Snow Empress watched the scene, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes. "Not bad. A large-area attack Soul Skill, and it seems to have a controlling effect too."
Qian Lingche nodded and explained softly, "This is my fifth Soul Skill—Icicle Explosion."
"I can condense six ice-energy spheres at a time, each containing extremely potent icy energy."
"Once they explode, they not only create a powerful shockwave but also freeze any target they hit directly."
"With my current strength, anyone below Soul Saint who takes a direct hit will be frozen solid and find it difficult to break free."
After absorbing the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly's Soul Ring, even with all his efforts to suppress it, his Soul Power had already reached level 55.
Qian Lingche casually waved his right hand, and the six ice-energy spheres hovering beside him shot toward Snow Empress.
Snow Empress remained calm. Facing the oncoming spheres, she merely raised a hand, and an ice-blue shield condensed before her.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ice-energy spheres struck the shield one after another, erupting in deafening roars.
Yet Snow Empress's shield remained perfectly still, without even a hairline crack.
Qian Lingche watched her with a grave look. "You really are strong..."
Then he abruptly clenched his right hand.
"Rumble—"
At his command, the remaining energy spheres exploded all at once, and freezing power swept across the area.
The blast gouged a massive crater into the ground, sending snow and ice flying in every direction.
As the smoke cleared, Snow Empress stood in place, her shield still completely intact.
She looked at Qian Lingche and nodded slightly. "Not bad. That strike is already powerful enough to injure a Soul Saint."
Qian Lingche shook his head. "That's not all."
Before the words had left his mouth, two pairs of ice-blue wings appeared behind him. With a light beat of his wings, Qian Lingche rose into the air and hovered above the ground.
The fifth Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up once more. "Fifth Soul Skill—Extreme Ice Phantom Slash!"
The surrounding snow and ice energy rushed toward him, gathering in his hands.
With a low shout, the energy in his hands burst forth, transforming into a massive ice-blue blade of light that swept toward a distant mountain peak.
"Boom—"
The blade struck, unleashing a deafening roar.
Following Qian Lingche's gaze, everyone looked up. The summit of the distant mountain had vanished.
The once towering peak now ended in a smooth, level cross-section, its surface covered in a thick layer of frost that glinted dazzlingly in the sunlight.
Guang Ling's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't help exclaiming, "Xiao Che, the power of your fifth Soul Skill is already on par with a Soul Saint's attack."
Qian Lingche glanced at the distant peak, then turned to Guang Ling and said helplessly, "Brother Ling, are you trying to heap me with praise until I fall?"
The gates of the Snow God Hall slowly swung open, their heavy leaves rumbling low, as if welcoming their arrival.
Inside, an ice-blue radiance filled the entire space.
The walls, floor, and vaulted ceiling all radiated cold after being suffused with the aura of the Snow God Statue.
Ice Empress looked around and couldn't help marveling inwardly. So this is the Snow God Hall? The chill here is incredible.
The three of them walked slowly to the Snow God Statue and gazed up at its towering form.
A complex emotion filled Snow Empress's eyes: reverence, along with a faint, lingering melancholy.
She murmured softly, her voice as cool as snow and ice, yet touched by a feeling she could barely conceal. "In the blink of an eye, you've been a god for tens of thousands of years, while I'm nearing the end of my road."
"Time is both a blessing and a curse for us. I'm not confident I can survive the next tribulation."
She paused, her gaze lowering slightly. "Shang Yi, I hope you'll bless us and let Qian Lingche ascend to godhood safely."
"This is our last chance, and our only hope."
She had known Shang Yi since before Shang Yi became a god. Back then, when Shang Yi ascended, she had asked Snow Empress if she wanted to go with her.
But Snow Empress had not yet faced this kind of worry, so she had refused.
Who would have thought that tens of thousands of years later, she would still have to depend on Shang Yi and her descendants?
Ice Empress stood beside her. The arrogance she usually carried had faded, replaced by a trace of solemnity.
She gazed at the Snow God Statue and said in a low voice, "We'll definitely succeed."
Standing behind them, Qian Lingche was shaken as he heard their words.
"Don't worry. I'll take one step at a time toward godhood, for your sake and for the sake of those I cherish."
My sister, Brother Ling, Brother Yi, Ling Yuan—if I can become a god, I'll protect you all.
Snow Empress turned to Qian Lingche, looking at him with relief. "I believe in you. From the moment I left the Far North, our fates were bound together."
Ice Empress nodded too, her voice gentler than usual. "Boy, remember your promise. We've placed all our hopes in you."
Shi Yi lounged in a chair and said to Guang Ling, "Fifth Brother, Xiao Che really is amazing. When I was his age, I was only a Soul Ancestor."
Guang Ling shot Shi Yi a glance. "That's because you were lazy. You had plenty of talent, but if you'd worked even half as hard as Xiao Che, you wouldn't have been only a Soul Ancestor at that age."
Shi Yi scratched his head awkwardly and gave a sheepish grin. "Fifth Brother, you're being way too blunt. It's just that... well, my Martial Soul is a little unusual."
Guang Ling gave a soft snort and shook his head. "Unusual? Sounds like an excuse to slack off to me."
"Xiao Che starts cultivating before dawn every day and even stays up late all the time. Meanwhile, you'd rather lie down than sit, and sit than stand."
His eighth younger brother also had a god-level Martial Soul and had been a genius with innate Soul Power at level 20. Unfortunately, he had no ambition at all and was even more playful than Guang Ling.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Shi Yi quickly waved his hands. "Come on, Fifth Brother, don't say that. I am working hard, just in my own way."
Shi Yi spread his hands, his tone laced with helplessness. "Fifth Brother, I'm already level 99. I can't make any more progress by cultivating."
"It's not like I can just become a god, right? Is that even possible? There's no point getting impatient."
Guang Ling looked at him and shook his head, sounding exasperated. "You can always find an excuse to slack off. You stay here and lie around. I'm going to find Xiao Che."
Guang Ling curled his lip, clearly disdainful of Shi Yi's laid-back attitude.
He turned and strode out of Shi Yi's palace. At the entrance, he kicked the door shut without the slightest courtesy.
The heavy door slammed with a resounding bang, making the entire palace tremble faintly.
Standing inside the hall, Shi Yi heard the loud crash and couldn't help giving a wry smile. "Fifth Brother's temper really hasn't changed at all."