As a peculiar mental fluctuation spread outward from Shu Yan, the three women vaguely sensed that same bone-chilling, deathly aura from before—but when they focused more closely, all they could perceive was Shu Yan's spiritual power.
In the distance, among countless piles of white bones and skulls, several massive dark-gold skeletons seemed to be drawn by some unseen force. Their previously lowered heads slowly lifted, crimson soul flames blazing fiercely within their eye sockets. After briefly scanning their surroundings in confusion, they noticed the four figures standing atop the cliff and began striding toward them in unison.
With every step they took, at least four or five ordinary skeletons were crushed into fragments beneath their feet. Even so, the three dark-gold skeletons did not slow down—in fact, their pace gradually quickened.
The ground itself began to tremble under their heavy footsteps. Before long, the three skeletons had reached the group.
Feeling the connection forming between himself and them, Shu Yan slowly extended his hand once more. A black six-pointed star totem emerged on the back of his hand, and behind him appeared a vague figure clad in a black cloak, holding a staff.
The three dark-gold skeletons let out synchronized roars, then dropped to one knee in perfect unison. Their heads, wreathed in burning soul flames, lowered deeply—an unmistakable display of absolute submission and loyalty.
Shu Yan stared at his own palm in a daze before finally realizing what was happening. Within his Sea of Consciousness, he called out softly:
"Elder Yi…"
After a long pause, a faint response finally came from deep within the Gold of Life:
"That power belongs to me. It allows you to quickly gain control over powerful beings in the undead world. From now on, you are their master—the one they will serve unto death."
"Remember this: if you wish to summon them into the outside world, you must use spiritual power to open a spatial gate. The stronger the undead creature—or the greater their number—the more spiritual power it will require. However, with my presence, this will not be a serious problem."
"Thousands of years have passed, and even I cannot be certain how much the undead world has changed. But as long as I remain within your Sea of Consciousness, all of them are forces you may freely command…"
With those words, Electrolux's voice faded away once more. Shu Yan let out a quiet sigh of emotion but said nothing further.
Though the effects of the Gold of Life were remarkable, Electrolux still needed time to repair his shattered consciousness, now reduced to a mere trace. Having achieved the result he wanted, Shu Yan found his mood lifting considerably.
"With Elder Yi's power assisting me, controlling these guys won't be difficult," Shu Yan said with a smile. "Let's go. We've already learned plenty today. The undead demi-plane is vast—we won't be able to explore it all in a short time. Once I understand it better, I'll explain things to you properly. How about that?"
The six-pointed star totem on the back of his hand slowly faded away, and the three dark-gold skeletons gradually returned to their respective groups.
Ordinarily speaking, a race as low-tier as skeletons should not produce beings of such caliber. But Shu Yan's transmigration had already altered too many things, and mutations were common in the undead world anyway. Too lazy to dwell on it, he led the three women back to the hotel after gaining their agreement.
Night had fallen deep. The Snow Empress and Ice Empress did not linger and soon returned to their own room. Shu Yan noticed Xu Jiujou deliberately slowing her pace to walk behind him. The corner of his lips curved upward as he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, closing the door behind them with a crisp click.
Xu Jiujou let out a soft gasp and hurriedly whispered:
"What are you doing? Sister Snow and Sister Bingbing are right next door—this is so embarrassing…"
Shu Yan didn't seem to care in the slightest. Hearing the sound of the neighboring door closing, he carried Xu Jiujou straight into the soft bed.
"Nothing much. I just need a pillow to hold while sleeping. And you happen to be soft and smell nice—perfectly suited to my needs."
Xu Jiujou struggled for a moment before settling comfortably into his embrace.
Suddenly, she lifted herself up and rested against his chest, her voice tinged with inexplicable melancholy.
"A-Yan… you're becoming more and more talented and outstanding. Compared to everything you do, I keep feeling like I'm holding you back. In the future… will you start to dislike me because of that?"
Shu Yan found it amusing. He leaned down and kissed her moist, rosy lips, but she stubbornly pressed closer. After a brief, breathless exchange, he finally found the chance to speak.
"That's impossible. Do I really look like that kind of person to you?"
Xu Jiujou panted softly, her beautiful cheeks flushed, blue eyes filled with affection. Almost instinctively, she shook her head.
"No."
Shu Yan smiled, removing their outer robes before speaking again.
"We won't meditate or cultivate tonight. I'm a bit tired. Let's rest properly."
Xu Jiujou nodded and slowly closed her eyes in his arms. Before long, her breathing became steady and calm.
In the neighboring room.
The Snow Empress had already changed out of her white gown into a soft white silk nightdress. Under the dim lighting, she leaned against the headboard, lost in thought. Beside her, the blanket suddenly shifted as the Ice Empress—also in a nightdress—poked her head out and asked curiously:
"Xue'er, aren't you sleeping?"
The Snow Empress snapped back to her senses, smiled, and gently pinched the Ice Empress's cheek.
"I'm just thinking about something. Go to sleep—you don't need to wait for me."
The Ice Empress tilted her head for a moment, then sat up and moved beside her.
Under the lamplight, the two breathtakingly beautiful women—one tall, one petite—sat together, forming a scene of undeniable elegance.
Seeing the unspoken expression on the Snow Empress's face, the Ice Empress asked curiously:
"Xue'er… are you thinking about Shu Yan?"
The Snow Empress turned slightly, surprise flashing in her eyes, but she nodded without denying it.
The Ice Empress curled her lips, speaking with mild disdain:
"That guy really does have impressive talent and methods—and his background isn't bad either. Following him gives us more hope than waiting to die in the Far North. Still, it's a shame. I once wanted to ask him for a bit of that so-called Gold of Life so we could each break through our tribulations more easily. But he said he'd give us something better and more suitable in the future. I say he's just stingy and unwilling to part with it…"
The Snow Empress glanced at her in surprise. After thinking for a moment, she replied:
"Judging by his personality, he doesn't seem like someone who would lie to you. Forget it—he said there are several great opportunities he plans to take us to. That will probably take quite some time. Since he said it, I believe he won't disappoint us."
Those words instantly made the Ice Empress bristle. She looked at the Snow Empress's impossibly beautiful, mature face and said with a mix of grievance and helplessness:
"Xue'er, why is it that whenever we talk about Shu Yan, you always end up taking his side? It happened last time—and the time before that too. I'm the one who's been your closest companion for tens of thousands of years!"
The Snow Empress froze slightly and replied instinctively:
"Do I? I just think his personality wouldn't allow him to joke about something like that. Bing'er… don't you feel the same?"
Regaining her composure, the Snow Empress was about to continue when the Ice Empress muttered gloomily:
"Xue'er, see? You're doing it again…"
The Snow Empress hesitated, suddenly unsure.
"Bing'er… do I really subconsciously favor him?"
After a long pause, the Ice Empress nodded vigorously.
"I'm certain of it—absolutely certain. Xue'er, can't you feel it yourself?"
The Snow Empress frowned, reflecting on her recent state of mind. After a while, she spoke softly:
"I'm not entirely sure either. Since leaving the Far North, life in the human world has been… happy. I can't deny that. I've felt a warmth and joy I never experienced during all those years there. The loneliness and deathly stillness that used to linger in my heart have almost completely faded. Maybe that's why—but overall, I don't feel anything abnormal."
The Ice Empress fell silent for a long time before finally saying:
"I hope so. Even though I hate to admit it, being Shu Yan's companion actually feels pretty good. My own outlook has changed a lot lately too."
The Snow Empress reached out again and pinched her cheek, then pulled her into an embrace.
"Sleep. Let's stop talking about this. And don't get handsy—otherwise, I won't mind throwing you onto the couch."
The Ice Empress's newly cheerful expression instantly collapsed. She muttered an "oh," nuzzled closer, wrapped her arms around the Snow Empress's waist, and burrowed back under the blanket.
The Snow Empress remained leaning against the headboard for a long, long time—until the streetlights outside automatically went dark and the room grew dimmer. Only then did she come back to herself.
After turning off the bedside lamp, she stared into the darkness, rubbed her brow, gently pried away the Ice Empress's tightly clinging arms, and lay down on her side.
The night was deep. Sleep refused to come. Staring at the stars beyond the window, the Snow Empress suddenly rose again—then stepped forward and vanished from the room.
Next door, Shu Yan opened his eyes as well. Looking at the night outside, confusion surfaced in his heart.
That presence just now… was that the Snow Empress?
Perhaps she hadn't intentionally concealed her movements—or perhaps Shu Yan was simply too sensitive to her aura. Either way, the Snow Empress had indeed left the hotel.
Shu Yan glanced at Xu Jiujou sleeping in his arms, then considered the Snow Empress's Limit Douluo-level cultivation. Letting out a helpless sigh, he tightened his hold and drifted back into sleep.
Whatever reason the Snow Empress had for leaving in the middle of the night, it wasn't something he could follow anyway. And if it were truly urgent, there was no way the Ice Empress—sleeping like a pig—wouldn't have gone with her.
Taking everything into account, Shu Yan decided not to meddle.