"Shameless, Su Yu! You're so shameless!"
Su Yu's words struck a nerve with the Ice Empress. No matter what plans she had, if she couldn't survive the heavenly tribulation, it would all be for nothing.
Meanwhile, the Snow Empress had already taken human form and was destined to enter the human world, giving Su Yu endless opportunities to interact with her. If the Ice Empress couldn't pass her tribulation, how could she ever hope to compete?
Her attempt to threaten Su Yu had backfired, leaving her feeling powerless and frustrated. She had lost her only bargaining chip, leaving her helpless and filled with anger.
"How am I shameless? You were the one who threatened me first," Su Yu said with a smirk.
"Of course, if you don't like me, you could always become someone else's soul ring. I'm not the one on a deadline—I don't have to worry about a heavenly tribulation."
Su Yu crossed his arms, radiating confidence. No one else could handle the power of the Ice Empress's nearly 400,000-year-old supreme soul ring. She had no other choice but him, and they both knew it.
The Ice Empress had realized this, and that's why she was so anxious, nearly jumping in frustration. She glared at Su Yu as if she wanted to devour him.
"Damn you, Su Yu! You're so annoying!" she cursed, venting her frustration. To be forced into this situation by a kid—didn't she have any dignity? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Su Yu, however, remained unfazed. So what if she cursed him? Her words had no power over him, and her anger only served to frustrate her further.
"Whatever the case, you absolutely cannot fall for the Snow Empress," the Ice Empress demanded.
"So what if I do? Are you here to teach me how to live my life?"
Su Yu pouted, amused by her meddling.
"You don't even know what love is, you little brat," she retorted.
"And you do? You're just a scorpion—what do you know?"
Su Yu scoffed. At least he and the Snow Empress were both in human form. Why was this scorpion even getting involved?
"Why wouldn't I understand? My bond with the Snow Empress spans tens of thousands of years—far deeper than anything you could have. We're both blessed by heaven and earth, practically a match made in heaven. Do you have that kind of blessing?"
"The will of the heavens is supreme," Su Yu replied, unperturbed.
"The Extreme North has already approved of my connection with the Snow Empress. Who are you, a little scorpion, to challenge it?"
"You… you're talking nonsense!"
The Ice Empress's heart sank; he had a point. Su Yu and the Snow Empress were indeed tied by destiny in ways she couldn't control.
"You know it's true."
Su Yu cast her a sidelong glance and said, "Besides, the Snow Empress and I are a man and a woman. You're just a scorpion—why don't you leave us be? Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."
"Go to hell! Go to hell…!"
The Ice Empress lost her temper entirely, cursing him furiously, but Su Yu ignored her, a faint smile on his lips. He had won this argument.
...
Time passed, and soon, the energy within the white cocoon gathered to its peak. The Ice Empress stopped cursing, her focus entirely on the cocoon. Their verbal sparring was over; what truly mattered now was the Snow Empress.
Under their watchful eyes, cracks began to spread across the cocoon, releasing wisps of white, cold air. The cracks grew wider, and the cold intensified until, with a loud burst, the cocoon shattered.
White cold air surged, and a graceful figure emerged, draped in a gown of ice and snow, a frost crown upon her head. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her aura a flawless blend of purity, elegance, and strength, commanding and aloof.
Su Yu stared at her openly, his admiration evident. Aside from Gu Yuena, no one in his heart could compare to the Snow Empress. She was a true spirit of the world, her beauty surpassing even celestial maidens. (Reminder: Di Mingli is still in beast form.)
"So beautiful!" he murmured in awe.
But just as he spoke, a burst of ice-blue light enveloped the Snow Empress, obscuring her figure entirely. When the light faded, the tall, elegant woman was gone.
In her place was a baby, no more than a year old. Dressed in an ice-blue bellyband, with white hair and bright ice-blue eyes, she was the very picture of innocence. Her chubby little hands and rosy cheeks were as pure as snow, her lively eyes sparkling.
The elegant woman had disappeared, leaving only an adorable baby.
Su Yu was stunned, the Ice Empress was dumbfounded, and Hai Bodong was speechless.
The Snow Empress herself looked confused, trying to wave her tiny arms to stand, only to lose balance and fall on her bottom.
Snow Empress: ???????
"Yiya yiya!" she babbled, but no coherent words came out.
Snow Empress: Σ⊙▃⊙川
Ice Empress: (; ꒪ö꒪)
Su Yu: (￣▽￣)~* barely stifling laughter.
He tried to hold back but couldn't, bursting into laughter. Seeing the Snow Empress's innocent baby face, Su Yu laughed, unable to resist.
It was indeed a rare sight.
Snow Empress: ???
Snow Empress: ( ｡ •`ᴖ´• ｡)
Seeing that Su Yu dared to laugh, the Snow Empress fixed him with an angry gaze. Her young, delicate face showed a hint of irritation.
"Yiya, yiyi yaya yiya..."
(Is it that funny? Really, that funny?)
The Snow Empress waved her arms as if questioning Su Yu, which only made him laugh harder.
To be honest, he hadn't expected a situation like this.
"Su Yu, what exactly is going on?"
"You said the Transformation Grass was foolproof, didn't you?" the Ice Empress quickly asked, turning to Su Yu with worry.
Su Yu had guaranteed this, so how could such a thing have happened?
"Calm down; let me check first."
Su Yu connected with the system and reviewed the Snow Empress's information:
[Name: Snow Empress]
[Title: Leader of the Three Great Monarchs of the Extreme North]
[Race: Ice Sky Snow Lady, Human]
[Age: 290,000 years, 7 months]
[Cultivation: 700,000 years (special condition, sealed; can gradually unseal as age increases)]
[Skills: Emperor Sword: Ice Extreme Wushuang, Emperor Palm: Great Cold Without Snow, Emperor Frost Heaven: Snow Dance to the Sun, etc.]
[Note: A special state caused by conflicting medicinal effects. She will gradually return to normal over time. Consuming certain treasures can also accelerate her growth.]
Su Yu examined the Snow Empress's information thoughtfully.
"Hey, Su Yu, stop standing there in silence! What's going on?" the Ice Empress demanded, watching Su Yu's pensive expression with increasing urgency.
"Is it a problem with the Transformation Grass? Say something!" she added, nearing panic.
"The Transformation Grass is fine. The issue lies mainly with the Snow Empress herself," Su Yu said.
"The Snow Empress started her transformation with the Snow Lotus, but took the Transformation Grass midway, which caused the two effects to clash."
"And what does that mean?"
The Ice Empress looked at Su Yu, eyes wide with worry. The Snow Empress also gazed at him, waiting for his answer.
"The result isn't too bad. The Snow Empress's situation is unique," Su Yu replied.
"Typically, the Transformation Grass would convert a body to human form without changing the species, keeping lifespan and strength the same. But in the Douluo Continent, a 100,000-year-old soul beast that transforms loses their cultivation and starts from scratch. Once they mature, aside from producing a soul bone, they become nearly human in both lifespan and attributes."
"The Snow Empress's condition is a mix of these transformations. She now has the identity of both an Ice Sky Snow Lady and a human, with the long lifespan of a soul beast, the cultivation speed of a human, and the essence of her original form. No one in the human world would suspect she's a soul beast; she's already fully human."
"In other words, she's inherited the advantages of both transformations," Su Yu marveled at the strange miracle. Truly, the world was full of wonders.
"Then why did she become so small? Didn't you say the Transformation Grass wouldn't cause a loss of strength? But she can barely stand." The Ice Empress's tone was sharp, disbelieving.
"Her strength is still intact but sealed temporarily due to the clash of medicinal effects. It's no major issue. As she grows, her strength will naturally return, and no re-cultivation is needed. The older she appears, the more strength she'll regain. By the time she looks around twenty, her strength should be fully restored."
"I see, that's not too hard to accept. But will she stay like this for long? Isn't there a way to help her grow faster?"
"There are ways. Consuming certain treasures can speed up her growth. Besides, what's wrong with being small? She's cute like this," Su Yu said, stepping forward to pick up the Snow Empress.
"Isn't that right, Snow Empress?" he teased with a smile.
Snow Empress: (ꐦ¬_¬)
The Snow Empress glared at him, clearly displeased.
Cute? Really?
She had no interest in being "cute" and resented being stuck in such a small form. I want to grow up!
"Don't be upset," Su Yu chuckled, "you've successfully transformed—that's what matters. You're only temporarily small. I'll help you find treasures to speed things up."
Su Yu pinched her cheek with a smile. Her chubby, adorable face was irresistibly pinchable, soft as water.
"Yiya yaya!"
(Stop pinching my face!)
"I'll pinch it anyway!"
Su Yu laughed and tapped her little nose.
The Snow Empress glowered but couldn't resist, scrunching her face in protest.
Su Yu chuckled. You teased me when I was young, and now the tables have turned.
Seeing him playfully teasing the Snow Empress the Ice Empress's heart twisted. From her perspective, Su Yu was a demon—he enjoyed tormenting her, and now he was bullying the Snow Empress. Couldn't he be gentler?
After a while, Su Yu finally turned to the Ice Empress with the Snow Empress in his arms. He circled her, making the Ice Empress grit her teeth in frustration.
"Su Yu, let me hold her too," she said, barely able to contain herself. Who could resist such an adorable Snow Empress?
"You don't even have hands. How do you plan on holding her?"
Su Yu replied bluntly, still enjoying his time with the Snow Empress.
"Damn it!"
The Ice Empress muttered, feeling her scorpion tail twitch in irritation. She glared at Su Yu, longing to sting him, but seeing Hai Bodong nearby, she reluctantly let the idea go.
"Alright, the Snow Empress's situation is resolved, and she's safe," Su Yu said finally.
"Now, I need to find a fourth soul ring. Ice Empress, do you have any recommendations?"
The Ice Empress looked at him in surprise.
"Weren't you aiming for my soul ring?"
"I told you, I won't force you. You can take your time deciding," Su Yu replied, smiling.