Summer passed and winter arrived. Time flowed like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, half a year had gone by.
Just as Li Zhexian had predicted—
After Bibi Dong ascended the throne, she did not rush to ignite the flames of war.
Instead, she issued decree after decree that benefited Spirit Masters across the continent.
For example:
Increasing subsidies for registered Spirit Masters.
Establishing satellite cities around Spirit City, granting residences based on Spirit Master Level, and allowing family members to move in with special privileges.
Recruiting wandering Spirit Masters and sect disciples from all lands to form the Imperial Spirit Master Legions…
With each decree enacted—
Bibi Dong's reputation roared across the continent, reaching an unprecedented peak.
Meanwhile, the Upper Three Sects also learned through their own networks:
The Spirit Empire had secretly gathered over half the craftsmen of the continent.
A hundred forges burned day and night, never once extinguished — snow landing upon them would instantly melt into billowing steam.
Perhaps Bibi Dong had never intended to hide it at all.
In any case, the continent appeared peaceful on the surface. Yet, beneath the calm, it was like a taut bowstring; turbulence was brewing, and the storm was about to break.
The days of peace for the Douluo Continent would likely not last long.
...
In a courtyard filled with drifting snow—
Li Zhexian sat cross-legged with eyes closed.
His expression was calm. Each breath he exhaled formed a white mist sharp as a sword, shredding every snowflake within three feet.
The heavier the snow fell, the brighter the plum blossoms shone — crimson petals blooming proudly amid winter's chill.
Beneath the four-season plum tree—
Qian Renxue, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling sat around the table.
A pot of plum blossom tea steamed fragrantly atop the table.
Creak—
Footsteps in snow came from outside the courtyard.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong peeked through the slightly open door.
Seeing the four girls smiling and waving them over, they glanced nervously at the meditating Li Zhexian, then quietly tiptoed in and sat down.
Six girls gathered around the heater, hands wrapped around warm teacups.
Sometimes they admired the falling snow, sometimes they secretly stole glances at the boy cultivating under the plum tree.
A peaceful and gentle scene.
Just like that—
After a stick of incense—
A sudden gust swept through the courtyard, lifting snowflakes into a swirling veil.
The boy seated beneath the plum tree seemed to merge completely into the wind and snow.
Qian Renxue's golden eyes stirred, and a faint smile curved her lips.
"He's done."
RUMBLE—
RUMBLE—
A sound like a great river surging roared from within Li Zhexian's body.
His form gradually turned crystalline like glazed jade—purer than the first snow.
A vast aura rose like a waking dragon, sending snow into the air and blasting upward into the heavens.
Zhu Zhuqing and the others revealed delighted expressions:
"Li Zhexian has broken through?!"
The moment the words fell—
Li Zhexian's eyes snapped open, silver light shooting three feet long.
He leapt into the air, white robes billowing in the wind, and released a clear, sky-shaking cry.
At the center of the city—
Dugu Bo appeared on a rooftop, green cloak fluttering.
His hoarse voice, carrying a hint of a smile, drifted on the wind:
"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Zhexian."
"When you have time, come drink tea with this old man."
Li Zhexian cupped his fists with a smile.
"After I make a trip to Star Dou, I will certainly visit and disturb Senior."
"Do you need me to accompany you? Or shall I call Chen Xin, Feng Bailong, and that old dragon?"
"All seniors are in seclusion. As for my Spirit Ring, I have already made arrangements—Senior Dugu may rest assured."
Dugu Bo stroked his beard and nodded.
His figure dissolved into green-red poison mist and drifted away.
Li Zhexian lowered his head to look back into the courtyard—
a gentle smile appearing on his handsome face—
and descended lightly.
"Zhexian!"
Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward together.
Both of their slender hands were already raised—
but seeing Dugu Yan and the others nearby, their cheeks reddened and they awkwardly tried to pull back.
"What are you shy for? Haven't I held you both plenty of times already?"
Li Zhexian laughed heartily, opened his arms, and pulled both girls into his embrace.
Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing struggled lightly for a moment—
before melting naturally into his embrace.
"Zhexian / Brother Zhexian / Brother Zhexian, congratulations."
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu came forward.
Seeing the three leaning together, a faint dimness flickered in their beautiful eyes.
"Thank you."
Li Zhexian sat by the table, took a sip of hot tea, and praised:
"Mmm, the flavor is wonderful. Lingling, your tea brewing skills are improving."
A gentle smile rose on Ye Lingling's cool, delicate face.
"Then I'll brew for you more often."
The moment she finished speaking, she suddenly felt something was off.
She hurriedly glanced at Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing—and only when she saw both of them still smiling warmly did she quietly sigh in relief.
After chatting for a while, Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, and the others arrived.
Everyone drank together cheerfully before parting ways.
...
The next day—
Li Zhexian departed for the Star Dou Forest.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu accompanied him.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were working at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and Ning Rongrong had to return to her sect, so none of them could leave.
When they reached the fork in the official road leading toward the Spirit Empire, Qian Renxue also had to part ways.
"I've been away from the palace for half a year. I have to return."
Wind and snow swept through the air, cold enough to bite.
Li Zhexian looked at the breathtakingly beautiful face before him, a touch of reluctant gentleness flickering in his eyes.
The two stood facing each other for a moment—
in the end, they only exchanged a single soft kiss on the forehead before parting with deep reluctance.
Only after her golden silhouette disappeared into the horizon
did Li Zhexian rein in his emotions.
Sword-like glazed qi surged under his feet, and he carried Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu into the sky, speeding toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
...
Star Dou Forest.
Underground Palace.
The Skydream Ice Worm lay sprawled on the ground, its two crystalline antennae—stretching several dozen meters—swaying left and right as it teased the Divine Butterfly and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
Watching the two little creatures chasing each other excitedly, it let out a long sigh:
"Ai…"
"When will these miserable days ever end?"
Rolling its eyes, it glanced at the five peerless ferocious beasts currently absorbing its vital energy.
It twisted its plump, round body indifferently.
Whatever.
It had made peace with its fate.
After entering the den of these top-tier beasts—
this physical shell of its wasn't likely to survive anyway.
Being able to find a human boy capable of inheriting its power so quickly…
that alone made it satisfied.
"Speaking of which…"
"When is that Li Zhexian coming?"
"Half a year ago he was only a Spirit Emperor… probably needs another year or so…"
"Ai…"
Skydream Ice Worm sighed again and was about to close its eyes.
But at that moment—
Its half-closed eyes suddenly snapped wide open.
Its head lifted high.
Its two antennae rose sharply, trembling with excitement.
"This aura…"
"It's Li Zhexian!"
"His Spirit Power advanced this fast?!"
"Good, good! The stronger the talent, the better!"
"With the right wind at my back, This big bro will soar straight to the Divine Realm!"
It cast one last glance at the five ferocious beasts in front of it.
"Hmph, I'm done playing with you lot!"
"You really think a million years of cultivation was for nothing?"
"Have you ever heard of…"
"Iceworm—Shed Skin!"
...
Thanks to his friendship with Da Ming and Er Ming—
Li Zhexian's arrival in the Star Dou Forest felt as natural as returning home.
He sat on Er Ming's shoulder, overlooking the vast snowy forest, and suddenly noticed several new tears in Er Ming's red cloak.
"Senior Er Ming, I brought two more custom-made cloaks for you this time…"
"Thanks, Brother Zhexian!"
Da Ming glanced at the grinning Er Ming and said in his deep voice:
"Brother Zhexian, you're thoughtful."
"Otherwise this fool would complain all day long—gives me a headache."
"Da Ming! Stop slandering me in front of Brother Zhexian!"
Li Zhexian laughed as the two beasts bickered.
Meanwhile, he wondered when Skydream Ice Worm would contact him.
When they arrived at the Lake of Life—
Under the drifting mist,
the vast lake surface shone like a blue-green mirror, reflecting heaven and earth in perfect stillness.
And then—
A familiar voice echoed in Li Zhexian's mind.
"Boy, you've finally arrived."