423. Second Trial Complete

Boom!

Black thunderclouds crackled as lightning bolts continuously shot forth, and countless ice blades rained down from above.

The entire world was shrouded in cold winds, light rain, and sharp frost.

A divine six-winged angel flew alone, ascending against the current, enduring the harsh baptism.

Even as the environment grew increasingly severe the higher she climbed, Qian Renxue refrained from drawing her sword. She needed to conserve her strength for the final sprint.

Her body was shielded only by the holy flames, which kept the invading ice, rain, thunder, and wind at bay.

Her exquisite face remained serene, though tinged with a hint of pallor. Her slightly slender phoenix eyes fixed unwaveringly on the cloud layer less than a hundred meters away, where intense flashes of lightning made it nearly impossible to keep one’s eyes open.

Her golden eyes flickered with white light. Her snow-like skin, straight nose, and fuller figure—more so than nine months ago—added to her aura of divine beauty.

Around her spun six black soul rings and one red soul ring.

Countless bolts of lightning descended.

The golden Angelic Domain expanded and contracted, while the holy flames condensed into a sword. The crimson soul ring gleamed as the towering six-winged angel form, standing dozens of meters tall, radiated like a golden sun, illuminating the entire world.

Wherever the light reached, all cold was dispelled.

The sixth soul ring flared with dark light.

The angel form roared skyward, as if challenging the thunderbolts to a duel.

Golden orbs of light shot toward the heavens, resembling a golden skyline piercing through the world.

Boom!

The thick cloud layers were torn apart by the sound waves.

Golden rays seeped through the cracks, and the frost covering Qian Renxue’s body seemed to be melting. Her gaze sharpened like a sword.

Boom!

The thunderclouds closed again, as countless bolts of lightning entwined and transformed into a thunder dragon, roaring with fury as it charged toward the angel form.

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let her angel form float horizontally in the air, holding the holy sword upright in front of her as though she were asleep.

In this world, Qian Renxue had lost all sense of time. Yet victory was within reach, and her longing to see Bibi Dong and Qian Renjue grew more urgent by the moment.

The weariness on her face gradually softened.

Between her brows, the mark of the six-winged angel glowed faintly.

The angel form raised its massive sword as the thunder dragon closed in.

“Angelic Domain—”

As Qian Renxue’s delicate lips moved, starlight seemed to glimmer around her.

One point, two points...

Looking down, the entire space below appeared to be filled with a vast galaxy.

Countless specks of light surged upward—they were remnants of her sword energy, however faint, gathering under the pull of the Angelic Domain.

“Endless Judgment!”

Qian Renxue opened her golden eyes and let out a sharp cry.

The starlight in the sky turned into swords, converging with the massive holy sword in the angel form’s hands as it pierced through the firmament.

The golden rain of swords tore apart the storm of icy blades.

Roar!

The thunder dragon let out a mournful wail as the sacred sword tore it apart.

The thick clouds split open, and countless golden sword energies poured into the gap, tearing it wider and wider.

Brilliant golden light poured down, obliterating all darkness.

The thunder ceased, the frost melted, and warm breezes began to blow.

Qian Renxue, her face pale, looked up at the golden fissure in the sky and finally smiled.

As the gentle golden light bathed her flawless face, the towering six-winged angel form dissolved into nothingness.

Qian Renxue stretched out her arms, embracing the long-lost light and warmth.

She lay suspended in the air, listening to the beautiful voice resounding in her mind.


[Angel’s Nine Trials: Second Trial!]

[Angel’s Secret Realm: Frozen Purgatory. Break your limits. Completed perfectly in nine months!]

[Angel Affinity increased by 10%. Divine Soul Ring granted: ‘Seven Up, Eight Down!’]

“Huh?!”

Seven Up, Eight Down?!

Hearing the cryptic reward, Qian Renxue opened her weary yet beautiful eyes, only to see the faint image of an angel.

“Ancestor?!”

Qian Renxue froze in shock.

“Surprised?” A gentle and holy voice echoed.

The phantom of the Angel Goddess stood tall between heaven and earth, an imposing and divine figure. Two golden hands cradled Qian Renxue, who floated in the air, gently in their palms.

The warm gaze of the Angel Goddess shone upon her, enveloping her in comfort and light.

So that’s how it is.

Qian Renxue had never been to this place before, so naturally, she hadn’t known about this. Yet, she wasn’t overly surprised. Instead, she asked curiously:

“Ancestor, about that reward...”

“I added it as a little extra,” the Angel Goddess replied, holding Qian Renxue closer to the soft warmth of her chest and speaking softly with a smile.

“It’s simple: your seventh soul ring is now upgraded to your eighth. In short, ‘Seven Up, Eight Down.’”

“…”

Qian Renxue was momentarily speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry, though she recognized the immense benefit of such a gift.

“Thank you, Ancestor.”

“No need for formalities. Aren’t you an Angel Goddess yourself?” the Angel Goddess replied with a gentle smile.

Like a mother soothing a child, the Angel Goddess' hands gradually clasped together.

“Rest now. Take a good break. When you open your eyes again, it will all be over.”

In the warmth of the Angel Goddess' voice, Qian Renxue’s exhaustion and distracting thoughts began to melt away.

Her eyes slowly closed, and her breathing grew calm and steady.

The Angel Goddess gazed down at the sleeping Qian Renxue, murmuring softly:

“I wonder, will that impurity become your obstacle?”

Mentioning the impurity, a hint of blush spread across the Angel Goddess's face as she clenched her teeth, her body shivering slightly.

“Jue... Mom-”

“Grandfather...”

In the dark and endless purgatory, Qian Renxue mumbled in her sleep, her thoughts filled with only a few cherished people.

Her slender hand gripped the six-winged pendant at her chest, a gift from her father during her childhood.

The Angel Goddess sighed helplessly, golden light flowing from her palm.

“I’ll be watching over you. If it comes to it, I’ll personally remove that blemish for you.”

Qian Renxue’s aura gradually grew stronger.

Even in this isolated realm, where time for cultivation did not exist, the faith power from the outside world flowed endlessly toward her.

Now equipped with the eighth soul ring, her strength advanced steadily, reaching Level 83 in the blink of an eye.

—

After an indeterminate amount of time, Qian Renxue groggily opened her eyes. She was still floating in the air, but the Angel God’s figure had already disappeared.

Only her majestic voice lingered in the heavens:

“Your ninth soul ring has been prepared. Be ready to conquer it.”

“Thank you, Ancestor!”

Qian Renxue straightened herself in midair and bowed respectfully in gratitude.

Below her, six black and two red soul rings revolved continuously.

Her eighth soul ring had been replaced by a 100,000-year-old Scarlet Flame Lion’s ring, granting her two powerful abilities:

Comet's Dawn: A single-target purifying attack.

Golden Flame Breaker: A wide-area attack technique.


Crack!

Before her, the space split open to reveal a golden gateway.

In the Douluo Hall.

The golden scroll that had floated for nine months slowly unfurled, transforming into a golden portal.

From within, a golden figure stepped out and spoke with a clear voice:

“Grandfather, Xiao Xue has succeeded!”

“…”

—

When Qian Renxue stepped out of the golden portal, Qian Renjue and the Snow Empress had just returned to the cold cavern.