The palace's stone pillars shook one after another.
Everyone in Slaughter City fell to their knees at once.
Tang Chen raised his head.
At that moment, the Sky Screen displayed his transformation before the entire continent.
His disheveled hair gradually regained its original color.
His stooped body straightened once more.
Holding the Clear Sky Hammer, he stood before the Blood-Colored Throne.
The former King of Slaughter was gone.
The flood of scrolling comments paused for an instant.
The next moment.
Countless golden words filled the firmament.
[The Nine-Headed Bat King has been suppressed!]
[Tang Chen has regained control of his body!]
[The Rakshasa Divine Power has also been purged by the Heavenly Dao!]
[Martial Soul Evolution complete, Million-Year Soul Ring fused, Ancestor Tai Tan Right Arm Bone fused!]
[Invincible on Land has returned!]
[Clear Sky Douluo has returned!]
The Clear Sky Sect.
Before the mountain gates.
The image of Tang Chen holding his evolved Clear Sky Hammer, once again in control of his body, shone across the firmament.
Tang Xiao stood before the stone railing, his eyes filled with joy.
The gloom that had weighed on everyone in the Clear Sky Sect for years completely dispersed at that moment.
"Grandfather has returned."
"The Nine-Headed Bat King has been erased by the power of the Heavenly Dao, and the Rakshasa Divine Power has been purged too."
"From this day forward, the King of Slaughter no longer exists."
"The one who survived is Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen!"
Several elders looked excited.
The Seventh Elder strode over to Tang Xiao.
"Sect Master, Lord Tang Chen has recovered!"
"A Million-Year Soul Ring, Martial Soul Evolution, and the Ancestor Tai Tan Right Arm Bone."
"With Lord Tang Chen's strength, once he absorbs those three rewards, he could easily defeat Qian Daoliu even if they met again!"
The Second Elder stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly.
"The evolved Clear Sky Hammer must have already reached the level of a god-level Martial Soul."
"A divine body, a Million-Year Soul Ring, and a God Level Clear Sky Hammer."
"Who below the gods could still fight Lord Tang Chen?"
One elder turned toward the mountain gates.
The sect's disciples had already gathered in the square.
Excitement showed on every face.
"The Clear Sky Sect has kept its mountain gates closed for years."
"The outside world has forgotten the illustrious name of the world's greatest sect."
"Now that Lord Tang Chen has returned, it is time this continent came to know the Clear Sky Sect anew!"
The Seventh Elder raised his palm.
His Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul appeared.
"Previously, Spirit Hall relied on its many Titled Douluos to suppress us at every turn."
"Starting today, the balance of attack and defense must change!"
Tang Xiao did not respond immediately.
His gaze settled on Tang Chen in the Sky Screen.
After regaining his senses, Grandfather might not make the Clear Sky Sect his first destination.
On Sea God Island, someone had been waiting for him for decades.
Still, as long as Tang Chen remained alive, there was a chance to make amends for everything.
Tang Xiao turned to face the elders.
"Pass down my orders."
"All disciples away from the sect are to return."
"Open all the sect's storehouses and prepare to reopen the mountain gates."
"Also, send people to Slaughter City."
"We will welcome Grandfather home!"
The elders all bowed.
"Yes!"
In the square before the mountain gates, the Clear Sky Sect's disciples summoned their Martial Souls.
Clear Sky Hammers rose high, one after another.
Ink-black Soul Power gathered above the mountain peak.
"Welcome back, Clear Sky Douluo!"
"Welcome back, Clear Sky Douluo!"
The entire Clear Sky Sect was swept up in wild joy.
They had already seen hope for their sect's resurgence.
Spirit City.
Before the Papal Palace.
Bibi Dong held the Rakshasa Demon Halberd, her long purple hair falling down her back.
As she watched Tang Chen in the Sky Screen, her expression grew increasingly grave.
Both were Million-Year Soul Rings, yet the one Tang Chen had received was clearly stronger.
The 100,000-Year Primordial Titan Right Arm Bone was also highly compatible with the Clear Sky Hammer.
What truly concerned Bibi Dong, however, was the Martial Soul Evolution.
The Clear Sky Hammer had already been The World's Number One Weapon Martial Soul.
After being refined by the power of the Heavenly Dao, its quality had surpassed its original limit.
The Clear Sky Hammer was now capable of clashing head-on with a divine weapon.
Bibi Dong slowly raised the Rakshasa Demon Halberd.
Dark purple divine runes flickered incessantly.
"Only one rank apart."
"Yet the difference between the rewards is so clear."
She ranked tenth.
Tang Chen ranked ninth.
Although both Soul Rings they received had reached the million-year level, the power contained within Tang Chen's was more substantial.
Bibi Dong still needed to complete the Rakshasa God Trial before she could truly step into the god level.
Tang Chen had already forged a divine body.
Now, he had also broken free of the Nine-Headed Bat King and received Martial Soul Evolution.
If the two fought immediately, the outcome would be difficult to predict.
Bibi Dong lifted her eyes toward the top of the ranking.
There were still eight names yet to be revealed.
"Ninth place alone grants Martial Soul Evolution."
"What will first place on the Powerhouse Ranking receive?"
"A direct advancement to the God King realm?"
"Or a treasure surpassing divine weapons?"
Bibi Dong tightened her grip on the Rakshasa Demon Halberd.
The Heavenly Dao Ranking's power had already surpassed the laws of the Divine Realm.
It could grant Million-Year Soul Rings out of thin air, refine Martial Souls, and purge the power left behind by the Rakshasa God.
The reward for the top spot would surely be even more astonishing.
Inside the Worship Hall.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and the other enshrined were also watching Tang Chen.
Those who had been arguing earlier about whether Tang Chen or Qian Daoliu was stronger had all fallen silent.
Demon Subduing Douluo was the first to speak.
"Tang Chen has regained control of his body."
"The Clear Sky Sect has already announced that it will reopen its mountain gates."
"Once he returns to his sect, Spirit Hall will have to face a Peerless Douluo with a divine body."
Qian Jun Douluo frowned.
"That is not all."
"His Clear Sky Hammer has already completed its evolution."
"If he absorbs the Million-Year Soul Ring as well, Tang Chen's strength will continue to rise."
"An ordinary Peerless Douluo might not withstand a single blow from his hammer."
Several enshrined looked toward Qian Daoliu at once.
Deep within the hall, Qian Daoliu stood before the statue of the Six-Winged Angel.
His expression showed little change.
Tang Chen had already been a shade stronger than him.
Now that Tang Chen had received the Heavenly Dao's rewards, the gap between them would only widen.
Qian Daoliu looked up at the Sky Screen.
"The Heavenly Dao Ranking values more than just Martial Souls and cultivation realms."
"Tang Chen received Martial Soul Evolution because that reward suited him best."
"What those ranked after him receive will also align with their own paths."
Golden Crocodile Douluo said gravely:
"Great Enshrined, the Clear Sky Sect will likely make a move next."
"Should we prepare in advance?"
Qian Daoliu shook his head lightly.
"Tang Chen has only just recovered."
"He has no mind to wage war against Spirit Hall right now."
"Keep watching the ranking."
"The top eight are the ones who truly warrant our attention."
Silence returned to the Worship Hall.
Everyone looked toward the top of the ranking.
Even Tang Chen could only rank ninth.
Where exactly did the eight people above him come from?
The Star Dou Great Forest.
Beside the Lake of Life.
Gu Yuena stood barefoot on the lake's surface.
Her long silver dress fell along her slender waist, its hem spreading over the water and sending out rings of ripples.
As she watched Tang Chen in the Sky Screen, a little more surprise appeared in her purple eyes.
Martial Soul Evolution.
Those words sounded simple.
But Gu Yuena could tell that Tang Chen's Clear Sky Hammer had undergone a fundamental transformation.
It was not merely an increase in power.
The Heavenly Dao's reward had reordered the Clear Sky Hammer's origin, allowing the Martial Soul to surpass its original quality limit.
Di Tian stood on the shore.
"My lord, has Tang Chen's Martial Soul already reached the god level?"
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