"An Ice Snow Girl, huh?" Kong Deming observed the rare humanoid soul beast, formed purely from the spiritual energy of ice and snow, with a gaze full of wonder. However, a faint feeling of unease lingered in his heart, though he couldn't quite pinpoint the cause.
"So this is a soul spirit," Xu Tianran said, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he looked at the adorable little girl. Then he sighed and added, "Able to grant soul rings and even take form to assist a soul master in battle... Soul spirits are far superior to traditional soul rings. It's truly a pity. I have already absorbed my full nine rings and can no longer accept a soul spirit. Otherwise, Brother Huo, I would definitely have asked for your help to bond with one."
Kong Deming nodded slightly.
"Your Majesty, I share your sentiment. We are relics of a bygone era. Given this, negotiating an alliance with Di Tian holds great promise. Were I Di Tian, I would not miss such a precious chance to ease tensions between soul beasts and humans."
"Then the next issue to address is when and who should be sent to the Great Star Dou Forest to negotiate," Jing Hongchen said, his voice steady now that the disguised Snow Empress had vanished back into Yuhao's spiritual sea.
"Elder Kong must certainly go. And Yuhao, as the creator of the soul spirit system, must also attend the negotiations directly. Your Majesty, do you think we should send anyone else?"
Xu Tianran stroked his chin thoughtfully before nodding.
"I have no objections. Then I shall entrust this mission to Elder Kong and Brother Huo. If you wish, I can dispatch several Rank Nine soul engineers as escorts to ensure Brother Huo's safety."
Kong Deming shook his head firmly.
"No need, Your Majesty. Even if the entire Great Star Dou Forest turned against Yuhao, this old man has absolute confidence that I can protect him."
Xu Tianran's eyes lit up.
"Elder Kong, with your strength, I am greatly reassured. Then Hall Master Jing, Brother Huo, today's discussions conclude here. I leave all negotiations entirely in your capable hands. I await good news."
Yuhao smiled faintly.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Once the alliance is forged with the Great Star Dou Forest, taking down Shrek Academy will be as simple as turning over one's hand."
Seven days later.
With Yuhao in tow, Kong Deming journeyed to the Great Star Dou Forest. Under Yuhao's subtle guidance, they successfully negotiated an alliance regarding the promotion of the soul spirit system. To demonstrate goodwill toward the Sun Moon Empire, Di Tian dispatched the Emerald Swan Bi Ji and the Red King as official envoys to Mingdu to oversee matters related to soul spirits.
Everything unfolded precisely according to Yuhao's plan.
When Xu Tianran received the news, he was ecstatic. A grand, secret ceremony was quickly organized to welcome the envoys from the Great Star Dou Forest. Simultaneously, preparations for full-scale war accelerated throughout the Sun Moon Empire. As soon as a non-aggression treaty with Shrek Academy was signed, the final assault would commence.
Meanwhile, Yuhao quietly disclosed another secret to Kong Deming — that Mingde Hall had long since established private cooperation with the Great Star Dou Forest.
Within Kong Deming's private quarters, the atmosphere grew heavy.
"Yuhao, what did you say!? With the help of the Snow Empress, you already established an alliance with Di Tian long ago?" Kong Deming exclaimed, utterly stunned. The revelation shook him to his core.
Hovering silently beside Yuhao, the proud and icy figure of the Snow Empress exuded an aura so terrifying that Kong Deming instinctively understood Yuhao's words were no lie.
"That's right, Grandfather," Yuhao affirmed calmly.
Kong Deming took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes slightly as he stared at the Snow Empress, not without a trace of wariness.
"Yuhao... this Snow Empress, she harbors no ill will toward you, right?" he asked cautiously. Knowing that such a fearsome creature constantly accompanied Yuhao made him deeply concerned for his god-grandson's safety.
Yuhao smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. The Snow Empress is my partner. She would never harm me."
The Snow Empress herself inclined her head slightly.
"Indeed, human. I have signed a soul spirit contract with Yuhao. According to the contract, it is impossible for me to harm him. You may rest easy."
Kong Deming visibly relaxed. Still, lingering doubts prompted him to ask another question.
"Snow Empress, as the ruler of the Extreme North, why would you choose to follow a human?"
Hearing the question, the Snow Empress hesitated briefly before casting a glance at Yuhao. Receiving his silent nod of permission, she spoke.
"Since you wish to know, I shall tell you. My goal is to attain godhood. Ten thousand years ago, Tang San's ascension to become the Sea God proved that humans could break through the mortal barrier and achieve immortality. However, soul beasts were denied such a path. Our kind has been trapped under the heavens' cruel restrictions, forever unable to ascend. Thus, I chose to become Yuhao's soul spirit, for only by following him do I see the hope of reaching the Divine Realm."
Her voice was calm and cold, yet filled with an indescribable yearning.
Kong Deming's eyes grew distant, as if he could see a sliver of that divine world far above the mortal realm.
"Godhood... No wonder," he murmured. "I, too, believe that Yuhao possesses that potential. You have chosen wisely, Snow Empress."
He said no more. Though he suspected there were deeper reasons behind the Snow Empress's loyalty, he did not pry. He would wait until the day Yuhao was willing to reveal it himself.
More importantly, the Snow Empress's declaration was enough to reassure him: she would not betray Yuhao.
"Yuhao, may I ask... why deceive His Majesty, and even the entire empire?" Kong Deming's gaze grew stern as he asked the critical question.
Yuhao met his eyes without flinching, his expression honest and unyielding.
"Grandfather, do you believe that Xu Tianran, colluding with the Holy Spirit Church to endanger all living beings, is in the right?"
Kong Deming fell silent. He lowered his gaze, then sighed heavily.
"No. It's completely wrong. The proud Sun Moon Empire, stooping to ally with evil soul masters... it's disgraceful. Yet, without the Holy Spirit Church's assistance, unifying the continent would be almost impossible. That's why I turned a blind eye."
Yuhao nodded solemnly.
"You're correct, Grandfather. Then let me ask you another question: Does the Sun Moon Empire truly need Xu Tianran now?"
This time, Kong Deming answered without hesitation.
"Of course. Xu Tianran is a true hero. Only under his leadership can we muster the full strength of the nation to conquer the Three Kingdoms."
(End of Chapter)
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