Star Luo's Great Enshrined One, a Surname Erased by History

The hall fell silent for a moment. Xu Jiawei gradually calmed down, countless thoughts racing through his mind before quickly settling on the most practical issue.

"Honored guests, the human world differs from the Extreme North Land. There are many worldly constraints and restrictions here. If you do not mind, I will personally handle matters such as your identities afterward. As for all your expenses in the human world, they will be covered by the Star Luo treasury, as a gesture of goodwill."

Snow Empress nodded gently and did not refuse Xu Jiawei's kindness. After a brief pause, she spoke softly.

"You need not worry that Bing'er and I will harm the humans in this city or your imperial family. The foundation of cooperation is mutual trust and the complete exchange of information and benefits. I can sense that you still have reservations about us, but that is only natural. Looking at it from another angle, in this vast city, the only one worthy of a second glance from me is probably that old man behind you..."

Xu Jiawei's expression remained unchanged. He had long heard of Snow Empress's reputation. As the ruler of the Extreme North and the third-ranked being on the current land Fierce Beast list, it would have been a joke if she had failed to notice that person's presence.

Following Snow Empress's gaze, the space to the left of Xu Jiawei's seat seemed to distort invisibly. A withered, gaunt figure slowly emerged, accompanied by an aura of decay and old age that swept through the hall. In an instant, the light throughout the entire hall seemed to dim considerably.

Snow Empress narrowed her eyes slightly. From this elderly human who was already on the verge of death, she actually sensed a faint hint of danger. Earlier, the old man had concealed himself in the shadows, his aura seemingly obscured by something. Now that he had revealed himself, Snow Empress could indeed sense something unusual.

A trace of vigilance appeared in Ice Empress's eyes as she looked at the old man. By her senses, this man's strength seemed to be around Level 98, just like hers. His aura was simply too strange, as though he were deliberately concealing something.

Xu Jiujiu widened her beautiful golden eyes as she stared at the old man. Since when had the empire possessed such an expert...

After racking her brains for a while, Xu Jiujiu finally found a vague figure buried deep within her memories. Her memories from back then gradually overlapped with reality, and she could not help clutching the hem of her clothes before whispering to Shu Yan.

"This... is the Great Enshrined One of our Star Luo Royal Enshrinement Hall. I met him once when Imperial Brother broke through to become a Titled Douluo."

A look of surprise appeared on Shu Yan's face, and the way he looked at the old man changed slightly.

The Star Luo Royal Enshrinement Hall had always been an extremely mysterious existence to the outside world. Though it was not as powerful or mysterious as Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion, it was still undoubtedly one of the strongest soul master organizations of the era. Most of its members were unknown to the world, only appearing of their own accord when the Star Luo Empire faced a crisis. Even Xu Jiawei could not mobilize the truly mysterious and powerful figures within it without sufficient reason. As for this so-called Great Enshrined One, he had existed only in the words of others. Almost no one had ever seen his true face. Yet now, such a figure had appeared before everyone's eyes so openly. It was far more than merely surprising...

Xu Jiawei slowly rose to his feet. Sensing the old man's increasingly frail and declining aura, his expression darkened. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly.

"I have troubled you this time, Elder Qian..."

The old man called Elder Qian slowly raised his head. A distinct scar ran across his aged, withered face, while his cloudy eyes were filled with the vicissitudes and calm of age. With only a glance, one could feel as though they had lost themselves, their hearts trembling twice beyond their control.

"It is nothing. This old man has been sitting for years. Now that I have finally come out to stretch my limbs, if I do not breathe in more of the fresh air outside, my body may as well become a dried corpse."

The old man's tone was soft, unexpectedly gentle. He sized up Xu Jiawei before him, a hint of satisfaction flashing through his eyes. Supporting his gaunt body with a pitch-black cane, he slowly took several steps forward. Xu Jiawei wanted to go up and support him, but the old man waved him away. His cloudy gaze swept toward the people below, changing slightly when it reached the Ice Snow Two Emperors. Almost at the same time, the Ice Snow Two Emperors looked over as well. Three different auras collided in the air, and in the next instant, icy blue, dark green, and dark gold Soul Power fluctuations violently clashed above the hall. Blinding white light burst forth. Xu Jiawei did not move a single step, while Shu Yan protected Xu Jiujiu and retreated slightly, his eyes observing the changing situation.

As the white light gradually faded, the old man staggered back three or four steps. His aura was somewhat disordered. His gaze passed right over Ice Empress and turned toward Snow Empress, carrying an additional trace of strange emotion.

"So this is the power of the Limit Douluo level. As expected, compared to a Super Douluo, the difference is like heaven and earth. They cannot be mentioned in the same breath at all."

A trace of surprise appeared in Snow Empress's eyes. She carefully swept her gaze across the old man's entire body before speaking softly.

"Human, you are very powerful, but this does not seem to be your limit. Your limit appears to be restrained by something. There seems to be some secret within you."

The old man smiled openly and replied casually.

"Just old matters from years past. Nothing more than sacrifices made in pursuit of greater strength. One thought apart, yet worlds apart. Extreme North Emperor, this old man is Qian Gu Chaoshēng. As you can see, I am the Great Enshrined One of Star Luo's Hall of Worship. I have long heard of Your Majesty's great reputation. Now that I have met you, it truly lives up to its name."

"Qian Gu..."

Shu Yan slowly released Xu Jiujiu's slender waist, silently repeating the surname that seemed to have been erased by history. A few guesses had already formed in his mind.

Snow Empress nodded gently. Qian Gu Chaoshēng was powerful, and he still harbored secrets within him. That was enough to earn her respect. This was a privilege belonging solely to the strong.

Ice Empress looked at Snow Empress and Qian Gu Chaoshēng, fiercely clenching her small fists. Then she stood up and shouted at Qian Gu Chaoshēng.

"Hey!"

"Old fart! How dare you ignore me? I'm not weak either, okay? Why did you only praise Xue'er? If you don't give me a reason today, believe it or not, I'll beat you up right now?!"

Faced with Ice Empress's furious outburst, which was practically a complete breakdown, Qian Gu Chaoshēng merely smiled lightly and paid it little mind. Leaning on his black cane, he took several more steps forward. A strangely benevolent look even appeared in his eyes as he looked at Ice Empress and said.

"Little girl, you should follow the same rule as this old man: strength above all, the strong reign supreme. I can tell you very clearly that you are strong, but you are not this old man's match. If you do not believe me, feel free to try..."

Ice Empress waved her arms, fury filling her eyes as she stared at Qian Gu Chaoshēng. She admitted that this peaceful-looking old man had successfully turned into an entirely different, hateful figure in her eyes. Right now, all she wanted was to give him a thorough beating and let him properly witness the strength of the great Ice Empress!

Snow Empress helplessly stopped Ice Empress, whose battle intent was surging throughout her body, then spoke softly.

"Bing'er, do not mess around. You truly are not his opponent. If you do not believe it, you will find out after trying."

Ice Empress was somewhat dumbfounded upon hearing Snow Empress's words. Snow Empress's attitude was extremely serious, and she could clearly sense that Snow Empress was not joking. Snow Empress's judgment was generally never wrong. Could it be that she really was no match for that old fart?

Seeing Ice Empress lower her head in frustration, Snow Empress was equally helpless. Although Qian Gu Chaoshēng currently looked like a dying candle flickering in the wind, Snow Empress could clearly sense the terrifying power hidden within his ruined body. Ice Empress could contend with him in battle, but winning was almost impossible.

Just as Ice Empress took the opportunity to doubt herself in Snow Empress's embrace, Qian Gu Chaoshēng smiled soundlessly. His gaze shifted once more, finally landing on Shu Yan at the side.

Gentle golden Soul Power carried an irresistible dominance. Before Shu Yan even had time to release his martial soul, he was restrained by that golden Soul Power, suspended in midair and completely stripped of any ability to resist.

The old man's aged voice, carrying a faint smile, sounded beside his ears. Shu Yan felt every hair on his body stand on end, as though he had encountered something even more terrifying than a Fierce Beast...