The Extreme North, Core Area.
High in the sky, where fierce winds rage, a dazzling green aurora illuminates the heavens, casting a beautiful and brilliant light. This is the unique polar night environment of the Extreme North's core region.
If one could overlook the extreme climate, it might even be considered a paradise on Earth. However, the terror of the Extreme North's core area lies not only in the harsh, snowstorm-shrouded environment but also in the overwhelming strength of the spirit beasts that inhabit this land.
Due to the unforgiving conditions and the predominantly ice-attribute soul beasts, this area is largely inaccessible.
Few soul masters dare to venture deep into the Extreme North to hunt soul beasts. As a result, as long as a soul beast race in the Extreme North is strong, they can generally cultivate for a hundred thousand years without much interference.
Here, ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts roam freely, thirty-thousand-year-old soul beasts are common, and fifty- to seventy-thousand-year-old soul beasts are merely average. Only hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts reign as true overlords.
It can be said that the core area of the Extreme North is far more dangerous than the core area of the Star Dou Forest. Like the Great Dangerous Land, it is one of the forbidden zones for human soul masters.
As Huo Yuhao ventured deeper into the perilous core area of the Extreme North, he encountered numerous soul beasts over fifty thousand years old, with some even reaching the hundred-thousand-year level.
However, Huo Yuhao had no intention of hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast at this time. Not only did he believe in quality over quantity, but his current physical strength was also insufficient.
Thanks to the Life Gold, Huo Yuhao's physical condition had improved significantly. After absorbing his fourth soul ring, he used Skydream's spiritual origin to enhance the lifespan of his Spirit Eyes soul ring once again.
Platinum, black, black, black!
The soul ring had now surpassed fifty thousand years.
Although Skydream's spiritual origin was limited, it was more than enough to upgrade ten soul rings to the hundred-thousand-year level, so Huo Yuhao didn't hesitate to use it. Moreover, after breaking through the fifty-thousand-year threshold, Huo Yuhao's major soul skills had also improved as expected.
For now, let's set aside the Skydream four-piece set and the Imitation skill, which remained largely unchanged except for some more intricate and detailed operations due to Huo Yuhao's development.
The teleportation distance of his third soul skill, Spatial Teleportation, had increased from thirty meters to fifty meters, and the additional soul power consumption for continuous use had been further reduced.
As for Spiritual Engraving, a newly acquired soul skill that hadn't been fully utilized yet, it had also undergone some changes.
Originally, after solidifying the Blue Water Field, the spiritual engraving couldn't be imprinted. However, after the soul ring's age increased to fifty thousand years, Huo Yuhao gained an additional storage slot (temporary imprinting position) alongside the original engraving slot (permanent solidification position).
This meant that even with a solidified Blue Water Field, Huo Yuhao could now create temporary imprints and store them for up to one day.
An epic enhancement indeed! The Spiritual Engraving skill now functioned like an alternative hundred-thousand-year soul skill—one ring, two skills! However, the restrictions on temporary imprints remained the same: they could only be used three times a day, and the soul skills from the imprints would disappear after a single use. The temporary soul skills in the storage slot would also vanish after one day.
"Yuhao, I found a local bear. Should we capture it and interrogate it?" Skydream, lying on Huo Yuhao's right shoulder, had a faint golden light shimmering in his small eyes, eager for action.
After merging with the soul remains and gaining a more independent existence, Skydream had become more proactive. She could now materialize the first soul ring of the Spirit Eyes and form a special life-reflection shield, which rebounded both physical and mental attacks based on Skydream's vitality and Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea.
"Let the Ice Empress handle the questioning," Huo Yuhao replied.
In his perception, he had already detected strong life fluctuations. It was an incredibly powerful Arctic Ice Bear, nearly ten meters tall when standing upright. With its thick fur, immense strength, explosive power, and speed comparable to agility-based spirit beasts, it was a top predator in the Arctic ice fields.
The Arctic Ice Bear was to the Extreme North what the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was to the Star Dou Forest.
Even a thousand-year-old Arctic Ice Bear could rival an ordinary ten-thousand-year-old soul beast in combat. Though it couldn't match the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear in sheer fighting power, few spirit beasts dared to provoke it.
At this moment, the ten-thousand-year-old Arctic Ice Bear was charging toward Huo Yuhao at an alarming speed.
With its keen sense of smell, it could detect the presence of other creatures from over ten kilometers away. Despite Huo Yuhao's Imitation skill concealing his aura, the bear had still picked up his scent as the distance closed.
Huo Yuhao didn't flee. Instead, he approached the Arctic Ice Bear.
The paws of the Arctic Ice Bear were considered a delicacy among all bear paws.
Living in the Extreme North and tempered by the extreme cold, its paws were exceptionally plump and nutritious, making them a valuable tonic for soul masters.
However, due to the strength of the Arctic Ice Bears and their residence in the core area of the Extreme North, few dared to hunt them. As a result, Arctic Ice Bear paws were extremely rare and expensive across the continent.
Unfortunately, since Huo Yuhao was acquainted with the Ice Empress, he couldn't bring himself to harm the bear. After all, the ten-thousand-year-old Arctic Ice Bear was a key combatant among the Extreme North's spirit beasts.
"Roar—"
Seeing Huo Yuhao advance instead of retreating, the Arctic Ice Bear felt its dignity was being challenged. With an angry roar, it charged at Huo Yuhao, its massive body rising to its full height as it swung its enormous paws down.
Huo Yuhao could clearly feel the bear's thick fur infused with strong soul power, each strand becoming as sharp as a needle—a perfect defense mechanism. Like the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, this Arctic Ice Bear relied heavily on brute strength, though it lacked the former's deadly claws.
In a flash, Huo Yuhao grabbed the bear's right paw with both hands and, with a sudden burst of strength, flung the massive creature into the air. The bear crashed heavily onto the ice, creating a loud bang.
"Ice Empress, if you don't step in, I might really end up eating bear paws," Huo Yuhao said, clapping his hands as a reminder.
Hearing this, the Ice Empress appeared on Huo Yuhao's left shoulder. Her aura erupted, and the overwhelming pressure of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast descended upon the dazed Arctic Ice Bear. The bear's ferocity vanished instantly, and it scrambled back, looking almost comical.
The Ice Empress's eyes flashed with green light as she began to speak in a strange, mesmerizing language—the tongue of the beasts. After a brief exchange, she dismissed the bear.
"Yuhao, the bear told me that a month ago, the Snow Empress announced her successor, appointing the Titan Snow Demon King as the new Lord of the Arctic Ice Field. After that, she disappeared with the Ice Bear King," the Ice Empress reported, her mood growing heavy.
Was the Snow Empress preparing to face her seven-hundred-thousand-year tribulation ahead of time? Or, as Huo Yuhao had suggested, was she embarking on the path of transformation to become human?
Huo Yuhao stroked his chin. From what the Ice Empress said, it sounded like the Snow Empress had made arrangements similar to those in Baidi City. Moreover, this had happened a month ago. With the Ice Bear King's protection, it seemed the Snow Empress had successfully transformed in a human.
Huo Yuhao recalled reading in the Shrek Academy library that a hundred-thousand-year soul beast needed to make all necessary preparations in advance for transformation, which could take anywhere from one day to a month. It seemed that, without any interference, the Snow Empress's transformation had gone smoothly.
"It seems the Snow Empress has completed her transformation. Ice Empress, can you contact the Ice Bear King?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"I can only send a one-way message," the Ice Empress replied.
"Then let's search areas where natural treasures might be found. With the Snow Empress's nearly seven-hundred-thousand-year cultivation, her transformation wouldn't have been easy," Skydream suggested.
After some discussion, the three decided to search the core area, starting with the snow-capped peaks where spiritual treasures were most likely to be found.
…
One Month Earlier
A massive tide of beasts gathered at an astonishing speed, forming a circle two kilometers in diameter. The circle grew thicker as more soul beasts joined, most of them white, blending seamlessly with the snowy landscape. Only the larger beasts stood out.
In the center of the circle was a thousand-meter-wide clearing. Standing there was a girl who appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with long white hair cascading down to her feet.
Her sky-blue eyes were ethereal, as if they could see through everything in the world. Her slender figure was flawless, and though she wore a simple white dress, she exuded an air of nobility and beauty, like a plum blossom standing proudly in the winter snow.
This was the Snow Empress, the ruler of the Extreme North.
Before her stood two massive beasts: the Ice Bear King and the Titan Snow Demon King, both over two hundred thousand years old and at the top of the food chain. Yet, in the presence of the Snow Empress, they were utterly submissive, as were all the other soul beasts.
The Snow Empress stood silently, her cold demeanor commanding respect and fear. Ten thousand beasts bowed before her, acknowledging her as the guardian of the Extreme North. Her existence ensured that all soul beasts in the Extreme North submitted to her authority.
The only sound in the vast snowy expanse was the Snow Empress's majestic voice.
"I have called you here for two reasons. First, I wish to announce that after this gathering, I will enter seclusion. I do not know the outcome, so I bid you farewell. This may be the last time we meet. Second, I must appoint my successor."
The soul beasts erupted in chaos. To them, the Snow Empress was the protector of the Arctic Ice Field. Without her, could the Extreme North remain the same?
The Snow Empress raised her hand, and silence immediately fell.
"From this moment on, A'Tai will inherit my position as the Lord of the Arctic Ice Field. You must respect him as you respect me, obey his commands, and assist him in maintaining peace in the Extreme North."
Even the Titan Snow Demon King, A'Tai, was stunned. He looked at the Snow Empress, almost disbelieving.
The Snow Empress nodded, confirming her decision.
"Snow Empress, you..." A'Tai's voice trembled, not with excitement but with sorrow.
Only those at the level of fierce beasts understood what the Snow Empress's decision meant. She had no confidence in overcoming her next tribulation. And with the Ice Empress missing, it seemed she had already fallen to the heavenly tribulation. Otherwise, the Snow Empress would not have passed her position to A'Tai.
A faint smile appeared on the Snow Empress's face. "A'Tai, in my heart, you have long been my successor. Remember, even if I am gone, the Arctic Ice Field will remain. Treat all races well and uphold my aspirations. Only when our Extreme North is united will we remain unyielding against external threats."
Tears fell from the Titan Snow Demon King's eyes, freezing into ice crystals before hitting the ground. It had always respected the Snow Empress deeply, and the thought of her nearing the end of her life filled it with sorrow.
"People of the ice field, remember this: my departure does not mean death. If I fail in seclusion, so be it. But if I succeed, even the heavens will not surpass me. Whether I succeed or fail, my soul will remain in the Extreme North, protecting you. Any who violate the rules of the Arctic Ice Field will be my enemy."
The soul beasts roared in unison, expressing their emotions.
The Titan Snow Demon King stepped back, knelt before the Snow Empress, and bowed deeply, its massive body trembling.
"Snow Empress, I believe you will return. No matter when, you are the true ruler of the Arctic Ice Field. In your absence, I will protect this land for you. I will wait for your return!"
By now, the Titan Snow Demon King was weeping.
The Snow Empress was moved. "Very well. If my breakthrough is successful, I will return to see you. It may not take long."
After giving final instructions, the Snow Empress floated into the air and left with the Ice Bear King.
Arriving at a snow-capped peak, the Snow Empress had the Ice Bear King guard the perimeter while she ventured deeper into the mountains. There, she found a forbidden snow lotus pond.
Gazing at the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus two lines of crystal tears fell from her cheeks, freezing into ice beads before they hit the ground.
"Bing'er, it's my fault for not coming to you sooner..."
As a close friend of the Ice Empress, the Snow Empress had emerged from seclusion some time ago, exhausting all means to find her. But it was as if the Ice Empress had vanished from the Extreme North, leaving no trace. It seemed she had perished in her last heavenly tribulation.
Originally, the Snow Empress had little hope for her own seven-hundred-thousand-year tribulation and had wanted to help the Ice Empress survive her four-hundred-thousand-year tribulation before saying goodbye. But now, her closest friend was gone.
Lost and heartbroken, the Snow Empress had nearly given up. However, in her darkest hour, she had encountered the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus. With its power, she had the confidence to seal her origin and transform as a human, breaking the conventional rule that soul beasts could only transform after reaching a hundred thousand years of cultivation.
But even as a human, her lifespan would be limited to three to five hundred years. She knew her time as the ruler of the Extreme North was over. The Arctic Ice Field was no longer her place.
Now, the Snow Empress could only fight for the slim chance of becoming a god.
If she failed, she would perish.
But now, there was nothing left to fear.
…
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