Qin Yin Douluo, Border Town in Peril

Two months passed, and Guang Ling and the others finally returned to Spirit Hall, travel-worn and weary.

Qian Lingche stood at the entrance of the great hall. Seeing their figures, a look of relief crossed his face as he stepped forward to greet them. "You've finally returned. How did it go? Was everything smooth?"

Guang Ling's tone carried a hint of exhaustion. "It went reasonably well, though we did run into some trouble."

Shi Yi, standing to the side, nodded and added, "We found a suitable soul beast in the depths of the sea. While its attributes were a perfect match for Ji Lin, its age was quite significant."

"The process of hunting the soul ring had its twists and turns, but in the end, we emerged unscathed."

In truth, it was mostly because they were restricted while underwater, compounded by the interference of other hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.

Ji Lin walked up to Qian Lingche and bowed respectfully. Then, his soul power surged, and his nine soul rings appeared one by one.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—and finally, a blood-red soul ring rose slowly into the air.

"Hall Master, I have lived up to your expectations. I have successfully obtained my ninth soul ring."

Snow Emperor and the others, feeling somewhat drained, exchanged brief greetings before heading off to rest.

Inside the hall, only Qian Lingche and Ji Lin remained.

Ji Lin looked at Qian Lingche, his expression solemn. "Hall Master, I have decided on my title. I shall be called 'Qin Yin'."

Qian Lingche pondered this for a moment, a flash of approval in his eyes. "Qin Yin? That is a lovely name. It fits your martial soul perfectly and carries a touch of elegance."

Ji Lin nodded, his tone filled with emotion. "Thank you, Hall Master. Over these years, it is thanks to your cultivation that I have reached this point."

"In the future, I will certainly give my all and never fail to live up to your expectations."

Qian Lingche shook his head. "There is no need for that; you have sacrificed much yourself."

"I have seen all you have contributed to the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall over these years."

He paused, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "By the way, what is your level now?"

Ji Lin answered modestly, "Level 95."

Qian Lingche's eyes widened in surprise.

He knew Ji Lin's talent; it was far inferior to Ling Yuan's. To be able to leap to level 95 suggested that the quality of his ninth soul ring must be exceptionally high.

As if sensing the doubt in Qian Lingche's eyes, Ji Lin smiled slightly and explained, "Hall Master, the soul beast we hunted this time was a hundred-thousand-year Phantom Sea Octopus."

"Its mental power was immense, which suited me perfectly, and the hundred-thousand-year soul bone it dropped was a skull bone."

Qian Lingche nodded in realization. "I see. I've read about the Phantom Sea Octopus in books before; it's a rare type of sea soul beast. You are truly lucky."

He looked at Ji Lin, suddenly remembering something, and smiled as he retrieved a soul bone radiating a brilliant light from his soul storage device.

He handed it to Ji Lin. "This is a ten-thousand-year right arm bone. The quality is quite good; take it and absorb it."

Brother Yi and Lingche already had full sets of soul bones, and Ice Emperor and Snow Emperor had no use for it. Since he had already given the best left leg bone to Ling Yuan, he might as well give this one to him.

As for himself, he still had several soul ring slots left, and barring any accidents, they would all be hundred-thousand-year rings.

Ji Lin took the soul bone, feeling the energy contained within, and a flash of pleasant surprise crossed his eyes. "Thank you, Hall Master!"

Qian Lingche chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Since you're back, it's perfect—I can finally take a break."

With that, he pulled a massive stack of files from the side and shoved them directly into Ji Lin's arms. "I'll leave these to you. I trust you'll be able to handle them well."

Ji Lin looked at the mountain of files in his arms, his expression turning helpless as he gave a wry smile. "Hall Master, what are you..."

However, before he could finish, Qian Lingche had already slipped away, leaving only a single sentence echoing in the air: "Thanks for your hard work, Ji Lin! I'm going to get some rest!"

Ji Lin stood where he was, looking at the soul bone and the files in his arms, shaking his head helplessly as he muttered under his breath, "Hall Master, you really are... good at slacking off."

"Oh well, who else but the Hall Master would trust me so much?" Ji Lin sighed, resigning himself to his fate as he carried the items away to be processed.

Emperor Xue Ye sat in the imperial study, his expression grave as he stared at the battle report in his hands.

A moment later, he looked up, his gaze falling on Xue Qinghe, who stood to the side. "Qinghe, tomorrow you will accompany Marshal Ge Long to the border city. Stabilize the situation there, organize the army for a counterattack, and ensure the border city is held at all costs."

Xue Qinghe's expression turned stern upon hearing this. He immediately knelt on one knee and replied respectfully, "Yes, Father Emperor. This son will certainly give his all and will never fail to live up to your expectations."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded, a hint of gratification in his eyes. "You have always been steady and capable, and I have great confidence in you. However, the current situation is unstable; you must act with caution."

If only the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall or the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect could intervene, he wouldn't have to risk sending his eldest son...

Xue Qinghe looked up. "Rest assured, Father Emperor. This son will act with prudence and will never give the enemy an opening."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded slightly and took out a token, handing it to Xue Qinghe. "This is the token to mobilize the border army. With it, you may command all available resources."

"Remember, the border city is a vital pass for my Heaven Dou Empire; it must not be lost."

Xue Qinghe took the token with both hands and nodded solemnly. "This son understands. If the border city stands, Heaven Dou stands. If the border city falls, Heaven Dou is in peril. This son will do his utmost."

Xue Qinghe stood by the window, quietly watching the moonlight outside.

Snake Spear Douluo and Puffer Douluo stood silently behind him, not making a sound.

The night breeze brushed past, carrying a hint of chill. Xue Qinghe's gaze grew slightly distant, his thoughts drifting involuntarily into the distance.

He thought of Qian Lingche; it had been a very, very long time since he had last seen his younger brother.

"Little brother..." Xue Qinghe murmured, his voice laced with complex emotions.

He was none other than Qian Renxue, who had left Spirit Hall years ago to disguise himself as Xue Qinghe.

He had heard of the matters concerning the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall, but ever since his little brother had departed from Spirit Hall, news of him had become increasingly scarce.

Fortunately, from the sporadic intelligence he gathered, he learned that his little brother was doing well, far removed from the strife of Spirit Hall, and seemed to have found a peace of his own.

It was just that the old man, Xue Ye, actually wanted to drag his little brother into the fray...

Snake Spear sensed that Xue Qinghe was in a foul mood and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, what are you thinking about?"

Xue Qinghe did not turn back, merely shaking his head slightly. "Nothing, just... feeling a bit sentimental, that is all."

Pufferfish frowned slightly, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he did not speak.

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in his heart, his gaze turning firm and calm once more.

He turned around to look at Snake Spear and Pufferfish. "Very well, it is getting late. You should go and rest as well; we must head to the border city tomorrow."

Snake Spear and Pufferfish exchanged a glance and bowed respectfully. "Understood, Young Master."

The two turned and left, leaving Xue Qinghe alone in the room.

He looked once more at the moonlight outside the window, a trace of imperceptible tenderness flashing through his eyes as he murmured, "Little brother, may you be well."