Journey to the Far North, the Snow Emperor AppearsThe northern border of the empire.
After leaving the last human city in the northern part of the Heavenly Dou Empire, the entire world was nothing but a vast expanse of white.
The howling wind drowned out the crunching sound of their feet sinking into the snow. The three of them headed north through the swirling snow.
"Dai Yao, where are we going?"
Shui Bing'er exhaled softly, which immediately condensed into ice mist, and said in a solemn tone. Hearing this, Xue Wu behind her also cast an inquiring glance.
Dai Yao turned around and looked at the two women, whose delicate bodies were trembling slightly due to the low temperature, and sighed inwardly.
Although the two women's soul power levels were not low, it was still too much of a stretch for them to reach their destination on their own.
"Bing'er, Xuewu, our destination this time is actually in the central area of the far north. It is where the most powerful soul beasts in the far north gather, many of them are at the hundred-thousand-year level. The reason I'm taking you there is to give you an opportunity as compensation."
Dai Yao brushed the snow off the two women's hat brims and smiled.
Because of the extreme low temperature, both women wore thick cotton-padded coats, which covered their youthful and beautiful figures, giving them a unique charm.
"We've already said, we don't need your compensation!"
Xuewu said anxiously.
Shui Bing'er pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized something, her pupils widened sharply, and she exclaimed in surprise:
"Dai Yao, you're taking us to the core area of the far north, are you planning to help us hunt down a 100,000-year-old soul beast?"
Dai Yao was slightly surprised. Shui Bing'er was indeed intelligent, and she deduced his purpose from some details.
No wonder he was a control-type Soul Master from Tianshui Academy.
That's right, Dai Yao's trip was precisely to obtain a 100,000-year soul ring for either Shui Bing'er or Xue Wu. However, it wasn't a hunt, since neither of them had the ability to absorb a 100,000-year soul ring; instead, it was through a sacrifice.
The name of this spirit beast is self-evident.
One of the three Heavenly Kings of the Far North – the Ice Emperor, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion.
Dai Yao has gifted almost every girlfriend he's been with with a lotus flower. Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu each have their own lotus flowers, but Dai Yao currently only has one left—a blue lotus—not enough to satisfy both of them.
To avoid favoritism, Dai Yao had to grant her an opportunity that was almost identical to that of Lan Lian.
However, even after searching the entire continent, no treasure could be found that could compare to the lotus flower that Dai Yao possessed. Therefore, Dai Yao could only seek slightly inferior treasures, namely a 100,000-year soul ring and a 100,000-year soul bone.
While the Ice Emperor's soul rings and soul bones are indeed valuable and can greatly enhance Dai Yao's strength, they cannot compare to the feelings of Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu.
Dai Yao smiled gently and said:
"You're right, Bing'er. But we're not here to hunt, but to do it another way."
Seeing the two women's anxious expressions as they tried to persuade him, Dai Yao patted their heads and interrupted them with a smile:
"Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who's overconfident. I'm 90% confident about this trip, and even if we fail, I can guarantee we'll get out unscathed. By the way, Bing'er, Xuewu, you should remember Zhuqing and Wutong, right?"
Although Shui Bing'er still had concerns about Dai Yao's purpose, she was indeed as he said, there were no safety issues.
"Of course I remember. Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong left a deep impression on us back then. Not only were they incredibly strong, but they were also extremely beautiful. Among their peers, I'm afraid no one except you could rival them. I just wonder what level they are now?"
Shui Bing'er asked with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong left a deep impression on them. Especially Feng Wutong, who, despite having a fire-attribute martial soul, was not afraid of their water-attribute martial souls at all, but instead suppressed them so much that they couldn't lift their heads. That martial soul was truly domineering.
"Zhu Qing is already level 83, and her eighth soul ring is a 100,000-year soul ring. Wu Tong has reached level 80, but she hasn't found a suitable soul ring yet."
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu were greatly surprised. Even Shui Bing'er, the most outstanding disciple of Tianshui Academy, had only reached the Soul Emperor level, several levels away from becoming a Soul Saint. Yet Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, who were slightly younger than them, had already reached the Soul Douluo level?
This is just too unbelievable.
"How is this possible?"
Shui Bing'er's rationality finally vanished, and she stared in disbelief.
Dai Yao explained, "This involves a special opportunity, which is why our soul power increased so quickly. Alright, let's not talk about that now. Bing'er, Xue Wu, do you know why they are so strong?"
Upon hearing this, Shui Bing'er immediately sensed that there was probably more to the story, so she asked:
"Isn't this because of their extraordinary talent and diligent training?"
Dai Yao shook his head and chuckled:
"Yes, but not entirely. Their hard work is indeed part of the reason for their current achievements, but how many Soul Masters on the continent work hard, and how many become as powerful as Zhu Qing and the others? The main reason lies in their talent."
"And this talent is the key point I want to make."
Under the questioning gazes of Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, Dai Yao waved his hand, casting a barrier to isolate the inside from the outside. With a thought, an ice-blue lotus flower appeared in Dai Yao's palm.
"This is?"
From the moment the Blue Lotus appeared, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu clearly felt an uncontrollable desire surging from the depths of their martial souls, a desire to devour the Blue Lotus before them. Shui Bing'er barely maintained her composure, her voice trembling.
"This is the real secret behind Zhu Qing and Wu Tong's transformation into stronger individuals. They all consumed a lotus flower, resulting in a complete transformation of their martial souls and bodies. Even the so-called top-tier martial souls like the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex or the Clear Sky Hammer are far inferior to their current martial souls."
"But now, I only have one lotus flower, while you have two people. I can't favor one over the other. If one person consumes the lotus flower, I have to try my best to compensate the other. That's why I came here, hoping to obtain a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone for the other person."
Dai Yao explained with a smile.
Shui Bing'er gave Dai Yao a strange look and said:
"You didn't take a lotus flower with every woman you had, did you?"
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao gave an awkward laugh and said, "Ahem, it seems so. Putting that aside for now, between the Blue Lotus and the 100,000-year-old soul ring and soul bone, which would you choose?"
Dai Yao couldn't directly decide who would get the lotus, as this could become a source of future conflict if not handled properly. Therefore, he could only openly discuss the matter with the two women. Of course, if not handled well, it could create a rift between the two sisters.
This is also something Dai Yao doesn't want to see.
Shui Bing'er pursed her lips. She wanted the Blue Lotus, but didn't know how to ask. It wasn't just because of the Blue Lotus's power to turn decay into magic, but more importantly, because of the lotus's symbolic identity.
Dai Yao's woman...
But she also knew that if she spoke up, Xue Wu would definitely not try to take it from her.
He sighed softly and said bitterly:
"Give me that 100,000-year-old soul ring..."
Before Shui Bing'er could finish speaking, Xue Wu interrupted her:
"No! Bing'er!"
She gently raised her beautiful eyes, looked at Dai Yao, a satisfied smile appearing on her delicate face, and said softly:
"Bing'er, on the path of a Soul Master, I am not as good as you, nor do I have such lofty pursuits as you. You should absorb that Blue Lotus. As for Dai Yao, there's no need for that 100,000-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone. Even if I absorbed it, it wouldn't be of much use to me."
"You little rascal!"
Dai Yao slapped Xue Wu's pert buttocks hard, which immediately drew a shy exclamation from Xue Wu.
Even through the thick cotton-padded coat, Dai Yao could still feel the amazing fleshiness.
"Don't give me that nonsense. Just keep what I gave you! Do you think I don't know that you've reached the Soul Emperor level but haven't absorbed a Soul Ring yet? If you could absorb a 100,000-year Soul Ring, the benefits to you would be unimaginable! Countless Soul Masters in the world would be eager to obtain a 100,000-year Soul Ring, and you, on the other hand, don't even want one!"
Dai Yao laughed and scolded.
Xue Wu herself possesses an ice-attribute martial soul. If she absorbs the spirit ring and spirit bone of the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, she can elevate her ice-attribute martial soul to its ultimate ice level, just like Huo Yuhao. This ability to enhance the quality of a martial soul is second only to Dai Yao's lotus.
Moreover, after acquiring a 100,000-year-old soul ring and soul bone, Xue Wu's potential has also greatly increased. The Title Douluo realm, which was originally difficult to reach, has become easy, and she even has the possibility of glimpsing the realm of gods.
Xue Wu touched her buttocks. Although the slap just now hurt, it gave her a strange feeling. Hearing Dai Yao's words, she nodded shyly.
······
Three days later.
Deeper into the far north ice plains, hundreds of miles away, the extreme cold was becoming unbearable for the two women, so Dai Yao had to activate the Vast Ocean Universe Cover to protect them.
This place is an absolute forbidden zone for humans, inhabited by countless powerful soul beasts. Along the way, Dai Yao sensed several powerful auras no weaker than Da Ming and Er Ming. Dai Yao could choose from these soul beasts, each at least 100,000 years old, to fill the gaps in his soul rings.
However, to be on the safe side and avoid any unforeseen complications, Dai Yao decided to find the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion's habitat first.
However, the Arctic ice plains are vast and boundless, making it extremely difficult to find the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. Moreover, it's not ten thousand years in the future where humanity has no knowledge of the Arctic; Dai Yao can only rely on his own strength.
Generally speaking, these powerful soul beasts live in treasure lands with dense soul power.
As long as Dai Yao can determine the strength of the free soul power in the air and the direction of its flow, he can naturally find the place where the soul power is strongest and find one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North.
Whether he encounters the Snow Empress or the Ice Empress, Dai Yao has room for negotiation, since both of them will face insurmountable tribulations in ten thousand years. However, if he encounters the Titan Snow Demon King, then he can only consider himself unlucky and should leave as soon as possible.
Before long, seeing the ground suddenly dip into a huge basin that completely filled his field of vision, Dai Yao abruptly stopped and solemnly said:
"arrive."
The spiritual energy here is extremely rich, even more so than that of the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Great Forest.
This place must be the habitat of one of the three great heavenly kings of the far north.
Upon hearing this, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, who were hiding behind Dai Yao, both peeked out. When they saw the huge basin in front of them, their pupils dilated in surprise, and their red lips parted slightly.
They exchanged a glance and saw the surprise in each other's eyes. Although they were among the most talented in the Soul Master world, they had never seen a 100,000-year-old Soul Beast, let alone its habitat.
"You two stay inside the Vast Ocean Universe Cover and wait for my signal."
Dai Yao turned around and gave the order.
After the two women nodded in agreement, Dai Yao spread his eight wings and rushed out of the barrier of the Vast Sea Universe Cover. Extreme cold instantly assaulted him, and despite wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, it was to no avail. Only after releasing his soul power did Dai Yao feel a little warmth.
"As expected of the core area of the far north, the frigid temperature is unbearable for most people in the world. I wonder which of the Three Heavenly Kings the soul beasts inhabiting this place are?"
Dai Yao sighed silently.
He took out the Trident of Poseidon from his back, and as the golden trident mark between his eyebrows bloomed, layers of golden energy surged outwards.
A moment later, Dai Yao keenly sensed that the surrounding temperature was dropping rapidly, and ice was growing wildly like weeds. Then, a powerful sense of oppression suddenly descended upon the entire world.
Suddenly, a stunningly beautiful figure appeared before Dai Yao.
Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her long, pure white hair cascading to her ankles, her perfectly proportioned figure enveloped in a long white dress, her bare feet floating in the air. She was ethereal and otherworldly, truly unique. Her icy blue eyes held a detached indifference that seemed to have seen through the world's illusions.
But those unchanging, cold, and indifferent eyes were fixed on the golden trident in Dai Yao's hand.
After a long while, she finally shifted her gaze from the golden trident, looked at the man before her, and a look of undisguised horror flashed across her pretty face as she slowly said:
"Who are you?" (End of Chapter)