Two months passed, and Guang Ling and the others finally returned to Spirit Hall, weary and travel-worn.
Qian Lingche stood at the entrance to the main hall. When he saw them, a relieved smile appeared on his face, and he went forward to greet them. "You're finally back. How did it go? Was everything smooth?"
There was a hint of weariness in Guang Ling's voice. "More or less. We did run into a few problems."
Shi Yi nodded beside him and added, "We found a suitable Soul Beast fairly deep in the ocean. Its attributes were a perfect match for Ji Lin, though it was quite old."
"The hunt for the Soul Ring was a little troublesome, but in the end, we made it through without any real danger."
The main problem was that they were restricted in the sea, and another Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast had gotten involved.
Ji Lin stepped before Qian Lingche and bowed respectfully. Then Soul Power surged around him as his nine Soul Rings appeared one by one.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—and finally, a blood-red Soul Ring slowly rose into view.
"Hall Master, I haven't let you down. I've successfully obtained my ninth Soul Ring."
Snow Empress and the others were exhausted. After exchanging brief greetings, they each returned to rest.
Only Qian Lingche and Ji Lin remained in the main hall.
Ji Lin looked at Qian Lingche, his expression earnest. "Hall Master, I've decided on my title. I'll be called 'Qin Yin.'"
Qian Lingche considered it, then a note of approval flashed in his eyes. "Qin Yin? It sounds lovely. It suits your Martial Soul and has an elegant ring to it."
Ji Lin nodded, his voice touched with emotion. "Thank you, Hall Master. I wouldn't have made it this far without your guidance all these years."
"From now on, I'll do my utmost and never let you down."
Qian Lingche shook his head. "There's no need for that. You've worked hard, too."
"I've seen everything you've done for the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall over the years."
He paused, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "By the way, what level have you reached?"
Ji Lin answered modestly, "Level 95."
Surprise flashed through Qian Lingche's eyes.
He knew Ji Lin's talent was nowhere near Ling Yuan's, yet he had still leapt all the way to level 95. The quality of his ninth Soul Ring must have been exceptional.
As if sensing Qian Lingche's confusion, Ji Lin smiled faintly and explained, "Hall Master, the Soul Beast we hunted this time was a hundred-thousand-year Phantom Sea Octopus."
"Its spiritual power was immense, which made it perfect for me. The hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone it dropped was a skull."
Understanding dawned in Qian Lingche's eyes, and he nodded. "I see. I've read about Phantom Sea Octopuses in books. They're a rare kind of Sea Soul Beast. You were lucky."
Looking at Ji Lin, he suddenly remembered something. With a small smile, he took a Soul Bone radiating brilliant light from his Soul Tool.
He handed it to Ji Lin. "This is a ten-thousand-year right arm bone. It's pretty good quality. Take it and absorb it."
Brother Yi and Lingche already had a full set of Soul Bones, and the Ice Empress and Snow Empress had no use for any. Of the two best ones, he had given the left leg bone to Ling Yuan, so this one could go to Ji Lin.
As for himself, he still had several Soul Ring slots left, and they would all be hundred-thousand-year ones, barring any surprises.
Ji Lin took the Soul Bone. Feeling the energy within it, delight flashed in his eyes. "Thank you, Hall Master!"
Qian Lingche smiled, a sly glint in his eyes. "Well, now that you're back, I can finally take a break."
With that, he grabbed a huge stack of files from the side and shoved them into Ji Lin's arms. "I'll leave these to you. I'm sure you can handle them."
Ji Lin stared at the mountain of files in his arms, looking helpless. He gave a wry smile. "Hall Master, you're..."
But before he could finish, Qian Lingche had already dashed away, leaving only his voice echoing through the air. "Thanks for all your hard work, Ji Lin! I'm going to get some rest!"
Ji Lin stood there, looking at the Soul Bone and files in his arms. He shook his head helplessly and muttered, "Hall Master, you really do know how to slack off..."
"Forget it. The Hall Master trusts me, after all." Ji Lin sighed, resigned himself to it, and carried everything off to get to work.
Emperor Xue Ye sat in his study, his expression grave as he read the battle report in his hands.
A moment later, he looked up at Xue Qinghe, who stood to one side. "Qinghe, tomorrow you'll accompany Marshal Ge Long to the border city. Stabilize the situation there, organize the army's counterattack, and make sure the city holds."
Xue Qinghe's expression turned solemn. He immediately dropped to one knee and replied respectfully, "Yes, Father. I'll do everything in my power and won't let you down."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes. "You've always been level-headed and capable. I have great faith in you. But the situation is unstable, so you must be careful."
If the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been willing to help, he wouldn't have had to risk sending his eldest son there...
Xue Qinghe lifted his head. "Don't worry, Father. I'll proceed cautiously and won't give the enemy a chance to take advantage."
Emperor Xue Ye gave a slight nod and handed Xue Qinghe a token. "This token will let you command the troops at the border city. With it, you can access any resources you need."
"Remember, the border city is a vital gateway to the Heaven Dou Empire. It must not fall."
Xue Qinghe accepted the token with both hands and nodded solemnly. "I understand. As long as the border city stands, Heaven Dou stands. If the border city falls, Heaven Dou will be in danger. I'll give it everything I've got."
Xue Qinghe stood by the window, quietly gazing at the moonlight outside.
Snake Lance Douluo and Puffer Douluo stood silently behind him, without making a sound.
The night breeze brushed past, carrying a hint of chill. Xue Qinghe's gaze grew distant as his thoughts drifted far away.
He thought of Qian Lingche. It had been a very, very long time since he had seen his younger brother.
"Little brother..." Xue Qinghe murmured, his voice threaded with complicated emotions.
He was Qian Renxue, who had left Spirit Hall years ago and disguised herself as Xue Qinghe.
She had also heard about the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall, but ever since her younger brother had left Spirit Hall, news of him had grown scarce.
Fortunately, from the scattered bits of intelligence she had received, she knew her younger brother was doing well. He had left the conflicts of Spirit Hall behind and seemed to have found a quiet life of his own.
But who would have thought that old Xue Ye would try to drag her younger brother into the mess...
Noticing Xue Qinghe's troubled mood, Snake Lance asked quietly, "Young Master, what are you thinking about?"
Xue Qinghe didn't turn around. She only shook her head gently. "Nothing. I'm just... feeling a little sentimental."
Puffer Douluo furrowed his brow slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions as her gaze grew firm and composed once more.
She turned to Snake Lance and Puffer Douluo. "All right, it's late. You should get some rest. We have to leave for the border city tomorrow."
Snake Lance and Puffer Douluo exchanged a glance and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Young Master."
The two of them left, leaving Xue Qinghe alone in the room.
She looked out at the moonlight once more. A softness almost too faint to notice flickered in her eyes as she murmured, "Little brother, I hope all is well with you."