"Mm." Su Wen nodded slightly.
His gaze swept over the snow-covered city. The noon sun shone but couldn't drive away the cold. Buildings stood close together, snow piled on the roofs. Servants from wealthy estates were out sweeping snow.
Everyone on the street wore thick coats, white breath billowing in the cold.
Taverns were everywhere, usually serving snow pig meat.
Su Wen and Yan Shaozhe found a tavern, ordered two servings of snow pig with malt beer, and chatted.
"Have you decided on your second soul beast?" Yan Shaozhe asked.
"Ice Jade Scorpion," Su Wen nodded.
In theory, a martial soul's strength could be improved gradually, but it was slow.
Gale was a good example; turning a normal wind attribute into the ultimate wind would take a long time—at least Soul King level.
Gale's potential was high, but he was weak early on.
The Ice Jade Scorpion race was born with the ultimate ice attribute, and the Ice Empress Scorpion took this to its peak. The Ice Empress was proof.
In fact, there was even a godlike skill in the original—the Ice Explosion Technique, from a 70,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion's soul bone.
A soul beast's bloodline potential depends on whether there's a top soul beast in its kind. Of the Extreme North's three kings, the Snow Empress had no race, the Titan Snow Demon King's kind was rare. Only the Ice Empress's kind were numerous and strong.
For a race strong in every stage, was there a better choice?
As for the Ice Silkworms, Su Wen didn't care.
For spiritual power, he could pick the Evil Eyed Tyrant. The Ice Silkworm only got strong through resources and luck. With those resources, the Evil Eye could crush Di Tian.
He also wondered if the Ice Jade Scorpion could evolve further after becoming the Emperor.
The waiter brought two plates of snow pig—bright and fragrant.
Su Wen cut a piece, dipped it in sauce, and took a bite. His eyes lit up—it wasn't as good as Aunt Lu's, but the meat was top-notch. No wonder it was famous.
…
Outside the tavern.
Ning Tian looked around, troubled. The place was packed. Snow pig was the Extreme North's signature dish, famous across the continent. With malt beer, it drew crowds.
She and Wu Feng had come to Anyang City because her elders wanted to hunt soul beasts. After much pleading, her father let her come.
Earlier, her elders had met a scholarly middle-aged man who turned out to be the dean of Shrek Academy's martial soul department. The two chatted.
She and Wu Feng, thirsty, went to find a tavern.
But everywhere was either closed or full, until this place…
"I'm sorry, young master. All tables are full. If you don't mind, perhaps you could share a table?" the waiter apologized.
"Thank you…" Ning Tian nodded.
Scanning the room, her eyes brightened.
She quickly led Wu Feng to a table at the back.
"Hello, is this seat taken?" Ning Tian asked politely.
"Yes."
Su Wen didn't look up, focused on his food.
Look with your eyes! Didn't she see the big guy across from him?
"Hey! How can you hog a whole table? Is this your restaurant?"
"Hm?"
Su Wen raised his eyebrows.
He finally looked up—only to see the opposite seat was empty, even the dishes cleared.
Damn, where was Dean Yan?!
He'd been so absorbed in food he didn't notice Yan leave.
But he trusted Yan Shaozhe. Even if he'd left, he was probably nearby, watching over him.
If Elder Xuan were in charge, Su Wen would have been nervous, maybe even wanted to go home.
Wu Feng looked angry, but Su Wen didn't explain, just nodded. "Sit."
"Hmph!"
Wu Feng folded her arms, glaring at Su Wen with satisfaction after exposing his trick.
Ning Tian glared at her, and both sat down.
"Young… ahem, young master, I heard the snow pig here is famous. Should we order some?" Wu Feng licked her lips, staring at Su Wen's food, hungry.
"Mm." Ning Tian nodded.
After the waiter left with their gold soul coins, Su Wen set down his knife, looking at Ning Tian with interest.
Though she had short hair, her feminine beauty showed. Dressed in elegant clothes, she tried to disguise herself as a boy, but her makeup was bad. Compared to the Tang Princess next door, who could fool even her roommates, this was child's play…
"Hey, why are you staring at my young master?" Wu Feng demanded.
"Girl dressed as a boy?" Su Wen chuckled.
"Huh?"
Ning Tian frowned, but his words made her eyes widen.
"What do you mean, don't talk nonsense…" Wu Feng was shocked. She'd done the makeup herself—how could he see through it so easily?
"With such poor makeup, anyone who doesn't see through it is blind," Su Wen smiled.
"And I'm not interested in your young lady, so quit biting me."
"…"
The scene went quiet.
Ning Tian, after a moment, looked at Su Wen differently—like a fellow traveler!
She smiled and reached out.
"Sorry for earlier. Let's reintroduce ourselves. Ning Tian, young lady of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Young master…" Wu Feng worried.
Outsiders, especially top talents, rarely gave their name while traveling. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was famous and rich, with many enemies.
"It's fine."
Ning Tian shook her head.
Since he recognized Wu Feng, her own identity was exposed. With his age and bearing, he must be from a top power too…
"Shrek Academy, Su Wen."
Their hands shook.