"It's fine."
Hearing Ice Empress's words, Huo Yuhao's face softened into a gentle smile.
"Since I said so, it means I have confidence. Please help me contact Snow Empress."
"Since you've made your decision..."
Ice Empress didn't say more. After hearing Huo Yuhao's assurance, she also became a bit curious about how this human planned to convince Snow Empress. If he could really do it, it would actually be a good thing for her.
After all, Snow Empress's 700,000-year lifespan was coming to an end, and she didn't want to just watch Snow Empress die.
If things went wrong, Snow Empress wouldn't harm this human for Ice Empress's sake.
Ice Empress's body trembled, and her tail erupted with a bright emerald glow, turning the gray clouds back to the same color. The green light spread deeper into the Extreme North.
"Snow Empress, are you there?"
After a brief wait, a cold, pleasant voice echoed from the horizon.
"Ice, what's the matter?"
"Can you come here? Something's up..."
Ice Empress hesitated for a long time, unsure how to explain. In the end, she just braced herself and spoke up.
"I have a bit of a situation here."
"I'll be right there."
As the voice faded, Huo Yuhao remained calm, but Tianmeng Iceworm and Ice Empress visibly tensed up.
In the silence, Ice Empress glanced at Huo Yuhao, her tone indescribable.
"Let's hope you're as confident as you say."
Huo Yuhao didn't respond. While he appeared calm, the thought of seeing a familiar figure from his memories made his heart race slightly.
Before long, a gust of cold wind swept past, and a figure appeared before them.
Her long, snow-white hair cascaded down her waist, accentuating her stunning beauty. Her blue eyes, similar to Huo Yuhao's, were cold and proud. Her slender, white legs floated about ten centimeters above the ground, as if untouched by any dust.
Just looking at her, one could feel the innate sense of cold nobility radiating from her.
Whether it was due to the unexpected presence of a human or the same inexplicable sense of closeness she felt, Snow Empress's gaze first landed on Huo Yuhao, her eyes flickering. She completely ignored the cowering Tianmeng Iceworm, who was burying his head like an ostrich in Huo Yuhao's hand.
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze and spoke in a cool voice.
"Ice, what's going on here?"
Ice Empress hurriedly explained the situation, and Snow Empress quietly listened. She only showed a hint of emotion when she heard that Ice Empress had agreed to become Huo Yuhao's spirit.
She said nothing. Although she had planned to help Ice Empress with her 400,000-year tribulation, it was only to improve her chances. In truth, becoming a spirit was probably a better method, and since Ice Empress had already made her choice, Snow Empress wouldn't interfere.
Snow Empress floated toward Huo Yuhao, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly, her voice still icy.
"Human, what do you want?"
She quickly added, "If you want me to be your spirit, you can give up."
However, Huo Yuhao didn't rush to answer. He quietly observed this friend who had helped him so much in his past life. Back when he was only a Soul Elder, Snow Empress had already come to his side, and even until the last moments in the God Realm, she had supported him without hesitation, until finally...
As time ticked by, Ice Empress's worry gradually turned to astonishment.
When did Snow Empress become so patient!?
It wasn't just the humans who were enemies of soul beasts—no soul beast in the Extreme North dared to stare at Snow Empress for so long. Even Titan Snow Demon King had suffered a thousand-year injury at her hands.
But now...
Ice Empress felt like her brain couldn't keep up with the situation.
Finally, Snow Empress, seemingly unable to take it any longer, spoke coldly, her tone still as indifferent as before.
"Have you stared enough? Answer my question, human."
"...I did indeed call you here to become my spirit."
At this point, Huo Yuhao paused and said seriously, "I need your power."
However, Snow Empress's expression didn't change in the slightest. "I think I've made my stance clear. I—"
"I know."
Before she could finish, Huo Yuhao interrupted her. "But before that, there's something I want to show you."
As he finished, he activated his second martial soul. Icy white dragon scales quickly covered his arms, and his blue eyes turned into silver-white vertical pupils.
Feeling the unique aura, Snow Empress furrowed her brows, and Ice Empress exclaimed in disbelief.
"This aura... what kind of martial soul is this!?"
Huo Yuhao didn't answer. As he lifted his hand, a long sword, entirely blue, materialized.
Seeing the sword, Ice Empress's confusion deepened. She thought Huo Yuhao would use the martial soul that even she found unsettling to attract Snow Empress, but instead, he casually summoned an ice sword?
What use was that?
Instinctively, she glanced beside her, only to see that Snow Empress's expression had changed.
"...Snow Empress?"
Snow Empress ignored her. She stared intently at Huo Yuhao, and from the moment he conjured the ice sword, a ridiculous thought had popped into her mind. His next actions confirmed her suspicion.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath. His eyes flashed sharply as he turned and slashed toward an empty patch of ground.
In an instant, a flash of icy blue light streaked across the sky, illuminating Ice Empress's stunned face. The sword light, carrying an indescribable sharpness, left a several-meter-long gash in the snow.
"Emperor Sword! How do you know the Emperor Sword!?"
Ice Empress exclaimed in shock, while Huo Yuhao staggered, clearly exhausted. With only two soul rings, performing the Emperor Sword was pushing his limits.
After catching his breath, Huo Yuhao glanced at Snow Empress and tugged at the corner of his lips.
"My cultivation isn't enough yet. This is the best I can do. I hope I didn't embarrass you?"
Snow Empress fell silent. After a long pause, she nodded lightly.
"...You're far more extraordinary than I imagined. I want to know how you learned that move."
"If I told you that you taught me, would you believe me?"
Though it sounded like a ridiculous, evasive answer, Snow Empress didn't dismiss it. She looked at Huo Yuhao and asked in return.
"If I taught you, then you should know the other move as well, right?"
"...You mean this?"
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao raised his left hand, and in an instant, the surrounding cold air gathered toward it, turning his originally pale hand into a faint icy blue.
(End of chapter)