Huo Yuhao furrowed his brow and looked up into the distance. In truth, Skydream Iceworm had once told him that as long as they were within the outer boundary of the Extreme North, he'd be able to summon the Ice Empress.
But now, they were still too close to the Sun Moon Empire's experimental zone—an area guarded by four Titled Douluo. For both safety and secrecy, Huo Yuhao and Skydream had agreed to go even farther.
The two traveled continuously from dawn till dusk. As night fell, they stopped and used soul tools to set up a makeshift shelter. After a night's rest, they pressed onward. It wasn't until the third day that Huo Yuhao finally exhaled in relief and quietly asked:
"Brother Skydream, is this far enough?"
After a moment of consideration, Skydream nodded. "Mm! This is good. Leave it to me!"
As soon as Skydream finished speaking, Huo Yuhao felt his spiritual sea stir violently. A thread of delicate spiritual power surged forth, shooting toward Jiang Qingtong.
Moments later, Jiang Qingtong collapsed in the snow.
Back at the test facility, Jiang Shengyu paused mid-bite, rubbing his temple. He could sense the faint ripple through the bond he shared with Jiang Qingtong. As long as both of them weren't simultaneously affected, neither would lose consciousness completely.
So while Jiang Qingtong appeared to have fainted from Skydream's mental attack, she was in fact still conscious.
Huo Yuhao quickly rushed to her side and asked, "What now?"
"Bury her in the snow," Skydream replied. "Make sure to use a soul tool for warmth—don't let her freeze to death! Then find a place to hide yourself. I'll handle attracting the Ice Empress."
Following Skydream's instructions, Huo Yuhao carefully buried both Jiang Qingtong and himself in the snow, concealing their presence.
Once they were hidden, Skydream's spirit form emerged from Huo Yuhao's mind, releasing waves of spiritual energy across the icy landscape.
Deep in the heart of the Extreme North, an ancient and terrifying aura responded, freezing the very winds themselves.
"Ice Empress, I've returned! Dare you come out and face me?" Skydream's voice, though soft, sliced through the roaring blizzard and echoed across the frozen expanse.
"Skydream? It's you!" came a voice filled with surprise, muffled through layers of snow and wind.
"That's right, it's me," Skydream replied, calm and steady. He could already sense a ferocious force rushing toward him from deep within the north.
He turned to Huo Yuhao and whispered, "Yuhao, stay alert. Stick close to that girl. She's got plenty of life-saving gear."
"Got it, Brother Skydream," Huo Yuhao nodded, eyes focused.
Soon, a jade-green silhouette streaked through the snowstorm. The overwhelming pressure instantly crushed Skydream's golden radiance into a mere ten-meter radius.
The terrifying aura froze Huo Yuhao in place under the snowdrift.
"Skydream, I didn't expect you to come back. You must have a death wish," the Ice Empress said coldly as she hovered in front of him. "But no matter—once I devour you, I'll become the strongest soul beast on the continent. Even Ditian will be no match for me."
Skydream's tone was equally icy. "Ice Empress, I returned precisely so you could become stronger."
"What? You want to be my food now?" Her voice wavered, caught off guard.
Skydream shook his head. "Of course not. If I'm not mistaken, your tribulation is almost here—forty-thousand years, right? Your end is near."
Ice Empress's gaze turned sharp, her aura growing heavier, the killing intent between them intensifying.
"Don't be so tense," Skydream continued. "I came to save your life. Why else would I risk coming back here?"
He gazed at her, his tone affectionate. "Ice Empress, do you know how much pain I've endured for you? For over ten thousand years, I've never stopped thinking about you…"
"A prey falling in love with its predator—how laughable you are, Skydream," she sneered. Unable to stomach his sentimental expression, her scorpion tail flickered with icy light and shot out a beam of white energy, piercing straight through his spiritual body.
Huo Yuhao felt Skydream's spiritual essence erupt violently, distorting everything in his vision.
"I don't know what scheme you're plotting, but if you've come to me, don't blame me for devouring you. Once I absorb your power, I'll reign as the number one soul beast," the Ice Empress said emotionlessly.
The white energy that pierced Skydream's golden body didn't dissipate—it expanded, ravaging his spiritual form.
Yet, Skydream remained calm. He looked at her and sighed. "I'd hoped we could talk more, but I see now how ruthless you truly are. So be it. Let's begin."
As soon as those words left his lips, the Ice Empress instinctively sensed danger. She lunged at Skydream without hesitation—but he simply blurred and vanished. As a spirit form, her physical attacks couldn't touch him.
Realizing she had missed, she tried to retreat—but in that instant, her speed plummeted. The world thickened like a quagmire, and Skydream's vast spiritual power enveloped her.
"Skydream!" she roared. "You'll destroy yourself using your spirit like this! Aren't you afraid you won't return to your body? Even if you try to bind me, how long can it last? I'll break free soon enough!"
Skydream merely said, "I don't need long. Just an instant."
And with that, a golden beam of light burst from the snow—emerging from Huo Yuhao's body—and ensnared the Ice Empress completely!
In that moment, she felt her limbs lock up. Panic surged through her as she began thrashing, radiating brilliant bursts of green and white. One by one, her powerful abilities exploded forth in a desperate attempt to escape—with no restraint left.
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