The gilded floor of the Worship Hall's main sanctuary revealed a six-pointed star formation. Qian Daoliu lightly touched its center, and the golden radiance unleashed by his ninety-ninth-level Soul Power rippled like water across the twelve Angel Pillars.
Qian Renxue stepped barefoot into the center of the formation. Her brilliant golden hair stirred without a breeze. Though the phantom image of her six wings had yet to take shape, the eight Angel Statues floating beneath the dome had already raised their holy swords in unison.
"Focus." Qian Daoliu's voice rang out, and sacred radiance flared along the formation's patterns.
The space behind Qian Renxue suddenly split open. An angel appeared, six wings spread behind him and divine aura brimming around him. Every feather shone with a warm glow like the rising sun.
The moment the Test Crystal touched her fingertips, it transformed into a small sun hovering in the hall.
"Six-Winged Angel, innate Soul Power level twenty!"
Before the cheers had even faded, Guang Ling had already retreated into the shadows of a pillar, carrying a drowsy Qian Lingche in his arms.
Ice crystals clung to the tips of his hair, reflecting the holy light and casting tiny rainbows across Guang Ling's silver hair.
When Qian Daoliu motioned for Qian Lingche to step forward, Mighty Lion Douluo suddenly coughed. "Twins awakening on the same day—there may be a clash..."
"Stand in the center of the formation." Qian Daoliu didn't respond to him. He turned and addressed Qian Lingche.
As Qian Lingche rubbed his eyes and took his first step, frost flowers bloomed across the gilded bricks.
The formation's patterns froze the instant they touched his toes, and the golden radiance was driven back by a surge of deep-blue chill.
Qian Daoliu's pupils contracted sharply. The Angel Statues beneath the dome let out a strained cracking sound.
The instant six ice wings appeared, ice crystals formed in the air throughout the entire hall.
Unlike Qian Renxue's divine warmth, this Angel Martial Soul was carved all over from dark ice, the edges of its wings gleaming with the cold light of the Far North's Eternal Night.
Most chilling of all were those eyes. Under the gaze of their icy-blue pupils, even Mighty Lion Douluo instinctively took half a step back.
"Let's test his Soul Power." Guang Ling handed the Test Crystal ball to Qian Lingche.
With the brittle crackle of ice spreading over it, the Test Crystal, which had borne witness to countless geniuses, burst into blue light. Spidery cracks raced across the orb in the blink of an eye.
"Innate Soul Power level twenty." Guang Ling brushed the ice crystals from Qian Lingche's eyelashes. The corner of his mouth lifted in a genuine smile not seen in years. "He does seem a little afraid of the heat, though."
Qian Renxue ran down the steps, her robe trailing too long behind her. The phantom golden wings swept the tassels from a crystal lamp. "Little brother's wings are so pretty!" She reached for the edge of his ice wings, but the chill made her snatch her fingers back.
Frost flowers formed on Azure Luan Douluo's teacup. Mighty Lion stared silently at the footprints he had left when he stepped back.
Golden Crocodile Douluo stroked the golden scroll recording Qian Renxue's information, yet he didn't turn to a fresh page for a long while.
"Take him to the Far North later," Qian Daoliu said, looking at the Angel Statue, ice crystals seeping from its cracks. "The Soul Beasts there are suited to his Martial Soul."
"I know." Guang Ling lifted Qian Lingche onto his shoulders. "He likes snow, too."
In the second half of the night, the scent of powdered sugar drifted through Feather Hall. Qian Lingche was on tiptoe, reaching for the Snow Honey Jar on the top shelf.
Guang Ling leaned against the doorframe and watched him land on his bottom three times before finally flicking a finger and knocking the ceramic jar down.
"Fifth Consecrator." Bai Yi knelt in the shadow of the corridor. "The Pope Palace sent over a crate of fire-attribute Soul Tools."
"Mm." Guang Ling caught Qian Lingche as he leapt toward him, his wings folding around him like a cocoon. "But he probably won't need them."
When Qian Renxue ran in, the ends of her hair still shimmered with light shed by the Angel God Statue. "Fifth Grandpa, I talked to Grandpa. When little brother comes back, I'll teach him to fly!"
She stuffed a piece of armor into Qian Lingche's luggage. "Little brother, this protective armor can withstand a Soul King's strike. I saved one for you."
Qian Lingche smiled, ran over to Qian Renxue, and hugged her arm. "Thank you, big sister~"
The moment the carriage rolled out of Spirit City, the Angel God Statue seemed to awaken for an instant, though no one knew.
Qian Lingche leaned against the carriage window and breathed onto it, misting the glass until frost flowers formed.
Guang Ling pressed the Warm Jade into his palm, but the chill etched even clearer divine patterns across its surface.
"Are you cold?"
Qian Lingche shook his head. Frost melted from his eyelashes as the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.