Standing to the side, Huo Yuhao listened to the conversation between these two top beings of the Soul Beast world. He felt both grateful and full of doubt, and couldn't help but ask: "Ice Empress, what exactly does the 'Bone Before Soul' you mentioned earlier mean?"
The Ice Empress's attitude toward Huo Yuhao was noticeably more patient. She explained in detail: "According to Tianmeng's original idea, I was to directly become your Second Martial Soul, and after completing the Martial Soul Shaping, use my Origin power to condense into your first spirit ring. But the method I propose is more thorough. When we Ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts sacrifice ourselves, a Spirit Bone is inevitably produced. And my Spirit Bone, from nearly four hundred thousand years of Cultivation, is of a quality far beyond ordinary hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bones. Furthermore, I can autonomously decide the form and position this Spirit Bone takes in your body."
She continued clearly: "Therefore, I have decided to perform the Spirit Bone Fusion first. I will take my Trunk Bone—specifically, your entire spinal column, as well as all the connected ribs and sternum—and replace and fuse them with your skeleton."
"A Spirit Bone tempered by my nearly four hundred thousand years of Cultivation will fundamentally and completely transform your Physique, laying the firmest Foundation for carrying my massive Soul Power later. Because I am doing this voluntarily and actively controlling it, the Spirit Bone Fusion process itself will not result in rejection, and the energy will be perfectly Sealed and guided. However..."
The Ice Empress's voice became exceptionally serious, emphasizing the risks: "There is one crucial issue: you must endure immense pain beyond ordinary imagination. This is not a simple bone reconstruction; it is the dismantling of your upper body's primary support structures one by one, then rebuilding them with my Spirit Bone as the core. It's like breaking your bones inch by inch and then reforging and rejoining them using Ultimate Ice energy as a catalyst."
"Tianmeng, Furina, and I can protect your heart and ensure your Physical Body isn't destroyed, but we cannot shield you from this pain that pierces to the bone and touches the Soul. If your will wavers even slightly during the long torment, leading to a mental breakdown, then all previous efforts, including my sacrifice, will be in vain. Such pain... are you sure you can endure it?"
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath of the cold air. Flashes of Sister Furina's selfless help and expectations, Brother Tianmeng's earnest hopes, and the humiliations he and his mother suffered at the White Tiger Dukes Mansion crossed his mind.
He looked up, his gaze devoid of any hesitation. He nodded firmly and replied: "No problem, I can endure it. No matter how painful, I will never give up." To repay Sister Furina's kindness, to live up to everyone's expectations, and for his own conviction to become stronger and seek revenge, he had to pull through.
Just then, an old and peaceful voice quietly echoed in the ice cave, carrying a steadiness born of experiencing many vicissitudes: "Guarding the spirit and stabilizing the mind? This happens to be one of the areas this old man excels in." As soon as the voice fell, a blurred gray shadow slowly condensed beside Huo Yuhao; it was the elder Electrolux, who resided in his Sea of Consciousness.
He looked at Huo Yuhao kindly and continued: "Child, go ahead with peace of mind. This old man will hold the final line of defense for your Sea of Consciousness, ensuring it remains calm. Since I have not yet recovered all my memories and cannot systematically teach you that ancient knowledge for now, I will use this method to repay you for providing a place for my Soul to stay, as well as the mental force dispersed when you absorbed that Immortal Herb earlier. With me here, I can ensure your consciousness remains intact."
Huo Yuhao felt the unquestionable power, confidence, and care in Electrolux's words, and his heart was instantly wrapped in a warm current.
Furina also stepped forward and gently patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder, her words full of respect and trust for the elder: "With Elder Yi stepping in to protect you, your spiritual world is effectively double-insured! As expected of Elder Yi!"
The Ice Empress's mental force keenly captured the mysterious aura emanating from Electrolux's Soul shadow—though damaged, its essence was extremely high. Her heart shook again, and she couldn't help but blurt out: "This is... a divine aura that transcends mortal limits?! Tianmeng, you fellow really have had incredible luck! And Huo Yuhao, your Opportunity is truly astonishing, to have so many powerful beings willing to bet on you and assist with all their strength."
This realization added several more layers of confidence to her belief in the success rate of the "Godhood Project."
Furina thought to herself: "This is indeed the child of destiny!"
The Ice Empress composed herself and refocused on the Fusion before her. Her tone returned to its usual calm and efficiency: "Since you have agreed, and with Mr. Electrolux ensuring your spiritual world is safe and Furina acting as a Protector, then without further ado, let us begin. Remember, once we start, there is no turning back. Huo Yuhao, hold onto your heart; no matter what you feel, believe firmly that after the pain comes new life!"
"Understood!" Huo Yuhao's eyes were extremely resolute.
Inside the ice cave, the temperature plummeted. An emerald green light began to bloom from the Ice Empress's perfect, art-like scorpion body. A Fusion concerning the future and testing the will officially began.