Qian Renxue: I Have an Older Brother?!!

Shui Yue'er also walked up to Qian Chen.

"My sister's Ice Phoenix and my martial soul should have been able to fuse."

"But we've never been able to find the true point of compatibility."

"Show me once."

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er exchanged a glance.

The two walked to the center of the courtyard.

Shui Bing'er raised her hand.

The Ice Phoenix martial soul spread its wings behind her, and large swathes of ice crystals appeared.

Shui Yue'er's Moonshadow martial soul appeared at the same time.

Pale silver moonlight spread from beneath her feet, and the surrounding air began to turn hazy.

The two currents of Soul Power gradually drew closer.

The Ice Phoenix let out a clear cry, while Moonshadow condensed into a crescent moon in midair.

But when the two powers truly came into contact, cracks immediately appeared in the ice crystals.

Shui Yue'er took half a step back.

Shui Bing'er also withdrew her Soul Power.

Both of their faces turned pale.

"Your problem isn't the strength of your Soul Power."

Qian Chen walked over to their side.

"The Ice Phoenix's power leans toward explosive force, while the Moonshadow martial soul excels more at transformation."

"You've been forcing the two kinds of Soul Power to merge, which is why they repel each other."

Shui Bing'er looked at him.

"Then what should we do?"

"The Ice Phoenix will determine the direction."

Qian Chen looked at Shui Yue'er.

"Moonshadow will change the form of the Soul Power."

"Sister Bing'er, release the ice and snow. You'll make the ice and snow flow."

Shui Yue'er blinked.

"Make the ice and snow flow?"

"Don't treat your Soul Power as a separate force."

"Blend it into the Ice Phoenix's attack."

Shui Bing'er slowly nodded.

"I'll be responsible for releasing the power."

"I'll be responsible for guiding the power."

Shui Yue'er looked at Qian Chen.

"And that will work?"

"Try again."

The two returned to the center of the courtyard.

Shui Bing'er's fourth soul ring lit up.

The Ice Phoenix spread its wings, and vast waves of cold air descended from above.

Shui Yue'er did not immediately unleash a soul skill.

She closed her eyes and transformed her Moonshadow Soul Power into countless silver points of light.

Rather than colliding head-on with the Ice Phoenix, those points of light followed the flow of the cold air and merged into every ice crystal.

The cold air began to spin.

The ice crystals no longer scattered in all directions. Instead, they gathered into a silver-white sea of flowers in midair.

The petals were formed of ice and snow, their edges tinged with moonlight.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er opened their eyes at the same time.

At that moment, their Soul Power became completely linked.

"Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Falling Ice and Snow!"

As the words fell,

ice flowers filled the sky and descended from above.

Every petal carried extreme cold, turning into frost the instant it touched the ground.

The stone bricks in the courtyard were swiftly covered in white.

The branches in the distance formed crystalline ice patterns, and even the dust in the air slowly came to a halt amid the ice flowers.

Qian Chen raised his hand.

A layer of golden Soul Power blocked the front of him.

The sea of ice and snow flowers struck the barrier, erupting in a series of cracking sounds.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er withdrew their Soul Power at the same time.

They stood where they were, fine beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

Shui Yue'er immediately ran up to Qian Chen.

"Did we succeed?"

"You succeeded."

She turned back to Shui Bing'er.

"Sister, we really did it!"

Shui Bing'er smiled as well.

"Falling Ice and Snow."

"That's a good name."

Qian Chen looked at the frost covering the courtyard.

"You've already mastered the basics."

Shui Yue'er's eyes lit up.

"Can we keep improving it?"

"Yes."

Qian Chen looked at the two of them.

"Although your Martial Soul Fusion Skill can form a complete cycle, it lacks a third power."

Shui Bing'er asked,

"A third power?"

"Fire."

Qian Chen raised his hand.

Crimson-gold flames ignited in his palm.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er both looked at him.

"Ice and snow will cover the target, and Moonshadow will guide it."

"My flames will pierce through."

Shui Yue'er immediately understood.

"The three of us can also use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

"In theory, yes."

Qian Chen walked over to them.

"But a three-person fusion requires greater control over Soul Power."

"Sister Bing'er, you'll maintain the Ice-Snow Domain."

"Yue'er, you'll compress the power of ice and snow into a single passage."

"I'll send the flames into that passage."

Shui Bing'er nodded.

"What if the flames clash with the ice and snow?"

"I'll control them."

Shui Yue'er looked at Qian Chen.

"You'll bear both forces by yourself?"

"That's exactly what you need to practice."

Qian Chen raised his hand.

"Begin."

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er stood in front.

Qian Chen stood behind them.

The Soul Power of all three erupted at once.

The Ice Phoenix spread its wings, and ice and snow swiftly blanketed the courtyard.

The Moonshadow martial soul transformed into a silver wheel of light, drawing the ice flowers filling the sky together ahead of them.

Qian Chen's eighth soul ring lit up behind him.

Crimson-gold dragonflame rose from within him, but did not immediately surge forth.

The flames slowly flowed along his arm before finally stopping in his palm.

Shui Bing'er bit her red lip.

"The ice and snow are losing control."

"Keep your Soul Power stable."

Qian Chen stared ahead.

"Yue'er, change the direction of your guidance."

Shui Yue'er formed hand seals.

The silver wheel of light immediately shifted.

The ice flowers that had been scattered everywhere began to spin, gradually gathering into a massive passage of ice and snow.

Qian Chen sent the Crimson-Gold Dragonflame in his palm into it.

Boom!

The ice-snow passage shook violently.

Shui Bing'er's body swayed.

Shui Yue'er immediately reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Sister, hold on!"

Shui Bing'er stabilized her Soul Power once more.

The Ice Phoenix behind her let out a clear cry, and its wings snapped shut.

The ice-snow passage contracted with it.

The Crimson-Gold Dragonflame was continuously compressed within it.

The two opposing powers did not immediately erupt. Instead, guided by Moonshadow Soul Power, they formed a whirlwind interwoven with crimson-gold and azure blue.

A dragon's roar came from above the courtyard.

An Ice Dragon rushed out first.

Flames followed close behind, transforming into a phoenix spreading its wings.

The Ice Dragon coiled around the phoenix.

Cold air and blazing flames spread in turns, and the skies above the entire Crown Prince's Residence were illuminated by two-colored light.

"Third Soul Skill, Ice Dragon Flame Phoenix Calamity!"

The Soul Power of all three erupted at once.

The Ice Dragon and Flame Phoenix met in midair.

In an instant,

the heavens seemed to be torn open by a rift.

On one side was extreme frost covering the long streets, and on the other were crimson-gold flames burning through the clouds.

The two powers fused at the center, transforming into a pillar of ice and fire several zhang wide that crashed down toward the open ground beyond the rear courtyard.

Qian Chen raised his hand.

Nine-Colored Divine Light spread from his palm.

The pillar of ice and fire was guided into the sky.

Boom!

The clouds were pierced straight through.

Frost and flames exploded across the sky, forming a dazzling curtain of light.

All the soul masters within the Crown Prince's Residence raised their heads.

Snow Empress and Ice Empress approached from the other side of the courtyard.

The two looked at the Ice Dragon and Flame Phoenix in the sky, and both stopped at once.

Ice Empress's emerald eyes widened.

"Is this Bing'er and Yue'er's Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

Snow Empress did not answer.

She could sense that the soul skill contained not only the power of the Ice Phoenix and Moonshadow, but also Qian Chen's dragonflame.

Guided by Moonshadow, the powers of ice and fire had already formed a complete cycle.

The Ice Dragon circled once in the air.

The Flame Phoenix spread its wings.

Both vanished at the same time.

A sky full of light slowly drifted down.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er's bodies went limp as they fell forward.

Qian Chen reached out and caught them both.

Shui Yue'er leaned against his chest, her forehead covered in sweat.

"Did we succeed?"

"We did."

Qian Chen supported her with one hand and held Shui Bing'er's shoulder with the other.

"Ice Dragon Flame Phoenix Calamity has taken shape."

Shui Bing'er looked up at the sky.

The shock still lingered in her eyes.

"How powerful could that attack be?"

"If it hit head-on, even a Titled Douluo would have to defend with all their strength."

Shui Yue'er's eyes immediately widened.

"It's that strong?"

"You haven't fully mastered it yet."

Qian Chen looked at the two of them.

"Once your Soul Power becomes more stable, its power will increase further."

The Ice Empress hurried over.

She looked at the lingering glimmers of ice and fire in the sky, then at Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.

"That move could already threaten an ordinary Titled Douluo."

The Snow Empress came to Qian Chen's side.

Her silver-white hair was lifted by the aftershock, and her pure white dress fell over the frost-covered ground.

She looked up at the sky.

"Ice and fire naturally repel each other."

"Yet you made them merge into the same move."

Shui Bing'er steadied herself.

"Qian Chen taught us."

Shui Yue'er immediately wrapped her arms around Qian Chen's arm.

"Without him, my sister and I couldn't even perform Falling Ice and Snow properly."

The Ice Empress looked at Shui Yue'er, then at Shui Bing'er.

"You two learned quickly enough."

Shui Yue'er lifted her chin.

"That's because Qian Chen and we work well together."

The Ice Empress reached out and poked her forehead.

"Who was it that nearly sent her Soul Power in the wrong direction just now?"

Shui Yue'er covered her forehead.

"That was our first attempt."

The Snow Empress's gaze fell on Qian Chen.

"You used quite a bit of Soul Power too."

"I'm fine."

Qian Chen withdrew the hand supporting Shui Bing'er.

But Shui Bing'er did not step away immediately.

She stood beside Qian Chen, her fingers lightly clutching his sleeve.

"Will you still guide us during our next training session?"

"I will."

The smile in Shui Bing'er's eyes gradually brightened.

Shui Yue'er immediately raised her hand.

"Me too."

"You two should stabilize your Soul Power first."

Qian Chen looked toward the sky.

"Ice Dragon Flame Phoenix Calamity cannot be used consecutively."

"You must at least wait until your Soul Power has fully recovered."

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er nodded together.

The distant frost gradually dissipated.

Only the mark piercing through the clouds above the courtyard remained unclosed for a long time.

The Snow Empress looked at that stretch of sky.

"Qian Chen."

"Hmm?"

"Your current strength has already surpassed that of many Titled Douluo."

The Snow Empress gazed at the sky.

The ice-and-fire scar through the clouds was slowly fading. Crimson gold and deep blue light intertwined, making the sky above the Crown Prince's Residence especially bright.

Qian Chen lowered his hand.

"Not enough."

Shui Bing'er looked up at him.

"You're already level eighty-nine."

"Only after reaching level ninety will I truly have the qualifications to fight the strongest experts."

Qian Chen looked into the distance.

"The Soul Master Tournament is about to begin. Quite a few powerful experts will appear in Heaven Dou City."

Shui Yue'er hugged his arm.

"Then we'll compete with you too."

"You should stabilize your Soul Power first."

Qian Chen raised a hand and lightly tapped Shui Yue'er's forehead.

"Ice Dragon Flame Phoenix Calamity cannot be used repeatedly."

Shui Yue'er covered her forehead and gave a soft huff.

"Got it."

Shui Bing'er moved to Qian Chen's other side.

She glanced at where Shui Yue'er was holding him, then raised her hand and took Qian Chen's other hand.

"Then train with us."

The Ice Empress stood nearby, her gaze falling upon their clasped hands.

She folded her arms.

"One person holding each hand. Chen'er has arranged things quite neatly."

Shui Yue'er immediately looked at her.

"Ice Empress, you can hold his hand too."

The Ice Empress walked up to Qian Chen.

She reached out and gripped Qian Chen's sleeve, her emerald-green hair falling over her shoulders.

"I don't need to share with anyone else."

She stepped forward and directly linked her arm through Qian Chen's.

Shui Bing'er's fingers lightly tightened.

Shui Yue'er looked from side to side, then suddenly laughed.

"Big Sister, you're jealous too."

"I'm merely reminding you."

The Ice Empress shot her a glance.

"Once the competition begins, don't hold Chen'er back."

Shui Bing'er did not reply.

As she watched the two women press close to Qian Chen, the discomfort in her heart gradually faded.

Qian Chen stood between the three of them, his gaze turning toward the training room.

"We'll continue tomorrow."

"Alright."

Shui Bing'er nodded.

She did not let go of Qian Chen's hand.

Night fell.

Qian Renxue returned to the Elder Hall alone.

She changed out of her pale gold dress and put on Spirit Hall's white-gold robes once more.

Yet an inescapable dejection remained on her exquisite face.

Bibi Dong had rejected her.

Qian Chen had rejected her too.

Neither had truly hurt her, yet both made her feel as though she stood far away from them.

Qian Renxue went to the tall window.

The night breeze stirred her golden hair.

"Grandfather."

Qian Daoliu turned around.

At a glance, he saw Qian Renxue's mood.

"Is it because of Qian Chen again?"

Qian Renxue did not deny it.

She came to the window and placed both hands on the cold stone ledge.

"I confessed my feelings to him."

"He rejected you?"

"Mm."

Qian Renxue lowered her head.

"He said I was important to him, but being important didn't mean we could become lovers."

Qian Daoliu fell silent for a moment.

Qian Renxue looked at him.

"Grandfather, do you also think I shouldn't like him?"

"I didn't say that."

Qian Daoliu walked to her side.

"Renxue, you may like anyone."

"As long as you can bear the consequences of your choice."

Qian Renxue pressed her red lips together.

"But there are already many people around him."

"Shui Bing'er and the others spend every day with him."

She looked at her palm.

"I met him too late."

Qian Daoliu did not comfort her immediately.

He looked into the night outside the window, a thoughtful expression appearing in his eyes.

"Renxue, do you know why you were sent to Spirit Hall?"

Qian Renxue looked up.

"Because Father died young, and Mother was unwilling to raise me."

"That is only one reason."

Qian Daoliu took an old piece of cloth from a Soul Tool.

An early Spirit Hall pattern was embroidered on one corner, while the edges had already worn down.

"Back then, before you were born, there was another child."

Qian Renxue froze.

"Another child?"

"He was born moments before you."

Qian Daoliu placed the old cloth on the table.

"He should have been your elder brother."

Qian Renxue stared at the old piece of cloth, her golden eyes gradually widening.

"An older brother?"

"After he was born, he was taken away from Spirit Hall."

Qian Daoliu's fingers settled on the corner of the cloth.

Qian Renxue's breathing gradually quickened.

"Where is he now?"

Qian Daoliu shook his head.

"I only know that he is alive."

"As for what he is called, what he looks like, or whether he is still in the Far North, no one knows."

Qian Renxue looked at the old piece of cloth.

She had never imagined that she had an older brother.

What was more, she had never imagined that he might have already lived outside for eighteen years.