A Narrow Victory, The Snow God Appears

Behind the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall, Ji Lin stood before Qian Lingche, a look of confusion on his face as he couldn't help but ask, "Hall Master, why choose me for sparring?"

"Isn't Dugu Bo more suitable? He is only level 94; wouldn't that make your Nine Trials of the Snow God easier?"

Hearing this, the corners of Qian Lingche's mouth twitched slightly. "The God Trials do not allow for holding back. Are you expecting him to use his ninth spirit ability and wipe out his own people?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Lin suddenly realized the truth, an awkward smile appearing on his face. "It was my oversight."

Qian Lingche nodded, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "That is why I chose you to spar with. Although your strength is greater than Dugu Bo's, you are a spirit-type, which makes for a better one-on-one."

Ji Lin nodded. "Shall we begin then?"

Qian Lingche stepped back a few paces. "Good, let's begin. Do not stop until I have been defeated."

He raised a hand slightly, and six spirit rings—purple, black, black, black, red, and red—slowly emerged, radiating a heart-stopping pressure.

Immediately following, his sixth spirit ring lit up. "Sixth Spirit Ability—Earth-Splitting Cold Light!"

As the words fell, the ground began to shake violently, and cracks spread rapidly in every direction.

Countless beams of cold light shot out from the fissures, and the air filled with an icy chill, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet instantly.

Seeing this, Ji Lin's expression changed, and he quickly dodged.

Once touched by those beams from the Hall Master's sixth spirit ability, one would be instantly frozen and lose all ability to move.

While dodging, he quickly summoned his own spirit—the Flowing Light Harp.

The body of the harp emitted a soft glow, and as Ji Lin's fingers plucked the strings, a melodious tune immediately rang out.

Guang Ling sat on a giant rock in the distance, watching the battle between Qian Lingche and Ji Lin from afar.

Guang Ling's eyes were filled with gratification. "I truly never expected Xiao Che to be able to trade blows with a Super Douluo."

As he thought this, scenes from the past surfaced in his mind, as if time were flowing backward to the day Qian Lingche was born.

Guang Ling held the newborn Qian Lingche, looking at his rosy little face with eyes full of tenderness.

At that time, all he wanted was for this child to grow up happy.

The scene shifted; Qian Lingche had learned to walk, wobbling behind Guang Ling, calling out in a milky voice, "Brother Ling, wait for me!"

Guang Ling turned around with a smile, crouched down to pick him up, and said dotingly, "Xiao Che, run slowly, don't fall."

Later on, Qian Lingche began practicing his spirit abilities, his small figure training over and over again in the snow.

Guang Ling stood to the side, patiently guiding him. "Xiao Che, your use of spirit power must be more refined; do not be impatient."

Qian Lingche nodded earnestly, his eyes full of determination. "I understand, Brother Ling, I will work hard!"

Time flew by, and Qian Lingche gradually grew into a handsome and steady youth.

His talent gradually revealed itself, and his strength continued to rise; the little guy who once followed behind him could now stand on his own.

"Time passes so quickly..." Guang Ling murmured, his tone tinged with reluctance and nostalgia.

The Nine Trials of the Snow God had already reached the fourth trial; Xiao Che would likely become a god soon.

Ascending to godhood meant going to the God Realm. With a human lifespan, how much longer could he stay by Xiao Che's side...

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and two years had gone by.

Although the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire had temporarily ceased hostilities, the situation on the continent had grown increasingly tense over these two years, like the calm before a storm, leaving people feeling uneasy.

The two great empires maintained peace on the surface, but the secret struggles had never ceased.

Small-scale conflicts occurred frequently in the border regions, with the spirit masters and armies of both sides secretly competing for resources and territory.

Various rumors circulated among the common folk; some said war was about to break out again, while others claimed the two empires were secretly forming an alliance to face a common enemy.

The influence of Spirit Hall had expanded rapidly over these two years, and in the name of "maintaining peace on the continent," they continuously absorbed spirit masters from all over, even secretly interfering in the affairs of the two empires.

Many small sects and families chose to attach themselves to Spirit Hall for self-preservation, and the two great empires were helpless against this.

They lacked the spirit master power to confront them; if they truly committed their millions of troops to a fight, even a victory would come at a devastating cost.

Qian Lingche's spirit power had steadily increased over these two years, reaching level 66.

Relying on his domain and constant refinement of his combat techniques, his strength had also progressed rapidly.

On this day, Qian Lingche and Ji Lin engaged in another sparring match.

The two men's spirit abilities collided in the air, erupting with intense fluctuations of spirit power.

After a fierce exchange, Qian Lingche finally managed to narrowly defeat Ji Lin by a single move.

Ji Lin panted, his face showing a hint of admiration. "Hall Master, your strength has improved again; I am defeated and convinced."

Qian Lingche also clutched his chest and smiled. "It was only by tanking the damage that I managed to narrowly defeat you."

Fortunately, within his domain, his third spirit ability could briefly grant him immunity to all damage, otherwise, he truly wouldn't have been able to win.

"Snow God's Fourth Trial: Defeat a Titled Douluo, complete."

"Reward: Soul Power increased by two levels, all soul ring ages increased by 5,000 years."

As the voice faded, Qian Lingche's body was enveloped in a layer of blue light.

Under the reflection of this radiance, his first soul ring slowly began to change; the original purple gradually faded, replaced by a deep, profound black.

Qian Lingche looked down at the soul ring at his feet, a flash of gratification crossing his eyes: Finally, my first soul ring has reached ten thousand years as well.

Following this, under Qian Lingche's bewildered gaze, the surrounding environment shifted.

The scene of the Snow God Hall gradually blurred, replaced by a sacred space.

Just as Qian Lingche was looking around in confusion, a figure slowly appeared before him.

She wore a silver-blue gown, six wings sprouted from her back, and the divine ring behind her shimmered with the power of ice and snow.

"God Ancestor..." Qian Lingche murmured, his tone laced with a hint of shock.

Qian Shangyi's gaze fell upon him: "Qian Lingche, your growth brings me gratification."

Qian Lingche bowed slightly: "Thank you for your recognition, God Ancestor. I will continue to strive and live up to your expectations."

Qian Shangyi nodded, looking at him as she asked: "The path ahead will be even more arduous. Do you wish to continue now?"

If he could pass the subsequent trials, he would begin to condense his own divinity.

Qian Lingche nodded firmly, his eyes devoid of hesitation: "God Ancestor, I am certain."

Qian Shangyi smiled with satisfaction: "Good."

She raised her hand gently, and in an instant, nine massive curtains of light emerged before Qian Lingche.

Each curtain of light reflected the figure of a person, their life stories unfolding slowly like a scroll; their joys, sorrows, and delights were all presented before Qian Lingche's eyes.