Seven Stars Pass, Great Era Rises

"Xue'er, I never expected you to truly cultivate soul power." Qian Daoliu's voice came from behind her.

Qian Renxue spun around abruptly, her small nose crinkling as she turned her head away with a hint of coquettish indignation. "Xue'er told you it was possible, but Grandfather just wouldn't believe me."

"Mm~ Xue'er is the most amazing." Qian Daoliu smiled, raising his hand to gently ruffle her golden hair.

Just then, "Rumble—"

A dull roll of thunder echoed across the sky. It wasn't the piercing crack of ordinary lightning, but rather sounded like the low groan of an ancient beast, causing the very air between heaven and earth to tremble.

A cyan light suddenly ignited between Qian Renxue's brows, and a wisp of gentle energy overflowed, slowly condensing into a form in the air.

It was a young man dressed in cyan robes. His sword-like brows slanted toward his temples, his star-bright eyes were as clear as the midday sun, and his features were so handsome he looked like an immortal descended to the mortal realm. The aura surrounding him was so ethereal it felt as though he might dissolve into the wind at any moment, yet he stood there with undeniable reality.

"Master!" Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. She rushed over to hug Chen Qingxuan's arm, tilting her head back to beam at him. "Why have you come out? This is the first time you've condensed a physical form!"

"Ahem." Qian Daoliu coughed twice, his gaze landing on Chen Qingxuan with a jolt of secret alarm.

The young man looked youthful, yet his aura was unfathomable—he stood right before his eyes, yet it felt as if an invisible mist separated them. He was both real and illusory, as if he were one with the heavens and earth, leaving even him unable to gauge the slightest depth.

What made his heart ache even more was that while Xue'er used to cling to him for hugs, her eyes were now filled entirely with this suddenly appeared youth; they had grown distant after all.

Qian Renxue finally remembered her grandfather was still there. She stuck out her tongue and hurriedly let go to introduce them. "Grandfather, this is my master, Chen Qingxuan. Master, this is my grandfather."

Qian Daoliu collected his thoughts and bowed slightly toward Chen Qingxuan, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity. "Senior. That Xue'er could receive your guidance is her good fortune, and the blessing of our Martial Soul Hall."

"If I was disrespectful earlier, I hope you will be magnanimous, Senior." Having lived for over a hundred years, he had never been so humble toward anyone, but facing Chen Qingxuan, he clearly felt a suppression stemming from a difference in realms.

Chen Qingxuan nodded slightly. "Grand Elder is too polite. Xue'er is exceptionally gifted; that she has reached this point is largely due to her own determination."

His tone was calm, devoid of both arrogance and empty flattery.

Just at that moment, seven brilliant trails of light suddenly streaked across the horizon, like seven silver dragons dragging long tails behind them.

The three of them looked up simultaneously, their gazes following the seven comets.

"The Seven Stars pass the border; a great era is about to rise." Chen Qingxuan gazed in the direction where the comets vanished, a profound depth flashing in his eyes as if he were piercing through the barriers of time and space.

"Master, what does 'a great era is about to rise' mean?" Qian Renxue tilted her head, asking curiously.

"You can think of it as a great struggle—an era where geniuses gather and heroes vie for supremacy," Chen Qingxuan said indifferently. "This is a gift sent back by 'them'."

"Them? Sent back?" Qian Renxue was even more confused, her small brows knitting into a knot. "Master, what are you talking about? Who are 'they'?"

Chen Qingxuan looked at her, a meaningful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You will understand in time."

"Oh~" Qian Renxue drew out the syllable, though she muttered to herself that her master was speaking in riddles again.

Chen Qingxuan turned to look at Qian Daoliu. "I would like to borrow something from the Grand Elder."

Qian Daoliu's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Please speak, Senior. As long as Martial Soul Hall possesses it, I will not refuse." Anything that could make this mysterious senior speak up must be no ordinary object.

"The full set of soul bones belonging to Xue'er—it should be called the 'Angel God Armor', right?" Chen Qingxuan said slowly.

If he wished, he could deduce the causality of all things in the world, provided he could bear the weight of that karma.

It was just that he was usually too lazy to exert the effort; after all, the unknown was far more interesting.

"You, you actually know about the Angel God Armor?" Qian Daoliu's eyes widened sharply, his face full of shock.

That was the most guarded secret of Martial Soul Hall, known only to the successive Popes and the core of the Worship Hall. How could this youth know of it?

"Grandfather, Master is amazing!" Qian Renxue tugged on Qian Daoliu's sleeve.

"Isn't it just a set of soul bones? If Master wants it, just give it to him." In her heart, if her master wanted something, let alone a set of soul bones, even something more precious should be given.

Qian Daoliu looked at her and said in a deep voice, "Xue'er, do you know the importance of the Angel God Armor? It is the supreme treasure passed down by the Angel clan for ten thousand years, the key to becoming a god, and it concerns the future of the entire Martial Soul Hall!"

Qian Renxue blinked, her face full of disapproval. "But no matter how important the God Armor is, isn't it just for becoming stronger? Master taking it must be to help me; would he ever harm me? Besides, even without the God Armor, I can become a god on my own!"

Chen Qingxuan spoke at the right moment. "Grand Elder, rest assured. The God Armor belongs to Xue'er; I will not use it. I only wish to borrow it to take a look, perhaps it might add some insight to her cultivation."

Qian Daoliu fell silent.

He looked at Chen Qingxuan, then at the determined Qian Renxue, weighing the situation several times in his heart.

Although the Angel God Armor was important, this senior was unfathomable. If he could obtain his guidance, it would be a massive opportunity for both Xue'er and Martial Soul Hall.

Furthermore, he could feel that the other party had no covetous intent.

A moment later, he took a deep breath. "Very well, I will lend it to you, Senior."

Qian Renxue immediately beamed with joy, but suddenly her brows tightened. "Grandfather, there is an annoying person who says they want to see you."

"Who?" Qian Daoliu was stunned.

Qian Renxue closed her eyes, and her brilliant golden hair slowly faded to silver-white. When she opened them again, her pupils had transformed into a deep, profound purple.

"Xue'er, you..." Qian Daoliu was so shocked he took half a step back.

"Grandfather~" The silver-haired, red-eyed girl trotted forward two steps and hugged Qian Daoliu, her voice coquettish.

Though filled with confusion, Qian Daoliu still raised his hand to stroke her silver hair, asking gently, "Xue'er, what has happened to you?"

"Hmph, I'm not called Xue'er, I'm Qian Renyou." The girl let go of him, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin. "Grandfather can call me Xiao You."

"Xue'er, Xiao You..." Qian Daoliu was completely bewildered. This was clearly the same person—the aura could not be faked—yet her hair and eye color had changed, and even her personality carried a spark of cleverness.

Qian Renyou spun around and took the opportunity to hug Chen Qingxuan's arm, shaking it as she said, "Qian Renxue and I are one body with two souls. It was Master who released me from her subconscious."

"Right now, that blonde is the big sister and I'm the little sister, but sooner or later, I'll be able to beat her and become the big sister!" she said, waving her small fist, her purple pupils filled with an unyielding spirit.

Qian Daoliu opened his mouth, unable to speak for a long time. He could clearly sense that this was his granddaughter; the soul aura was not the slightest bit off, yet this matter of "one body, two souls" was something he had never heard of.

"Grandpa is so silly." Qian Renyou pouted, standing on her tiptoes to lean into his ear as if sharing a secret.

"It just means two 'mes' living in one body. That blonde and I take turns coming out to play; she practices swordplay while I sleep, and I eat snacks while she cultivates. Understand now?"

Only then did Qian Daoliu vaguely understand. Looking at the silver-haired, purple-eyed girl before him, then recalling the golden-haired, golden-eyed appearance from just moments ago, he felt it was truly profound.

It was his first time witnessing such a strange occurrence.

Chen Qingxuan watched the grandfather and granddaughter, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

The comet in the sky had long since vanished, but the omen of the Seven Stars Crossing the Border signaled that the winds and clouds of this continent were only just beginning to stir.