"Look at your lack of ambition."

Hu Liena rolled her eyes at Yan, full of confidence.

"Haven't you noticed? The higher a ranking is on the Sky Screen, the better the reward.

We have Spirit Hall behind us, the strongest force on the continent. Once we make the ranking, the rewards are definitely going to be amazing."

"Makes sense, makes sense. Maybe the Sky Screen will directly give me the strength of a Titled Douluo, and then I'll be able to walk sideways wherever I go, hehehe..."

Watching Yan, who had started giggling foolishly again, Hu Liena and Xie Yue exchanged glances, signaling that they were already used to it.

In Nuoding City, Yu Xiaogang looked at the Golden Sacred Dragon bathed in the golden light, feeling only complete weakness throughout his entire body.

"Wow, what a cool martial soul, a giant golden dragon."

"Yeah, truly worthy of being the proud favorite of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Just looking at it makes it seem so formidable."

"Of course, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul was already the number one beast martial soul on the continent, not to mention now that its evolution is complete."

Listening to the discussions of the people around him, a ball of angry fire burned in Yu Xiaogang's heart.

That's mine! That was supposed to be mine! I'm the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Heir, I'm the one who should possess the Golden Sacred Dragon!

He shouted desperately in his heart, but his body remained completely motionless.

Although Yu Xiaogang had collected countless materials from Spirit Hall, consulted countless texts left by predecessors, and created the Ten Great Martial Soul Theories that he independently proposed and discovered.

Among them was even the rule that there were no trash martial souls, only trash soul masters.

Yet Yu Xiaogang knew very well that he had already been cursed twice by a theory of his own making.

If his martial soul wasn't Luo Sanpao, if he hadn't been expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan...

Then the one receiving the Sky Screen reward right now and undergoing martial soul evolution would be him!

If his martial soul were the Golden Sacred Dragon, then he wouldn't have to suffer these insults every day and constantly be called trash!

"Teacher? Teacher? The ninth place on the Background Ranking belongs to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Are you alright?"

Yu Xiaogang gave a start. Lowering his head, he saw Tang San looking at him with a face full of concern.

"It's fine. I know Yu Tianheng; he's a nephew of mine."

Calming his mood, Yu Xiaogang squeezed out a smile.

"For him to rank ninth on the Background Ranking is quite good.

But unfortunately, he still can't compare to me. My background consists of far more than just the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

At this, hope couldn't help but reignite in Yu Xiaogang's heart.

Right, there's also that woman. She can count as my background too.

As long as she acknowledges our relationship, backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall, I can definitely secure a ranking—maybe even first!

She must still have me in her heart; it has to be that way!

The more Yu Xiaogang thought about it, the more excited he became. Crossing his arms, the majesty of the Grandmaster reappeared.

"Little San, you don't understand. Of course I'm happy that my nephew got a ranking.

But unfortunately, this first place is still going to be mine. You simply cannot imagine your teacher's background.

It doesn't matter, though. Since you took me as your teacher, I am your background too.

There will definitely be a spot for you on this Background Ranking."

"Hahaha, did you hear that? The Grandmaster has gone crazy and started fantasizing about getting on the Background Ranking himself."

Nearby students heard Yu Xiaogang's words and immediately burst into loud laughter.

"Hey, little brother, you actually believe him? If he really had such an amazing background, how could he still be a mere Soul Grandmaster?

I advise you to hurry up and change teachers. He's just on good terms with the dean, here to be a con artist and freeload."

Hearing the words of the students nearby, Tang San felt somewhat uncertain inside.

If the Grandmaster truly had such an impressive background, why was his rank so low?

After all, when traveling out in the world, one's reputation was something you gave yourself, but soul power was a matter that simply couldn't deceive people.

"Hmph, a bunch of mortals, how could you understand me? Let's go, Little San. I shall impart some exclusive lessons to you.

You have no idea what kind of master you've missed out on!"

Watching Yu Xiaogang leave, Tang San wanted to say something.

Glancing at the students around him who wouldn't stop laughing, Tang San sighed and hurried after him.

"The Golden Sacred Dragon, truly wonderful. If only my martial soul could be that powerful too."

Inside Zi Tian Palace, Zhu Zhuqing moved a stool and sat beside Zi Tian's throne.

The two of them rested their chins in their hands together, watching the Golden Sacred Dragon behind Yu Tianheng.

"What's so special about that? If you want a powerful martial soul, I'll give you an even stronger one."

Zi Tian looked at the Golden Sacred Dragon on the Sky Screen with utter calmness.

Although the highest-quality Golden Sacred Dragon was a god-level martial soul, it had merely managed to cross the threshold of the divine level.

Among numerous god-level martial souls, the Golden Sacred Dragon really couldn't hold a high rank.

As for the matter of martial soul evolution, it was difficult for the people of the Douluo Realm, but in the Divine Realm, it was no big deal at all.

Not to mention that his mother was the Goddess of Life.

Pouring a massive amount of life energy into a martial soul—let alone a god-level martial soul—could forcefully produce a God King-level martial soul.

"Then I'll thank the Palace Master in advance."

The corners of Zhu Zhuqing's lips curled up slightly.

Although she didn't believe Zi Tian truly possessed that kind of ability, for some reason, staying by Zi Tian's side gave her a sense of peace.

It was just like a little kitten that had eaten its fill and wanted to curl up comfortably next to its owner to sleep.

"No, no, what kind of messy thoughts are these."

Zhu Zhuqing's small face turned slightly red as she hurriedly shook her head, tossing the chaotic thoughts out of her mind.

"No need to thank me. Come here."

Just as Zhu Zhuqing was desperately trying to control her emotions, Zi Tian's hand rested on top of her head, gently rubbing it.

No, I can't hold it back. It feels so good, I want to sleep.

His hand is so warm, I want to let him stay a little longer.

"Alright."

Just as Zhu Zhuqing was drifting off in a haze, Zi Tian's hand pulled away.

As his fingers left, they carelessly brushed through and messed up a few strands of hair.

The strands of hair clung to Zhu Zhuqing's face, giving her a start and snapping her awake from her daze.

"No, what was I just doing!"

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively covered her glowing red face with both hands, her expression management completely failing at this moment.

"Eh, what's wrong with you?"

Zi Tian looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who had buried her face between her legs and remained completely motionless, feeling somewhat strange.

"Infusing with life energy is supposed to be very comfortable. Why do you look like you're having an unpleasant time?"

"No, it doesn't feel like I'm feeling a sense of loss at all."

Zhu Zhuqing's voice was muffled as she raised her small face.

"No, wait, no. I mean, I feel very comfortable. No, that's not right either."

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, whose eyes held a mist of moisture, whose cheeks were flushed red, and who was babbling incoherently, Zi Tian coughed and turned his face away.

"As long as you're fine, check out your martial soul first."

Damn it, although he had lived through two lifetimes, he happened to be a pure little kitchen boy in both of them.

He simply couldn't handle this scene.

Why did Zhu Zhuqing's gaze seem to be filled entirely with him?

Could this perhaps be one of the three great illusions of life: "she likes me"?