Even the Snow Empress, whose transformation was initially hindered, was saved by the Transformation Grass. One can only imagine how miraculous this herb truly is.
Ice Empress, like the Snow Empress, was also nearing a heavenly tribulation.
As for the daunting 400,000-year tribulation, the Ice Empress held no confidence.
Forcing her way through would only lead to death.
Now, seeing the Transformation Grass, the Ice Empress couldn't help but be tempted.
If she could transform as well, it might be a promising option.
Moreover, she could accompany the Snow Empress and explore the human world together. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Even the proud Ice Empress had to swallow her pride and seek out Su Yu.
She was genuinely tempted.
"Why are you asking about this?"
Su Yu noticed her interest and smirked mischievously.
Oh, so even you, proud little scorpion, finally need something from me, huh?
"You know why!"
Embarrassed and annoyed, the Ice Empress gave Su Yu a light slap with her scorpion tail and asked in a low voice, "Is there any more?"
Su Yu smiled, not hiding the truth.
"For now, I only have this one. I originally planned to save it for the Imperial Auspicious Beast."
"But now that the Snow Empress has used it, well... you understand."
Su Yu spread his hands, indicating he truly had no more.
How could there be many Transformation Grass?
"So there's none for now? When will there be more?" the Ice Empress asked anxiously.
"That's hard to say. Transformation Grass are divine-level herbs, incredibly rare," Su Yu shook his head.
He wasn't sure when he might get another.
The last one had come from his fifth-anniversary check-in.
Su Yu suspected it would be difficult to get another through his usual monthly or yearly check-ins.
And even if he did, it likely wouldn't go to the Ice Empress.
Their relationship wasn't quite that close yet.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, the Ice Empress looked disappointed, though she knew Su Yu wasn't lying.
Something as valuable as the Transformation Grass wouldn't just appear.
If Su Yu hadn't offered it today, she wouldn't have even known such a herb existed.
"So, what should I do?"
The Ice Empress felt lost. She truly had no way to survive the 400,000-year celestial tribulation.
"I think the Snow Empress's suggestion makes sense. Why don't you become my soul ring?"
"Let me carry you to glory."
Su Yu grinned, never hiding his intentions.
He craved the Ice Empress's soul ring and soul bone.
Logically, the Snow Empress was even more valuable, but he liked her. He would never harbor such thoughts about the woman he liked.
But the little scorpion was a perfect match for his Ice Emperor martial soul as a rare, ultimate ice-type super soul beast.
An Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion soul ring would be quite extraordinary.
Besides, in the original story, the Ice Empress was destined to be the soul ring for the child of destiny, as arranged by the world's will.
Su Yu thought he was just aligning with the world's plan.
And in the end, the Ice Empress wouldn't lose out—once he became a god, he could easily grant her godhood too.
It was a guaranteed win.
But to the Ice Empress, his words sounded quite different.
He wasn't even trying to hide it—just outright saying he wanted her soul ring and soul bone?
Why not ask for the Snow Empress, huh?
"Su Yu!"
The Ice Empress gritted her teeth, wanting to swallow Su Yu whole.
"After all our years together, and you're eyeing my soul ring and soul bone?"
"You scoundrel, I'll kill you!"
The Ice Empress stabbed Su Yu's foot with her Emperor's Pincer, instantly freezing him solid.
Moments later, the ice shattered, and Su Yu broke free.
The Ice Empress immediately struck again, freezing him once more.
This happened at least a dozen times. Even with his ultimate ice attribute, Su Yu felt the bone-chilling cold.
And this wasn't even the Ice Empress being serious.
Her understanding of ultimate ice far surpassed Su Yu's.
If she went all out, a single freeze would end him.
"Yikes, so cold, so cold," Su Yu shuddered, rubbing his hands together to warm himself.
The Ice Empress didn't hold back, freezing him over ten times. Her temper was fierce indeed.
"That's what you get for lusting after my soul ring—always up to no good. You humans are all the same, not a single decent one among you!"
The Ice Empress glared at Su Yu, launching into a tirade about all humans.
Su Yu chuckled inwardly. This little scorpion was truly flustered.
"Look at you, getting all worked up. Don't be so impulsive."
Su Yu squatted down, gently touching the Ice Empress's scales, smiling pleasantly.
"Go away! You… you... #&&**&##"
The Ice Empress knocked Su Yu down, unleashing a string of furious words.
Su Yu didn't mind, lying down with his hands behind his head, watching her silently.
She cursed for a good half hour before finally pausing.
Seeing that Su Yu didn't react, she felt deflated.
It's so frustrating when the other person doesn't respond, no matter what you say.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Feeling ashamed, huh? Full of guilt?"
The Ice Empress, feeling morally superior, pointed at Su Yu accusingly.
"Why aren't you cursing back? Are you just too nice to curse?"
Su Yu replied indifferently.
Seeing his unbothered expression only made her angrier.
She started cursing again.
In two rounds, she probably cursed more than she ever had in her life.
But Su Yu, with skin as thick as a city wall, was unaffected.
She cursed until she was exhausted, but Su Yu just kept smiling.
"Damn you, Su Yu, you little scoundrel."
Eventually, the Ice Empress gave up, realizing it was pointless.
"Sigh!"
Su Yu stretched, got up, and stood beside her.
Dusting the snow from his clothes, he said, "I only mentioned it once, and look at this reaction."
"I was simply telling the truth, and you're acting as if I'm the bad guy."
His teasing tone made her even angrier.
"You're eyeing my soul ring and soul bone, and I'm not allowed to be angry?"
The Ice Empress laughed bitterly, her tone colder.
Seeing she was genuinely upset, Su Yu softened.
He crouched down and said, "Ice Empress, I admit I want your soul ring because our ultimate ice attributes align."
"But it's not as if I absolutely must have it. If you truly don't want to, I won't force you."
"But think about this: It's a win-win situation."
"Choose me, and you won't regret it. When I ascend to godhood, I promise you'll have a divine position too. Don't you want to become a god?"
"Ascend to godhood?"
"What bold words. Can you guarantee you'll become a god?"
The Ice Empress sneered.
Who wouldn't want to ascend to godhood? But could Su Yu guarantee his success? He was painting a grand picture, but who could say if he'd deliver when the time came?
She might as well claim that if Su Yu gave her a Transformation Grass, she'd catch a million-year soul beast for him. Could that happen? No way. His promise felt as credible as an empty boast.
The Ice Empress felt Su Yu was spouting nonsense.
"If even I can't become a god, then no one on this continent can," Su Yu declared confidently.
"What makes you so sure?" the Ice Empress asked, skeptical.
"Because I am the Child of the World, blessed by heaven and earth, and I already possess a million-year soul ring. Is that proof enough?"
As he finished speaking, Su Yu activated his martial soul, and the Ice Emperor martial soul descended upon the world. Extreme cold permeated the air, and three soul rings—two black and one white—appeared around him.
Then, the white ring began to glow, strands of golden light emerging to gradually tint it with radiant gold. The light grew stronger until the third soul ring transformed entirely into a golden ring.
Now, Su Yu's Ice Emperor soul rings revealed their true form: black, black, and gold.
With the ring fully golden, a powerful aura of a million-year soul beast spread out.
The Ice Empress trembled. This aura couldn't be faked—it was indeed a genuine million-year soul ring.
"A million-year third soul ring? How is that possible?" she murmured, stunned.
"Whose soul ring is this?" she asked, though she had an idea.
"Your old friend, the Skydream Iceworm," Su Yu replied indifferently.
"I knew it."
The Ice Empress nodded in realization. There wouldn't be a second million-year soul beast in the world.
Her gaze toward Su Yu changed. Maybe he did have a chance to ascend to godhood.
"You used the Skydream Iceworm's soul ring—did the Great Sovereign help?"
"Yes."
"What exactly is your connection to the Star Dou Forest?"
"The Star Dou Forest will be mine sooner or later," Su Yu replied confidently.
The Ice Empress's pupils contracted.
"And the Ice God Palace? What's your connection there?"
Su Yu smiled.
"Elder Hai, tell her who the Ice God Palace belongs to."
"The Ice God Palace naturally belongs to the Young Master," Haibodong answered without hesitation.
"Every member of the Ice God Palace would gladly give their lives in service to the Young Master!"
Shock washed over the Ice Empress.
What kind of existence was this Su Yu? Could he control both soul beasts and humans?
"Who exactly are you?" she asked, now genuinely curious.
"You'll only know if you choose to join us. Are you sure you want to know?"
Su Yu smiled mysteriously.
The Ice Empress fell silent.
After a long pause, she asked, "Since you took the Skydream Iceworm's soul ring, what happened to it?"
"Has its soul been wiped out? And if I chose you, what would happen to me?"
Su Yu replied, "Skydream retains its full intelligence and lives comfortably in my spiritual sea. It's just so talkative that I keep it contained. You know how it is—it still has… certain feelings for you."
The Ice Empress snorted.
"That bug is always clinging to foolish hopes. I like the Snow Empress, not him. How could I ever be interested in him?"
"Even you are a hundred times better than that bug. It's only fit to be food."
Su Yu let her comments slide. Skydream Iceworm was forever destined for unrequited love.
"One last question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
The Ice Empress looked at Su Yu with a complicated expression.
"Ask away," Su Yu replied casually.
"Why did you refuse the Snow Empress when she offered to become your soul ring, but you're after mine?"
This was the part she couldn't understand. It was clear Su Yu valued high-quality soul rings. So why would he refuse the Snow Empress, who had offered herself freely? Her ring and bone were far superior to her own, yet he pursued her instead.
"Can't figure it out?"
Su Yu smiled faintly.
"I don't understand," the Ice Empress admitted.
"The reason is simple."
Su Yu looked at the white ice cocoon in the distance and said calmly, "As I said, the Snow Empress herself means more to me than her soul ring or soul bone."
"I like her. Isn't that enough?"
"Do you even know what 'liking' is? I think you're just lusting after the Snow Empress's body," the Ice Empress scoffed.
"A kid like you claiming to 'like' someone?"
"So what if I'm lusting after her body? Are you mad about it?"
Su Yu gave her a sideways glance, full of disdain.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"You!"
The Ice Empress was fuming.
"You're after my soul ring, and you're saying this?"
"You should know that if you're struck dead by the tribulation, you won't even have a chance to compete with me."
Trying to threaten him?
Su Yu countered with his warning. Let's see who panics first.