A beam of Nine-Colored Divine Light shot into the sky.
The clouds parted from the center.
A colossal divine gate appeared high in the sky.
Nine Elements patterns are engraved on both sides of the gate.
There was no path inside the gate, only endless starlight.
Qian Renxue looked up at the Divine Gate.
"Brother, what's that?"
"The Gate to Godhood"
Qian Chen gripped the Dragon God Spear.
The Nine-Color dragon slowly merged into his body from behind.
His aura surpassed Level 99 at that moment.
The ground of the entire Heaven Dou City trembled slightly.
All the Soul Master in the city looked up at the same time.
Qian Chen's white brocade robe was covered in divine light.
The silver-white cloak transformed into Nine-Color spots, which then coalesced back into a dragon-patterned cloak.
At the center of the golden hair crown, a Nine-Color Crystal appeared.
Qian Chen raised his head.
He took a step toward the gate.
Qian Renxue did not let go of his hand.
Ice Empress hugged his left arm.
Snow Empress grasped his right hand.
The power of the three men fell on Qian Chen simultaneously.
Qian Chen stopped in his tracks.
He turned to look at the three people beside him.
You stay here.
Qian Renxue shook her head.
"I don't."
"The power behind the Divine Gate is uncertain."
"Then I'll stay with you even more."
Ice Empress hugged his arm tightly.
"Wherever Chen'er goes, I will go."
Snow Empress looked at Qian Chen.
I promised you.
I will always be with you.
Qian Chen remained silent for a moment.
He raised his hand and took each of their hands in his.
Nine-Colored Divine Light rose from beneath the feet of the four people.
Outside the divine gate, starlight began to converge.
An ancient and majestic divine thought emanated from inside the door.
"Mortals Qian Chen."
"Are you willing to assume the Dragon God Divinity?"
Qian Chen raised his eyes and looked at the Divine Gate.
"I do."
The divine gate suddenly opened.
Nine-Color beams of light fell from it.
The Dragon God Spear transformed into a sky full of light, merging into Qian Chen's brow.
A Nine-Color Dragon Mark appeared on his forehead.
The divine throne has descended.
Qian Chen's figure slowly rose into the air.
Qian Renxue, Ice Empress, and Snow Empress released their grips simultaneously.
The three of them stood in the middle of the street, looking up at him.
Nine-Colored Divine Light pierced through the clouds.
The Firmament Tower transformed into Nine-Color Crystal amidst the light.
Qian Chen's Soul Power, Spiritual Power, and Bloodline Power were completely fused together in the divine light.
A Nine-Color Throne descended from the divine gate.
Behind the Throne, dragon wings unfolded.
Qian Chen sat on the Throne.
Nine-Colored Divine Light covered the entire Heaven Dou City.
That aura belonging to a mortal vanished completely.
Instead, there is divine power that transcends heaven and earth.
Qian Chen looked down at the three people below.
"I've become a god."
The divine gate slowly closed behind him.
The Nine-Color light dissipated.
Qian Chen fell from the sky.
His feet were once again on the long street.
Qian Renxue was the first to walk up to him.
She raised her hand and touched the Nine-Color Dragon Mark on Qian Chen's forehead.
"Elder brother."
"Um?"
Are you still my older brother?
Qian Chen took her hand.
"I am Qian Chen."
Ice Empress hugged him from the other side.
She rested her face on Qian Chen's shoulder.
"As long as she's still Chen'er, that's fine."
The Snow Empress stood behind him and reached out to straighten his Nine-Color cloak.
"After becoming a god, his clothes were in disarray."
Qian Chen looked down at the edge of his cloak.
"You still care about this?"
"Of course I care."
Snow Empress tucked a strand of her long, silvery-white hair behind her ear.
Even if you become a god, you can't be slovenly.
Qian Renxue took a step closer.
She took Qian Chen's hand and looked up at the dissipating divine gate high in the sky.
"Elder brother."
Are you going to buy hairpins again today?
Qian Chen looked at her.
"Go."
"I want to eat chestnut cake too."
"Good."
Ice Empress immediately raised their faces.
I want to buy two more boxes.
Qian Chen nodded.
"Buy three boxes."
Snow Empress carefully put away the tea leaves in her hand.
"After we get back, we'll make some new chestnut cakes."
Qian Chen looked at the three people beside him.
"I'm not going back to the Papal Palace today."
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up.
"Then let's continue shopping."
The four walked side by side into the depths of the long street.
Above the sky.
The Nine-Color light remained suspended among the clouds.
That divine gate has vanished.
But the dragon pattern on Qian Chen's forehead remained clearly visible.
At the end of the long street.
A blue cloth wine flag hangs under the eaves, and a small shop next to it has a hot pot set up.
Qian Chen stopped and looked at the several wooden tables set up in front of the stall.
Steam rose from the pot, carrying the aroma of scallions on the wind to the street.
Ice Empress followed his gaze and lifted the box of pastries in her arms slightly.
"Chen'er, are you hungry?"
It's time for lunch.
Qian Renxue glanced at the wooden sign hanging inside the shop.
Shrimp wontons.
She put the military token from her waist into her Soul Tool and walked to the empty table by the window.
"Brother, let's sit here."
Snow Empress took the tea bag from Qian Chen and placed it on the inside of the table.
Her pale silver sleeve swept across the corner of the table, and a loose splinter caught on the edge of her sleeve.
Qian Chen reached out and supported the fabric.
"Wait a moment."
She stopped in her tracks.
He removed the silver thread from the splinter and smoothed the corner of the table with his fingertips.
The warped piece of wood immediately became flat.
Snow Empress looked down at her cuffs.
"It's not broken."
"Sit here."
Qian Chen pulled out a chair for her and moved the pastry box further away, giving her room to put her hands down.
Ice Empress had already picked up the wooden plaque on the table.
"Fresh shrimp, mushrooms, and fish."
After reading it once, she handed the wooden plaque to Qian Chen.
I want to try them all.
"Order one bowl first."
What about the other two?
"I'll share mine with you."
Ice Empress immediately put the wooden sign back in its original place.
"You said it."
The shopkeeper brought over a teapot, his gaze lingering on Qian Chen's forehead for a moment.
The Nine-Color Dragon Mark is still clearly visible.
His hand gripped the handle of the teapot, and he was about to bow when Qian Chen spoke first.
Four bowls of wontons.
"Two bowls of fresh shrimp, one bowl each of mushrooms and fish."
The shopkeeper nodded quickly.
"Please have a seat, I'll go cook right away."
Qian Chen took out the silver coin and placed it on the table.
Just do it as usual.
The shopkeeper accepted the silver coins and turned to go to the stove.
Qian Renxue arranged the chopsticks and looked up at Qian Chen.
"Brother, he recognized you."
"With such a commotion in the city just now, it's normal to recognize them."
Ice Empress pushed the teacup towards themselves.
"Won't people always stare at you when you go out to eat from now on?"
Qian Chen raised his hand and touched his brow.
The Nine-Color Dragon Mark gradually faded away.
The dragon-patterned cloak on his shoulders also lost its luster, leaving only the silver-white fabric and fine, dark patterns.
Snow Empress looked at his forehead.
"So it can be stored away."
"I forgot just now."
She took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away a speck of dust from his brow.
What do you remember?
I remember you don't eat scallions.
Snow Empress's hand stopped at his brow.
Qian Chen turned to look at the stove.
"Shopkeeper, one bowl of fresh shrimp, no scallions."
The person at the stove should get up and place the chopped scallions into a small dish.
She took back the handkerchief, folded it neatly, and placed it beside her.
"I remember that incident quite well."
Qian Chen picked up the teapot and poured her half a cup of tea.
"Having eaten with you so many times, I should remember."
The wontons were served quickly.
Thin noodles are soaked in clear broth, with a few drops of sesame oil on the rim of the bowl.
Ice Empress picked up a spoon and scooped up one.
Just as she was about to put it in her mouth, Qian Chen gently pressed the edge of the spoon against her with her chopsticks.
The soup inside is very hot.
Ice Empress glanced at the steaming wontons, then looked at him.
"Have you forgotten what I do?"
A glimmer of green light rose from her fingertips.
Qian Chen pressed down on the back of her hand.
"If you freeze the soup, how are we supposed to eat it?"
She put away the emerald light and brought the spoon closer.
"Then you blow it for me."
He bent down and blew on the cool air, then used the tip of his chopsticks to make a small opening in the dough.
The broth slowly flowed back into the spoon.
"It's okay now."
Ice Empress took a sip, then pushed his bowl between the two of them.
"This is delicious."
You should try some too.
Qian Chen took one from her bowl and put the mushroom wonton from her own bowl into her spoon.
She looked down at the one she had received in exchange, and didn't rush to eat it.
"Is this one hot too?"
"Just came out of the pot."
"Then help me one more time."
Qian Renxue picked up the small dish next to her and placed it in front of Ice Empress.
"Pour it out first, let it cool for a while."
Ice Empress glanced at the empty disc.
"I know."
She still handed the spoon to Qian Chen.
Snow Empress, holding her teacup, watched the two's actions with a smile in her eyes.
Qian Chen blew on the Ice Empress to cool it down for Hyotei before picking up her own chopsticks again.
There was an extra shrimp wonton in his bowl.
Snow Empress has already taken the spoon back.
Your bowl has almost been replaced.
"You gave it to me?"
"Don't you want to try some too?"
Qian Chen picked up the wonton.
The shrimp are firm, the dough is thin, and it's mixed with finely chopped bamboo shoots.
After he finished eating, he glanced at the stove.
"You can try making it when you get back."
Ice Empress immediately looked up.
"I'll taste it."
Qian Renxue put down her spoon.
You can also be in charge of peeling the shrimp.
"Then what will you do?"
"I'll make wontons."
Snow Empress wiped the soup stains off the rim of her bowl.
"You guys finish this meal first."
The afternoon sun moved onto the doorstep.
Qian Chen picked up the pastry box and followed the three of them out of the shop.
Snow Empress lagged half a step behind, bending down to adjust the belt around her waist.
Her sash was pressed against the side of the chair, and after sitting for a while, two creases appeared at the end.
Qian Chen stopped by the door and waited for her.
Are you still shopping this afternoon?
Are you tired?
I'd like to find a place to sit for a while.
She smoothed her clothes and looked up at the street corner.
There is a path leading to the city's irrigation canal.
Willow branches droop outside the stone railing, and benches are placed under the trees for passersby to rest.
Qian Chen followed her gaze.
"Go over there."
Ice Empress, carrying the remaining two boxes of pastries, walked towards the tree.
Qian Renxue stopped at a flower stall by the roadside and picked out Moon Orchid displayed in a bamboo basket.
He didn't urge him, but simply placed the paper package in his hand at one end of the bench.
When Snow Empress sat down, the hem of her light silver skirt spread out in front of her knees.
She raised her hand to remove the silver clasp from her hair and untied the fine hair wrapped around the clasp.
Qian Chen sat down next to her.
"It's stuck?"
"I leaned back in the chair a little too much just now."
He took out a long, slender brocade box wrapped by a jewelry shop from his sleeve.
"Try something new."
Snow Empress paused for a moment when she saw the white jade hairpin in the box.
"You know how to use it?"
"You taught me."
She placed the silver clasp in his palm, then turned her back to him.
Her long hair slid down her shoulders, revealing the delicate snowflake embroidery on her collar.
Qian Chen first gathered the hair on both sides, then used a jade hairpin to secure the knot.
He didn't tie his hair too tightly; he ran his fingertips around the end of the hairpin to make sure it didn't snag any strands before stepping back a little.
"Alright."
Snow Empress raised her hand and touched the snowflakes on the hairpin.
"Is it off-center?"
"No."
She turned her face, her white jade earring lightly touching the edge of her collar.
Qian Chen looked at her and then smoothed a strand of long hair behind her ear.
"It looks better than when it's in a box."
Snow Empress did not respond immediately.
She took the empty brocade box and carefully put away the old silver clasp.
"Then I'll wear this one today."
A breeze blew across the water, lifting a corner of the paper package.
Qian Chen reached out and pressed down on the corner of the paper, and Snow Empress's hand also fell down.
Their fingertips touched.
She didn't pull her hand back, but simply moved the paper package further inside the bench.
Qian Chen took her hand in his.
Do you like it here?
"It's quiet here."
She looked at a willow leaf slowly drifting across the water.
"You don't need to rush to do anything."
He adjusted the cloak behind his shoulder to the side so it wouldn't weigh down her skirt.
"Then sit a little longer."
Snow Empress nodded gently and leaned closer to her shoulder.
Qian Renxue returned carrying a small bunch of Moon Orchid and placed the flowers next to the pastry box.
"Go back and put it by the window."
Ice Empress opened a box of Snow Lotus Crisp, picked up a piece, and then looked at the two people's clasped hands.
She handed the pastries to Qian Chen.
"Chen'er, catch it with your free hand."
Qian Chen accepted the pastries.
Snow Empress turned to look at him, then loosened her grip.
You eat first.
He put the Snow Lotus Crisp back in the box and took her hand again.
"I just ate, wait a moment."
Ice Empress sat down on the other side, placing the confectionery box on his lap.
"Then I'll wait a bit too."
Qian Renxue picked out a sprig of Moon Orchid that had been bent over and straightened the flower stem.
A few drops of water fell from the petals, wetting the paper wrapping the flower.
Qian Chen reached out and supported the bottom of the paper, allowing her to re-tie the thin string.
Snow Empress leaned against him, the white jade hairpin in her hair reflecting the sunlight.
She gently touched the back of his hand with her thumb.
"Chen'er."
"Um?"
"When we go back, let's buy some flour."
He turned to look at her.
Are you making wontons tonight?
You knead the dough, I'll roll out the wrappers.
Qian Chen glanced at her neatly tucked cuffs.
"Then you need to change out of this outfit."
Snow Empress followed his gaze and looked down, then looked up at him.
"Now you're telling me what to do?"
"Flour on your sleeves is hard to wash."
She gently draped her sleeve over their clasped hands.
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
Heaven Dou City.
At the end of the long street.
Qian Chen put the last box of pastries into his Soul Tool, and the Nine-Color Dragon Mark on his forehead suddenly lit up.
A bloody trail appeared in his senses.
That power was hidden in the northern part of the continent, deep underground, and was completely different from the divine power he had encountered when he assumed the divine position.
Beneath the blood and qi, there was another mark.
A dark red longsword.
"Asura Divine Power?"
Snow Empress stopped beside him and followed his gaze to the north.
What did you discover?
Qian Chen unleashed his divine sense.
Mountains and cities flashed by in my perception, and a black city buried underground gradually became clear.
Blood was flowing beneath the city wall.
In the center of the city, a tall palace was shrouded in blood.
His divine sense traveled through the palace and he saw the person on the Throne.
A black cloak trailed before the steps, blood-red patterns covered his face, and a pair of large bat wings were folded behind him.
Inside that person's body was actually a Clear Sky Hammer.
"The Slaughter City."
Qian Chen withdrew his gaze.
"And Tang Chen."
Qian Renxue raised her head.
"Grandpa mentioned him."
"The former Clear Sky Sect, Level 99 Limit Douluo."
Ice Empress closed the box of pastries in their hands.
"He didn't appear when the Clear Sky Sect was destroyed; it turns out he was hiding here."
"His body was taken over by another consciousness."
Qian Chen raised his right hand, Nine-Colored Divine Light spread out in front of him.
I'm going to see him.