Unrivaled Tang Sect Volume 22

Book 22: The Clear Sky Sect

Chapter 193: Two Uncles?

Huo Yuhao was astonished by their speed and realized that they were all probably at least Soul Kings. Their movements were elegant, and their figures were agile, which meant that they probably had relatively high cultivation levels. Furthermore, they hadn’t flown using formless soul power, which was essentially the trademark of a soul engineer.

Wang Dong smiled and said, “Leave your questions for later. You’ll learn everything once you reach my home. Let’s go.” Once he’d finished speaking he took the lead and began scaling the steep mountain path.

Huo Yuhao didn’t dare to wait, so he followed closely behind him. The moment they entered the layer of clouds, Wang Dong suddenly grabbed Huo Yuhao’s hand and said, “Let me show you where to go, it’s easy to get lost in the fog. This is one of my family’s defense mechanisms—one misstep and you’ll plummet from the mountain.”

Huo Yuhao chortled and said, “You’re forgetting that I don’t really need my eyes to see where I’m going.” Wang Dong laughed alongside him and said, “You can try to use your Spiritual Detection, but even it isn’t omnipotent.”

Huo Yuhao was immediately unconvinced when he heard Wang Dong’s remark. He’d just experienced another epiphany regarding his spiritual power, thus he was extremely confident in himself. He immediately released his Spiritual Detection and attempted to perceive his surroundings.

His first attempt almost made him jump out of his skin. He quickly realized, to his intense shock, that his surroundings were completely empty to his Spiritual Detection—he couldn’t feel anything at all! He couldn’t even feel himself and Wang Dong; it was as if they were simply levitating in the clouds. However, they were quite obviously standing on solid ground atop the mountain!

Astounded, Huo Yuhao hurriedly strengthened his Spiritual Detection and activated his Eye of Destiny. He’d never made a mistake since he’d obtained the Spiritual Detection soul skill, thus he refused to believe that his Spiritual Detection couldn’t even take on the clouds surrounding them. However, he only became more bewildered when he activated his Eye of Destiny—he still couldn’t detect a single thing! The only thing that had changed was the color of the clouds around him.

The clouds turned golden when he gazed at them with his Eye of Destiny, and he felt as if he couldn’t grasp their destinies. No matter how much he attempted to extend his Spiritual Detection, he still wasn’t able to see anything. The clouds gave him a feeling of endlessness and infinity.

“How can this be?” Huo Yuhao muttered, astonished.

“It’s  a  secret.  Come  on,  let’s  go.”   Wang  Dong  replied, dragging him forwards, to which Huo Yuhao could only stumble and follow behind him when he did so. The path wasn’t smooth, as it was made of only stone and rock, and the trail wasn’t clear at all. Huo Yuhao would really have had a problem without his Spiritual Detection if Wang Dong hadn’t been there to guide him.

“Can we fly across? The clouds around your house are quite sinister.” Wang Dong chortled and said, “We could. In fact, only the clouds around the main peak have this special effect. However, a special bird-type soul beast known as the Killer in the Clouds inhabits these clouds. Many of them are ten thousand year soul beasts, and they travel in groups. As such, it’s not that easy to fly across.”

Huo Yuhao forced a laugh and said, “I suddenly regret following you here. Can you even call this a home? It’s a lion’s den!”

Wang Dong laughed. “Watch what you say. You’ll have a tough time if eldest uncle and second uncle hear that.”

“Eldest uncle, second uncle?”  Huo Yuhao asked in surprise, “You have two fathers?”

“Pui! You’re the one with two fathers. Actually…” His voice became a little sullen, “I don’t know where my father is. Eldest uncle and second uncle are my father’s elder brothers. I’ve never seen my father or mother before. Both eldest uncle and second uncle have told me that my father and mother are out there, somewhere far away. However, when I grew up, I could guess that my parents were…” 

Huo Yuhao hurriedly grabbed Wang Dong’s hands when he heard the gloom in his voice. “I’m sure that uncle and auntie will be fine, Wang Dong. Don’t think like that!”

“Yes.” Wang Dong answered softly. He had originally been in a jovial mood to return home, but it seemed to have been greatly affected by this.

……

The path in front of them finally cleared up, and the surrounding clouds that had constantly hovered over their heads were now beneath their feet.

Standing atop a sea of clouds brought about a completely new feeling, and a strange light continuously sparkled in Huo Yuhao’s eyes.

Wang Dong stared at him speechlessly. Is he going to have another epiphany? Unfortunately, epiphanies didn’t appear so easily. Huo Yuhao simply gaped at the magnificent spectacle in front of him before quickly returning to normal. He then looked up, only to find himself looking at a castle.

Indeed, roughly three hundred meters above his head stood a majestic castle. It was nestled atop the mountain summit’s, high above the ocean of clouds.

The greyish castle felt ancient, and gave of a feeling of standing on top of the world. Huo Yuhao couldn’t fathom how a castle such as this had been constructed amongst the rolling clouds and on a peak as steep as this.

Previously, he’d been awed by the Sun Moon Empire’s Radiant City’s construction. It could be said that those structures were representative of the Sun Moon Empire’s technological advancements, and that they were also a symbol of how powerful the Sun Moon Empire’s soul tools were.

The tremendous castle on the mountaintop could only be described as a miracle. Soul tools had been developed to a point where they could change an entire nation, but constructing a castle such as this one on a such a steep mountain was nearly impossible. And yet, the truth lay before his very eyes, leaving Huo Yuhao no choice but to believe it.

Wang Dong continued to lead them up the mountaintop. Several hundred meters wasn’t much to them, so it didn’t take long before they reached the summit and stood before the mystical castle.

The mountain winds were stronger and sharper on the mountaintop, and carried a dense amount of moisture. However, no matter how powerful the winds were, the castle stood proudly atop the summit with ease.

The castle’s gate was shaped like an arch, and had three words embedded on it: Clear Sky Castle.

Huo Yuhao didn’t know why, but he felt a sense of familiarity when he saw this name.

“After  you.”  Wang  Dong  gestured  towards  Huo  Yuhao.  A proud grin appeared on his face as he observed the astonished look on Huo Yuhao’s face. Huo Yuhao laughed and said, “Even though I don’t want to admit this, I have to admit that I’m quite stupefied. My man— you’ve given me such a pleasant surprise!”

Wang Dong replied, “You’re the first person that I’ve taken home. We don’t usually have guests around here.”

Huo Yuhao snickered and said, “I’m pretty sure that your house doesn’t have guests because of the frightening ocean of clouds surrounding it.”

“Who says that we don’t have guests?!”  At that moment, a clear and deep voice resounded from within the castle.

Huo Yuhao was taken aback as a tall figure emerged from the castle.

The arriving figure was an extremely muscular and well-built middle-aged man. He had a head full of short, prickly hair that resembled steel needles, and a very grand appearance. He had tough, chiseled facial features, while his eyes were brownish- yellow and flickered faintly with golden light. His long grey robe couldn’t mask his bulging muscles. When Huo Yuhao saw him, he could instantly feel a formidable and intimidating pressure from him.

The middle-aged man’s eyes were fixated on Huo Yuhao from the moment he appeared. The pressure that came from this man wasn’t just from his aura; it was also accompanied by a frightening spiritual pressure. Huo Yuhao felt as if this immense power was about to trample all over him, and tidal waves appeared inside of his spiritual sea.

Skydream and the Ice Empress had been in a deep sleep inside of his spiritual sea, but they were immediately jolted awake. They were both clueless and terrified, but the strength of Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power was displayed at this moment.

His eyes turned golden from the shock, and his body began to emanate a blurry golden layer of mist that enveloped him within—it was as if he’d become a man made from gold in the blink of an eye. What was even more peculiar was that one could faintly see rippling brown streaks of air rushing against him, akin to the raging tide slamming into the shore. However, the golden radiance around Huo Yuhao’s body made him as stable as a boulder. Even though his body was quivering faintly, ultimately, he was able to resist the pressure. The pressure didn’t last very long, and was over after two to three seconds. However, two to three seconds was enough for Huo Yuhao to break out into a cold sweat. He was acutely aware that he wouldn’t be able to resist that level of intense pressure for even a minute with his current level of spiritual power.

What kind of power could produce such tremendous spiritual pressure? Huo Yuhao felt petrified as he stared at the middle-aged man before him, and a look of respect appeared on his face.

Wang Dong glared angrily at the middle-aged man and said, “What are you doing, second uncle? We’ve only just returned, yet you’re already bullying my friend!”

The middle-aged man chuckled and said, “It’s his fault for saying that our family doesn’t have any guests. Little fella, it’s not because our place doesn’t receive guests, it’s because there aren’t many people worthy of entering Clear Sky Castle. Hmm… with your level of spiritual power at your age, you are indeed worthy. Back in the day… Ahem, when I had your level of spiritual power, I was already… Alright, enough talk. Come in.” Huo Yuhao respectfully said, “Greetings, uncle.” He could tell from the middle-aged man’s voice that he wasn’t nearly as young as he looked.

Wang Dong said, “This is my second uncle. You can address him as such.”

The middle-aged man shot Huo Yuhao a look and said, “It might be too early for you to call me second uncle, little fella. My surname is Tai, and you can address me as uncle.”

(TL: This section may sound a little strange because English isn’t as nuanced as Chinese in terms of nicknames and addressing family members. This translation is in order to remain faithful to the original text.)

Wang Dong stared at the middle-aged man indignantly, but his second uncle didn’t pay any heed to him as he went back inside the castle.

Huo Yuhao didn’t feel any hostility at all from this ‘Uncle Tai.’ However, he could feel the man’s great arrogance, and that ‘Uncle Tai’ hadn’t completely accepted him yet.  

“It’s alright, Wang Dong. Let’s listen to him.”

Wang Dong murmured unhappily, “They just don’t trust me.

Hmph!”

Huo Yuhao chuckled and said, “It’s alright as long as you treat me like a brother. I’m sure I will be nice to your family. Take me around the castle, and then we’ll find a place to stay.”

“Alright.” Wang Dong took Huo Yuhao into the castle.

There weren’t many extravagant decorations or ornaments inside the castle. Everything was mainly black or grey in color, with occasional traces of green. There were two flights of stairs on each side, and leading to higher levels. The castle’s structure wasn’t complicated, having only three levels, but every level covered a great deal of space.

Wang Dong introduced things to Huo Yuhao. “The people from my sect reside in the Clear Sky Castle. The second level is for hosting guests, and is also where the sect’s elders stay. Eldest uncle, second uncle, and me stay on the third level. Oh yes, my sister also stays on the third level.”

“Sect?  Clear  Sky  Castle?  Clear  Sky  Sect!”   Huo  Yuhao shuddered. He finally understood why the name felt so familiar. Yes! Clear Sky – doesn’t that mean it’s the Clear Sky Sect?

He had seen the Clear Sky Sect’s information in detail before in the Sea God’s Pavilion’s archives. In Shrek Academy’s collection of information regarding sects, the Clear Sky Sect was ranked at the forefront, along with the Body Sect. It was clear that they were a powerful sect.

According to the archives’ introduction, the Clear Sky Sect had been around even before Shrek Academy. It was an ancient sect that had existed for at least ten thousand years, with a history even longer than the Body Sect. Ten thousand years ago, the Clear Sky Sect was touted as the number-one tool soul sect, and even the reputable Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was inferior to them. Huo Yuhao had never even imagined that his best buddy was from the Clear Sky Sect. Since that was the case, Wang Dong’s second martial soul must be the Clear Sky Sect’s principal martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer! 

According to the records, the leader of Shrek Academy’s first generation of Shrek’s Seven Monsters, who was also the Tang Sect’s founder, Tang San, came from the Clear Sky Sect. His father was known as the Clearsky Douluo, and was extremely powerful! Tang San also had twin martial souls, and one of them... was the Clear Sky Hammer!

However, Shrek Academy’s archives also recorded that the Clear Sky Sect had gradually disappeared about a thousand years ago. It was said that people from the sect were no longer seen on the Continent, and were thought to be gradually approaching extinction. However, not only was the Clear Sky Sect still around, but they also possessed this miraculous castle deep in the clouds.

Wang Dong looked him, amused, and said, “You only guessed that now? You’re slow enough.”

Huo Yuhao forced a laugh and said, “You’ve never given me any hints at all, so how could I have guessed that? You’re from such a powerful sect that’s been around for a long time – I feel very pressured! We -” Wang Dong interrupted him unhappily and said, “Why are you like all the rest? Are statuses and whatnot that important to us?”

Huo Yuhao chortled and said, “It’s alright that I’m just a pathetic loser. If you don’t think that’s important, then it’s not important.”

Wang Dong giggled and said, “Pathetic loser doesn’t sound nice at all. You should stop using those two words in the future. Let’s go, you’re staying on the second floor.”

Huo Yuhao chuckled and replied, “Alright, I’ll stop saying it.”

---

People clad in grey cloaks occasionally walked past them as they walked through the castle. Huo Yuhao could tell from their auras and their soul power fluctuations that the grey- cloaked individuals that he had encountered earlier were at the lowest level. Several grey-cloaked individuals possessed power that was unimaginably great; they were at least Soul Sages. The Clear Sky Sect truly has many hidden greats and mighty beings! However, how can they live in such a steep and perilous mountain range? Huo Yuhao had been full of questions ever since he had entered Clear Sky Castle.

Wang Dong took Huo Yuhao to the second level, and arranged a room for him.

The room couldn’t be considered big or spacious. The bed frame, tables, chairs, and even the wardrobes were made of stone. The furniture was extremely simple.

“It’s like that around here, conditions are a little simple and modest.   I   hope   you   don’t   mind!”    Wang   Dong   said apologetically.

Huo Yuhao laughed and said, “You don’t have to get all polite with me. It’s an honor to stay in the Clear Sky Sect, a place hidden deep in the clouds. You should go meet your family since you’ve just returned. You don’t have to worry about me, I want to rest for a bit.”

“Alright. I’ll send you a bedsheet and a blanket in a while,” Wang Dong said as he turned and left. 

Huo Yuhao started to inspect his room once Wang Dong left. The room was about twenty square meters, and had its own bathroom, with a water basin filled with clear water. Huo Yuhao reached out to scoop out some water to wash his face, but he got a shock when placed his hands in the water.

The water was freezing. Even with his Ultimate Ice, he still shivered from the cold, and a lot of the water spilled out of his hands.

It’s so cold! What kind of water is this? Huo Yuhao hesitated, but splashed the clear water on his face anyway. A clean coldness that seemed to reach into his bones instantly coursed through his entire body, and his entire being was energized and invigorated. He shivered from the cold once more, and felt as if the fatigue and exhaustion in his body were being washed away; it just felt unbelievably comfortable. The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion was also excited by this splash of cold water, and her enormous tattoo soon shimmered on his back. Huo Yuhao was astonished at what was happening – his golden-red soul ring rose from his feet and immediately reflected off the walls as it caused the entire room to turn golden.

------ 

On the Clear Sky Castle’s third level...

Wang Dong pouted as he stepped into a large room with a look of displeasure. His second uncle was sitting in the room, while another middle-aged man sat in the main seat.

The middle-aged man in the main seat had a head full of long green hair that was draped over his broad shoulders. His eyes were green as well, and though seemingly simple, they carried a special, indescribable quality when he blinked from time to time. It felt as if he had trouble suppressing the immense power contained in his body.

He was clad in a white warrior robe that covered his tall and sturdy frame. He was currently conversing with the other middle-aged man, who had short black hair that resembled steel needles.

“What’s going on, eldest uncle, second uncle? He’s a guest from a faraway land. What was that, second uncle? What if you’ve scared him?” Wang Dong began speaking furiously as soon as he walked into the room. The short-haired man laughed heartily and said, “Xiao Dong’er, you haven’t been home for so long, yet you’re already throwing your temper around at eldest uncle and me, that’s not right. As for your friend, if he couldn’t even pass my test, he wouldn’t have been worthy to enter Clear Sky Castle. He does have some standards, but he’s still far from our Xiao Dong.”

Wang Dong immediately disputed his words unhappily. “What? You guys don’t understand him at all. Huo Yuhao is very outstanding – he also has twin martial souls, and his second martial soul is one of Ultimate Ice. I thought I said this before when I came back the last time? Are you guys still doubting my choice?”

The man in white on the main seat smiled faintly. He lowered his voice and said, “Don’t fool around, Xiao Dong. It’s not that we don’t trust your choice. We still have to look out for you, right? Besides, your second uncle didn’t overdo it, no?”

Suddenly, both of their faces changed, and surprise flowed from their eyes as they glanced at each other. The man in white asked Wang Dong, “What room did you arrange for your friend to stay in?” 

Wang Dong said, “The Icejade Chamber! I said before that he has an Ultimate Ice martial soul – that place will be beneficial for his cultivation.”

The short-haired man’s eyes sparkled. He squinted faintly and contemplated for a moment before he said, “How much do you know about this friend of yours, Xiao Dong? How much do you know of his identity?”

Wang Dong replied, “I told you everything I know last time. You interrogated me as if you wanted to know his ancestors eight generations before him. What else can I keep from you?”

The short-haired man said, “Your friend is very sophisticated. Do you know that he has a hundred-thousand year soul ring? Furthermore, it’s not just any hundred thousand year soul ring. If I’m not wrong, that soul probably had about four-hundred thousand years of cultivation. Can a Soul Ancestor that’s a little over Rank 40 possess a soul ring like that? This is the first time I’ve come across something as peculiar as this.” “Four-hundred thousand years?” It was Wang Dong’s turn to be surprised. “That’s not possible. I know Huo Yuhao harbors certain secrets, and he can probably guess that I have some of my own. We have a tacit understanding, and we don’t normally interrogate each other about them. But how can he have a four- hundred thousand year soul ring? Are you sure you’re correct, second uncle?”

The man in white said, “Even if your second uncle is wrong, can it be that I’m also wrong? It is four-hundred thousand years. Perhaps he was stimulated by the coldness of the Icejade Chamber, so he released his martial soul. This martial soul may only have one ring, but that ring does indeed have four- hundred thousand years of cultivation.”

“He’s only a youth that’s not even twenty years of age, and he’s barely above Rank 40. There is only one explanation for how he can possess a four-hundred thousand year soul ring, and that is a four-hundred thousand year soul beast was sacrificed. Furthermore, the soul beast would have to suppress its own soul power and form a seal within his body, so that he could fuse itself with him. You really do know how to choose!”

Wang Dong’s eyes were full of doubt and surprise. “But, eldest uncle and second uncle, I am very sure that Yuhao is true and sincere to me. He has never known my identity, and he knows nothing even at this point. He will do nothing to harm me, so what if he has a four-hundred thousand year soul ring? I…”

The man in white waved his hand and interrupted him. “You have to listen, Xiao Dong. Your parents made us responsible for taking care of you, so we must be responsible. We can’t let you be with such a mysterious person – at least, we have to be sure of his abilities. Alright, you don’t have to bother yourself with this anymore. I will handle it with your second uncle. Your cultivation has reached a bottleneck, so second uncle will escort you to the Ascension Chamber to find a suitable soul ring later.” 

Wang Dong didn’t seem like he was afraid of his second uncle at all. However, he was much more respectful towards his eldest uncle. He said urgently, “You can’t hurt him, eldest uncle, second uncle! Yuhao doesn’t have any ulterior motives with me. You can test him, but you absolutely cannot hurt him. Otherwise, I will refuse to continue living!”

Wang Dong displayed acute determination and strength when he uttered that last sentence.

The man in white, “eldest uncle”, said plainly, “I will handle things with your second uncle. We really won’t do anything to him—even if we discover that he does have ulterior motives, we’ll probably just teach him a lesson and throw him out. You’ve just returned from a long trip, go and get some rest. I will discuss how to test that little fella with your second uncle. He’ll have to pass our assessments if he wants to be with our little Dong’er—if he doesn’t, it’s impossible, and your relationship is not worth mentioning.”

His eyes flickered with azure light, and his tone was equally determined. However, the pressure emanating from his body rendered Wang Dong speechless, and all he could do was leave with a look of dissatisfaction.

The short-haired man watched Wang Dong leave, and when he was gone he turned towards the man in white. “Big brother, it seems like Xiao Dong really has something for the guy. But this fella’s identity is unknown, and he possesses such special powers—we should just throw him off Clear Sky Peak. His looks are so average, how can be a match for Xiao Dong?”

The man in white glared at him and said, “How old are you? How can you still be so reckless? Can’t you tell that Xiao Dong really does truly like him? It doesn’t really matter what abilities he has—his personality and thoughts are more important. Can a normal person be a match for Xiao Dong?”

The short-haired man seemed afraid of his big brother, and said hurriedly, “What should we do then, big brother? I’ve tested his abilities—his cultivation isn’t high, but his foundations are solid. His cultivation feels continuous, nigh endless even. Furthermore, he cultivates the Mysterious Heaven Technique, and I can’t detect any other techniques on him. However, what surprises me the most is his spiritual power. I wanted to teach him a lesson with a show of strength, but this guy was actually able to fuse his spiritual power with his soul power to resist my pressure, and eventually succeeded in doing so. The level of his spiritual power is quite impressive.”

The man in white nodded and said, “Our assessments will have to focus more on his nature and personality, not just on his abilities. We’ll have to discuss this carefully.”

…

Huo Yuhao had no idea that unwittingly releasing his Ice Empress Jade Scorpion would bring so much trouble. He washed his face, and walked over to the room’s only window, casting his gaze outwards.

The window frame was shaped in an arch, and there was a layer of crystal-like glass covering it. The rolling clouds outside that fell into his eyes made him feel like he was in a saintly paradise. Their beauty stunned and dazzled him. He thought about when he released his spiritual power to resist the pressure from that “second uncle” earlier, and Huo Yuhao felt his spiritual improvements. He leapt onto the stone bed and sat down with his legs crossed. He would have to consolidate his gains today with meditation, so that he could securely remember these improvements.

He’d only just sat down when the Ice Empress’ voice rang out in his mind. “Yuhao.”

“Eh?  What’s  wrong,  Ice  Empress?”  Huo  Yuhao  asked  in surprise.

The Ice Empress muttered solemnly, “That person is very powerful and extremely frightening.”

Huo  Yuhao  replied,  “Are  you  referring  to  Wang  Dong’s second uncle?”

“Yes,”  the Ice Empress continued, “His aura frightens me, and even Skydream. I am sure that his martial soul isn’t a spiritual-type one, but his spiritual power has reached a level of consolidation and coalescence—higher than yours. That’s not all, I couldn’t feel his cultivation in the slightest, which means that he’s probably stronger than I was at my peak. He is at least as strong as that Elder Xuan from Shrek Academy.”

“Ah?” Huo Yuhao was taken aback. He could tell that the short-haired man was extremely powerful, but had never expected that even the Ice Empress would hold him in such high regard.

The Skydream Iceworm chimed in. “Ice Empress is right. That person is mighty indeed—even though his spiritual power isn’t as vast as my former spiritual powers, his level of coalescence and consolidation is superior. I could also sense that his spiritual power contained intense brutality, a tinge of invasiveness and hostility. It also had an aura as if it were high above everything. If he were a soul beast, he would definitely be ranked amongst the Ten Great Savage Beasts, and probably amongst the top five. However, he’s definitely a human, not a soul beast. Of all the humans that I’ve seen, only Elder Mu’s spiritual power was superior to his. And this person’s soul power seems far more terrifying than his spiritual power.”

Huo  Yuhao  said,  “The  Clear  Sky  Sect  has  more  than  ten thousand years of history. Ten thousand years isn’t much for soul beasts, but ten thousand years is extremely long to humans. Wouldn’t you say it’s normal for the Clear Sky Sect to have such substance? After all, the Clear Sky Sect used to be as reputable as the Body Sect, and was perhaps even more famed at some points. The fact that Wang Dong’s family is mighty is not a bad thing—so why do I feel like you guys are worried about me?”

The Ice Empress said, “I’m not worried—I just feel that he is extremely dangerous. With power like that, he can probably discover my existence if he tried. I felt that Elder Mu could probably sense my existence, except he didn’t mention it to you. Perhaps he didn’t do so because he guessed my intentions, but Skydream’s spiritual power was stronger, so he remained undetected.”

“He can detect your presence?”  Huo Yuhao was astonished when he heard her words. The Skydream Iceworm, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, Elder Yi, and even the Snow Lady were his biggest secrets, and they were secrets that people simply couldn’t know. He instantly started to feel nervous.

At this moment, Huo Yuhao suddenly felt cold, and even the soul power circulating through his body slowed down, almost as if there were some resistance. “Eh? Why do I feel cold?” Ever since he had fused with Ice Empress, he no longer knew what it felt like to be cold. But this was already the second time today that he’d felt chilly.

The Ice Empress said, “Wang Dong is truly nice to you. The water that you just used to wash your face is a kind of spring water, and if I’m not wrong, it should be a Frozen Spring. Something that’s born from absorbing the cold between heaven and earth, so even though it’s water, its coldness can rival the Manifold Mysterious Ice in the core regions of the Extreme North. However, it contains much more energy of heaven and earth—you must have felt invigorated when you washed your face just now. However, this isn’t a luxury that anyone can have—if someone else had been in your shoes, he or she would’ve been frozen solid from a single touch. The stone bed beneath you is even more impressive. It should be made from the jade essence of a piece of Frigid Jade, and that is rarely seen even in the core regions of the Extreme North. This is the first time that I’ve seen a piece as large as this.”

The Skydream Iceworm said, “I’ve seen jade essence like this before, during my first hibernation and my first transmutation. However, that piece of jade essence cracked, and the liquid within flowed onto my body, so I entered my first hibernation. The fact that I have lived for so many years is strongly related to that ten-thousand year jade essence. You should guide these icy energies into your body and merge them with your soul power. Cultivating while sitting on something like this will probably resolve the Ultimate Ice martial soul’s speed problems most effectively.”

Huo Yuhao said, “Then your worries…”

“There’s  nothing  much  to  be  worried  about.”  Electrolux’s elderly voice could be heard. “That person harbors no hostility at all against Yuhao. I could feel his aura of justice and righteousness. The most he will do is chase you away because of the number of secrets that you have. My guess is that he will continue testing you, and all you have to do is face them properly. The only thing you can’t reveal is what I’ve taught you, Necromancy—everything else is usable. That person’s spiritual level is higher than the bug’s estimation, and is very unique.”

“High to what kind of level?” The Skydream Iceworm asked curiously.

However, Electrolux didn’t respond, it was as if he’d returned to his deep slumber. Huo Yuhao was no longer able to communicate with the two soul beasts at this moment, because the chills coming from beneath him were increasing in intensity. He needed to focus everything he had on circulating his soul power to resist the cold.

The chill didn’t rush into him all at once. Instead, it diffused into his body gradually. Huo Yuhao didn’t feel much of anything at the start because of his Ultimate Ice martial soul, but this cold was different from his own.

Ultimate Ice was the most powerful ice-type existence, but the cold diffusing into his body was like the pure and pristine origin energy of heaven and earth, which belonged to no one. It wasn’t invasive, but it was fundamentally different from the Ultimate Ice’s nature.

Simply put, Huo Yuhao’s Ice Jade Empress Scorpion was like a weapon, but the chill from this bed made of Frigid Jade essence was more akin to a delicacy made from the origin energy of heaven and earth—except this delicious food’s temperature was a little on the low side, to the point where Huo Yuhao had to channel every ounce of his strength to fuse his soul power with this extremely cold and pure energy, and eventually guide it to fuse with his own martial soul. 

The Ice Empress’ voice rang out again in Huo Yuhao’s mind. “It doesn’t matter whether that person is a threat to you or not. This opportunity is too great for you to let it slip by—with this bed made of Frigid Jade essence, no ice-type force would rebel, and it can calm the fires in your heart. You will never

run the risk of going mad. If I had this manifold Frigid Jade essence back then, breaking through the bottleneck to four hundred thousand years wouldn’t have been a problem. Pay attention, Yuhao. I’m going to open a seal, and release some of the power that I have suppressed in your body. I will use the cold of this bed and its mystical properties to interact with you. Use your soul power to protect your meridians.”

Chapter 194: Manifold Frigid Jade Essence Bed

“Alright.” Huo Yuhao felt a little fearful as he channeled the Mysterious Heaven Technique to the best of his ability and absorbed the pure cold energy into his body.

The thin streaks of cold energy merged with Huo Yuhao’s soul power under the influence of his Mysterious Heaven Technique. His Ice Empress martial soul was released once again and his dark red four hundred thousand year soul ring glowed with four lines of golden light, smearing the entire room with golden-red light.

Huo Yuhao could see faint ice-blue mist rising from beneath him as the golden-red light shone. The Frigid Jade Essence Bed gradually became transparent, while the ice-blue colors were lustrous and glossy like jade. One could see subtle trickles of thick liquid sloshing around within, as if the entire thing was one delicious treat. Anybody looking it would have the urge to pounce on the jade essence bed to take a bite.

Huo Yuhao’s soul power continuously directed the icy energy, and his body suddenly quivered like he’d been shocked. He quickly jumped to his feet and took off his clothes and soul tools in a jiffy, tossing them aside before he returned to the Frigid Jade Essence Bed.

Huo Yuhao realized that the cold energy released by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed was like the power of heaven and earth. The Ice Empress’ energies within his body were also becoming stronger from the stimulation by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed’s cold air. If this continued, his clothes would be destroyed, and even soul tools forged with precious metals would be unable to resist. He would be devastated if his soul tools were damaged because of this. This was the reason why he took everything off. While he was shedding his soul tools, he suddenly recalled something that rendered him speechless. Ever since he was inspected by Jing Hongchen, he had never carried the Class 9 protective soul tool, Hongchen’s Blessing— he realized he wouldn’t have been injured by Zhao Yang if he had had that soul tool with him. Toiling to cultivate and researching every single day must have addled my brain. Wang Dong is right—I have to learn how to relax when it’s time to relax.

There wasn’t a thread of clothing left on Huo Yuhao’s body, and his body emitted an explosive power. His muscles were not the overly large and stiff kind—the lines of his body were smooth, and his muscle details were perfect, his shoulders were broad, and his back was wide. His skin seemed to radiate jade-like hues. He was channeling every inch of energy in his body, and his vast life energy couldn’t be covered as a result.

At this moment, the gigantic Ice Jade Empress Scorpion tattoo shimmered on his back, and Huo Yuhao’s skeleton exuded a vigorous azure-green aura. His Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone flickered with azure light, and this light intertwined with the golden-red radiance that was coming from his four hundred thousand year soul ring, as well as with the colors released by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. The entire room was filled with these brilliant colors.

The enormous Ice Jade Empress Scorpion tattoo seemed to come alive at this point. A pair of golden eyes seemed to flicker across its long tail’s azure radiance, while Huo Yuhao’s entire skeleton glowed with a faint green light. One could see that the azure light was becoming stronger with every flicker.

The truth was, with his continuous training and improvements, along with the immense life energy from merging with the Life Gold, Huo Yuhao could’ve absorbed part of the powers sealed away by the Ice Empress to boost his own cultivation a long time ago. The reason why he hadn’t done so was because he had discussed it with the Ice Empress, and they had decided that consolidating his foundations was more important. It was also better for him to conceal his own abilities—yes, conceal!

As an exchange student at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, every student from Shrek Academy had undergone strict investigations and interrogations when they first arrived—including himself. The Sun Moon Empire’s teachers naturally paid more attention to him as he was a special student with twin martial souls, and also because his performance in the last season’s Continental Competition was stellar.

Under such circumstances, Huo Yuhao would have received much more attention if he had revealed even stronger abilities

—there was even a possibility that the Sun Moon Empire would attempt to destroy him at all costs. In the end, he was on their turf!

When Huo Yuhao had first arrived, he had suppressed his cultivation down to three soul rings. Even though his soul power allowed him to have four, he only had three—the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy immediately relaxed after discovering this fact during their investigations. This was in spite of him attaining his fourth soul ring at the Jing Yang Mountain Ranges, and thus becoming a Soul Ancestor; he didn’t attract much attention anymore.

Huo Yuhao dared to give his all in the exchange competition because he wanted to infuriate their academy’s students so that the exchange would end immediately, but also because he was clear that Jing Hongchen wouldn’t be too wary of him because of his soul power, no matter how highly he might regard his abilities.

His Ultimate martial soul wasn’t that great for cultivation. In the history of the continent, Ultimate martial souls were rare, but that didn’t mean they didn’t exist. However, the number of people who had succeeded and were able to become a Titled Douluo were few and far between—why? Because it was difficult for Ultimate martial souls to advance.

Huo Yuhao’s current age was a soul master’s golden age for cultivation. The body would grow much slower after one reached twenty years of age, to the point that one’s body might stop growing altogether. The fusion between one’s martial soul and body would slow, and every soul master’s cultivation speed would stabilize in this phase. Huo Yuhao’s soul power had only improved by about four or five ranks in his two years at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. With a cultivation speed like that, and even though he was still young, he would definitely be unable to reach Rank 50 by the time he was twenty years old.

Ultimate martial souls would only truly reveal their frightening aspects after reaching seven rings, and only then would they not be affected by their Ultimate nature’s slow cultivation speed. However, it was much harder to advance from Rank 50 to Rank 60 than it was to advance from Rank 40 to Rank 50. Jing Hongchen even did the math for him once— by his calculations, Huo Yuhao would need another eight years to reach Rank 60, and it would take some luck for him to reach Rank 70. Huo Yuhao was a prodigy, but Jing Hongchen didn’t find Huo Yuhao prodigious enough to poach him or destroy him at all costs.

Huo Yuhao made Jing Hongchen nervous before when he had suddenly entered deep meditation for six months after the competition. However, Huo Yuhao’s cultivation didn’t improve at all when he surfaced from the deep meditation, and from then on Jing Hongchen stopped focusing his attention on Huo Yuhao. If Jing Hongchen knew that there were several formidable powers sealed within his body, he would have had a different opinion.

At this point, both Jing Hongchen and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy stopped paying much attention to the exchange students from Shrek Academy. From their perspective, only He Caitou, who had broken through Rank 60, was worthy of their attention. But He Caitou had always displayed integrity and honesty when he was doing research and forging soul tools, and he had never revealed his abilities at all. Over time the academy began to relax.

Huo Yuhao believed he should wait until he returned to Shrek Academy before opening the Ice Empress’ seal to boost his soul power. At that point, his cultivation would skyrocket. He would give the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy  a  “pleasant  surprise”  during  the  next  Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.

However, destiny wouldn’t change according to one’s will. The opportunity before him was simply too good to let go. The Ice Empress couldn’t resist any longer, and thus released her seal, so that she could fuse part of her power with Huo Yuhao. She had been waiting too long for this day.

The Ice Empress’ seal wasn’t always solid, and she would actually have to resolidify it every now and then. However, this process consumed her origin power. She wasn’t like the Skydream Iceworm; her spiritual power couldn’t even compare to his. When she had merged with Huo Yuhao and become his second martial soul, all the power that was sealed away belonged to Huo Yuhao, though they were the ones responsible for helping him seal it away. Releasing part of that power would greatly reduce the pressure on the seal, and them.

This Frigid Jade Essence Bed would greatly boost the fusion effects and the safety of the process. How could she let this opportunity slip by?

Huo Yuhao naturally understood what the Ice Empress was thinking, so he accepted her suggestion. The truth was that Wang Dong’s ascension to Rank 60 gave him a lot of pressure. When they were cultivating together, he could clearly feel that seventy percent of the Haodong power came from Wang Dong, and he was pretty much ripping Wang Dong off. Even under such circumstances, his cultivation speed was still incomparable to Wang Dong’s. In terms of personal ability, Huo Yuhao would no longer be a match for Wang Dong the moment Wang Dong got his sixth soul ring. Wang Dong also had twin martial souls, and both of his martial souls were top- tier.

They were best buddies, so how could he be willing to have such an enormous rift in power between Wang Dong and himself? This was especially so after he entered the Clear Sky Castle today. He was greatly affected when Wang Dong’s second uncle made it clear that he wasn’t worthy of being Wang Dong’s friend, even though didn’t say it explicitly. Huo Yuhao’s experiences as a child made him stubborn and unbending, and he couldn’t be bothered with anything else at this point.

Dense soul power rippled and sizzled, and this caused Huo Yuhao’s aura to transform. The iciness, the power, and the primal energy that came from the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion were all slowly rising within this tiny room. 

Circle after circle of green light rippled out from the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s tattoo. This radiance merged with the icy- blue energy coming from the Frigid Jade Essence Bed beneath him before it followed Huo Yuhao’s guidance and was absorbed into his body.

Huo Yuhao could feel that his Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s skeleton was starting to swell painfully, becoming increasingly agonizing as Ice Empress’ aura was continuously released.

However, he was as tough and resilient as ever. Back in the icy regions of the Extreme North, he had suffered inhuman pain to merge with the Ice Empress, and the pain he was feeling now wasn’t even enough to make him frown.

Huo Yuhao very quickly felt what the Ice Empress meant when she said that the Frigid Jade Essence Bed was a perfect opportunity for him. Huo Yuhao discovered that when the icy energy from the Frigid Jade Essence Bed was absorbed into his body when his own Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s skeleton was swelling painfully, the Frigid Jade Essence Bed’s power would seep through his body, bringing waves of smooth, cool comfort with it. It greatly reduced his physical suffering, and even his mind felt felt the cool waves stimulating his spirit and making him especially focused and alert.

The soul power ripples were becoming more and more vigorous. Wave after wave of soul power flowed from the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s skeleton and fused with Huo Yuhao’s own soul power.

The reason why his bones were swelling painfully was because the Ice Empress’ power was sealed inside them, and releasing this power meant that it had to be push outwards.

The pain was still in a endurable range, while Huo Yuhao’s already thick soul power was stably and rhythmically circulating inside his body under the control of his formidable spiritual power. After one day, he could feel that his cultivation had increased by a level that was higher than he could have achieved if he had cultivated for ten days under normal circumstances.

The energy released by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed seemed to be affected by the Ice Empress’ energy, and it poured out with even more vigor than before. When it fused with the Ice Empress’ power and they integrated with one another, it caused the Ice Empress’ power to become even purer, and there was an intricate transformation that not even Huo Yuhao could perceive clearly.

Tiny cracks were starting to appear on the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s skeleton. These cracks were only on the surface, but Huo Yuhao felt as if his azure-green skeleton was shedding its skin, and the Ice Empress’ power was sealed beneath this layer.

The temperature in the room was declining at a rapid speed, and a layer of frost quickly appeared on the room’s walls. The frost gradually became thicker, and the temperature continued to drop. Even the window was covered by the frost, and the mystical ocean of clouds outside could no longer be seen.

------

On the third level of Clear Sky Castle...

The man in white was sitting there quietly, and he furrowed his eyebrows. The short-haired man was sitting not far from him, and there was a thoughtful look on his face.

“This  fella  does  have  some  balls!  He  recognizes  the  good stuff. Not even we have used the Frigid Jade Essence Bed before

– he’s lucky!” The short-haired man’s emotions appeared to be very relaxed.

The man in white glanced at him and said, “Would you have waited for so long if you had the ability to use it?”

The short-haired man chuckled and said, “Who knows? That thing is still useful to us, more or less.”

The man in white muttered, “What else can you see from his behavior?”

The short-haired man replied, “What else? Avarice. He made use of the good stuff as soon as he saw it. He’s not a good guy.”

“No, you’re wrong,” the man in white responded. “Eh?” The short-haired man stared at this elder brother, confused.

The man in white said, “What you can see is just what it appears to be. I am certain that the first soul ring of this youth’s second martial soul was attained by the sacrifice of a four-hundred thousand year soul beast. Furthermore, this soul beast that was sacrificed found a way to infuse its own power into his body and make a seal to contain it. Can you not feel how complete his four-hundred thousand year soul ring is? His Ultimate Ice martial soul came from that as well.”

The short-haired man said, “What does that have to do with his greed?”

The man in white said, “This isn’t greed, it’s trust. If that were you, and you’d been thrown into a place where everything could threaten your safety, and you suddenly discovered something that could raise your own cultivation level, but the process of using it would cause your own power to flow outward and attract the attention of outsiders, what would you do?” The short-haired man replied almost instantly, “I would find a way to take it away, and find a safe place before I started cultivating.”

The man in white agreed, “At least you’re not that stupid, and your many years of life haven’t been wasted.”

The short-haired man was annoyed and asked, “Do you not feel good if you don’t insult me, brother?”

The man in white smiled and replied “Let me finish. Huo Yuhao is definitely aware that using the Frigid Jade Essence Bed for cultivation will unleash his aura and his power. The reason why he’s still doing it is because of his trust in Wang Dong. Even though he’s inside Clear Sky Castle, he trusts that Wang Dong can keep him safe, and thus he is going ahead with his cultivation. Of course – there’s another reason, and that should be because the aura sealed in his body was triggered by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. He has discovered this serendipitous opportunity.”

The short-haired man dismissed that comment and said, “So what if he trusts Wang Dong? Our Xiao Dong has always been trustworthy.” 

The man in white shot him a glare and said, “Shut up! You should think more about things. Is your mind filled with alcohol? Or has your life been too smooth-sailing over the years?”

The short-haired man appeared afraid of his elder brother. Even though he was a bit unconvinced of his brother’s intimidation, he didn’t dare utter another word.

The man in white explained, “Trust in others is a kind of virtue, especially when one is willing to trust another completely, even when one’s safety can be threatened at any moment. This proves that the other person is held in high regard in this person’s heart. Dong’er’s father told us once that we shouldn’t interfere too much in Dong’er’s life, and to let him make his own choices. All we have to do is ensure the general direction is right. Therefore, we only have to pay attention to three things about Huo Yuhao – his mentality, his ability, and his attitude towards Xiao Dong. Judging from his cultivation, his attitude towards Xiao Dong is satisfactory. Of course, we still have to investigate further. Tell everyone that no matter what happens on the second level, nobody is to disturb him. Since he trusts us, then we have to show him how generous the Clear Sky Sect can be. I want to see just how much our Frigid Jade Essence Bed can do for this youth.” 

------

If Huo Yuhao’s soul power on normal days could be described as a fine and small stream that flowed gradually, then the soul power that was currently flowing through his body was like a thousand streams that flowed endlessly into the sea. The surging soul power flowed into his core continuously, and the speed of circulation being guided by the Mysterious Heaven Technique was ten times faster than typical days.

No matter how resilient Huo Yuhao’s passageways were, he was starting to feel a swelling pain. However, he approved of the Ice Empress’ judgment more and more, and increasingly felt that opening the seal here was a great idea.

Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power was at an extremely high level, and that enabled him to infuse his spiritual power into his flourishing soul power. He managed to guide and control the surging soul power impeccably, so that it wouldn’t bounce around uncontrollably. The purity provided by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed also protected his passageways. The energy released from the jade essence was unbearably cold, but it was gentle and tender. It was like a gentle young girl softly caressing his painfully swelling passageways and bones, in direct contrast to the Ice Empress’ soul power, which was vigorous, ferocious, and barged around. It greatly reduced the pain that Huo Yuhao had to endure, and it greatly reduced the burden on his body during the fusion process, so that the Ice Empress’ seal could be opened even wider…

Huo Yuhao could feel after these few hours that his soul power had broken through Rank 46, and he was entering Rank

47. At his current speed, his soul power, that crawled like a snail on typical days, would be able to break into Rank 50, give or take.

The origin energy of heaven and earth contained in the Frigid Jade Essence Bed was simply too vast. However, the rate of outflow appeared to have an upper limit, and wouldn’t increase over time. Huo Yuhao’s Ultimate Ice martial soul was within these boundaries, so the opening of the seal was extremely stable under its influence.

If this normal circumstance was allowed to continue, Huo Yuhao wouldn’t experience any danger at all during this opening of the seal, and his cultivation would rise by an enormous amount. The Ice Empress’ sealed power was Ultimate Ice, and Huo Yuhao’s soul power would rise to about Rank 50 within the limits of endurance that his body could take.

However, just as Huo Yuhao could feel his power rising and just as he was controlling the circulation of soul power, his heart skipped a beat.

A peculiar power seemed to have been awakened inside his body. A layer of cold energy that was even more powerful than before erupted from within him.

A golden pearl started spinning around rapidly in his core before it started hysterically consuming the surging soul power in Huo Yuhao’s body. The Frigid Jade Essence Bed below Huo Yuhao burst out with cold energy because of this, and its outflow at least doubled.

What’s happening? Huo Yuhao was taken aback. Within his spiritual sea, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, who was focusing all her energy on controlling the seal’s opening, was equally astonished, and she even screamed in shock inside his spiritual sea. The golden pearl that was rotating with blinding speed had a powerful drawing power, and it seemed to sweep everything away as it consumed the soul power within Huo Yuhao’s body, the power released from the seal by the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, and the origin energy of heaven and earth from the

Frigid Jade Essence Bed.

A trembling woman’s voice rang out in Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea, “Oh no, my sealed origin has been triggered! How can this be?” 

“Oh  no!”   Electrolux’s  elderly  voice  rang  out.  All  four powerful beings in Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea who were typically in deep slumber all woke up, and everyone started to panic.

“Don’t panic everyone, let’s think of solutions.”  Huo Yuhao took a deep breath. He was extremely composed at this moment, and even though he didn’t know what was going on, he immediately used his soul power to forcefully control the turbulent soul power within his body. He still didn’t know how to resist the powerful gravitational force, but he could at least delay the hysterical absorption speed.

The Ice Empress recovered after Huo Yuhao’s reminder, and she tried her best to close her seal within Huo Yuhao’s body.

However, the suction force was simply too strong, to the point where the Ice Empress’ attempts to control it were futile. She was slowing the absorption speed, but there was no way she could close her seal. The vast origin energy of heaven and earth contained in the Icejade Bed beneath him was being extracted rapidly, and it was getting faster. The golden pearl was spinning at such a speed that Huo Yuhao really couldn’t tolerate it anymore. He could see that his core was still swelling, and the vast energies

being swallowed away were causing it to grow larger.

Electrolux contemplated momentarily, then said, “I think I understand. Snow Lady, I will help you suppress it. The sealed origin power seems to have been ignited by the origin energy of heaven and earth contained in the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. We’re in big trouble now.”

“Ignited what?”  The Snow Lady asked, confused. She was the golden pearl’s owner, but she had no idea what was happening.

Electrolux lowered his voice and said, “There is no question – both you and the Ice Empress are the most powerful ice-type soul beasts in the world, and your powers are very close to the upper limits of coldness. Once coldness reaches its upper limit, it’s theoretically possible for a qualitative change to happen, and the Ultimate Ice will be converted into Ultimate Fire. The coldest energies will be converted into frightening, scorching energies.” 

“What? How is that possible? I have never felt something like this before.”  Within Huo Yuhao’s turbulent spiritual sea, the Snow Lady looked at Electrolux with a face of disbelief.

The Ice Empress was focusing all her attention on controlling the seal, so she couldn’t speak. However, she was looking at Electrolux with the same inconceivable and unfathomable expression.

Electrolux said, “It doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist if you haven’t felt it before, that’s only because your cultivations are too low. Grasping the transmutation of Ultimate types from one extremity to another can only be controlled by divine sense. I once possessed part of that power, but what I had was the conversion of extreme light into extreme darkness, and hence came the name Divine Law of Necromancy.”

“What do we do now then?” the Snow Lady asked urgently. “Part of my consciousness and origin power are sealed inside the snow pearl, and I have no way of controlling the violence within it. If this is allowed to continue, it will reach a size so big that it will detonate. At that point, us and even the mountain range around us will be flattened by the terrifying force.” 

Electrolux laughed bitterly and said, “There’s nothing I can do even though I know what’s going on. Your strength is considered sufficiently powerful in this world, and when this power undergoes a transmutation, it are also compressed to the highest possible level. It is so intricate and compact that it can trigger the polar extremes. Because your reincarnation wasn’t successful, and your body was damaged, you weren’t able to control and compress your power. I used a special curse and borrowed Yuhao’s spiritual power to seal your compressed power. When Yuhao can control this spiritual power by himself one day, then he will be able to absorb a little of your vast compressed power that’s sealed away. Even though much will leak away, at least it won’t trigger an explosion.

“Even  I  couldn’t  predict  today’s  circumstance  –   I  never expected that something else in this world shared the same origin power as you. The origin energy of heaven and earth contained within the jade essence is very similar to yours. Your control of the extremely compressed and sealed origin power has always been unstable because you left your consciousness. It was stimulated by the outer world’s origin energy of heaven and earth, so it would naturally hope to absorb this immense power into itself. It began to react violently under such circumstances, and the polar extreme has occurred. It has become like a bomb, and it’s rapidly swelling as it absorbs, so the extreme coldness is starting to transmute into the opposite extreme, and this power will expand even more. This explosion will have the terrifying power of a divine being, and both me and you guys will…”

The Skydream Iceworm was worried. He had wracked his brains and done everything he could to merge with Huo Yuhao, and had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. This sudden calamity stunned the lazy bug as he said, “Stop saying that, Elder Yi! You have to think of a solution! There must be a solution, right?”

Electrolux forced a laugh and shook his head. “Would I still be waiting here if I had a solution? We’re all in the same boat, and even though I am only left with part of my divine sense, I have recovered some memories with the aid of Yuhao’s spiritual power. I am also unwilling to die if I can live. However, this bomb created from the conversion of one extremity to another is not something I can control, and neither is it something you guys can change. I have no solutions anymore, and all I can do is wait for death to come.”

Both the Snow Lady and the Skydream Iceworm’s auras changed once Electrolux said those words. The Ice Empress was still trying her best to control the power flowing from her seal, but even she shuddered and nearly lost control of its vast strength.

“I’m sorry, Snow Empress,” the Ice Empress exclaimed. She could see that virtual light erupting with blinding brilliance, and ring after ring of azure-green that looked like flames rose from her body. The power leaking out from the seal was temporarily held back, and Huo Yuhao felt as if the snow pearl in his core was now spinning a little slower.

The Snow Empress was only left with her divine sense, and there was nothing she could do at this moment. She said fearfully, “Why are you doing this? Even if you ignite your own origin power, you can’t stop all of this. Fate has played us – we are destined to perish here together.”

This disaster had come too suddenly, and it was something that nobody was able to predict. At this moment, Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea entered a deathly and despondent silence. The snow pearl in his core was expanding rapidly, and there was a possibility that it could explode at any time.

Huo Yuhao’s eyes were wide open, and he shouted inside the spiritual sea, “My fate belongs to me and not to the heavens! We cannot give up! Elder Yi, Snow Empress, Ice Empress, brother Skydream – I believe that nothing is impossible in this world, and we cannot give up if we have even a thread of a chance. We have simply too many things we have yet to do. There is only one motivation for your decisions to be with me,

and that’s to live on! I beg all of you, in such a time of calamity, we cannot sit back and watch as disaster falls upon us. Even if the things we do may be futile, we have to try everything we can to fight for our lives! Come – release all your powers! Even if we die, we will die a spectacular and glorified death. I don’t believe our combined strengths will be unable to suppress the snow pearl!”

Huo Yuhao’s voice rekindled everyone’s spirits. The Skydream Iceworm was the first to agree with his speech, and said, “Yes, we can’t just keep waiting like this. Our fates are ours, and not determined by the heavens – we’ll fight to the end! Elder Yi, you’re at the highest level amongst us. I will release all of my spiritual origin for you to manipulate. If it’s possible, you can erase my consciousness to obtain more power. All I wish is that you can help Ice Empress survive.”

The Skydream Iceworm’s fleshy body trembled violently, and his frame swelled explosively. He became like a giant vessel drifting on Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea, as the golden circles on his body radiated and expanded outwards. Immense spiritual fluctuations instantly quieted Huo Yuhao’s turbulent and torrential spiritual sea.

The Ice Empress was still burning her origin power, and she stared at the Skydream Iceworm with her crystal yellow eyes. “Skydream, you…”

Something that resembled a human appeared around the Skydream Iceworm’s eyes. He said gently, “Don’t say anything more, Ice Empress. The truth is that I have lived for more than a million years, but if there’s anything left in this world for me to love or to remember, it is you. When I was tortured by those brutes back in the Great Star Dou Forest all those years ago, I thought about dying together with them many times. With the strength of my spiritual origin, I was able to greatly reduce their cultivation even if I didn’t kill them. However, I didn’t want to die just like that – I was thinking about you, and you have always been inside my heart.

“We are not from the same race, and our races can even be said to be natural enemies. However, I was deeply enchanted by your beautiful body when I first met you. Perhaps it’s because I’m more intelligent than other Iceworms, but I’ve never forgotten about you ever since that day. And then, finally, we were together. Even if you may not accept me, to feel your aura every day was my life’s greatest fortune. Ever since I picked you up from the Extreme North with Yuhao, I have been very happy, much happier than I was in the past million years of my life – and the reason was because I had you beside me.

“I can feel that you like the Snow Empress. Even though your genders are the same, your love has always been given to her. But I don’t care, because I’m happy enough that I get to feel your existence every single day. Inside Yuhao’s body, even if you may hate me, we can’t be separated.

“Perhaps this may be the last thing I can say to you, and maybe we won’t even succeed. However, I am even happier at this moment because I am able to offer you the last of my power and my consciousness. Ice Empress, please don’t scold me when I utter my last sentence if you can help it?

“I love you.”

Chapter 195: A Combined Effort

The Skydream Iceworm’s voice echoed in Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea. But Electrolux, the Snow Lady and Huo Yuhao didn’t interrupt him even though it was at such a critical moment. Tears rolled from both Huo Yuhao and the Snow Lady’s eyes. True love shows itself in a life or death situation. The Skydream Iceworm was willing to give up his life for the Ice Empress! His love for her was pure and devout.

The Skydream Iceworm gazed at the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion after he finished speaking. When the Ice Empress didn’t rebut him, his face revealed a comforted smile, and his size grew once again. The golden rings around his body detached from him and flew off. All seven rings rapidly gathered in the air and flew close to Electrolux.

The seven golden rings formed a staff in the air, unleashing an indescribable and terrifying coercive spiritual force. It turned from dark-gold to orange-gold. Finally, it landed in Electrolux’s hands.

As he held onto the staff, filled with the Skydream Iceworm’s spiritual origin, Electrolux’s eyes also shone brightly. “Alright, Skydream. No matter whether we survive or not, I won’t ever call you a worm again. You are fit to be my partner, and my friend. Let’s fight it out together. Hahaha, I haven’t been so emotional in a long time. Let’s get wild for once.”

The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s gaze moved with the staff. As she looked at Electrolux, the blinding azure-green light on her body burned more intensely.

There seemed to be something more to the look in her eyes compared to before. The reflection of the Snow Empress seemed to have disappeared entirely from her crystal-yellow eyes.

An unprecedented, gentle voice echoed in Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea, “Skydream, I’m willing to listen to what you said just now again if we survive. I won’t even scold you.”

The relationships between soul beasts weren’t nearly as complex as the relationships between humans, but they were equally as deep, if not more. Huo Yuhao’s determined words, Skydream’s noble sacrifice, the Ice Empress’ change in feelings, the Snow Empress’ deep affection and Electrolux’s intense passion; five different strengths from five different beings ignited at this moment.

Boom! A wild and terrifying aura was unleashed from Huo Yuhao’s body.

Just like the Skydream Iceworm said, the only person who could stop this tragedy from happening was Electrolux. Someone who possessed remnants of their divine sense and experiences that the others didn’t have, definitely not Huo Yuhao, the owner of this body.

Huo Yuhao handed control of his body to Electrolux. They could only survive if they worked together.

It wasn’t only him. The four hundred thousand year Ice Empress and the seven hundred thousand year Snow Empress also used their life auras. Five different strengths were now under Electrolux’s full control. The wild and terrifying aura contained the strength of Huo Yuhao, the Snow Empress, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion and the spiritual power of the Skydream Iceworm.

Their strength was now under the control of the Calamity Necromancer Electrolux, who had existed for countless years and once reached the level of god, even though he was only left with remnants of his divine sense now.

The entire Clear Sky Castle shook as these five different strengths were unleashed. After they combined, a surging aura shot into the sky.

Even though this aura didn’t possess any destructive energy, all the soul masters below the level of a Titled Douluo in Clear Sky Castle were dismayed by the aura. Their faces turned pale, and they fell weakly to the ground, unaware of what was happening.

From afar, five auras of different colors were quickly rising above the Clear Sky Castle. The five different auras; represented by Huo Yuhao’s whitish- gold, the Skydream Iceworm’s bright gold, the Snow Lady’s white, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s azure-green and Electrolux’s grey.

The five auras undulated tremendously in the air. Huo Yuhao’s aura was the smallest, but it was in the center surrounded by the other four. The other auras exuded their might, and their terrifying strength soared further and further. The sea of clouds around Clear Sky Peak started to change intensely under the effect of these suppressive auras. They dispersed rapidly, and the sea of clouds started to expand.

The middle-aged man in white and the short-haired middle- aged man, who were observing Huo Yuhao, rushed out of the room immediately. However, they stopped suddenly after they did.

The short-haired man was horrified and said, “What—what force is this? How is this possible? How can he possess such overwhelming auras in his tiny body?”

The man in white pressed his shoulder. “Don’t panic. There are actually four different auras hidden within his body, and they’re all very powerful. Something’s not right. Why have the auras in his body become so wild? This is not good. They must be out of control.”

“Quickly!”

As he spoke, he lifted the short-haired man by the shoulder. He carried his burly body that was at least two hundred pounds like he was lifting a blade of grass. He leapt off the third floor, turning into a streak of light that landed on the second floor in an instant. He stared at the room with Huo Yuhao in it.

They weren’t the only ones here. At least ten middle-aged or elderly men were with them in the hallway on the second floor. However, none of them dared to get close to the room.

“Sect master.” All these people bowed and greeted the man in white.

The most elderly-looking man said to the man in white, “Sect master, what’s going on? Why is there such great undulations of energy in our Clear Sky Sect? What auras are those? Why do I feel like there are a few Transcendent Soul Beasts among us?” 

The man in white’s eyes flashed with green light. He replied, “Elder Tang, evacuate the members of our sect along with a few of the elders. Ask them to flee as far as possible from Clear Sky Peak. Something’s not right, but even we don’t know what’s going on yet.”

“Sect master, what about you and second sect master…?” Elder Tang was curious.

The man replied, “Don’t worry about us, don’t you trust our abilities? We can only strut our stuff when all of you leave. Oh yes, bring Wang Dong with you too. He should be in his room.”

“He can’t handle this force; it’s too strong.”

“Understood.”

The elders of the Clear Sky Sect didn’t hesitate any longer, and proceeded to carry out his instructions. Wang Dong was undoubtedly the most frantic among everyone in the Clear Sky Sect. That was because he was the only one, apart from the sect master and second sect master, who knew where the auras were coming from.

When the terrifying auras appeared, Wang Dong and the others whose cultivations weren’t high enough were repressed. But he possessed martial soul fusion skills with Huo Yuhao, and thus he was naturally familiar with Huo Yuhao’s capabilities. He didn’t recognize the power of Electrolux or the Snow Empress, but he could recognize Skydream and the Ice Empress’ aura! He immediately knew Huo Yuhao was in trouble.

Although he knew that his eldest and second uncle would test Huo Yuhao, he was also aware that they knew their limits, and wouldn’t overstep any boundaries. Furthermore, the auras that Huo Yuhao had unleashed wasn’t just the aura of his martial soul and soul rings that he could normally control. They were on an entirely different level. Wang Dong was especially petrified as he sensed the wildness coming from these auras. It was an extremely terrifying feeling.

What exactly happened? Why did Yuhao experience such frightening changes? 

Wang Dong was perplexed. He struggled to walk out of his room, but the suppressive force was too strong. He even unleashed his martial soul, and his soul rings started to flash, but he couldn’t use any of his strength.

This suppression was similar to the suppression that Huo Yuhao had experienced from the second sect master when he had first arrived at Clear Sky Castle—it was on a spiritual level. One couldn’t resist it using soul power.

“No! I must take a look.”  Wang Dong roared furiously. He leaned on the wall beside him to prop himself up. He was very stubborn. On his forehead, the illusory projection of a golden trident subtly appeared and flashed with dim light.

When the image of the golden trident appeared, the pressure on him dropped a little. He finally managed to rush out and bumped into the elders who hurried over.

“Grand Elder, what’s going on?” Wang Dong asked Elder Tang anxiously. Elder Tang was stunned that Wang Dong could leave the room  with  his  own  strength.  “We’re  also  unsure.  The  sect master has instructed us to evacuate the members of the sect. He wants you to leave too. Come on, follow us.”

“No, I’m not leaving. Something has happened to Yuhao!” Wang Dong wanted to rush past them, but he was stopped by the Grand Elder. 

Elder Tang was very strong, and was also very familiar with Wang Dong; he knew how stubborn Wang Dong was even though he looked very mild. He struck Wang Dong’s neck, he groaned, and collapsed in his arms.

Elder Tang gestured and said, “Everyone, quickly follow me. We must evacuate immediately. Elders, help the disciples who can’t move.”

Very soon, the entire Clear Sky Castle was evacuated. A large number of people rushed out of the castle towards the bottom of the mountain peak.

The fog that normally surrounded Clear Sky Peak had scattered due to the terrifying auras. This made it easier for everyone who was evacuating—as it was possible for them to see where they were escaping.

Both the Clear Sky Sect’s sect master and second sect master furrowed their brows outside Huo Yuhao’s room. The second sect master snapped, “Is he trying to show us how strong he is? Are we the ones testing him, or is he the one testing us instead?”

The sect master glared at him and said, “Why are you saying all this right now? We must enter. Although I’m unsure why he’s released so many powerful, out of control auras, how can we account to Wang Dong if we don’t help him settle this problem? Furthermore, the terrifying strength that he’s unleashed won’t just implicate Clear Sky Castle. I’m afraid Clear Sky Peak and the surrounding mountain peaks will all be doomed if things go wrong.”

The second sect master nodded his head and replied, “Right. Even if we want to blow him apart, we can’t do it here. Elder brother, let me do it.”

As he spoke, he had already taken a step forward and came in front of Huo Yuhao’s room. He pressed against the door with his right hand, and a layer of intense yellow light surfaced on his palm. The door was turned to ash before it even managed to creak. However, an extremely chilly aura gushed out of the room when the door disappeared. A gust of cold aura at least ten times stronger than Huo Yuhao’s Domain of Perpetual Ice when he unleashed it in his normal state.

“It’s really cold!” The second sect master shouted. A layer of intense yellow light spread from his body and resisted the surging chill. However, he eventually couldn’t curb it like that, and his soul rings started to rise from his feet.

If Huo Yuhao were conscious, he would certainly have been shocked. That was because seven of the second sect master’s soul rings were black, and the last two were blood-red. He had seven ten thousand year soul rings and two hundred thousand year.

Among all the powerhouses Huo Yuhao had met before, only Du Busi could compare to him.

Although the door was open, a wall of ice drifted into the eyes of the two sect masters. The second sect master struck out with his palm, and yellow light flashed. However, the wall of ice didn’t break apart like he’d expected. Slight cracks appeared on the surface of the wall, but nothing else happened after that.

“What?” The second sect master exclaimed softly, and then he wanted to strike with his fist. However, the sect master stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

“Idiot! You can’t disturb him like that at this point. What if you cause an explosion?”  As he spoke, he had already pulled his brother away. His eyes shone with green light. He extended his own right hand as he shouted softly.

Dark-green scales instantly covered his right arm, but he didn’t unleash his martial soul. The scales exuded an elegant glow, and his entire arm turned abnormally thick. An overwhelming might that wasn’t inferior to Huo Yuhao’s auras was released from his body.

His fingertips turned into sharp claws, and he clawed at the wall of ice, which instantly turned green. His palm then formed a concave shape, then he retracted it, and the wall of ice was flung to one side. As the wall of ice was taken apart, the frightening aura behind it gushed out. The sect master was very impressive. Against the terrifying suppression that could even disperse the fog around Clear Sky Peak, his eyes brightened like two green suns. He managed to withstand the suppressive auras just like this.

He let out a deep draconic roar. Fine green scales started to appear on his skin.

When the suppressive auras attacked his body, it was pushed to both sides. It was like he was a sharp blade that cut it in two.

The sect master’s attention was immediately drawn to Huo Yuhao, sitting cross-legged on the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. Even though he was experienced and knowledgeable, he was still stunned when he saw Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao was naked—his body was covered by five different auras of five different colors. The area below his navel was the most brightly illuminated. Thick, golden light and an icy-blue halo were flashing in an unstable manner. Huo Yuhao had a tormented look on his face. His backbone flashed with azure-green light. A dark-red soul ring spun around his body as it moved up and down rhythmically.

His eyes were shut, but a vertical eye was open on his forehead. The vertical eye released a greyish-white light, and intense spiritual undulations. Using his immense spiritual power, he’d managed to control the complex auras that were being released from his body so far.

The sect master strode into the room and came before Huo Yuhao as he split the suppressive auras. The second sect master followed him in. He was under less pressure with the sect master in front of him. A dense layer of hair was now covering his body, making him seem like a gorilla. He was much tenser compared to the sect master.

“Elder brother, what do we do? Do we bring him out?”

The sect master shook his head and said, “If you want Wang Dong to fight you with his life at stake, you can do so. Can’t you tell that he is very concerned about this young man? We don’t have to rush. Let’s wait awhile. Although the auras are dangerous, they aren’t completely out of hand yet. The sum of the strength between these auras is already beyond my cultivation. I want to see exactly how much more bizarre this young man can get.”

Huo Yuhao didn’t know that the two of them were watching him close by. He was in extreme pain now. He had experienced something similar to this before when he fused with the Ice Empress. However, the pain he was suffering this time surpassed that previous experience.

He felt very bloated in the area below his navel. The snow pearl was absorbing his strength continuously, and had ballooned in size. Furthermore, the aura that it unleashed became more and more dangerous. Just like Electrolux had said, this snow pearl was like a ticking bomb. After it was lit, it couldn’t be stopped. Although it was being suppressed by the various strengths in Huo Yuhao’s body, it kept on growing. This meant that it would only be a matter of time before it exploded.

Huo Yuhao had already relinquished control of his spiritual sea to Electrolux. At such a critical moment, they were doomed to perish if they didn’t trust one another. Electrolux didn’t rush to act after accepting everyone’s strength. He held the staff and started to ponder.

The Snow Lady drifted beside him and watched him anxiously. The Ice Empress’ aura became weaker and weaker. How long could she survive as she burned her spiritual origin power? However, she was the one who had suggested this fusion, so even though she didn’t mention it, she was filled with regret. She was willing to risk everything to delay the explosion of the snow pearl.

Dim lights flashed, and Electrolux seemed to have made a decision. He turned to the Snow Empress.

“Snow Lady, I’ve thought things over carefully now. Since things have reached this stage, there’s only one way that will ensure everyone’s survival. However, you’ll suffer the most in the entire process.”

The Snow Empress replied without any hesitation. “Tell me what it is. No matter what method you propose, I’m willing to go along with it if can save Ice and Skydream. However, I need to know what you’re planning to do.” Electrolux nodded and said, “Of course I’m going to tell you. The snow pearl belongs to you and is the source of your origin energy. Although you shrunk it greatly and things are improving, we can’t deny that you are the closest to its strength. Under such a circumstance, you have to be the one drawing it out from Huo Yuhao’s body before we think of other ways.”

The Snow Empress revealed a weird glow in her eyes and nodded her head slightly. She replied, “I get it. Please give me a boost into the sky after I draw the snow pill out. I estimate that I’ll need to be at least three thousand meters away before the explosion won’t have any impact on all of you. Please start now.”

Electrolux said, “No, you’re misunderstanding. I’m not sacrificing you. Drawing the snow pearl out is only the first step. After that, I will tap into Skydream’s, the Ice Empress’s, Huo Yuhao’s and my own strength to complete the re-fusion with the snow pearl.”

“Re-fusion?  With  such  a  violent  snow  pearl?  How  is  that possible? You’ll kill us all! I’d rather die alone than drag all of you down with me. I was the one who caused the problem. Let me be the one to handle the consequences.” The Snow Empress said decisively. As the third strongest among the Ten Great Savage Beasts, her pride wouldn’t allow her to implicate her partners at such a critical moment.”

Electrolux said in a deep voice, “No, we have to do this. I am eighty percent confident in succeeding. The remaining twenty percent is not the probability of failure but…”

He paused for a moment.

The  Snow  Empress  was  anxious  as  she  said,  “You’re  still being so mysterious at a time like this? Tell me quickly! ‘But’ what?” 

Electrolux said, “But losing your intelligence and memories, or rather only preserving part of your intelligence and memories.”

The Snow Empress was in a daze. She evidently hadn’t expected such a result. She gazed deeply at the Ice Empress and said, “This is already a better result than death. However, I want you to promise that you’re confident of pulling it off. Otherwise, I’d rather die when my snow pearl is drawn out.”

Electrolux said, “This is the only way. It’s not that I want you to sacrifice yourself. I can’t make you do so. After you leave Yuhao’s body, the snow pearl will blow apart immediately. That’s why we need to re-seal it immediately, along with your spiritual sense. Through some incantations and our combined strength, we can control the violent force and transform it. My confidence was initially less than thirty percent, but two strong individuals have appeared outside. I’m sure they’ll help us. With their help, I’m much more confident. I doubt there’s anyone more proficient than me in the field of souls. However, I can’t guarantee absolute safety. Furthermore, you’ll be in a lot of pain. More importantly, I don’t know what you’ll become even if we succeed, since this is the first time we’ve faced such a situation.”

The Snow Empress was furious. “Since it’s the only way, why are you talking so much crap? If you delay any further, we’ll all be dead.”

Electrolux said indifferently, “Since you’ve chosen to pass everything to me, you need to trust me unconditionally. I know when the best time will be. The more violent your snow pearl is, the more confusing its strength will be when it’s drawn out. This confusion is the perfect opportunity for you to strike. That’s why we have to wait. Be prepared, and follow the instructions of my divine sense.”

At this moment, Electrolux released an unprecedented suppressive force. The five gusts of aura were one now, and it wasn’t a power of necromancy, filled with an aura of death. It was an extremely pure and holy aura of light.

Electrolux turned flaming white in the spiritual sea. Intense golden fires started to burn on his body. He revealed a faint smile on his face. Electrolux’s smile revealed a sense of holiness as he looked at the Ice Empress, than the staff in his hand, and then the Snow Empress. He thought to himself, “I really miss them! I didn’t expect myself to be so indecisive. I hope that remnants of my divine sense still remain somewhere in some other world.”

Huo Yuhao’s stomach was already three times bigger now, as if he were a pregnant woman in her tenth month. The intense pain made him feel as if his internal organs were burning. It was the aura of Ultimate Ice, but it released soul power undulations that were burning. His consciousness was already becoming more and more unclear as Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire intersected.

At  this  point,  Electrolux’s  voice  sounded.  “Snow  Empress let’s begin.”

In the spiritual sea, a streak of golden light shot out of the staff in his hand, landing accurately on the Snow Empress and dying her golden. Under Electrolux’s guidance, she turned into a streak of golden light that moved downwards rapidly. She followed Huo Yuhao’s passageways and quickly arrived at the area below his navel. It was very weird, but the aura that even the Ice Empress couldn’t suppress started to become sluggish after it encountered the Snow Empress. It seemed to hesitate.

The Snow Empress revealed a determined look in her eye.

She leapt straight towards the snow pearl.

In the room, the sect master and second sect master could sense that Huo Yuhao’s aura was turning more and more violent. Just as they were starting to tense up in fear, a voice resonated in their heads.

“If the two of you don’t want to perish with us, you need to help us.” An elderly-sounding voice jolted the two sect masters. Following this, a figure that was burning flaming-white appeared in front of them.

Electrolux’s body exuded a concentrated aura of life. The burning light element flaring up stunned both elders.

Electrolux said in a deep voice, “I know both of you are confused about my background. I can only tell you that I’m from another world. My divine sense managed to fuse with Huo Yuhao’s body due to a chance encounter. I’m sure both of you are familiar with the words ‘divine sense’. I can sense the aura of divine sense from your bodies. Although they don’t belong to of you, I’m sure I’m not wrong. Both of you should be able to sense the aura of light from me. In that world, those who possess such a pure aura of light are called Children of Light. Only those with the purest hearts closest to the light element can possess it. In your world, you call it the Ultimate Light. I have no time to talk. Huo Yuhao is now in critical danger. A force that has been hidden in his body has been activated by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed, and it’s about to blow. I’ll use my strength to suppress this force and try to stabilize it again, but I’ll need your assistance. Are you willing to help me?”

Electrolux sounded very sincere when he asked for their help. As the second sect master was hesitating, the sect master nodded his head resolutely.

“Okay, we’ll help you. Second brother, let’s prepare.”

Electrolux laughed. “It seems like my gamble has paid off. Your righteousness will be an important reason why we’ll survive. Gentlemen, please help me suppress this force.” As he spoke, he pointed the golden staff forward. He chanted incantations repeatedly, and the staff then pointed directly to the area below Huo Yuhao’s navel.

A frantic aura suddenly appeared. The ice in the room instantly melted, and then the pool of water it had formed also evaporated. A scorching aura overwhelmed everything.

A bead that was flashing golden-red and icy-blue made its way out of Huo Yuhao’s body. When it appeared, rifts started to form on his stomach. However, he relaxed, and suddenly opened his eyes.

Azure-green light re-appeared on Huo Yuhao’s body. He clasped his hands and started to chant complex incantations.

Blood-curdling screams sounded when the bead left his body. That was the voice of the Snow Empress. Small white figures subtly appeared around the bead, which was shining extremely brightly.

However, the staff was pressed against it at this moment. Not only this, but two golden flares flew out from Electrolux’s eyes and landed on the bead, which was filled with frightening strength.

While the two golden flares seemed very small, the figures of the sect master and second sect master jerked when they appeared. They were both shocked.

Azure-green and dark brown light rose from the two sect masters. The sect master’s soul rings were only slightly different from the second sect master – he had six black and three red soul rings.

Different light projections also appeared behind the two sect masters.

There was a huge green dragon behind the sect master. The dragon roared, and a greenish force rippled from him like water. This suppressed the force that was expanding outwards from the bead.

A gigantic, illusory human figure appeared behind the second sect master. This figure’s arms were especially long, and he was pounding his chest. Dark brown soul power rose with the sect master’s aura and helped to repress the explosive force of the snow pearl.

It was very weird, but the snow pearl suddenly became very still when Electrolux’s two golden flares landed on it. His figure also turned illusory and transparent in the air. However, he was still chanting his incantations, and his voice became louder and louder.

The Snow Empress’ screams stopped. At this moment, she seemed to understand something. Her petite figure was on the snow pearl, and she gazed deeply at Electrolux. She bent her waist and bowed to him respectfully. After that, she turned into a streak of flowing light and entered the snow pearl.

While the forces inside the snow pearl were extremely violent, they could not be released while being suppressed by three strong beings. They could only flash between golden-red and golden-blue.

The two sect masters were indeed very strong. When they teamed up, they completely suppressed the snow pearl and prevented it from blowing apart. “Do we send it out?” the sect master asked Electrolux.

Electrolux waved the staff at him and chanted his incantations more resoundingly. He lifted the staff up high in the air and then slowly and steadily outlined the shape of golden runes. Huo Yuhao also lifted his right hand as he chanted on the other side. His index finger turned illusory in the air. He seemed to be imitating Electrolux’s actions.

Electrolux revealed a comforted look in his eyes. The golden runes he created started to drift towards the snow pearl, and rapidly fused with them.

Strangely, the snow pearl seemed to transform after the runes were fused in. The power inside it was still as violent as ever, but it didn’t try to burst out of the pearl.

There was much less pressure on the sect master and second sect master now, but they didn’t dare relax. No one knew if the violent energy would run wild again!

Chapter 196: Divine Flame Reconstruction

Rune after rune was fused into the snow pearl, making the snow pearl less and less agitated. However, it was still slowly growing, inch by inch.

When it had first appeared, it was only the size of an infant’s fist. Now however, it was as big as an apple, and was slowly growing to the size of a watermelon. Its regular spherical shape had also become more and more irregular. Something seemed to be squirming inside.

Electrolux wore a slight smile on his face, but his body was becoming more illusory by the moment.

The snow pearl slowly showed a strange scene. Something seemed to be moving underneath the golden, transparent film. Upon closer inspection, it seemed like a human embryo.

“Yuhao, blood!” Electrolux shouted. Huo Yuhao opened his eyes wide and spat out fresh blood, which landed on the snow pearl. Suddenly, the force within the embryo seemed to stabilize and calm down. It slowly turned into a ball of golden light that flew towards Huo Yuhao. The two sect masters stopped restricting it, because Electrolux

gestured at them not to do so.

The last golden rune also flew out of Electrolux’s hand and landed accurately on the snow pearl, which had absorbed Huo Yuhao’s blood and slowly turned milky-white. As golden light flashed, the snow pearl drifted in front of Huo Yuhao.

The staff in Electrolux’s hand turned into a golden streak of light, which flew out and went into Huo Yuhao’s Eye of Destiny. Small, golden whirlpools appeared within the Eye of Destiny. Then a golden light expanded, and easily engulfed the snow pearl embryo. As lights flashed, the snow pearl disappeared.

“Teacher.” Huo Yuhao’s body jerked. Blood seeped out of his pores. His face became even paler. He was subjected to the rebound from immense forces. When everything ended, he was about to succumb to his injuries. Electrolux smiled, “Although the remnants of my divine senses can’t store all my past memories, I know that you’re not my only disciple. However, you are very outstanding, and I’m very pleased with you. You must remember never to be extreme. If one’s heart is upright, they will be upright. No

matter what strength it is, it’ll only be used for appropriate purposes in the hands of the just.”

“Teacher, come back inside quickly!”  Huo Yuhao exclaimed anxiously. He wanted to move towards Electrolux, but he immediately collapsed after he got off the Frigid Jade Essence Bed.

Electrolux  sighed,  “You’re  a  fool.  Have  I  taught  you  for nothing? Can’t you feel what strength I’m using to help the Snow Empress be reborn as an embryo? It’s just a pity that she doesn’t have a body. Otherwise, I could have given her a real rebirth. Like I mentioned earlier, I don’t know what she’ll become, lose or gain, after I do this. At least you are all safe. The Snow Empress will also be tightly bound to you.”

“Teacher.”  Tears  streamed  down  from  Huo  Yuhao’s  eyes. Even though his internal organs were on fire and blood was seeping out of his pores, he still struggled to crawl towards Electrolux. 

Of course he knew what strength Electrolux was using. The two golden flares had played decisive roles; they were the flames of Electrolux’s divine sense! The remnants of his divine sense had been the fuel for the flames.

The Calamity Necromancer had used the last of his divine sense to save them. However, he didn’t inform anyone before doing this.

Electrolux smiled and said, “If you reach that stage one day, this world might really possess conditions that permit the existence of gods. You might find the remnants of my divine sense somewhere, or use the delicate connection that we have to restore the flame of my divine sense. I’ll be waiting for that day. Don’t be sad. To me, it’s not my first time dying. What’s so scary about death? Didn’t we just create a new form of life? I’m very happy. Gentlemen, please help me.”

His last sentence was directed at the two sect masters. The sect master lifted Huo Yuhao up from the ground. Before Huo Yuhao could catch a glimpse of what he did next, he passed out. “The strength of a god? You used the strength of a god just now?” The second sect master couldn’t help but ask. At this point, everything in the room had returned to normal. Only, now the Frigid Jade Essence Bed had lost its original icy qualities and become a rock.

Electrolux nodded slightly. “I can also feel the auras of gods from your bodies. There’s also a sense of righteousness. I don’t have much time to speak anymore. Gentlemen, please trust my judgment. My disciple is kind and sincere. He’ll be a good partner. Don’t put him in a hard spot anymore, and help me comfort him. You can tell him how he can ‘resurrect’ me from your perspectives.”

Electrolux smiled as he spoke till here and slowly drifted to the window. He looked far away with his elderly gaze. The sea of clouds around Clear Sky Peak was slowly being restored after being scattered by the terrifying auras earlier.

He revealed a slight smile as he saw this magnificent view. This was probably the last time he would gaze upon this world.

The room was very quiet. Everything was returning to normal, as if nothing had happened at all. 

The sect master and second sect master were looking silently at his golden figure, it was slowly dimming. A look of respect was revealed in their eyes. Although they had only interacted with him for a short period of time, they knew that he had just sacrificed his life to save Huo Yuhao.

Electrolux was gazing into the distance, but his gaze turned dimmer and dimmer. He eventually turned into a spot of golden light that drifted towards Huo Yuhao’s forehead. It entered his head and disappeared.

A strange-looking, greyish soul ring slowly rose from Huo Yuhao’s body. When this soul ring appeared, Electrolux’s figure flashed for an instant before disappearing. When his visage flashed, his eyes were no longer shining.

The second sect master was shocked as he asked, “This soul ring is grey?”

The sect master sighed and looked at Huo Yuhao in his arms. He said, “Although I don’t know the kind of experiences that divine sense from another world has gone through, I could sense the pure light and the vicissitudes of life from him. It’s really this brat’s fortune to have such a teacher! This grey soul ring is possibly the last shred of strength that his teacher left behind for him.”

The second sect master revealed an upset look on his face and muttered, “Elder brother, I miss our past life. However, we still can’t return to those days.”

The sect master smiled and said, “There are both losses and gains. We’re already quite fortunate. In fact, I’m actually eager to see what kind of existence we’ve just created. The force that erupted in Huo Yuhao’s body should belong to a soul beast, which is possibly a strong being that sealed their own powers. The seal must have encountered some kind of problem, thus leading to the risks earlier. It’s really our responsibility.” As he spoke, he pointed to the dim Frigid Jade Essence Bed.

The second sect master snapped, “This is also considered out responsibility? We didn’t let him cultivate here, and one of our treasures was destroyed. If not for Wang Dong, I’d make him compensate us for it.”

“Haha.” The sect master laughed loudly and said, “Alright, what’s there to be calculative about? Go and tell everyone to return since the problem has been resolved.”

Huo Yuhao was in a deep sleep. He only felt that he’d lost something important. Pain, sorrow and other emotions engulfed him in his dreams.

As he was struggling to wake from his dream, a streak of light appeared in front of him. An elegant and ravishing beauty in a long blue dress appeared and snuggled beside him. Her hair and eyes were pinkish-blue, and she wore a look of anguish in her eyes.

What? Is that the Goddess of Light?

Huo Yuhao wanted to grab hold of her, but he realized that he couldn’t do anything. The sorrow that he felt also slowly faded as the Goddess of Light appeared.

The Goddess of Light brought positivity into his mind and allowed him to relax in his sleep. There seemed to be a gentle singing voice comforting his sorrowful spirit. After some time, Huo Yuhao woke from his sleep. When he awoke, he first felt the tremendous changes to his spiritual sea.

At least two-thirds of his vast spiritual sea had dried up. A strong feeling of weakness made it difficult for him to even open his eyes. His passageways were aching greatly too. His soul power was still there, but its circulation was very messy. If not for the purity of his Mysterious Heaven Technique, he would have been in great danger of losing control of what was left over.

His body was in an even worse condition than it had been when he had helped Ju Zi. Back then, he had only suffered external injuries. However, he’d sustained internal injuries this time, including injuries to his spirit and mind.

But the pain that came from his body made it difficult for him to think. The only thing he could do now was slowly recover from his injuries.

He struggled to summon his spiritual power to control the circulation of his soul power. However, he almost fell unconscious a few times throughout even this simple process. Although he couldn’t think deeply, he could still remember everything he had lost. That was why he still remained resolute and continued to forcibly control his soul power.

His Mysterious Heaven Technique and soul power eventually managed to circulate normally, and everything slowly returned to peak conditions. His passageways weren’t too critically damaged, and there was even another wave of thick spiritual energy fused within his body that coordinated with the circulation of the Mysterious Heaven Technique.

The relaxation of his body also helped him gradually recover his spiritual energy. However, Huo Yuhao was appalled to discover that his spiritual sea had been damaged to such a large extent. It was like his spiritual reservoir had shrunk to one- third its original size, causing his spiritual power to decrease greatly. Fortunately, his understanding of spiritual power still existed, and his control hadn’t faltered. As he worked hard to control and stimulate his spiritual sea, it managed to restore its circulation. The weakness that he felt also gradually faded away. He could also sense his Eye of Destiny, where his second mental sea was.

His Eye of Destiny was the only part of his body that was unhurt. He heaved a sigh of relief because of this. If even his Eye of Destiny was hurt, his cultivation would probably fall by at least thirty percent.

Huo Yuhao slowly discovered something strange. It wasn’t entirely bad news everywhere. A ball of golden light was floating in his Eye of Destiny. A golden embryo was gestating within this ball of light. It seemed to be unable to penetrate the layer of film and come out.

He could also clearly sense that the part of his spiritual power that had disappeared seemed to be in this golden embryo. The strange golden embryo seemed to be closely linked to him.

This feeling was very weird. It was like another him was developing in his body. But this other self didn’t just possess his aura; it also possessed an aura that he was familiar with.

His spiritual sea was empty. He could only subtly sense two spiritual imprints in it, but they seemed to have been greatly hurt, and had entered a deep sleep.

Two? Why were there only two left? 

In fact, Huo Yuhao’s chanting had been guided by Electrolux, who was also chanting incantations. At that point in time, he had been under Electrolux’s control. He had entered a half- conscious state, and remembered very little of what happened.

I’m not dead! This was Huo Yuhao’s first reaction after he could slowly control his spiritual sea. However, he was extremely mournful when he realized that there were only two spiritual imprints asleep in his spiritual sea. He didn’t know who they were, but the two that had disappeared were probably…

As he thought till here, Huo Yuhao only felt that he was completely engulfed in sorrow. He felt extreme heartache.

At this point, a streak of golden light shot out of his Eye of Destiny and landed in his spiritual sea. The golden light shone, and a familiar aura spread. Its appearance caught immediately Huo Yuhao’s attention.

Chapter 197: Snow Empress' Spirit

“Teacher!”  Huo  Yuhao  was  surprised  as  he  shouted.  This aura was very familiar—it belonged to Elder Yi!

The Eye of Destiny shot out a golden beam of light. Electrolux’s dim golden figure appeared in front of Huo Yuhao.

“Yuhao, you should be fully awake when you see this. We were really lucky this time. I’m glad to tell you that we’ve succeeded. We have created a special energy body in your Eye of Destiny that has never before existed in your world. I believe you can sense its presence.”

“Yuhao, do you know when I decided to pass down all my research on necromancy to you? It was when your other teacher, the Dragon Douluo Elder Mu, passed away. Your sorrow at that time touched me, and I truly saw you as my disciple. Right now, I have no choice but to leave you. Although I don’t want to tell you the truth, there are some things that you have to bear.” “It was purely an accident that the snow pearl combusted. No one should bear responsibility for that incident. However, it has also led to this extreme fusion. This is probably fate, or a result of the end of those remnants of my divine sense. I burned my own divine sense and sealed you, the Snow Empress and a shred of my divine sense into a single entity.”

“I used the life power of the embryo in the snow pearl to create a special life form that won’t disappear even though it doesn’t have a true body. To a certain extent, it’s a combination between the Snow Empress’ spiritual sense and her strength, as well as your blood. This life form doesn’t have a physical body, but it will have the same effect as your soul rings. It might even be stronger than your soul rings. Even I’m not sure how many of your soul rings it’ll equal after it’s completed. Since we created it together, let’s give it a name. Let’s call it Spirit. Even though I believe Spirit will appear again in this world in the future, the Snow Empress will still be of the highest level. It will be another ability that you can use apart from soul rings and soul bones. It can replace your soul rings, but it definitely won’t be the same as a soul ring.”

“I’m certain that at least half of the Snow Empress’ spiritual sense dissipated during the fusion process. Furthermore, her body will likely be stuck at a very young age during the process of rebirth. She’ll also be extremely submissive towards you. That’s because I used a contract to shape her to be that way during the fusion process. She will listen to you. When Mu En left, he left a present for you. Consider this Snow Empress’ Spirit my gift to you.”

“Don’t be saddened from of my departure. To me, this can be considered a form of release. When you reach my level one day, you’ll discover that the meaning of life is beyond just death. I’ve seen too many deaths in my life. I’ve also resurrected others before. To me, this is just a transformation of my soul. Furthermore, I won’t be leaving you entirely. When I fused with you, a part of my divine sense assimilated with you. Before I leave, I will remove the seal on the part of my divine sense that assimilated with you.”

“It could be said that you now possess a third martial soul. Call this martial soul the Divine Law of Necromancy. Take it as a remembrance of my existence. If you become a god one day, I believe that you can use it to find the rest of my divine sense in some other place. You can even resurrect my divine sense and create a new me. Don’t be shocked by that. There’s nothing impossible in this world. If you’re capable enough, you’ll be able to succeed.” “After a round of transformation, the Snow Empress’ Spirit will need to incubate. It might be a few days, but it could also be a few months. Your spiritual sea was critically damaged from her formation. You’ll need a long time to recover, but don’t be impatient. Your spiritual origin wasn’t affected. When Skydream and the Ice Empress wake up, you’ll succeed.”

“Your soul power should be at Rank 50 now. After this transformation, both the Ice Empress and Skydream will be asleep for quite some time. You’ll need to rely on your own strength from now on. I believe that you’ll be able to reach that level. I don’t dare to call myself a god, but I hope that my disciple will be able to. You’ll be my greatest pride if you manage to do so.”

“Kid, the strong must be brave and tough, and they never cry. Crying is a sign of weakness.”

“I hope that you can accept everything calmly. Finally, I used the last bit of strength from my divine sense to release my memories with all of you before I left.”

“If there are still remnants of my divine sense in other places, they’ll be informed. I’m waiting for you to find them. If you want to see me earlier, you must remember to work hard at your cultivation. Goodbye, Yuhao.”

His voice ended here, and his golden figure also slowly faded away. His smiling face was the last thing to disappear.

“Teacher!” Huo Yuhao shouted. He started tearing up in his spiritual sea.

How could he not have realized that Electrolux died to save all of them? At that point in time, Skydream, the Ice Empress and the Snow Lady were all prepared to die. However, the only one to eventually sacrifice their life was Electrolux.

Huo Yuhao bawled sorrowfully, but he couldn’t see Electrolux anymore. Only his memories continued to fuse with Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea. They included the creation of the Snow Empress’ Spirit, and the incantations and experiences that he had comprehended in his lifetime.

If it were possible, Huo Yuhao was willing to be the one who died instead. However, he was very clear that none would survive if he didn’t, since he was their host. But how could he consider everything logically at this point? His heart was only filled with intense anguish.

He cried until everything turned dark—he lost consciousness.

Huo Yuhao dreamed the same dream as before. In this dream, the Goddess of Light brought him positivity again and comforted him.

When Huo Yuhao awoke from his dream, his spiritual sea had already been restored. Aside from the decrease in its size, everything had returned to normal. However, the four spiritual imprints that had once made his spiritual sea extremely lively were no longer there.

His entire spiritual sea was quiet and desolate now.

His soul power circulated normally again. Just like Electrolux had said, it was a success, and his soul power had finally reached the bottleneck at Rank 50. He needed another soul ring to become a Soul King. The Snow Empress’ Spirit embryo was only connected to the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s martial soul, and didn’t affect his Spirit Eyes.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing Huo Yuhao saw was long, pinkish-blue hair. His body jerked slightly, and he shouted “Goddess of Light!” unwittingly.

However, he soon realized that it wasn’t her. That was because the familiar aura that he felt belonged to his good brother, Wang Dong.

Huo Yuhao’s eyes were evidently not as bright as they had been when he first came to Clear Sky Castle. When he saw Wang Dong, he became less melancholic. This was the second time Wang Dong had been by his bedside in recent times. Wang Dong must be very worried about his condition, as usual.

“Wang Dong, don’t sleep here. Go to your room to sleep.” Huo Yuhao shook Wang Dong’s shoulder slightly and woke him up.

“Oh?” Wang Dong groaned and lifted his head. He opened his blurry eyes. 

“Ah! Yuhao, you’re awake. You scared me.”  Wang Dong was jolted awake when he saw Huo Yuhao sitting up. He grabbed onto his hand and spoke agitatedly.

Huo Yuhao forced a smile and said, “I’m sorry. I’ve brought so much trouble to you and everyone else.”

Wang Dong shook his head and said, “Don’t say that. I heard from eldest and second uncle. The changes in your body were caused by the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. It’s my fault. If I didn’t bring you here and you didn’t stay in this room, none of that would have happened.”

Huo Yuhao said, “No, how can I blame you? No one could have seen this coming. Go and rest. I need some quiet time. Alright?”

Wang Dong looked at Huo Yuhao. He remained silent for a while  before  asking,  “Yuhao,  although  I  don’t  know  what happened, I can sense that you’ve lost someone important. You were weeping and crying sorrowfully in your sleep. I wiped your tears several times. Can you tell me what happened?” Huo Yuhao was in a momentary daze before he eventually shook his head. “Wang Dong, it’s better not to know some things. I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. You’re right though—I did lose someone important to me. He was an important elder.”

As he spoke, tears flowed down Huo Yuhao’s cheeks.

Wang Dong said hurriedly, “Alright, I won’t probe anymore. Don’t be sad. I’ll leave now. However, you must promise me to get better. You can’t live in sorrow anymore. You’re a big man, how can you let yourself drown in your sorrows?” 

“Okay.” Huo Yuhao nodded his head in agreement. However, how could he express the pain in his heart with mere words? How could the pain be dispelled with just a few sentences?

Wang Dong moved forward to hug him before turning and leaving. Huo Yuhao’s pain diminished a little as he felt Wang Dong’s sympathy.

He stood up and came to his bedside. He gazed at the sea of clouds that was drifting slowly by and clenched his fists tightly.

“Teacher, I’ll get stronger and restore your divine sense too! I’ll work hard!”  He clenched his lips tightly, and Electrolux’s voice and smile surfaced in his mind.

Slowly, Huo Yuhao’s eyes turned greyish-white. His demeanor also changed. As a dim light flashed, he exuded a special aura – it was cold and emotionless. A greyish soul ring slowly rose from his feet. Compared to an ordinary soul ring, this greyish soul ring was almost fifty percent larger. Behind him, a dim light projection also slowly surfaced. It had the appearance of Electrolux.

Huo Yuhao’s greyish-white eyes slowly turned completely white. He looked terrifying. As he turned to face the blurry, illusory projection, his white eyes started to tear up.

“Teacher, I’ll make you clearer and enable your necromancy to prosper in this world. I will use necromancy to resist evil and my strength to reduce the sorrow in this world.”

---

One day later. Huo Yuhao walked out of his room calmly.

Wang Dong rushed over immediately as soon he received word.

“Yuhao, how are you?”  Wang Dong looked at his eyes and was stunned to see him smiling. However, the look in his eyes was completely different. It was much less brighter, and he seemed more mature. It felt as if he had grown older by five years.

When Elder Mu passed away, Huo Yuhao had been on the verge of going crazy. He had buried himself in his cultivation as a way to cope with his grief. This time, he was much more mature. Wang Dong couldn’t sense any sorrow from him. He was only very determined and unyielding.

“I’m fine.”  Huo Yuhao smiled. “Can you find something for me to eat? It feels as if I haven’t eaten since I came to your house. I’m starving.”

Wang  Dong  was  relieved.  He  said  encouragingly,  “Yuhao, don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve thought it out. Sorrow is a show of weakness. I’ll be more resolute in facing things that can’t be reversed. One day, I will turn all the sorrow that I’ve once felt into joy.” Wang Dong was surprised. “Although I don’t think this is appropriate, I have to say that you’ve grown up.”

Huo Yuhao laughed bitterly. “I don’t know if I’ve grown up, but I know I’m very hungry now.”

Wang Dong laughed. “Let’s go. I’ll bring you to eat.”

The food in Clear Sky Castle was much simpler than Huo Yuhao had expected. There weren’t any delicacies or particularly valuable food items. There was only an aromatic and tasty bowl of mushroom soup which left a deep impression in Huo Yuhao’s mind.

Wang Dong said that the mushrooms had been boiled in chicken soup, after which they were ground up and mixed with the soup. He also said that they drank this soup every day.

Wang Dong didn’t discover anything wrong with Huo Yuhao as they consumed their meal, and was finally completely relieved. Huo Yuhao rubbed his stomach satisfactorily and asked Wang Dong, “Wang Dong, have you obtained your soul ring? How long was I unconscious for?”

“Of course not. I wasn’t able to relax because of the state you were in! I’m relieved now that you’re fine. You can’t scare me like this anymore.”

Huo Yuhao looked at Wang Dong seriously and said, “Wang Dong, I have a secret, but I’m not telling you. Will you be mad?”

Wang Dong laughed mysteriously and replied, “I also have my own secret that I’m not telling you! Don’t worry, we’re still young. I believe that your secret won’t remain a secret forever. Furthermore, I won’t blame you even if it remains a secret forever!”

Huo Yuhao was also a little dizzy as he heard those words. “Why do you sound like you’re mouthing a tongue twister? Let’s not force each other. I will tell you one day if I think that you should know about it. I promise you that you’ll be the first to hear about it when I’m willing to tell someone.” Wang Dong laughed. “Alright, we’ll make that a promise. You have to stay in my house for a few more days. We’ll go after I get my soul ring, okay? After this matter, my eldest and second uncles aren’t interested in testing you anymore.”

Huo Yuhao nodded. “Do you need me to follow you to obtain your soul ring?”

Wang Dong shook his head and said, “It’s fine, I can go alone. It’ll take at least a day, and at most three days. It’s very close to my house too. That place is a forbidden ground of the Clear Sky Sect. Otherwise, I’d let you go with me.”

Huo Yuhao said, “No worries, I’ll cultivate here while I wait for you. You must be aware of your own safety.”

Wang Dong nodded and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back very soon.”

Huo Yuhao asked, “When are you setting off?”

Wang Dong replied, “Tomorrow morning.” 

Huo Yuhao asked, “What about our cultivation? While this matter has dealt me some harm, it has also increased my soul power. My cultivation has also reached a bottleneck. However, I’ll only add a soul ring after we return to Shrek.”

“What?”  Wang Dong was shocked. Huo Yuhao’s soul power had been increasing very slowly over these few years, and the other six among Shrek’s Seven Monsters had widened the gap with him. Wang Dong was surprised to find out that Yuhao had reached Rank 50. After all, Huo Yuhao’s cultivation had been lagging behind all this time. Even though he had a rich array of fighting styles, he would be unable to catch his partners when they became seven-ringed Soul Sages. But if he was a Soul King now, he was maintaining the gap he had with the rest of them.

“It increased that much?”

Huo Yuhao laughed bitterly. “It’s all thanks to the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. I’m really embarrassed to have destroyed such a treasure. However, you know how poor I am. Besides my body, I don’t know how to compensate the sect for it.” Wang Dong chuckled and said, “Then you can pay with your body.”

Huo Yuhao also laughed. He was in much better spirits now. “Alright! Then I shall sell my body to you. Just don’t resell me.”

“I couldn’t bear to.” Wang Dong replied almost instinctively. However, he blushed immediately after saying this and quickly changed the topic, “Yuhao, I won’t be cultivating with you tonight.”

“Oh? Why?” Huo Yuhao was a little stunned and said, “If we cultivate for one night, you’ll be able to reach your peak state. Won’t it be more beneficial for you tomorrow?”

Wang Dong was a little coy and shook his head, “No. I want to relax and have a good sleep tonight. I won’t cultivate tonight.”

Huo Yuhao didn’t force him either and replied, “Alright.” The two of them returned to their own rooms and didn’t talk for the whole night. The next morning, Wang Dong left Clear Sky Castle after bidding goodbye to Huo Yuhao. Huo Yuhao sent him off along with the two sect masters.

After Wang Dong disappeared, the sect master tapped Huo Yuhao’s shoulder and said, “Young man, let’s talk.”

“Alright,” Huo Yuhao answered respectfully.

The two sect masters brought Huo Yuhao back to Clear Sky Castle and led him directly to the hall on the third floor.

“Take a seat.” The sect master pointed to a stone chair.

Huo  Yuhao  sat  down  cautiously  and  said,  “Sect  master, second sect master, I’m really sorry. I brought so much trouble to the both of you. I’ll think of a way to repay you for the Frigid Jade Essence Bed. I’m sorry.”  As he spoke, he stood up and bowed to the two sect masters. The two sect masters didn’t stop him. After he sat down, the sect master smiled and said, “Although the Frigid Jade Essence Bed was very valuable, it wasn’t very useful to our sect. You don’t have to compensate us. We didn’t call you here today to ask for your compensation, either.”

“We’re only conversing leisurely today. Tell us how you know Wang Dong and what he’s normally like. We’re very interested in knowing more.”

Huo Yuhao was puzzled as he looked at the both of them. He asked, “Doesn’t he relate his experiences in the academy to you?”

The  sect  master  chortled  and  said,  “Young  people  are naturally different from how we hope they are. He doesn’t bother to talk to me much. He only comes back a few days a year! Moreover, I’m sure you’ll have a different set of things to say from him. We’re also interested in learning more about his life from your perspective. We are indeed quite lonely in this castle.”

Huo Yuhao thought the two sect masters had called him over to talk about the incident that had happened the other day. He hadn’t expected them to ask about Wang Dong instead.

He nodded and said, “I met Wang Dong in the academy. We entered the academy together. When we first met, there was a slight dispute. Come to think of it, it’s really fate that we met. We were even put in the same dorm room.”

“What?!”  the two sect masters exclaimed in unison, giving Huo Yuhao a shock. 

The second sect master asked in shock, “The two of you live in the same dorm room? Aren’t they supposed to be individual?”

Huo Yuhao was confused as he replied, “Of course we stay in the same room.”

The two sect masters’ expression changed. The second sect master asked anxiously, “How many beds are there in the room?”

Huo Yuhao even more confused as he answered, “Of course there are two beds. Although we’re guys, we can’t possibly sleep together.”

“Oh.” The two sect masters heaved a sigh of relief and looked at each other. They could each see the look of helpless mirth on the other’s face… Huo Yuhao didn’t understand at all. “Sect masters, what’s wrong?”

The sect master forced a smile and replied, “Nothing. Wang Dong has been a clean freak since he was young. We had thought that he lived alone. We didn’t expect that the two of you would be staying in the same room. He must have brought you a lot of trouble.”

Huo  Yuhao  chortled  and  said,  “It’s  true  that  he’s  a  clean freak. However, he’s also very lazy. Aside from his own bed, he doesn’t tidy up the room at all. I’m the one who tidies up the place every morning.”

He recounted how they met each other and became classmates, as well as how they were sent to compete together in the academy’s tournament. He also related everything that had happened after that, and the close friendship that they shared.

The two sect masters listened to him attentively. Apart from the initial interruption, they didn’t disrupt him anymore, obviously very interested in what he had to say. Huo Yuhao was also recalling everything that had happened as he recounted everything to them. He was also very excited, especially when he talked about their experience in the Elite Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. He was very animated as he described everything, especially when he got to the four martial fusion soul skills that they shared.

The two sect masters also relaxed the more they listened to him. They weren’t just smiling or nodding their heads slightly as they listened to him now. Their gazes appeared much gentler, too. Huo Yuhao didn’t mention how he had saved Wang Dong, but the two sect masters could tell a lot of things from his expression, behavior, and tone.

Time passed very quickly, and it was soon noontime. The two sect masters dragged Huo Yuhao out for lunch, after which he continued speaking for another two hours. He only stopped when they returned to Clear Sky Castle. In the meantime, Huo Yuhao didn’t talk about himself at all. He only recounted everything that had happened between him and Wang Dong.

“That is roughly what has happened.” Huo Yuhao spoke until his throat was dry. However, he could sense that the two elders’ attitude towards him had changed after he told them everything. They appeared much closer to him, and this was proven clearly from the way they spoke to him.

The sect master smiled as he said, “Yuhao, your experiences with Wang Dong are very enriching! No wonder the two of you have such a close relationship.”

Huo Yuhao replied, “It’s my fortune to have Wang Dong as my good brother.”

The sect master gestured and said, “You should stop calling us sect masters. My surname is Niu and my full name is Niu Tian. My second brother’s surname is Tai and his full name is Tai Tan. You can call us uncles.”

Huo Yuhao heaved a sigh of relief. If they were other people, he would have stormed off from the cautious and scornful way they treated him before. However, they were Wang Dong’s elders. He had no choice but to tolerate them. But now it seemed that he had finally earned their recognition.

“Yes, Uncle Niu.” Huo Yuhao answered hurriedly. Niu Tian said in a deep voice, “Yuhao, both second brother and I saw what happened to you that day. There must be more than one immense force in your body. That teacher of yours… it’s a pity.”

Huo Yuhao’s face turned slightly pale, and he revealed a deep sorrow in his eyes. “He did it to save me. I’m sorry, uncles. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Niu Tian nodded and said, “Everyone has their own secrets. We won’t probe either. However, you were critically injured that day. I can feel that the pressure on you was very heavy. How are you now?”

Huo Yuhao said, “My body is already fine, but my spiritual sea was damaged, and has shrunk a little. I will try to restore it through cultivation.”

Niu Tian was shocked. “Your spiritual sea was damaged?”

Tai Tan was much more direct. “Kid, don’t tell lies in front of honest people. If your spiritual sea was damaged, how could you be sitting here?” 

Huo Yuhao was stunned, and replied, “My spiritual sea was indeed damaged! However, my spiritual origin is fine, although my spiritual powers have dropped a little.”

Tai Tan was doubtful. “Your spiritual sea and spiritual origin belong together. Don’t tell me you can separate them?”

Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “I didn’t. However, the damage to my spiritual sea didn’t affect my spiritual origin.”

Niu Tian said, “Can I take a look at your spiritual sea? I have no other intention but to see whether I can heal it.”

“Alright. Thanks, Uncle Niu.” Huo Yuhao knew that they weren’t completely confident in him. After all, even Wang Dong didn’t know his secret.

Niu Tian stood up and came before Huo Yuhao. He pressed his right hand on his forehead. Huo Yuhao didn’t resist, and relaxed. With the abilities of these two sect masters, he couldn’t resist if they wanted to harm him, anyway. They were at Elder Xuan’s level, and the Clear Sky Sect was once the top soul master sect on the continent.

Niu Tian’s eyes slowly turned green. Huo Yuhao only sensed a gentle aura surging into his mind. That gentle aura moved down his body. At the same time, a warm feeling circulated around his body. Huo Yuhao felt very comfortable, and his passageways even started to heal at a faster rate.

That gentle aura then ascended and slowly entered his spiritual sea.

Huo Yuhao shut his eyes. He could sense that the aura was being manifested as a wave of green gas. He couldn’t tell whether it was spiritual or soul power.

When that green gas entered his spiritual sea, it started to drift and move about inside. It didn’t start any waves in his spiritual sea. Green lights surged and started to spread in the spiritual sea. He only felt a refreshing chill coming from his forehead. His entire spiritual world seemed to have been cleansed. His damaged spiritual sea was slowing recovering under the effect of this magical force. His spiritual power was also increasing. This was an extremely magical and delightful feeling. It felt a little like when he saw the sea of clouds appearing above Clear Sky Peak.

After some time, the refreshing chill faded away, and Huo Yuhao was surprised to discover that the damage to his spiritual sea had been restored. Although it wasn’t restored to the level of the Boundless Ocean, its capacity had returned to normal. This also meant that his spiritual power could return to its peak state through continuous deep meditation, which would only take a few months. From his initial estimates, he had thought that it would take more than three years to recover, given the level of damage to his spiritual sea.

He opened his eyes and appeared much more vibrant than before.

Niu Tian was still standing in front and smiling at him. “Thanks,  Uncle  Niu.”   Huo  Yuhao  stood  up  and  bowed towards him respectfully. This time, he was completely won over. He didn’t think anyone would have been able to heal the damage to his spiritual sea, with the possible exception of Elder Mu, if he were still alive. However, the Clear Sky Sect’s sect master was able to do so. In Huo Yuhao’s mind, he was on the same level as Du Busi.

Niu Tian smiled and said, “Yuhao, your spiritual power is a lot stronger than I thought. Furthermore, I can also sense that your control over your spiritual power is very good. This is a good thing. No wonder Wang Dong said that you are talented! I could also sense the presence of a second mental sea in your spiritual sea. When your spiritual sea was damaged, your spiritual origin was automatically protected by your second mental sea. When everything ended, your spiritual origin returned to your spiritual sea. I’m afraid you didn’t even realize this.”

Huo  Yuhao  said  respectfully,  “Uncle  Niu,  your  spiritual power is indeed very strong. You can sense so much just by exploring a bit. I indeed didn’t know what happened then.”

Niu Tian said, “Yuhao, I have a request. I hope that you can agree to it.” 

“Tell me. As long as I can do it, I will do it.” Huo Yuhao truly respected him. His control over his strength displayed his abilities as a truly powerful individual. Furthermore, Niu Tian was only making this request after treating him, and didn’t use the treatment to exchange for his help. Huo Yuhao respected him even more for that.

Niu Tian said, “I could sense that your teacher sealed the strength of a very powerful soul beast within you, and even helped it develop the form of an embryo. It is also an existence of pure strength. I want to know what exactly this embryo will become, as well as the changes it will experience in the future. I have a feeling that this is the first time something like this has appeared on the continent. That’s why I hope you can tell me what you feel if the embryo in your second mental sea changes in any way. Of course, I can also help you if you get into any sort of trouble. At least, I won’t let you be harmed. What do you think?”

Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment before saying, “However, I’ll be leaving here soon. After Wang Dong returns, we’ll leave. You…

Chapter 198: The Spirit is Born, Orange Treasure

Niu Tian smiled and said, “It doesn’t matter. I just need to know how you feel about the process. The empires on the continent know about this problem, but no one is controlling it, they aren’t able to. After all, the empires compete with one another, and soul masters are powerful weapons in their arsenal. Who would be willing to give them up? We hope to find something to replace soul rings, or to reduce our need for soul masters. If we can do either, it’ll be very beneficial for the ecological balance of the continent and the continuation of soul masters.”

Huo  Yuhao  was  awed.  “You’re  absolutely  right.  I’ve  also considered this problem. Our teachers at Shrek Academy have also taught us about this—we need to avoid killing soul beasts unnecessarily, and only kill those that are suitable for us. However, soul beasts are innately aggressive. Once they are attacked, they will retaliate. Alright, I promise you. If the soul beast embryo changes, I will report the changes to you. However, please keep this a secret for me too.”

Niu Tian nodded satisfactorily and said, “You can be assured of that. We don’t even leave Clear Sky Castle.” 

Huo Yuhao stood up and said, “It is late. I shall not disturb either of you any longer. Uncle Niu, thanks for healing me. If I was left to recuperate on my own, it would’ve taken me more than just a few years.”

Niu Tian waved his hand and said, “Go. The path of cultivation lies in perseverance.”

Huo Yuhao returned to his room. Niu Tian turned around to face Tai Tan and said, “Second brother, what do you think?”

He replied, “I guess it’s fine. He is indeed extraordinary after all. Furthermore, I can tell that his brotherly ties with Wang Dong are real. However, he’s quite dumb.”

Niu Tian laughed. “You can’t blame him either. First impressions count. In addition, he’s still young. I sensed his spiritual sea just now. It’s really quite impressive! Before it was damaged, it had reached the level of a hundred thousand year soul beast. His control of it is also very strong. The only thing was that his own abilities hadn’t reached that level yet, thus he was unable to fully use his spiritual power.” 

Tai Tan said, “Wang Dong is really brazen. He actually…”

Niu Tian gestured and said, “Forget it. There’s no point in telling him about it now. I also believe that Wang Dong knows his limits. Besides, no one can really get close to him. Did you forget?” As he spoke, he pointed to his forehead.

Tai Tan seemed to be reminded of something. “Oh yes! I completely forgot about that. Huo Yuhao has passed the first round. However, we’ll need to observe him more.”

Niu Tian said, “Let’s not interfere in Wang Dong’s matters too much. Yuhao’s abilities are decent indeed. If he develops further like this, it wouldn’t take him long to catch up to Wang Dong. For them to exhibit four martial fusion soul skills, it’s already a form of fate.”

Niu Tian’s expression suddenly changed while they spoke. He was stunned as he said, “This fast? Second brother, go quickly. Yuhao’s soul beast embryo is about to be born.”

As he spoke, he was already bursting out. 

Yes! Not long after Huo Yuhao returned to his room and started to cultivate, he felt an intense dizzy feeling swarming his mind. He started to stagger, and quickly sat on his bed before focusing his spiritual power to see what was going on.

Within his spiritual sea; spiritual power was surging, and a wave of strange aura was undulating.

The second mental sea, the Eye of Destiny! Huo Yuhao soon found the origin of this weird aura. He discovered that the Snow Empress’ embryo was squirming in his Eye of Destiny. A human infant subtly appeared and extended its hands and legs, wanting to break free from the restraint of the embryo. The Snow Empress’ embryo’s movement sparked the surge of spiritual power in his second mental sea. His spiritual sea resonated strongly with his second mental sea at this point.

It was… about to come out?

Huo Yuhao was feeling very uncomfortable with regards to Spirit. That was because Spirit was a special lifeform created by him, the Ice Empress, Skydream, the Snow Empress and the deceased Electrolux. 

Huo Yuhao could clearly sense that his spiritual power was greatly affected as Spirit moved. It was as if all his focus and attention were completely drawn away by it.

From the memories Electrolux left behind for him, this was mainly due to the contract that they had. They were also related by blood. The formation of Spirit was accomplished from the shrinkage of the Snow Empress’ immense origin power and spiritual sense, as well as Huo Yuhao’s blood and spiritual power, which were all fused by the flame of Electrolux’s divine sense.

Electrolux told Huo Yuhao through the experiences that he left for him that he could use Contract Magic on soul beasts. But it was up to him to learn how, and under what conditions. Simply put, the greater the gap between a soul master and a soul beast, the higher the possibility of fulfilling the contract. Huo Yuhao had to find out whether the soul beasts could retain some level of intelligence and abilities on his own, as well as if they could become the soul rings of soul masters.

The Snow Empress’ situation was very special. Due to her strength and the terrifying changes involved, the flame of Electrolux’s divine sense had been extinguished. Electrolux had also told Huo Yuhao that he could fulfil the contract with his current spiritual power.

That was why Huo Yuhao felt extremely excited even though he was uncomfortable. He was also very curious.

The movements of the embryo became even more intense. Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power started to gather towards his second mental sea, and the embryo seemed to feed on his spiritual power, it was engulfing and swallowing it.

Huo Yuhao suddenly had a strange feeling. If this embryo was going to keep on like this, he would be the one unable to sustain it! It wasn’t easy for him to accumulate his spiritual power. If it sucked all his spiritual power away like this every day, he could only keep himself in a half-conscious state all the time. This was the case even after the Clear Sky Sect’s sect master helped him restore his spiritual sea. Otherwise, it would have been even more unbearable for him.

The Eye of Destiny suddenly opened, and a dim golden light formed by spiritual power started to revolve around Huo Yuhao’s body. It made him seem like a solid gold statue. Niu Tian and Tai Tan had already silently made their way into Huo Yuhao’s room, but neither of them made any sound to disturb him. They were eager as they watched him, and worried. They would definitely help him if something went wrong.

Eventually, the immense suction force stopped after the embryo absorbed more than sixty percent of Huo Yuhao’s current spiritual power. He was stunned to discover that the embryo in his second mental sea had suddenly calmed down. An orange-gold halo expanded from his body, and then something shocking happened.

Initially, the embryo was sucking up his spiritual power. However, his spiritual power was quickly restored when this orange-gold halo expanded. His entire spiritual sea seemed to be experiencing a high tide. It rose higher and higher as the halo swept past. He also developed a more acute feeling for his spiritual sea.

His spiritual power reached its peak state after several halos swept across his spiritual sea, enhancing it even past its peak state. His spiritual sea was becoming more and more well nourished under the illumination of the halo. She’s not coming out? She’s only helping me cultivate my spiritual power? Huo Yuhao was a little perplexed. However, he hoped that his spiritual power would continue to be restored like this. With the current pace, he could reach the Boundless state that he was in before the snow pearl

combusted.

Time passed second by second. As the halo expanded, the orange color of the embryo also became increasingly intense. Huo Yuhao was completely unable to see what was going on in the embryo anymore. It was like an orange-gold egg now, and stopped transforming into other things. It stabilized on this egg-like form and seemed to have solidified.

Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea continued to be nourished more and more. A dim layer of orange surrounded it now, and the Boundless Ocean was back. He even felt that his spiritual power was a bit stronger than before, as if it were probing its way into the next level. It didn’t just cause waves in his spiritual sea; it was combining with his soul power too. As they fused together, he seemed to understand the level that uncle Niu Tian was in. Although it was still very far away, he appeared to have seen the gateway to this level through this opportunity. 

Suddenly, a strong orange-gold light spread from the embryo. Huo Yuhao felt his spiritual sea surging at that instant. The world of his sensations had turned completely orange-gold by this point.

Niu Tian and Tai Tan only saw a ring of blinding orange-gold light spreading from Huo Yuhao’s Eye of Destiny, which turned the entire room the same color. When this light reached them, the power slightly suppressed them.

Ding! A melodious and crisp chiming sound came from the Eye of Destiny. Huo Yuhao regained his awareness immediately, and clearly felt a crack appearing on the egg- shaped embryo, shaking his spiritual sea.

Following this, a second crack surfaced. Slight creaking sounds resonated continuously as cracks spread in a turtle-like pattern on the embryo’s shell. Pop! A small and tender snow-white hand extended from the eggshell. As the hand flipped over, it grabbed onto a broken piece of egg shell before more cracking sounds could be heard.

The light that shone from Huo Yuhao’s body also faded away, and he returned to his normal state quickly. However, he continued to hear crackling sounds in his second mental sea. Of course, he was the only one who could hear them.

The tender white hand reached out again after a while. Every time it reached out, it would grab a piece of the shell before pulling it back in. The cracking sounds would be heard again and again as the cycle repeated…

Huo Yuhao focused his attention on the hand. For some reason, he felt closely connected to it.

Not only did it look snow-white, it even seemed translucent, like milk. It tempted one to bite it, as if it were made of almond beancurd.

The orange-gold egg shell became smaller and smaller, and the small being in the shell was revealed. She was a small infant, her complexion as tender and white as her chubby hand. She looked just like a month-old baby, her tiny face extremely chubby. Dim orange-gold light shone from her body. As she munched on the eggshell, she would even occasionally smile sweetly. Her dimples made her look even cuter.

Her eyes were a deep blue, as moving as a vast ocean at its deepest end. Pure and deep were descriptive words that shouldn’t appear together, but they described her eyes perfectly. Her silvery-white hair had slight curls. Even though she was very young, she had a sense of elegance.

“Snow Empress?” Huo Yuhao called to her with his spiritual power.

The infant girl’s actions slowed for half a second. After that, she quickly stuffed a piece of eggshell into her mouth. Her deep blue eyes revealed a slight look of confusion and pensiveness. She was extremely cute, and Huo Yuhao was very tempted to pinch her chubby cheeks.

“Snow Empress?” Huo Yuhao called out again. After that, he immediately gathered his spiritual power and projected a form of himself into his second mental sea in front of the girl. 

She continued to chew on the eggshell as she watched Huo Yuhao, her eyes wide open. Her long eyelashes were deep blue, and they seemed to be fanning the air as she blinked her eyes.

“Snow  Empress,  do  you  still  remember  me?”  Huo  Yuhao asked again.

She continued munching on the eggshell.

“Snow Empress, I’m Huo Yuhao! Do you still remember me?

The Ice Empress and Skydream are also here.”

Ka, ka, ka.

“How’re you feeling? What form are you in now?”

Ka, ka, ka.

“You…” Ka, ka, ka.

Huo Yuhao realized that he couldn’t probe any further. She was evidently more interested in the eggshell. She was also moving her hands more quickly, as if she were afraid that Huo Yuhao would snatch them away from her. She finished eating the eggshell rapidly.

What do I do? Huo Yuhao was at a loss. She was very cute, but he was shocked by the way she ate. That was because the eggshell evidently contained highly condensed spiritual power! He even suspected that she would try to feast on his spiritual power after finishing the eggshell. After that…  “When is she going to be full?”

“Yi yi ya ya!” she shouted at him suddenly.

He was stunned to find out that he could understand her even though she wasn’t speaking any language he knew. She called him…

“Daddy!” He was stunned. He was still very young, but she had called him daddy. Moreover, he felt as if she were throwing a tantrum, which melted his heart.

“Are...  are  you  calling  me?”   Huo  Yuhao  asked  a  silly question.

“Yi yi ya ya!” (Daddy…)

“I…” He was completely lost ,and didn’t know how to respond. She was a cute, infant version of the Snow Empress. Was she still the same third strongest soul beast on the continent?

At this point, she seemed a little annoyed. She floated into the air and flew down towards him. He grabbed hold of her subconsciously, and felt an affectionate aura circulating through his body. His body was dyed with a layer of orange- gold.

She laughed and pounded his chest with her hands. She seemed to be playing with him. Looking at her from such a close distance, he could feel the irresistible cuteness radiating from her.

“Yi yi ya ya!” (Daddy, I want to go out.)

After sending him this message, she squirmed out from his arms, and a small, fitting undergarment appeared on her body. As she flew forward, she revealed her tiny butt from the back.

Before he could even react, his spiritual sea started to surge tremendously. Following this, her figure flashed, and she disappeared.

She can leave? He was stunned, and quickly tried to return to his original body. He opened his eyes.

“Yi yi ya ya, yi yi ya ya!”  He heard her furious cries as he regained his awareness. As he opened his eyes, he saw a green barrier inside the room. She was engulfed in a ball of orange- gold light. She couldn’t break out no matter how hard she tried, and was evidently furious. “Yuhao, what’s going on?” While she couldn’t break free, she caused both Niu Tian and Tai Tan to be a little panicky.

They only saw his third eye shining brightly before she flew out of it.

She was really too cute, and the two sect masters were very curious. However, she was very hostile when she saw the two of them. As she shrieked, she started a huge snowstorm in the room…

Yes, she had started a snowstorm. At this point, the temperature in the room outside the green light had fallen by about fifty degrees. The entire room was covered in snow. Frost had also formed on Niu Tian and Tai Tan’s bodies. If Niu Tian hadn’t been quick enough to trap her... They didn’t know what else she was capable of. They could sense an intense hostility from her.

“Yi yi ya ya, yi yi ya ya!” (Daddy, they’re bad guys! Beat them up!) She was enraged as she flew and sat on his shoulder. She even extended her finger to point at Niu Tian’s nose and twisted her lips. However, her tender, red lips made her seem very good-looking.

Huo Yuhao was amused as he said, “Snow Lady, I shall call you Snow Lady. They aren’t enemies.”

The Snow Lady was stunned for a moment, and then appeared to be very unhappy.

Niu Tian laughed. “Yuhao, ask her to retract her powers.

Look at the mess she made.”

Huo Yuhao possessed the Ultimate Ice, and thus he wasn’t sensitive to extreme cold. At this moment, Niu Tian also retracted his soul power, and Huo Yuhao watched as the entire room turned into a world of snow.

“Snow Lady.” Huo Yuhao was a little annoyed as he looked at her, but he couldn’t say anything to scold her. At this point, she did something that made them all cringe. She lowered her head in indignation and poked herself with her index fingers. She wore a look of indignation, as if they had dared say she had done something wrong.

“Alright, alright. She didn’t do it intentionally! She’s still so young. How can we blame her?”

Tai Tan, who was initially very wary of Huo Yuhao, appeared very fatherly now. He stepped in front of Huo Yuhao and looked at the Snow Lady up close before laughing foolishly.

As a huge and burly person who was more than two meters tall, he didn’t think of how he looked when he laughed.

The Snow Lady suddenly lifted her head as he got closer to her. Her deep blue eyes revealed a strange and distorted deep blue glow. The light flashed, and Tai Tan was turned into an ice sculpture. 

“Snow Lady!”  Huo Yuhao exclaimed and picked her up as they retreated to the side of the room. He wasn’t afraid of her harming Tai Tan, because he could sense the link between their powers when she made her move. However, her abilities were inferior to his by default. This meant that the abilities she unleashed would never surpass his own capabilities.

Indeed, Tai Tan managed to break free from the ice as Huo Yuhao backed off. The broken pieces of ice fell onto the ground, and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he looked  at  her.  He  said  helplessly,  “Little  fellow,  I’ve  no intention of harming you!”

Against such a small kid, what could they possibly do? They couldn’t hit or scold her.

“Idiot. She was scared off by your ugly mug.” Niu Tian pulled Tai Tan behind him. Tai Tan was very displeased. “Elder brother, my abilities are indeed inferior to yours. However, our appearances are around the same—they are nothing special. Why don’t you say you’re the one who scared her?”

Niu Tian glared at him and said, “Neither of us should be going over and scaring her.”

They didn’t act like they were the Clear Sky Sect’s sect masters from their cautious behavior. At this moment, Huo Yuhao also recovered from his shock. He lifted his hand and touched the Snow Lady’s shoulder.

She was evidently very attached to him. As he extended his hand, she immediately wrapped her hand around his finger and laughed non-stop.

He could sense that she wasn’t a solid entity. While her hand was soft and gentle, it didn’t feel like a human hand. However, she didn’t seem like she was made purely of energy. It was an unclear feeling. She was like a special existence between a solid entity and energy. “Yuhao,  this  is  the  life  that  all  of  you  created?  She  was originally a soul beast?” Niu Tian asked curiously.

Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “Teacher said that the Snow Lady was an Icesky Snow Lady formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. She’s a special type of soul beast, and might not even be considered a soul beast. In fact, I also don’t know what made her.”

“Icesky  Snow  Lady?”   Both  Niu  Tian  and  Tai  Tan  were shocked as they heard his words. They looked at each other before they said in unison, “Snow Empress?”

Huo Yuhao was stunned as he replied, “So you know her.”

Tai Tan lost his voice as he said, “How could we not know her? She’s one of the Ten Great Savage Beasts of the Douluo Continent, and has lived for six or seven hundred thousand years. She’s one of the most powerful soul beasts. She has turned into this? What’s going on?”

Huo Yuhao knew that some things couldn’t be concealed forever. After pondering for a moment, he recounted how he had discovered the Snow Empress’ embryo and managed to absorb it into his body by sealing it with the help of his teacher. However, he didn’t reveal his secrets regarding Skydream and the Ice Empress.

After listening to his recounting of events, the two sect masters were in disbelief. Surely this wasn’t luck, since he almost lost his life because of it, but the Snow Empress’ strength had helped him greatly! Subconsciously, they reckoned that the enhancement of his martial soul was due to the Snow Empress. In addition, there was still the infant Snow Lady now.

Niu Tian pointed at the Snow Lady and asked, “Did your teacher mention what kind of life form the current Snow Empress is?”

Huo Yuhao laughed bitterly and shook his head. He replied, “He didn’t know what kind of life form the Snow Empress’ strength would become after this all developed. He only told me that the newborn Snow Empress would be tightly connected to me. That’s because a large amount of my spiritual power and blood are fused into her body. With that, a contract, and the Snow Empress’ original strength and spiritual sense, this new life form was born. He called her Spirit. The Snow Empress’ Spirit.”

Spirit was an entirely new existence not only to these two sect masters, but also to the entire Douluo Continent.

Interrupting their conversation, the Snow Lady started to shriek again. Her crisp voice sounded very anxious, and drew their attention.

Only Huo Yuhao could understand what she was saying.

“What  about  me  not  wanting  you?”   Huo  Yuhao  asked, perplexed. The Snow Lady had mentioned that her daddy didn’t want her anymore.

The Snow Lady drifted from his shoulder, and tears flowed from her huge eyes. She stared at him before saying “yi yi ya ya” again.

Huo Yuhao was completely confused. “No place for you?

What do you mean? Can you be a bit clearer?” 

She was pointed at him while she sobbed before starting to draw circles in the air.

He was suddenly enlightened. “Are you talking about soul rings? You want something to do with my soul rings?”

She nodded her head hurriedly, and her silvery-white hair swayed slightly. Her chubby face also trembled a little—it was extremely cute.

“Yi yi ya ya!”

“Are you saying that there’s no empty soul ring spot for you to control?” He started to understand what she was saying. However, how was she going to control his soul rings? He was completely clueless.

“Snow Lady, hear me out. My cultivation is currently Rank

50. Logically speaking, there should be space for a soul ring! How is there no place for you?” She shook her head and started to “yi yi ya ya” again.

“What? One is not enough?”  Huo Yuhao was stunned as he said, “Are you saying that your powers will fall if there aren’t sufficient soul ring spots for you? You need my powers to ensure the growth and stability of your powers?”

“Yi yi ya ya.”

“But I already have four soul rings! I can’t possibly sacrifice them. I have no choice either!” Huo Yuhao was put in a spot.

“Idiot.” Tai Tan couldn’t help but mutter. “Rascal, you really are dumb! Others couldn’t do anything if they were in such a situation, but you have twin martial souls. Don’t tell me that your second martial soul also has four soul rings. You can’t be that much of a fool!”

As the saying goes, ‘The one in the situation is confused, but the onlooker sees clear.’ Tai Tan’s words enlightened Huo Yuhao immediately. Yes! His Spirit Eyes only had one spot for a soul ring, but his Ice Empress still had many spots! He only had one soul ring on his Ice Empress martial soul. Furthermore, his Ice Empress wouldn’t ostracize the powers of the Snow Lady. They were both ice-type, and complemented each other. However, he was curious as to why the Snow Empress wanted to live among his soul rings. Would he have to add soul rings in these positions in the future? What would the relationship between Spirit and him be like after she took up those spots?

As he was troubled by these doubts, he quickly unleashed his second martial soul.

An extreme chill was released from his body. The immense aura of the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion was exuded amidst the glow of a hundred thousand year soul ring.

The two sect masters focused their gazes, looking at the blood-red soul ring with four streaks of golden patterns. The Snow Lady was also in a slight daze. As she looked at Huo Yuhao, she seemed to be sensing something.

After a brief moment, she cheered. Her body shrank slightly before she flew towards Huo Yuhao as an orange-gold ball of light. Huo Yuhao wanted to catch her, but the ball of light penetrated his body cleanly.

His body turned rigid, and started to tremble tremendously. An intense orange-gold glow was emitted from his body, and even his eyes turned orange.

A vigorous undulation of soul power surged from his body.

The blood-red soul ring started to move three times faster.

An orange-gold ring appeared without warning and moved rhythmically along with the red soul ring.

Orange-gold soul ring? That little fellow turned into a soul ring? Niu Tian and Tai Tan were feeling down at this point. Although the Snow Lady wasn’t very friendly towards the both of them, she was still very cute! No one could resist her. Moreover, she hadn’t really harmed them.

However, since when could a soul master possess an orange- gold soul ring? What was going on? Before their shock and disappointment faded away, another orange-gold ring appeared from Huo Yuhao’s body. It queued behind the previous soul ring and moved along with it. The intensity of the light from both soul rings were the same. Huo Yuhao’s aura also became stronger and stronger.

Tai Tan was confused as he asked, “Elder brother, what’s going on? Why are there two soul rings?”

Niu Tian replied, “How would I know? However, didn’t the brat just say that one soul ring spot wasn’t enough for her? I’m wondering what she’s trying to do.”

“I wonder what kind of effect her soul rings can achieve.”

Huo Yuhao and the two sect masters had completely different sensations. As the Snow Lady fused into his body, he slowly understood the form and secret behind this Snow Lady.

She was indeed a life form—one birthed from different strengths under the effect of Electrolux’s contract spell. She could even be considered a true living soul ring. If soul rings were alive, they could be more proactive. 

While the Snow Lady had a physical body, she was also made of energy. No matter how great her strength was, it would still be depleted continuously. That was why she needed to rely on Huo Yuhao to restore her strength regardless of the presence of a contract. She might also need him to develop greater strength.

Chapter 199: Orange Soul Ring

However, the Snow Lady was still a being of the Douluo Continent. Although she was a new existence, she couldn’t completely transcend this world’s laws. That was why she had to fuse with a soul master and his abilities even though she was alive on her own.

If it were someone else, they would only have one soul ring spot to contain the Snow Lady. In that case, the Snow Lady would lose a portion of her strength. Simply speaking, it was just like how a soul master absorbed a soul ring from a soul beast. The soul master couldn’t possibly obtain all the soul skills it had, and would only absorb one that was suitable for himself. But the Snow Lady was a living body, and thus naturally hoped to retain all her powers. However, she couldn’t do this alone, and needed Huo Yuhao to help her fulfil this wish. That was why she needed to take up many spots.

The conditions she formed under were too unique, he couldn’t possibly replicate her. Even if Huo Yuhao could use the Contract Magic left behind by Electrolux, it still wouldn’t come close to making another Spirit like the Snow Empress. Besides, soul masters wouldn’t have the necessary spiritual power to accept as many Spirits as they want, or soul rings, for that matter. It was already unbelievable for a soul beast’s power to be compressed several times over without combusting. And even then, there was still a need for a strong entity to sacrifice their divine sense. How could Huo Yuhao possibly replicate this?

From one perspective, the Snow Empress’ strength would be restricted by Huo Yuhao’s abilities. From another viewpoint, she had managed to display her strength.

After a third and fourth orange-gold soul ring appeared, the four soul rings moved along with the Ice Empress’ blood-red soul ring. At last, Huo Yuhao had officially become a Soul King. He had even added four soul rings in one go. However, he felt very helpless, as he couldn’t control these four new soul rings. They could only be controlled by the Snow Lady.

The surging undulations of his soul and spiritual power started to calm down. The fusion process between the Snow Empress’ Spirit and Huo Yuhao was much simpler than expected. He didn’t even feel any impact; he only felt greater strength being imbued into his body. In just this short period of time, he clearly sensed his body being influenced by the four new soul rings. Not only did his soul power increase a notch, but his bones, passageways and spiritual power were all enhanced.

The enhancement to a soul master after adding four soul rings was great. Huo Yuhao’s current soul power was comparable to a Soul Emperor.

Although he felt that he couldn’t control his four new soul rings, the strength that they each gave him was equivalent to a thirty thousand year soul ring. This was still in the midst of the fusion, which restricted the limits of his tolerance. The Snow Lady evidently still had a lot of strength left. She was pleased after taking up the four spots. The growth potential of these soul rings was immense. It was just that Huo Yuhao was slightly displeased that the Snow Lady forcefully snatched four spots and didn’t even offer him a single soul skill.

This little fellow is too domineering. What about my Ice Empress in the future!? I’ve lost four soul skills just like that— it’ll undoubtedly reduce my advantage of having twin martial souls. However, he couldn’t bear to admonish her. He also believed the Ice Empress wouldn’t say anything if she were awake. No matter what form the Snow Empress took, it was still her strength!

One red and four orange soul rings surrounded Huo Yuhao’s body as they moved. The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s wild and barren aura disappeared. It was replaced with an elegant and peaceful aura that no one would find unusual.

He didn’t feel that he had become much stronger, but the two sect masters could sense the difference in his body. With their cultivations, they felt a sense of danger from him, a sense of danger they hadn’t felt before.

“Ke ke ke!” As a crisp and clear laugh sounded, a small and swift orange-gold figure crawled out of Huo Yuhao’s Eye of Destiny. It was the Snow Lady.

The two sect masters were surprised when they saw her appearing again. Tai Tan said, “Kid, didn’t she turn into your soul rings?” Huo Yuhao answered this question on behalf of the Snow Lady. He laughed bitterly, “She didn’t turn into soul rings, but marked her territory in my body. The soul rings were just places for her to contain and consolidate her strength. She could use these four soul rings to restore her energy that was depleted. Technically, they aren’t really soul rings, and have nothing to do with me.”

“Yi yi ya ya.” The Snow Lady seemed to sense the annoyance in his voice and shook her head at him unhappily. The orange- gold light from her body became stronger and stronger. Huo Yuhao immediately sensed her intentions.

Following this, the first of his four new soul rings lit up. The Snow Lady lifted her hand and pointed and Tai Tan. Suddenly, a deep blue light shot out from her finger. This deep blue light started to disperse as it shot out, engulfing Tai Tan completely.

Tai Tan turned into an ice sculpture again. He couldn’t resist it this time either.

“Ke ke ke.” She chuckled and starting clapping. This time Tai Tan was struggling even more, but his movements were much slower.

“It’s freezing me to death. Little fellow, are you using me as an experiment? This is too absurd. Be careful, or I’m going to smack your butt.” Tai Tan shivered as he tried to break out of the ice.

“I understand now!”  Huo Yuhao suddenly shouted, giving the two sect masters a scare.

“Rascal, what are you shouting for? Just because I can’t bear to whack her doesn’t mean I can’t bear to whack you.” Tai Tan glared at Huo Yuhao furiously.

Huo Yuhao didn’t even seem to hear his threat, and said agitatedly, “I understand the secret behind Spirit. Although the Snow Lady has taken up four soul rings, they also represents four of her abilities. The secret lies in the storage of her strength within these soul rings, and that she can use them to restore her strength. All these have nothing to do with me.” “Why are you so happy if they have nothing to do with you?” Tai Tan asked doubtfully.

Huo Yuhao replied, “It means that the depletion of my soul and spiritual power will be very small when she unleashes her abilities. Furthermore, I don’t have to control them either! During this period of time, I can use other skills to complement her powers. We can even coordinate through our spiritual senses.”

The two sect masters were very powerful, and they immediately understood what he meant.

Niu Tian said, “In that case, there’s now two of you with her around?”

Huo   Yuhao   shook   his   head   and   said,   “It’s   not   that exaggerated. However, I believe that she can increase my fighting strength by thirty percent if she’s there to assist me or aid me in my offense. However, we need to become more familiar with each other before she’ll be able to help me effectively.” Niu Tian was also surprised and said, “It’s not that simple. Since she’s connected to you and has her own thoughts, she can even leave your body to unleash her abilities.”

“This  Spirit  is  much  superior  to  soul  rings.  Just  like  we thought, she might be able to change the relationship between soul beasts and soul masters, as well as change the cultivation of all soul masters on the continent! What you have to do next is familiarize yourself with her and discover her special characteristics. You’ll definitely also need to practice how to coordinate with her.”

“Alright.” Huo Yuhao nodded emphatically, he was filled with excitement. When a new form of life or energy was discovered, there were too many things to explore.

As he looked at the Snow Lady on his shoulder, he felt his heart soften. He sighed to himself. Who would have expected the leader of the Three Heavenly Kings in the Extreme North to end up like this?

The five soul rings—one red and four orange—surrounded Huo Yuhao’s body. He was filled with confidence due to the unprecedented strength he had obtained. 

“Snow Lady, can you return?” He said to the Snow Lady.

She nodded, and her face rippled with a tender glow. She turned into a streak of orange-gold light that disappeared into his Eye of Destiny.

She was different from the Ice Empress and Skydream Iceworm. When she entered his body, it was like coming home. She moved freely in his second mental sea and spiritual sea. She could go anywhere she wanted. He could sense where she was, but he couldn’t control her. However, he could contact her if he wanted to. They were telepathically connected in a relationship like a father and daughter.

“Hey, don’t let her return! Call her out for me to see. She’s too cute. I’m tempted to remove a few soul rings to make one just like her.”  Tai Tan looked indignantly at Huo Yuhao as he twisted his hands.

Niu Tian glared at his brother, “You want to be an ice sculpture forever? Continue with your bullshit then. Let’s go, Yuhao needs to rest. You’ll see her again when he manages to coordinate with her.” 

As he spoke, he forcefully dragged his brother away. 

Huo Yuhao indeed had to sense the changes in his body carefully after truly fusing with the Snow Lady’s Spirit. After sending off the two sect masters, he quickly returned to his bed and sat cross-legged. He focused his mind and circulated his soul power.

After he combined his consciousness and the Mysterious Heaven Technique’s soul power, he suddenly felt very clear. Due to his fusion with the Snow Empress, the problems with his spiritual sea had already been resolved. His spiritual power had risen instead of fallen. His entire spiritual sea was back in its Boundless Ocean state.

The Snow Lady swam in his spiritual sea, occasionally exuding orange-gold light.

Huo Yuhao could sense that a part of the origin energy of heaven and earth would fuse into the Snow Lady’s body as he cultivated, nourishing her. This outpouring of energy wouldn’t affect his cultivation speed. On the contrary, the speeds he cultivated at the Mysterious Heaven Technique were faster with her presence. Apart from the portion of the energy the Snow Lady absorbed, his own cultivation speed increased significantly.

Furthermore, he had become a Soul King after gaining a fifth soul ring. Although his soul power was still a little rigid in his body, its overall circulation surged more and more.

The inside of his body was completely engulfed in gold. It wasn’t just from the Mysterious Heaven Technique, but also his spiritual power. He could sense that his body was changing drastically under the effect of his immense soul and spiritual power. It was as if he was evolving.

He wasn’t sure how long this would last, but he hoped that it would last forever. As his body evolved, his tolerance level would also increase. His spiritual sea felt as if it was growing due to the Snow Lady’s spiritual power, but that feeling would disappear as his body got stronger.

After fusing with the Snow Lady’s Spirit, there was only one word to describe Huo Yuhao’s condition—metamorphosis. Huo Yuhao spent an entire day in deep meditation. When he opened his eyes again, the sky was already bright.

The metamorphosis of his body was still ongoing, but its speed had dropped significantly. He jumped off from his bed and stretched.

He only heard his bones cracking softly, and he was stunned to find out that he had grown taller. There were even lesser striations on his developed muscles, but the changes to his skin were far more astonishing.

He had obtained a healthy, bronze complexion after years of tireless cultivation. Although this complexion made him seem very masculine, he had neglected skin care due to his hectic schedule of cultivation, which made his skin seem rough.

After one day and night of cultivation, he was stunned to realize that his complexion had whitened a little. Although he was still bronze, there was a layer of dim light beneath his skin. This made the surface of his skin appear finer and smoother. The signs of aging that had accumulated had all disappeared. Am I seeing things? This was his first reaction.

He rushed to the washroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He was stunned. He couldn’t even believe that he was the person in the mirror.

It was still the same Huo Yuhao. However, his body and face seemed to have experienced some slight but weird changes. It was these slight changes that had caused his appearance to change.

The lines on his face had become more obvious, and they were now filled with a masculine aura. In his eyes, his calm gaze revealed a sense of dignity. His skin was indeed smooth, but it was different from a young girl’s skin. His skin was filled with a healthy, masculine aura. At least to him, he felt that he had become more handsome after this change.

He faced the mirror and couldn’t help but ask himself, “Is, is this still me?”

This shouldn’t be changes that occurred because of the increase in my cultivation. He finally understood. The Snow Lady was the reason why his appearance experienced such drastic changes.

She even called me daddy, but she doesn’t look like me at all.

I seemed to have changed because of her.

As he thought of this point, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Since when could a daughter change their father’s appearance? However, such a thing had happened to him. Had she despised her father because he was too ugly?

Huo Yuhao couldn’t help but laugh in the end. As he thought of something, lights flashed, and the Snow Lady crawled out. However, she didn’t crawl out of his Eye of Destiny, but his chest.

Evidently, it wasn’t only his body that was evolving. The Snow Lady was also becoming more and more familiar with him.

Compared to the day before, the Snow Lady seemed to have grown slightly. She was still an infant, but she was even cuter now. When she saw his reflection in the mirror, she starting chuckling and clapping.

He was a little shy as he said, “Little fellow, did you despise me because I was ugly?”

The Snow Lady shook her head, but her deep blue eyes revealed her laughing intent. He wanted to hug her, but she turned into a streak of flowing light. In this state, she could change at anytime, so he grabbed onto nothing as he tried to catch her.

As she opened her mouth, she sucked water from the tap in the washroom and spat it onto Huo Yuhao’s face.

While he possessed the Ultimate Ice, he still shivered as he was struck by the cold water! She laughed cheekily and escaped. She seemed very delighted as she flew around.

Huo Yuhao had absolutely no idea how to deal with her. Seeing that she was so happy, he also became more relaxed. He suddenly thought of what it would be like if he really had a daughter! 

As he thought of it, he unwittingly thought of that figure deeply imprinted in his mind. Wang Dong, is your twin sister fertile?

His face blushed, and his heart rate increased. After all, he was only seventeen years old, and was still exploring his emotions. He didn’t realize this when he was cultivating normally. However, romantic feelings had started to develop in him after he met Ju Zi and saw the Goddess of Light.

“Oh?  The  two  sect  masters  are  here.”   Huo  Yuhao  was stunned to discover that he could sense presences outside even without using his Spiritual Detection. He even knew who they were.

Before the two of them could knock on the door, he took the initiative to open the door himself.

Niu Tian smiled as he asked, “Your cultivation has ended?” As he looked at Huo Yuhao, he was slightly surprised. “Yuhao, why do I feel like you’re different from yesterday?” Huo Yuhao invited both of them in and said, “Uncle Niu, I feel the same way. It seems like my body has been changing under the Snow Lady’s influence after I fused with her. I’m not clear on how much it’ll change. However, my body and spiritual power have become stronger. My telepathy with her has also grown. Even my skin and appearance have changed slightly.”

“Yes.” Niu Tian nodded and pressed his hand on Huo Yuhao’s shoulder. A gentle soul power was poured into his body, which seemed to cleanse him as it circulated one round through his passageways.

He only felt a sense of warmth engulfing his body. It was extremely comfortable.

“Yuhao, your Spirit is impressive!”  Niu Tian complimented with a shocked look on his face.

“What?” Huo Yuhao was puzzled as he looked at him

Niu Tian took a look at Tai Tan, but realized that he was staring at the Snow Lady and wasn’t paying attention to them. He sighed in his heart, “It seems like we’re too lonely.”

“Yuhao, I took a look at the condition of your body just now. You should know, that there are different bottlenecks at different stages of a soul master’s cultivation. Once he breaks through these bottlenecks, his cultivation will improve significantly. One of the greatest stages is between the sixth and seventh ring. The soul master’s martial soul will completely awaken its strength, and they’ll gain a Martial Soul True Body.”

“Yes.” Huo Yuhao nodded. He naturally knew about this.

Niu Tian said, “I sensed your body just now, and discovered that your physical tenacity is already close to a soul master who possesses a Martial Soul True Body.”

“What?”  Huo Yuhao was stunned. Because he was a genius from Shrek Academy, he wouldn’t dismiss Niu Tian’s words as simple numbers.

He was only Rank 50, but he had twin martial souls and an Ultimate martial soul. Even so, he was only Rank 50, miles away from Rank 70.

He and Wang Dong had fought a seven-ringed Soul Sage, Zhao Yang, previously. While he possessed the Violet Goldbear, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong’s martial souls were stronger than his. However, they only managed to beat him after unleashing all of their abilities—continuously using their martial soul fusion skills and Huo Yuhao’s understanding of the Sovereign’s Descent. Why was this the case? That was because Zhao Yang possessed a Martial Soul True Body.

Simply put, Huo Yuhao could possibly match up to Zhao Yang if he was at Rank 69. However, he was on an entirely different level since he gained a seventh soul ring that allowed him to use his Martial Soul True Body. No matter how talented Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were, they had to be very careful against someone who possessed a Martial Soul True Body. They had to team up to put up any resistance at all. 

How could Huo Yuhao not be shocked after hearing Niu Tian tell him that his physical tenacity was close to that a soul master that possessed a Martial Soul True Body? It was like a thousand year soul beast possessing the body of a ten thousand year soul beast!

Niu Tian smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I never exaggerate. This is my honest opinion. Of course, this doesn’t mean you possess the abilities of a Martial Soul True Body. It’s just that your body can withstand the impact of a Soul Sage’s soul power. This will be very beneficial for your cultivation. Didn’t you realize that your Ultimate martial soul’s effect on your cultivation speed has evidently weakened during your cultivation process?”

Huo Yuhao was a little embarrassed as he scratched his head and answered, “I went into a meditative state as if I were asleep not long after I cultivated yesterday due to the metamorphosis I experienced. I didn’t feel much.”

Niu Tian said, “That’s normal. Your powers have increased rather significantly this time! One’s appearance stems from his mind. Don’t look down on these minor changes to your appearance. Your body must evolve a little before your appearance changes. Let me give you an example.

“In the world of soul beasts, most soul beasts’ cultivations can be recognized through their appearance. For example, some soul beasts will increase in size when they move into the thousand year level. For those whose blood lineage is pure and powerful, they will experience less major changes during the process of evolution. That’s because their bodies are already close to perfection. Humans are like that. That’s why our appearances don’t really change as our cultivation improves. When you develop a new appearance because of your cultivation, it suggests that your body has experienced a drastic change. The change you’re experiencing is indeed beneficial, and it’s a change that was sparked from a great enhancement in your powers. I can confirm that you’ll become a seven- ringed Soul Sage before you’re thirty years old. When that happens, the abilities of your twin martial souls and Ultimate martial soul will be fully realized, and you’ll be a truly strong individual. You’ll become a Titled Douluo before you’re forty.

“In the continent, a forty-year-old Titled Douluo isn’t considered very young. However, I’ve not heard of anyone with an Ultimate martial soul who has become a Titled Douluo before the age of forty. This is the benefit from this evolution.” 

Huo Yuhao wasn’t basking in delight from the appraisal that Niu Tian was giving him. On the contrary, he asked thoughtfully, “Uncle Niu, does this also mean that there are others who evolve in other aspects due to unwanted changes that occurred because of their cultivation?”

Niu  Tian  nodded  and  said,  “There  are  many  cultivation methods in our world. There are also various forms of each method. You have heard of the Body Sect, they experience changes like you’ve experienced. That’s also a reason why they are so powerful. Their evolution is the second awakening of their Body Souls. Although I’m unsure what kind of secret technique they use to complete it, those who undergo the second awakening will experience a significant increase in their abilities. Even their soul rings will evolve and change, along with their martial souls. That’s why the perfect ratio of soul rings is different for Body Sect members. The soul masters from the Body Sect can even compare to evil soul masters in terms of individual fighting strength.”

Huo Yuhao was impressed by this, and asked, “Uncle Niu, can evil soul masters be influenced by changes in their cultivation?” Niu Tian replied, “Of course. Furthermore, evil soul masters are likely to be the affected the most. Most evil martial souls aren’t innately evil. This is also the same for soul masters. They’re only categorized as evil soul masters due to the special evolutionary characteristics of their martial souls. For example, the cultivation of some martial souls requires fresh blood, while some require one to constantly kill. Once those with such martial souls start to become greedy, they will sink further and further into depravity. When that happens, they will become evil soul masters.

“As their cultivation increases, they will develop a vicious aura. Their demeanor and personalities will also start to change due to that influence. That’s why it’s very easy to tell when one is really an evil soul master. Their vicious auras are usually tainted with a dark green. With your detection abilities, you can be more aware in the future; once you see a dark-green color flashing across a soul master’s face, it’s almost certain that he’s an evil soul master.”

“Alright.” Huo Yuhao nodded. Niu Tian’s guidance had deepened his understanding of martial souls. He was much more impressed by this Clear Sky Sect’s sect master. “Are the two of you done? Yuhao, bring her to me. She’s making me dizzy from all the flying.” Tai Tan was a little displeased as he looked at Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao smiled and said, “Uncle Tai, you really like Snow Lady! Snow Lady, come.” He gestured to her.

She turned into a streak of orange flowing light and came back to Huo Yuhao. She grabbed his hand before sitting on his arm. She felt like a real person this time, and was no longer the untouchable energy body that she had previously. Her smooth skin was tightly pressed against his arm. It was extremely comfortable.

Huo Yuhao couldn’t help but peck her cheek. Her delicate skin and the aromatic milky scent that came from her left him content despite himself.

“Yi yi ya ya!”  The Snow Lady was a little unhappy as she waved her fist at Huo Yuhao before rubbing her face.

Huo Yuhao was amused as he asked, “Didn’t you call me daddy? Am I that dirty?” 

“Yi yi ya ya!” the Snow Lady shouted again. He understood what she was saying this time. Her reply was very simple – she said that she was being molested!

When Tai Tan saw Huo Yuhao kissing the Snow Lady on the cheek, he couldn’t help but come over and ask, “Snow Lady, give granddaddy a kiss too. I’ll give you whatever you want. How about that?” He subconsciously assumed his seniority as he addressed her.

The Snow Lady could understand his words. She twisted her head and looked at Tai Tan’s obsequious smile. She pointed at him and screamed, “Yi yi ya ya!”

A blue light flashed, and Tai Tan was turned into an ice sculpture once again.

Niu Tian asked, “What did she say?”

Huo Yuhao couldn’t help but laugh. Before Tai Tan broke out from the ice, he whispered, “She said ‘pervert’.” “Hahahaha!”  Niu  Tian  laughed  loudly,  scaring  the  Snow Lady. She quickly crawled her way into Huo Yuhao’s arms.

Tai Tan soon broke free from the ice, and was furious. “Little girl, this is unfair. He kissed you, but you only rubbed your face. Why did you freeze me? Is it my fault that I’m ugly?”

“Yi yi ya ya! Yi yi ya ya!” The Snow Lady crawled out of Huo Yuhao’s arms and shouted at Tai Tan while pointing at him.

“What did she say?” Tai Tan asked Huo Yuhao to translate it for him.

Huo Yuhao’s expression turned a little weird, as if he were suppressing something.

“What did she say?” Tai Tan continued to probe.

Huo Yuhao asked, “Uncle Tai, do you really want to know?

You can’t get angry!” Tai Tan lifted his chest and said, “Am I that easily infuriated?”

Huo Yuhao answered, “She’s roughly trying to say that it’s not your fault that you’re ugly, but it’s your fault that you’re scaring others…”

Tai Tan’s face stiffened. Niu Tian had just stopped laughing, but he started to chuckle after hearing Huo Yuhao’s words. He rested one arm on Tai Tan’s shoulder and used his other arm to hold his stomach. He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t because he was laughing.

Tai Tan stared fiercely at the Snow Lady. After keeping it in for half a day, his face was completely red. However, he didn’t erupt in anger, and only shouted, “I give her to you!”

The Snow Lady stuck her tongue out at him. She appeared unbothered as she laid in Huo Yuhao’s arms. She was so cute that Niu Tian’s eyes were shining brightly.

Tai Tan turned to Niu Tian. “Elder brother, I can’t take it anymore. No, we need to think of a way. I must create a Spirit, too. This is too interesting. I didn’t know martial souls could be so fun.”

Niu Tian snapped, “Do you think it’s so easy to create one? Can you just get rid of your soul rings just like that? Furthermore, this Spirit is formed from a soul beast. Where can you find such a pretty, human-form soul beast like the Snow Lady? If you find a tiger or lion, your Spirit will look just like them. We helped Yuhao test the various characteristics of this Spirit out of urgency. We can start with the junior disciples and see if it’s possible to add a Spirit. As for yourself, forget it.”

Tai Tan was a little indignant as he said, “If I had known that, I wouldn’t have asked Wang Dong to get his fifth soul ring. Isn’t a Spirit better?”

Niu Tian glared at him, and a strong aura was suddenly released. He said, “Don’t make it sound so easy! This Spirit is very magical! Do you think it’s so easy to create one like her? Yuhao, let’s go. Let’s test how useful your little orange baby is in a live fight. Let’s also see what other changes she can bring.” “Okay!”  Huo Yuhao agreed. It was definitely a good thing that the two sect masters were willing to test how good his Spirit was. With their level of control over their soul power, he wouldn’t have to worry about getting hurt.

Tai Tan seemed a little devious as he looked at Huo Yuhao. He said, “Kid, I can’t bear to hurt this little wretch. As her father, you need to tolerate the hits for her! Hehehe!”

Chapter 200: Perfect Complement, Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice

Huo Yuhao felt a chill run down his spine. He beamed as he said, “Uncle Tai, surely you won’t bully me, right?”

Tai Tan said righteously, “Will anyone care about seniority on the battlefield? When you hunt for soul beasts, do the ten thousand year soul beasts show mercy on you just because you’re young? To be the best among the best, you must be able to face any form of difficulty. Let’s go.”

A deep blue light flashed past, and someone became an ice sculpture again… The Snow Lady was delighted as she flew above Huo Yuhao’s head. As she messed with his hair, she grinned at Tai Tan’s ice sculpture.

Huo Yuhao tried to control his laughter before turning around and fleeing.

As the broken ice hit the ground, Tai Tan couldn’t help but shout out, “Little wretch, watch out!” ------

Clear Sky Peak. Peak of the mountain.

It couldn’t be felt in Clear Sky Castle, but the moist, chilly wind was immediately obvious once someone stepped outside. Clear Sky Castle was constructed from some unknown material that warded away the chill and the damp, both of which were evident and uncomfortable after leaving the comfort of those walls.

Of course, this was nothing for Huo Yuhao, who had his Ultimate Ice. He was in fact used to fighting in such a cold environment.

The Snow Lady didn’t seem to feel cold after leaving the castle, either. The orange-gold light from her body shone even more brightly in the chilling wind. The gentle light accentuated her small figure. Everyone’s attention was drawn to her at this moment.

Niu Tian said, “Yuhao, attack me. Do your best. I’ll try to retaliate accordingly.” 

“No! Elder brother, let me do it!”  Tai Tan wasn’t going to stand on ceremony. After being frozen by the Snow Lady several times, he was furious.

Niu Tian glanced at him and said, “You can do it too, but there’s a condition. You can’t use your martial soul. You can only use your own strength.”

“Okay.” Tai Tan agreed without any hesitation. With his cultivation, he was still very strong even if he didn’t use his martial soul. Most Soul Sages and Soul Douluo wouldn’t have a fighting chance against him, even without his martial soul.

Niu Tian turned to Huo Yuhao and said, “I heard Wang Dong say that you’re also a soul engineer. You can unleash everything against Tai Tan. Don’t worry about hurting him. You can only develop her potential by giving your all. Tai Tan won’t hurt you for real, either. I’ll be watching him from the side.”

“Alright. Thanks, Uncle Niu.” Huo Yuhao wasn’t very worried. If the two of them wanted to harm him, they didn’t have to do this. They could just attack him. 

Tai Tan stretched out, and his attention moved from Huo Yuhao to the Snow Lady. He extended his right index finger and hooked it at her in a provocative gesture.

She wasn’t provoked. She only stuck her tongue out at him and made a clown face.

This was Huo Yuhao’s first time fighting with the Snow Lady. He wasn’t tense, but excited. He took in a deep breath, and his aura suddenly changed.

A layer of dim golden light was released, engulfing his entire body. His spiritual energy was greatly enhanced.

Niu Tian looked and nodded his head. The combination of Huo Yuhao’s spiritual and soul power was known to him as fighting will. Without a doubt, Huo Yuhao’s fighting will was way beyond that of most people. He didn’t appear afraid at all, even though he was up against Tai Tan. On the contrary, his fighting will grew even stronger. He was worth complimenting just based on this point. “Come on, kid,” Tai Tan gestured at Yuhao. His arms were at his sides, and his dark-yellow eyes held a strong fighting intent. At this moment, Huo Yuhao felt as if he had returned to the moment he first saw Tai Tan when he entered the Clear Sky Castle. Even though Tai Tan didn’t unleash his martial soul,

the spiritual suppression that he unleashed was bearing down on Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao released golden light, along with his Spirit Eyes. In front of Niu Tian and Tai Tan, there was nothing for him to hide. One white and three black soul rings surfaced on his body.

What drew the two elders’ attention wasn’t the three black soul rings, but the white one. With their abilities, they could tell that it wasn’t just a ten-year soul ring. However, they couldn’t tell what level it actually was.

The orange-gold Snow Empress’ Spirit was enough to astonish them. However, neither of them had thought that Huo Yuhao had another strange soul ring on him!

Tan Tian’s aura relaxed a little in his surprise. Huo Yuhao exploited this opportunity to burst out like a bolt of lightning. He used all his strength right from the start.

As he recalled what Wang Dong had said, he didn’t use soul tools, using his own capabilities as a soul master to fight. He was like a vigorous panther as he leapt forward. The golden light from his body became more and more intense as he advanced. He drew back his right fist forcefully, like a sun shining brighter and brighter.

At this moment, he managed to overcome Tai Tan’s spiritual suppression and burst towards him like a golden meteor.

“Nice move!” Tai Tan shouted.

Huo Yuhao’s fist was simple and direct, but it was filled with his understanding of spiritual power and the Sovereign’s Descent. This was also his first time unleashing a strike with all his might after his body had undergone its metamorphosis, a peak display of his fighting strength.

BOOM…! This shocking fist stopped at Tai Tan’s right hand, the scarlet-gold blow struck the blocking first hard. His target was his chest, but Tai Tan’s right hand was waiting for him there.

The golden light surged. The instantaneous explosive force was even converted into a golden halo that spread out around him. The surrounding air started to distort wildly.

However, the golden halo didn’t sweep past Tai Tan’s body.

All the explosive force was dissipated before it reached him.

Huo Yuhao felt as if he had collided against a mountain that couldn’t be crossed. his attack dissipating even as he struck it.

Tai Tan smirked, “Good fist, interesting! Come again!” As he spoke, he moved his right arm, and Huo Yuhao was flung away. However, he wasn’t hurt.

Huo Yuhao spun his body in the air and broke his fall as he landed on the ground. The golden light around his body weakened as he looked at Tai Tan. However, the light from his eyes became stronger and stronger. His third eye slowly opened. A strange, golden streak of light shot out and hit Tai Tan directly.

Tai Tan shook slightly, and revealed an appalled look in his eyes. A golden skull now floated above his head.

The evolved Destiny Soul Gaze.

Huo Yuhao hadn’t used this Destiny Soul Gaze during his time in the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy under Elder Mu’s direct instructions. However, he wasn’t too wary against Wang Dong’s elder, and finally used this special ability again.

Niu Tian was shocked when he saw this. He looked at Tai Tan, and they could both sense what this streak of light was.

After the Destiny Soul Gaze, a streak of white light shot out from the Eye of Destiny. Mass Enfeeblement - Single Target Version！ The rise in his spiritual power increased Huo Yuhao’s control of his soul skills along with it. This was his first time converting a mass control-type skill into a single-target control-type soul skill. He didn’t expect it to succeed. However, he sensed that he needed to open his Eye of Destiny before he could complete this skill, given his current spiritual power and his control over it. He couldn’t do it just based on his Spirit Eyes.

In addition to the golden skull above his head, there was now another layer of blurry white light around Tai Tan’s body. Even his strong suppression had become weaker, and his aura fell.

However, he wasn’t bothered, and smirked at Huo Yuhao before hooking his finger at him.

Huo Yuhao moved and switched his martial soul. One red and four orange soul rings suddenly rose up around him. His entire aura changed. The chilly wind at the peak of the mountain suddenly became harsher. The wind wasn’t blowing stronger, but its temperature had dipped even further.

Tai Tan shut his eyes before shouting, “Open!” He didn’t really do anything, but the white light around his body scattered.

This was the gap between their abilities. Even though he hadn’t unleashed his martial soul, his soul and spiritual power were still beyond the control of Huo Yuhao’s control-type soul skill. Huo Yuhao’s Mass Enfeeblement was strong, but it didn’t have much of an effect due to the gap in their cultivations.

However, the Destiny Soul Gaze revealed its strength at this point. While Enfeeblement was overcome, the golden skull still continued to hover above Tai Tan.

Huo Yuhao burst towards Tai Tan again. His eyes were now covered by a layer of azure-green light.

Diamond ice crystals engulfed his entire body – it was the Ice Empress’ Armor. His Ice Empress’ Pincer had also been unleashed. An extreme chill was released from his body.

Since he couldn’t threaten his opponent using pure fighting techniques, he needed to change his fighting methods. As he used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his figure suddenly turned illusory. Tai Tan and Niu Tian revealed smiles on their faces when they saw the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. It was like they had seen something they were very familiar with. 

Under cover of the illusion, Huo Yuhao sneaked his way up to Tai Tan’s side. He leapt up suddenly and used his right hand to strike Tai Tan’s shoulder.

Tai Tan chortled and allowed Huo Yuhao to strike him. He jerked his left arm and struck at Huo Yuhao. From the look of it, both parties were going to suffer in this collision. However, Huo Yuhao knew that he was the only one that was going to be hurt if he was hit.

However, an azure-green light shone extremely brightly at the instant Huo Yuhao drew closer, and an extreme chill spread out - the Domain of Perpetual Ice!

Even though Tai Tan’s cultivation was very high, he still shivered as he was subjected to Ultimate Ice soul skills inside the Domain. Sharp blades appeared from Huo Yuhao’s right hand - the Darkgolden Terrorclaws! Against Tai Tan, Huo Yuhao didn’t have to hold back, and used the complete version of the Darkgolden Terrorclaws immediately. He had been saving this attack for a long time. The huge claws reached out over ten meters, and the dark- golden light they emitted seemed like they wanted to cut

heaven and earth apart.

Tai Tan was shocked. As he panicked, he lifted his left arm to block.

“Be careful!” Huo Yuhao couldn’t help but exclaim. He only had one goal in challenging Tai Tan. He would be pleased as long as he could force Tai Tan’s martial soul out. However, the man didn’t unleash his martial soul even under such a situation. On the other hand, he used his body to block the Darkgolden Terrorclaws’ sure-kill technique.

However, Huo Yuhao’s words soon stuck in his mouth. As the lights of the claw flashed by, they left five marks on the ground. The loud boom caused the mountain peak to shake slightly.

And what about Tai Tan? He was standing there as if nothing had happened. There were only a few tears on his shirt… 

“Kid, you’re going to have to pay me for this shirt!” Tai Tan laughed.

Seeing that he was fine, Huo Yuhao immediately unleashed his next attack. Azure-green light engulfed his body, and a streak of icy blue light that used his backbone as a cross-section shot out. Tapping into the Domain of Perpetual Ice, this azure beam absorbed all the moisture in the air as it struck at Tai Tan.

Tai Tan staggered a little as he was stunned once again.

However, the Ice Empress’ Wrath didn’t cause any harm to him. It didn’t even manage to restrict him. Tai Tan was still fine as he stood where he was.

Huo Yuhao was getting a little dejected. He was using all the methods at his disposal. He didn’t use Spiritual Shock because he knew that he was only going to trouble himself if he used it, given the huge gap in their spiritual powers. Unless he used soul tools, he didn’t have any stronger capabilities to continue fighting. At this point, he realized that his skills were useless in front of a truly strong individual. It wasn’t that they were lousy; it was that his cultivation was still lacking.

However, it wasn’t all bad news. In this series of attacks, Huo Yuhao could sense the changes in this cultivation after he gained his fifth soul ring. The depletion of his soul power when using soul skills had dropped significantly. Even after using all his previous attacks, he had only expended about twenty percent of his soul power, even though every skill he used was rather strong. He had even used the Eye of Destiny! In the past, that alone would have used up half of his soul power!

However, nothing seemed to affect Tai Tan at all.

“Is  that  all  you  got,  kid?  There’s  nothing  else?”  Tai  Tan brushed the icing off his body and looked at his torn sleeves before nodding to himself. After the series of attacks, he had a deeper understanding of Huo Yuhao’s cultivation. The soul skills that he used at the end weren’t too impressive to him, and Huo Yuhao’s Ultimate Ice couldn’t threaten him. He had been shocked the most by Huo Yuhao’s first fist. The fist had combined his spiritual power, aura, and soul power together, leaving a deep impression on Tai Tan. From that fist alone, Tai Tan could confirm that Wang Dong wasn’t Huo Yuhao’s match.

Huo Yuhao laughed bitterly. “I’m too lousy compared to you.”

“Yi yi ya ya!” At this point, the Snow Lady’s voice rose. She drifted over in front of Huo Yuhao, unconvinced as she pointed her finger at herself.

Huo Yuhao laughed, “Are you saying there’s still you? Where did you go just now?”

The Snow Lady made another small action that made Tai Tan cringe. She lowered her head and pointed her two index fingers to the front, wearing an indignant look on her face.

Huo Yuhao rushed to comfort her, “Don’t worry. We are too far behind Uncle Tai. It’s normal that we’re losing.”

“Yi yi ya ya!”  yhe Snow Lady shouted again. Even Tai Tan could tell that she wasn’t pleased from her voice. 

“What is she saying?” Tai Tan asked curiously.

Huo Yuhao translated, “She asked me to try again.”

Tai Tan chortled and said, “Come on, try again! Oh yes, I was too bothered with assessing your abilities, and forgot to whack you to vent my anger.”

Huo Yuhao couldn’t help, but laugh. While Tai Tan’s temper seemed very short, he was in fact quite cute.

Huo Yuhao glanced at the Snow Lady and said, “I shall depend on you, then?”

“Yi yi ya ya!” The Snow Lady lifted her chest, and her white robe shook slightly. If one didn’t know that she was a Spirit, he might think that her arms and legs were getting cold from being exposed.

Huo Yuhao squinted his eyes and quickly connected his mind with hers. He was sensing her opinion. 

A stunned look flashed across his eyes. In the next moment, the Snow Lady had already lifted her right hand.

She looked very amusing as she lifted her right arm, especially when she extended her little fingers to point into the sky. Her deep blue eyes appeared very serious, but there was only one word to describe her – too cute!

Tai Tan felt that he had great affinity with her. No matter how he looked at her, he absolutely adored her. Furthermore, he liked her the more she pranked him.

“Yi yi ya ya!”  the Snow Lady shouted, and a magical scene occurred.

Azure-green light expanded from Huo Yuhao’s body. It was the Domain of Perpetual Ice. At the same time, an intense orange-gold light shot out from the Snow Lady’s body. The second out of the four orange-gold soul rings on Huo Yuhao’s body started to shine very brightly. The temperature in the air dropped significantly, and it seemed to have fallen below negative twenty degrees Celsius. Furthermore, this new temperature covered all of Clear Sky Peak.

The mountaintop became a world of ice and snow. Heavy snow raged under the effect of the strong winds. The three of them even lost track of where the others were.

Even Tai Tan and Niu Tian needed to circulate their soul power to resist the cold under such conditions. Tai Tan was shocked to find out that he couldn’t pinpoint Huo Yuhao’s position.

At this level, one didn’t need his eyes to know his opponent’s position. He could feel it. However, he couldn’t sense anything in this brutal snowstorm. It was as if his senses were sealed.

At this moment, Huo Yuhao realized what the greatest strength of the Snow Lady was – her ability to complement him perfectly. The Snow Lady didn’t just bring him soul skills. She could use her soul skills to assist Huo Yuhao, supplementing his abilities precisely.

There was a secret spell in Shrek Academy’s inner courtyard that allowed one to coordinate several soul skills with their body. However, the effects of the soul skills were additional. The Snow Lady’s help enabled Huo Yuhao’s abilities to multiply all by herself.

With Huo Yuhao’s current cultivation, he could maintain the Domain of Perpetual Ice within a region that spanned several dozen meters in diameter. However, he couldn’t cover as large an area as she did now, or reduce the temperature so drastically. After he completed this Domain with the Snow Lady, he was shocked to find out that the depletion of his soul power was much less than he had expected.

All the clouds and air around this mountain peak had become a part of his strength. They were continuously converted into chilly wind and sharp snowflakes under the effects of this powerful Domain. At this moment, Huo Yuhao felt as if he really were controlling ice and snow.

This was the second of the four soul skills that the Snow Lady brought him, the Frigid Dance of Ice and Snow. Combined with his Domain of Perpetual Ice, it was called the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice.

This was a new Domain formed by the combination of the two Domains. Not only was it very strong, but it also helped Huo Yuhao greatly in conserving his soul power.

Not only could this Domain restrict his opponent, it could also enhance the Ice Empress’ soul skills and conceal his location. Even Tai Tan couldn’t detect where he was.

Huo Yuhao made some estimates. According to the current strength of the Domain, he could hold it for about ten minutes. The domain also covered a region more than five hundred meters in diameter. This was a true Domain-type soul skill! Huo Yuhao was already pleased with the help of one soul skill, but in this Domain, his abilities increased significantly! Of course, he also understood that the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice was so strong right now because of its close connection with the local environment. 

The surrounding clouds were the best terrain for his domain, as they were filled with water. If this were a dry and humid place, his Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice’s strength would’ve been greatly reduced.

Currently, Huo Yuhao was akin to one of the thousands of snowflakes in his domain–he’d completely assimilated himself into it.

“Yi yi ya ya.” The Snow Lady’s voice echoed in Huo Yuhao’s head. She’d asked for him to act according to her instructions.

Although the Snow Empress was newly-created, her presence seemed to be similar to a martial soul fusion, which he was experienced at doing with Wang Dong.

Huo Yuhao opened his mind and followed her will; he wanted to see what abilities she’d show him. When the Snow Lady moved, his body moved alongside hers. Huo Yuhao immediately felt his body become lighter and felt himself drift into the air like a snowflake. His movements also complemented the dancing snowflakes that filled the air.

Huo Yuhao gradually felt like he was becoming one with heaven in this snowy-white world. A moment later, he also began to feel a strange force gathering in his left hand.

This force didn’t originate from his body, but rather from the chill in the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice.

Huo Yuhao’s hands would become very smooth and shiny when he used the Mysterious Jade Hands, while his palm would be covered in a layer of diamond-like ice crystals when he used the Ice Empress’ Pincer. At this moment, both the Mysterious Jade Hands and the Ice Empress’ Pincer had been activated. However, they were present in a special form.

Not only was Huo Yuhao’s left hand as smooth and shiny as jade, but it was also as white as snow. It was as if it had been carved from a precious piece of white jade. Tai Tan remained where he was while using his soul power to resist the extreme cold attempting to invade his body. As he spread his senses, he tried to figure out where Huo Yuhao was.

If he’d only admired Huo Yuhao before, then he was completely astonished now. His spiritual sense could be ranked amongst the top ten on the continent, yet he couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Huo Yuhao in this domain. It was as if he’d completely assimilated himself into this world of ice and snow.

The delicate snowflakes in the air continued to incessantly unleash strong attacks. Amidst the cold, they created sparks as they flitted past Tai Tan; they were evidently very powerful

Niu Tian was equally shocked. He’d been brothers with Tai Tan for many years, and had previously been standing very close to him. Even though he couldn’t tell where Tai Tan was in the domain, he knew for sure that Tai Tan hadn’t moved. He took a few steps until he was beside Tai Tan. Only then could he make out the vague silhouette of his brother.

Suddenly, the raging snowstorm stopped in an indescribable manner. The instant that it did, it was as if time and space had frozen. Every single snowflake froze in midair, while the chilly wind immediately came to a halt.

This happened so abruptly that both Niu Tian and Tai Tan were momentarily shocked.

Without any warning, the snowflakes were crushed, and their power disappeared, the powdery ice in the sky blurring their vision once again. The chill in the snowflakes seemed to have disappeared too, and the air suddenly felt much warmer.

“Be careful, this is the Gentleness Amidst Warmth, Snowless Glacier!” Niu Tian suddenly shouted.

Tai Tan was petrified. Something serious must have been happened since Niu Tian had warned him. After all, he had acute senses too. When his sense of crisis appeared, he lifted his right arm and to move it through the air.

Suddenly, he felt his right arm rapidly cooling down. He groaned and then swept it in front of him yet again. As his vision cleared up, he saw Huo Yuhao’s body being pushed aside. The moment that he did, he lost all feeling in his right arm.

The extreme chill seemed to have caused the temperature in Tai Tan’s arm to hit absolute zero. Even with his cultivation and by activating all of his soul power was he able to slowly defrost his frozen arm. It wasn’t just his blood that had been frozen; the soul and spiritual power in his arm had also solidified. It was as if his entire arm had ceased to exist. His shoulder seemed to be joined to a block of ice.

Huo Yuhao appeared twenty meters away. When he did, he seemed to magically squeeze his way out of a snowflake.

An orangish-gold light drifted behind him, followed by a strange scene: The orangish-gold light on the Snow Lady’s body began to brighten, and her body instantly elongated. In a matter of moments, she’d turned into a young lady who appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old.

Her eyes were still deep-blue, but her ravishing beauty reminded one of the Snow Empress. Although she still looked somewhat innocent, the sense of elegance that belonged to the Icesky Snow Lady was present. 

Everything happened nearly instantly. When Tai Tan saw Huo Yuhao and the transformed Snow Lady, Huo Yuhao had already lifted his right hand high into the air.

The now-older Snow Empress also lifted her right arm. Her figure seemed to fuse with Huo Yuhao’s, and a deep blue sword that seemed to be entirely made up of ice crystals appeared in Huo Yuhao’s hand.

Before Niu Tian and Tai Tan could take a clear look at the sword, Huo Yuhao had already swung it. A deep blue light appeared and created a fan-like projection that gradually grew lighter as it extended until it was finally white. As the frightening sword light swept through the air, turtle-like patterns appeared. It was as if the air was frozen and then cut apart.

“Unparalleled Chill, Empress Sword!”  Niu Tian said almost immediately.

The Snow Lady detached from Huo Yuhao’s body as soon as he swung the sword. She then pointed her left hand at Tai Tan, while Huo Yuhao subconsciously lifted his left hand. However, he realized that something was amiss and immediately exclaimed, “Snow Lady, we can’t do that!”

The Snow Lady hesitated for a moment, then turned back to face him.

“Bam!”  A loud boom came from Tai Tan’s direction, who’d lifted his left arm to try and resist the now-white sword light. Huo Yuhao’s sword had also disappeared once he’d created the sword light.

Tai Tan’s body expanded to twice its size as he readied himself, and black hair that shone with a metallic glow engulfed his body. His burly body was immediately filled with a terrifying yet dominant aura, while his right arm began to defrost at an astonishing speed.

However, he was still turned into an ice sculpture the moment that the deep blue sword light struck him, despite the fact that he’d unleashed his martial soul. He took a full second break free from the ice. This second was incredibly important—this was the second after Tai Tan had unleashed his martial soul! As a Transcendent Douluo, his abilities were obviously immense. However, he’d been stopped by Huo Yuhao and the Snow Empress’ Spirit for an entire second!

“Impressive!”   Tai  Tan  didn’t  attack  Huo  Yuhao.  At  the moment, he didn’t have any intention of attacking him. Rather, he was completely shocked.

The Snow Lady shrunk down and returned to her infant state as she returned to Huo Yuhao’s side; she was evidently fatigued. She appeared to be unhappy as she looked at Huo Yuhao, and even used her hand to mess up his hair.

“Uncle Tai isn’t an enemy!” Huo Yuhao said seriously, “How could we hurt him?”

Tai Tan almost spat blood when he heard him. What’s going on? Hurt me? Am I the Titled Douluo, or is he the Titled Douluo? Tai Tan was unhappy and shouted, “Rascal, show me what else you’ve got!”

“Use what? You’ve already lost.”  Niu Tian kicked Tai Tan’s butt, causing him to reel.

“How did I lose?”  Tai Tan turned and glared at him, but seemed to realize something very quickly. His face turned red. “It was subconscious, it was subconscious!”

Niu Tian snapped, “Do you always have to be a sore loser? If you lost, you lost. There’s no need to make up excuses. Furthermore, your loss was justified. Soul skills must have been unleashed repeatedly when the Snow Lady pointed at you. That strike could have even hurt you. You must have also released your martial soul because you felt a sense of crisis. Am I right? Otherwise, what subconscious feeling are you talking about?”

“That seems to be the case.”  Tai Tan was honest and didn’t deny it. Niu Tian looked at Huo Yuhao, “How did you do it? How do you feel? Is there anything that you haven’t used? If I’m not wrong, the two of you have only used three soul skills. There should still be one left.”  The Snow Lady had added four soul rings to Huo Yuhao’s Ice Empress.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. “For some unknown reason, the Snow Lady can’t unleash her fourth soul skill. She can’t tell what’s going on either.”

Niu Tian gestured towards him, and he immediately walked over.

After taking a deep look at Huo Yuhao, Niu Tian said from the bottom of his heart, “I’ve got to say that you’re definitely capable of surviving on your own now. The Snow Empress’ Three Ultimate Techniques are impressive! I didn’t expect that the Three Ultimate Techniques, which made the Snow Empress famous, would be transferred to your body through this Spirit. Even though they’ve been divided into four soul rings, any soul skill formed from the essence of the Snow Empress’ seven hundred thousand year cultivation is bound to be vastly superior to that of an ordinary ten thousand year soul skill. Moreover, she perfectly complements your abilities.” “The  Snow  Empress’   Three  Ultimate  Techniques?”   Huo Yuhao was stunned as he looked at Niu Tian. He’d heard the names of every soul skill he unleashed when Niu Tian shouted them previously. He didn’t know what they were, thus wanted to use this time to find out.

“Oh. It seems that Shrek Academy didn’t fully explain the situation  regarding  the  Ten  Great  Savage  Beasts.”  Niu  Tian replied.

Chapter 201: Empress' Sword, Empress' Palm, Empress' Chill!

Huo Yuhao nodded.

Niu Tian said, “In the Extreme North, there are three strong soul beasts known as the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North. You should know this. They are the Snow Empress, the Ice Empress and the Titan Snow Devil King. Among the three of them, the Snow Empress and Ice Empress are also among the Ten Great Savage Beasts and are some of the strongest soul beasts around. Your Ice Empress came from the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion. You should be clear about its abilities. The Snow Empress is even more legendary than the Ice Empress. There’s a sentence that’s commonly used to describe the Snow Empress’ Three Ultimate Techniques -Sword and Palm sends the sky into a Chill, the Empress’ Sword, Palm, and Chill”

“Empress’ Chill is the domain-type skill that you teamed up with her to unleash. However, I can tell that this skill has undergone some transformations after it fused with your Ice Jade Empress Scorpion. It’s become stronger. Otherwise, it would be impossible for you to possess such a strong domain- type soul skill with your current cultivation. The domain-type skill that’s called the Emperss’ Chill is also known as the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice. According to legend, the Snow Empress can change the region in the Extreme North that’s most suitable for her to fight in into her domain. As snowflakes dance in the air, that domain becomes a forbidden ground. Even sunlight can’t compare to it.”

“The  Empress’  Palm  was  the  palm  you  used  on  Tai  Tan previously. There are many stories surrounding the Empress’ Palm. It is said that no one is immune to it. The only way to survive it is to avoid getting struck by it. While it’s very strong, it’s limited by the fact that it has to strike the opponent before its power can be unleashed. The name of this Empress’ Palm is called Snowless Glacier. The strike that you used to complement the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice is very strong. It seemed to compress the entire domain into it. It was also my first time experiencing the power of the Snowless Glacier. If the Snow Empress was the one using it, I don’t think we could have avoided it even if we tried our best.”

“The   Empress’    Sword   was   the   last   skill   you   used. Unparalleled Chill, Empress’ Sword. There’s no sword that can compare to it – it’s really very strong. Even Tai Tan had to unleash his martial soul before he could resist that strike. However, he was still frozen in place. I think it’s also very difficult for a Soul Emperor to resist this strike of yours. With these three soul skills, I believe you’ve managed to unleash the capabilities of ice to their fullest.”

Huo Yuhao repeated what Niu Tian had said and committed it to memory. “Sword and Palm sends the sky into a Chill, the Empress’ Sword, Palm, and Chill”

The Snow Empress’ Three Ultimate Techniques were very domineering! However, the Snow Empress had added four soul rings to his body. What did the last orange-gold soul ring represent?

Huo Yuhao knew how strong the three soul skills he had used were. Their powers were greater than all the ice-type soul skills he possessed. Not only this, but he also felt that the Ice Empress’ soul skills were much stronger with the help of the Snow Lady. It was like how the Eye of Destiny enhanced the Spirit Eyes’ soul skills.

Even the two sect masters were awed. This time, Huo Yuhao’s reward was greater than expected. Evidently, the completion of the Snow Empress’ Spirit seemed to be better than if he had absorbed the Snow Empress and removed the seal on her before absorbing her soul bone. 

In both cases, he would obtain four soul skills. Although the Snow Empress’ Spirit took up four soul ring spots, her assistive abilities were far superior to any soul skills! Moreover, the Snow Lady looked like she would grow along with him. If there came a day that he could become a Transcendent Douluo, the

Snow Empress might possibly be perfectly resurrected.

Tai Tan only managed to force the chill out his body at this point. His right arm was slowly regaining feeling.

“That gust of cold was indeed powerful, and it went all the way to my heart. If I didn’t seal my blood flow, I would have been in deep trouble.” While Tai Tan was very short-tempered, he was a very direct and steady person.

Niu Tian replied, “It’s because of your fighting habits. You try to resist every attack forcefully because your body is resilient. Now you’ve suffered. If this were the real Snow Empress, you would have been in real trouble even if you didn’t die from the strike.”

Tai Tan chortled and said, “I’m facing Huo Yuhao. If it were the Snow Empress, I wouldn’t let her hit me so easily! Honestly speaking, I’d really like to spar with the Snow Empress after seeing the Three Ultimate Techniques. I want to see who’s stronger.”

Niu Tian said to Huo Yuhao, “Yuhao, you’ve mastered the soul skills that the Snow Lady bestowed on you. You need to practice more and combine them with your own abilities so that you can fully unleash them. Continue to practice here. We’ll return first.”

“Wait a minute.”  Tai Tan said suddenly. From his face, it seemed like he was unconvinced. “Yuhao, what was the skill that she wanted to use just now? Since it wasn’t added to you, it should be your own soul skill. I’d like to know what soul skill you possess that can harm me, such that you stopped her. Am I so weak to you?”

“Uh…” Huo Yuhao felt a little awkward as he scratched his head. As he looked at Tai Tan’s eyes, he knew that it wasn’t an option to lie. He could only answer honestly, “She wanted to use my Ice Explosion Technique. Your body and your arm would have been frozen by the Unparalleled Chill and Snowless Glacier respectively. I used the Snowless Glacier with my left hand, which is fused with the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion Left Arm Bone and contains the Ice Explosion Technique. She wanted to blow you apart from the inside and outside. The Ice Explosion Technique has a special trait that’s similar to the Snowless Glacier- they can only be fully unleashed when they contact their target. That’s why the soul power in your arm was assimilated into the Ice Explosion Technique, which means that your soul power would have been used in the explosion. Along with the absolute zero temperature of the Unparalleled Chill, I’m afraid…”

The more Tai Tan heard his words, the more shocked he was. His eyes also widened as he looked at the Snow Lady. Even his mouth was wide open.

“I…  little wretch, you’re too vicious.”  Tai Tan’s saliva was about to flow out. He only shut his mouth at this point.

The Snow Lady’s reply to him was very simple. She lowered her head instantly and extended her index fingers before pressing them together while showing an indignant look. It was like she was telling him to punish her because she did something wrong.

“You…” Tai Tan felt a gust of breath rising to his chest as he saw her, but he forced it down. He had to bear it no matter how uncomfortable it was. He couldn’t possibly lose his temper in front of her!

As Niu Tian held in his laughter in one side, he was also shocked. This Ice Explosion Technique was impressive! Both he and Tai Tan knew what kind of soul skill it was, just like how the Snow Empress’ Three Ultimate Techniques were very representative of the Snow Lady. The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s lineage also had their symbolic soul skills. While the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s lineage had more soul skills than the Icesky Snow Lady’s lineage, the Ice Explosion Technique was undoubtedly the strongest among all those that Huo Yuhao had mastered to this point. Once one was infected by it, they would have to bear the backlash of the explosion of their own soul power no matter how strong they were. No matter how strong one’s defenses were , there was no way to defend against an internal explosion of one’s own soul power!

If it was only the Ice Explosion Technique, Niu Tian and Tai Tan wouldn’t be afraid, given their cultivations. That was because the Ice Explosion Technique couldn’t overcome the external defenses of their soul power. If they couldn’t be frozen, the Ice Explosion Technique couldn’t be poured into their bodies. However, when the Ice Explosion Technique fused with the Empress’ Palm and Snowless Glacier… it would be very difficult for them to neutralize it! There was only one way to deal with it – prevent Huo Yuhao’s left hand from hitting them.

It would be very easy to avoid being struck by his hand now that they knew this secret. However, no one else in the world knew about it!

Tai Tan glared at the Snow Lady for a long time, but he couldn’t spout anything harsh. His expression turned dismal, and he finally said, “You’ve won!”

After he finished speaking, he turned around with a snort and walked back towards Clear Sky Castle.

Huo Yuhao was a little worried as he watched Tai Tan leave. He didn’t pursue him though. Tai Tan couldn’t bear to deal with the Snow Lady, but that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t whack him! He looked at Niu Tian as if he were asking for help and said, “Uncle Niu, Uncle Tai…” Niu Tian chortled and said, “Don’t worry, he’s fine. He’s just a little frustrated. It’s a little strange though. He seems to have some kind of affinity with the Snow Lady. If it were someone else, he would have raged. Things will be fine when his anger dissipates.”

As he spoke, a fart that sounded like rumbling thunder came from the direction of Clear Sky Castle… Someone was rubbing his stomach, and muttering relaxedly to himself, “It feels so much better to let it out…”

Huo Yuhao’s face stiffened. Is this how he vents his frustration? The Snow Lady was even more direct. She held onto her nose and quickly crawled her way into Huo Yuhao’s body.

Niu Tian also twisted his lips and patted Huo Yuhao’s shoulder. He said, “Don’t worry, he’s fine. However, the powers of the Ice Explosion Technique and Snowless Glacier are indeed great. You can use that combination as your killer move in the future. However, don’t tell anyone about this secret. After all, it’s obvious that it can only work at close-range.” 

“Alright,” Huo Yuhao replied.

Niu Tian was slightly stunned, and smiled. “Alright, take some time to figure things out.” After he finished speaking, he also returned to Clear Sky Castle. When he reached the gate, he left the gate open for some time before he entered. After that, Niu Tian’s furious groans resonated from inside the castle. “Tai Tan, come out. Your fart is too smelly. I’m going to teach you a lesson.”

Huo Yuhao finally laughed. These two sect masters were really interesting, and they were really warm at heart. Huo Yuhao felt very good as they slowly accepted him. Although Tai Tan was fierce towards him, he didn’t use any attacks or restrictive soul skills against him during their sparring. He had acted like a target board and allowed Huo Yuhao to attack him! Otherwise, Huo Yuhao wouldn’t have been able to use any of his soul skills, given Tai Tan’s cultivation. I must work hard and improve my coordination with the Snow Lady. He checked his condition, starting with his remaining soul power. Even after the series of explosions, he still had more than half of his soul power left. His recovery was also rather quick. The chilly wind on Clear Sky Peak seemed to be a force that he could absorb. His soul power restorative abilities had increased by twenty percent compared to normal. Without a doubt, these were benefits brought about by the Snow Lady. As

long as he was near a cold or moist environment, his

restorative abilities would be greatly enhanced.

Furthermore, he could clearly sense that the Snowless Glacier didn’t deplete his soul power, but instead enabled its recovery. It was as if the attack was unleashed after he had absorbed all the strength in the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice. It was an unbelievably strong soul skill! Not only did the Snow Empress’ Spirit help to increase his fighting strength, but she also increased his ability to last in a fight.

Huo Yuhao found a spot at the top of the mountain and sat cross-legged on the ground. He entered deep meditation. He needed to calm himself down to think about how he should better combine his own abilities with the Snow Empress’ Three Ultimate Techniques. In addition, he also pondered how he should use and control the changes the Snow Lady had brought to him. There was one thing he was certain of. If the battlefield was in the Extreme North, he was able to fight a seven-ringed Soul Sage with a Martial Soul True Body, given the Snow Lady’s immense strength.

Through this thinking process, Huo Yuhao immersed himself in a meditative state. It was very strange, but the wind and fog would disappear as they drifted in front of him. There was a layer of orange covering his body.

The Snow Lady seemed to adore this environment. She sat on Huo Yuhao’s shoulder, and even adopted a cross-legged position. As she sat there quietly, she looked like a ceramic doll. Only the subtle orange-gold light shining from her revealed how different she was.

Huo Yuhao was immersed in his cultivation for two consecutive days. Niu Tian and Tai Tan didn’t bother him either, as they allowed him to comprehend on his own.

Huo Yuhao rarely returned to his room. He spent most of his time on the mountain peak, looking at the sea of clouds and reminiscing over his teacher who had passed away. He also sensed the changes in his body. This carried on until… 

“I’m back!”  A bright bluish-gold light appeared in the sky. Huo Yuhao subconsciously lifted his head to look at it, and saw Wang Dong descending from the sky towards him.

Huo Yuhao opened his mouth and said, “Why did you return from the sky? Can you fly so high using your martial soul? Conservative estimates put the Clear Sky Peak at three thousand meters high! Even a Titled Douluo can’t fly so high in the air. It might be possible if a Titled Douluo used a Class 9 flying-type soul tool. The higher the sky, the thinner the air. Soul masters need to breathe as they regulate their soul power. Even if your martial soul has wings, you can’t possibly fly so high.”

Wang Dong laughed mysteriously. “This is a secret of the Clear Sky Sect. I can’t tell you unless you’re one of us.”

Huo Yuhao said, “If I hadn’t joined the Tang Sect, I could’ve joined the Clear Sky Sect. However, I evidently can’t join your sect now.”

Wang Dong replied, “That doesn’t have to be the case. There might be some other way in the future. Let’s not talk about that though. Did you miss me these few days I was gone?”

Huo Yuhao laughed. “Why would I miss you? You’re not even a girl. If you introduce your sister to me, I might miss her instead.”

Wang Dong snorted. “Look at how you choose lust over friendship.”

Huo Yuhao chortled. “So what? What benefits have you gained from this trip?”

Wang Dong straightened both his index and middle fingers. “Settled!”

Huo Yuhao asked, “What soul skill?”

Wang  Dong  replied,  “It’s  a  secret.  You’ll  know  when  you return from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. You just need to know that it’s very strong.” Huo Yuhao laughed mysteriously and said, “Alright, it’s fine if you don’t tell me. I also have a secret, but I’m not sure whether you’re interested in listening to it.”

“What secret?” Wang Dong was curious as he looked at him.

Huo Yuhao mimicked his words. “You’ll know when I return from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. You just need to know that it’s very strong.”

“You!” Wang Dong snorted furiously. “I went all the way to the Sun Moon Empire to find you. Did you think it was easy? You’re still playing such a trick on me? Are you still human?”

“Uh…” Huo Yuhao found it very amusing when he saw Wang Dong putting his hands on his waist with a displeased look. “Alright, I’ll show you. Snow Lady, come out.”

Huo Yuhao called, and an orange-gold light suddenly flashed. The Snow Lady flew out, and her white undergarment moved slightly. She floated between Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong while facing the latter. When the Snow Lady appeared, Wang Dong was stunned. As he saw her, the look in his eyes became gentler.

“Wow, what a cute lady. What’s going on?” Wang Dong asked as he reached out to touch her.

“No.” Huo Yuhao warned him. After what had happened to Tai Tan, he was afraid that she would hurt Wang Dong. She wasn’t harmless! Even if she didn’t use soul skills along with Huo Yuhao, she was still comparable to a Soul King on her own. She was even at the level of a Soul King with the Ultimate Ice.

However, Huo Yuhao was astonished to discover that the Snow Lady wasn’t resistant towards Wang Dong. She allowed him to touch her delicate face. After that, she crawled her way into his arms and allowed him to carry her.

She took one second to win Wang Dong over. Wang Dong looked like a girl from the way he looked at her. “She’s too cute. Her skin is so smooth! It’s very nice to touch. Give me a kiss.” As he spoke, he placed her in front of his lips and pecked her cheek. The Snow Lady laughed and didn’t resist. She returned his kiss. Wang Dong twisted his head suddenly and allowed her to peck his cheek. He also said very sternly, “You can’t kiss there. Men and women can’t be in such close contact.”

Huo Yuhao was amused. “You’ve already hugged and kissed her before you told her that men and women can’t be in such close contact. What’s going on, Snow Lady? You’re so young but you’ve already set your eyes on handsome guys? You don’t even want your daddy now?”

“Daddy? You’re her daddy?” Wang Dong’s eyes widened, and he shot Huo Yuhao a weird look. If Huo Yuhao had to describe this look, he would say that it was aggressive.

“Why are you so agitated? It’s just her way of referring to me. Snow Lady, come back.” Huo Yuhao was slightly jealous. He was a little unhappy seeing how close the Snow Lady and Wang Dong were.

Wang Dong let go of her and allowed her to fly back into Huo Yuhao’s arms. After that, he took a step in front of him and stared at him furiously. His voice was trembling as he asked, “When did you have a daughter? Tell me!” 

“What’s wrong with you, Wang Dong?”  Huo Yuhao asked, confused.

Wang Dong grabbed his collar, “Tell me, is it… is it because of Ju Zi? You are letting me and my sister down!”

Huo Yuhao was puzzled. “What nonsense are you blabbering about? What does this have to do with your sister or Ju Zi? Didn’t you hear what I called her?”

“Snow Lady?” Wang Dong was stunned.

Huo Yuhao now recognized a problem. Although he had been very honest to the sect masters, there were many things he hadn’t told Wang Dong. He was a little apologetic right now. “There are some things that I need to tell you.”

Wang Dong’s face turned a little pale, and he took two steps back. “I don’t want to listen to you. Don’t tell me.”  After he finished speaking, he ran towards Clear Sky Castle. “What’s going on?” Huo Yuhao felt like he was going blank. Why was Wang Dong so abnormal? He couldn’t just let Wang Dong run away, however, and thus he pursued him. The Snow Lady offered him help. She pointed forward, and a streak of deep blue light flashed. The gate of Clear Sky Castle was frozen shut.

Wang Dong seemed to have realized something. He stopped and looked at Huo Yuhao before glancing at the Snow Lady. He said, “Alright, tell me.”

Huo Yuhao quickly came in front of him and explained everything between him and the Snow Empress, as well as his teacher. He even recounted how he had met the Ice Empress in the Extreme North. He only excluded the secret regarding the Skydream Iceworm. 

Wang Dong was shocked as he listened to Huo Yuhao’s explanations. “Are you saying that your second martial soul isn’t innate? It only became your second martial soul after you fused with the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion? And two of the Three Heavenly Kings are in your body? Heavens! So it’s like that! You’ve been keeping it a secret for a long time!”

Huo Yuhao laughed bitterly. “Wang Dong, don’t be angry. Think about it. If you were me, could you tell this secret to anyone? I’m scared of being dissected. Everything else aside, just the soul bones I possess are already very valuable.”

Wang  Dong  calmed  down.  “I’m  not  angry!”   he  refuted immediately.

“Uh… you’re just like the weather in April – changing all the time! Were you fooling me just now?”

“What can you do if I’m fooling around with you?” Wang Dong answered righteously. 

“You  win!”   Huo  Yuhao  was  suddenly  reminded  of  the helplessness Tai Tan felt when he faced the Snow Lady.

“Spirit, interesting. I didn’t know that soul masters could possess such a Spirit apart from soul rings and soul bones. Yuhao, are you confident in your ability to create another one?” Wang Dong asked.

Huo Yuhao said, “Theoretically speaking, it’s possible, and it won’t be as dangerous as the Snow Lady. After all, the strength of the Snow Empress was too great. In addition, it happened because of some misfortune. Even so, one will have to pay a huge price in terms of his spiritual power if he wants to fuse with a Spirit. From my calculations, it will be more difficult to fuse and contract a Spirit the stronger it is. Do you want to try?”

Wang Dong was eager as he replied, “Of course! Don’t forget that I have twin martial souls too! If you can fuse with a seven hundred thousand year Snow Empress, why can’t I fuse with a Spirit that’s of lower cultivation and suits me?”

Huo Yuhao asked, “When do you plan on doing so?” 

Wang Dong asked, “When will you be absolutely confident?”

Huo Yuhao said, “I’m not sure about absolute confidence, because I’ve never tried controlling the fusion of a Spirit. It’s a pity that teacher…” His words trailed off, and he looked a little down.

Wang Dong patted his shoulder. “Yuhao, don’t be sad. Didn’t my eldest and second uncle mention that your teacher went off peacefully? Furthermore, he has already left an indelible mark on the continent by creating a Spirit. What you should be doing is carrying on his legacy. I don’t mind being your test subject. I don’t think you can create a Spirit as strong as the Snow Empress. While it was dangerous then, it created you and the Snow Lady. Perhaps the Spirit that you create for me will only take up one soul ring? After the next Elite Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, come to the Clear Sky Sect again! We have many disciples that can help you with the experiment and complete it.”

Huo  Yuhao  nodded  agreementand  said,  “We  need  to  try first.” 

Wang Dong replied, “I’ll tell eldest and second uncle when I return. I’ll ask them not to add soul rings for the disciples who are at their bottlenecks. We’ll find some soul beasts who are dying. Many of them die because they can’t break through their bottlenecks. I’m sure it won’t be that difficult to find some.”

Soul beasts’ bottlenecks didn’t just occur when they were at the hundred thousand year level. For lower-level soul beasts, every hundred years represented a barrier they had to cross. This barrier would then continue to every thousand years, and slowly advance to ten thousand years before reaching a hundred thousand years. For every hundred thousand years, the difficulty of improving would escalate. Otherwise, those soul beasts who had existed for a long time would all be at the hundred thousand year level.

Huo Yuhao was comforted. “If we can use such a method to resolve the dilemma between soul masters and soul beasts, it’ll be very good. Even if this can’t resolve the dilemma completely, I’m sure it’ll alleviate the situation.”

Wang Dong had returned after successfully obtaining his sixth soul ring. This also meant that they were going to leave Clear Sky Castle. After bidding farewell to Niu Tian and Tai Tan, the two of them descended from Clear Sky Peak. They proceeded south, and finally bade goodbye to each other at the center between the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and Shrek Academy.

They weren’t so reluctant to separate this time compared to the previous time. After all, Huo Yuhao only had a few months left in the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. After those few months, he would return to Shrek.

For some reason, Huo Yuhao felt that Wang Dong was acting very mysteriously when they separated. He was even a little coy, and watched him with a weird expression.

However, he didn’t think about it too much, and told most of his secrets to Wang Dong. To him, it was a form of release. Just like the two sect masters had said, he was able to survive on his own with the Snow Empress’ Spirit. As long as he continued to work hard, his abilities would increase faster and faster.

After he gathered all five soul rings for his second martial soul, Huo Yuhao’s soul power had also managed to increase. His cultivation speed was also increasing during this period of time. Although he couldn’t compare to Wang Dong yet, the influence his Ultimate martial soul had on his cultivation had dropped after he had obtained the Snow Lady.

After turning back to look at Wang Dong as he left, Huo Yuhao activated his flying-type soul tool and flew back to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Before leaving, he had one more important thing to do. The last few months would be very important.

Wang Dong looked back just as Huo Yuhao did. He turned back to look into the distance, and a red glow appeared on his face. “He really is a fool!”

As he spoke, he retrieved a pouch and recalled what Niu Tian had said to him before he left the Clear Sky Sect.

“Wang Dong, both of us think that Huo Yuhao is a decent young man. He’s much more mature than most others of the same age, and his feelings for you are true. However, whether both of you can reach that stage will depend on your affinities. If both of you reach that stage one day, give him this pouch. I didn’t make it. It was personally made by your biological father. Your father said that someone is only fit to be with you if they can complete what’s stated in the pouch.”

“When will my father return? Why can’t I remember his appearance?”

“I’m not sure, either. However, I’m certain that your parents will come back when you set up a family.”

“Then I shall do it earlier…”

“You can’t. You can’t play with your lifelong happiness. Keep the pouch. Remember not to peek at it. Your father sealed it with his spiritual power. You won’t be able to see the contents.”

As he shook the blue pouch, Wang Dong was curious. What’s inside this pouch? Why must Yuhao see it? What does my father want?

As he thought to that point, he was evidently unhappy. My parents have never returned to see me, but they’re still meddling in my affairs. Hmph! 

Although he thought this way, he still put the pouch away carefully.

I wonder whether I can give this pouch to him when he returns from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy? As he thought up to that point, his ears started to turn red.

------

When Huo Yuhao returned to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Lin Jiayi heaved a sigh of relief. He was initially anxious because Huo Yuhao had been gone for a long time without returning. After Huo Yuhao returned, he reported it to Jing Hongchen.

Jing Hongchen hadn’t had the mood to deal with matters in the academy recently. The competition for the throne had reached a critical moment. Although the Crown Prince held a big advantage, his disadvantage was also very obvious. As a cripple, he would damage the reputation of the empire! His competitors attacked this point, and all the while, the Emperor’s physical condition was getting worse and worse. 

That was why Jing Hongchen’s only wish at this point was for the student exchange to be completed smoothly and safely. He didn’t want to pull any tricks at this moment, as he needed to wait until matters regarding the Crown Prince were settled. He didn’t make his choices easily, but he had to obtain final victory once he made his decision.

After returning to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Huo Yuhao started living a peaceful life. However, the pace of his life was evidently faster. Xuan Ziwen noticed this, since he was Huo Yuhao’s teacher.

Huo Yuhao usually used ordinary metals when he researched and created soul tools. He couldn’t really bear to use the rare metals he had obtained from the Illustrious Virtue Hall. However, Xuan Ziwen now saw that Huo Yuhao was starting to use all types of rare metals when creating soul tools. He even requested his teacher’s help to create some alloys.

He busied himself with creating soul tools, and even did some simple experiments. Even with Xuan Ziwen’s understanding of soul tools, he didn’t understand what Huo Yuhao was doing all this for. He could subtly sense that Huo Yuhao was creating something similar to the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, which had shocked him previously. However, this soul tool was much more complex.

Xuan Ziwen did ask him once, but Huo Yuhao’s only reply was always a smile. He didn’t evade him, but he always completed the most critical components in his room. Xuan Ziwen could only see the accessory components of the soul tool he was creating. Although he did develop some formation arrays, they weren’t much to look at, since Xuan Ziwen was the one who had taught them to Huo Yuhao.

Just like that, time passed day by day.

For an entire four months, Huo Yuhao seemed to be completely immersed in his work, and didn’t interact with others at all. He was busy creating and researching soul tools every day. Besides that, he would meditate. He hopped between the laboratory and his dorm room every day, going nowhere else. He spoke very little, and even Fan Yu reckoned he was going to do something big. However, Fan Yu didn’t probe. This was the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. It wasn’t too late to wait until they returned to Shrek. He had absolute confidence in this student of his.