The Sky Screen Descends, Everyone Reacts

"Ah, having parents who are too powerful is a headache too."

Zi Tian stood before a vast palace, shaking his head with a sigh.

In his previous life, he had been an ordinary person on Blue Star who liked reading novels.

But when he woke one day, Zi Tian discovered he had crossed into Douluo World and become the son of the God of Destruction and the Goddess of Life, two of the Five Great God Kings of the Divine Realm.

To temper Zi Tian, the God of Destruction had tossed him into the Douluo Realm and told him to unite Douluo Continent through his own abilities.

At the thought, Zi Tian stole a glance around. The many deities his mother, the Goddess of Life, had sent were hidden in the void, each pretending to be busy passing by.

Zi Tian pulled out the Super Divine Artifact Destruction Scepter he had casually taken from his father, the God of Destruction, tapped his back with it, and sank into thought.

If he wanted to unite Douluo Continent, he would need to build a force of his own.

So Zi Tian had built Zi Tian Palace at the heart of Douluo Continent, on the border between its two nations, to serve as his headquarters.

But now that he had a headquarters, how was he supposed to recruit powerful experts?

Just as Zi Tian was worrying over this, a tremendous streak of light swept across the sky, illuminating a seven-colored rainbow bridge that spanned the entire Douluo Realm.

When the rainbow bridge faded, a colossal sky screen appeared above the Douluo Realm, displaying line after line of text.

The moment the words appeared on the screen, they materialized in everyone's mind.

"The Douluo Sky Screen has descended. It will select ten people for the Top Ten Backgrounds Ranking of Douluo Continent."

"Those who make the ranking will receive rewards from the sky screen. The higher the rank, the greater the reward."

In Nuoding City, Tang San was walking along the road with Yu Xiaogang.

Seeing the words appear in his mind, he froze, a hint of envy entering his eyes:

"The Top Ten Backgrounds Ranking of Douluo Continent... Anyone who makes it probably has a level-ninety Titled Douluo behind them.

I'm so jealous. If I had a background like that, wouldn't I have soared straight to the heavens by now?"

At Tang San's words, Yu Xiaogang gave a cold snort:

"San, relying on talent or background is all an illusion.

Your teacher actually comes from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects. Its ranks are filled with experts.

My father is even the clan leader, a Titled Douluo.

But have I ever relied on my family in the slightest?

Through my own efforts alone, I proposed the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, which will overturn all of Douluo Continent.

A sect background? I wouldn't deign to accept it!

Of course, I'll certainly make this ranking. Reaching the top three will be child's play.

As for those so-called rewards, they're hardly worth mentioning."

Seeing how calm and unruffled Yu Xiaogang was, Tang San admired him even more:

"As expected of you, Teacher. You're so composed. I want to become someone like you!"

But when he thought of the father at home who drank himself senseless every day and needed Tang San to look after him, loss flickered through his eyes:

"What a pity. I can only rely on myself. Still, I believe that if I keep working hard, I can become the strongest Soul Master!"

Yu Xiaogang watched Tang San clench his fists. He clasped his hands behind his back and nodded in satisfaction:

"Heh. San, since you're willing to study under me, I'm part of your background too.

With the ten great Soul Master theories your teacher proposed—enough to overturn the continent—you're sure to earn a place on the ranking!"

Tang San's blood heated at Yu Xiaogang's bold words:

"Really, Teacher? Tang San will never forget your great kindness!"

Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi was drinking tea with the Sword and Bone Douluo.

Seeing the sky screen appear, Bone Douluo Gu Rong took a sip of tea and smiled calmly:

"The Top Ten Backgrounds Ranking? This sky screen is rather interesting.

I wonder where our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will place on it."

"Uncle Gu, the ranking is for individuals, not sects."

Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, studied the words and laughed.

"Old Bones, don't act like you can't read. People will laugh if word gets out."

After mocking Bone Douluo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin pointed at the sky screen:

"Still, even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can't make the ranking, Rongrong certainly can. Aren't the three of us the strongest backing she could have?"

"You spineless fellow. If Rongrong makes the ranking, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect makes it. Same difference."

Bone Douluo laughed heartily. He and Sword Douluo were old friends who bickered often and got along well.

While the three were talking, the tearoom door opened and Ning Rongrong skipped in.

"Dad, Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu, did you see the sky screen up there?"

Ning Rongrong was slender, with distinct curves and the noble air of a young heiress.

She wore a simple blue dress. Her fair, delicate skin looked as though a pinch might draw water, and her features were exquisitely beautiful.

"Rongrong, there you are. We were just discussing it. What is it?"

At the sight of Ning Rongrong, the Sword and Bone Douluo immediately broke into beaming smiles, leaving Ning Fengzhi to one side.

"Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu, I want to get onto the Top Ten Backgrounds Ranking. That sky screen is so powerful—the rewards must be wonderful."

Ning Rongrong walked up to the two Titled Douluo and began plying them with her sweetest pleas.

"Don't worry, Rongrong. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength, getting you onto the ranking will be easy."

Bone Douluo chuckled, his voice more than a shade gentler than when he spoke to Ning Fengzhi.

"That's right, Rongrong. If your name isn't on that ranking, Grandpa Jian will cut it down with one stroke of his sword!"

Sword Douluo's domineering aura burst forth. His sword intent veered around Ning Rongrong and shot outward unchecked.

"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, stop spoiling her. You've spoiled her rotten."

The sword intent left Ning Fengzhi uncomfortable all over. Then he saw Ning Rongrong hiding behind the two of them and making faces at him, and his expression turned stern.

Before the Sword and Bone Douluo could say a word, Ning Rongrong ran to Ning Fengzhi and wrapped her arms around his.

"Dad, pleeeease?"

Faced with his daughter's sparkling, blinking eyes, Ning Fengzhi held out for three seconds before surrendering outright.

"All right. If you can't make the ranking, Rongrong, Dad will spend whatever it takes to get you on it!"

The Sword and Bone Douluo:

"Tch—such a slave to his daughter."

Unlike the atmosphere at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Spirit Hall had gone on alert the moment the words appeared.

"What is that thing? Putting on airs and playing tricks."

Bibi Dong looked at the massive sky screen covering the entire Douluo Realm and gave a cold snort.

By then, she had secretly murdered Qian Xunji and taken over as Pope, becoming the youngest Pope in Spirit Hall's history.

And as a level-ninety-nine peak Peerless Douluo, Bibi Dong did not believe anything in the Douluo Realm could stop her.

As nine Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—rose from beneath her feet, Bibi Dong activated her Martial Soul Avatar and sent eight crescent blades of light slashing toward the sky screen.

But before the blades could touch the screen, they dissolved into Soul Power and merged with the air.