Chapter 479 Journey to the Far North, The Snow Empress Appears
Northern Frontier of the Empire.
After leaving the last human city in the northern region of the Heaven Dou Empire, the entire world became nothing but a vast expanse of white.
The howling wind drowned out even the crunching sounds of footsteps in the snow. Amid the endless blizzard, the group of three continued heading northward.
"Dai Yao, where exactly are we going?"
Shui Bing'er let out a light breath, which instantly condensed into icy mist as she spoke with a serious expression.
Hearing her words, Xue Wu behind her also cast a questioning gaze toward Dai Yao.
Dai Yao turned around and looked at the two women, whose delicate bodies trembled slightly from the cold. He sighed inwardly.
Although their soul power levels were not low, relying solely on their own strength to reach this destination was still far too difficult for them.
"Bing'er, Xue Wu, the truth is, our destination this time is the central region of the Far North. The strongest soul beasts of the Far North gather there, and many of them are hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. I brought you here because I want to give you an opportunity as compensation."
Dai Yao brushed the snow from the brims of their hats and smiled.
Because of the extreme cold, the two women wore thick padded coats that concealed their youthful and graceful figures, giving them a different kind of charm.
"We already said we don't need your compensation!"
Xue Wu said anxiously.
Shui Bing'er pondered for a moment before suddenly realizing something. Her pupils widened in shock as she exclaimed:
"Dai Yao, don't tell me you're bringing us to the core of the Far North because you want to help us hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!"
Dai Yao was slightly surprised. Shui Bing'er truly was intelligent; she had deduced his purpose from only a few clues.
As expected of the control-type soul master from Tianshui Academy.
That was indeed Dai Yao's goal this time—to help either Shui Bing'er or Xue Wu obtain a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
However, not through hunting.
Neither of them had the ability to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring directly, so he intended to achieve it through sacrifice instead.
The identity of the soul beast was obvious.
One of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North—the Ice Empress, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion.
Ever since becoming involved with Dai Yao, nearly all of his girlfriends had received a lotus flower from him. But there were two women here—Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu—while Dai Yao only had one lotus left: a blue lotus.
One lotus was not enough for two people.
To avoid favoritism, Dai Yao had to provide an opportunity comparable to the blue lotus for the other person.
Yet even after searching the entire continent, there was no treasure comparable to the lotus flowers Dai Yao possessed.
Thus, he could only settle for something slightly inferior—a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone.
Although the Ice Empress's soul ring and soul bone were extremely precious and could greatly increase Dai Yao's strength, they could not compare to Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's feelings in his heart.
Dai Yao smiled gently and said:
"You guessed correctly, Bing'er. But we're not here to hunt it. We'll use another method."
Seeing the anxious expressions on the two women's faces as they prepared to dissuade him, Dai Yao patted their heads and interrupted with a smile:
"Relax. I'm not someone who overestimates himself. I'm ninety percent confident in this trip. Even if we fail, I can guarantee that we'll all retreat safely."
"Oh right, Bing'er, Xue Wu—you still remember Zhuqing and Wutong, don't you?"
Although Shui Bing'er still had concerns about Dai Yao's objective, as he had said, safety truly wasn't an issue.
"Of course we remember them. Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong left a very deep impression on us back then. Not only were they extremely strong, but they were also incredibly beautiful. Among people of the same level, aside from you, probably no one could defeat them. I just wonder how strong they are now."
Shui Bing'er smiled as she spoke.
Back then, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong had indeed left a profound impression on them.
Especially Feng Wutong. Despite possessing a fire-attribute martial soul, she completely suppressed their water-attribute martial souls. Her martial soul was unbelievably domineering.
"Zhuqing is already level eighty-three now, and her eighth soul ring is a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. As for Wutong, she's reached level eighty, though she hasn't yet found a suitable soul ring."
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu were stunned.
Even Shui Bing'er, the most outstanding disciple of Tianshui Academy, had only reached the Soul Emperor level and was still several levels away from Soul Sage.
Yet Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, who were even younger than them, had already reached the Soul Douluo realm?
It was simply unbelievable.
"How is that possible?!"
The rationality on Shui Bing'er's face finally vanished as she stared blankly in shock.
Dai Yao explained:
"This involves a special opportunity, which is why our soul power advanced so quickly. But enough about that. Bing'er, Xue Wu, do you know why they became so powerful?"
Hearing this, Shui Bing'er immediately sensed there was more to the story and asked:
"Wasn't it because of their talent and hard work?"
Dai Yao shook his head and chuckled.
"Yes, but not entirely. Their hard work is indeed one of the reasons for their achievements. But among all the soul masters on the continent who train diligently, how many become as strong as Zhuqing and the others?"
"The bigger reason lies in their talent."
"And that talent is exactly what I'm trying to explain."
Under Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's puzzled gazes, Dai Yao waved his hand and erected a barrier that isolated the area from the outside world.
With a thought, an ice-blue lotus appeared in his palm.
"This is…?"
The moment the blue lotus appeared, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu immediately felt an uncontrollable desire emerge from the depths of their martial souls—a desire to devour the lotus before them.
Struggling to maintain her rationality, Shui Bing'er trembled as she asked.
"This is the true secret behind Zhuqing and Wutong's strength. They each consumed a lotus flower, causing both their martial souls and bodies to undergo a complete rebirth."
"Even top-tier martial souls like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon or the Clear Sky Hammer are far inferior to their current martial souls."
"But now I only have one lotus, while there are two of you. I can't favor one over the other. If one person receives the lotus, then I have to compensate the other as much as possible."
"That's why I came here—to obtain a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone for the other person."
Dai Yao smiled as he explained.
Shui Bing'er gave Dai Yao a strange look and asked:
"Don't tell me every single one of your women has received a lotus flower?"
Hearing this, Dai Yao laughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… it does seem that way."
"But let's not talk about that. Between the blue lotus and the hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, which would you choose?"
Dai Yao couldn't directly decide who should receive the lotus himself.
If handled poorly, this matter could become the seed of future conflict.
Therefore, he could only be honest and discuss it openly with the two women.
Of course, if not handled carefully, it might also create a rift between the two sisters.
That was the last thing Dai Yao wanted to see.
Shui Bing'er pursed her lips.
She wanted the blue lotus, but she didn't know how to say it aloud.
It wasn't just because of the miraculous transformation the lotus could bring, but also because of what the lotus symbolized.
One of Dai Yao's women…
But she also knew that if she asked for it, Xue Wu would never compete with her for it.
Letting out a soft sigh, Shui Bing'er spoke bitterly:
"Then let the hundred-thousand-year soul ring go to me…"
Before she could finish speaking, Xue Wu interrupted her immediately.
"No! Bing'er!"
Raising her beautiful eyes to look at Dai Yao, a satisfied smile appeared on Xue Wu's delicate face as she said gently:
"Bing'er, I can't compare to you on the path of a soul master. Nor do I have ambitions as grand as yours. That blue lotus should go to you."
"Dai Yao, as for the hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, there's no need. Even if I absorbed them, it wouldn't make much difference for me."
"You silly girl!"
Dai Yao smacked Xue Wu's curvy backside hard, instantly drawing out a shy cry from her.
Even through the thick padded coat, Dai Yao could still feel the astonishing softness.
"Don't give me that nonsense. If I'm giving something to you, then accept it properly!"
"You think I don't know you've already reached the Soul Emperor level but still haven't absorbed a soul ring?"
"If you can absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, the benefits to you would be unimaginable!"
"Countless soul masters across the world desperately chase after hundred-thousand-year soul rings, yet you don't even want one!"
Dai Yao scolded jokingly.
Xue Wu herself possessed an ice-attribute martial soul.
If she absorbed the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion's soul ring and soul bone, then just like Huo Yuhao in the future, her ice martial soul would evolve into Ultimate Ice.
This ability to elevate the quality of a martial soul was second only to Dai Yao's lotus flowers.
Moreover, after obtaining a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, Xue Wu's potential would rise dramatically. The once nearly unreachable Titled Douluo realm would become easily attainable, and she might even have a chance to glimpse the realm of gods.
Xue Wu rubbed her rear. Although the slap had hurt, it also gave her a strange feeling.
Hearing Dai Yao's words, she nodded shyly with a flushed face.
…
Three days later.
After venturing several hundred miles deep into the northern ice plains, the extreme cold became nearly unbearable for the two women.
Dai Yao had no choice but to activate the Vast Sea Cosmos Shield to protect them.
This was an absolute forbidden zone for humanity.
Countless powerful soul beasts resided here.
Along the way, Dai Yao sensed several powerful auras no weaker than Da Ming and Er Ming.
He could have chosen one of those hundred-thousand-year soul beasts to fill his vacant soul ring slots.
But for safety's sake and to avoid unnecessary complications, Dai Yao decided to first locate the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion's territory.
However, the northern ice plains were vast and boundless. Finding the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion was extremely difficult.
Moreover, this wasn't ten thousand years in the future. Humanity knew almost nothing about the Far North, so Dai Yao could only rely on his own abilities.
Generally speaking, powerful soul beasts tended to inhabit areas rich in soul power.
As long as he followed the density and flow of the soul power in the air, he would naturally locate the area with the strongest concentration of soul power—and thereby one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North.
Whether he encountered the Snow Empress or the Ice Empress, Dai Yao still had room to negotiate.
After all, both of them would face heavenly tribulations they could not survive ten thousand years later.
But if he encountered the Titan Snow Demon King instead, then he could only consider himself unlucky and leave immediately.
Not long afterward, Dai Yao suddenly stopped.
Ahead of them, the ground abruptly sank into a gigantic basin that completely filled their field of vision.
"We've arrived."
Dai Yao spoke solemnly.
The soul power in this place was astonishingly dense—even richer than the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Great Forest.
This was undoubtedly the territory of one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North.
Hearing this, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu poked their heads out from behind Dai Yao.
When they saw the massive basin before them, their eyes widened in shock, their red lips slightly parted.
Exchanging glances, they both saw the astonishment in each other's eyes.
Although they were considered geniuses among the younger generation of soul masters, they had never seen a hundred-thousand-year soul beast before—let alone the habitat of one.
"You two stay inside the Vast Sea Cosmos Shield and don't come out until I signal you."
Dai Yao turned around and instructed them.
After seeing the two women nod in agreement, Dai Yao spread the eight wings behind his back and flew out of the barrier.
The extreme cold assaulted him instantly.
Even with his thick padded coat, it was useless. Only after releasing his soul power did Dai Yao finally feel a trace of warmth.
"As expected of the core region of the Far North. Very few people in the world could withstand such temperatures."
"I just wonder which of the Three Heavenly Kings resides here."
Dai Yao sighed inwardly.
He drew out the Sea God Trident from his back.
As the golden trident mark on his forehead shone brilliantly, layers of golden waves spread outward in every direction.
Moments later, Dai Yao sharply sensed the surrounding temperature plummeting rapidly.
Ice spread wildly like growing weeds.
Immediately afterward, a terrifying pressure descended upon the entire world.
Before Dai Yao, an incomparably beautiful figure suddenly appeared.
Her features were exquisitely perfect.
Pure white hair cascaded all the way to her ankles.
Her flawless and graceful figure was wrapped in a white dress, while her jade-like bare feet hovered above the ground.
She possessed an ethereal elegance beyond worldly comparison.
Within her ice-blue eyes was a detached indifference, as though she had seen through everything in existence.
Yet those eternally cold and emotionless eyes were fixed firmly upon the golden trident in Dai Yao's hand.
After a long silence, her gaze finally shifted away from the trident.
Looking at the man before her, an unconcealable trace of shock flashed across her beautiful face as she slowly asked:
"Who are you?"
(End of Chapter)