Qian Lingche's consciousness gradually returned. He slowly opened his eyes and realized he was still standing before the Snow God Statue, his palm still pressed against it.
He pulled his hand away and started toward the hall's entrance.
At first, his steps were slow, but as the emotions in his heart began to surge, he quickened his pace until he was running.
He rushed to the entrance and pushed open the heavy door without hesitation.
Blinding sunlight flooded his vision. He narrowed his eyes, adjusting to the sudden brightness.
The moment he opened them, he spotted Guang Ling waiting outside.
His silvery-white hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and his expression was as warm as ever.
The instant Guang Ling saw Qian Lingche, the corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile. "Xiao Che, you're finally out."
Looking at Guang Ling, Qian Lingche suddenly took a step forward, opened his arms without hesitation, and hugged him tightly.
Caught off guard, Guang Ling stiffened slightly. His arms hovered in midair, and for a moment, he didn't know how to react.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but soon he lowered his arms gently and let Qian Lingche hold him.
Qian Lingche buried his face against Guang Ling's shoulder. His voice held a trace of weariness. "Let me hold you for a while."
His voice was soft, yet carried a vulnerability that was hard to describe.
Guang Ling paused, then raised a hand and gently patted Qian Lingche's back. "All right. You can hold me for as long as you want."
War had already erupted along the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
Two massive armies faced each other across a vast plain, the air thick with tension and oppression.
The Heaven Dou Empire's troops stood in orderly ranks, their silver-white armor gleaming with a cold light beneath the sun.
The Heaven Dou banners fluttering in the wind looked especially imposing. At the head of the army, a general on horseback raised his sword high and shouted, "For the glory of Heaven Dou, charge!"
At his command, the Heaven Dou soldiers surged toward the Star Luo lines like a rising tide.
The Star Luo Empire's troops were no pushovers either. Their cavalry had long been ready to charge. Warhorses neighed, and hooves pounded the earth with a dull rumble.
Standing on high ground, the Star Luo general shouted, "Soldiers of Star Luo, kill!"
Guang Ling and Qian Lingche sat on stone stools in the garden. The setting sun cast its glow over them, surrounding them in a warm radiance.
Guang Ling casually picked up a pastry and took a bite. "Xiao Che, what have you been busy with lately? I hardly ever see you around."
Qian Lingche smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "Nothing much. Ji Lin's about to break through, so I've been helping with some odds and ends. What about you, Brother Ling? You're not cultivating in seclusion today?"
Guang Ling shrugged. "I haven't had any inspiration for a breakthrough, so I've got nothing to do. Besides, it's been ages since we last sat down and talked. We can't spend every day cultivating, can we?"
Qian Lingche nodded, a trace of amusement in his eyes. "True. By the way, how's that Self-Created Soul Skill coming along?"
Ever since Brother Ling had run out of ideas for breaking through to level 98, he'd suddenly started researching Self-Created Soul Skills. A few days ago, he'd nearly shot right through his own palace.
Guang Ling waved a hand, his voice tinged with smugness. "It's going well enough. When are you going to break through to level 50?"
At that, Qian Lingche sighed. "Just sitting around trying to figure it out isn't working. I haven't found a way to break through, so I'm planning to go out and explore once Ji Lin has his breakthrough."
Guang Ling patted his shoulder. "Don't rush. Take your time. Cultivating alone won't get you through a breakthrough; you need to get out more."
Still, reaching the brink of level 50 at this age was terrifying. Fortunately, he was the one raising the kid.
After a moment, curiosity flashed in Qian Lingche's eyes. "By the way, Brother Ling, when you went to Heaven Dou City a while ago, did you hear anything interesting? I've been cooped up at home so long, I'm practically cut off from the world."
He wanted to go out but couldn't be bothered to move. Staying in left him restless, but there was nowhere in particular he wanted to go.
Guang Ling nodded. "As a matter of fact, I came across something interesting when I went to Heaven Dou City a few days ago."
"There was a young nobleman who wanted to court a commoner girl so badly that he went out into the street to perform. His family caught him and dragged him home, where they gave him a harsh scolding."
Qian Lingche couldn't help laughing. "That is pretty funny. But the gap between nobles and commoners isn't so easy to bridge."
Guang Ling stretched and said with a sigh, "Yeah. Sometimes I think about it: even though we Soul Masters are powerful, there are still plenty of things we can't do."
"Like when there's something you really want to do, but your status and your position hold you back, and all you can do is watch."
When he finished, Qian Lingche looked at him strangely. "Brother Ling, are you talking about the war between Heaven Dou and Star Luo?"
Guang Ling hummed in agreement, then asked, puzzled, "Why do you think they have to fight?"
War between two nations cost lives and drained their coffers. And there weren't even any spoils worth fighting over, were there?
Qian Lingche shook his head, his tone uncertain. "I don't know, but the two great empires have ignored Spirit Hall's deterrence and openly gone to war. I doubt it's that simple."
After a moment's silence, Guang Ling suddenly smiled. "Xiao Che, you really do think things through more carefully than I do. Still, sometimes I wish you didn't understand all this, and could just be a little happier."
"Brother Ling, are you praising me or putting me down?" Qian Lingche regarded Guang Ling suspiciously.
Seeing that look, Guang Ling poked Qian Lingche on the forehead. "You, of course I'm praising you."
Suddenly remembering something, Qian Lingche stood up, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Brother Ling, forget all that gloomy stuff. Let's try our Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
"Our Soul Power levels are pretty far apart right now, but if I enhance you, we might get an unexpected result."
Guang Ling blinked in surprise, then teased him. "Oh? You've got quite an idea there. But a Martial Soul Fusion Skill isn't child's play. What if something goes wrong?"
Qian Lingche waved a hand, his voice confident. "Don't worry, Brother Ling. I've studied it. Our martial souls are different, but they're both the pinnacle of ice and light. In theory, they should complement each other."
The two of them went to an open space behind the mountain. It was so quiet that the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Guang Ling stared at a distant peak, and his fifth Soul Ring abruptly lit up.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Arriving Without Interval."
As Guang Ling gathered his strength, Qian Lingche flashed into the air.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Angel Holy Light!"
At his words, the powers of ice and light intertwined, turning into countless fine threads that wound around the Invisible Arrow Guang Ling was charging.
Feeling the icy touch on the arrow, Guang Ling paused, then a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "Xiao Che, what are you doing?"
Qian Lingche's voice held a trace of smugness. "Brother Ling, give it a try. See if my power can add to your strength."