Silence fell over the main hall for a moment. Xu Jiawei's mood gradually settled. A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind, but they quickly focused on the most important practical issue.
"Two esteemed guests, the human World is very different from the Extreme North Land. We have many worldly constraints and legal restrictions. If the two of you don't mind, I will personally handle all matters of identity and other necessary paperwork for you later.
Furthermore, all expenses you incur in the human World will be covered by the Star Luo national treasury. Consider it a sincere gesture from me, the Emperor."
The Snow Empress nodded gently, accepting Xu Jiawei's goodwill. She paused, then spoke in a soft voice:
"You don't need to worry that Bing'er and I will do anything to harm the humans in this city or your royal family. The foundation of cooperation is mutual trust and a complete exchange of information and benefits.
I can sense that you still have reservations about us, but that's normal. To be completely honest, in this vast city, the only person who could possibly catch my attention is likely the old man hiding behind you…"
Xu Jiawei's expression didn't change at all. He had long heard of the Snow Empress's great reputation. As the absolute overlord of the Extreme North and the third-ranked expert on the current monster beast list on the Continent, it would truly be laughable if he failed to sense that specific person's presence.
Following the Snow Empress's gaze, the space to the left of Xu Jiawei's throne seemed to twist invisibly. An aged, gaunt figure slowly stepped into view. With his appearance came an overwhelming breath of decay and twilight. In an instant, the light within the entire hall seemed to dim considerably.
The Snow Empress's eyes narrowed slightly. She actually felt a faint sense of danger from this seemingly dying human old man before her. Previously, this old man had been completely hidden in the shadows, his aura concealed by something powerful. Now that his true form was revealed, the Snow Empress definitely felt that something was unusual.
The Ice Empress watched the old man with a hint of vigilance in her eyes. In her perception, this person's strength seemed to be around the same level as hers—Level 98 Super Douluo. It was just that his aura was too strange, as if he were deliberately hiding a key part of himself.
Xu Jiujiu watched the old man, her beautiful golden eyes wide with shock. She desperately searched her memory; when did the Star Luo Empire ever have such an expert?
After racking her brain, Xu Jiujiu finally found a blurry figure deep within her memories. The events of that year gradually overlapped with the person standing before them. Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but nervously clutch her clothes and then whispered to Shu Yan:
"This… this is the Great Consecration of our Star Luo Royal Consecration Hall. I met him only once, years ago, when Imperial Brother broke through to Titled Douluo."
A hint of surprise appeared on Shu Yan's face, and his gaze toward the old man changed slightly.
The Star Luo Royal Consecration Hall has always been an extremely mysterious organization to the outside World. Although its power and mystery aren't comparable to Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion, it is certainly one of the most powerful Soul Master organizations in the current era.
Most of its members are unknown to the Continent; they only appear when the Star Luo Empire faces existential danger. Even Xu Jiawei cannot mobilize the truly mysterious and powerful existences within it without a grave, sufficient reason.
And this so-called Great Consecration is normally only mentioned in the words of others—almost no one has ever seen his true appearance. Now, such a figure had appeared openly before everyone's eyes. It was more than just surprising; it was stunning.
Xu Jiawei slowly stood up. Sensing the increasingly dilapidated and weakened aura emanating from the old man, his face couldn't help but sink slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly:
"I have troubled you this time, Qian Lao…"
The old man, who was called Qian Lao, slowly raised his head. There was a distinct, old scar on his aged, withered face, and his cloudy eyes were full of a sense of world-weariness and peace. Just one look made people feel as if they had momentarily lost their focus, their hearts uncontrollably trembling slightly.
"It's fine. I've been sitting still for many years. It's a good change to finally come out and stretch my limbs. If I don't breathe more of this fresh air from the outside, I'm afraid my body will be no different from a dried corpse soon."
The old man's tone was very light, unexpectedly gentle. He looked at Xu Jiawei before him, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. His gaunt body leaned on a black cane as he slowly walked a few steps forward.
Xu Jiawei instinctively wanted to step up and support him, but the old man waved his hand in refusal. His cloudy gaze swept over the hall, and his eyes shifted subtly when they landed on the Ice and Snow Two Emperors. The Ice and Snow Two Emperors also looked over at him almost simultaneously.
Three distinctly powerful auras collided in the air. The next moment, three massive spirit power fluctuations—ice blue, dark green, and a brilliant dark gold—violently collided high above the hall. The resulting white light was dazzling and forceful.
Xu Jiawei didn't move a single step, while Shu Yan quickly protected Xu Jiujiu and retreated a short distance, his gaze fixed on the changes in the situation.
The white light slowly faded. The old man staggered back three or four steps, his aura slightly chaotic from the impact. His gaze passed over the Ice Empress and settled on the Snow Empress, a hint of unusual emotion now added to his eyes.
"Is this the power of the Limit Douluo level? Indeed, compared to a Super Douluo, the difference is like that between clouds and mud. They simply can't be compared."
A look of surprise appeared in the Snow Empress's eyes. She carefully scanned the old man's entire body, then said softly:
"Human, you are very powerful, but this doesn't seem to be your limit. Your true potential seems to be constrained by something. There appears to be a great secret hidden within you."
The old man smiled calmly and replied casually:
"Just old matters. It was merely a sacrifice I made in the past to become stronger. A single thought can lead to a whole World of difference. Extreme North Emperor, I am Qian Gu Chao Sheng. As you can see, I am the Great Consecration of this Star Luo Consecration Hall. I've long heard of your reputation. Seeing you today, it truly lives up to its name."
"Qian Gu…"
Shu Yan slowly released Xu Jiujiu's slender waist. He silently repeated the surname that seemed to have been lost to history, and a few key conjectures quickly formed in his mind.
The Snow Empress nodded gently. Qian Gu Chao Sheng was very strong, and he still hid secrets, which was enough to earn her respect. This was a privilege that belonged only to the strong.
The Ice Empress looked from the Snow Empress to Qian Gu Chao Sheng, tightly clenching her little fists. Then she stood up and yelled toward Qian Gu Chao Sheng:
"Hey!"
"You old geezer! How dare you ignore this grandma? I'm not weak, alright? Why are you only praising Xue'er? If you don't give me a reason right now, believe me, I'll beat you up right here!"
Regarding the Ice Empress's seemingly "triggered" scolding, Qian Gu Chao Sheng merely smiled gently, not at all bothered. He moved a few more steps using his black cane, and his eyes actually held a hint of fatherly kindness as he looked at the Ice Empress and said:
"Little girl, you should be like me and adhere to the principle that strength is supreme, and the strong are the only kings. I can tell you very clearly right now: you are very strong, but you are not my opponent. If you don't believe me, you are welcome to try…"
The Ice Empress swung her arms, her eyes filled with blazing anger as she looked at Qian Gu Chao Sheng. She immediately admitted that this peaceful-looking old man had successfully transformed into yet another hateful image in her eyes. All she wanted now was to give the other party a good beating and let him witness the true strength of her, the King Ice Empress!
The Snow Empress somewhat helplessly stopped the Ice Empress, whose entire body was now surging with intense fighting intent, and then said softly:
"Bing'er, stop fooling around. You are indeed not his opponent. If you don't believe me, you can try later and see for yourself."
Hearing the Snow Empress's words, the Ice Empress was stunned for a moment. The Snow Empress's attitude was extremely serious. She could clearly sense that the Snow Empress was not joking around. The Snow Empress's judgment was almost never wrong. Could it be that she really wasn't an opponent for this old man across from her?
Seeing the Ice Empress lower her head somewhat dejectedly, the Snow Empress was also full of helplessness. Even though Qian Gu Chao Sheng's current state looked somewhat like a flickering candle in the wind, the Snow Empress could clearly sense the terrifying, hidden power within his dilapidated body. The Ice Empress could definitely contend with him in a fight, but winning was nearly impossible.
Just as the Ice Empress took the opportunity to doubt herself while in the Snow Empress's embrace, Qian Gu Chao Sheng smiled silently. His gaze shifted once more, finally landing on Shu Yan nearby.
The gentle golden spirit power he released carried an overbearing force that brooked no resistance. Shu Yan didn't even have time to release his Martial Soul before he was completely restrained by this golden spirit power, suspended helplessly in mid-air, having utterly lost the ability to resist.
The old man's aged voice, carrying a light, casual chuckle, sounded in his ears. Shu Yan felt the hairs on his entire body stand on end, as if he had seen something even more terrifying than a monster beast...