Bibi Dong: Qian Chen, Who Are You?! That Baby

Qian Chen's fingers still held her wrist.

The warmth of his palm seeped through her sleeve.

Snow Empress lowered her gaze to where their hands touched.

She did not pull away.

Moonlight from beyond the courtyard fell across her silver-white hair.

A few strands drifted in the breeze, brushing Qian Chen's shoulder.

Snow Empress raised her other hand and lightly touched his brow.

"Qian Chen."

"Hmm?"

"Have you been happy living in Heaven Dou City?"

"Yes."

"Because of Shui Bing'er and the others?"

"Because I've met many people."

Snow Empress looked at him.

"Do I count as one of them?"

Qian Chen did not hesitate.

"You are one of the most important people to me."

Snow Empress's fingertips stopped.

She lifted her eyes to Qian Chen, and the coldness in them gradually faded.

"One of?"

"Ice Empress is too."

"She is always competing with me."

"She has been with me for many years."

Snow Empress did not press him further.

Her palm slid down the side of Qian Chen's face before finally settling on his shoulder.

"You wouldn't have answered like that before."

"I was still young then."

"What about now?"

Qian Chen did not speak.

Snow Empress stepped half a pace forward.

Her body nearly pressed against Qian Chen's chest.

Her white lapels overlapped with his silver-white cloak.

Qian Chen raised a hand to straighten her slipping collar.

But Snow Empress caught his hand.

"After I come to Heaven Dou City, will you stay with me?"

"Yes."

"Even after the competition ends, will you return to the Far North?"

"Yes."

Snow Empress's eyes flickered softly.

"Then I can rest easy."

She did not release Qian Chen's hand.

The two stood beneath the Moon Orchid tree.

The only sound around them was the faint rustle of flower petals landing on the ground.

Snow Empress lifted her face.

She looked at Qian Chen's face so close before her, her breathing gradually slowing.

Qian Chen lowered his head to look at her.

The distance between them narrowed again.

Just as Snow Empress was about to move closer, footsteps sounded beyond the courtyard gate.

Ice Empress walked in, carrying a jade pillow.

"Snow Sister, I want to sleep with you tonight."

She passed beneath the Moon Orchid tree and immediately spotted the two standing together.

Ice Empress stopped.

"What are you two doing again?"

Snow Empress released Qian Chen's hand.

She stepped back half a pace and sat down on the stone bench again.

"Nothing."

Ice Empress looked between them.

"If it's nothing, why were you standing so close?"

Qian Chen offered no explanation.

He turned and took out a jade box.

"Snow Sister, I was just about to help you refine the Immortal Herb."

Ice Empress carried her jade pillow over to the stone table.

"What Immortal Herb?"

"Aromatic Silk Beauty."

Qian Chen placed the jade box before Snow Empress.

"It can purify your bloodline and stabilize your origin as well."

Snow Empress opened the jade box.

A brilliant golden radiance spilled out from within.

A crystalline flower lay quietly inside.

Its petals spread like those of a tulip, while soft treasure-light flowed across the surface of its stem.

Snow Empress looked at it for a long while.

"You've been keeping this?"

"I brought it especially for you."

She raised her eyes to Qian Chen.

"You still remembered the state of my origin."

"Of course I remembered."

Snow Empress closed the jade box.

"Alright."

"Shall we refine it now?"

"Now."

Qian Chen led her to the center of the courtyard.

Snow Empress sat down cross-legged.

Her pristine white dress spread across the ground, while her silver-white hair fell over her shoulders.

Qian Chen sat down behind her.

He raised both hands, and golden Soul Power entered her meridians through her shoulder blades.

The medicinal power of the Aromatic Silk Beauty spread in turn.

A dense aura of life rose from Snow Empress's body.

The power of Snow Empress's origin gradually became stable.

The chill that had originally permeated her body was guided bit by bit by the golden Soul Power.

Qian Chen's palms rested against her back.

Even through her clothes, he could feel the supple softness beneath.

Snow Empress closed her eyes.

"The medicinal power has entered my heart meridian."

"Continue circulating your Soul Power."

"Alright."

Qian Chen slowly sent his Soul Power into her body.

Snow Empress's long hair fell beside his wrist.

A strand of silver-white hair brushed across the back of his fingers.

Her aura steadily rose.

A layer of white frost condensed over the surrounding petals.

Nourished by the Immortal Herb, Snow Empress's origin became more complete.

Qian Chen adjusted the direction of his Soul Power.

Golden light circulated once through her meridians before finally gathering between her brows.

Snow Empress's body gave a slight shudder.

She opened her eyes.

"I can feel it."

"The Immortal Herb is merging with my origin."

"Don't lose focus."

Qian Chen withdrew one hand and placed it on her shoulder.

"For the final step, the medicinal power needs to be pressed into the Soul Core."

Snow Empress nodded.

She closed her eyes again.

Qian Chen's other hand settled at her waist.

Two streams of Soul Power entered her body at once.

Snow Empress's body leaned back slightly.

Her silver-white hair fell across Qian Chen's chest.

Her back and shoulders pressed against him.

"Qian Chen."

"Hmm?"

"Your hand..."

Qian Chen stopped.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

Snow Empress did not move away.

Feeling the warmth behind her, she continued circulating her Soul Power.

Frost flowers in the courtyard gradually bloomed.

The medicinal power of the Aromatic Silk Beauty completely merged with Snow Empress's origin.

Her aura rose again from its former peak.

All the surrounding cold aura withdrew into her body.

Snow Empress slowly opened her eyes.

Qian Chen withdrew his Soul Power.

"It's done."

Snow Empress did not immediately rise.

She still leaned against Qian Chen.

"My origin has stabilized considerably."

"The Aromatic Silk Beauty suits you well."

"Thank you."

She turned around.

Her silver-white hair slid down from Qian Chen's chest.

Only half a step remained between them.

Snow Empress looked at the hand he had withdrawn.

"You were helping me the whole time."

"It was only right."

"Was it only right?"

Qian Chen did not answer.

Snow Empress reached out and held his fingers.

"After taking the Immortal Herb, my strength has improved."

"Mm."

"But I prefer it when you help me refine the medicinal power."

"Why?"

Snow Empress raised her eyes to look at him.

"Because this way, I can feel that you're always by my side."

Qian Chen's fingers were clasped in her palm.

Snow Empress did not let go.

Ice Empress stood beside the stone table, watching their joined hands.

She gave a soft hum.

"Snow Sister, didn't you say you wanted to sleep with me just now?"

"Let's go now."

Snow Empress was still looking at Qian Chen.

"Qian Chen is coming too."

Ice Empress's eyes immediately widened.

"Why does he have to come too?"

"He helped me refine the Immortal Herb tonight, which consumed his Soul Power."

Snow Empress rose to her feet.

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

"I want to watch over him while he rests."

Ice Empress glanced at their interlocked fingers.

"You weren't like this before."

Snow Empress raised her eyes.

"He hadn't grown up yet."

Ice Empress fell silent.

She looked at Qian Chen, then at Snow Empress.

Moonlight fell over the three of them.

Qian Chen did not pull his hand free from Snow Empress's grasp.

Spirit Hall.

Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong sat atop the high platform.

A black-clad deacon knelt below the steps, holding up a portrait with both hands.

"His Holiness the Pope, this is the portrait sent back from Heaven Dou City."

Bibi Dong raised her hand.

The portrait fell into her palm.

The person in the painting wore a white brocade robe.

A silver-white cloak draped over his shoulders, with pale-blue snow patterns spreading along its edges.

His features were handsome and refined, with a hint of familiarity between his brows and eyes.

Bibi Dong's finger stopped on the portrait.

She stared at it for a long time.

A strange sensation suddenly welled up in her chest.

It was not admiration.

Nor was it mere confusion.

Qian Chen in the portrait gave her an intimacy she could not ignore.

Bibi Dong furrowed her brows.

"Where did you get this portrait?"

"Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena."

"Who is the person in the painting?"

"A contestant from Skywater Academy, Qian Chen."

Bibi Dong raised her eyes.

"Qian Chen?"

"Yes."

The black-clad deacon kept his head lowered.

"There are no further records of his background in Heaven Dou City at present."

Bibi Dong looked at the portrait again.

Those eyes, that face, and the aura the portrait could not convey.

She had the persistent feeling that she had seen him somewhere before.

Yet she searched through her memories and could not find anyone who matched.

"Leave the portrait here."

"Yes."

The black-clad deacon withdrew to the palace entrance.

Bibi Dong's finger came to rest on the edge of the portrait.

"Qian Chen."

She repeated the name once.

The sense of intimacy still had not faded.

Instead, it made the questions in her heart even clearer.

This person must have some connection with Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong rose to her feet.

Her purple-black dress trailed down the steps.

"Someone."

Two black-clad deacons entered the hall.

"Your Holiness the Pope."

"Send people to the Far North."

Bibi Dong placed the portrait on the table.

"Find out whether a child appeared near the Far North eighteen years ago."

The two deacons exchanged a glance.

"Investigate a child?"

"A boy."

Bibi Dong looked at the portrait.

"About eighteen years old."

"Focus on finding out whether he was ever taken away by a Soul Beast from the Far North."

"Understood."

"Do not alert Qian Daoliu about this."

"And do not let Qian Renxue know."

The two deacons lowered their heads and accepted the order.

"We obey."

They left the Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong stood alone beside the writing desk.

Candlelight illuminated the portrait.

Qian Chen's face was clearly visible in the firelight.

She raised her hand and picked up the portrait, her gaze lingering on those eyes.

After a long while, Bibi Dong put the portrait into a drawer.

"Who are you, really?"

Outside the palace, the deacon responsible for going to the Far North had already set out.

Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

The Blazing Fire Academy team had already reached the edge of the arena.

The woman at the front wore a short, fiery-red skirt, with a golden sash tied around her waist.

Her crimson hair fell down her back, the ends swaying gently with each step.

Her features were bright and striking, and obvious arrogance showed between her brows and eyes.

Huo Wu stopped in front of Qian Chen.

"You're Qian Chen?"

"Yes."

"I heard you defeated the Clear Sky Douluo."

"You only heard it."

Huo Wu looked at him.

"You don't admit it?"

"Facts don't need to be admitted."

Qian Chen did not look at the members of Blazing Fire Academy behind her.

Huo Wushuang stepped forward.

"Huo Wu, the match is about to begin."

"Brother, take them up first."

Huo Wu raised her hand to stop Huo Wushuang.

Her gaze remained fixed on Qian Chen.

"I want to test his strength first."

Shui Bing'er slightly furrowed her brows.

"This isn't the place for a private spar."

"I won't take long."

Huo Wu took a step forward.

Red Soul Power spread from her body.

Two yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose simultaneously.

A crimson Fire Shadow spread its wings behind her, and a scorching aura rapidly enveloped the surroundings.

Huo Wushuang's expression shifted slightly.

"Huo Wu, don't act rashly."

"I'm only testing his limits."

Huo Wu raised her hand.

The first Soul Ring suddenly lit up.

"First Soul Skill, Fire Shadow!"

A crimson ball of light flew from her palm.

The moment the flames drew near Qian Chen, they stopped in midair.

Qian Chen raised his eyes.

Golden Soul Power spread from beneath his feet.

The flames went out on the spot.

Huo Wu's expression changed.

She did not stop.

The second Soul Ring lit up right after.

"Resistance Ring of Fire!"

A crimson ring of flames spread outward.

The surrounding air rapidly grew hotter.

The stone tiles on the ground were scorched red by the flames.

Shui Yue'er immediately retreated.

"She really attacked."

Shui Bing'er raised her hand to shield her.

"Qian Chen will be fine."

Qian Chen stood at the center of the flames.

When the constantly expanding ring of fire reached him, it stopped directly in front of him.

Golden light swept over his body.

The flames scattered with it.

Huo Wu's expression grew even uglier.

"You didn't release your martial soul."

"You're no match for me."

Qian Chen looked at her.

Huo Wu slowly clenched her palm.

"We haven't even fought yet. What gives you the right to say I'm no match for you?"

"You've already attacked twice."

"You haven't moved a single step."

"That's because you were standing too close."

"I don't need you to go easy on me!"

Huo Wu's third Soul Ring lit up.

Crimson flames gathered behind her, forming a massive pillar of fire.

The fire pillar shot into the sky, then transformed into countless fireballs that crashed toward Qian Chen from all directions.

"Third Soul Skill, Fire Dance Radiant Sun!"

Before the fireballs could fall—

Qian Chen raised his hand.

Nine-Colored Divine Light spread through the air.

All the fireballs froze in midair.

He gently clenched his five fingers.

The fireballs shattered at once, turning into a shower of sparks that drifted down.

Huo Wu stood amid the sparks, her short red skirt fluttering in the heatwave.

She bit her red lips as her fourth Soul Ring began to glow.

Huo Wushuang immediately stepped forward.

"Huo Wu, enough!"

"Move aside!"

Huo Wu ignored him.

Crimson light rose from beneath her feet.

The temperature throughout the entrance rapidly climbed.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Fire Dance Radiant Sun!"

The same Soul Skill was unleashed once more.

But this time, all the flames gathered behind her.

A blazing crimson sun rose, its powerful fire-attributed Soul Power bearing down on Qian Chen.

Qian Chen lifted his eyes.

"Since you want to try it."

"Then I'll let you see clearly."

Eight Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.

Five black, three red.

The instant the Soul Rings appeared, the blazing sun behind Huo Wu froze on the spot.

Qian Chen did not use a Soul Skill.

A crushing aura spread from within him.

Huo Wu's Soul Power immediately spiraled out of control.

The Fire Shadow behind her gradually dimmed.

Her legs seemed to bear the weight of mountains, and her body involuntarily sank downward.

Huo Wu raised her head.

She wanted to straighten up, only to discover that her Soul Power could no longer circulate smoothly.

"That's impossible..."

"You're only level eighty-nine?"

"You're not even level eighty-nine."

Qian Chen walked up to her.

Huo Wu's expression shifted.

She clenched her fists and forcibly drove her Soul Power.

"I haven't lost yet!"

Red flames rose from her body once more.

She raised her palm and struck directly at Qian Chen's chest.

Qian Chen turned aside and dodged.

Huo Wu's palm missed, and she lost her balance, stumbling forward two steps.

Qian Chen raised a hand and caught her wrist.

"Let go of me!"

Huo Wu immediately spun around.

Flames gathered in her other hand as she brought it down toward Qian Chen's face.

Qian Chen seized her arm and pulled it to the side.

Huo Wu's body crashed into his embrace.

She lifted her face and found Qian Chen's features right before her eyes.

His white robes had not been touched by the flames.

A silver-white cloak draped behind his shoulders, its pale blue snow patterns especially clear in the firelight.

Huo Wu froze for a moment.

The next instant, Qian Chen raised his hand and brought it down behind her.

Smack!

The crisp sound echoed throughout the entrance.