Ever since truly forging an alliance with the Snow Empress, life within the palace had grown noticeably more relaxed for Shu Yan. The earlier stiffness and restraint had all but faded away.
Although the Snow Empress had initially treated him with a frosty, almost hostile attitude, there was no resisting the resonance and pull of the shared bloodline between them. No matter how much she detested humans, she could never bring herself to completely reject him.
Now, her demeanor had shifted once again, growing even more tolerant. Yet there was one thing that had not changed.
She still refused to let Shu Yan take a single step outside the Ice Palace.
No one knew the reason, and Shu Yan himself could only sigh in quiet resignation. Thankfully, most of his focus lay in cultivation. Had he been someone more spirited or restless, he might have gone mad being confined to these frozen halls.
It had been over half a year since he was brought into the Core Circle. As his gaze drifted over the unchanging scenery, a golden-haired figure surfaced in his thoughts unbidden.
Just as he once said, Xu Jiujiu had accompanied him for nearly seven years a span that made up almost half his life. Her presence had left a mark on his soul that could not be erased. Now that he had been gone for six months…
A deep sense of guilt flickered in Shu Yan's eyes. The aurora above was dazzling, yet the longing and worry in his heart wove into a heavy net, weighing down his spirit. He no longer had the heart to appreciate the view.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Xingluo City…
The lavish and elegant Princess Residence was no longer filled with its usual warmth. Instead, an invisible pressure hung over it like a shadow.
Xu Jiujiu sat alone atop the Star Platform, specially constructed for her cultivation. It was built from a rare mineral that could draw in the power of the stars. As both a royal princess and a direct descendant of the Star Crown Sect, she had inherited the pure lineage of the Star Crown Martial Soul.
The might of the Star Crown Martial Soul was unquestionable. Though it belonged to the support category, it not only offered formidable auxiliary capabilities but also possessed tremendous combat and control potential.
If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was known for its well-rounded support abilities, then the Star Crown Martial Soul leaned entirely into combative support standing in stark contrast to the balanced nature of the former.
In a sense, the Star Crown Martial Soul existed purely for battle. This was why so few Spirit Masters possessed it, yet the Star Crown Sect's legacy remained unshakable, and the soul itself held a place among the most elite in the world.
That said, such power came at a cost.
Star Crown cultivators could only train at night, drawing strength from the stars. Even their soul skills, acquired through spirit rings, required stored starlight energy to activate.
This was a massive drawback but after years of research, the Star Crown Sect had developed a few countermeasures.
The Star Platform was their most successful innovation.
As previously mentioned, the mineral used to forge it was incredibly rare. Its ability to gather starlight made it a dream artifact for any Star Crown Soul Master. Since the Xu Clan took control of the Xingluo Empire, they had poured national resources into its construction and even then, only two Star Platforms existed to this day.
One of them now stood in Princess Xu Jiujiu private residence.
Rich starlight swirled around her, tiny sparks flickering like a cosmic dance. Slowly, the energy seeped into her skin, and her aura began to rise steadily.
After some time, a pulse of soul power rippled outward.
High above the palace, Nebula Douluo Man Yi, who sat watchful atop a structure, suddenly opened her eyes. She looked down at Jiujing's now-slimmer silhouette, a flash of sorrow in her gaze. She had watched the girl grow up like a granddaughter in all but blood. After the recent upheaval, all she felt was helpless heartache.
Elsewhere, Xu Jiujiu finally opened her eyes as well.
Tonight's sky was particularly clear. Soft clouds drifted through the starlit expanse, painting a scene of tranquil beauty.
Yet to Xu Jiujiu, it only evoked a deep and aching loneliness.
In the past, the moment she opened her eyes, she would always see a familiar figure in her field of vision. But now, she was the only one left.
From a naive childhood sidekick to the object of her unspoken affections, Shu Yan had long become the most important person in her life. And now…
She recalled his final parting words, the comforting encouragement in his eyes. Her own eyes brimmed red with unshed tears. She had cried countless times already but she knew tears changed nothing. What she needed was strength. Power strong enough to change her fate. She didn't dare entertain the possibility of tragedy any one of them would be unbearable.
Memories of Shu Yan's smile and voice lingered in her mind, and she quickly returned to cultivating. Yet the tear that slid down her cheek betrayed her turmoil.
From afar, Nebula Douluo let out a long sigh. She could only pray silently for Shu Yan while worrying for Jiujiu.
In just half a year, the princess had become an entirely different person. At first, she was like a lost soul, completely unresponsive to anyone. It wasn't until Medicine Immortal Douluo personally stepped in to comfort her that things began to improve.
But just as Medicine Immortal Douluo had said she could only heal the body, not the soul.
The cause was Shu Yan, and only Shu Yan could be the cure.
Otherwise, even she would be powerless.
Another night of meditation passed. Shu Yan slowly opened his eyes atop a bed of ice, thoughts swirling. He rose without hesitation and headed toward the main hall.
There were some matters, he felt, that needed to be discussed again with the Snow Empress.
But just before stepping into the grand hall, he collided head-on with a small figure.
A muffled thud echoed. The small figure bumped into him, and they both stumbled back a few steps. When Shu Yan got a clear look, his pupils abruptly contracted.
Standing before him was a young girl in a flowing emerald-green gown. She looked no taller than 160 centimeters, her delicate face strikingly pretty. Unlike the Snow Empress's regal arrogance, she carried a colder, more aloof beauty. Her snow-white skin almost glowed with a translucent sheen. Her long, dark green hair was tied into twin ponytails, and an icy aura surrounded her.
Her appearance didn't quite match her height or demeanor—but there was no denying it.
She was stunning. A petite little stunner.
But Shu Yan knew very well besides himself, no other human should exist within the Core Circle of the Extreme North.
This girl's identity was clear.
She was the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion the second-ranked among the Three Great Kings of the Extreme North.