"There's no need to be so tense. Though I'm a soul beast, I'm not unreasonable. The matter from before is already in the past. I can't even be bothered to bring it up again..."
Snow Empress paused, the corners of her lips lifting into a subtle smile. She let out a light chuckle, her voice softening slightly.
"Barring any unexpected events, we'll likely be staying by Shuyan's side from now on to protect him, of course, but also to give him some... proper discipline."
Xu Jiujing tightly gripped Shuyan's hand. Encouraged by his calm gaze, she forced herself to steady her wildly beating heart and managed a pale smile before replying softly, her voice slightly strained:
"Senior is absolutely right. It was I who acted improperly."
Snow Empress said no more and, with a graceful gait, continued walking forward with Ice Empress at her side.
As they passed, Ice Empress stuck out her tongue and flashed Shuyan a cheeky, challenging grin, while also casting a sneaky glance at Xu Jiujing.
Xu Jiujing shivered under Ice Empress's stare. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Ice Empress suddenly said:
"Relax. Snowy and I are actually pretty easy to get along with. Besides, this is your territory we're just tagging along with Shuyan. As long as you don't betray us, I imagine things will go smoothly between us…"
After a few more steps, Ice Empress suddenly turned back as if remembering something and added:
"Oh, and one more thing most of the time, soul beasts are far more trustworthy than you humans…"
Xu Jiujing didn't know how to respond. Instinctively, she allowed Shuyan to lead her deeper into the palace. It wasn't until they stepped through a towering palace gate that she finally snapped out of her daze.
Seeing Ice Empress curiously surveying her surroundings not far ahead, and the calm and composed Snow Empress beside her, Xu Jiujing subconsciously tightened her grip on Shuyan's hand and whispered:
"A'Yan, I…"
Shuyan kept his eyes forward and let out a gentle sigh.
"Don't overthink it. Relax. I've been with Snow Empress and Ice Empress for quite some time now. I know their personalities well. You don't need to worry about His Majesty's safety—I've made an oath with them, one tied to both life and soul. No one is going to betray anyone."
"Besides... if they really wanted to make a move, there's probably no one in the entire Star Luo Empire strong enough to stop them. Trust me nothing will go wrong. I stake my life on it."
Xu Jiujing's expression remained complicated, but in the end, she nodded slightly.
Yes just as Shuyan had said, Snow Empress alone was powerful enough to command fear and respect across the continent. Few in the world could rival her, let alone with Ice Empress another fearsome legend from the Extreme North ny her side. Together, they were an unstoppable force that the Star Luo Empire had no hope of resisting in the short term.
With these thoughts churning in their minds, the group passed through several palace gates before arriving in a lavish, gold-adorned grand hall.
As soon as they entered, Shuyan spotted a few familiar faces. Seated to the left of the throne was the red-cheeked, smiling Elder Starshatter Douluo. On the right stood two others—both vastly different in presence, but equally familiar to Shuyan. They were two of the empire's national guardian Douluo: Power Douluo Cheng Gang and Skyfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu.
As the four stepped into the hall, Nebula Douluo appeared as well. A subtle but oppressive pressure hovered above the hall, born of the overwhelming auras of so many powerful figures. At the head of the hall, upon the throne, sat the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire—Xu Jiawei—who slowly opened his eyes after resting them for a time.
In that moment, gazes met and locked in the air. Without a word, tension crackled between them—an invisible battle already quietly underway.
Xu Jiawei rose from his seat. He looked like a man in his thirties, handsome and commanding, untouched by the passage of time. Years of ruling had gifted him with an aura of absolute dignity. Even the smallest glance from him radiated authority and power.
But to everyone's surprise, Xu Jiawei was calm. A gentle, refined smile played on his lips as he opened his arms slightly and spoke:
"Welcome, honored guests from the Extreme North, to the Star Luo Empire. I am Xu Jiawei, the current Emperor. On behalf of myself and the four national guardians, I extend to you our sincerest welcome."
As he finished, the four guardian Douluo—including Starshatter Douluo—bowed slightly toward Snow and Ice Empress. Several black-robed figures standing nearby also made a respectful gesture, inviting them in.
Shuyan couldn't help but silently admire his royal brother-in-law's composure and courage.
Even Ice Empress, usually unruly at Snow Empress's side, grew a little more serious in this setting. Following behind Shuyan and Xu Jiujing, the two soul beasts were respectfully guided to low tables within five meters of Xu Jiawei's throne. Xu Jiawei waved his hand, prompting the four Douluo to take their seats as well, while the black-robed attendants quietly exited. A moment later, a golden soul-force barrier rose outside the hall, completely sealing off all external senses.
Xu Jiawei took his seat once more, his smile unchanging. He raised the wine cup before him and looked to the two empresses.
"Please don't misunderstand. The barrier is merely a precaution—to prevent those with ill intent from spying. It holds no malice."
Snow Empress swept her gaze across everyone in the hall. Though she found the barrier meaningless, she still gave a soft "Mm" in response.
Unbothered by her coldness, Xu Jiawei turned his gaze to Shuyan, a touch of nostalgia in his eyes.
"You've grown so much, A'Yan. I still remember when you were just a skinny little boy… And now, you're already a fine young man. Time truly flies."
Shuyan chuckled softly.
"It's been almost a year since we last met. Your Majesty still looks as dignified as ever."
Xu Jiawei chuckled as well, waving his hand.
"There's no need to call me 'Your Majesty.' I've said before—we're family. You and Jiujing are the same. Just call me Royal Brother. There are no outsiders here, no need for formality."
Shuyan laughed helplessly and responded:
"Royal Brother…"
Only then did Xu Jiawei smile in satisfaction. He made a few casual remarks, then suddenly brought up Shuyan and Jiujing's marriage, which made the already-nervous Xu Jiujing blush and lower her head shyly.
Snow Empress and Ice Empress quietly observed everything. They knew all too well this was just the warm-up before the real performance. The reason everyone was gathered here today was being saved for the main act, and now that the stage was set… the true show was about to begin.