[These silly girls really never let me stop worrying. In weather this cold, they don't even know to wear more.]
[But seeing them all here in this little space, I suddenly felt that all this wind and snow amounted to nothing. To let them keep this leisure and peace of mind to admire ice sculptures forever, I have to grow stronger as soon as possible.]
The words slowly took shape, carrying a blunt man's helpless grumbling, yet laying bare his bone-deep concern and his mastery of keeping everyone's cup equally full.
On the other side of the elevated pavilion.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing read the Diary in their minds and exchanged a glance, their hearts as warm as if they had drunk hot soup.
That outwardly icy man who complained about their thin clothing had actually etched every one of their smiles deep into his heart.
Standing beside Xiong Shaoqing, Qian Renxue read the words "this silly girl... such a soft waist," and froze as though struck by an immobilizing spell.
The spot around her waist where his arm had just rested seemed to catch fire. Qian Renxue lowered her head slightly, a thin mist actually rising in those golden eyes that were usually so deep and wise.
More than twenty years.
No one had ever asked whether she felt cold pretending to be a man in this world of ice and snow. No one had ever looked past that crown prince's guise to cherish her vulnerability as a girl.
Only him. Only this man wished, deep in his heart and with the most overbearing tenderness, that she could be herself again.
[Ding! Qian Renxue's hardest inner defenses have been completely breached. Extreme gratitude and profound love detected. Admiration Value overflowing!] [Ding! Extreme feelings of security and happiness detected in Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing! Bond Points resonating!] [System Feedback Mechanism erupting! Triple emotional bonds converted into pure Soul Power!] [Boom!] [The host's Soul Power has broken through a major realm barrier!] [Current Soul Power: Level 30 (Quasi-Soul Elder)!]
Alongside the system's deafening notifications, a tremendous force only Xiong Shaoqing could sense surged wildly through every limb and bone.
The Martial Soul phantom of the Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear let out an earthshaking roar within his spiritual sea.
Thirtieth Rank. Finally, Thirtieth Rank.
Xiong Shaoqing was excited beyond measure as he felt that dense, almost tangible Soul Power.
Once he hunted down his third Soul Ring, he would be a true Soul Elder.
That venomous snake Tang San was now at roughly level thirty-eight, and with those nearly impossible-to-guard-against Tang Sect Hidden Weapons in hand, he was armed to the teeth.
Previously, if they truly fell out and fought head-on, he would have gained nothing and might even have lost his life.
But things were different now.
A sharp gleam lay concealed in Xiong Shaoqing's eyes as his mind rapidly calculated their relative combat strength.
His robust Thirtieth Rank foundation, combined with the Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear's overbearing ability to fight above its level, plus the trump card of Absolute Defense granted by the system...
Even if he still could not strike at Tang San's foundations, he definitely had the means to face him head-on and put up a fight.
Tang San could dream on if he thought those poisoned hidden weapons would still wound him easily.
Even if he truly ended up in a death trap, he, Xiong Shaoqing, could still protect his beauties and escape unscathed.
On this Douluo Continent, having the power to overturn the table and defend himself against that venomous snake was his greatest capital for survival.
Tang San, just you wait. At this cultivation speed, the gap in our combat strength will shrink even further.
Though a magnitude-eighteen tsunami of wild joy had already surged through his heart, Xiong Shaoqing stood ramrod straight, without leaking even a trace of Soul Power fluctuations.
He slowly turned his head to look at Qian Renxue's reddened eyes, then glanced toward Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing in the distance, their clothes fluttering in the winter wind.
"The wind and snow are heavy. It's too cold." Xiong Shaoqing frowned slightly, his voice as cold and unapproachable as ever.
As he spoke, he casually undid his broad black sable cloak, still carrying his body heat, and draped it over Qian Renxue's thin shoulders.
"Go inside and warm yourselves by the fire. We've seen enough ice sculptures."
With that, he ignored Qian Renxue's startled, moved gaze, clasped his hands behind his back, and turned coldly and proudly through the wind and snow to enter the heated room inside the elevated pavilion, leaving behind a silhouette as steadfast and dependable as a mountain.
Deep within the Papal Palace in Spirit City.
Dim candlelight flickered through the empty hall, casting shifting light and shadow over Bibi Dong's breathtaking yet icy face.
She sat high upon the papal throne, reading Xiong Shaoqing's newly updated Diary in her mind.
Chapter 53: Bibi Dong burns with fury
Her gaze swept over the line, [Back on the bridge, Xue'er slipped. The moment I caught her around the waist, I almost couldn't resist pulling her straight into my arms.]
Bibi Dong's deep, haughty purple eyes instantly narrowed to pinpoints.
Crack.
A piercing snap abruptly exploded through the deathly silent hall.
The priceless white jade teacup in Bibi Dong's hand had actually been crushed to powder in her grip.
Scalding tea and sharp jade fragments sprayed everywhere, a few shards even scraping across her magnificent papal robes.
"Insolence! Utterly shameless!"
Bibi Dong abruptly rose, her chest heaving. Terrifying pressure capable of changing the color of heaven and earth erupted from her like a volcano, instantly sweeping through the entire hall.
Creak.
Just then, the heavy doors were pushed open from outside.
"Teacher, Liena has come to pay her res-"
Hu Liena had just entered the hall for her customary greeting when, before she could finish, she collided head-on with that terrifying killing intent, as though it would destroy heaven and earth.
Her entire body stiffened. Her legs buckled almost uncontrollably, and she dropped to her knees with a thud.
Hu Liena raised her head, staring in horror at the stunning woman atop the steps, who resembled a furious deity.
In her memory, her teacher had always been a supreme ruler high above everyone, her expression unchanged even if Mount Tai collapsed before her.
Even when faced with pressure from the two great empires back then, her teacher had merely flicked her nails nonchalantly.
She had never seen her teacher so furious, even abandoning her dignity as Pope to smash a cup with her own hands.
What on earth happened? Could the Elder Hall be exerting pressure behind the scenes again?
Hu Liena's heart lurched uneasily, but she was clever and understood Bibi Dong's temper.
At a time like this, she absolutely could not ask a single question.
Although her teacher normally doted on her most, she was furious right now. If Hu Liena spoke out of turn and annoyed her, becoming the target of her displaced anger would truly be like "a fire at the city gates bringing disaster to the fish in the moat."
"Liena?"
Bibi Dong looked down at Hu Liena kneeling in the hall, drew a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the rampaging Soul Power within her.
She settled back onto her throne, the mask of cold majesty swiftly returning to her exquisite face, though the gloom in her eyes remained too thick to disperse.
"What is it?" Bibi Dong's voice was icy.
"T-to report to Teacher." Hu Liena cautiously lowered her head, not even daring to breathe loudly. "Liena came to report her recent cultivation progress. My Demon Fox Martial Soul has completely stabilized, and my Soul Power has also improved..."
"Mm, understood. You may leave. Cultivate diligently, and do not disappoint me." Bibi Dong had no mind to listen to any of this. She waved impatiently, cutting Hu Liena's report short.
"Yes, your disciple takes her leave." As though granted a pardon, Hu Liena respectfully kowtowed, then scrambled out of the hall, firmly shutting the doors behind her.
As the heavy doors closed once more, the hall again fell into deathly silence.
Bibi Dong leaned against the cold backrest, her slender fingers digging fiercely into the solid-gold armrests.
Well done, Xiong Shaoqing. Well done, Qian Renxue.
Bibi Dong ground her teeth, the fury in her heart gnawing madly at her reason like an ulcer clinging to the bone.
That unfilial daughter, instead of maintaining her disguise in the Heaven Dou Empire and carrying out Spirit Hall's years-long plan to seize the nation, actually ran off to Suotuo City to tour a lake and admire ice sculptures with a man.
She even let that man hold her around the waist in this ice and snow, and wore his clothes?
Utterly idiotic. The dignified inheritor of the Six-Winged Angel, wasting her time on an ant who hasn't even reached Thirtieth Rank.
Bibi Dong found herself a grand and righteous excuse for her anger.
Yet even Bibi Dong herself failed to notice the strange trace of sour, stifled discomfort mingled within that towering fury.
Reading the Diary's words, filled with Xiong Shaoqing's concern for Qian Renxue and overflowing with indulgence between every line, she involuntarily pictured him holding Qian Renxue's waist.
An inexplicable resistance churned violently in her chest like an overturned vat of century-old vinegar.
Why do I feel so uncomfortable seeing him lavish care on another woman?
Especially when that woman is the disgusting bastard Qian Xunji left behind.
Bibi Dong abruptly shut her eyes, forcibly dispelling the absurd jealousy in her mind.
No. I am absolutely not jealous.
How could I possibly be jealous over a madman whose mouth is full of nonsense?
I am merely furious. Furious that that unfilial daughter has forgotten her mission, furious that Spirit Hall's dignity has been challenged by an ant.
Bibi Dong suddenly opened her eyes, chilling, razor-sharp killing intent flashing within her purple irises.
She rose abruptly, her broad papal robes stirring a fierce rush of wind through the silent hall.
Since that unfilial daughter has forgotten her identity, I shall personally visit Suotuo City and give her a proper warning.
Bibi Dong gazed toward the Heaven Dou Empire, the corners of her lips curling into a cruel, icy arc.
"Xiong Shaoqing, I would like to see with my own eyes whether an ant of Thirtieth Rank like you can still protect your beloved 'Xue'er' in my presence."
Night hung low, and biting winds howled through Suotuo City's streets, yet could not disperse the Great Soul Arena's daylight-bright bustle and fervor.
After returning from Cold Moon Lake, Xiong Shaoqing's party headed straight for the Great Soul Arena.
"Xue Qinghe," who should originally have parted ways with them after viewing the ice sculptures, instead waved her folding fan with interest and smiled gently.
"I hear Brother Xiong's Heaven-Shaking Phantom Team has never suffered a defeat in this Soul Fighting Arena. Might Qinghe have the cheek to accompany you and watch from below, to witness Brother Xiong's peerless bearing?"
Xiong Shaoqing stopped and gave her a cold glance.
Inside, his lecherous soul was already rolling across the floor in delight.
Come, come, come. You absolutely have to come.
I was just worrying that no one would watch me show off at the Great Soul Arena. With you, the Heaven Dou Crown Prince and the Young Master of Spirit Hall, cheering below, I'll have to tear this stage apart tonight to liven things up.
Outwardly, however, he merely nodded slightly, his voice remaining utterly flat. "As you wish. The stage is bloody. Just don't let it frighten you, Young Master Xue."
Half an hour later, in the Fourteenth Sub-Arena.
With the referee's impassioned announcement, the Heaven-Shaking Phantom Team secured their fifth consecutive victory of the night.
Soul Power surged across the stage as light and shadows intertwined.
The three opposing level-thirty-six Battle Soul Elders had been driven into a corner. Disregarding the Soul Fighting rules, they actually joined forces and transformed into three raging blades of fire.
Avoiding Xiong Shaoqing at the front, they viciously struck from blind spots on either flank, sweeping toward Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, whose Soul Power was heavily depleted.
"Despicable!" Qian Renxue abruptly rose below the stage, tightening her grip on her folding fan.
Chapter 54: Protecting his wives with overwhelming might
"You're courting death."
On the stage, a cold gleam flashed in Xiong Shaoqing's eyes.
He used no Soul Skill, merely snorted coldly and stamped his right foot hard against the bluestone stage.
Boom.
Dense, almost tangible Soul Power far surpassing that of a Soul Grandmaster erupted from his body without restraint, accompanied by the Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear's terrifying pressure.
His figure instantly shifted sideways like a phantom. His iron arms shot out, his left hand catching Xiao Wu's slender waist and his right circling Zhu Zhuqing's alluring, supple waist, bringing both girls safely behind him.
Immediately afterward, the dark-gold Soul Power around him formed a raging shield of Gang Qi, forcibly withstanding those three lethal blades of fire.
Waves of force churned. The three opposing Soul Elders were blasted straight off the stage by the overbearing recoil, slamming heavily beneath the spectator stands and passing out on the spot.
The entire arena fell silent for an instant, then erupted into frenzied cheers that threatened to lift the roof.
Five consecutive wins, and another instant defeat of higher-level opponents.
Before you continue