Chapter 13 Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Reward.
Tang San stood motionless, like a statue.
He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, blood dripping from between his fingers, yet he seemed oblivious.
His usually gentle blue eyes were now filled with shock, incomprehension, and a strong sense of resentment!
The Clear Sky Hammer!
Ranked only thirteenth?
This was an unprecedented blow to his beliefs!
"Third Brother..."
Xiao Wu worriedly grasped his bleeding hand, her beautiful eyes filled with heartache.
Dai Mubai and the others surrounded him, wanting to comfort him, but unsure how to begin.
This ranking had also shattered their previous optimism and expectations.
"It's fake! This list must be fake!"
Ma Hongjun couldn't help but shout.
"Fatty, shut up!"
Dai Mubai scolded, but his own eyes were also filled with wavering.
Supported by Flander and Zhao Wuji, Yu Xiaogang barely managed to stand. Looking at Tang San's distraught state, he mustered his strength and spoke with all his might.
"Little San, lift your head! Rankings don't represent everything. Don't forget, the Clear Sky Hammer is, after all, the number one weapon spirit in the world!"
"This list only shows the Clear Sky Hammer, which means it judges an individual spirit!"
"Your potential is far beyond what rankings can limit!"
Tang San's body trembled, and he slowly raised his head to look at his teacher.
Seeing his teacher's pale yet determined eyes, the resentment and chaos in his heart subsided slightly.
Yes, he still had the Blue Silver Grass.
Although it seemed weak now, it was still another spirit.
However, the shadow of the Clear Sky Hammer's thirteenth place ranking was already deeply etched into his heart like a brand.
For the first time, he realized so clearly that this world was far more vast and terrifying than he had imagined.
Beidou Academy.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were numb with shock.
"The Clear Sky Hammer, thirteenth..."
Ning Rongrong felt her brain couldn't process it anymore.
"Zhuqing, am I dreaming? The number one weapon spirit in the world, how could it be..."
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. Her gaze returned to the mysterious teachers and the unfathomable dean.
"Rongrong, do you understand now? This academy is probably far more terrifying than we imagined."
"Even the Clear Sky Hammer can only be ranked thirteenth..."
When the two girls looked at Lu Xiao again, their eyes were filled with endless awe.
They finally understood why the dean had always been so indifferent to the Heavenly Dao Ranking.
Because in the dean's eyes, perhaps the so-called "top-tier weapon spirits" that soul masters in the outside world fought tooth and nail for were really... just so-so. Clear Sky Sect, a secluded place.
Among the misty mountains, ancient and magnificent buildings appeared and disappeared.
At this moment, in the plaza in front of the sect's main hall, several elders, led by Sect Master Tang Xiao and possessing imposing physiques, gathered.
All of them gazed up at the golden canopy stretching across the sky, their expressions more solemn than ever before.
When the words "[Haotian Hammer, Thirteenth Place, Holder: Tang Chen]" clearly appeared, the entire plaza fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.
After a brief silence, a roar of doubt and anger erupted like a volcanic eruption!
"Thirteenth? The Clear Sky Hammer is the number one weapon spirit in the world, how can it only be ranked thirteenth?"
"This Heavenly Dao ranking is simply absurd! Our Clear Sky Sect has been living in seclusion, how dare the Heavenly Dao treat us so lightly!"
"Wasn't our ancestor Tang Chen missing? Could he still be alive?"
An elder with white hair and beard frowned, looking at Sect Master Tang Xiao.
Another elder with a grim face said excitedly, "Sect Master, should we go and search for our ancestor Tang Chen? After all, he was a Limit Douluo. With him guarding the Clear Sky Sect, we have nothing to fear from the Spirit Hall!"
Everyone discussed animatedly, their eyes all focused on Tang Xiao.
The Clear Sky Hammer's low ranking was completely beyond their expectations.
And the news that Tang Chen might still be alive stirred everyone's hearts.
Tang Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his strong body as steady as a mountain, but deep in his sharp eyes, complex emotions surged.
When he heard the name "Tang Chen," his heart skipped a beat.
A figure he admired flashed into his mind.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement and worry, and slowly spoke, his voice loud and clear, silencing all the discussions:
"Elders, please calm down!"
All eyes were on him.
Tang Xiao's gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "The Heavenly Dao Ranking is mysterious and unpredictable; its criteria are beyond our comprehension. The Clear Sky Hammer's thirteenth ranking is indeed unexpected, but it may reveal that there are many more powerful forces hidden in the world that we do not know about."
"We Soul Masters should reflect on this and strive forward, rather than simply questioning the injustice of the Heavenly Dao!"
He paused, then continued, "As for the news of Tang Chen's grandfather, I will send more people to search for him; we must find him."
"The most urgent task is to observe the situation and see who is ranked above the Clear Sky Hammer. This is crucial for the future emergence of our Clear Sky Sect!"
Hearing this, the elders, though still harboring resentment and doubts, acknowledged the sect leader's words and their reasonable arguments.
They temporarily suppressed their chaotic thoughts and turned their gaze back to the sky.
The glaring words "Thirteenth" were branded into the hearts of every disciple of the Clear Sky Sect.
Just as the various forces on the continent were shaken by the ranking of the Clear Sky Hammer, the golden light in the sky flashed again, and a new ranking appeared:
[Martial Soul Ranking, Twelfth Place: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda]
[Holder: Ning Rongrong (Beidou Academy)]
[Rating: Top-tier auxiliary weapon martial soul, a once-in-a-century occurrence, the ultimate evolution of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, containing ultimate auxiliary abilities, with heaven-defying effects, breaking the original seven-ring limit of martial souls, truly the number one auxiliary martial soul on the Douluo Continent.]
[Rewards: Soul power level increased by four levels, all soul ring age increased by three thousand years, obtained talent domain: Glazed Divine Light, obtained one immortal herb 'Qiluo Tulip']
"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"Twelfth place! An auxiliary martial soul can actually surpass the Clear Sky Hammer?!"
"There's an immortal herb in the reward? Qiluo Tulip? Just from the name, it's extraordinary!"
Exclamations once again resounded throughout the continent.
The legend of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda has come true, and it ranks twelfth.
This has excited many support-type Soul Masters, as if they have seen new hope.
Beidou Academy, plaza.
"It's me! It really is me! Twelfth place!"
Ning Rongrong was overjoyed to see her name, her Martial Soul, and the generous reward.
Especially when she saw that the reward included a "Qiluo Tulip," she covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes glistening with tears of excitement.
(End of Chapter)