Qian Daoliu: Qian Chen, Who Are You?!

Ice Empress's expression dimmed slightly.

"Snow Empress is still waiting for us."

"She must be bored there all by herself."

"I haven't seen her in three years."

Ice Empress lowered her eyes.

She usually carried herself with pride, but now she had put away all her sharpness.

Qian Chen raised a hand and rubbed her emerald-green hair.

"Once we deal with Heaven Dou City, we'll go back."

"You can't delay any longer."

"I won't."

Ice Empress looked up at him.

"You'd better keep your word."

"I will."

She watched Qian Chen for a moment, then leaned a little closer to him.

"Then when we go back, spend time with Snow Empress and me first."

"Alright."

The tension left Ice Empress's face again.

She pressed her forehead against Qian Chen's shoulder and lightly clutched his sleeve.

"I'll keep this immortal herb safe."

Not far away.

Dugu Bo glanced at the two of them, then turned to tend to the medicinal garden.

He did not disturb them further.

Far North.

Amid the snow-covered mountains, Snow Empress stood alone upon an icy cliff.

Her white gown fell across the snow, its hem swaying gently in the frigid wind.

Her silvery-white hair cascaded past her waist, its ends blown over her shoulders.

She was tall and slender, with a slim waist.

Her fair legs were hidden beneath her long dress, with only the tips of her feet exposed against the ice.

Snow Empress raised her head and looked into the distance.

Qian Chen had been gone from the Far North for quite some time.

Ice Empress had left with him as well.

Ice Empress sent messages back every day.

But those words could not replace seeing each other in person.

Snow Empress reached out and brushed the ice tree beside her.

Strings of crystalline ice flowers hung from its branches.

"Qian Chen should have arrived in Heaven Dou City by now."

She murmured softly to herself.

"Will he run into trouble again?"

Snow Empress withdrew her hand.

She recalled how Qian Chen had looked before leaving.

At that time, Qian Chen already possessed formidable strength, yet he had still solemnly promised her that he would return soon.

She believed in Qian Chen.

But the wait was still too long.

Snow Empress turned around.

Her skirt swept over the snow, revealing a pair of long, fair legs.

She arrived before the ice palace and raised a hand to summon a shard of ice crystal.

The ice crystal condensed into a white bird in midair.

"I'm going to Heaven Dou City."

Several soul beasts inside the palace raised their heads.

Snow Empress looked into the distance.

"To see Qian Chen."

The white bird flapped its wings and soared away.

Snow Empress's figure vanished into the raging snowstorm soon after.

Spirit Hall.

Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong sat upon the raised platform, reading through intelligence reports sent from Heaven Dou City.

Qian Renxue stood below the steps.

She still maintained Xue Qinghe's appearance.

A golden-white robe covered her body, her long hair tied behind her head, her face carrying the composure expected of a crown prince.

"The recent situation within the Heaven Dou Royal Family has been thoroughly investigated."

Qian Renxue said,

"Xue Ye's condition is stable. Xue Beng and Xue Xing are still secretly currying favor with the nobles."

"The Imperial Fighting Team has already left Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reputation has suffered somewhat."

Bibi Dong turned another page.

"What about that Qian Chen?"

"He has already entered Heaven Dou City."

Qian Renxue paused for a moment.

"Qian Chen traveled with Skywater Academy. His strength has already reached level eighty-nine."

Bibi Dong's movements stopped.

"Level eighty-nine?"

"When he was eighteen, he already possessed level eighty Soul Power."

Qian Renxue lowered her eyes.

"A few days ago in Heaven Dou City, he even fought Dugu Bo."

"Dugu Bo lost?"

"Ice Empress intervened and drove Dugu Bo away."

Bibi Dong raised her eyes.

"Ice Empress?"

"She has been following Qian Chen all this time."

Qian Renxue recounted in detail what had happened outside the auction house.

After hearing it, Bibi Dong lowered her head again.

"There are quite a few powerful people around this Qian Chen."

"Have you investigated his background?"

"Not yet."

Qian Renxue paused for a moment.

She recalled Qian Chen beneath the moonlight.

At the time, Qian Chen had stood by the lake, his white robes stirred by the night wind.

When he looked at her, his gaze had remained calm.

Yet he had easily seen through what was in her heart.

Qian Renxue curled her fingertips into her sleeve.

"Mother."

"Speak."

"If someone wants to pursue another person, what should they do?"

Bibi Dong looked up at her.

The hall fell silent.

"Why are you asking this?"

"I'm only asking on someone else's behalf."

"Which friend?"

Qian Renxue immediately answered,

"She hasn't known that person for long, but that person already has someone close to him."

Bibi Dong placed the intelligence report in her hand on the table.

"If he already has someone close to him, then she should not interfere."

Qian Renxue's gaze darkened slightly.

"What if she truly likes him?"

"Liking someone is not a reason to fight over another person."

Bibi Dong stood up.

Her violet-black gown spread along the steps, revealing a glimpse of her fair ankle beneath its hem.

"As the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, you should be even less focused on such matters."

"What you need to do is complete your mission."

Qian Renxue lowered her head and looked at the floor.

"I understand."

"And don't let momentary emotions cloud your judgment."

Bibi Dong descended from the platform.

She came before Qian Renxue and lightly tapped her forehead.

"If you cannot even control your own heart, how will you control the Heaven Dou Empire in the future?"

Qian Renxue's body stiffened.

She did not argue.

"Yes."

Bibi Dong withdrew her hand and turned toward the desk.

Qian Renxue remained where she was.

It felt as though a stone was pressing against her chest.

She had only wanted to know whether, if she truly liked someone, she might still have a chance to get close to him.

But Bibi Dong had not given her an answer.

All she received was a reprimand.

Qian Renxue turned and left the Papal Palace.

After the palace doors closed behind her, she removed the disguise from her face.

That exquisite face no longer bore Xue Qinghe's composure.

"I only want to pursue my own feelings."

She lowered her head and looked at her palm.

"Is that wrong too?"

Elder Hall.

Qian Daoliu stood before a tall window.

After leaving the Papal Palace, Qian Renxue came here.

She had changed back into women's clothing.

A pale gold dress wrapped around her tall figure, its straps accentuating the graceful line of her shoulders.

Her golden hair draped down her back, and her skirt fell to her knees, revealing a pair of fair, slender legs.

The moment Qian Daoliu saw the expression on her face, he frowned.

"Renxue, what happened?"

"Nothing."

Qian Renxue walked to the window.

"I only asked Mother something."

"She scolded you?"

Qian Daoliu quickly understood.

Qian Renxue did not answer.

Qian Daoliu looked at her, his gaze gradually softening.

"You've grown up."

"If there's something you want to do, then do it."

Qian Renxue looked up at him.

"Grandfather, don't you think I shouldn't like someone?"

"Who do you like?"

Qian Daoliu's brow twitched.

"Qian Chen?"

Qian Renxue's cheeks immediately flushed red.

She had not expected Qian Daoliu to already know of Qian Chen's existence.

"You know him?"

"I just received intelligence from Heaven Dou City."

Qian Daoliu said solemnly,

"Eighteen years old, eighty-ninth rank Soul Power, possessing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, with an expert at his side capable of driving back Dugu Bo."

"Such talent truly merits your attention."

Qian Renxue gently bit her red lips.

"Mother said I shouldn't devote my energy to romance."

"Bibi Dong isn't wrong."

The light in Qian Renxue's eyes gradually dimmed.

Yet Qian Daoliu continued,

"But she was talking about your mission."

"Liking someone doesn't mean you'll abandon Spirit Hall's plans because of it."

Qian Renxue looked up at him.

Qian Daoliu raised a hand and gently patted her shoulder.

"Renxue, you aren't her."

"You have your own life."

"As long as you understand your priorities, Grandpa won't stand in your way."

Qian Renxue's eyes gradually reddened.

"Really?"

"Of course."

Qian Daoliu looked out the window.

"However, we still need to investigate exactly where this Qian Chen came from."

"He couldn't possibly possess such strength out of nowhere."

Qian Renxue nodded.

Qian Daoliu withdrew his gaze.

"Also, why does his name also contain the character Qian?"

Something stirred gently in Qian Renxue's heart.

Outside the Elder Hall.

The night wind swept over the steps.

Qian Daoliu gazed toward Heaven Dou City, and for the first time, clear confusion appeared on his aged face.

"Qian Chen..."

"Just who is this child?"

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

The scarlet and deep-blue spring waters slowly revolved.

Qian Chen stood at the center of the spring, Soul Power continuously circulating through his meridians.

The Mysterious Heaven Icefire Body had already adapted to the power here, but when his spiritual power probed the bottom of the spring, the Dragon God Bloodline within him suddenly stirred.

Deep within the spring, two more forces seemed to be slumbering.

Qian Chen lowered his head and looked beneath his feet.

The scarlet spring water suddenly surged.

Immediately afterward, the deep-blue spring water also raised enormous waves dozens of meters high.

The two springs rushed into the sky, yet did not fall into the valley.

They converged in midair, separately forming two immense dragon phantoms, one red and one blue.

The dragon on the left was covered in deep-blue scales. Once its wings spread, the entire valley rapidly frosted over.

The dragon on the right burned with crimson-gold flames, its scorching aura beginning to melt the surrounding cliffs.

Dragon might descended with a thunderous boom.

Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically, and his legs sank into the ground.

"What are these things?"

The Ice Empress immediately came to Qian Chen's side.

Emerald Soul Power covered her entire body. She raised her head and stared at the two dragon phantoms, her expression exceptionally serious.

"They aren't ordinary soul beasts."

"These two auras have already surpassed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts."

The deep-blue dragon lowered its head.

"Human."

"You can actually withstand both extreme cold and scorching heat."

The crimson-gold dragon looked at Qian Chen.

"The power of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot has already completely fused with your body."

"Such a physique is enough to inherit this king's power."

The Ice Empress stepped forward.

"Who are you?"

The deep-blue dragon spread its wings.

"I am the Ice Dragon King."

The flames around the crimson-gold dragon surged upward.

"I am the Fire Dragon King."

The two waves of dragon might intensified once more.

All the immortal herbs on both sides of the spring bowed to the ground.

Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul emerged on its own, yet it could not even raise its head.

He braced himself against a nearby stone wall, cold sweat already seeping from his forehead.

"Ice Dragon King, Fire Dragon King..."

"How could beings like you remain in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

The Ice Dragon King ignored him.

Those deep-blue dragon eyes remained fixed on Qian Chen.

"Human, inherit this king's power of extreme cold."

"From this day on, all ice beneath heaven and earth shall be under your control."

The Fire Dragon King immediately spoke.

"What use is the power of extreme cold?"

"Inherit this king's power, and you will command all flames in the world."

Crimson-gold dragon flames spread across the sky.

The entire valley was cast in red.

The Ice Dragon King looked at the Fire Dragon King.

"His martial soul possesses the ultimate ice and snow attribute. He is best suited to inherit this king's power."

The Fire Dragon King snorted coldly.

"He has already cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Icefire Body and can likewise endure this king's dragon flames."

The two immense dragon phantoms approached at the same time.

The Ice Empress stood at Qian Chen's side, emerald cold light already gathering in her palm.

She could sense that both of these remnant souls possessed power capable of threatening her.

If they attacked, the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would be destroyed.

Qian Chen raised a hand, stopping the Ice Empress from continuing to release her Soul Power.

"Bing'er Sister, don't worry."

The Ice Empress turned to look at him.

"They both want to enter your body."

"I know."

Qian Chen looked once more at the two Dragon Kings.

"You don't need to fight over it."

The Ice Dragon King asked, "Have you already made your choice?"

"I have."

The flames in the Fire Dragon King's eyes flickered.

"Speak. Whose power will you inherit?"

Qian Chen's expression remained calm.

"I'll inherit both."

The valley instantly fell silent.

The Ice Dragon King stared at Qian Chen.

"You wish to inherit the powers of both this king and the Fire Dragon King at once?"

"That's right."

The Fire Dragon King's spread wings froze in midair.

"Human, you have considerable courage."

"Ice and fire inherently oppose each other. Even if you have cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Icefire Body, you cannot withstand the complete inheritances of two Dragon Kings."

The Ice Dragon King slowly approached.

Its immense dragon head halted above Qian Chen.

"Coveting both powers will only cause your body to collapse completely."

Qian Chen did not retreat.

"Your power isn't qualified to make me collapse."

The crimson-gold flames suddenly surged.

The Fire Dragon King looked down at him.

"Are you looking down on this king?"

The Ice Dragon King also released even more powerful dragon might.

"Human, what gives you the right to say such words?"

Qian Chen raised his right hand.

Golden bloody light emerged from his palm.

The next moment, the Dragon God Bloodline slumbering deep within his flesh and blood completely awakened.

Boom!

Nine-Colored Divine Light pierced through the valley.

The waters of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well stopped flowing.

A phantom of the Dragon God, stretching across heaven and earth, appeared behind Qian Chen.

Supreme dragon might descended.

The remnant souls of the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King froze in midair at the same time.

The majesty in the two Dragon Kings' eyes swiftly faded, leaving only reverence born from the depths of their bloodlines.

The Ice Dragon King lowered its head.

"Dragon God Bloodline..."

The crimson-gold flames upon the Fire Dragon King also withdrew.

"And complete Dragon God Origin, at that."

The two dragon phantoms descended to the ground.

The Ice Dragon King folded its wings, its immense body prostrating itself before Qian Chen.

"Ice Dragon King pays respects to my lord."

The Fire Dragon King likewise lowered its head.

"Fire Dragon King pays respects to my lord."

Dugu Bo stood frozen beside the stone wall.

The two Dragon Kings, who had possessed supreme majesty just moments ago, had now both submitted before Qian Chen.

He looked at the nine-colored dragon phantom behind Qian Chen, while the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul within him had already retreated back into his body.

"Just who is he?"

The vigilance in the Ice Empress's eyes gradually faded as well.

She walked to Qian Chen's side and carefully examined the Dragon God phantom.

"No wonder you dared to inherit both of their powers at once."

Qian Chen withdrew his dragon might.

"Both of you, begin."

The Ice Dragon King raised its head.

"My lord possesses the Dragon God Bloodline and can naturally contain our origins."

The Fire Dragon King looked toward the spring.

"We have fallen for many years, leaving behind only two remnant souls and portions of our origins."

"To return to the Dragon God Bloodline today is also our final destination."