A Meteor Falls from the Sky, Chen Qingxuan Arrives

Three hundred li outside Heaven Dou City, at the edge of Soul Hunting Forest.

"Young Master, there's really no need." Snake Lance Douluo's voice echoed through the forest.

He stood tall and straight, a full two meters in height. Dark brown armor covered his entire body, its plates fitted tightly over his burly frame and tracing lines brimming with explosive power.

His features were sharply defined, his brow ridges high and his eye sockets deep. His narrow eyes were like a snake's, fixed intently on the small figure before him. Worry and a hint of barely perceptible awe churned in their depths.

"No, I'm not going back." Nine-year-old Qian Renxue stood there. Though she had yet to grow into her frame, she already possessed a composure far beyond her years.

Her little face was as fair as jade, her skin delicate enough to break at a touch, and golden hair fell over her shoulders.

Yet her golden eyes held none of a child's innocence. Instead, they were filled with a heaviness wholly at odds with her age.

It was the grief and humiliation of her father, Qian Xunji, being mortally wounded by Tang Hao.

It was the shame of Spirit Hall's prestige plummeting.

It was the mockery of the Clear Sky Sect sealing its gates and withdrawing from the world.

And above all, it was the responsibility she had to shoulder as Young Master while Bibi Dong implemented reforms after ascending to the position of Pope.

Qian Renxue's voice was clear, yet unshakably firm. "I am Spirit Hall's Young Master. Reviving Spirit Hall is a burden I was born to bear."

"Young Master, the mere Heaven Dou Empire doesn't even have a Titled Douluo. Why risk your safety by going there in person?" Porcupinefish Douluo spoke up. He, too, stood two meters tall, and his armor was similar in style to Snake Lance Douluo's, but its plates were heavier and darker, with a purplish hue.

His face was broad and fleshy, his cheekbones high, his nose short and thick, and his lips plump. As he spoke, his mouth pulled sharply to either side, giving him a fierce look.

Now his brow was furrowed, his tone full of confusion and protest. "It isn't worth spending so much effort on a power like that."

Qian Renxue slowly turned around and looked at Porcupinefish Douluo with her golden eyes.

"Uncle Porcupinefish, you're wrong."

"The purpose of Spirit Hall's existence is to safeguard order on the continent, not to start wars."

"If we can bring Heaven Dou under our control without bloodshed and restore peace to this land, that will be the best outcome."

Snake Lance Douluo parted his lips, wanting to say something. But when he saw Qian Renxue's clear yet resolute eyes, he swallowed the words that had nearly escaped him.

The corner of his eye twitched faintly, and a complicated look flashed through his narrow eyes—relief, worry, and aching sympathy that his young mistress had been burdened with so much, so soon. "Young Master, you..."

"Uncle Snake Lance, that's enough." Qian Renxue cut him off. Her tone was gentle, yet carried an unyielding resolve. "I've made up my mind."

Snake Lance Douluo let out a heavy sigh, helplessness filling every note, and lowered his eyelids.

Just then, Porcupinefish Douluo jerked his head up. The color drained from his already fierce-looking face, his fleshy features twisting together. His eyes bulged as if he had witnessed something unimaginably terrifying.

He raised a thick finger and pointed at the sky, trembling. His voice went shrill. "Y-Young Master! Look!"

Snake Lance Douluo's heart tightened. Almost instinctively, he summoned all his Soul Power, condensing a thick barrier of energy before himself and Qian Renxue.

Porcupinefish Douluo reacted as well, and Soul Power erupted from him in an instant. It layered over Snake Lance Douluo's barrier, the two walls of Soul Power intertwining into an impenetrable web of protection.

Both men looked grave as they stared fixedly at the sky, fine beads of sweat already gathering at their temples.

The sky, which had been fairly clear, had somehow turned orange-red.

Countless fireballs trailed long tails of flame as they poured down from behind the clouds like a torrential rain, packed so densely they blotted out the sky.

The fireballs varied in size. The smallest were as big as millstones, while the largest were several zhang across. Blazing flames engulfed their surfaces, and the air crackled as it burned. Though they were still far away, waves of heat already rolled toward them, instantly evaporating the moisture in the forest.

The roar of the fireballs tearing through the sky merged into a deafening rumble, as if the heavens themselves were about to collapse and swallow Soul Hunting Forest whole.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to Soul Hunting Forest.

"Protect the princess! Protect the princess! All troops, fall back!" Urgent shouts erupted among the soldiers.

The Heaven Dou Empire's soldiers looked panicked, yet still held formation. The shield-bearers in the front rank drove their great shields hard into the ground. One heavy metal shield locked against the next, forming an indestructible wall.

Behind the shield wall, the cavalry gripped their sword hilts. Their warhorses pawed nervously at the earth, snorting heavily, as they tightly guarded the ornate carriage behind them. Its curtains were drawn, but the tension inside was palpable.

Deep within Soul Hunting Forest.

Rumble—

The first meteor struck the ground. The earth shook violently, as if a giant beast had awakened beneath it.

Then came the second, the third... Countless meteors crashed into the forest, their explosions blending into one another as flames soared skyward and thick smoke billowed toward the clouds.

The shockwave swept through with flying stones and burning wood chips, slamming into the energy barrier with a muffled boom. Even the two Titled Douluo felt their blood and qi churn from the impact.

Qian Renxue was protected at the center. Her little face had gone deathly pale, but she bit down hard on her lip and said nothing.

She could feel the energy barrier overhead shaking violently. Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo were breathing harder and harder, the muscles beneath their armor trembling.

After what felt like an age, the meteor shower finally stopped.

At the entrance to Soul Hunting Forest, several li from where the meteors had landed.

A haggard-looking eunuch lifted the carriage curtain. Still shaken, he spoke to the occupant in a trembling voice. "Your Highness, this celestial omen is certainly ill-fated. It's unwise to stay here and obtain a Soul Ring. We should hurry back to Heaven Dou City!"

Xue Qinghe was already so frightened he had lost his wits. Hearing the eunuch's words, he seized on them like a lifeline and hurriedly nodded. "Go back! Now! Quickly!"

"Withdraw!" At the commander's order, the Heaven Dou troops swiftly adjusted their formation. The shield-bearers remained at the front as they slowly moved back, while the cavalry guarded the carriage and retreated in good order.

Deep in Soul Hunting Forest, at the center of the meteor impact zone.

"Young Master, are you all right?" Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo withdrew their energy barrier at the same time.

Both men gasped for breath. Sweat trickled down their cheeks and soaked the linings of their armor. Their once-straight frames swayed slightly. Clearly, enduring the meteor impacts had consumed a tremendous amount of their Soul Power.

"I'm fine." Qian Renxue gently patted her slightly heaving chest, a trace of lingering fear flashing through her golden eyes.

"Fortunately, none of those meteors struck right here. At that strength, even if you two had managed to protect me, you would have paid a steep price."

"Hmm? What's that?" Qian Renxue sensed something beckoning her forward from somewhere beyond the reach of sight.

She set off at a quick run, her little legs carrying her ahead. Her golden hair fluttered behind her, and her small figure stood out against the wreckage of the forest.

The ground was riddled with meteor craters of every size and depth—more than a thousand in all. The forest had been utterly destroyed for several li around.

The smaller craters were only a few zhang wide, their edges still trailing smoke.

The larger ones stretched for dozens of zhang, their bottoms charred black and reeking of sulfur.

The ancient trees nearby had either been snapped in half, their broken ends charred and carbonized, or torn up by the roots and left scattered across the ground. The branches and leaves that remained were still burning. Flames licked at the trunks with a crackling sound, while thick smoke billowed up and blotted out the sky.

"Young Master, be careful!" Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo tensed and immediately hurried after her.

An incense stick's time later, Qian Renxue leaped down a not-too-steep slope and arrived beside a meteor several meters across.

The meteor was jet-black all over, its surface covered in irregular patterns. It still radiated scorching light, and the air wavered from its heat. Even a few steps away, the searing waves were palpable.

Qian Renxue stopped one zhang away, not daring to approach any farther.

Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo stood on either side of her, warily surveying their surroundings.

Just then, all three of them were drawn to the meteor's surface.

Embedded there was a sparkling gemstone about the size of a fist. It was crystal clear all over, and in the meteor's fiery glow, it radiated a strange light.

Suddenly, the gemstone burst with blinding light. In an instant, it became a streak of light and shot toward Qian Renxue with astonishing speed, sinking precisely into the center of her brow.

Qian Renxue instinctively touched her forehead. She felt warmth at the center of her brow, along with a faint sting.

She blinked, looking bewildered. "What was that just now?"

"Young Master, are you all right?" Snake Lance Douluo's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.

That streak of light had been too fast. Even he, a Titled Douluo, had been completely unable to react, let alone summon his Soul Power in time.

He stared fixedly at Qian Renxue's forehead, his eyes full of terror.

Porcupinefish Douluo's expression had also grown incomparably grave. He could sense that the streak of light had been no ordinary thing, but he couldn't tell what it was.

"I'm fine, Uncle Snake Lance." Qian Renxue shook her head, but as soon as the words left her mouth, her body felt unnaturally heavy and her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Her mind seemed to have been drained away, and she could barely stay awake. "I'm just... a little sleepy..."

Before she could finish, Qian Renxue's body tipped backward.

Porcupinefish Douluo reacted in the nick of time, reaching out to catch her and cradle her small body in his arms.

"Young Master! Young Master!" Porcupinefish Douluo called out urgently, his voice filled with unprecedented panic. The flesh on his face trembled, and his eyes brimmed with anxiety.

"What are you waiting for?" Snake Lance Douluo snapped back to his senses and barked at Porcupinefish Douluo. "We need to get out of here and find the best healing Soul Master to examine her!"

"Oh... oh! Come on, let's go!" Porcupinefish Douluo came to himself as if waking from a dream. Holding Qian Renxue tightly, he exchanged a glance with Snake Lance Douluo. Without another moment's hesitation, they raced toward the edge of Soul Hunting Forest.

Though they were Titled Douluo and could theoretically fly through the air, neither of them was a flying-type Soul Master. Flying would consume a great deal of energy, and they would be far slower than running on the ground.

Their hearts were burning with worry. They wished they had a pair of wings. Soul Power surged beneath their feet, and their figures became two blurs as they raced through the wrecked forest, kicking up a fierce gale.

Within Heaven Dou City, in a quiet little courtyard.

One Soul Master after another emerged from the courtyard. Most looked grave, their brows furrowed. As they passed the entrance, each let out a heavy sigh, shook his head, and left with an expression of helplessness.

Sunlight filtered through the vines along the courtyard wall, yet it couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere hanging over the place.

Inside, in the bedroom.

Qian Renxue lay quietly in bed, her face still unnaturally flushed and her breathing faint.

Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo stood guard beside the bed. Both looked haggard, bloodshot eyes lining their sockets.

Beside the bed, a Soul Master in a green robe was using all his strength to activate his Martial Soul—a colorful butterfly.

The butterfly beat its wings, releasing gentle flecks of green light that danced through the air like fireflies and slowly drifted down over Qian Renxue, attempting to nourish her body.

Yet when the green light fell on Qian Renxue, it was like a stone sinking into the sea. It had little effect.

Meanwhile, in Qian Renxue's Sea of Consciousness.

Chen Qingxuan slowly opened his eyes. At first, they were clouded with confusion, but soon a deep bewilderment welled up in them.

"Where is this?" he murmured, his voice carrying a faintly ethereal quality.

He sat up and looked down at his hands. They were almost transparent, as if they might vanish at any moment.

He looked at his body. It, too, was insubstantial, and he could clearly see the scene behind him.

Chen Qingxuan's eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

He, Chen Qingxuan, had roamed Floating Life Immortal Domain for hundreds of thousands of years. His cultivation had long since reached the eighth-turn Golden Immortal realm, one step away from the ninth turn. Yet in the end, he had failed to withstand the ninth Golden Immortal tribulation, meeting his death and vanishing from the world.