty left All Living Beings astonished!

The Sky Screen's voice rang out again:

[Ranked twentieth on the Heavenly Pride Ranking: Xu Jiujiu!]

"It's actually her!?"

Dai Huabin and Dai Yueheng, who were watching the Sky Screen, were both stunned,

as they looked in surprise at the familiar figure.

Xu Jiujiu was the youngest sister of Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei and the princess with the greatest influence in the empire.

The two brothers of the Evil Eye Dai Clan were no strangers to her.

The Star Luo Empire had already been drowned in cheers and delight:

"Gods! It's Princess Jiujiu!!"

"Princess Jiujiu is so beautiful!"

"Our Star Luo Empire is the first to make the ranking! Princess Jiujiu is Star Luo's prodigy!"

"Her Highness has truly brought glory to our Star Luo Empire!"

"..."

Within the Star Luo Imperial Palace,

Xu Jiawei, standing on the viewing platform, unconsciously clenched the railing with both hands, his eyes full of disbelief.

"Jiujiu... you made the ranking!"

His voice trembled slightly with barely suppressed excitement.

Xu Jiujiu was likewise rooted to the spot, a trace of bewilderment flashing across her exquisite face.

In truth, the Star Luo Empire had no shortage of talented Spirit Masters.

But she had never expected that she would be the first to ascend the Heavenly Pride Ranking.

Under the watch of countless eyes,

the image on the golden scroll began to shift, showing Xu Jiujiu summoning her martial soul.

The Sky Screen's voice followed:

[Standing before you now is the princess of the Star Luo Empire, captain of the Star Luo National Academy Team, and one of the strongest members of Star Luo Empire's younger generation—Xu Jiujiu!]

[She possesses the inherited martial soul of the Star Luo imperial bloodline: the Crown of Stars!]

[The Star Luo Crown possesses multiple effects, including offense, defense, and support. It is one of the top-tier tool martial souls of this era!]

[From a young age, Xu Jiujiu displayed exceptional cultivation talent. Even though she devoted most of her time to royal affairs, she still broke through to the Soul King level before turning twenty!]

[She has even cultivated the continent's strongest defensive soul skill, one not seen for a long time, capable of isolating attributes—Star Guardian!]

"Star Guardian!?"

The instant the Sky Screen's voice faded,

cries of shock erupted across the continent.

Just as the Sky Screen had said, Star Guardian had not appeared on the Douluo Continent for far too long.

The younger generation of Spirit Masters did not know its power.

But the veteran experts understood perfectly well.

With the ultimate defensive divine skill of attribute isolation, combined with the power of the Star Luo Empire and Soul Tools,

this Star Luo National Academy Team could at the very least reach the semifinals, perhaps even the finals!

Within the Shrek Academy Inner Court,

Dai Yueheng wore a thoughtful expression as he said to the others, "The Star Crown martial soul possessing Star Guardian cannot be underestimated."

"It seems this Star Luo National Academy Team will be a formidable opponent for us this year."

Ling Luochen and Xixi exchanged a glance,

and both revealed agreement in their eyes.

"Hmph~"

Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly, her words carrying a hint of disdain.

"What is there to fear?"

"No matter how strong her Star Guardian is, can it stop my Phoenix Sky-Screaming Strike?"

As she spoke,

she deliberately lifted her chin and gave Huo Yuhao an exceedingly confident smile.

At the same time,

within the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy.

Xiao Hongchen and the others looked at the Sky Screen in astonishment, their eyes filled with shock.

Star Luo's Princess Xu Jiujiu was actually the captain of the Star Luo National Team.

This Sky Screen could truly expose even the hidden trump cards of the prodigious contestants.

Would their names appear on it as well?

"I never expected... that someone could still cultivate the soul skill Star Guardian."

Elder Ma furrowed his brows slightly, his words carrying a touch of gravity.

Seeing his father's solemn expression, Ma Rulong asked curiously, "Father, is this soul skill very powerful?"

Elder Ma nodded slightly and explained:

"Under Star Guardian's enhancement, a team's defensive power will increase severalfold."

"This Star Luo Team is stronger than ever before."

A faint smile hung at the corner of Xiao Hongchen's lips.

He walked over to Ma Rulong and said calmly:

"Elder Ma, don't worry. Star Luo Team's strength alone cannot stop our bombardment."

"Besides, we have even stronger trump cards."

Ma Rulong gave him a deep look and said in a grave voice, "Xiao Hongchen, do not underestimate the enemy."

"With your talent, you will likely appear on this Heavenly Pride Ranking as well. But your true stage is the competition five years from now."

As he said this,

Ma Rulong discreetly glanced at Xiao Hongchen behind him.

At those words,

Xiao Hongchen's expression remained calm, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.

"So what if the whole world learns of my strength?"

"My opponent, Xiao Hongchen... is only myself."