Feeling the undeniable chill from his hand, Snow Empress fell silent once again.
He really knows it!
How could I not recognize my own signature technique!?
Although this human's cultivation level was far below hers, the proficiency with which he executed the move was on par with her own.
But how is that possible? That's my self-created battle skill! How could a human, someone I've never met, be able to use it?
"I really can't fully display Di Han Tian."
Huo Yuhao dispersed the cold aura from his hand and, seeing Snow Empress's conflicted expression, chuckled softly.
"But I assume I don't need to continue showing you, right?"
Silence.
The surrounding howling winds and the noisy sounds of snow vanished in an instant. Huo Yuhao said nothing more, simply watching the silent Snow Empress.
"...Your current body still can't handle my power."
After a long pause, Snow Empress lifted her head and looked at him deeply. Her tone was no longer as indifferent as before.
"Besides, I can't leave with you right now. There are still some matters in the Extreme North I need to take care of. Next time when you come..."
She hesitated, then with some difficulty, spoke the rest of her sentence.
"When you return next time, I'll give you my answer."
Upon hearing these words, Ice Empress and Skydream Iceworm were momentarily stunned.
They hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
Although Snow Empress hadn't given a definitive answer, it was clear she had been convinced.
It really worked! Huo Yuhao also breathed a sigh of relief. Two deep purple soul rings slowly rose beneath him. As the first ring lit up, Spiritual Detection Sharing instantly connected with Snow Empress.
Using this connection, Huo Yuhao told Snow Empress about her potential future fate, where she might be captured by humans after transforming into her human form.
After hearing this, Snow Empress glanced at Huo Yuhao with a complex expression, further solidifying her suspicions.
What this human said was true.
That Di Sword might have been something she taught him. Not her current self, but her future self.
Although it sounded bizarre, it seemed like the only explanation for his actions. After a moment of silence, she asked.
"If I hadn't agreed to become your soul spirit, would you have told me this?"
"Hmm?"
Huo Yuhao seemed surprised by the sudden question and paused for a moment before smiling.
"I've learned so much from you already, but I haven't paid any tuition fees. I can't just stand by and watch my teacher get captured."
"...Thank you."
After that, Snow Empress turned to Ice Empress and said, "Bing'er, you can begin. I'll protect you."
"Huh? Oh, okay."
Ice Empress was still recovering from the earlier events and somewhat dazedly approached Huo Yuhao, asking blankly.
"What do I need to do?"
"First, transfer the soul bone. As for the later process of transforming into a soul spirit, just follow Brother Skydream's instructions to seal your power. Leave the rest to me. I'll do everything I can to ensure your safety."
"I understand."
Ice Empress blinked her bright yellow eyes, hesitating slightly before speaking, "But... are you sure you can withstand that kind of pain?"
"Don't worry."
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, "This isn't the first time I've endured something like this."
Ice Empress seemed a bit confused, while Snow Empress, hearing this, glanced at Huo Yuhao again.
"Well, here I go."
Having made up her mind, Ice Empress wasted no time. Her body flashed as she moved behind Huo Yuhao, her tail gleaming with an alluring green light. In the next instant, it stabbed into his back like lightning, piercing through skin, muscle, and finally into the bone.
The intense pain made Huo Yuhao instinctively clench his teeth. Skydream Iceworm had already prepared to help, but after waiting for a while without being needed, he relaxed.
During the absorption of Ice Dragon King's power, Huo Yuhao had endured on his own for so long without any assistance. This process seemed relatively minor in comparison.
As expected, aside from furrowing his brow slightly, Huo Yuhao showed no other reaction. No screams, no trembling, which made Skydream Iceworm shake his head in admiration.
"That's harsh."
"He wasn't lying. This really isn't the first time he's endured it."
Snow Empress withdrew her gaze and glanced at Skydream Iceworm, her tone indifferent.
"How did you meet him?"
"Well... I met Yuhao in the mixed zone of Star Dou Forest. I was in a hurry to leave that place, and since he was the first spirit master I encountered who had mental power, I chose him."
Skydream, clearly somewhat afraid of the North's sovereign, shrank back a little before continuing.
"But now that I think about it, it's quite amazing. A human with no soul rings dared to venture into the mixed zone."
"That is quite remarkable."
Snow Empress nodded slightly, though her tone wasn't as puzzled as Skydream's.
Seeing no further questions, Skydream breathed a sigh of relief and subtly moved away from Snow Empress. But then, as if remembering something, he turned to her again.
"Oh, by the way, there's something else you should know."
"Actually, he knows the Beast God of Star Dou Forest. The Beast God was originally planning to come with him."
Snow Empress froze, her disbelief clear.
"Impossible. The Beast God has never appeared in the world."
Skydream nudged toward the white dragon scales on Huo Yuhao's arm, his voice carrying a meaningful tone.
"You should recognize that's no ordinary ice dragon martial spirit. Just from this, you can tell how credible my words are, right?"
Indeed, from the moment Huo Yuhao released his martial spirit, Snow Empress had confirmed that his martial spirit was no ordinary ice dragon. Or rather, it wasn't something that could be achieved simply by absorbing an ordinary ice dragon.
That aura even made her feel a sense of dread. If it was an ice dragon, it had to be one of the rulers of the ice dragon clan.
After a long silence, Snow Empress spoke again.
"...Then why didn't the Beast God come with him?"
Skydream Iceworm sighed, "Because Yuhao refused."
Snow Empress frowned and glanced at Huo Yuhao again.
"Is he an idiot? Doesn't he fear that Ice Empress and I would refuse and attack him afterward?"
The Beast God could have easily convinced them to become soul spirits. If not that, at least having the Beast God by his side would ensure his safety. After all, the Extreme North wasn't just dangerous because of her and Ice Empress; there were plenty of other soul beasts that could threaten this human.
"No, he told the Beast God..."
Skydream paused, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"He came to the Extreme North this time to make friends."
"..."
Once again, silence filled the air.
Snow Empress stared at the young man, opening her mouth a few times, but not knowing what to say.
After a long while, her cold voice finally broke the silence again.
"...What a fool."
(End of Chapter)