"First Soul Skill—Angel Assault!" Qian Lingche raised his right hand.
Countless Ice Cones gathered in front of him, then swiftly fused together, becoming eight enormous Ice Cones that shot straight toward the Gale Two-Headed Wolf.
Though the Gale Two-Headed Wolf was incredibly fast, Qian Lingche had stabbed it with his sword, and it was also inside his domain, so its speed had been greatly reduced.
The eight enormous Ice Cones plunged into its body in an instant. Cold spread rapidly, freezing its massive form solid.
The Gale Two-Headed Wolf let out a mournful howl, then crashed heavily to the ground, unable to move again.
Qian Lingche clutched his chest and panted heavily, beads of sweat breaking out across his forehead.
His Soul Power was nearly depleted. It seemed he couldn't handle releasing Soul Skills in such quick succession.
The Flame Lion and the Iron-Armored Rhino were still eyeing him hungrily, cruel light flickering in their eyes.
The Flame Lion growled, flames surging around its body once more. The scorching waves of heat made the air around it ripple.
The Iron-Armored Rhino pawed at the ground, clearly ready to strike, preparing to deliver a lethal blow.
Just as the Flame Lion's claws and the Iron-Armored Rhino's horn were about to hit Qian Lingche, a look of resolve flashed in his eyes. "Third Soul Skill—Angel Protection!"
A cold blue light suddenly burst from his body, forming a massive shield that completely enveloped him.
Because Qian Lingche was within the range of the Ice Pole Domain, the shield's effect was further enhanced. For three seconds, all attacks against him would be ineffective.
Just as Qian Lingche was nearly spent and the Flame Lion and Iron-Armored Rhino broke through the shield, two Invisible Arrows suddenly cut through the air.
"Shhk! Shhk!" With two soft sounds, the Invisible Arrows struck the Flame Lion and the Iron-Armored Rhino in the head with pinpoint accuracy.
Neither Soul Beast even had a chance to struggle before they lost their lives.
Seeing the Invisible Arrows, Qian Lingche breathed a sigh of relief. His legs suddenly gave way, and his body tipped backward against his will.
His Soul Power was completely exhausted. He didn't even have the strength to stay on his feet.
Just as he was about to fall, a figure darted to his side and caught him by the shoulder.
"Careful." Guang Ling's voice sounded beside his ear.
Qian Lingche let out a long breath, a helpless smile on his face. "Brother Ling, if you'd been a little later, I'd have been done for."
Guang Ling chuckled and shook his head. "You, honestly. You knew I was nearby, and you still pushed yourself so hard."
"But you really are surprising. Level 49, fighting three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts at once, and killing one of them."
Qian Lingche shook his head, a hint of smugness in his eyes. He said quietly, "No, I'm already Level 50."
As soon as the words left his mouth, his body shuddered, and a surge of Soul Power burst from within him.
A flash of surprise crossed Guang Ling's eyes, then he smiled with relief. "Not bad, Xiao Che. Looks like that real combat was useful after all."
"Since you've already reached Level 50, it's time to find you a Soul Ring."
The bitter wind howled across the Far North. Its piercing cold seemed capable of freezing everything.
Guang Ling, Shi Yi, Ling Yuan, and Qian Lingche stood on a vast, snow-covered plain. Silence stretched all around them, broken only by the wind echoing in their ears.
Guang Ling gazed at Qian Lingche, his expression grave. "Xiao Che, are you sure you want to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring? You won't be able to withstand that energy."
Who absorbed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring for their fifth Soul Ring? Wasn't that just asking to explode?
Qian Lingche nodded helplessly. "I don't have a choice. This is my God Trial. No matter how difficult it is, I have to complete it. A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring is dangerous, but it's a hurdle I must overcome."
Just as they were about to continue onward, a delighted voice came from behind them. "A God Trial? This little fellow has received a God Trial?"
Guang Ling, Shi Yi, and Ling Yuan turned around almost at the same time. Their Soul Power erupted, and they warily faced the direction the voice had come from.
While they stood on guard, two figures slowly emerged from the wind and snow.
At the front was a silver-haired woman dressed in white. She was breathtakingly beautiful, but her gaze was as cold as frost, and a chilling aura radiated from her.
Beside her stood a gigantic jade-colored scorpion.
Its body was like a small mountain, its shell covered in glittering Ice Crystals. It, too, radiated bone-deep cold.
Shi Yi's pupils contracted sharply. His voice was low and solemn. "Ice Jade Empress Scorpion... and..."
These two Soul Beasts were far too powerful. It looked like they weren't going to get away easily today.
Guang Ling and Ling Yuan's expressions also turned grave. They were clearly wary of this Soul Beast.
Qian Lingche had already recognized the two. He had been mentally prepared, but seeing these legendary Soul Beasts of the continent with his own eyes still shook him deeply.
The silver-haired woman's gaze swept over everyone before settling on Qian Lingche. "You mentioned a God Trial just now? Is this little fellow the one who inherited it?"
Guang Ling stepped forward, shielding Qian Lingche as he said in a deep voice, "What do you two want?"
The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion took human form and put her hands on her hips, just about to speak when the silver-haired woman beside her raised a hand and gently stopped her.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Heavenly Snow Woman. You may call me the Snow Empress."
She pointed to the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion beside her. "You may call her the Ice Empress."
Then her gaze fell on Qian Lingche, filled with anticipation. "Little fellow, could you release the aura of your Divine Power?"
They were on the verge of facing their next Heavenly Tribulation... and unless something unexpected happened, they feared they wouldn't survive it.
They hoped this little fellow could give them a pleasant surprise.
Qian Lingche froze for a moment. After thinking it over, he closed his eyes, and a sacred, awe-inspiring aura emanated from him. The snow and ice around them seemed to tremble faintly under its power.
The Ice Empress and the Snow Empress fixed their eyes on Qian Lingche. Surprise appeared in their eyes, gradually turning to excitement.
The Snow Empress's breathing quickened slightly, and her voice trembled with undisguised shock. "This is... the aura of the Snow God! Little fellow, you're inheriting the Snow God's divine position!"
They had cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years. Though they hadn't lived for all that time, they had experienced the Snow God's era.
They knew this power all too well.
The Ice Empress also put aside her earlier disdain. She said quietly, "No wonder we sensed a familiar aura. So it was the Snow God... Little fellow, you're very fortunate."
Hearing the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress, Qian Lingche looked confused.
What did his receiving a God Trial have to do with them? He furrowed his brows slightly and asked, puzzled, "May I ask what you mean, senior?"
The Snow Empress sighed softly, a complicated look passing through her eyes.
She raised a hand and made a gentle sweep through the air with her long, slender fingers. The howling wind and snow around them came to an abrupt halt.
Then the frozen snowflakes began to slowly spin, forming a vast barrier of ice and snow around them that cut off everything outside.
The Snow Empress looked calmly at Qian Lingche. "Little fellow, let's make a deal."
Shi Yi and Guang Ling exchanged glances, their eyes full of confusion.
Qian Lingche also looked up and asked cautiously, "Senior, I've only just reached Level 50. What could I possibly offer you?"
Could they... want the Divine Power inside him? That was absurd.
The Snow Empress seemed to see his concern. She smiled and shook her head. "Little fellow, don't be afraid. Your strength is indeed still lacking, but your potential is limitless."
"The Snow God chose you, which means your future accomplishments will far surpass those of ordinary people. What we need isn't what you can do now, but your promise for the future."
"To be frank, Soul Beasts face a Heavenly Tribulation every hundred thousand years, and we have no confidence that we'll survive the next one."
Qian Lingche's heart jolted. "Senior, you mean..."
The Snow Empress nodded and continued, "Earlier, we learned about a Soul Spirit Method from an Ice Silkworm.
"This method is similar to a sacrifice, but it allows us to retain our independent consciousness."
"It's a mutually beneficial deal. We'll help you grow, and after you become a god in the future, you'll bring us back to life."
At these words, not only Qian Lingche but also Guang Ling, Shi Yi, and Ling Yuan stared at the Snow Empress in shock, their eyes full of disbelief.