Nine years later

Six years later.

Spirit City, in the mountains behind the Worship Hall.

Lin Yuan stood before a cliff and slowly raised his right hand.

Cyan-blue light gathered in his palm, forming a longbow of ancient, simple design. Its body seemed forged from starlight, with a cold, keen presence flowing over its surface.

The instant the Imperial Bow appeared, four Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath Lin Yuan's feet.

None of the four Soul Rings bore the yellow, purple, or black of ordinary Soul Rings.

They were pure sky blue throughout.

A miniature starry sky seemed hidden within each ring. Countless tiny points of light flowed slowly around them, giving off not the presence of ordinary Soul Beasts, but the cold edge belonging to the Path of the Hunt.

Lin Yuan's Soul Rings did not come from Soul Beasts.

Whenever his Soul Power reached the corresponding realm, the Imperial Bow would resonate with the Path of the Hunt, bringing down a blessing of the Hunt to condense a new Soul Ring for him.

Thus, all four Soul Rings were exactly the same color.

Such Soul Rings were unheard of on the Douluo Continent. Once exposed, they would inevitably attract countless prying eyes.

Ordinarily, Lin Yuan wore a ring-simulating Soul Tool that Qian Daoliu had ordered crafted, disguising his four sky-blue Soul Rings as the four common colors of yellow, yellow, purple, and purple.

Only deep within the Worship Hall, or before people truly worthy of his trust, would he reveal his Soul Rings' original appearance.

Lin Yuan drew the bowstring with his fingers.

The Soul Power between heaven and earth swiftly gathered toward the Imperial Bow.

The next instant, a cyan-blue arrow of light left the string.

Whoosh!

The arrow's light crossed hundreds of meters, striking a fist-sized protrusion on the rock face with perfect accuracy.

There was no violent explosion.

Yet the arrow silently pierced the rock, leaving a circular hole of unfathomable depth in the hard cliff face.

Only several breaths later did fine cracks begin appearing around the hole.

Lin Yuan slowly lowered the Imperial Bow.

Rank forty-eight.

In nine years, he had grown from a child who had only just set foot on the path of a Soul Master into a rank forty-eight Soul Ancestor.

And he was only fifteen now.

Among all the geniuses throughout Spirit Hall's history, not a second person could be found with such a cultivation speed.

Besides the Soul Rings bestowed by the Hunt, the section of the Ambrosial Arbor sealed beneath the Angel Temple had also become part of Lin Yuan's cultivation.

For nine years, Lin Yuan had used the Imperial Bow to channel the power of the Hunt into the seal, continually wearing away the presence of Abundance within the Ambrosial Arbor.

At first, the effect was slight, and the Ambrosial Arbor could quickly recover.

As his cultivation rose, the power of the Hunt gradually outpaced its recovery.

Now, the pale golden light inside the Ambrosial Arbor had dimmed by more than half.

If this continued, completely cleansing the power of Abundance within it was only a matter of time.

Lin Yuan put away the Imperial Bow.

The four sky-blue Soul Rings merged back into his body as well.

"It looks like your power has grown stronger again."

A cool, clear voice came from behind him.

Lin Yuan turned around.

Outside the Worship Hall, a golden-haired girl stood quietly at the end of the long flight of steps.

Nine years had passed, and Qian Renxue had long since shed her childhood immaturity.

Her long golden hair fell to her waist, and her features were striking and delicate. A white-and-gold gown traced her slender figure, while the innate nobility of the Angel Clan had already emerged in her brow and eyes.

Lin Yuan walked to her side.

"Leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes."

Qian Renxue gazed into the distance.

"I've been away from Heaven Dou City for too long. If I don't go back soon, it'll easily arouse suspicion."

Six years earlier, Qian Xunji had pursued the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor, only to be gravely wounded by Tang Hao, who had just broken through to Titled Douluo.

Not long after returning to Spirit City, Qian Xunji had died of his injuries.

At least, that was the account Spirit Hall gave the outside world.

Lin Yuan, however, knew that Tang Hao had not actually killed Qian Xunji.

The person who had truly ended his life was Bibi Dong.

After Qian Xunji's death, Bibi Dong succeeded him as Pope.

Shortly afterward, Qian Renxue accepted the plan to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire, entering the Heaven Dou Imperial Family under Xue Qinghe's identity.

For the six years that followed, she had lived almost entirely in Heaven Dou City.

From her speech and habits to the presence of her Soul Power, from imperial etiquette to court politics, she could not reveal the slightest flaw.

The current Xue Qinghe had already earned Xue Ye's trust and possessed immense prestige among the younger generation of the Heaven Dou Empire.

She had returned to Spirit City this time because Qian Daoliu had secretly summoned her to learn about the latest situation within the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

As for Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue had never once taken the initiative to see her.

Though the two were in the same city, they were more distant than strangers.

Lin Yuan had not told Qian Renxue the truth about Qian Xunji's death.

There were some things that would serve no purpose if revealed now, only cause her more pain.

"How are things going in Heaven Dou?" Lin Yuan asked.

"Very smoothly."

Qian Renxue's tone was calm.

"Xue Ye has already begun letting me handle more state affairs, and quite a few people at court have chosen to support me."

"As long as things continue this way, Xue Qinghe will become the Heaven Dou Crown Prince sooner or later."

Lin Yuan looked at her.

"Don't spend all your time on this identity."

Qian Renxue turned her head.

"Worried I won't complete the mission?"

"Worried you'll forget who you are."

Lin Yuan said:

"No matter how much power Xue Qinghe holds, it's still false."

"The only things that truly belong to you are your Martial Soul and your cultivation."

"Once your identity is exposed, your connections at court won't save you. But if you're strong enough, no one in all of Heaven Dou City will be able to keep you there."

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment.

"Grandfather says the same thing."

"But you're worried about different things."

"How so?"

Qian Renxue reached out and took his hand.

"Grandfather worries that the plan will fail."

"You worry that something will happen to me."

Lin Yuan clasped her hand in return.

"Isn't that obvious?"

The corners of Qian Renxue's lips lifted slightly.

Over those six years, the two had spent little time together.

Living in Heaven Dou City, Qian Renxue could not return to Spirit Hall whenever she wished. Lin Yuan could only exchange messages with her through the Worship Hall's secret channels.

Yet the distance had not driven them apart.

Instead, it made every meeting especially precious.

"Come to Heaven Dou City with me."

Qian Renxue suddenly spoke.

"No one will suspect anything if Xue Qinghe has one more guard."

Lin Yuan shook his head.

"I'm planning to go out and temper myself."

"Where?"

"The Far North first."

Qian Renxue's brows furrowed slightly.

"You don't need to hunt Soul Beasts for your Soul Rings. Why go there?"

"It's not for Soul Rings."

Lin Yuan raised his right hand, and the phantom of the Imperial Bow flashed before vanishing.

"I'm already rank forty-eight."

"If I stay in the Worship Hall to cultivate, it'll be difficult to break through anytime soon."

"What the Imperial Bow needs isn't secluded cultivation, but a true hunt."

For the past six years, Lin Yuan had spent most of his time in Spirit Hall.

He had cultivated his Soul Power, familiarized himself with his Soul Skills, and received instruction from several of the worshippers, while also using the power of the Hunt to wear away the presence of Abundance within the Ambrosial Arbor.

Such cultivation was stable enough, but it had also gradually brought him up against a bottleneck.

To keep moving forward, he had to leave Spirit City.

"When will you come back?" Qian Renxue asked.

"I'm not sure."

Qian Renxue tightened her grip on his hand slightly.

Lin Yuan paused.

"But I'll come to Heaven Dou City to see you."

"Under what identity?"

"Lin Yuan."

"What relationship does Xue Qinghe have with you?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment.

"Friends."

Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Just friends?"

"Xue Qinghe is a man in other people's eyes."

Lin Yuan said helplessly:

"If I act too close to you, within three days, word will spread through Heaven Dou City that the crown prince likes men."

The smile at the corners of Qian Renxue's mouth stiffened slightly.

She had clearly imagined that scene as well.

"Then come see me when no one else is around."

"All right."

Lin Yuan took a cyan-blue arrowhead charm from his Soul Tool.

The charm was only the size of a thumb, with faint starlight flowing over its surface.

"For you."

Qian Renxue accepted the charm.

"What does it do?"

"It can block one fatal attack for you."

Lin Yuan said:

"After it's attacked, it will also leave a mark of the Hunt on the other person."

"As long as the mark hasn't disappeared, I'll be able to find him."

Qian Renxue looked at the charm in her palm, and much of the sorrow of parting faded from her eyes.

She carefully put the charm away.

"You're really willing to give me something this important?"

"Of course."

Lin Yuan looked at her.

"Then what are you planning to give me?"

Qian Renxue froze slightly.

The next moment, she stepped forward and rose onto her toes.

Her soft lips gently touched Lin Yuan's.

They parted after the briefest touch.

Qian Renxue stepped half a pace back, the tips of her ears already flushed crimson.

"Is that enough?"

Lin Yuan looked at her, only speaking after a moment:

"Just barely."

"Greedy."

Qian Renxue gave a soft huff, but her eyes held a hint of a smile.

Early the next morning.

An unremarkable merchant caravan left Spirit City through its northern gate.

Qian Renxue sat inside one of the carriages.

Once she reached the secret outpost arranged by Spirit Hall, she would become Xue Qinghe, prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, once more and return to that imperial palace where probing and scheming lurked at every turn.

Another carriage headed in the exact opposite direction, toward the north of the continent.

The Far North.

Ice and snow covered it year-round, and its conditions were harsh. The deeper one ventured, the colder it became. Even powerful Soul Masters could be buried in the wind and snow forever with a moment's carelessness.

At the same time, the Far North was home to large numbers of ice-attribute Soul Beasts rarely seen in the outside world.

Rumor had it that several powerful Soul Beasts with over a hundred thousand years of cultivation existed in the deepest reaches of that frozen expanse.

They ruled over the entire Far North. Even Titled Douluo did not dare enter their territories lightly.

Lin Yuan had not chosen that place to hunt for Soul Rings.

All his Soul Rings came from the blessing of The Hunt.

As long as his Soul Power reached rank fifty and he received another response from the Path of the Hunt, a fifth sky-blue Soul Ring would naturally condense around the Imperial Bow.

He was going to the Far North for true tempering.

For the past six years, Lin Yuan had spent most of his time in Spirit City.

The Worship Hall offered the best cultivation environment on the continent, along with personal guidance from several Titled Douluo, yet it had always lacked real danger.

The Far North, however, was vast and cold, with countless Soul Beasts.

There, he would have to face not only powerful Soul Beasts but also blizzards that could claim his life at any moment.

Only in such an environment could he continue to hone his will and archery.

The Hunt had never been a safe path.

If a hunter always remained somewhere safe, the arrow in his hand could never fly toward true prey.

Lin Yuan boarded the carriage and set his luggage aside.

The silver-white ring-mimicking Soul Tool was still on his wrist.

After leaving Spirit Hall, he would encounter many unfamiliar Soul Masters. For now, it was still best not to expose his four sky-blue Soul Rings or the secret of the blessing of The Hunt.

The carriage slowly rolled out of Spirit City.

Northward all the way.

As the distance grew, Spirit City's towering walls gradually vanished at the end of the road.

Lin Yuan lifted the carriage curtain and took one last look at the place where he had lived for six years.

Then he lowered the curtain and closed his eyes, sensing the cold presence emanating from the Imperial Bow within him.

The Far North was a very long way from Spirit City.

Even traveling day and night by carriage, it would take considerable time to reach the towns on its outskirts.

That time would be just right for him to consolidate his rank forty-eight Soul Power and prepare for the tempering to come.

The wheels rolled over the road with a rhythmic sound.

Just as Lin Yuan was about to begin cultivating, an abrupt burst of laughter suddenly rang out inside the carriage.

"Haha..."

Lin Yuan's eyes snapped open.

The laughter was very soft.

It sounded as though someone had leaned close to his ear and let out a laugh they could not suppress.

Yet there was no second person anywhere inside the carriage.

Lin Yuan immediately released his spiritual power, sweeping it through the carriage and its surroundings.

There was no unfamiliar presence.

Nor were there any Soul Power fluctuations.

Even the Soul Master driving the carriage had noticed nothing unusual and continued urging the horses northward.

Lin Yuan frowned slightly.

Just as he was about to ask a question, a louder burst of laughter suddenly rang out.

"Hahahahahaha!"

The voice sounded distant one moment and close the next.

At times, it seemed to come from a corner of the carriage; at others, it seemed to echo directly inside his mind.

Madness.

Delight.

As though some unseen being was eagerly awaiting his entry into that endless frozen expanse.

The Imperial Bow inside Lin Yuan trembled faintly.

The carriage did not stop.

Its wheels continued rolling toward the Far North.

The next moment, that loud laughter rang throughout the carriage again.

"Hahahahahaha!"