In the back hills behind the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall, Ji Lin stood before Qian Lingche, looking somewhat puzzled. He couldn't help asking, "Hall Master, why did you ask me to spar with you?"
"Wouldn't Dugu Bo be a better choice? He's only level 94. Wouldn't that make your God Trial easier?"
At that, Qian Lingche's mouth twitched. "You can't go easy during a God Trial. Are you expecting him to use his Ninth Spirit Ability and wipe out his own people?"
Hearing that, Ji Lin immediately understood. An awkward smile appeared on his face. "I didn't think it through."
Qian Lingche nodded, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "That's why I asked you to spar with me. You're stronger than Dugu Bo, but you're a mental-type Soul Master, so you're easier to handle one-on-one."
Ji Lin nodded. "Shall we start now?"
Qian Lingche took a few steps back. "All right. Let's begin. Don't stop until I'm defeated."
He raised a hand slightly. Six Soul Rings—purple, black, black, black, red, and red—slowly appeared, radiating a heart-chilling pressure.
Then his Sixth Soul Ring lit up. "Sixth Soul Skill—Earth-Splitting Cold Light!"
As his voice fell, the ground began to shake violently, and cracks swiftly spread across it.
Countless icy beams shot out from the cracks. A bone-chilling aura filled the air, and even the temperature around them plummeted.
Ji Lin's expression changed at the sight, and he quickly dodged.
If even one of the Hall Master's Sixth Soul Skill's beams struck him, he would be frozen instantly and lose the ability to move.
As he dodged, he swiftly summoned his Martial Soul—the Flowing Light Harp.
A gentle glow emanated from the harp. Ji Lin plucked its strings, and melodious notes rang out at once.
Guang Ling sat on a boulder in the distance, watching Qian Lingche and Ji Lin's battle from afar.
Guang Ling's eyes were full of relief. "I never imagined Xiao Che would be able to trade blows with a Super Douluo."
As he thought about it, scene after scene from the past came to mind. It was as though time had turned back to the day Qian Lingche was born.
Guang Ling held the newborn Qian Lingche in his arms. Looking at the baby's rosy little face, his eyes brimmed with affection.
Back then, all he had wanted was for the child to grow up happy.
The scene shifted. Qian Lingche had learned to walk and was toddling after Guang Ling, calling out in his babyish voice, "Brother Ling, wait for me!"
Guang Ling turned with a smile, crouched down, and scooped him up. "Xiao Che, slow down. Don't fall."
Later, Qian Lingche began practicing his Soul Skills, his small figure repeating the same drills again and again in the snow.
Guang Ling stood nearby, patiently guiding him. "Xiao Che, you need to control your Soul Power more delicately. Don't rush."
Qian Lingche nodded earnestly, determination shining in his eyes. "I understand, Brother Ling. I'll work hard!"
Time flew by, and Qian Lingche gradually grew into a handsome, composed young man.
His talent steadily emerged, and his strength continued to grow. The little one who once followed Guang Ling around could now stand on his own.
"How time flies..." Guang Ling murmured, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance and nostalgia.
Xiao Che had already reached the Fourth Trial of the Nine Trials of the Snow God. He would become a god soon, wouldn't he?
To become a god, he would have to go to the Divine Realm. Given a human's lifespan, how much longer would Guang Ling be able to stay by Xiao Che's side?
Two years passed in the blink of an eye.
Although the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire had temporarily ceased fighting, the situation on the continent had grown increasingly tense over the past two years. It was the uneasy calm before a storm.
The two great empires maintained peace on the surface, but their secret struggles had never ceased.
Small-scale clashes broke out frequently along the borders, as the Soul Masters and armies of both sides contended in secret over resources and territory.
Rumors also spread among the people. Some said war was about to break out again; others claimed the two great empires were secretly forming an alliance to fight a common enemy.
Over the past two years, Spirit Hall had expanded rapidly. In the name of "maintaining peace across the continent," it continued recruiting Soul Masters from every region and even secretly meddled in the affairs of the two great empires.
Many small sects and families chose to ally themselves with Spirit Hall to protect themselves, but the two great empires were powerless to stop them.
They had no Soul Master forces capable of opposing it. If they truly sent a million troops to fight, even victory would come at a devastating cost.
Qian Lingche's Soul Power had steadily increased over the past two years, and he had now reached level 66.
With the help of his domain and his constant refinement of his combat skills, his strength had also improved rapidly.
That day, Qian Lingche and Ji Lin sparred once again.
Their Soul Skills collided in midair, unleashing powerful waves of Soul Power.
After a fierce exchange, Qian Lingche finally eked out a narrow victory over Ji Lin.
Ji Lin panted, admiration in his expression. "Hall Master, you've improved again. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."
Qian Lingche smiled, one hand pressed to his chest. "I only barely beat you by taking the hits."
Luckily, inside his domain, his Third Soul Skill could briefly make him immune to all damage. Otherwise, he really wouldn't have been able to beat Ji Lin.
"Fourth Trial of the Snow God: Defeat a Titled Douluo. Complete."
"Reward: Soul Power increased by two levels; all Soul Rings' ages increased by 5,000 years."
As the voice faded, a layer of blue light enveloped Qian Lingche.
Beneath its glow, his First Soul Ring slowly changed. Its original purple faded away, replaced by a deep black.
Qian Lingche lowered his gaze to the Soul Ring beneath his feet, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "At last, my First Soul Ring has reached ten thousand years."
Then, as Qian Lingche stared in confusion, the surroundings began to change.
The Snow God Hall gradually blurred, replaced by a sacred space.
Just as Qian Lingche looked around in bewilderment, a figure slowly appeared before him.
She wore a silver-blue gown, had six wings on her back, and an aureole behind her that shimmered with the power of ice and snow.
"God Ancestor..." Qian Lingche murmured, his voice carrying a hint of shock.
Qian Shangyi's gaze settled on him. "Qian Lingche, your growth fills me with pride."
Qian Lingche bowed slightly. "Thank you for recognizing me, God Ancestor. I'll keep working hard and won't disappoint your expectations."
Qian Shangyi nodded and looked at him. "The road ahead will be even more difficult. Do you want to continue now?"
If he passed the trials that followed, he would begin to condense his own divinity.
Qian Lingche nodded firmly, his gaze unwavering. "God Ancestor, I'm certain."
Qian Shangyi smiled with satisfaction. "Good."
She raised a hand slightly, and nine enormous screens of light appeared before Qian Lingche.
A figure appeared in each screen. Their lives unfolded like scrolls, their joys and sorrows all laid bare before Qian Lingche.