Chapter 481: The Ice Empress's Sacrifice and Dai Yao's First Spirit Ring
At the center of the Far North.
Amid the endless white expanse, a streak of emerald green suddenly appeared, painting the entire sky in that hue within moments. Alongside this vivid green, a vast mist of snow swept across the horizon, obscuring everything. In this thick snow fog, the temperature plummeted, freezing the moisture in the air into tiny ice crystals.
"You summoned me, Snow Lady?" A clear voice, tinged with excitement, echoed from the snowy mist, resonating across the heavens and earth.
Then, an incredibly beautiful soul beast materialized before them—a transparent scorpion with a stunning blend of icy blue and emerald green. Though small, standing only about one and a half meters tall, the scorpion radiated a mesmerizing beauty, particularly its long, crystalline tail, which drew all eyes as it arched gracefully.
This was none other than one of the three Great Kings of the Far North—the Ice Empress, the Ice Jade Scorpion Emperor.
But in the next moment, as Ice Empress noticed the human male standing beside Snow Empress, a sharp, wary look flashed across her delicate face. Her gaze shifted from Snow Empress to the stranger, hostility clear in her voice.
"Human! What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"No need to be alarmed, Bing'er," Snow Empress said calmly. "I called you here because of him."
The Ice Empress's cautious gaze lingered on Dai Yao, quickly assessing him. She could sense that his power was far from ordinary. And the golden trident he wielded filled her with a distinct feeling of dread.
"You may call me Dai Yao," he introduced himself politely.
As Ice Empress observed Dai Yao, he, too, took in her details. Despite being a scorpion, Ice Empress had an unmistakable allure—so much so that it was no wonder the Sky Dream Iceworm had fallen in love with her.
"I don't know what trick you used to deceive Snow Empress," Ice Empress said icily, "but you had best leave now. Once I expose your true nature, you won't find it so easy to escape."
Dai Yao's expression remained unchanged.
"Please excuse Bing'er's temperament," Snow Empress said apologetically, feeling somewhat strange to be explaining on a human's behalf.
"Snow Lady, you…" Ice Empress exclaimed, her tone almost that of a jealous partner.
Before she could say more, Snow Empress's voice turned stern, "Bing'er, mind your manners. Dai Yao is the inheritor of the Sea God's divine position, destined to ascend to the heavens and rule over the continent. He's come to the Far North to discuss important matters with us soul beasts. As for the details, I'll let him explain them to you."
The Ice Empress felt a shock ripple through her. Soul beasts might have lacked examples of godly ascension, but their reverence for the divine rivaled, if not exceeded, that of humans.
For them, the Ice God was their supreme deity, and swearing in the name of the Ice God was the most binding oath for soul beasts in the Far North. No soul beast would dare to break such an oath.
The hostility in the Ice Jade Scorpion's jewel-like eyes melted away, replaced by something resembling admiration or respect—though Dai Yao wondered if it was merely his imagination.
"So… you're the Sea God's inheritor. Forgive my rudeness, and please don't take offense."
Dai Yao waved it off casually, trying to stifle a smile at the Ice Empress's abrupt change in tone from aggressive to deferential.
"I'm here to discuss something with you Great Soul Beasts. Though I am the Sea God's inheritor, I cannot change my wife's constitution for her to accompany me. Therefore, I hope to harness the transformative power of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring to enhance her body," he explained.
After repeating his conversation with Snow Empress, Dai Yao looked at Ice Empress. "Snow Empress has declined my offer. What is your response, Ice Empress?"
Ice Empress's next tribulation loomed a mere ten thousand years away, and she might hold onto a faint hope of surviving it. If she chose to reject him, his task would become more complicated.
However, unlike Snow Empress, Ice Empress lacked the Snow Lady's unique ability to take human form. Absent a miraculous opportunity, her fate under the next tribulation would be annihilation.
Given her situation, Dai Yao doubted she would refuse. Despite her pride, Ice Empress had a practical side and, in the original story, chose to sacrifice herself for Huo Yuhao's Divine Project. Even if the odds of success were slim, she had seized the chance without hesitation, despite the loss of freedom.
Now, Dai Yao stood on the cusp of godhood, and his odds of ascending were far greater than Huo Yuhao's had ever been. Only a fool would pass up this opportunity.
"Once I attain godhood, I will revive you, Ice Empress. Not only that, but I'll grant you the freedom to return to the Douluo Continent to reunite with your kind—and with Snow Empress."
"My wife possesses an ice-attribute spirit, so my first choice is naturally among you in the Far North," Dai Yao added. "However, if you refuse, the oceans are filled with countless soul beasts. Ice and water are closely aligned, and I'm sure some ocean soul beast will gladly accept my offer."
Snow Empress and Ice Empress immediately sensed the pressure mounting.
Indeed, Dai Yao did not need them specifically! Once he became the Sea God, which soul beast of the oceans would dare reject him?
Snow Empress quickly signaled to Ice Empress with her gaze. Ice Empress understood this was an opportunity she couldn't afford to miss. Though she had ten thousand years left, did she want to cling to life only to ultimately perish in her tribulation?
After a brief pause, her clear voice echoed from the Ice Jade Scorpion's mouth.
"Honored inheritor, I accept your terms. But I have one concern: once you become a god, will you still fulfill your promise?"
Relieved, Dai Yao replied with a reassuring smile, "You needn't worry. I'm willing to swear an oath to the Divine King himself. Even a god would not dare defy such a vow."
Dai Yao knew the oath was significant but not binding in the strictest sense. His connection to the Evil God King provided flexibility, allowing him to fulfill his pledge while reserving choices if needed.
This subtle influence of his darker personality had grown subtly since absorbing the Dark Devilgod Tiger's spirit ring.
"That sets my mind at ease," Ice Empress said, exhaling softly.
"By the way, Dai Yao, where is your wife? Should we wait here until you return with her?" Snow Empress asked.
Ice Empress was her closest ally among the soul beasts of the Far North. She wanted to settle this quickly to prevent any unforeseen issues.
"No need; she's already here," Dai Yao replied. He lifted his hand, and the Hanhai Universe Shield rose beside him, its barrier vanishing to reveal Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu.
Seeing the two women, Ice and Snow Empress felt a chill run down their spines.
How had these women gotten so close without them realizing it? If Dai Yao had chosen to attack them this way, they would have been caught entirely off-guard. This must be the power of the Sea God!
"Greetings, Snow Empress, Ice Empress," Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu bowed respectfully, their eyes meeting Dai Yao's with affection. Xue Wu's gaze held particular tenderness.
Seeing their beautiful faces, Dai Yao felt his heart skip a beat, noticing the traces of worry in their expressions. Clearly, they had been very concerned for him during the recent exchange.
"Why are there two of them?" Snow Empress asked, her surprise evident.
Understanding Snow Empress's question, Shui Bing'er threw Dai Yao a look of exasperation. If Ice and Snow Empress learned that Dai Yao had four other wives, their shock might be unimaginable.
Clearing his throat, Dai Yao explained, "Allow me to introduce them. This is Bing'er, and this is Xue Wu. Ice Empress, it is Xue Wu who will receive your spirit."
The Ice Empress took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on Xue Wu before she turned to Dai Yao. "Honored inheritor, please allow me some time. I wish to return to my clan and make preparations. After that, I'll return to fulfill my pledge."
Dai Yao nodded in agreement.
In an instant, Ice Empress transformed into a streak of emerald light, vanishing into the distant sky.
Watching her leave, Snow Empress gazed after her for a long time, her lips moving softly, her myriad emotions distilled into two words.
"Take care."
Though reluctant to see Ice Empress go, she held hope for a brighter future for her.
One day later.
In the silent white expanse, blood-red light painted the Far North's icy world. Countless Ice Jade Scorpions gathered, emitting a high-pitched, sorrowful hum, sending off their ruler.
At the center of this group, a proud young woman opened her eyes, a look of joy on her face.
Around her floated six spirit rings, but the sixth one shone a dazzling red that outshone everything around it.
"Dai Yao, I did it!" Xue Wu exclaimed happily.
Dai Yao gently patted her head, smiling warmly.
"Bing'er, Xue Wu, say your farewells, and let's be on our way."
With a tinge of envy, Shui Bing'er glanced at Xue Wu's sixth spirit ring, the coveted red ring all spirit masters dreamed of.
"Thank you for your hospitality. We will take our leave now," Dai Yao said to a nearby Ice Jade Scorpion.
This Ice Jade Scorpion, younger at twenty-thousand years, now held the responsibility of leading the Ice Jade Scorpion clan. Ice Empress's sacrifice had placed it in charge.
"Please, fulfill your promise and let us see our ruler again someday," the Ice Jade Scorpion implored with emotion.
"You have my word. You will reunite with Ice Empress one day," Dai Yao promised solemnly.
Not only had Xue Wu received Ice Empress's sacrifice, but Dai Yao had also received a sacrifice from another Ice Jade Scorpion of ninety-thousand years. It had chosen to sacrifice itself to show their clan's loyalty, helping Dai Yao complete his spirit ring requirements.
Now Dai Yao's Sacred White Tiger spirit had its first red, hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
As he carried Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu southward through the sky, his mind turned to future plans.
"I'll give Bing'er the Blue Lotus to absorb when we return. Then, I'll meet with Zhuqing and the others and gauge their reactions to Bing'er and Xue Wu joining us."
"And finally… I'll have to face her."
A shadow passed over his expression as he thought of her—Bibi Dong, the woman he'd once loved and who had betrayed him so deeply.
Back on the icy plain, watching Dai Yao's shadow disappear into the horizon, Snow Empress's ice-blue eyes shimmered with a mysterious light.
"Farewell…" she whispered softly.
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