Tang Hao's Crushing Defeat, the Snow Empress's Terrifying Strength!

Tang Hao's body flew backward and slammed heavily into a distant stone wall.

The entire wall collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.

A white frost mark pierced across his chest and shoulder.

Chill seeped along the wound, sealing his meridians.

Tang Hao propped himself up with the Clear Sky Hammer, barely managing to remain standing.

Outside the Great Soul Arena, everyone froze in place.

Tang San looked up at the Snow Empress.

His gaze fell upon the longsword condensed from snowy radiance, and the expression on his face completely stiffened.

One move.

The Snow Empress had injured Tang Hao with a single move.

Shui Bing'er, Qian Renxue, and everyone from Skywater Academy were likewise staring at her.

Even Qian Renxue, who possessed the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, had never seen such pure ice-and-snow power.

The Snow Empress withdrew her finger.

The white sword light dissipated with it.

She looked at Tang Hao in the distance.

"You are not my opponent."

Tang Hao raised a hand and wiped the blood from his lips.

He did not answer again.

That sword strike had already made him understand that continuing the fight would lead only to death.

But Tang San and the others were still trapped within the frost.

Tang Hao looked toward them.

His seventh and ninth Soul Rings lit up at the same time.

Black light enveloped the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Father, don't!"

Tang San seemed to have sensed something.

Tang Hao did not stop.

He raised the Clear Sky Hammer and directly shattered his own seventh Soul Ring.

The instant the Soul Ring shattered, terrifying power surged from his body.

Immediately afterward, his eighth Soul Ring began to burn as well.

"Ring Detonation!"

The black Soul Rings transformed into immense energy, all of it flowing into the Clear Sky Hammer.

Tang Hao's aura rose wildly.

The chill that had sealed the Seven Monsters was rapidly torn apart beneath the impact of that power.

Tang Hao swung the Clear Sky Hammer.

A violent hammer shadow swept outward.

Great swathes of frost shattered.

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong regained their mobility at the same time.

Tang San seized the opportunity and rushed to their side.

"Go!"

Tang Hao stood before the seven of them.

His body was already covered in wounds.

Black Soul Power continuously poured from his body, sustaining the strength unleashed by Ring Detonation.

"Clear Sky Sect will remember what happened today."

Qian Chen looked at him.

"Tang Hao."

"I will come to collect this debt myself."

Tang Hao looked up at him.

"I'll be waiting."

He swung the Clear Sky Hammer again.

A black hammer shadow shot into the sky above the long street.

The Clear Sky Hammer's power tore through the wind and snow.

Tang Hao grabbed Tang San by the shoulder and pulled him to his side.

Dai Mubai and the others also retreated swiftly beneath the cover of the hammer shadow.

Xiao Wu glanced back at Qian Chen.

Fear filled her eyes.

Before Tang San was taken away by Tang Hao, he was still looking at the already shattered Frozen Throne.

His second Martial Soul had been destroyed.

His father had also been injured by the Snow Empress in a single move.

Everything that had happened today had utterly exceeded his expectations.

Tang Hao led the Seven Monsters into the distant blizzard.

The Soul Rings that detonated one after another turned into black light, concealing all of their auras.

Qian Chen raised a hand and dispersed the chill.

The ice crystals on the long street slowly melted away.

The Snow Empress stood beside him, her silver-white hair falling behind her shoulders.

The Ice Empress held her arm and looked in the direction Tang Hao had departed.

"Snow Sister, that move just now was beautiful."

The Snow Empress turned to Qian Chen.

"It is good that you were not hurt."

Qian Chen nodded.

"I am fine."

Shui Bing'er came to stand beside them.

She looked at the black light disappearing in the distance, then at the Snow Empress.

"That was the Clear Sky Douluo?"

"Yes."

Qian Chen answered.

Shui Bing'er drew a soft breath.

"But before the Snow Empress, he could not even withstand one move."

The Snow Empress did not explain.

She raised a hand and adjusted Qian Chen's collar.

"The match is not over yet."

Qian Chen looked toward the distant Great Soul Arena.

"Then we continue."

Qian Chen withdrew his Soul Power.

The frost on the long street slowly faded away, revealing the shattered paving stones once more.

Outside the Great Soul Arena, everyone still had not recovered from the clash just now.

After Tang Hao left with the people from Shrek Academy, the once-noisy entrance became exceptionally quiet.

Everyone's eyes fell upon Qian Chen.

An eighty-ninth-ranked Soul Douluo.

Three Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings.

And a Snow Empress who had injured the Clear Sky Douluo with a single move.

Everything that had happened today had already exceeded their expectations.

Shui Yue'er came to Qian Chen's side.

She looked in the direction Tang Hao had left and said softly, "He really ran away."

"He did not run."

The Ice Empress held the Snow Empress's arm.

"He fled for his life."

Shui Yue'er immediately nodded.

"Ice Empress Sister is right."

Xue Wu raised her eyes toward Qian Chen.

"Is the match still continuing?"

Everyone's gazes turned toward him at once.

Qian Chen did not answer.

He looked toward the entrance of the Great Soul Arena.

Although Tang Hao had taken the people from Shrek Academy away, it had not affected their eligibility to compete.

The schedules for Skywater Academy and the other academies would not stop because of the clash just now.

Xue Qinghe walked over from behind the crowd.

She had already changed back into her crown prince's attire.

Her gold-and-white robe hung to her feet, while her golden hair was neatly tied behind her.

She first glanced at Qian Chen before raising her eyes toward the Great Soul Arena.

"Are you still going to participate in the competition?"

Qian Chen nodded.

"Continue."

A smile appeared in Xue Qinghe's eyes.

She turned toward the referees and staff nearby.

"Pass on my order."

"Today's matter ends here."

"Shrek Academy will leave first, but the competition will proceed as usual."

"No one is permitted to use this matter to disrupt the schedule."

The referee immediately bowed.

"By your command."

Xue Qinghe looked at Qian Chen again.

"If you need rest, return to the residence first."

"If you wish to continue competing, I will arrange for someone to clear the entrance."

"No need."

Qian Chen withdrew his gaze.

"Let us go in."

Shui Bing'er came to his side.

She raised a hand and adjusted the silver-white cloak over Qian Chen's shoulder.

"Did that take much out of you?"

"No."

"Tang Hao is still a Titled Douluo."

"He cannot hurt me yet."

Only then did Shui Bing'er lower her hand.

The Snow Empress stood on his other side, her gaze resting on Qian Chen.

She did not ask further, merely brushing a shard of ice from his sleeve.

"Come find me after the competition ends."

"Alright."

The Ice Empress immediately looked at them both.

"I am coming too."

"You are not allowed to take Chen'er away for too long."

"..."

Shui Yue'er walked up to the Ice Empress.

"Ice Empress Sister, Qian Chen still needs to rest today."

The Ice Empress raised a hand and tapped her forehead.

"I know."

She looked at Qian Chen.

"Then we will talk after he has rested."

"..."

Qian Chen ignored their argument.

He led Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, Xue Wu, and Yu Hairou into the Great Soul Arena.

The tournament resumed.

In the first match, Skywater Academy faced a high-level Soul Master Academy from Heaven Dou City.

The opposing seven had just stepped onto the platform when they released their martial souls.

Qian Chen stood at the very front of the team.

He did not release his soul rings.

Golden Soul Power spread from beneath his feet.

A layer of white frost rapidly condensed across the surface of the platform.

Before the opposing control-type soul master could finish activating his soul skill, both his feet were already sealed by the cold.

Shui Bing'er raised her hand.

An Ice Phoenix spread its wings behind her.

Large swaths of ice crystals fell from the sky.

Shui Yue'er and Xue Wu activated their soul skills at the same time.

Silver moonlight and deep-blue chill intertwined.

The opposing team of seven fell into disarray on the spot.

Qian Chen took one step forward.

A golden palm print descended into the center of the platform.

Powerful force blasted apart the Soul Power around it.

The seven soul masters were forced backward at the same time.

The referee immediately announced Skywater Academy's victory.

The second match.

The third match.

Skywater Academy swept through the competition.

No academy could force them to use the Ice Dragon Flame Phoenix Calamity.

They did not even need Qian Chen to release his eighth soul skill before the matches ended.

The discussions among the spectators grew louder and louder.

"Skywater Academy is far too strong this year."

"Just what is that white-robed soul master's background?"

"Even the Clear Sky Douluo was forced back by him. How could the other academies possibly stop him?"

"I heard he's only a participant from Skywater Academy."

Several days later.

Skywater Academy smoothly advanced to the semifinals.

Their next match would be against Blazing Fire Academy.

When the draw results were announced, Shui Yue'er immediately went to Qian Chen's side.

"Blazing Fire Academy is up tomorrow."

"Their flame soul skills are very powerful."

Shui Bing'er stood beside her.

"Blazing Fire Academy specializes in powerful attacks."

"The explosive power of fire-type soul masters is quite formidable."

Qian Chen put away the tournament schedule in his hand.

"Just perform as you normally would."

Shui Yue'er blinked.

"Then, are you going to participate?"

"I am."

"Won't you knock them all off the platform the moment you make a move?"

"No."

Qian Chen glanced at her.

"You need to finish the match yourselves."

Shui Bing'er nodded.

"Understood."

She reached out and took hold of Qian Chen's fingers.

"Tomorrow, we won't disappoint you."

Qian Chen responded.

"Get some rest early."

Shui Yue'er tugged at the sleeve on his other side.

"Then stay and cultivate with us for a while tonight."

"Your Soul Power has only just increased. You need to stabilize it yourselves."

"I just want you to take a look."

Shui Yue'er lifted her face.

"Can't you watch for a little while?"

Qian Chen looked at her for a moment.

"Half an hour."

Shui Yue'er immediately broke into a smile.

"Okay."

Shui Bing'er did not release his hand.

She glanced at Shui Yue'er, then added softly, "I want to join too."

"Fine."

The two girls revealed satisfied expressions at the same time.

In the distance, the Ice Empress watched this scene with her arms folded.

"Chen'er really is popular."

The Snow Empress stood beside her.

"He has always been like this."

"Back in the Far North, all the soul beasts liked to approach him. Once they grew a little older, though, they stopped. He chased them around instead."

The Ice Empress gave a light snort.

"They had no idea that after growing up, Chen'er would attract so many people."

The Snow Empress did not answer.

Her gaze fell on Qian Chen.

That tall figure stood between Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.

He was no longer the child who needed her and the Ice Empress to look after him.

After this thought appeared, the Snow Empress's gaze lingered for even longer.

Star Dou Great Forest.

Tang Hao led the people from Shrek Academy through the outer forest.

He did not stop.

Only after they were far from Heaven Dou City and he had confirmed that there were no pursuers behind them did he land among a dense forest.

The black Soul Power dissipated from his body.

Tang Hao's body swayed forward.

Tang San immediately supported his arm.

"Father!"

"I'm fine."

Tang Hao raised his hand and pushed him away.

But after saying that, he still dropped to one knee on the ground.

The frost marks across his chest had already spread to his shoulder.

Once the power brought by Ring Detonation vanished, his injuries erupted completely.

Tang San looked at the wound that ran through his shoulder, slowly tightening his palm.

"Let's find somewhere to treat your injuries first."

Yu Xiaogang walked over to Tang Hao.

"Ring Detonation consumes far too much. If it isn't treated promptly, it will even affect your Soul Power foundation."

Tang Hao did not answer.

He looked toward Heaven Dou City.

"Qian Chen."

The name fell among the group.

Dai Mubai lowered his head.

His legs still had not recovered.

Ma Hongjun's face was pale. After the foundation of his martial soul had been damaged, even circulating his Soul Power had become extremely difficult.

Xiao Wu stood beside Tang San.

She recalled the power that had surged into her mental world at the entrance, and fear still lingered on her face.

Tang San raised his head.

"Father, just what is Qian Chen?"

"I don't know."

Tang Hao gripped the Clear Sky Hammer.

"But he has already surpassed the level of a Titled Douluo."

Tang San looked at his right hand.

Where he should have been holding the Clear Sky Hammer, only lingering fluctuations of Soul Power remained.

His second martial soul had been shattered by Qian Chen's Ice Seal.

He could not accept this.

"I will definitely have my revenge."

Tang San looked toward Heaven Dou City.

"I'll repay the enmity of destroying my martial soul, the enmity of my severe injuries, and Teacher Zhao's life."

"I'll settle every one of these debts."

Tang Hao glanced at him.

"You are still no match for him."

"I know."

Tang San lowered his head and looked at his palm.

Blue Silver Grass slowly emerged between his fingers.

"That's why I'll become stronger."

"No matter how long it takes, I'll find a way to kill him."

Tang Hao did not try to dissuade him again.

He rose to his feet with the support of the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Enter the depths of the forest first."

"We'll make further plans once my injuries have recovered."

Tang San nodded.

The people from Shrek Academy followed behind Tang Hao as they headed toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Crown Prince's Residence.

Night fell.

Moon Orchids swayed gently in the wind in the rear courtyard.

When Qian Chen pushed open the courtyard gate, the Snow Empress was sitting beneath a tree.

She had changed out of the long dress she had worn during the day and was wearing a close-fitting snow-white robe.

Her silver-white hair fell behind her shoulders, its ends reaching her waist.

Moonlight illuminated the side of her face, lending her skin a soft luster.

The Snow Empress raised her eyes to Qian Chen.

"Is the match over?"

"It's over."

Qian Chen walked up to her.

"Skywater Academy made it to the semifinals."

"We're facing Blazing Fire Academy tomorrow."

The Snow Empress nodded.

"Did you use any soul skills today?"

"No."

"That's good, then."

She raised her hand and straightened the edge of Qian Chen's cloak.

"Continuous fighting will drain your origin power."

"I recover quickly."

"I know."

Snow Empress's fingers paused over his chest.

The two of them stood very close.

She could sense the aura around Qian Chen.

That familiar warmth was even more distinct than she remembered.

Snow Empress looked at his brows and eyes, but suddenly did not withdraw her hand.

"You really have grown up."

Qian Chen lowered his head to look at her.

"Snow Sister, you've already said that once."

"Back then, whenever I looked after you, you still needed me to hold you before you could sleep."

"I don't remember."

"I remember."

Snow Empress's fingertips brushed the side of his face.

"Whenever the wind and snow grew stronger, you would grab my sleeve."

Qian Chen clasped her wrist.

"That was when I was little."

"What about now?"

Snow Empress did not pull her hand back.

She raised her eyes and met Qian Chen's gaze.

"Now, you're already able to protect yourself."

"And protect me, too."

Qian Chen looked at her.

"I've always wanted to protect Snow Sister."

"But I don't need your protection now."

Snow Empress stepped closer.

Her white sleeve brushed against Qian Chen's cloak.

"I only want to stand by your side."