"After absorbing the soul ring of the Ice Feather Beast, you must have gained quite a bit, right?"
"Indeed, I've gained a lot. My soul power has reached Rank 45, and my spiritual power has also improved. It should now be at least on par with a seasoned Soul Douluo," Su Yu replied casually, shrugging.
The Ice Empress took a deep breath. This guy's a monster. When it comes to prodigies, there's probably not a single soul master who can compare to him. Perhaps becoming his soul ring was a wise choice.
"What's your soul skill? Can you share it with me?" the Ice Empress asked, as Snow Empress perked up her ears and looked at him curiously from Su Yu's arms.
"Of course."
Su Yu grinned.
"My fourth soul ring is called Ice Emperor's Feather—a large-area attack skill. Much like a phoenix spreading its wings, it can release thousands, even tens of thousands, of fine, razor-sharp ice swords that cover a wide area. Anyone hit by them experiences a slowing effect."
The feathers formed from Ultimate Ice are incredibly hard and sharp. Confidently, Su Yu felt that his Ice Emperor's Feather was even stronger than Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Meteor Shower. He was quite satisfied with this soul skill, especially with the added slowing effect.
"Not bad. Seems like your suffering wasn't in vain," the Ice Empress nodded.
Su Yu didn't respond.
"Su Yu!" the Ice Empress called out.
"Can you bring out the Skydream Iceworm? I have some things to discuss with it."
Momentarily stunned, Su Yu quickly understood, a smile forming on his face.
"Of course."
As soon as Su Yu released the Skydream Iceworm, it began crying in excitement.
"Finally, I'm out! Boohoo! I'm so pitiful."
"Hey, you stinky worm, cut it out. I didn't ask Su Yu to let you out so you could act pitiful," the Ice Empress scoffed. The Iceworm had tried to flirt with her once. It was as delusional as a toad wanting swan meat.
"Bing Bing! Bing Bing!!!" the Skydream Iceworm cried, noticing her. Seeing the familiar little figure, it jumped up in excitement, wriggling like a giant maggot, which only earned it more disdainful looks from the Ice Empress.
"Ahem!"
The Skydream Iceworm sensed her disdain and transformed into a human-like shadow—one that looked almost exactly like Su Yu, only more mature. But before it could bask in its transformation, Su Yu slapped it.
"Skydream, are you looking to die?"
Startled, the Skydream Iceworm quickly reverted, its figure now less outstanding than Su Yu's but still somewhat handsome.
Satisfied, Su Yu held Snow Empress in his arms and stepped aside, sensing that the Ice Empress had specific questions for the Skydream Iceworm about becoming a soul ring. With excitement, the Skydream Iceworm began to ramble.
...
Meanwhile, Su Yu was busy organizing his gains. Checking his information panel, he noted significant growth. His spiritual power, now in the early stage of the Spirit Abyss Realm at 5255, felt like a deep, formless abyss. This realm is generally achieved by genius soul masters at the Soul Douluo level or even Title Douluo powerhouses. The Spirit Abyss Realm's next level, the Spirit Domain Realm, is so rare that only a handful on the entire Douluo Continent have reached it—a level usually seen only in Ultimate Douluos. Su Yu felt he'd already surpassed many by reaching Spirit Abyss Realm.
Aside from his spiritual power, his wealth had also increased significantly. His assets now exceeded ten billion gold soul coins, largely due to his system's daily check-ins. Remembering that, Su Yu realized he hadn't checked in today.
"System, check-in!"
[Ding, check-in successful. Congratulations, host, you've received 200 gold soul coins.]
With another familiar reward, Su Yu closed the information panel. Glancing around, he spotted Hai Bodong and decided to check his stats.
"System, display Hai Bodong's stats."
[Ding, displaying Hai Bodong's stats.]
[Name: Hai Bodong]
[Age: 120]
[Title: Ice Emperor]
[Martial Soul: Ice Emperor]
[Level: Demigod (Power in recovery)]
[Spiritual Power: 45,000]
[Technique: Ten Thousand Cold Arts (Earth Rank, Low Level)]
[Soul Rings: Black Black Black Black Black Red Red Red Red]
[Soul Bones: Full Ice Attribute Ten-Thousand-Year Set]
[Skills: Thousand Shadows Cold Kill (Earth Rank, Low Level), Frozen Dragon Flight (Mystic Rank, High Level), Frozen Strangle (Mystic Rank, High Level), Frozen Mirror (Mystic Rank, Intermediate), etc.]
[Items: Storage Ring, Hundred Herbs Wine, Jade Crystal Wine, Dou Technique Scrolls, etc.]
Looking at Hai Bodong's stats, Su Yu was floored. While Hai Bodong's peak Spirit Domain Realm spiritual power and the combination of soul rings and bones were impressive, the Earth Rank techniques and skills left Su Yu speechless. Earth Rank techniques are far superior to Mystic Rank techniques—the renowned Mysterious Heaven Skill on the Douluo Continent would only be considered Mystic Rank intermediate level at best.
Originally, Su Yu thought Hai Bodong's power slightly exceeded Long Xiaoyao's, but now… he realized Hai Bodong might even rival Di Tian. Without the Dragon God's Claw, Di Tian would surely lose.
Completely stunned, Su Yu approached Hai Bodong.
"Elder Hai, may I ask, who gave you this technique?"
Logically, Hai Bodong shouldn't have Earth-ranked cultivation techniques or combat skills. Seeing the [power in recovery] note in the level section confirmed for Su Yu that this was the Hai Bodong who had just broken his seal—not the more powerful version he would later become. At this stage, Hai Bodong was still in the Jia Ma Empire, where only the Yun Lan Sect was rumored to have Earth-ranked techniques. Other factions struggled with Mystic-ranked techniques as the highest level attainable. Hai Bodong's situation was highly unusual.
"Are you asking about the technique? It was given to me by one of my juniors," Hai Bodong replied honestly.
Su Yu: ????
A junior?
Su Yu's expression became even more puzzled. What junior could Hai Bodong possibly have? Although he couldn't make sense of it, Su Yu didn't pursue further questions, concluding that this Hai Bodong likely wasn't from the original Dou Qi Continent. Regardless, Hai Bodong's strength delighted him—the Earth-ranked cultivation technique and combat skills were a surprising bonus.
If it weren't for his Supreme Divine Art, Su Yu might even have been tempted to try Hai Bodong's Ten Thousand Cold Arts. But compared to the Ten Thousand Cold Arts, his Supreme Divine Art was undeniably superior. The Supreme Divine Art was divided into eighteen levels, and Su Yu had already cultivated up to the fourth level. His abilities so far included: Immaculate Body, Heaven and Earth Shift, Repel All Evil, and the newly acquired Self-Generating True Qi.
Self-Generating True Qi allowed his internal soul power to recover autonomously, similar to the Nine Suns Divine Art, providing a continuous supply of energy. Unless he used overly powerful or energy-consuming skills, he essentially had an unending reserve of soul power—a tremendous advantage. Thinking about the abilities the Supreme Divine Art might unlock in the future, Su Yu felt a rare surge of anticipation.
Lost in thought, Su Yu was daydreaming when Snow Empress poked his cheek with a curious expression.
"Yiya yaya!" (What are you thinking about?)
"Nothing much," Su Yu smiled. Just as he was about to say more, the Ice Empress approached with the Skydream Iceworm.
"Su Yu, the Skydream Iceworm has explained everything to me about becoming your soul ring. I agree," she said.
"I also heard that you have twin martial souls. Is that right?"
"That's correct," Su Yu nodded.
"Good, that makes things more certain," Ice Empress nodded thoughtfully.
"When you're ready for your fifth or sixth soul ring, return to the Extreme North. I will become your soul ring then."
After questioning the Skydream Iceworm and learning more about Su Yu's remarkable abilities, Ice Empress had made up her mind. Known for her decisiveness, she never wavered once her decision was made.
"Alright."
Su Yu smiled.
"Ice Empress, rest assured—I'm destined to become a god," he declared confidently.
"I believe you," Ice Empress replied, feeling that if even Su Yu couldn't ascend, perhaps no one on this continent could.
"But grow quickly. Don't make me wait too long—I can sense that my tribulation isn't far off," Ice Empress reminded him.
"Don't worry. I'll do my best to grow as fast as I can," Su Yu reassured her.
"Good. When do you plan to leave?"
Ice Empress asked.
Su Yu joked, "Are you trying to kick me out already?"
"It's not that. Didn't you plan to go to some academy to study?"
Ice Empress shook her head.
"I just think focusing on cultivation would be better for you."
"I'll leave tomorrow," Su Yu replied with a smile.
"It's probably best to head back early anyway."
"Yiya, yiya yaya!"
Snow Empress suddenly called out.
Ice Empress looked at Su Yu, who raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Snow Empress.
"You want me to stay in the Extreme North a bit longer?"
"Why?"
"Yiya, yaya ya ya…"
(Oh? You're saying that since I saved you, you want to repay me by teaching me the Snow Empress's Three Absolutes?)
Su Yu was stunned. The Snow Empress wanted to teach him the Snow Empress's Three Absolutes. It was her signature technique, her most prized ability—legendary and revered among soul masters, especially ice-type users. Emperor's Sword, Emperor's Palm, Emperor's Cold Heaven: each one was iconic. And now she wanted to pass them on to him?
Even Ice Empress was shocked by Snow Empress's decisiveness in offering her most treasured abilities.
"Snow, you don't have to go that far. There's no need to teach him the Snow Empress's Three Absolutes," Ice Empress tried to persuade her.
"Yiya, yaya…"
Snow Empress shook her head, her expression resolute.
"What did she say?"
Ice Empress asked, looking at Su Yu.
"She said that no matter how precious the Emperor's Three Absolutes are, they don't compare to the Transformation Grass. Besides, it's also compensation for testing me before," Su Yu replied, his expression complicated.
"Is that necessary?" he sighed, stroking Snow Empress's face. He had already forgiven her.
"Yiya!"
Snow Empress shook her head firmly, her small face resolute.
"It seems Snow has made up her mind," Ice Empress observed, understanding Snow Empress's intentions.
"Perhaps," Su Yu replied.
"Don't refuse her. This is her way of showing kindness," Ice Empress advised. She hoped he would grow stronger since she planned to follow him, and if Snow Empress was so determined, Ice Empress wouldn't oppose it. She encouraged Su Yu to accept.
"Alright," Su Yu nodded, then pinched Snow Empress's little face with a smile.
"I'll be counting on you, then."
He wasn't one to be overly sentimental—and how could he not be interested in the Emperor's Three Absolutes?
"Yiya!"
Snow Empress's face lit up with approval.
"So, how will you teach me?"
Su Yu asked with a light laugh. After all, he was still holding her—how would she impart her knowledge?
"Yiya yaya." (I have my ways.)
Her little face was full of confidence.
"Alright, let's go learn the Emperor's Three Absolutes then," Su Yu said, holding Snow Empress as the group made their way toward the core area of the Extreme North.