The Snow Empress slowly rose from the lotus pond, clad in a blue and white gauze dress. Her exposed skin was as delicate as white mutton-fat jade, and the cold spring water cascaded over her smooth, flawless skin.
As the water surface gradually solidified into ice, the Snow Empress stepped onto it, her pair of tender, crystal-clear jade feet now visible. They were like the most exquisite artwork in the world, so perfect that one couldn't help but want to cradle them in their hands and cherish them.
The corners of the Snow Empress's lips curled into a gentle smile. "Thank you, Yuhao, Bing'er… and Skydream."
"You're welcome, hehe…" The Ice Empress quickly approached and took the Snow Empress's hand.
"Yeah," Skydream responded with a hint of sadness, then pulled up the hood of his pajamas in the sea of spirits, ready to sleep. She had no intention of making herself unhappy.
'Humph, even if I squeeze in, I'm still an outsider!'
Huo Yuhao smiled as he looked into those icy blue eyes. "No need to thank me. The Ice Empress's business is my business, and since you and I have already signed a soul contract, this is just part of my duty."
Then, the Ice Empress turned to the Snow Empress and asked, "Xue'er, what are your plans for the future?"
Huo Yuhao also explained the pros and cons in detail. "Snow Empress, with your appearance and talent, if no one protects you, there will undoubtedly be endless troubles in the future. And if someone discovers your identity as a soul beast, it will be irreversible. With your current strength, it would be difficult to resist, right?"
The Snow Empress glanced at the Ice Empress and Huo Yuhao, then nodded. It was indeed the case. After a soul beast successfully transform into a human, there is still a risk of exposure before their soul power reaches the Soul Saint level. If discovered, they would still drop a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone upon death.
The most crucial point was that after transformation, the soul beast must cultivate alongside humans for a long time, absorbing the "human aura" required for their transformation. This also meant that she would be in constant danger.
The Snow Empress had a deep understanding of human greed. Just imagine, facing a defenseless 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone—who wouldn't be tempted? Not all soul masters were as kind-hearted as Yuhao.
Then, the Snow Empress shook her head and asked, "Yuhao, do you have any ideas?"
Huo Yuhao smiled gently. "Snow Empress, you can actually come back to Shrek Academy with me."
The Snow Empress frowned, a questioning look on her face. "Although I don't know much about human society outside the Extreme North, I do know a little about Shrek Academy. There are many Titled Douluo there. Wouldn't it be like sending a lamb into a tiger's den if I, a soul beast, went with you?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "Now, Shrek Academy has already recognized me as the future leader of the Sea God Pavilion. They will train me and even hunt 100,000-year soul beasts for me in the future. With my strength and status, I am more than capable of protecting you."
He raised an eyebrow and continued, "Besides, even if you are exposed, what can they do? As long as I declare you as my property—my soul ring and soul bone when I need them—no one would dare to touch you. Moreover, I promise that as long as you are by my side, there will be no risk of exposure."
With his spiritual power nearing the tangible and intangible level, Huo Yuhao could easily simulate 50,000-year soul skills to cover up any abnormalities in the Snow Empress's aura.
Additionally, the Snow Empress's ability to conceal her presence far surpassed that of ordinary 100,000-year soul beasts. Her Heavenly Snow Woman form closely resembled a human's aura, making it even harder to detect. With the assistance of the Gu worm, there was no possibility of exposure at all.
The Ice Empress couldn't help but hug the petite Snow Empress tightly, looking at her with reluctance. "Xue'er, come with us. You've just transformed, and I really can't let you go alone. If you really want to leave, wait until you become a Soul Saint and have the ability to protect yourself, okay?"
"That's right. Besides Yuhao, Snow Empress, can you find anyone better to protect you?" Skydream also chimed in, sticking his head out to persuade her.
"This…" The Snow Empress hesitated.
She naturally wanted to go with Huo Yuhao. After all, they had already signed a soul contract, and Huo Yuhao was the human she trusted the most.
But…
Deep down, there was a vague feeling, a premonition that she couldn't ignore.
The Snow Empress had a hunch that this was a great opportunity she couldn't afford to miss.
Huo Yuhao, of course, knew what she was hesitating about. He got straight to the point. "Snow Empress, when I was helping you rebuild, I felt a call from somewhere in the Extreme North. You must have felt it too, right?"
The Snow Empress hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, but this feeling gradually faded after I successfully transformed. That's why I've been hesitant."
"That's good," Huo Yuhao said with a helpless smile.
He had thought that the Ice God had taken an interest in the Snow Empress. During her transformation, Huo Yuhao had used his spiritual exploration to follow the direction of that call, eventually discovering a hidden Ice God inheritance relic in the nearby snow-capped peaks.
What Huo Yuhao didn't expect was that after sensing his presence, the relic seemed to have shifted its focus to him. It kept sending him "harassing calls," like a peacock spreading its tail, inviting him to inherit its power. It was almost desperate.
But it made sense. With his talent and second martial soul, who wouldn't be tempted? It was only natural that a ruined Ice God inheritance would be drawn to him.
However, to be honest, Huo Yuhao found it all rather noisy. He truly looked down on this inheritance.
The Ice God was dead—or at least, there was no Ice God in the God Realm anymore. A mere first-level god's inheritance had its limits. Moreover, Huo Yuhao had many secrets. If these were exposed during the god's assessment, it would be a waste of time.
Fortunately, the Snow Empress's connection to the relic remained. It seemed the Ice God Ruins still cared about this "spare tire."
After explaining everything, Huo Yuhao brought the Snow Empress to a snowy peak not far away.
After safely placing her down, Huo Yuhao slipped away. "Remember to practice well here. When you reach a bottleneck, you can call me through the soul contract, and I'll come to pick you up."
The Ice Empress reluctantly bid farewell. "Xue'er, you must remember to come to us!"
Skydream, meanwhile, was already asleep. 'Do not disturb me.'
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Achieved the achievement 'But I Refuse!' and received the reward: Secret Crossing.]
[Secret Crossing: Sixth-turn Immortal Gu. Can isolate aura, obscure heavenly secrets, and prevent divination.]
[Evaluation: Repairing the plank road in the open, crossing Chencang in secret.]
'Wow, an Immortal Gu!'
This was the first time Huo Yuhao had obtained an Immortal Gu, and it was at the sixth-turn god level. Even Huo Yuhao couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
'Dark, twisted, crawling…'
It was truly worthy of his achievement, and it left him momentarily breathless.
'I just wonder what the price of activating it will be?'
Though, for now, there was no need to use it.
…
"Crack."
A crisp sound sounded as the Snow Empress turned around, her eyes shifting slightly to follow the broken ice layer leading to an icy passage.
"Is this the god's inheritance relic Yuhao mentioned…"
At this moment, the Snow Empress felt a strange sensation in her heart.
Walking along the passage, she took a few dozen steps before noticing that the permafrost ahead seemed hollowed out, emitting a gorgeous ice-blue glow.
At the innermost part was a large door. As the Snow Empress approached, following the increasingly clear sensation, a subtle wave swept through her body.
Then, a majestic voice sounded. "I am the Ice God. Heavenly Snow Woman, are you willing to inherit my throne?"
"The Ice God?"
Hadn't the Ice God left Douluo Continent long ago?
As if sensing her doubts, the voice spoke again. "I am but a wisp of consciousness left by the Ice God. From time to time, I call those who are suitable to come here. If you are willing to inherit my throne, I will open the path to godhood for you."
"Can soul beasts also become gods?" The Snow Empress's eyes flickered.
"The path to godhood is a journey of life and death, especially for soul beasts. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a matter of survival. If you refuse, I will send you away and erase your related memories. You have three minutes to choose."
The tone of the voice remained unchanged, as if it didn't care at all about the rare Snow Empress who had the qualifications to inherit the god's power.
"Is that so…" Through various signs, the Snow Empress could see that Huo Yuhao might be more suitable for this inheritance than she was. Yet, he had given it to her instead.
'What a fool…'
'Why does it feel like I owe him more and more…'
And Huo Yuhao's help didn't end there. Before disconnecting from the Snow Empress, with the Ice Empress's consent, he had left a portion of the Ice Empress's origin power with her. This would help accelerate her early cultivation speed.
In other words, this extra origin power could allow the Snow Empress to reach a certain soul power level in a short time. However, it would also slightly speed up her aging process.
'Cherish the current loli state of the Snow Empress—you may not see her like this again in the future.'
Of course, the origin power wasn't omnipotent. This was a trick Huo Yuhao had employed while the Snow Empress was retraining. It was estimated that it could only help her reach the level 30 at most.
What happened next, and whether she accepted the god's inheritance before her, was entirely up to the Snow Empress's own choice.
The road was under her feet.
"I am willing. No matter what the test is, I, the Heavenly Snow Woman, will bear it all. I will accept any consequences, whether I live or die."
What if there was no chance of survival?
She would rather die on the path to godhood than continue to live as a human.
…
The sun set, and the moon rose, dotting the sky with stars.
The East Gate of Shrek Academy was still bustling, even during the academy's vacation.
However, a month of vacation passed quickly. With less than two days left before the start of the new term, most students had already returned to school.
Even the part-time work for freshman registration had begun.
Yes, the new batch of Shrek Academy freshmen, which matured every year, had started enrolling.
A streak of light quickly approached—it was Huo Yuhao, using a flying soul tool to return to Shrek Academy.
Of course, to shorten his travel time, Huo Yuhao had mostly used the Light Rainbow Gu. In the end, he switched to a flying soul tool, both to hide his tracks and to try out a new toy.
After landing, Huo Yuhao walked into Shrek City, attracting much attention along the way. His perfect features, noble demeanor, and deep eyes drew the passionate gazes of many women and the curiosity of numerous students.
Especially the senior students, who were well aware of Huo Yuhao's various glorious deeds and his seemingly endless luck with women.
However, seeing a beautiful woman in red Shrek inner courtyard attire standing side by side with Huo Yuhao, everyone couldn't help but sigh in envy.
'How is this kid so lucky?!'
'Could it be that the beauties in the outer courtyard were no longer enough for him? Now he had an ambiguous relationship with an inner courtyard senior sister?'
And not just any senior sister—it was the cold and aloof Ling Luochen, the rumored Iceberg Goddess of the inner courtyard.
Many had tried to win her over, only to end up frozen and humiliated. Yet here she was, following Huo Yuhao step by step, even smiling occasionally.
Everyone's hearts were shattered.
'No, my frost goddess! What happened?'
'Isn't this guy just a little more handsome? A little more powerful?'
'There are plenty of handsome guys in the academy, right? Why him?'
'What's so special about him?'
As Huo Yuhao and Ling Luochen chatted and laughed, many couldn't help but feel jealous.
At this moment, the new student registration was in full swing. Looking at the fresh-faced newcomers, Huo Yuhao felt a sense of nostalgia. Unknowingly, he was already in his second year.
Meeting Ling Luochen this time was somewhat unexpected. Although they didn't interact often, they were now chatting happily.
After all, ice attribute martial souls were like one big family.
Huo Yuhao took the opportunity to ask about the selection time and details for the main team of the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament. As a dual disciple of the inner and outer courtyards, he naturally planned to join through the main team's channel.
As for the reserve team's spot, it was reserved for someone he had previously contacted.
They chatted all the way until they reached the academy entrance.
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao saw a red light rising from Shrek Academy, rushing toward him at incredible speed.
It was none other than Ma Xiaotao.
Her rosy cheeks had a strange beauty as she appeared before Huo Yuhao in the blink of an eye.
"Yuhao, you're finally back!"
Huo Yuhao didn't dodge and was immediately embraced by her fiery warmth.
Ma Xiaotao didn't care about the onlookers or Ling Luochen's presence. She hugged Huo Yuhao tightly, her pink eyes filled with a mix of confusion and desire. A delicate moan escaped her lips, her breath warm like orchids.
"Yuhao, you're finally back. No, I can't hold it in anymore. Let's go and suppress the evil fire…"
In a flash of red light, Ma Xiaotao and Huo Yuhao vanished from the academy entrance, leaving the surrounding students utterly confused.
'What just happened?'
'Why is it another inner courtyard senior?'
'Why didn't they fight?'
Meanwhile, Ling Luochen, left alone, felt an uncomfortable lump in her throat.
'Damn Ma Xiaotao!'
…
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