Chapter 13: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Rewards
Tang San stood rooted to the spot, unmoving, like a statue.
He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his palms, blood dripping from between his fingers, yet he was completely oblivious.
His usually gentle blue eyes were now filled with shock, confusion, and a strong sense of unwillingness!
Clear Sky Hammer!
It only ranked thirteenth?
The impact on his belief was unprecedentedly immense!
"Little San..."
Xiao Wu anxiously held his bleeding hand, her beautiful eyes filled with heartache.
Dai Mubai and the others gathered around, wanting to comfort him, but not knowing what to say.
This ranking also shattered their previous optimism and expectations.
"Fake! This list must be fake!"
Ma Hongjun couldn't help but shout.
"Fatty, shut up!"
Dai Mubai reprimanded him, but his own eyes were full of wavering doubt.
Yu Xiaogang, supported by Flender and Zhao Wuji, barely managed to stand firm. He looked at Tang San's crestfallen appearance, forced himself to gather his Martial Souls, and spoke with all his might.
"Little San, raise your head! Rankings don't represent everything. Don't forget, the Clear Sky Hammer is, after all, the number one Tool Spirit in the World!"
"This list only shows the Clear Sky Hammer, which means it's judging individual Martial Souls!"
"Your potential is far beyond what a ranking can limit!"
Tang San's body trembled, and he slowly raised his head to look at his teacher.
Seeing his teacher's pale but determined eyes, the unwillingness and confusion in his heart slightly subsided.
Yes, he still had the Blue Silver Grass.
Although it seemed weak now, it was, after all, another Martial Soul.
However, the shadow of the Clear Sky Hammer being thirteenth had already been deeply etched into his heart like a brand.
For the first time, he clearly realized this.
This World was far vaster and more terrifying than he had imagined... Big Dipper Academy.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were already numb with shock.
"Clear Sky Hammer, thirteenth..."
Ning Rongrong felt her brain wasn't enough to process it.
"Zhuqing, am I dreaming? How can the number one Tool Spirit in the World..."
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. Her gaze once again fell upon those 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 Rank thirteenth..."
When the two girls looked at Lu Xiao again, their eyes were filled with endless reverence.
They finally understood why the Dean had always maintained such an indifferent attitude towards the Heavenly Dao ranking list.
Because in the eyes of this Dean, perhaps the so-called "top Martial Souls" that Soul Masters of the outside World fought over.
Were truly... just that.
Clear Sky Sect, Hidden Land.
Between the cloud-shrouded mountains, ancient and magnificent buildings were faintly visible.
At this moment, on the square in front of the main hall of the Sect, several Elders with calm auras and robust physiques gathered, led by Sect Master Tang Xiao.
Everyone looked up at the golden heavenly curtain spanning the sky, their expressions more solemn than ever.
When the words "Clear Sky Hammer, Thirteenth Rank, Holder Tang Chen" clearly appeared.
The entire square fell into a dead silence, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
After a brief silence, shouts of doubt and anger erupted like a volcanic eruption!
"Thirteenth Rank? The Clear Sky Hammer is the number one Tool Spirit in the World, how can it only Rank thirteenth?"
"This Heavenly Dao ranking list is simply absurd! Our Clear Sky Sect lives in seclusion, does the Heavenly Dao dare to disregard us so!"
"Ancestor Tang Chen disappeared, didn't he? Could it be that he's still alive?"
An Elder with white hair and beard frowned, looking at Sect Master Tang Xiao.
Another Elder with a grim expression said excitedly, "Sect Master, should we go look for Ancestor Tang Chen? After all, he is a Limit Douluo. With him guarding the Clear Sky Sect, we have absolutely no need to fear the Spirit Hall!"
Everyone discussed animatedly, their gazes focused on Tang Xiao.
The Clear Sky Hammer's low ranking completely exceeded their expectations.
And the news that Tang Chen might still be alive touched everyone's hearts even more.
Tang Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his sturdy figure as steady as a mountain, but deep within his sharp eyes, complex emotions surged.
When he heard the name "Tang Chen," his heart skipped a beat.
An admired figure emerged in his mind.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and worry in his heart, and slowly spoke, his voice clear and loud, quashing all discussions:
"All Elders, calm yourselves!"
Everyone's gaze focused on him.
Tang Xiao's gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "The Heavenly Dao ranking list is mysterious and unfathomable; its judgment criteria are beyond our conjecture. The Clear Sky Hammer ranking thirteenth is indeed unexpected, but perhaps this reveals that there are more unknown powerful forces hidden in the World.
"We Soul Masters should reflect on this, strive forward, and not blindly question the unfairness of the Heavenly Dao!"
He paused, then continued, "As for the news of Grandfather Tang Chen, I will send more people to search for him; he must be found."
"The most urgent task is to wait and see, to clearly understand which existences are ranked above the Clear Sky Hammer. This is crucial for the future emergence of our Clear Sky Sect!"
Upon hearing this, although the Elders still had some reluctance and doubts in their hearts, the Sect Master had spoken, and his words were reasonable.
They temporarily suppressed their chaotic thoughts and refocused their gaze on the heavenly curtain.
However, the dazzling words "Thirteenth Rank" were etched like a brand in the hearts of every Clear Sky Sect disciple... Just as various forces across the continent were shaken by the Clear Sky Hammer's ranking, the golden light of the heavenly curtain flashed again, and a new ranking dramatically appeared:
The Martial Soul Ranking List, Twelfth Place: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda
Holder: Ning Rongrong (Big Dipper Academy)
Rating: Top-tier support system Tool Spirit, rarely seen in a hundred years, the ultimate evolution of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, containing ultimate support abilities, Heaven-Defying in effect, breaking the original seven-ring limit of Martial Souls, truly the number one support system Martial Soul on the Douluo Continent.
Rewards: Soul Power Rank increased by four levels, all Soul Ring lifespans increased by three thousand years, obtained Talent Domain: Glazed Divine Light, obtained one Immortal Herb 'Qiluo Tulip'
"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"Twelfth place! A support system Martial Soul actually suppressed the Clear Sky Hammer?!"
"The rewards even include an Immortal Herb? Qiluo Tulip? It sounds extraordinary just by its name!"
Exclamations once again resounded across the continent.
The legend of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda came true, and it ranked high at twelfth.
This made many support system Soul Masters incredibly excited, as if they saw new hope... Big Dipper Academy, Plaza.
"It's me! It's really me! Twelfth place!"
Ning Rongrong was so excited she jumped for joy when she saw her name, her Martial Soul, and the generous rewards.
Especially when she saw that the rewards actually included a "Qiluo Tulip," she covered her small mouth in surprise, her eyes sparkling with tears of excitement.