The River of Time, Different Times

Qian Lingche's figure hovered in mid-air, seven soul rings rotating slowly beneath his feet and radiating a dazzling light.

The first six soul rings were black, black, black, black, red, and red, respectively, but the final soul ring was distinct from the rest; it was strikingly golden, exuding an aura that was both sacred and majestic.

Behind him, the original four wings had finally transformed into six, each feather appearing like a meticulously carved work of art.

Within Qian Lingche's consciousness space...

Qian Lingche had just landed when the voice of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, excited to the point of near-madness, echoed through his sea of consciousness: "Wow, wow, wow! You kid, Big Brother has hit the jackpot this time!"

"Jackpot?" Qian Lingche frowned slightly, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes: "Tian Meng, what are you talking about?"

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm scurried back and forth in the sea of consciousness, its voice brimming with excitement: "You kid, didn't you feel it? That aura within your body."

"That aura which transcends the boundaries of the mortal realm—that must be the aura of a god, right?"

"Big Brother has lived for so many years, and I have never seen someone as monstrous as you!"

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was now even beginning to regret not having met Qian Lingche sooner.

Upon hearing this, Qian Lingche closed his eyes and carefully sensed his own soul.

Sure enough, it was different from before; it had become purer, more vast, and profoundly sacred.

"Is this a godhead? My own... godhead?" Qian Lingche was somewhat stunned.

"According to what the God Ancestor said, the godhead is the key to becoming a god; only by condensing a godhead can one truly step into the divine realm."

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said with envy: "You kid are truly blessed. You already possess the aura of a god before even becoming one; this is practically cheating."

But then, thinking of something, it coughed twice: "Kid, Big Brother is a million-year soul beast, the only one of its kind in the world."

"I had originally intended to seal my cultivation, fearing you wouldn't be able to withstand it and would explode to death."

"I never expected you to actually withstand the entirety of my cultivation. You really are a monster."

At this moment, having absorbed the energy of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, Qian Lingche's soul power level had been pushed to level 79.

If he hadn't channeled the remaining energy into his sea of consciousness, he would have already broken through to level 80, but that would have been too fast, leaving his foundation unstable.

Suddenly, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said in surprise: "Wait! What is Big Brother seeing? The Titan Snow Demon King and the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly? You kid, you actually let them retain their consciousness?"

Qian Lingche raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "What, are you surprised?"

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice was filled with disbelief: "Of course I'm surprised! Big Brother assumed that after you absorbed their soul rings, their consciousness would be completely erased."

"I never imagined you could allow them to retain their consciousness."

In the outside world, Qian Lingche slowly opened his eyes to see the anxious gazes of the Snow Emperor and the Ice Emperor.

The Ice Emperor spoke directly: "How is it? Was the absorption successful?"

Before Qian Lingche could speak, a familiar voice suddenly came from the side: "With Big Brother here, of course it went fine!"

As soon as the words fell, a round, chubby worm appeared out of thin air—it was none other than the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

He hovered in the air, his plump body looking particularly comical, yet his tone carried a hint of smugness.

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said: "This kid really makes Big Brother jealous. Not only did he successfully absorb my soul ring, but his soul also radiates the aura of a god. Tsk, tsk, tsk, he is simply a monster."

"The aura of a god?" The Snow Emperor and the Ice Emperor both revealed expressions of shock upon hearing this.

Qian Shangyi watched Qian Lingche quietly from below.

A trace of satisfaction flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

"Not bad; this is the heir I chose." Qian Shangyi's tone held a hint of gratification and pride.

Suddenly, the space around Qian Lingche twisted, and the scene before him blurred instantly.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a familiar space—the very place where he had once battled Yingxiang.

"Transformation is often achieved through hardship."

"Snow God's Sixth Trial: Emerge victorious against the combined attack of five level-95 Super Douluo."

"Time limit: One year."

Shi Yi sat cross-legged within his palace, the entire space saturated with dense blue soul power.

"Fifth Soul Skill—River of Time," Shi Yi whispered.

As his words fell, the surrounding space began to twist slightly, and an illusory river emerged from thin air.

Within the river water, scenes drifted past his eyes.

Among these scenes were memories of the past, fragments of the future, and some strange sights he had never seen before.

Shi Yi's gaze lingered on each image, as if he were searching for something.

"The past, the present, the future... the veins of time. What will Xiao Che's future look like?" Shi Yi whispered to himself, his tone heavy with gravity.

Suddenly, Shi Yi's gaze was drawn to a dim, lusterless timeline within the River of Time.

That timeline was starkly different from the others that shone brightly; it seemed to have been deliberately hidden, exuding an eerie, chilling aura.

"This timeline..." Shi Yi frowned, a surge of intense curiosity rising in his heart.

He waved his hand, and the image within the River of Time rapidly magnified, the dim timeline gradually becoming clear.

"If there is an afterlife... how I wish I were not your kin... and had never known you at all..."

As the words fell, high above Jialing Pass, the figure of Qian Lingche shattered abruptly. The fragments transformed into energy and dissipated into the heavens and earth, leaving behind only a single ice-blue feather that radiated a bone-piercing chill.

"No! Little brother..."

Qian Renxue screamed in a breakdown, but there would be no one left to answer her. She reached out to catch the feather, but Ji Lin caught it a step before her.

Standing to the side, Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong were also frozen in place. Agony and remorse flooded their entire beings; they opened their mouths to speak, trembling, but could not force a single word out.

Qian Yuhan and Qian Shangyi lowered their heads and closed their eyes, mourning the departure of Qian Lingche.

This was a child they had watched grow up, a child who had lost the love of his grandfather and parents from a young age. They had witnessed his pain and his hardships. His life had finally begun to have a future, yet...

Seeing the state of these people, Ji Lin couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Heh, the Hall Master and... are both dead. Who are you putting on this display for?"

Hearing this, Bibi Dong snapped back to reality. Looking at Ji Lin, she said in a hoarse voice, "Give me the last thing Xiao Che left behind..."

Ling Yuan could no longer hold back at this moment. "Lord Rakshasa God! Or should I address you as Your Majesty?"

"Now that the Hall Master is dead, are you satisfied? This person you loathed the most, whom you viewed as a stain, is dead."

They did not cherish him while he was alive, so who were they putting on this act for now that he was dead?

"The Hall Master does not wish to see any of you ever again."