More than three years slipped quietly by like flowing water. Qian Lingche, once a little boy, had grown into a twelve-year-old youth.
He stood taller and straighter than before, a little more composure showing between his brows, and a calmness in his eyes.
For the past three years, Qian Lingche had spent most of his time immersed in cultivation.
He knew his strength still fell far short, and that he had to seize every second to improve himself.
So he had chosen to enter seclusion, honing his Soul Power and skills day after day. Not even the clamor of the outside world had disturbed him.
Ji Lin was still as busy as ever. As deputy hall master, he carried the responsibility for the entire Eternal Night Frost Song Hall on his shoulders.
Qian Lingche understood his predicament, but there was nothing he could do. Brother Ling and Brother Yi had no desire to handle affairs, while Ling Yuan barely knew the first thing about them.
So Ji Lin had to bear the burden. Still, he had already chosen several Cardinals to take over his duties; he would finally be able to rest once he broke through to Titled Douluo.
Qian Lingche lounged against the sofa, one hand propping up his head and the other resting casually on the armrest. His voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"These past few years, the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire have been acting strangely. There've been one skirmish after another along the border."
He turned his head and glanced at Ning Jingchen, seated beside him. "At least the two of our sects have enjoyed some peace and quiet here."
At that, Ning Jingchen lifted his teacup and took a sip, teasing him. "What, are you bored? Want to go stir up some excitement at the border too?"
Qian Lingche raised a brow and waved him off with distaste. "Forget it. I don't have time for that."
If Yu Yuanzhen hadn't been badly injured by Ling Yuan a few years ago and still been unable to recover enough to fight,
their Eternal Night Frost Song Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would probably have been dragged into it too.
"At the end of the day, they're fighting over nothing but profit and pride. They fight back and forth, and the common people are the ones who suffer. I don't want any part of it."
Ning Jingchen nodded. "True. The fact that our two sects have managed to remain neutral is a rare bit of peace."
"But who knows how long this balance will last."
Qian Lingche fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "Yeah. The tree longs for stillness, but the wind will not subside... Still, as long as our two sects stand together, no matter how turbulent things get outside, at least we can preserve a haven of peace here."
Ning Jingchen shook his head helplessly, a wry smile on his lips. "If they knew your situation, they probably wouldn't be fighting. They'd be wary of you instead."
Qian Lingche paused, then chuckled. "What, am I that frightening? I'm only a twelve-year-old boy."
Ning Jingchen gave him a sidelong glance, his tone turning serious. "Twelve years old? Ha. If people out there heard you say that, they'd probably be so shocked they'd call an emergency meeting in the middle of the night."
"To reach this level of Soul Power at twelve, and even be on the verge of breaking through to Soul King—who wouldn't be afraid of that kind of talent?"
Qian Lingche tilted his head, a sly smile curling his lips. "Then why aren't you working harder? Didn't you say you'd be my personal support? What, are you already thinking of slacking off?"
Ning Jingchen was briefly at a loss for words. "You brat, when have I ever slacked off?"
"Besides, if I'm going to support you, you'll have to prove you're worth giving it my all."
Qian Lingche raised a brow and pretended to be displeased. "Oh? So you think I'm not good enough?"
Ning Jingchen chuckled. "Of course you're good enough. I'm just kidding."
"Your talent and strength speak for themselves. Who'd dare say you weren't good enough? Besides, I'd already decided I'd be your personal support. I'm not about to go back on my word."
Qian Lingche's lips curved slightly, a hint of pride in his eyes. "That's more like it. But don't think you can slack off just because you're supporting me. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
Just as Qian Lingche and Ning Jingchen were about to head out, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside.
A Cardinal hurried in and bowed respectfully. "Hall Master, the Snow God Statue is complete. Please come inspect it."
Ning Jingchen cut in. "I won't keep you, then. I'll head back. You go take care of things."
At that, Qian Lingche turned to look at him. "Leaving already? Aren't you coming to take a look with me?"
Ning Jingchen quickly waved him off. "It's your statue. What would I be doing here?"
The Eternal Night Frost Song Hall had only told outsiders that they were building a statue. Since it resembled Qian Lingche's Martial Soul, they assumed it was a statue of Qian Lingche himself.
Qian Lingche smiled helplessly and shook his head. "All right, go on back. I'll come find you when I'm done here."
Qian Lingche stepped into Snow God Hall, a palace built specifically to enshrine the statue. It was constructed entirely from white Ice Snow Stone.
Clear, glittering crystals were set into the walls, and sunlight pouring through the dome refracted into dazzling brilliance.
He looked up at the statue, which towered hundreds of meters high. It was made entirely of ice crystal and radiated a faint chill and a sacred aura.
The statue's face bore some resemblance to Qian Lingche's Martial Soul, but it was more imposing and solemn, as if gazing down upon all creation and inspiring awe.
With a thought, Soul Power surged around him, and four Soul Rings—two purple and two black—rose slowly from beneath his feet.
Behind him, his ice-blue Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul appeared silently. Its six enormous wings unfurled gently, radiating a biting chill and sacred brilliance.
In truth, his Martial Soul was no different from his older sister's. The only difference was that she controlled light and fire, while he controlled light and ice.
Qian Lingche tapped the air with his toes and floated before the statue.
As if it had a soul of its own, the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul reached out a hand of its own accord, aiming its palm at the statue.
Ice-blue energy poured from the Six-Winged Angel's hand like a gentle stream, slowly flowing into the statue.
As the energy continued to pour in, the statue gradually lit up with dazzling blue light. Its chill and sacred aura grew ever stronger, until the entire Snow God Hall seemed to be enveloped in an icy-blue radiance.
Suddenly, the statue's eyes blazed to life. A massive pillar of icy-blue light shot from its body, soaring straight into the clouds.
Even the clouds churned into a swirling vortex. Across the entire Heaven Dou Empire, the sky abruptly darkened, and then snowflakes began drifting down in flurries.
The snow, pure and white, blanketed the earth and obscured people's view.
The whole Heaven Dou Empire seemed to plunge into winter in an instant. Streets, rooftops, and trees were all covered in a thick layer of snow.
People poured out of their homes and stared up at the sky, their eyes filled with shock and awe.
"Is this... a divine miracle?" someone murmured, their voice full of disbelief.
"It's coming from the direction of the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall! Could it be..."