Qian Renxue's Vigilance (Please Follow, Bookmark, Vote with Monthly Tickets and Recommendation Tickets)

Far above the unnamed valley.

The Extreme Ice Phoenix glided gracefully, the frigid currents stirred by its wings leaving faint trails of frost amid the clouds.

Xue Qinglan held Ling Han in her arms as though hugging a little pillow, her ice-blue eyes vigilantly sweeping the surroundings.

Ling Han rested against Xue Qinglan with his eyes closed. Though he appeared to be resting, his mind had sunk deep into his Sea of Consciousness.

Almost the instant his mind entered, that cold yet familiar mechanical notification echoed through his consciousness.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the faction mission: First Display of Edge!"

"Mission evaluation: Perfect. The target Soul Bone was stripped without damage, the target was not killed but thoroughly crippled, and no faction members were injured."

"Mission rewards issued:"

"1. Faction reputation increased slightly: The Host's faction has initially entered the sight of the continent's top forces, drawing the vigilance and curiosity of certain factions."

"2. Summoning Points x2000. Current accumulated Summoning Points: 2000."

"3. Designated-attribute Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone x1, with the body part selectable. Stored in the system space. The Host may materialize it at any time and select its attribute and body part."

As the cold notification ended, Ling Han's Ice-Fire Twin Pupils opened within his Sea of Consciousness, utterly calm.

The increase in faction reputation was expected. Tang Hao's crippling and the loss of Ah Yin's Soul Bone would inevitably cause an enormous uproar.

Summoning Points were an important strategic resource. Two thousand points meant an important summoning opportunity.

His thoughts focused on the final reward.

"System, inspect the designated-attribute Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone."

Buzz.

Within the space of his consciousness, a phantom Soul Bone appeared, radiating a gentle glow, its form not yet fixed. It seemed to be formed from the purest energy, with rainbow light flowing within it. It contained a vast and mighty source of Soul Power, yet waited incomparably docilely for its master's shaping.

"Please select the Soul Bone's attribute, such as strength, speed, mental power, defense, elemental affinity [ice/fire/lightning, etc.], life, space, and so forth; as well as the body part: skull, torso bone, left/right arm bone, or left/right leg bone."

Ling Han's gaze lingered briefly upon the seven-colored Soul Bone essence, but he did not make a choice immediately.

This Soul Bone was immensely valuable. Used well, it could greatly increase the strength of a core member and might even become a crucial trump card.

He needed to consider it carefully and use it in the most suitable place to face the more complicated circumstances ahead.

"Store it for now." With a thought from Ling Han, the phantom of the seven-colored Soul Bone vanished into the depths of the system space.

Leaving his Sea of Consciousness, Ling Han slowly opened his Ice-Fire Twin Pupils, and the scenery of the real world returned to view.

He sensed Xue Qinglan's concerned gaze, as well as the reverence in Wang Qiu'er, Long Chen, and Ying Yue behind him that had yet to completely subside.

It was not merely shock at the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Spirit and blue-gold Soul Ring he had displayed earlier. More than that, it was a profound realization of his ruthless methods—casually crippling the former Clear Sky Douluo and taking his greatest treasure as easily as turning his hand over.

"Young Master?" Xue Qinglan's cool voice carried a trace of inquiry. She had sensed the subtle change in Ling Han's aura.

"Nothing." Ling Han spoke indifferently, resting his head once more against her cold yet comfortable shoulder and neck. His gaze turned toward the distant outline of Heaven Dou City, and an imperceptibly cold curve tugged at his lips. "It's just... some people should be unable to sit still now."

Within the depths of his Ice-Fire Twin Pupils lay the reflection of a far grander chessboard.

Crippling Tang Hao and taking Ah Yin's Soul Bone were merely the first step in severing Tang San's destiny.

The faction had just taken shape, yet its edge had already been revealed. Every step from now on required even more meticulous planning.

The designated-attribute Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone lying in the system space would become a crucial strategic piece in his hand.

Heaven Dou Empire, deep within the imperial palace. The Crown Prince's bedchamber.

The night had grown deep, and the palace lamps gave off a soft yet somewhat lonely glow.

Xue Qinghe had not gone to bed. Dressed in plain, elegant casual attire, he sat quietly on a couch by the window.

His hand absentmindedly rubbed the confidential letter he had just received from the highest echelons of Spirit Hall. His brow was slightly furrowed, and his gaze was profound, as though he wished to see through the layers of palace walls and uncover the truth shrouded in mist.

A few days ago, in the core region of Sunset Forest, in the direction of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, three terrifying auras had erupted without warning. Like three enormous stones thrown into a tranquil lake, they had stirred towering waves among the top factions of Heaven Dou City and even the entire continent!

Three auras—each one as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea, overwhelmingly powerful. All of them had clearly reached the level of Super Douluo!

And none belonged to anyone known!

One was icy cold, one was scorching enough to burn the heavens, while the last was incomparably sharp yet elusive and unpredictable!

The three auras intertwined and surged. Though brief, they had clearly announced the arrival of three peerless experts!

This sudden development made even Qian Renxue, who had sat securely and plotted meticulously for years, feel intense unease and pressure.

Three Super Douluo were enough to break the continent's existing balance of power!

Who were they?

Which faction did they belong to?

What was their purpose?

Were they enemies or allies?

At once, he had used the channels hidden in the deepest layers of Spirit Hall and personally written to his grandfather, Qian Renliu, the Great Enshrined of Spirit Hall.

Yet the reply he received made his heart sink even further.

The letter contained only a few concise yet grave lines: "Auras unknown, not affiliated with Spirit Hall."

"Intentions unclear, strength unfathomable. Exercise extreme vigilance."

"Do not act rashly for now. Observe the situation."

Even Spirit Hall's intelligence network could not uncover the slightest clue!

Even his grandfather's tone was filled with unprecedented gravity!

These three Super Douluo seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, descending near the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire with power sufficient to overturn the entire situation!

"Sunset Forest..." Xue Qinghe murmured, his fingertip unconsciously tracing the letter.

"Dugu Bo? No... that old poisoner could never possess such might, nor would he have companions... Is some great secret hidden in that place?"

His thoughts raced, trying to connect this sudden development to the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, the Seven Great Sects, and even overseas forces, but he could not find a reasonable explanation.

This feeling of being beyond his control filled Qian Renxue, who was used to planning everything from behind the scenes, with deep irritation and... a trace of barely perceptible wariness.

"Young Master." A low, respectful voice sounded from the shadows within the hall.

Serpent Spear Douluo She Long's figure emerged like a ghost. His face likewise bore gravity and concern, and his gaze toward Xue Qinghe was full of care. "It is late. You should rest."

"Those three... are no small matter, but worry harms the spirit. You must take care of yourself."

Xue Qinghe sighed softly and placed the confidential letter on a small table beside him. His fingertips rubbed at his brow, unable to hide his exhaustion.

"Uncle She, I know."

"But... those are three Super Douluo." At such a critical moment, appearing near Heaven Dou City..." His gaze sharpened. "This is no coincidence."

"They are like swords hanging above our heads. We do not know when they will fall, or where they will strike."

"Even Grandfather has no leads... This feeling is very bad."