"I already told you," Jing Shengyu said helplessly, "it was given to me by my senior brother. You… you weren't listening earlier, were you?"
Snow Empress froze for a moment at his words, pausing briefly before questioning further, "Then why were you absorbing my ice energy earlier? Don't tell me you weren't coveting my power!"
"That's a misunderstanding! I was just researching!" Jing Shengyu immediately shook his head in denial.
"Research? That's not the same as coveting?" the Snow Empress countered.
Jing Shengyu explained seriously, "It's not the same at all! My research is aimed at fundamentally changing how soul masters cultivate—so one day, they won't need to hunt soul beasts to obtain soul rings and grow stronger!"
Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement at the right time. "That's true. My cousin has been focused on this for a long time. Even the Soul Hall is supporting him with this research."
Looking at the Snow Empress, Jing Shengyu added, "If my research succeeds, there'll no longer be conflict between soul beasts and soul masters. They'll be able to coexist in peace!"
"Easy for you to say."
The Snow Empress sneered at his confidence. "Soul masters hunting soul beasts has been the way of the world for countless millennia—even since before my earliest memories. And you—just a young boy—dare speak of changing that?"
Jing Shengyu said calmly, "If I succeed, then it won't be just empty talk."
"And if you fail?" the Snow Empress pressed.
"I won't," Jing Shengyu replied with firm conviction.
The three soul beast experts in the room—Snow Emperor, Ice Empress and Tianmeng Ice Silkworm—fell silent at his words. They stared at the young man before them, his resolve casting a quiet hush over them.
After a long pause, the Snow Empress asked, "Tell me why. Why are you doing this? With your talent, even without this research, you could've become one of the most powerful figures in human history."
Jing Shengyu took a deep breath, and answered solemnly, "Protecting the environment is protecting humanity itself. Humans and soul beasts are both part of nature. If one day soul beasts go extinct, humanity will follow. I hope to see the day where we coexist in harmony."
The modern environmentalist motto, so casually spoken, stunned the entire room into a deeper silence.
Snow Empress, Ice Empress, and Tianmeng Ice Silkworm all looked at Jing Shengyu with astonishment. None of them expected someone so young to have such a grand and heartfelt vision. From the sincerity in his eyes, they could tell this was no mere rhetoric—it was something deeply rooted in him.
"If your research truly succeeds, then even though you're human, your name will be honored among soul beasts," the Snow Empress finally said, a trace of admiration in her voice.
Ice Empress stepped forward. "Is there anything we can do to help you?"
Seeing her eagerness, Jing Shengyu smiled and said, "You and Brother Tianmeng are already soul rings for Yuhao. You can't leave his side, and besides, you're still helping Senior Xuan with his soul tool research, so I don't need your help just yet."
"To unlock the mysteries of soul rings, I need to research physical soul beasts. You two don't have your bodies anymore, so there's only so much you can do."
Snow Empress spoke up quietly, "Then use my embryo. A soul beast embryo is an ideal research subject. If it can help complete this research, then it'll be worthy of my title as the leader of the Three Great Kings of the Extreme North."
"What?!" Ice Empress and Tianmeng turned to her in shock. Among soul beasts, allowing a human to study one's embryo was almost unthinkable—even if they trusted Jing Shengyu, the risks were immense.
But the Snow Empress simply looked at Jing Shengyu and said, "I entrust you with this. Don't let me down."
Jing Shengyu respectfully bowed. "I won't disappoint you, Snow Empress. I will see this research through."
The Snow Empress studied him for a moment, then said, "I hope you succeed."
With that, she returned to the embryo, the icy glow fading as she re-entered it. Her voice echoed one last time, "Also, I'll need a long time to complete my transformation. Jing Shengyu, take good care of my embryo."
Her decision to trust him wasn't only for the sake of his research—it was also about survival. She was in Mingdu, and though powerful, she was still in a vulnerable state. Here, surrounded by titled Douluo, her safety wasn't guaranteed. Staying with Jing Shengyu gave her the best protection.
"Don't worry. I got this!" Jing Shengyu gave an "OK" hand sign and grinned.
The embryo's glow faded completely and settled quietly back to the floor.
Jing Shengyu walked over, gently picked up the embryo, and looked around the room—now covered in layers of white frost and snow. With a sigh, he turned to Huo Yuhao and asked, "Hey, Yuhao—wanna help your cousin clean up?"
Huo Yuhao blinked, just as Ice Empress spoke up coldly, "Something this small doesn't need Yuhao's help."
She raised her hand, and with a single motion, the ice and snow spiraled upward, condensed into light, and vanished. In an instant, the room was cleared of snow.
But while the frost was gone, its effects lingered—wilted plants, puddles on the floor, soaked chairs and tables.
Ice Empress said, "You two can take care of the rest. I've just woken up—I'm going to rest."
With that, she returned to Huo Yuhao's spirit sea.
Tianmeng hurried after her. "Wait for me, Bing'er!"
"You dare?" came Ice Empress icy voice.
Huo Yuhao sighed, rubbing his temples. "Here we go again…"
"Thanks for your help," Jing Shengyu patted his cousin's shoulder. "Now we just need Electrolux to wake up and we'll have a full mahjong table in your spiritual sea."
Just then, Tianyin Douluo walked in. She opened the door to find Jing Shengyu and Huo Yuhao each holding a giant rag, mopping up puddles.
She frowned. "What did you two do to my house?"
Jing Shengyu and Huo Yuhao turned their heads simultaneously.
Jing Shengyu quickly went over and helped her to a seat, giving her a shoulder massage. "Ah, Your Grace, long day? You must be tired!"
She looked at him suspiciously. "What are you scheming now? Out with it."
"Just… a little accident!" he laughed awkwardly.
She didn't press. From the way he sounded, she knew he wouldn't tell her the whole truth. Even Kong Deming didn't press for all of Jing Shengyu's secrets—so neither would she.
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