The Far North: First Encounter with Ice and Snow

"First Soul Skill—Angel Assault!" Qian Lingche raised his right hand.

Countless ice cones condensed before him, then rapidly fused, transforming into eight massive ice spikes that shot straight toward the Gale Two-Headed Wolf.

Although the Gale Two-Headed Wolf was extremely fast, it had already been pierced by Qian Lingche's sword and was trapped within his domain, causing its speed to drop significantly.

The eight massive ice spikes instantly pierced its body, and a frigid chill rapidly spread, completely freezing its massive frame.

The Gale Two-Headed Wolf let out a shrill, mournful howl before crashing heavily to the ground, unable to move again.

Qian Lingche clutched his chest, gasping for air as fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

His soul power was nearly exhausted; it seemed he still couldn't handle such continuous release of soul skills.

Meanwhile, the Flame Lion and the Iron-Armored Rhino were still eyeing him covetously, their eyes flashing with savage light.

The Flame Lion let out a low growl, the flames around its body surging once more, the scorching heat waves distorting the surrounding air.

The Iron-Armored Rhino pawed at the ground with its hooves, clearly poised and ready to launch a fatal strike.

Just as the Flame Lion's sharp claws and the Iron-Armored Rhino's horn were about to strike Qian Lingche, a flash of resolve crossed his eyes: "Third Soul Skill—Angel Protection!"

A cold, blue light suddenly erupted from within his body, forming a massive shield that completely enveloped him.

Because Qian Lingche was within the range of his "Ice Pole Domain," the effect of the shield was further enhanced; for three seconds, all attacks against him were rendered ineffective.

Just as Qian Lingche was nearly spent and the Flame Lion and Iron-Armored Rhino were breaking through the shield, two invisible arrows suddenly tore through the air.

"Swish! Swish!" With two soft sounds, the invisible arrows accurately struck the heads of the Flame Lion and the Iron-Armored Rhino.

The two soul beasts didn't even have a final struggle before they completely lost their vitality.

Seeing the invisible arrows, Qian Lingche let out a sigh of relief, but his legs suddenly went weak, and his body uncontrollably tipped backward.

His soul power was completely drained; he didn't even have the strength left to stand.

Just as he was about to collapse to the ground, a figure flashed to his side and caught his shoulders.

"Be careful." Guang Ling's voice sounded in his ear.

Qian Lingche let out a long breath, a helpless smile appearing on his face: "Brother Ling, if you had been any later, I would have been finished."

Guang Ling chuckled and shook his head: "You, you knew I was nearby and still fought so desperately."

"But you really are surprising—level 49, fighting three ten-thousand-year soul beasts alone, and you even killed one."

Qian Lingche shook his head, a hint of feigned arrogance in his eyes as he whispered: "No, it's level 50 now."

As soon as he finished speaking, his body trembled, and a wave of soul power erupted from within him.

A flash of surprise crossed Guang Ling's eyes, followed by a gratified smile: "Not bad, Xiao Che. It seems that real combat was useful after all."

"Since you've broken through to level 50, it's time to find you a soul ring."

The cold wind of the Far North whistled past, the biting chill seemingly capable of freezing everything.

Guang Ling, Shi Yi, Ling Yuan, and Qian Lingche stood on a vast, snowy plain; the surroundings were deathly silent, with only the sound of the wind echoing in their ears.

Guang Ling looked at Qian Lingche with a grave expression: "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 absorbs a hundred-thousand-year ring for their fifth soul ring... isn't that just waiting to explode and die?

Qian Lingche nodded helplessly: "There's no other way. This is my God's Trial; no matter how difficult, I must complete it. Although a hundred-thousand-year soul ring is dangerous, it is a hurdle I must overcome."

Just as the group prepared to move forward, a voice filled with surprise came from behind them: "A God's Trial? This little one has accepted a God's Trial?"

Guang Ling, Shi Yi, and Ling Yuan turned around almost simultaneously, their soul power erupting as they looked vigilantly toward the direction of the voice.

Just as they stood on guard, two figures slowly emerged from the wind and snow.

Leading them was a woman in white with silver hair; her beauty was breathtaking, yet her eyes were as cold as frost, and she radiated a heart-stopping chill.

Beside her was a massive jade-colored scorpion.

The scorpion's body was like a small mountain, its shell covered in crystalline ice, also radiating a bone-chilling cold.

Shi Yi's pupils contracted sharply, his voice low and grave: "Ice Jade Empress Scorpion... and..."

The cultivation of these two soul beasts is too high... I fear it won't be easy to leave today.

The expressions of Guang Ling and Ling Yuan also became incredibly serious, clearly filled with wariness toward these soul beasts.

Qian Lingche had already recognized the two. Although he had been mentally prepared, seeing these two legendary soul beasts of the continent in person still left him deeply shocked.

The silver-haired woman's gaze swept over the group, finally resting on Qian Lingche: "You mentioned a God's Trial just now? Could this little one be the successor of a God's Trial?"

Guang Ling stepped forward, blocking Qian Lingche as he said in a deep voice: "What is the meaning of this, you two?"

The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion transformed into human form and was just about to say something with her hands on her hips when the silver-haired woman beside her gently raised a hand, cutting her off.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Ice Sky Snow Maiden; you may call me Snow Emperor."

She pointed to the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion beside her and said: "You may call her Ice Emperor."

Then, her gaze fell upon Qian Lingche, carrying a hint of anticipation: "Little one, could you release the aura of your divine power?"

They were approaching their next heavenly tribulation... but if there were no surprises, they likely wouldn't survive it.

Hopefully, this little one can give them a bit of a surprise.

Qian Lingche was slightly taken aback. After a moment of thought, he closed his eyes, and a sacred, majestic aura radiated from his body, causing the surrounding ice and snow to tremble slightly under this power.

The gazes of Ice Emperor and Snow Emperor were locked tightly onto Qian Lingche, their eyes filled first with astonishment, then gradually shifting to excitement.

Snow Emperor's breathing grew slightly rapid, her voice carrying an unconcealable shock: "This is... the aura of the Snow God! Little one, you are actually inheriting the Snow God's divine position!"

They possessed hundreds of thousands of years of cultivation; even if they had not lived quite that long, they had still experienced the era of the Snow God.

This power... they could not be more familiar with it.

Ice Emperor also cast aside her initial disdain, whispering: "No wonder we sensed a familiar aura; it turns out to be the Snow God... Little one, you are very fortunate."

Hearing the words of Snow Emperor and Ice Emperor, a look of confusion appeared on Qian Lingche's face.

What did his obtaining a divine trial have to do with them? He frowned slightly and asked with doubt: "May I ask, Seniors, what do you mean by this?"

Snow Emperor sighed softly, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

She raised her hand, her slender fingers waving gently in the air, and the howling wind and snow around them suddenly ceased.

Immediately after, those stationary snowflakes began to rotate slowly, forming a massive ice and snow barrier around them, isolating everything from the outside world.

Snow Emperor looked at Qian Lingche calmly: "Little one, let us make a deal."

Shi Yi and Guang Ling exchanged glances, their eyes full of confusion and bewilderment.

Qian Lingche also looked up and asked cautiously: "Seniors, I have only just broken through level 50; what could I possibly offer you?"

It couldn't be... that they wanted the divine power within him, could it? That would be too absurd.

As if seeing through his worries, Snow Emperor smiled and shook her head: "Little one, do not be afraid. Your strength is indeed not yet powerful enough, but your potential is limitless."

"The Snow God chose you, which means your future achievements will far exceed those of ordinary people. What we need is not your current ability, but your promise for the future."

"To tell you the truth, soul beasts must face a heavenly tribulation every hundred thousand years, and we are not confident that we can survive the next one."

Qian Lingche's heart jolted: "Seniors, do you mean..."

Snow Emperor nodded and continued: "Previously, we learned of a method of 'soul spirits' from an Ice Silkworm."

"This method is equivalent to a sacrifice, yet it allows us to retain our own consciousness."

"It is a win-win deal: we assist your growth, and in the future, once you become a god, you resurrect us."

Upon hearing this, not only Qian Lingche, but also Guang Ling, Shi Yi, and Ling Yuan all looked at Snow Emperor in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.