For the next few days, Huo Yuhao dedicated himself entirely to refining his newly created cultivation method, diving deep into the intricacies of balancing his soul power and spiritual power; making sure his body doesn't get any unexpected side-effects.
He spent hours in meditation, experimenting with different techniques, adjusting the flow of energy, and ensuring that both forces harmonized seamlessly without causing any instability.
By his estimation, it would take him a couple of months before he could complete the Heavenly Soul Tempering Technique before passing it to his sect members.
At the same time, Huo Yuhao also examined the unexpected changes he got from the Ice God Legacy. It was months since he got the Ice God's Bone sealed in his arm and it did show strange signs when he saw Snow Empress in the God Sealing Alter and then saving her; but for it to go active when he finally comprehended his new cultivation method?
What was the connection of it to the harmonized energy from the soul and spiritual powers?
Unsurprisingly, Electrolux, and unexpectedly, Snow Empress were the ones to figure out what was going on.
"The energy released from the harmonization between your soul power and spiritual power," Electrolux continued, his ancient voice unwavering, "bears a striking resemblance to a higher form of energy found only in higher realms. Some refer to this realm as the Heavens or the Divine Realm. The energy present there, used solely by gods and those who have ascended, is generally called—Immortal Qi."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "It's no wonder the Ice God's Bone is reacting. True gods, as well as those who aspire to godhood, can only exist in the Divine Realm by harnessing this Immortal Qi. For a mortal like you to even touch upon it, it's extraordinary—yet dangerous."
"Immortal Qi is the essence of divinity. For you to generate even a fragment of this energy through the harmonization of your soul and spiritual power is unprecedented. The Ice God's Bone contains remnants of divine power, which is why it reacted—it resonates with this Immortal Qi."
Huo Yuhao gulped nervously, "U-Uh, you're not gonna tell me that if I continue using my cultivation method...the Ice God might resurrect and take over my body?"
".....There's a slight probability," Electrolux admitted with a grimace.
Huo Yuhao's face paled instantly. "W-What?! You're telling me there's a chance the Ice God could actually resurrect and take over my body?!"
Electrolux sighed. "A slight probability, yes. But it's not as dire as it sounds. The Ice God's Bone contains a fragment of the Ice God's power, not their consciousness. However, if you continue to cultivate this Immortal Qi without proper control, it could awaken the latent divinity within the bone. That....might complicate things."
Huo Yuhao slumped back in his bed, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. "Complicate things? That sounds like an understatement."
"No, the Ice God can no longer be resurrected."
Snow Empress shook her head, her gaze thoughtful and sad. "I don't know much of Gods, much less the Divine Realm, but I know about the Ice God, though I've never met them. As the leader of the Extreme North and one with the purest bloodline of the Ice God, no one else can come close to me about our God; not even Ice and the Devil Titan King."
She closed her eyes, "You could even say that I'm the Ice God's Apostle or Priestess. And for the last seven hundred thousand years....I have never heard their voice since, their presence disappeared, and the providence over the Extreme North has slowly began to dwindle. I'm afraid that within ten thousand years, the Extreme North might not exist anymore...."
Huo Yuhao was silent for a while, letting Snow Empress compose herself. He could sense the deep sadness and weight of the centuries in Snow Empress's voice, even though he couldn't see her.
Snow Empress opened her eyes slowly, her gaze distant. "The gods are powerful, yes, but not invincible. Even they can fall, whether it be an attack from another God or by time itself. However, Gods do not disappear easily."
"Right now, the Ice God's Bone sealed within your left is a great opportunity that any Titled Douluo in the world would do anything in order to obtain. Without any divine consciousness left within it, it could act as a foundation for your God Position."
Huo Yuhao's eyes widened, "God Position?"
Electrolux was the one to explain, "Besides having high cultivation, Divine Consciousness, physique, bloodline, and Immortal Qi—one needs a God Position in order to become a True God, according to the ancient books I've read about Gods."
"W-What are you saying, Teacher?"
Snow Empress interjected, "It means....you might be able to inherit the Ice God's position or even remake it into a different God Position."
'God...' Huo Yuhao clenched his hands, his heart racing. This! This was the opportunity that he, Skydream and the others have been waiting for! He would have the strength to protect everyone he loves and the dream of immortality for Skydream, Ice Empress, and probably even Snow Empress was within reach.
And to think it was literally in his arm...
Snow Empress then said, "However, don't put all your hope into it yet. As of right now, that arm only has a divine spark the size of an atom. As of right now, the Ice God's Bone is reacting to the energy released by Huo Yuhao's cultivation method and is evolving his physique—granting him the Ice God's Physique within given time."
Ice Empress's excitement was palpable, her normally cold and serious tone giving way to an almost giddy anticipation. "Not only would we achieve immortality, but to accompany you, as the successor of the Ice God....it's more than I could have ever hoped for."
Huo Yuhao's heart pounded but he quickly calmed down. "It's still uncertain that I would inherit the Ice God's Position, or even if it would still remain the Ice God's position. For now, I want to focus on the smaller steps in my cultivation path."
"But...!"
"Ice Empress, Yuhao's right." Skydream interjected, his usually lighthearted tone turning serious. "While this is a monumental opportunity, we can't get ahead of ourselves. Yuhao's power is still growing, and the last thing we want is for him to rush into something this important. If he doesn't lay the proper foundation, things could go wrong."
Ice Empress let out a small sigh, her excitement tempered but not fully diminished. "I know....I just never imagined we'd come this close to reaching the power of a True God. It's hard not to feel hopeful."
Huo Yuhao smiled softly, appreciating Ice Empress's enthusiasm but also understanding the gravity of the situation. "Trust me, I want this just as much as you do," he said, his voice steady. "But if we're going to walk this path, we need to be cautious and calculated. It's like the foundation of a building—if we rush the base, the whole thing collapses."
Skydream chuckled. "Look at you, already sounding like a wise old sage. But you're right. The long road ahead is full of challenges, and only with patience will we reach the end."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "For now, I'll keep refining the Heavenly Soul Tempering Technique and ensure that my body can handle the harmonization of soul and spiritual power. That's the first step."
Later that night....
"The tournament's finally starting again tomorrow?"
"Yes," Wang Yan confirmed with a nod. He looked around the meeting room and stared at each students' eyes, and smiled upon seeing the confident and composed looks. "and I was going to go over our strategy to tomorrow's match with the Dou Ling team, but it seems it was unneeded."
He sighed and took a sip of coffee from the mug on the table before continuing, "Instead, let's talk about something more important—the situation of the Sun Moon Empire's representative team."
Huo Yuhao and some of the other's backs straightened. Huo Yuhao himself was the one invested of the current affairs, through his clones—he has heard a lot, mostly the increased hostility Star Luo citizens had towards the Sun Moon Empire.
"There was an official announcement posted earlier in the billboards—the Sun Moon representative team has been found to have no connections to the incident that occurred recently and will continue on participating in the tournament," Huo Yuhao and the rest had their eyes widened in surprise from the news.
They were sure the Sun Moon representative team would've been kicked out of the tournament or at the very least, leave the city out of fear of their situation.
'Especially since their leading teacher isn't there to help them...' Huo Yuhao thought and stopped himself from showing his smile. Although he didn't have much love towards his nation, that didn't mean he liked the Sun Moon Empire.
Especially since they harbor an organization made of Evil Soul Masters.
Wang Yan showed a smile and said, "Moreover, out of precaution, they confiscated their soul tools that were at least rank 6 and stationary canon soul tools. Right now, their danger rate has lowered and their chance of advancing to the finals has significantly "
Ma Xiaotao and the rest showed bright mocking smiles.
He Caitou was especially smiling from ear to ear.
How could they not show such joy? They were their greatest adversity for the championship, with them being so "crippled", they had the highest chance of bagging the championship!
Although it was a pity they couldn't fight them at their best....bah, who were they kidding? As if they would fight fairly, they have the most technically advanced soul tools in the continent! Their Class 5 souls tools could match the other empires' Class 6 soul tools.
Wang Yan took a large swig of his coffee and said, "Alright! That's all for now. Everyone return to your quarters, get a good night's sleep, and be ready for tomorrow. We may have one less threat to worry about, but that doesn't mean we should let our guard down."
....
AN: We're returning to the tournament, which would end in at least fifteen chapters, after that would be some more training time in the Golden Tree before we finally embark towards the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Ghost Church.
AN2: Sorry this took a while, internet was slow since last night so I wasn't able to schedule post it.
❄️Shout out to the great Cultivators of my patreon, may you reach the peak of the heavens and conquer the earth! Pursue immortality and receive enlightenment!
•Julien
•Swift Arrow
•SpamSubi
•matatank
•B1G_DREAM
•Albert Jojo
❄️A bigger shout out to the ones who ascended to become a One Above All!! The GOATS! THE MAJESTIES!!
•Tyler Dann
•Adrian Durand
•Gilgamos
•swift arrow
•Orion Chung
•Uncle father
•Micell Kaing
•joao goncalves
Wanna read advanced chapters, other stories, photos of the characters and support me all at the same time so I can pump out more chapters, and possibly dish out extra chaps? Well then, head on over to my patreon and become enlightened cultivators!
P.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/FroztDouluo