"Not this time."
Snow Empress did not turn her face away.
She reached out her clean hand and wiped away a little water droplet from the side of his chin.
You didn't take good care of yourself either.
Qian Chen grasped her hand as she was about to withdraw.
That's why I need your help.
She looked at the half-bowl of chestnut puree on the cutting board.
"If you don't let go, the pastries won't be ready until evening."
He released his grip and took the wooden spoon.
"I'll take care of the rest."
When the first chestnut cake was unmolded, a small piece was missing from one corner.
Ice Empress took the wooden model and examined it carefully.
"I clearly pressed it down firmly."
Qian Chen placed the chipped pastry into the dish.
Apply a thin layer of oil to the edges of the mold.
She immediately handed him the wooden mold.
"Teach me."
Qian Chen stood beside her, first wiping the wooden mold clean, then applying a little oil to spread it.
Ice Empress imitated his movements, filling the chestnut paste.
This time, she didn't rush to turn it upside down.
She handed the wooden model to him.
"And now?"
"That's fine."
A whole leaf-shaped chestnut cake fell into the porcelain plate.
She reached out her hand, but Snow Empress stopped her.
Wash your hands first.
Ice Empress glanced at the chestnut paste between his fingers, then turned and walked towards the water basin.
"Chen'er, you keep an eye on things for me."
"Nobody took it."
Qian Renxue placed the finished flower-shaped pastries onto another plate.
"I already have one."
Sunlight streamed down the windowsill.
The cutting board was gradually filled with light yellow pastries, the aroma of chestnuts mixed with a faint fragrance of osmanthus spreading throughout the small kitchen.
In the courtyard.
Qian Chen placed the teapot on the stone table, and the group sat down.
Qian Renxue took a small plate of pastries and sat down on the veranda to review the documents that had just been delivered.
After tasting the piece he made, Ice Empress immediately picked out another whole piece and placed it into the Qian Chen Plate.
"I did this part too."
He picked it up and took a bite.
The sugar level is just right.
She nodded in satisfaction, picked up her tea, and sat back down beside her.
Snow Empress pushed the last small plate over.
On the plate is a flower-shaped pastry, with each petal pressed neatly.
Qian Chen looked at her.
"Saved for me?"
"Didn't you want the best-looking one?"
He broke the pastry in half and handed her the larger half.
Snow Empress did not answer.
"This is for you."
I want to eat with you.
She looked at him for a moment, then reached out and took it.
Fine crumbs of cake fell into Qian Chen's palm.
Snow Empress took out a silk handkerchief, held the back of his hand, and wiped it clean little by little.
He didn't urge her, but simply moved the teacup to a position where it would be easy for her to reach.
The wind blew through the courtyard.
His pale silver sleeves fell to the edge of the stone table, folding together with his white sleeves.
Snow Empress carefully put away the handkerchief and took a bite of the pastry.
"Next time, you can use less osmanthus."
Qian Chen picked up the teacup.
"Teach me."
She put the remaining half of the pastry back on the plate and moved a little closer to him.
Let's do it together next time.
Qian Chen nodded.
"Good."
Before the tea in the courtyard was finished, a steward stopped under the eaves.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, Tang San has been found outside the West Gate."
Qian Chen put down his teacup.
What did he do?
"He injured the patrolling Soul Master, left his name, and said he wanted to see you."
The deacon presented a broken crossbow bolt.
He also said that Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang's score would be settled today.
Qian Chen looked at the broken crossbow bolt.
The arrowhead was stained a dark bluish-black, and a wisp of Blue Silver Grass was still wrapped around the broken end.
Snow Empress put down the pastries in her hand and took the cloak draped over the back of the chair.
I'll go with you.
"Good."
Qian Chen stood up and took the cloak.
Ice Empress also got up from the stone bench.
"He actually came looking for me himself."
Qian Renxue under the corridor closed the document.
"Brother, I've ordered the guards at the city gate to withdraw."
Qian Chen nodded.
"Let them take care of the wounded."
Nine-Color rays of light spread out from beside the stone table.
He stepped inside, and the patterns of the Dragon God Spear appeared between his fingers.
Spirit City.
A stone bridge spans the river to the west, and two trucks are parked at the bridgehead.
Several bags of grain were scattered beside the vehicle, and the injured patrolling Soul Master had been helped away by his companions.
Tang San stood in the middle of the bridge.
His right hand was wrapped with Blue Silver Grass, while his left hand hung at his side, with several fine needles between his fingers.
Qian Chen stepped out of the Spatial Passage, his gaze first falling on the injured person beside the bridge.
A Soul Master was shot in the shoulder with an arrow, his sleeve already soaked in blood.
The Snow Empress raised her hand and sent out a beam of white light, temporarily sealing the poison around the wound.
"Take him back to the city."
The garrison immediately carried the wounded man away through the city gate.
Tang San did not stop him.
His gaze passed over the stone bridge and landed on Qian Chen's face.
"You've finally arrived."
Qian Chen walked to the bridgehead.
"If you are looking for me, then come and find me."
What grudge do you hold against those patrolling Soul Master?
Tang San raised his right hand.
Blue Silver Grass spreads along the bridge surface, and slender vines wrap around the stone railings, sealing off the riverbanks on both sides.
"They are guarding the gates for the Spirit Hall, so they are not unrelated people."
Qian Chen glanced at the vines on the bridge.
"Is this your reason for hurting people?"
"You killed my father, you killed my teacher, and you destroyed the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang San took a step forward.
"Qian Chen, today I only seek you."
Qian Renxue outside the bridge and did not go forward.
Just as Ice Empress was about to raise his hand, Qian Chen had already grasped the Dragon God Spear.
"I'll do it."
A silver-white cloak swept past the bridge railing.
As he stepped onto the first stone slab, the Blue Silver Grass at his feet quickly wrapped around him.
Before the vines could even touch the hem of her clothes, they were Nine-Colored Soul Power.
A purple light appeared in Tang San's eyes.
His left hand suddenly rose up.
Several streaks of dark light shot out, heading towards Qian Chen's brow, throat, and chest respectively.
Qian Chen did not stop.
Three thin needles stopped three feet in front of him.
Then, the crossbow bolts hidden behind the needles were revealed.
The mechanism in Tang San's sleeve was still clicking continuously.
The arrows hung in mid-air one after another, none of them able to cross the three-foot distance.
"Even your father's nine-ring blasts couldn't kill me."
Qian Chen raised his hand.
"You plan to use these things to take revenge?"
The Nine-Color light receded.
All the crossbow bolts broke at the same time, and the fragments fell into the river below the bridge.
Tang San's footwork suddenly changed.
His figure swept along the stone railing, avoiding a direct confrontation, and then his right palm pressed down on the bridge surface.
"Blue Silver Cage!"
More than ten vines burst forth from the cracks in the rocks, intertwining and merging around Qian Chen.
Blue Silver Grass also rose from under the bridge, enveloping the entire cage.
Tang San did not wait.
Suddenly, the fabric on his back ripped open, and Eight Spider Lances extended out, their tips piercing the stone slabs one after another.
Using the Eight Spider Lances for support, he leaped over the cage, a Clear Sky Hammer now appearing in his left hand.
The black hammerhead slammed down towards Qian Chen's head.
Qian Chen raised her eyes.
The Dragon God Spear only extended upwards by half a foot.
The spear tip first pierced through the vines, then touched the center of the hammer.
The Blue Silver Cage expanded outwards from the inside.
Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer was jolted out of his hand, and he simultaneously used the Eight Spider Lances to brace himself against the bridge surface, trying to use the force to retreat.
Qian Chen took a step forward.
The space then tightened.
Eight Spider Spear stopped above the stone slab, leaving Tang San's body suspended in mid-air.
His palms suddenly turned jade-colored, his ten fingers interlaced, and several fine needles flew out from between his palms.
This time, the needle did not strike Qian Chen.
The needles collided with each other, changed direction one after the other, and circled around behind Qian Chen.
Qian Chen raised his left hand.
A Nine-Color curtain stretched across the outside of the stone bridge.
The fine needle struck the light screen and immediately shattered into powder.
Tang San looked at Qian Renxue at the bridgehead, his jaw clenched tightly.
Qian Chen stopped in front of him.
You said you'd only contact me.
"Are we going to attack her again now?"
Tang San did not answer.
His right hand suddenly reached to his waist, his fingertips gripping a Hidden Weapon.
Qian Chen lowered his eyes to look.
He concealed the Hidden Weapon in his palm; its surface had no metallic luster, only a deep black hue.
Tang San channeled all his remaining Soul Power into his right arm.
"The Yama's Invitation!"
The dark light left his hand.
The two were less than a step apart.
Qian Chen could even see the poison gas seeping from the surface of the Hidden Weapon.
He did not dodge.
A tiny Nine-Color halo appeared between his fingers, enveloping the dark light.
The Hidden Weapon attempted to pierce the halo of light, but was intercepted in the center by the layers of folded space.
Tang San stared at Qian Chen's hand.
The Hidden Weapon was very close to his fingertips, but he could never reach it.
"You're not even afraid of poison?"
Your poison can't touch me.
Qian Chen clasped his hands together.
Flames rose from the Nine-Color halo, burning away the Hidden Weapon and poison gas.
Tang San's Storage Soul Tool at his waist lit up.
Qian Chen did not ask him to take out the next item.
The Dragon God Spear swept across half an inch, its tip striking his wrist.
Tang San loosened his right palm, and the Storage Soul Tool fell from his waist, sealed in mid-air by the Nine-Color light.
The Blue Silver Grass on the bridge surface withered and scattered rapidly.
The Eight Spider Lances on his back were still pushing, but they couldn't move an inch.
"You haven't released your Soul Ring yet."
Tang San raised his head and looked at Qian Chen.
"What level have you reached exactly?"
"Level 99."
Qian Chen gripped the Dragon God Spear firmly.
"But killing you won't require using up all this power."
Tang San's chest heaved as he once again conjured the Clear Sky Hammer in his left hand.
The black hammer shadow had barely appeared when it was crushed by the Spatial Power.
He looked at his empty palm, then looked up again.
"If I had the same amount of time..."
You have chosen today.
Qian Chen interrupted him.
"You should have thought about the consequences the moment you lured me out by hurting someone."
Tang San's gaze fell towards the outside of the bridge.
The city gate guards had already retreated to a distance.
Qian Renxue stood behind the light screen, her golden longsword remaining unsheathed.
Neither the Snow Empress nor the Ice Empress made a move.
From beginning to end, he only faced Qian Chen.
Tang San withdrew his gaze.
His Eight Spider Lances suddenly retracted inwards, with all eight spear tips simultaneously aimed at Qian Chen.
The remaining Soul Power surged out along the Spider Spear.
Qian Chen raised the Dragon God Spear.
The Nine-Color spear light flashed forward.
The Eight Spider Lances stopped.
Tang San looked down and saw that the spearhead had pierced through his chest.
He raised his left hand, trying to grab the gun that was right in front of him.
Qian Chen did not retreat.
The Nine-Colored Soul Power fell along the spearhead, completely severing the last wisp of Soul Power within Tang San's body.
The hand stopped halfway, then fell to its side.
Blue Silver Grass slid down from the bridge railing.
The Eight Spider Lances on Tang San's back lost their support and fell along the stone slab, never to rise again.
Qian Chen withdrew the Dragon God Spear.
The spatial constraints then dissipated.
Tang San collapsed in the middle of the bridge, his clothes gradually becoming soaked with blood.
His eyes were still fixed on Qian Chen, but his body was already lifeless.
The Nine-Color curtain outside the bridge slowly dissipated.
Qian Chen only put away the Dragon God Spear after confirming that the life force had been completely extinguished.
"Tang San, your score ends here."
Spirit City.
The river flowed slowly under the bridge.
Tang San's body lay in the middle of the bridge, with Blue Silver Grass scattered among the stone slabs.
Qian Chen put away the Dragon God Spear.
The Nine-Color light receded from the gun and returned to his palm.
Qian Renxue walked across the stone bridge.
She came up to Qian Chen, first looked at his sleeves, then reached out to straighten his cloak.
"Elder brother."
"I am here."
Are you alright?
"No."
Qian Renxue still did not give up.
She checked Qian Chen's arm to make sure the white brocade robe was intact before taking his hand in hers.
Ice Empress walked to Tang San's side.
She bent down and picked up the fragments of the Eight Spider Lances from the ground. With a gentle touch of her fingertips, the fragments turned into emerald green light spots.
"These Hidden Weapon are troublesome."
"Take it back to Yue Guan."
Qian Chen looked at her.
"Have him hand it over to the Soul Tool Department so they can disassemble and study it."
Ice Empress immediately stored the remaining fragments into his Soul Tool.
"Then let them handle this matter."
She turned around and hugged Qian Chen's arm again.
"Chen'er, let's go back and eat chestnut cake."
Qian Chen glanced at the injured people on the bridge.
The patrolling Soul Master had already been carried away by the guards, and only a few bags of scattered grain remained by the bridge.
"Go back to the city first."
Snow Empress walked up behind Qian Chen.
She reached out and brushed away the bits of Blue Silver Grass that had fallen onto his shoulder.
"The hem of my clothes got dirty too."
Qian Chen looked down.
Beneath the silver-white cloak, a small piece of dried vine leaf was indeed hanging.
Snow Empress reached out and took it.
"Now it's all right."
Qian Renxue took Qian Chen's hand.
"Brother, you are not allowed to handle any other matters today."
"Good."
"And they are not allowed to return to the Papal Palace to read the secret reports."
"Good."
"And you are absolutely forbidden from secretly cultivating."
Qian Chen looked at her.
"When did I secretly start cultivating?"
Qian Renxue raised her face.
"When you went into seclusion for a month, you didn't tell me exactly how long it would take."
"That's seclusion."
"They didn't say I'd reach Level 99 before I went into seclusion."
"You'll worry if I tell you."
That's why I had to say it.
Qian Renxue gripped his hand tightly.
"It's better to be worried than to know nothing."
Qian Chen looked at her for a moment.
I'll tell you later.
Qian Renxue was finally satisfied.
She took a step closer and rested her shoulder on Qian Chen's arm.
The Spatial Passage unfolds at the bridgehead.
The four of them stepped inside at the same time.
The Papal Gardens.
The chestnut cake was already laid out on the stone table.
The pale yellow pastries were pressed into the shapes of flowers, leaves, and Moon Orchid, and a pot of freshly brewed flower tea was placed next to them.
Ice Empress immediately spotted the plate of pastries.
She released Qian Chen and quickly walked to the table.
It's not cold yet.
Qian Renxue sat down at the stone table.
She picked up a flower-shaped chestnut cake and handed it to Qian Chen.
"Brother, you eat first."
Qian Chen accepted the pastries.
Aren't you going to eat?
"This is for you."
"There's still food in the kitchen."
That's different.
Qian Renxue watched him take a bite, a smile appearing in her golden eyes.
Is it sweet?
"Perfect."
"What about the one made by Ice Empress?"
Ice Empress immediately picked up the leaf-shaped chestnut cake.
"I made this."
She sat down to Qian Chen's left and brought the pastry to his lips.
"Chen'er, have a taste too."
Qian Chen lowered his head and ate it.
Ice Empress stared at his expression.
What about this part?
"That's good too."
Which one is better?
Qian Chen looked at the pastries in the hands of the two people.
"All is well."
Ice Empress gave a soft hum.
You're getting better and better at dealing with people.
Snow Empress pushed the teacup in front of Qian Chen.
He was just telling the truth.
Ice Empress turned their head to the side.
"Snow Sister always helps Chen'er."
Because he was telling the truth.