Qian Renxue put the crown aside and then smoothed the hair on his forehead.
Her fingertips brushed past his brow and finally stopped by his ear.
"That feels much better."
"Um."
"Brother, if you don't want to wear it in the Papal Palace from now on, then don't."
The Elders' Council objections.
They dare not.
Ice Empress raised their eyes.
"Anyone who dares to object, I'll send them outside to get some fresh air."
Snow Empress looked at her.
"Don't tear down the Papal Palace."
"I was just saying."
Ice Empress picked up the spoon again and scooped up a mouthful of porridge.
She didn't bring it to her own lips, but instead turned it to Qian Chen.
"Chen'er, have one more bite."
Qian Chen lowered his head and ate it.
Qian Renxue sat back down beside him and gently took his hand.
"Elder brother."
"Um?"
"From now on, you will only be responsible for one hour each day regarding the affairs of the Spirit Hall."
"The Elders' Council handles most matters."
That would be even better.
She placed his hand on her knee, her fingertips gently tracing the lines of his palm.
"For the rest of the time, brother will accompany me to Heaven Dou City."
Ice Empress immediately looked at her.
What are we going to Heaven Dou City for?
"Handling government affairs."
"Does handling government affairs also require bringing Chen'er with you?"
"He is now the Pope of the Spirit Hall."
Qian Renxue raised her face.
"It's perfectly reasonable for the Pope to tour the Heaven Dou Empire."
Snow Empress nodded gently.
"We can go to the lake while we're there."
Qian Chen looked at her.
You want to go?
"I haven't finished reading the Records of Mountains and Rivers ' yet."
Qian Renxue gripped his fingers tightly.
"Then let's go to the lake first, and then return to Heaven Dou City."
Ice Empress picked up their teacups.
"I want to go too."
"Don't you dislike looking at maps?"
"I don't look at maps."
She leaned on Qian Chen's shoulder and looked up at him.
"I'm looking at Chen'er."
Qian Chen picked up a piece of chestnut cake and brought it to her lips.
Ice Empress opened their mouths and ate it.
The sweet aroma spread, and her eyes quickly lit up.
"This is delicious."
Qian Chen handed the remaining half to Snow Empress.
Snow Empress took the pastry, and their fingertips touched.
She lowered her head and took a bite.
"It tastes good."
Qian Renxue looked at the three of them, then suddenly reached out and picked up another piece of chestnut cake.
"Elder brother."
"Um?"
"Me too."
Qian Chen placed the pastry in her palm.
Qian Renxue did not eat immediately.
She cut the pastry in half and brought one half to Qian Chen's lips.
"Brother, you eat first."
"You can eat it."
"This is what I gave you."
Qian Chen lowered his head and ate it.
Qian Renxue then put the other half into her mouth.
She chewed gently, her long golden hair falling over her shoulders.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattices outside the hall.
The purple-gold crown sat quietly on the table, while the Pope's Scepter rested to one side.
Qian Chen sat between the three, her fingers still held by Qian Renxue.
Ice Empress leaned on his left shoulder.
Snow Empress pushed the warm tea in front of him.
The new Pope's first breakfast began quietly.
Spirit City.
Side hall of the Papal Palace.
After breakfast, Qian Chen handed the Pope's Scepter to a servant.
Qian Renxue was still sitting beside him, holding a newly delivered secret report in her hand.
After she finished reading it, she placed the letter on the table.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is gathering its members."
Qian Chen looked at her.
What are they planning to do?
"The secret report only said that the sect mobilized manpower overnight." Qian Renxue raised her eyes. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is on good terms with the Clear Sky Sect. After Tang Hao's death, they are likely to take action."
Ice Empress picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
"The Clear Sky Sect is gone, and they still want to stand up for Tang Hao?"
"It could also be an attempt to protect themselves." Snow Empress placed the teacup back on the table. "But since they've already mobilized their people, they won't just stand by and watch."
Qian Chen picked up the secret report and read it word by word.
Yu Yuanzhen, the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, has recalled the clan members who were scattered elsewhere.
The Blue Lightning Mountain Range, where the sect is located, has also increased its vigilance.
"To the Blue Lightning Mountain Range."
Qian Renxue stood up.
She straightened Qian Chen's white brocade robe collar and smoothed out the wrinkles on his silver-white cloak.
"I'll go with you."
"The Heaven Dou Empire is closer to the Blue Lightning Mountain Range, so you can stay in Heaven Dou City."
"I am the Heaven Dou Empress." Qian Renxue looked at him. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is located within the Empire's territory. I cannot let you handle this alone."
Qian Chen didn't try to persuade her any further.
Ice Empress put down his teacup, walked to his left, and took his arm.
"Since you're going, I'll go too."
Snow Empress came to the other side and fastened the silver clasp around his neck with his cloak.
"I'll stay with Chen'er."
Qian Chen nodded.
"Set off."
Blue Lightning Mountain Range.
The mountain peaks stretch endlessly, and the mountain path winds its way up the cliffs.
When Qian Chen and his group appeared in front of the mountain gate, the disciples guarding the mountain immediately raised their weapons.
The sect's gates were tightly shut.
A giant blue dragon is carved on both sides of the stone wall.
Qian Renxue looked towards the mountain gate.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan already knows we're here."
Ice Empress raised his hand, and a chilling, emerald-green aura slowly spread along the mountain path.
"Then let them come out."
Hurried footsteps came from behind the mountain gate.
The heavy stone door opened inwards.
Yu Yuanzhen led dozens of his clansmen out of the mountain gate. He was dressed in a dark blue robe and held a long staff with dragon patterns in his hand.
Nine Soul Ring surrounded him.
"Qian Chen."
Yu Yuanzhen's gaze fell on the Pope's Scepter in Qian Chen's hand.
"You have become the Pope of the Spirit Hall."
"Sect Master Yu."
Qian Chen stopped at the bottom of the stone steps.
Yu Yuanzhen then looked at Qian Renxue.
"Heaven Dou Empress has also come in person."
Qian Renxue stepped forward.
"Is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan mobilizing its members and sealing off the mountain passes in preparation for an enemy of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Yu Yuanzhen did not answer immediately.
The clansmen behind him gripped their weapons tightly, their Martial Soul spirits flashing brightly one after another.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will not bow down to the Spirit Hall."
"No one is asking you to bow down to the Spirit Hall," Qian Renxue said. "Your current actions of mobilizing troops to block roads and gathering Soul Master are what truly provoke the Empire."
Yu Yuanzhen looked at her.
"After the destruction of the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan cannot sit idly by and wait for their demise."
Qian Chen gripped the Dragon God Spear.
Nine-Color rays of light shone along the gun barrel.
So you're preparing to resist?
Yu Yuanzhen raised the dragon-patterned staff in his hand.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will never allow ourselves to be slaughtered."
Nine Soul Ring rose up simultaneously.
Blue lightning erupted from his body, condensing into a gigantic Thunder Dragon.
At this moment, the clansmen on both sides of the mountain gate also released their Martial Soul.
The roar of the dragon echoed throughout the valley.
Qian Renxue raised her golden longsword.
Six-Winged Angel unfurled behind her.
"Yu Yuanzhen, lay down your weapons and hand over the sect's weapons and Soul Tool."
"Otherwise, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would cease to exist today."
Yu Yuanzhen swung his long staff.
Thunder Dragon swooped down from mid-air, aiming straight for Qian Renxue.
Qian Chen took a step forward.
Space froze before the Thunder Dragon.
The enormous dragon's body hovered in mid-air, lightning still dancing among its scales, yet unable to advance even an inch further.
Qian Chen raised the Dragon God Spear.
The spearhead moved forward slightly.
The Thunder Dragon immediately dispersed into countless blue light spots.
Yu Yuanzhen swayed and retreated back onto the stone steps.
"Do it!"
The Soul Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan swarmed forward.
Snow Empress raised her palm.
A chilling white aura swept across the stone steps, blocking the path of the first few people.
With a flick of his finger, Ice Empress conjured a verdant ice wall that rose from the ground, separating the rest of his clansmen inside and outside the mountain gate.
Qian Renxue.
Golden light descended from above, suppressing the thunder before the mountain gate.
Qian Chen stepped onto the stone steps.
His Dragon God Spear swept across.
The Nine-Color spear beam pierced through the blue lightning and shattered the dragon-shaped stone carving above the mountain gate.
A huge boulder fell and crashed beside the deserted stone steps.
Yu Yuanzhen activated his Ninth Soul Ring.
The blue Thunder Dragon coalesced once more, coiling around him.
"Ninth Soul Skill, Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Rush!"
The Thunder Dragon shot straight up into the Qian Chen.
Qian Chen raised his hand.
The power of the Nine-Color Spatial Power suddenly contracted.
The Thunder Dragon was pinned in mid-air, and the lightning around its body gradually faded.
He gripped the Dragon God Spear tightly and thrust it forward.
The spearhead pierced through the Thunder Dragon and landed on Yu Yuanzhen's chest.
Yu Yuanzhen's Soul Ring dimmed one by one.
His dragon-patterned staff fell onto the stone steps, and his body subsequently collapsed.
The fighting in front of the mountain gate stopped.
The remaining clansmen, seeing their fallen sect leader, all withdrew their Martial Soul.
Qian Renxue back onto the stone steps.
She looked at everyone.
"Those who lay down their weapons may leave."
No one answered.
An elder stepped out from the crowd, lightning gathering in his hand once more.
Qian Chen raised his hand.
The elder stopped, along with the Martial Soul in his hand.
Qian Renxue walked up to him.
Do you want to continue?
The elder remained silent for a moment, then released his hand.
The lightning dissipated.
The rest of the tribesmen also laid down their weapons one after another.
Qian Renxue took out the Imperial Military Tally and handed it to the attendant behind her.
"Seal off the mountain gate."
"Take an inventory of all Soul Tool, scriptures, and resources of the sect."
"Register each member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan on the roster. Those who wish to leave must not be prevented from doing so."
The attendant bowed and accepted the order.
Qian Chen looked towards the depths of the mountain gate.
Where is the sect's legacy?
An elder pointed to the inner hall.
Qian Chen raised the Dragon God Spear.
As the spearhead fell, the stone door of the inner hall shattered.
The ancient books and steles bearing historical records came into view.
Qian Chen did not go inside.
Nine-Color rays of light fell upon the stone tablet.
The stone tablet split open from the center, and the heritage patterns carved on it gradually faded away.
The crest of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan fell from the mountain gate and landed beside the stone steps.
Qian Renxue looked at the broken clan emblem.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has been wiped out."
The mountain wind swept through the empty mountain gate.
Qian Chen put away the Dragon God Spear.
Snow Empress walked to his side and straightened the hem of his cloak for him.
Ice Empress was still holding his arm.
Qian Renxue grasped his other hand.
"Back to Spirit City?"
Qian Chen looked at the long road outside the mountain gate.
"Go back."
Spirit City.
The Papal Gardens.
When Qian Chen stepped out of the Spatial Passage, the sunlight had already passed over the courtyard wall.
On the stone table sat a basket of newly delivered chestnuts, with a note left by the kitchen staff next to it.
Ice Empress released his arm and picked up a chestnut.
Can this be eaten directly?
Snow Empress took the chestnuts from her hand and put them back in the bamboo basket.
"It's not ripe yet."
A bright green skirt swept past the stone bench.
She sat down at the table, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Qian Chen.
"Chen'er, I want to eat chestnut cake."
Qian Chen picked up the paper slip.
The kitchen was originally planning to prepare it for the evening.
"Then let's do it now."
Qian Renxue placed her personal documents under the eaves and looked back at the bamboo basket.
"You can?"
Ice Empress raised their chin.
"I can learn."
Qian Chen took off his cloak and draped it over the back of the chair.
"Go to the small kitchen first."
The small kitchen in the Rear Garden faces the courtyard.
After the window was opened, a cluster of autumn chrysanthemums could be seen right by the wall.
Qian Chen washed his hands and poured the chestnuts into the wooden basin.
Snow Empress stood beside him and rolled up his right sleeve.
She was wearing a light silver dress today, with the cuffs gathered with thin white ribbons, and her long hair was still tied up with that silver button.
Qian Chen looked at the sash hanging from her wrist.
"Yours needs to be fastened too."
As soon as Snow Empress raised her hand, he caught the two thin straps.
Qian Chen wrapped the sash around her sleeve, leaving room to move, and then tied a knot.
She rotated her wrist.
"I don't need to teach you this time."
I remember how you tied the knot.
His fingertips brushed against her wrist to make sure the fabric wasn't too tight before he withdrew his hand.
Snow Empress did not leave immediately.
She picked up another cloth and used it to tie his loose, silvery-white hair back.
"Lower it."
Qian Chen bowed as instructed.
She gathered the ends of her hair into her palm, and wrapped a cloth around her hair.
He looked at her through her reflection in the window.
"That doesn't look like the Pope."
"You're here to make pastries."
Snow Empress straightened his collar and gently pressed her fingertips against the knot.
"There's no need to Pope crowns here."
Ice Empress came over carrying a porcelain jar, their gaze falling between the two.
Have you finished packing?
Qian Chen took the porcelain jar.
"This is salt."
She looked down at the small print on the bottom of the jar.
Where is the candy?
Qian Renxue took another jar from the cupboard and placed it next to the cutting board.
"Here."
Ice Empress placed the salt shaker a little further away.
They all look the same.
Qian Chen opened the sugar jar and pushed it in front of her.
"I recognize it now."
She took a little sugar with a silver spoon, tasted it, and then nodded.
"This time it's correct."
The water in the pot gradually came to a boil.
Qian Chen made slits in each chestnut shell and put the prepared chestnuts into the pot.
Qian Renxue moved a low stool over and sat by the window to select wooden molds.
She picked up a flower-shaped mold and placed it on the cutting board.
I want this.
Ice Empress leaned forward and saw the pattern in the center of the wooden mold.
"Why isn't it an angel?"
"Chestnut cake isn't an imperial seal."
She arranged the remaining wooden molds, then randomly picked out a leaf-shaped one and handed it over.
"This is for you."
Ice Empress took it and examined it twice, turning it over and over.
"Which one should Chen'er use?"
Qian Chen lifted the lid of the pot, and steam rose from the edge of the pot.
"I'll do the cooking, you guys choose."
Snow Empress brought over a clean bamboo sieve and placed it beside him.
"Then I'll save one for you."
He turned his head to the side.
"I want the best-looking one."
She glanced at the row of wooden molds.
"They have quite a few requirements."
Qian Chen scooped out the cooked chestnuts and drained the water.
"It's fine if you keep it."
Snow Empress paused for a moment, her hand holding the bamboo sieve.
She straightened the bamboo sieve before handing him the peeling knife.
Let's get it done first.
When half a bowl of chestnut meat had been served, a small pile of broken shells had already accumulated in front of Ice Empress.
The chestnuts she peeled were of varying sizes, with very few intact.
Qian Chen moved her bowl over.
"Put them together."
I peeled it badly.
"It was going to be crushed anyway."
Ice Empress looked at the whole chestnut in his hand.
"Then why did you peel it so neatly?"
Qian Chen placed the chestnut meat into her palm.
"Here, have this one."
She held the chestnut in her hand, her eyes lighting up.
"Then I'll peel a few more."
Snow Empress sat on the other side of the cutting board, mashing the chestnut meat with a wooden spoon.
A strand of long hair slipped from her ear; she raised her hand to gather it, but her fingertips were covered in chestnut crumbs.
Qian Chen stepped closer first and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She looked up.
The two were close, Qian Chen's sleeve gently brushed against her shoulder.
Will it fall again?
He glanced at the silver clasp, then carefully tucked the loose strands of hair back in.