Chapter 304: Evil Emperor and Snow Emperor's Breakthrough
At the top floor of the restaurant across from the Star Auction Pavilion, three figures stood by the window, watching from afar.
Emperor Xu Tianran of the Sun and Moon Empire gazed at the gradually fading golden light, a flicker of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
"I didn't expect the altar to have such a hidden safeguard…"
"If one could control that power of faith, forget unifying the Douluo Continent—even opposing the entire soul beast race would no longer be impossible."
Beside him, Du Bushi, the Sect Master of the Body Sect, gave a cold snort. Dressed in a black robe, his entire body exuded a sinister chill.
"Too bad the people from Shrek got it first. But if they think they can control the altar so easily, they're dreaming."
"The power of faith may be strong, but it is the most elusive of all. Once people's hearts scatter, that altar is nothing more than a chunk of useless stone."
Jing Hongchen of Mingde Hall adjusted his crystal glasses, a sharp gleam flickering behind the lenses.
"You're right. The power of faith originates from the hearts of men—we can attack from that angle."
"If we can weaken humanity's trust in Shrek Academy, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Clear Sky Sect, the power of faith will naturally diminish."
The three exchanged glances, recognizing the same ambition in each other's eyes.
The battle surrounding the altar—both visible and hidden—had only just begun.
…
Half a month later.
Though the aftermath of the auction had yet to fade, every major faction on the Douluo Continent was already making its next move in secret.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy.
Mu En and Xuan Zi sat beside the altar, the golden power of faith drifting like a gossamer veil over its surface, their expressions solemn under its glow.
After careful discussion between their allied forces, the human altar had ultimately been placed under the protection of Shrek Academy.
"The soul beasts withdrew last time, but with Emperor Tian's temperament, he will never let matters rest," Mu En said, lightly tapping the stone table with his fingers. A sharp light glinted in his aged eyes.
"The existence of the Human Altar has completely broken the balance. Now, the soul beasts continue to grow stronger—Snow Emperor has already broken through, and as for Evil Emperor, I suspect he too will soon reach a new realm. We must accelerate the unification of human power."
His voice was not loud, but carried unquestionable authority.
As the stabilizing pillar of Shrek Academy, Mu En understood better than anyone—this struggle for racial survival had entered its most dangerous phase.
Elder Xuan nodded. "The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect have already sent word to their subsidiary clans, ordering them to strengthen the defense of human settlements and secretly gather faith energy."
"Shrek Academy must also move faster—to accumulate as much faith power as possible."
He paused, troubled.
"However… the Sun and Moon Empire has been unusually active. Xu Tianran and Du Bushi seem to be stirring resentment among the border cities, accusing us of hoarding the altar's blessings for only the three great sects and ignoring the common people."
"Despicable tricks."
Mu En snorted coldly, his disdain evident.
His soul power surged, sending a faint shockwave that made the teacups on the table tremble.
The Human Altar represented the future of humankind, yet the Sun and Moon Empire sought to interfere, risking all of humanity's safety just to weaken their rivals—inviting the soul beasts' advance.
"They want to attack our faith from within?"
"Hmph. I've already dispatched our students into the populace to share the miracles of the altar's protection. We must act swiftly."
As the two spoke, Yan Shaozhe burst into the chamber, his breath slightly hurried.
"Teacher, Elder Xuan—urgent news! There's a tremendous fluctuation of energy in the Demonic Forest. Scouts believe it's a breakthrough—and by all signs, it's the Evil Emperor!"
"The Evil Emperor… breaking through as well?"
Mu En shot to his feet, the screech of his chair against stone piercing the air. His gaze locked on the faint streams of golden faith flowing around the altar.
"Within half a month, Snow Emperor has already broken through—and now Evil Emperor follows. The soul beasts' top-tier power is surpassing ours once again."
"This… is going to be troublesome."
The atmosphere grew unbearably tense.
…
Meanwhile, deep within the icy plains of the Extreme North, Snow Emperor stood atop a glacier with her hands clasped behind her back.
She wore a flowing, ice-blue robe, its crystal-tinged hem trembling in the frozen winds, scattering brilliant shards of light.
The terrifying pressure of her eighty-thousand-year cultivation radiated from her, lowering the surrounding temperature by several degrees across a thousand-mile radius.
In her hand, the Frost God Sword shimmered with lethal chill, its runes of ice embodying the purest law of absolute cold.
Across from her, a towering peak flickered with violent thunder—lightning of destruction laced through the skies, churning violently.
She had spent hours weathering this storm, and only with the Frost God Sword's might had she finally shattered the heavenly tribulation.
Having survived the lightning, she felt her power surge—she had finally broken through.
"At last… a breakthrough."
Her voice chimed like jade on ice, serene yet filled with relief.
For this moment, she had waited thousands of years.
For centuries, she had feared the next heavenly tribulation.
Deep down, she knew—if she faced it too soon, she would not survive.
Thus, she had suppressed her power deliberately, keeping it at the seventy-thousand-year limit.
Over the years, she had gathered countless treasures of ice, and with the Frost God Sword in hand, she could finally unleash her true potential.
After days of absorbing the essence of these artifacts, her spirit power had soared to eighty-thousand years.
With a graceful motion, she swung the Frost God Sword through the air. A kilometer-long scar of frost split the land, crusted with fine crystals that reached hundreds of meters into the ground.
Boom!
The energy of heaven and earth surged toward her body, forming a visible white vortex of power that spun above her like a funnel.
"Snow Emperor!"
Across the Extreme North, soul beasts sensed her ascension. Recognizing the aura of their monarch, they knelt across the frost-covered land, releasing awed cries of reverence.
This was the authority of the true ruler of the North—a power that could rival Emperor Tian himself.
Xiao Bai led her clan in bowing from within the icy valley, while countless soul beasts danced and roared in the sky, scattering glittering snowflakes to celebrate their queen's evolution.
A faint smile appeared in Snow Emperor's eyes as the Frost God Sword floated before her, spinning gently in midair.
The vast power flowing within her surged outward, blessing the souls of nearby beasts.
As a being born of the Extreme North, her breakthrough allowed her to grant this gift—her divine benediction—to her fellow soul beasts, accelerating their growth.
…
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Demonic Forest, the Evil Emperor's breakthrough was far more violent.
A pitch-black storm of spiritual energy erupted like a tsunami, engulfing everything within a hundred miles.
(END CHAPTER)
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