Tang Chen!

Bibi Dong voiced her question.

Before the Supreme Pontiff Palace, the gathered Revered Elders also gazed at the sky screen.

Qian Jun Douluo stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Judging by the continent's strongest, at most three people could defeat Bibi Dong."

Demon Subduing Douluo nodded.

"Other than those few Peerless Douluos, it would be difficult for anyone to reach that level."

"As for the powerhouses ranked higher on the Golden Ranking, they are certainly worth watching."

Golden Crocodile Douluo remained silent.

Bibi Dong had already received a reward from the Heavenly Dao.

If even that only placed her tenth, those ranked above her must possess even more astonishing trump cards.

Everyone's gaze settled on the Golden Ranking.

Countless Soul Masters were also waiting for a new name to appear.

The imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Ye stood at the front of the great hall, with his ministers arrayed on either side.

Golden light slowly rose from the tenth-place position.

Intricate patterns wove across the ranking.

Then a new line of text appeared in the sky.

[Ninth place on the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking.]

[Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen.]

Those few words instantly spread throughout the Douluo Continent.

Then new information appeared beneath the Golden Ranking.

[Soul power: Level 99.]

The entire continent fell briefly silent.

The next instant, discussion on the sky screen erupted.

"Clear Sky Douluo?"

"Isn't the Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect?"

"Tang Hao is this generation's Clear Sky Douluo, isn't he?"

"Wait, I remember!"

"This is the previous generation's Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen!"

"Didn't Tang Chen disappear long ago?"

"He's still alive?"

In the streets of cities.

Countless Soul Masters looked up at the sky screen.

Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen.

That name represented a legendary era of the Clear Sky Sect.

He was a peerless powerhouse whose fame rivaled that of Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi.

He was also universally recognized as one of the Douluo Continent's three Peerless Douluos.

The imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire.

The Star Luo Emperor rose from his seat, his gaze fixed on the Golden Ranking.

"Tang Chen is still alive?"

He immediately turned to the guard beside him.

"Find Tang Chen's whereabouts at once."

The guard bowed his head and acknowledged the order.

The Star Luo Emperor looked back at the sky screen, already having reached a conclusion.

If he could establish friendly relations with this Clear Sky Douluo, would the Star Luo Empire still need to fear Spirit Hall?

"Pass down my orders."

"If any trace of Tang Chen is found, be sure to receive him with the highest honors."

The Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Ye likewise struggled to hide his astonishment.

Tang Chen's reputation was immense.

Back when the Clear Sky Sect had yet to withdraw from the world, Tang Chen had won tremendous renown with a single Clear Sky Hammer.

Even Qian Daoliu had suffered defeat at his hands.

Now this legendary powerhouse had reappeared on the Golden Ranking.

For both empires, this was momentous news.

"If Tang Chen is willing to help us, Spirit Hall will no longer be a threat."

Xue Ye looked up at the sky screen.

"Send people to find His Eminence Tang Chen immediately."

"Whatever the cost, we must establish contact with him."

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Yuanzhen stood in the clan's square.

His gaze lingered on Tang Chen's name, his expression grave.

Tang Chen was still alive.

The man who had once overshadowed every powerhouse on the continent had never fallen after all.

Yu Yuanzhen slowly exhaled.

"The Clear Sky Sect's reserves truly run deeper than they appear."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi raised a hand and adjusted his glasses.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong stood behind him.

All three gazed at the sky screen.

"To think Senior Tang Chen is still alive."

Ning Fengzhi spoke.

Chen Xin gripped his sword hilt, his eyes growing more solemn.

"When Tang Chen fought Qian Daoliu back then, he ultimately won by a single move."

"His strength is far beyond that of an ordinary level 99 Titled Douluo."

Gu Rong looked at the Golden Ranking.

"But why is someone like him only ranked ninth?"

Ning Fengzhi did not answer.

Since the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking had announced the rankings, that meant even more terrifying beings stood above him.

The Clear Sky Sect.

Before the mountain gates.

Tang Xiao and the gathered elders all looked up at the sky screen.

When Tang Chen's name appeared, everyone froze.

A moment later, intense joy blazed in Tang Xiao's eyes.

"Grandfather is still alive!"

An elder lifted his head, his expression filled with excitement.

"Lord Tang Chen is still alive!"

"There's still hope for the Clear Sky Sect!"

The elders looked at one another, their chests heaving.

They had thought Tang Chen had long since vanished into the passage of time.

Who could have imagined they would see his name again on the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking today?

Tang Xiao gazed at the sky screen, but the joy in his eyes gradually faded.

He recalled Tang Chen's past achievements.

His grandfather had once defeated Qian Daoliu.

That battle had made the Clear Sky Sect renowned throughout the continent.

But now, why was Tang Chen only ranked ninth?

Tang Xiao's brow slowly furrowed.

"This isn't right."

The elders turned toward him.

Tang Xiao spoke in a low voice:

"Grandfather once defeated Qian Daoliu."

"With his strength, how could he possibly rank only ninth?"

The atmosphere before the great hall fell quiet.

Their earlier joy was swiftly replaced by confusion.

Everyone looked back at the sky screen.

Now they could only keep waiting for the Golden Ranking to reveal Tang Chen's circumstances.

Spirit Hall.

Before the Supreme Pontiff Palace.

Bibi Dong looked at Tang Chen's name, a hint of surprise entering her eyes as well.

"Tang Chen is still alive?"

She had not expected the Clear Sky Sect to still harbor such a powerhouse.

Level 99 soul power.

One of the three Peerless Douluos.

In his day, Tang Chen had kept Spirit Hall from daring to act rashly.

Now that she had received the Heavenly Dao's reward, her strength had reached level 99.

But Bibi Dong knew she might not be able to defeat Tang Chen at his peak.

The gathered Revered Elders also cast aside their earlier disdain.

Qian Jun Douluo looked at the sky screen.

"This Clear Sky Douluo is indeed still alive."

Demon Subduing Douluo said gravely:

"But why has he never returned to the Clear Sky Sect?"

No one could answer.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Tang Chen's name.

Deep within Spirit Hall.

Inside the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu stood alone before a raised platform.

Golden light illuminated his face.

Tang Chen's name hung conspicuously in the sky.

A flicker of astonishment crossed Qian Daoliu's eyes.

"He's still alive?"

In their battle all those years ago, he had lost to Tang Chen.

That defeat had always remained in Qian Daoliu's heart.

But Tang Chen had been missing for years.

Qian Daoliu had always believed he had long since perished in some ancient ruins.

Now that the Golden Ranking itself had announced Tang Chen's name, it meant that Clear Sky Douluo was still alive in this world.

Qian Daoliu gazed at the sky, his brow gradually furrowing.

"If he's still alive, why hasn't he returned?"

His gaze settled on the ranking beside Tang Chen's name.

Ninth place.

Qian Daoliu fell silent.

Within the Clear Sky Sect.

Tang Xiao and the elders looked up at the sky screen.

Tang Chen's name hung high in ninth place, its golden light illuminating the mountain gates.

Everyone stood tall, their faces filled with pride.

That had been the Clear Sky Sect's most glorious era.

It had also been the era when the Clear Sky Hammer's fame resounded across the continent.

But that pride did not last long.

Tang Xiao looked at the ninth-place position, his brow gradually furrowing.

"Grandfather defeated Qian Daoliu back then. How could he possibly rank only ninth?"