The Ice Jade Scorpion tribe gradually fell into a disadvantage.
One 80,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion seemed to be the tribe's leader. Possessing considerable intelligence, it directed its kin to huddle together, forming pairs or groups of three.
This strategy often caught even the cunning Iris Cold Sparrows off guard. Once entangled by surrounding Ice Jade Scorpions or impaled by their tail hooks in vital spots, their lives were essentially forfeit.
With this back and forth, the battle situation gradually evened out, with both sides exchanging blows in a lively fashion.
However.
The sudden appearance of a figure shattered the balance between the Ice Jade Scorpion and Iris Cold Sparrow tribes.
A streak of crimson light rapidly approached, directly charging into the Iris Cold Sparrow formation. The terrifying, blazing flames caused the Iris Cold Sparrow tribe to immediately fall into disarray.
In the core region of the Extreme North, Soul Beasts rarely encountered humans. In fact, most Soul Beasts, even those cultivated for tens of thousands of years, had never encountered a Soul Master.
Therefore, Lin Xiao's appearance was mistaken for another powerful Soul Beast. Only a few experienced, tens of thousands of years old Soul Beasts recognized Lin Xiao's identity.
Lin Xiao unleashed the Phoenix Domain, and the sky was instantly filled with a sea of fire.
The Ultimate Fire had a strong suppressive effect on the Iris Cold Sparrows. Even the Ice Jade Scorpions below felt the terror of the flames.
After fighting for a while, however.
Lin Xiao voluntarily retracted the Phoenix Domain. This was because fighting in the core region of the Extreme North, his fire-attribute skills consumed an immense amount of Soul Power, making it an unwise choice.
So, Lin Xiao decided to switch tactics.
In fact, this was a move Lin Xiao possessed that was extremely powerful, yet he had never used it against an enemy before.
"Exile Domain · Ten Thousand Souls Banner!"
A massive, illusory ice and snow castle appeared in the sky. Its appearance was exquisite and magnificent, but the moment the castle materialized, it brought an extremely chilling sensation to the Iris Cold Sparrow tribe.
This cold was different from the cold of the Extreme North.
It was a cold that could make one's soul tremble.
The next instant.
Countless adorable, plump snowmen emerged from the snow castle, moving erratically through the sky and scattering everywhere.
As soon as these snowmen touched an Iris Cold Sparrow, they would open their wide mouths and bite down fiercely. While they inflicted no physical damage, they caused the Iris Cold Sparrows to cry out in extreme pain, as if their souls had been severely wounded.
Even more so, some fell heavily to the ground.
Even if they weren't smashed to pieces, they were immediately finished off by the surrounding Ice Jade Scorpions.
Among the many snowmen, there was a large snowman wearing a red cape, a crown, and holding a scepter. It was clearly much stronger than the others.
Every time it attacked, an Iris Cold Sparrow would fall from the sky, only to be devoured by the Ice Jade Scorpions below.
This Snow King was none other than...
Ancestor Tang Chen.
His life was legendary. He roamed the world in life, and in death, he was the Snow King in the snow castle, content with his lot.
Cough cough... He wasn't exactly treated poorly.
If the Slaughter King was a King, why couldn't the Snow King be a King?
The Iris Cold Sparrow tribe was utterly routed by Lin Xiao alone. The leader of the Iris Cold Sparrows, a 70,000-year-old individual, saw this and quickly ordered its tribe to retreat.
Lin Xiao did not stop them.
His Exile Domain had range limitations.
Since he had already repelled the Iris Cold Sparrow tribe.
It was best to know when to stop.
Lin Xiao slowly descended, landing not far from the Ice Jade Scorpion tribe.
The dense mass of Ice Jade Scorpions immediately rushed over, surrounding Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao was not alarmed by this, merely standing there calmly and waiting for what would happen next.
At this moment, the Ice Jade Scorpion tribe suddenly parted, creating a path. From within emerged an exceptionally massive Ice Jade Scorpion, its shell rugged and imposing, its fangs bared and claws extended, looking very formidable.
It was the 80,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion leader.
Before reaching 100,000 years of cultivation, although Soul Beasts possessed considerable intelligence, they were not capable of speaking human language.
Fortunately, Lin Xiao had a means.
He utilized the Soul Skill of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's million-year Head Soul Bone, establishing a spiritual link between himself and the 80,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion leader, allowing for unobstructed communication.
"Hello."
Lin Xiao's voice suddenly echoed in the mind of the 80,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion leader. It glanced at him with great surprise, then seemed to understand.
"A human?"
"Yes."
"Why are you in the core region of the Extreme North? And why did you help us?"
"For the sake of the transaction, if possible, I'd like to meet your King."
The 80,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion leader said warily:
"What do you want with our King? I warn you, although your strength is great, you are no match for the King."
"That Iris Cold Sparrow clan only provoked us intentionally when the King was away."
"The King dislikes humans."
The Ice Empress's personality was not easy to get along with.
Even among Soul Beasts, she was considered extremely dangerous.
The Ice Empress was decisive and ruthless, extremely proud and overbearing. The prerequisite for communicating with her as an equal was to be more powerful than her.
Lin Xiao said:
"I bear no ill will towards you or your King. I have come to help your King regarding his 400,000-year Heavenly Tribulation."
Soul Beasts' Heavenly Tribulations were no joke.
They were almost always a matter of life and death.
This was also the reason why Ferocious Beasts were so rare.
It wasn't as if simply living long enough would allow one to become a Ferocious Beast King.
Otherwise, the world would likely be filled with Ferocious Beasts who only knew how to play it safe.
The 80,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion leader was somewhat surprised.
How did this human know that the King was going to face his Heavenly Tribulation in another ten thousand years?
Given the gravity of the matter, it reminded him:
"From what I know of humans, they are the most cunning and adept at deception. Because you helped us deal with the Iris Cold Sparrow clan this time, I will warn you."
"The King hates being deceived the most."
"The King also dislikes humans the most."
"If you are determined to see the King, I can help relay your message, but you will have to bear all the consequences yourself."
Lin Xiao smiled slightly.
"That would be excellent. Thank you for your trouble."
...
The Ice Empress was out, but she would return soon. In the meantime, Lin Xiao set up camp not far from the Ice Jade Scorpion tribe.
He caused no trouble for the Ice Jade Scorpion tribe.
A week later.
The Ice Empress returned to the tribe.
Lin Xiao was brewing tea in his tent, using the pure, natural snow water from the Extreme North and tea leaves grown in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well.
The fragrance drifted far.
Suddenly, Lin Xiao's sharp senses detected a powerful aura approaching.
Extremely dangerous.
He walked out of the tent.
He saw a scorpion, one meter fifty in length, its entire body crystal clear, like flawless crystal, emanating a misty jade light. It stood outside his tent, its pair of jade eyes coldly staring at him.
A terrifying, ferocious aura emanated from it.
"So beautiful!"
Lin Xiao exclaimed sincerely.
At that moment, he somewhat understood why the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, that big bug, was so infatuated with the Ice Empress. Even from a human perspective, the Ice Empress's scorpion form was exquisitely beautiful.
It was a masterpiece of divine creation.
Like an artwork meticulously designed by the Creator, just not in human form
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