Snow Empress gave a cold snort and narrowed her eyes at Di Tian.
"Humph. Di Tian, don't be so full of yourself. Right now, my only purpose is to assist Yuhao. As for following you to wage war against humanity, forcing the people of the Extreme North to abandon their safe haven just to die pointlessly on the battlefield? Ridiculous. And even if you and I joined forces, the human world is no longer something we can simply conquer. You are underestimating humanity's strength and their technological power, Di Tian."
Hearing her words, Di Tian's eyes widened in disbelief.
This human... what kind of value did he possess to make Snow Empress, an ultimate existence and the Empress of the Extreme North, so utterly devoted?
She had actually spoken the word "assist." For someone like her, it was no small thing.
But Snow Empress understood herself. There was no exaggeration in what she said. It came from the bottom of her heart. She truly believed that Huo Yuhao could lead them to soar into the heavens, to achieve immortality and ascend to godhood.
Di Tian opened his mouth as if wanting to argue, but in the end, he sighed and shook his head.
Arrogant and stubborn as he was, he wasn't foolish. He knew perfectly well that if they were to attempt a counterattack against humanity, the price would be unbearably high. And even then, success was far from certain.
His thoughts drifted to the being still slumbering deep beneath the Lake of Life. One more ten thousand years... they had to endure. He had to find a way to ensure the survival of the soul beast race until the Lord awoke once more.
That was why Di Tian had started taking an interest in the soul spirit system.
"You are right, Snow Empress," Di Tian finally admitted, his voice heavy. "Even I do not have the confidence to reclaim the rule of the world for our soul beasts. Very well. If the soul spirit contracts you speak of can truly be realized, then I, Di Tian, on behalf of the Star Dou Forest, agree. We will fully support the spread of this new system. Of course... provided you are not playing tricks."
The ruthless finality in his tone didn't pressure Huo Yuhao at all. Instead, he felt a surge of wild joy. He hadn't expected Di Tian to agree so cleanly, though it wasn't entirely a surprise. Huo Yuhao had long guessed that Di Tian would want this system to replace the old soul ring way.
He laughed heartily.
"Excellent! Di Tian, you needn't worry. I'll demonstrate the soul spirit contract process right before your eyes. Conveniently, my brother-in-law is in need of his sixth soul ring. His martial soul is the Three-Legged Golden Toad, and he requires a ten-thousand-year-level metal-attributed soul ring. If you can find a soul beast nearing the end of its lifespan, or one willing to become a soul spirit, that would be perfect. Anything below a hundred thousand years will do."
Di Tian gave a straightforward reply without hesitation.
"Oh? Such confidence. Very well. Within three days, I shall find a suitable candidate. Meet me here by the Lake of Life."
Huo Yuhao liked this kind of decisiveness. Unlike human politicians who played endless mind games, top-tier beings like Di Tian simply acted when they decided.
Just as they were about to leave, Di Tian suddenly called out behind them.
"Ahem... that... Auspicious Beast, are you really leaving with them?"
The Auspicious Beast, still walking ahead quietly with small, careful steps, froze. She stiffly turned back to look at Di Tian, squeezing out an awkward but polite smile.
"Uh..."
Di Tian shook his head with a helpless chuckle.
This little one truly had no intention of staying in the Star Dou Forest any longer.
"Forget it. You want to see the outside world, then go see it. Honestly, I didn't expect you to come back at all. Just be careful."
After a moment of thought, Di Tian tossed a small item toward her. The Auspicious Beast caught it, blinking curiously. It was a pendant, hanging from it a piece of dark, lustrous scale.
"Take this. It's my reverse scale. As long as you wear it, even if I'm not around, it will protect you."
Then his gaze turned to Snow Empress.
"Snow Empress, can I trust you?"
A cold snort escaped from Snow Empress.
"There's no need for you to say it. As the Empress of the soul beasts, even though the Extreme North may not enjoy the Auspicious Beast's blessings, I will naturally protect her. You needn't worry."
Huo Yuhao, watching this exchange, couldn't help but think to himself.
'Originally, the reverse scale would have been given to me, but now it's with the Auspicious Beast. Looks like I'll have to cling to Little Rui's thigh now. With her and Snow Empress around, it's equivalent to having two top-tier powerhouses protecting us. Incredible.'
A sudden sense of relief filled him. Those dangerous plans he had once considered too risky could now be pursued without hesitation.
And so, without further incidents, the group quietly departed from the lakeside—the forbidden zone where no ordinary human had ever set foot.
After they left, Di Tian stood still, gazing into the distant horizon for a long time.
Suddenly, his body tensed. He whirled around, facing the still and silent surface of the Lake of Life. With a sweeping motion of his arm, a great dark curtain of energy rose, completely sealing off the area. From the outside, it was as if the Lake of Life no longer even existed.
"You are awake, my Lord."
"Indeed. I heard your conversation just now."
The voice that echoed from the lake was low and deep, each word sending a chill down Di Tian's spine. He wiped a bit of cold sweat from his forehead.
Was the Lord displeased with his decision?
"My Lord... what are your thoughts?"
Di Tian asked carefully, his tone full of deference.
Unexpectedly, the Lord let out a soft laugh.
"Very good, Di Tian. Your decision was correct. If the soul spirit system can be fully spread, it will indeed have a decisive effect. Well done."
Di Tian secretly let out a long breath of relief.
But then, the next words from the Lord—the Silver Dragon King—shook him to his core.
"Soul spirits are a temporary solution, not a cure. As long as this remains the Douluo Continent, the conflict between humans and soul beasts will never end. It will always be a life-and-death struggle. However... if we can endure for another ten thousand years, until I awaken fully, then there will still be hope for our race."
Di Tian bowed his head solemnly. But what the Silver Dragon King said next made his entire being tremble.
"That human boy... Huo Yuhao... he is not simple. Di Tian, you must be extremely cautious around him. I sensed the aura of the Other Side on him. The Auspicious Beast's rebirth as a human also reeks of external interference. I don't know exactly how... but the Other Side has definitely intervened."
Di Tian's head snapped up sharply. He looked toward the faraway sky, then slowly lowered his gaze, his expression turning grave.
"Unforgivable... Are they really so relentless? Even Auspicious Beast... even she?"
The Silver Dragon King interrupted him.
"No, Di Tian. If the existence pulling the strings had true malice, I would not remain idle. Among them, there are some who still bear goodwill toward us. The aura of life lingers strongly on both Auspicious Beast and that boy. This might not be a bad thing for our race."
Hearing these words, Di Tian said nothing. He only clenched his fists tightly, a storm raging silently in his heart.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.