Hao Tian Fortress.
On the cliff that was once shrouded in clouds and mist, the dark clouds had now completely dispersed. Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky, landing softly on the shoulder of a young man.
The youth had a handsome and elegant face. Looking down at the thirteen disciples below him, he nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face.
"To be able to pass through the layers of selection I set up and reach here means that you are the thirteen strongest disciples of the Hao Tian Sect. Today, you will follow me—together, we shall reclaim the glory that once belonged to Hao Tian Sect!"
"Defeat the Sun and Moon Empire! Cleanse the shame of nearly being wiped out three years ago!"
"Cleanse the shame!"
"Defeat Sun and Moon!"
"..."
The thirteen disciples, of similar age, were either emotional or filled with hatred.
All of them revealed their deep resentment and animosity toward the Sun and Moon Empire.
After all, just three years ago, it was on this very land that the Sun and Moon Empire trampled Hao Tian Sect underfoot. Their friends, their brothers—their blood had dyed this ground red.
Now, through the intervention of God King Tang San, they had regained the power to take revenge—and they were determined not to waste it.
They would crush the Sun and Moon Empire under the eyes of millions!
"Not bad. Such spirited energy." Tang San smiled.
A few months ago, his true body had sensed something was wrong, re-established contact with this incarnation, and provided Hao Tian Sect and Shrek with a series of divine items. He even allowed them to travel to Seagod Island for trials.
As an avatar condensed from divine sense, he had progressed rapidly. In just a few months, he advanced to the rank of Title Douluo, and combined with the divine weapon his true self had gifted him, he could rival even a Super Douluo!
As for the other disciples of Hao Tian Sect, even the weakest from the reserve team were at the Soul King level. The main team had an average level above Soul Emperor, and there was even a Soul Douluo among them!
Truly god-blessed.
He curled his lips into a smirk. He couldn't imagine how they could possibly lose—really.
With this increase in strength, his anger also grew over the slander his name had received across the continent. He planned to trample the Sun and Moon Empire during the competition and publicly restore his reputation in front of millions.
Daring to curse him with such impunity—did they forget who saved the continent ten thousand years ago?
Don't even mention Qian Renxue. If that madwoman Bibi Dong had truly taken control of Spirit Hall, did they think she was some kind of benevolent saint? She would've turned the entire continent upside down.
Tang San narrowed his eyes.
Even if Xu Cheng twisted the truth, in front of a true god, all beings could only look up in awe. Look at these commoners, cursing wildly now. But when he descends as a god, they'll be the first to fall to their knees at light speed.
Still… after these three years of experience…
He had learned a bit more about Xu Cheng. That man was deviously cunning!
Especially in the field of cultural influence—he had crushed the old continent entirely. Even Tang San hadn't expected such a new type of "tactic".
"But… it's over now."
Tang San sneered.
"From here on out, it's my era once again!"
Body Sect.
In the mountains and cliffs stacked layer upon layer…
Beneath what appeared to be an ordinary rock wall lay a hidden sanctuary.
Du Busi quietly observed a group of tournament-bound disciples.
Among them was his most prized student—Long Aotian.
Now, Long Aotian had stepped into the realm of Title Douluo. Not long ago, Hao Tian Sect had suddenly sent a message—someone, no, a god, had invited them to Seagod Island for a joint trial. But only three from Body Sect could attend.
Skeptical but curious, Du Busi selected Long Aotian, Weina, and Muxue.
Less than half a year later, when they returned, they had undergone a complete transformation. Their soul power had increased by over twenty levels, and they even possessed two God-bestowed Soul Rings!
Both Muxue and Weina had reached the level of Soul Douluo!
They said they trained alongside fourteen Hao Tian Sect members and seven Shrek Academy members.
The strongest of Hao Tian Sect was a young man named Tang San, and from Shrek, Bei Bei—both were freakishly powerful. Even Long Aotian struggled to match them. The others also progressed rapidly.
Just thinking about Hao Tian and Shrek's main team, all at Soul Sage level, made Du Busi's scalp tingle.
"This time, Body Sect will aim for third place!"
Du Busi narrowed his eyes and raised his hand.
Looking at the shocked expressions of the disciples below, he sighed. After all, who would have thought that with a team led by a Title Douluo and two Soul Douluo, their goal would only be third place?
This year's All-Continent Soul Master Tournament was terrifyingly competitive.
So this is what it means to have gods involved…
He sighed again.
With just a little divine intervention, the mortal world had been thrown into chaos.
"Patriarch, we're really only aiming for third?" a shocked elder asked.
"You think Hao Tian Sect would share their goodies with you?" Du Busi glanced at him. "Would you?"
"I'd take everything—and wipe out the competition too." The white-haired elder chuckled awkwardly.
"Exactly. The fact they let us send three disciples already shows how generous they are. Of course… maybe their real goal is to knock Sun and Moon Empire out of third." Du Busi shook his head meaningfully. "Whatever the reason, it benefits us. They were once allies, and in the future… we must never offend them."
"As for the Sun and Moon Empire… haha, honestly, I'm curious how they'll react when they see such a monstrous lineup."
"They'll probably tremble in fear!" the white-haired elder laughed heartily.
After being threatened by the Sun and Moon Empire's control over soul rings for so long, how could he not harbor resentment? Now, to stomp the Sun and Moon team into the ground on their own turf—that thought alone was delightful.
"Aotian! Snap out of it! Get the team ready to move. It's a long journey, no delays!"
Du Busi turned to Long Aotian.
"Yes, Patriarch!"
Long Aotian came to his senses, took a deep breath.
Seeing the admiration in his fellow disciples' eyes and the obvious respect from the elders, he recalled the moment years ago when Xu Cheng led the Holy Spirit Cult to decimate Hao Tian Sect. Back then, he stood at the center—not seen as just a junior, but a true leader.
It felt so damn good!
This time, he would defeat Xu Cheng and crush him beneath his feet.
"Let's move out!"
Long Aotian waved his hand decisively.
Sun and Moon Empire Royal Academy.
Inner Territory.
A spire pierced the heavens, its peak lost in the clouds. Who knew how high it truly reached?
The tower was made of floating sections, each level suspended independently—linked by no visible structure, as if controlled by some mysterious force. This was the space elevator, a bridge to the stars.
Near the ground-level towers, numerous workspaces were constructed.
Indeed, Mingde Hall had moved some of its labs from underground to here.
Inside one such room…
Xiao Hongchen clicked his tongue in awe and elbowed Xu Cheng, who was reading a military report. "Hey Cheng, this tournament's no joke. A real clash of titans."
"These guys must have a god backing them. No way their soul power could grow this fast, even if they were popping pills like candy. And their energy is solid—not the least bit unstable."
"Mmm…"
Xu Cheng continued flipping through the Sun and Moon military report, pondering how to balance military expenses with Mingde Hall's research funding. He responded perfunctorily with a nod.
"Damn it! The enemy's so powerful, our previously selected team might not be enough!" Xiao Hongchen growled.
"This is about the honor of the Sun and Moon Empire. Can you take it seriously?"
"Then you go."
Xu Cheng leaned back in his executive chair, raising his brows at Xiao Hongchen's monkey-like antics. It was amusing.
This kid just wanted a chance to show off—and to impress the pretty girls on the battlefield. Understandable. After all, he was young and passionate. If everyone were as sly and calculating as Xu Cheng, now that would be weird.
"Sigh… since you said it…" Xiao Hongchen tried to hide his grin. "Alright, I'll lead the team this time."
"How old are you again?" Xu Cheng suddenly asked.
"Just turned nineteen." Xiao Hongchen smirked proudly.
"But you're right. Since Yu Tianlong's team can't hold the line, let's summon the original crew. Deploy the previous Sun and Moon Empire reserve team." Xu Cheng took a sip of tea.
"Leave out Shixing—he's on a mission."
"Who else is there?"
"Me, A'meng, Old Ji, Tang Ya, Nana, and… you?" Xiao Hongchen gave him a strange look.
"As for me… we'll see." Xu Cheng shot him a sideways glance, looking conflicted.
As emperor, he should be watching from the stands. If he entered the arena, it might cheapen his image. Besides, Xiao Hongchen was a Level 10 Soul Engineer, with strength on par with an Extreme Douluo. If he couldn't handle it, then their opponents must be monsters.
"Brother, why did you call us here?"
At the first floor of the space tower…
A group of a dozen young men and women stood on the open floor, curiously eyeing Xiao Hongchen and Xu Cheng at the front.
Xu Cheng said nothing, letting Xiao Hongchen speak.
"This time, the Sun and Moon Royal Academy Team must be reselected. Shrek and Hao Tian are cheating—there's no way we can win with the original lineup," Xiao Hongchen announced solemnly.