A few days ago, Huo Yuhao had finally completed his closed-door cultivation, where he had absorbed the precious Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow. His soul power had skyrocketed, reaching level 49 — just one small step away from entering the ranks of Soul Kings.
Although this improvement was monumental, Huo Yuhao wasn't in a rush to break through immediately. The Ice Marrow had rapidly enhanced the purity and density of his Ultimate Ice soul power, but such sudden growth required careful consolidation. He knew that without a stable foundation, even the fastest progress could crumble under its own weight.
Besides, the Ice Marrow's essence remained in his body, awaiting gradual absorption. With this reservoir of power, when the time came, condensing his first soul core at the Soul Sage stage would be no challenge at all. He even had enough underlying strength to aim for the second soul core necessary to step into the Titled Douluo realm.
In short, Huo Yuhao's future cultivation path had been laid out before him, clear and unobstructed. This opportunity, brought by the Ice Marrow, was no less significant than the fortune he had received from meeting the Skydream Iceworm. It was a tremendous, almost fate-changing gift.
At dinner, the atmosphere was relaxed. Jing Hongchen, lifting his cup lightly, spoke in a casual tone.
"Yuhao, in a few days, His Majesty Xu Tianran has requested a meeting with you. He wishes to discuss our future cooperation with Di Tian."
Huo Yuhao calmly nodded in acknowledgment, using his chopsticks to pick up a piece of tender fish and place it carefully into Meng Hongchen's bowl. His actions were as gentle as water, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Knowing that I am the one who developed the soul spirit system, Xu Tianran must be finding it hard to suppress his curiosity. Master, when he mentioned me, what kind of expression did he have?"
Meng Hongchen, unable to help herself, nearly burst out laughing. She quickly lowered her head and focused intently on her rice, pretending to be engrossed in her meal. Hearing her grandfather and Huo Yuhao so casually calling the emperor by name still felt unreal to her.
"He seemed... rather warm when mentioning you," Jing Hongchen said with a chuckle. "But as for what he truly thinks in his heart, even I cannot guess."
Huo Yuhao sneered inwardly.
'Warm, huh? After all I've done — pushing the Sun Moon Empire to the brink of overwhelming the Three Kingdoms with minimal effort — of course he would feel 'warm' toward me. At least for now.'
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, his old face full of amusement.
"Naturally. Still, Yuhao, you must be careful. Your brilliance shines too brightly. I worry that someday, Xu Tianran's ambitious wolf-like heart might turn against you."
"Master, you're overthinking it," Huo Yuhao replied calmly, his tone steady like an ancient well.
"We hold too many cards now. Xu Tianran would never dream that we have already formed an alliance with Di Tian. And besides, if a day comes where choices must be made, who is more valuable to Elder Kong — Xu Tianran, or me?"
Jing Hongchen nodded approvingly.
"Indeed. Elder Kong will surely understand where true loyalty should lie. Come, Yuhao, let's drink to that."
The two clinked their cups together in silent agreement.
Three days later, within the grand and solemn reception hall of the Sun Moon Imperial Palace, the meeting finally took place.
Led by Jing Hongchen, Huo Yuhao entered the hall, walking with quiet confidence. Before him sat Xu Tianran in a luxurious but practical wheelchair, and beside him, Kong Deming exuded the profound calm of a recently advanced Tenth-Level Soul Engineer and Super Douluo.
"Your Majesty, Elder Kong," Huo Yuhao greeted, bowing slightly, every movement neither humble nor arrogant — perfectly measured.
Xu Tianran smiled with great warmth.
"Hall Master Jing, Brother Huo, please be seated. Today's discussion is an important one."
Kong Deming's eyes gleamed with undisguised pride as he gestured.
"Come, sit by my side. Let me have a good look at you."
Huo Yuhao obeyed, sitting down beside him.
"Congratulations, Elder Kong, on successfully reaching the peak of Tenth-Level Soul Engineering," he said sincerely.
Kong Deming chuckled.
"To think, after a mere year and a half in seclusion, the world outside would have changed so dramatically. Yuhao, the current Sun Moon Empire — shaped by your hands — is nearly unrecognizable to this old man."
Xu Tianran also chimed in, his tone full of visible appreciation.
"Brother Huo, you are truly deserving of your title as Chief Designer. Your concepts and inventions have fueled an industrial revolution across every sector. Having you during my reign is a blessing unparalleled. And now, with the soul spirit system... the future you are building for our empire is simply beyond imagination."
Huo Yuhao maintained a modest smile, but deep within his heart, a cold laugh echoed.
'Blessing? Prodigy? Once you squeeze every last drop of usefulness from me, Xu Tianran, we both know how "warm" you'll truly be.'
Yet he said nothing, for the timing to tear off the masks had not yet arrived.
After exchanging a few more polite words, they shifted into the true purpose of the meeting.
"If we are to negotiate with Di Tian regarding cooperation," Kong Deming said seriously, "it would be appropriate for us to personally visit the Great Star Dou Forest. Yuhao, are you certain that your soul spirit system is truly ready? Enough to persuade a being like Di Tian?"
Without hesitation, Huo Yuhao nodded.
"You need not worry, Grandfather. The soul spirit system has been perfected. With the soul beasts' cooperation, it can quickly gain ground and eventually replace the outdated soul ring system."
Xu Tianran cleared his throat meaningfully.
"Brother Huo, this soul spirit system you have invented... may I see a demonstration for myself?"
Huo Yuhao stiffened slightly.
Aside from the Snow Empress, he had not yet fused with any other soul spirits.
'What now? If I can't show him something tangible, my credibility will plummet...'
In the depths of his mind, he swiftly called out.
"Snow Empress, can you disguise yourself as another ice-type soul beast?"
The Snow Empress, curled up in his spiritual sea, hesitated.
"I can... but there's a strong human expert present. He might sense the truth."
"No need to worry," Huo Yuhao reassured her. "Elder Kong can be trusted."
After a moment's pause, the Snow Empress sighed lightly.
"Very well."
In the next instant, a silver light flashed as the Snow Empress manifested in the real world.
Huo Yuhao blinked.
Before him now floated a delicate little girl, about five or six years old, dressed in layers of pure white as if woven from falling snow. Her large, crystalline eyes sparkled with childish innocence as she giggled softly.
"Yiya-ya!"
She floated effortlessly around the grand hall, her every movement like a dancing snowflake, before settling lightly on Huo Yuhao's shoulder.
Xu Tianran's eyes widened in wonder. Kong Deming's brows lifted slightly, sensing something unusual. Jing Hongchen, meanwhile, had to forcibly suppress the twitching at the corner of his mouth.
'That can't possibly be the real Snow Empress, right...?'
Still, Kong Deming remained silent, merely asking with curiosity.
"Yuhao, this is?"
Having prepared his story beforehand, Huo Yuhao replied smoothly.
"Your Majesty, Elder Kong, this is the soul spirit I have fused with. She is a ten-thousand-year Snow Girl from the Extreme North — an extremely rare ice-type soul beast."
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen's heart skipped a beat.
'Snow Girl... Ice Empress... It really is her. If Yuhao wished, a mere thought could have the Snow Empress end Xu Tianran's life instantly.'
Fortunately, no one here would question Huo Yuhao's explanation.
Not yet.
(End of Chapter)
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