Chapter 255: The Snow Empress
After Yang Tianyue's powerful attack with the Sea God's Trident was blocked, an eerie silence settled over the entire area. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed; the air grew noticeably colder, and countless snowflakes began to fill the sky, as if intent on engulfing everyone.
At that moment, a young girl appeared before the Ice Empress. She had long, pure white hair cascading down her back to her feet, and her sky-blue eyes were ethereal, seeming to penetrate the very essence of all things. Her slender figure was flawless, clothed in a simple white gown with no adornments, which only heightened her noble and unmatched beauty.
Everyone who saw this girl realized she was no ordinary being, especially since she had blocked Yang Tianyue's formidable strike—a clear sign that she was a powerful opponent.
The girl's expression remained icily indifferent as she glanced at the Sea God's Trident in Yang Tianyue's hand. "The Sea God's Trident? You must be the Sea God's successor. We in the Extreme North have no quarrel with the Sea God, so I suggest you leave at once," she said coolly.
Yang Tianyue's expression grew serious. "Who are you, and why are you standing in our way?"
The Snow Empress's gaze was cold as she replied, "I am the Snow Empress, ruler of the Extreme North. Sea God's successor, your domain should be the ocean. If you seek a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, go to the sea. This is not a place for you to act wantonly."
"If you continue with this reckless behavior, know that all soul beasts in the Extreme North will become your enemies. Judging by your presence here, it seems you hail from the Almo Mountains. I would not hesitate to unleash a beast tide to obliterate it."
Yang Potian, watching from the shadows, observed Yang Tianyue closely to see how she would respond to this intense standoff.
Yang Tianyue's face grew resolute. "Then let us fight. Our Heaven's Path Academy does not fear any opponent, especially not mere soul beasts."
The Snow Empress's expression turned colder still. "Successor of the Sea God, though you wield a divine weapon, you are but a fledgling Titled Douluo. You overestimate yourself if you think you can challenge me."
With that, the Snow Empress struck first. In an instant, snow covered the landscape for miles, blocking out even sunlight. Everyone's soul power and spiritual strength were heavily suppressed, as if they were in a forbidden realm. This was her domain, The Frozen Universe – Snow Dance Glory. This technique's power rivaled that of an Ultimate Douluo.
In response, everyone used their ninth spirit abilities, hoping to break free of the restrictive domain.
Yang Tianyue unleashed a torrent of wind blades from the Sea God's Trident, aiming to bind the Snow Empress. This was her strongest control ability—Unpredictable Tempest, the first form of the Golden Thirteen Halberds. Its power was akin to a divine skill.
Yet the Snow Empress appeared unbothered, transforming herself into snow and merging with her domain, becoming nearly invincible in her homeland of ice and snow.
Although the others' spirit skills were formidable, they were unable to easily break through the Snow Empress's domain or escape from it.
At this critical moment, Yang Zhentian, Yang Potian's father, detonated seven of his spirit rings at once, channeling them into his Soul-Breaking Spear. The spear grew immensely, its piercing force seemingly capable of tearing through the heavens. Yang Potian hadn't expected his father to master the ring detonation technique so quickly, though it was clear he hadn't yet fully perfected it, given that he'd used seven rings in a single move.
The others activated their spirit avatars and ninth spirit skills. Dugu Bo transformed into a giant Jade Phosphor Serpent King, emitting a powerful light from his eyes—his ninth spirit skill, Jade Phosphor Divine Light.
Potian's mother, Niu Jinfeng, transformed into a massive Primal Dragon Rhinoceros, her body as solid as forged steel. Her ninth spirit ability enhanced her defenses to such a degree that it seemed impenetrable.
Yang Ping'an, meanwhile, took the form of a thunderous giant, his Thunder Dragon Spear crackling with destructive power, poised to tear through the very fabric of space.
With everyone attacking at once, they finally broke through the Snow Empress's Frozen Universe. However, the effort had drained them considerably—a stark reminder of the chasm between an Ultimate Douluo and an ordinary Titled Douluo.
Furious, the Snow Empress conjured a massive ice sword from the falling snow. This Empress Sword glistened with countless ice crystals, wielding not only the power of absolute ice but also a terrifyingly sharp edge, capable of cutting through the heavens. It was far more powerful than the sword she had summoned earlier.
Yang Potian observed, nodding to himself. The Snow Empress is indeed formidable, he thought. In her own domain, she's nearly as strong as Di Tian, the Black Dragon King.
As the enormous ice sword descended, Yang Tianyue and her companions pushed themselves to their limits, bracing to block the attack.
At that moment, a massive Soul-Breaking Spear appeared in midair, intercepting both sides' attacks and interrupting their momentum.
The spear radiated an aura that seemed to draw upon the strength of heaven and earth, overshadowing even the Snow Empress's Empress Sword.
As the Soul-Breaking Spear landed, a figure emerged in the center of the battlefield. The person was so calm and unassuming that there was not even a trace of soul power emanating from them; they seemed otherworldly.
The Snow Empress's normally frosty expression grew solemn. To stop her attack so effortlessly, this person must be more powerful than herself.
Yang Tianyue and the others felt a wave of relief.
With a chilly tone, the Snow Empress demanded, "Who are you, and why did you interrupt my attack?"
"Snow Empress," he replied, "I am Yang Potian of Heaven's Path Academy. I wish to discuss something with you, and I ask that you grant me a moment of your time."
"We have nothing to discuss," she retorted icily. "If you're here to hunt us, that makes us enemies."
Yang Potian shook his head slightly. "There is nothing that can't be resolved through discussion, especially if it could benefit you as well. There's no need for pointless bloodshed. After all, we only require one spirit ring. Killing all four of you would be excessive."
Yang Wudi and the others looked at him in confusion, wondering what he intended to achieve by negotiating with a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
The Snow Empress glanced at the wounded Ice Empress, Ice Bear King, and Titan Snow Demon Ape, anger flickering in her eyes. "You've harmed our kin of the Extreme North—what is there left to discuss?"
"Snow Empress, if we had truly wanted to, the three kings of the Extreme North would not have survived. I suggest you hear me out, or the Extreme North will lose its most ancient spirit beasts."
The Snow Empress hesitated, understanding that the man before her was serious. "What are you proposing? You want one of us to be the Sea God successor's spirit ring?"
"That is indeed one option," Potian replied calmly, "but I think it's best to discuss the terms clearly to avoid unnecessary casualties. We need only one ring, after all; killing all four of you would be an unfortunate waste."
The four great beasts fell silent, realizing the significant difference between losing one of their number and losing all of them.
The Snow Empress spoke cautiously, "What exactly do you want to discuss? We of the Extreme North will not yield so easily."
Potian's expression turned serious. "Snow Empress, I have one question. Is that giant iceworm still in the northwest?"
The Snow Empress's eyes narrowed. "The giant iceworm? Are you speaking of the Skydream Iceworm? I have no idea where it might be."
"When was the last time you saw Skydream Iceworm? Is he still in the Extreme North?"
The four soul beasts exchanged uncertain glances before the Ice Empress finally spoke. "It's been many years since I last saw Skydream Iceworm. I don't know where that guy might be hiding now."
Yang Potian thought for a moment before he continued, "When you last saw Skydream Iceworm, what was his power level? Had he reached a million-year cultivation?"
The Ice Empress shook her head. "How could a million-year soul beast even exist? When that iceworm went into hiding, we never saw him again. But he was just an ordinary soul beast back then."
Yang Potian pondered deeply. From what he recalled, Skydream Iceworm had initially hidden in the Extreme North, only to escape later to the Star Dou Forest, where he was eventually captured by Di Tian and the others. According to the original story, the Snow Empress and the others should have known about Skydream Iceworm's million-year cultivation.
But if none of them had seen Skydream Iceworm, at least not with a million-year cultivation, then it likely meant he was still hiding somewhere in the Extreme North. If he could track down Skydream Iceworm's hiding place, there might even be unexpected rewards.
After some thought, Yang Potian spoke again. "Snow Empress, Ice Empress—if you can help me find Skydream Iceworm, I'll spare you and the other three kings of the Extreme North. I can even offer you protection. What do you think?"
The Snow Empress regarded him with disdain. "You may be strong, but what makes you think you could protect us? Besides, we don't need your protection."
Yang Potian shook his head. "The world is about to change drastically, and a war between humans and soul beasts is inevitable. This conflict will likely sweep across the entire continent, and not even you will be able to avoid it."
"Di Tian, the Black Dragon King, and the Bear Lord have already emerged. I intend to visit the Star Dou Forest's core area sooner or later. When the time comes, no one will be able to avoid this turmoil."
The Snow Empress's face grew pale. "You've met Di Tian and Bear Lord? Then you must know Di Tian's strength. How can you still plan to enter the Star Dou Forest?"
Yang Potian chuckled coldly. "Di Tian may be strong, but he's only biding his time in the Star Dou Forest. While his power is considerable, the changes in the world mean that the gods will soon return. And before the gods, even Di Tian is but an insect."
"What else do you know, then?" the Snow Empress asked.
"Di Tian is powerful, yes, but he's only a servant. The true power lies with the Silver Dragon King, hidden deep within the Star Dou Forest. Unfortunately for her, she was heavily injured by the God of Shura. Otherwise, no one in this world could stand against her."
At these words, the Snow Empress and Ice Empress fell silent. They were aware of certain things, but Yang Potian's knowledge still surprised them.
Ignoring their expressions, Yang Potian continued, "Snow Empress, while your strength is impressive, at the Ultimate Douluo level, and in this Extreme North, with the land itself aiding you, you are nearly unbeatable."
"But it's a shame—despite your best efforts, it's obvious that you have a serious injury. It's clear this injury stems from your attempt to form a second soul core. Am I right?"
The Snow Empress's expression grew darker. "Human Soul Masters shouldn't know so much about soul cores. How do you know I'm injured, and even that the injury is from my attempt to create a soul core?"
Yang Potian ignored her question and spoke calmly, "Among all soul beasts, only the Black Dragon King, Di Tian, has successfully created a yin-yang dual soul core. This is possible only because of the Black Dragon Clan's formidable physical strength. Though your soul power is outstanding, and your strength impressive, your body simply can't withstand the formation of a second soul core. That's why you failed. And judging by your current state, it seems you won't survive your 700,000-year tribulation."
At these words, the Ice Empress, Titan Snow Demon Ape, and Ice Bear King turned anxiously to look at the Snow Empress. The Snow Empress's expression, however, remained impassive, as if confirming that everything Yang Potian had said was true.
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