Wei Xuan waved his hand, and the surrounding snow surged into motion. Countless fine ice spears formed in midair and shot toward Huo Yuhao and the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm like a storm.
At the same moment, an immense surge of spiritual energy erupted from him.
A vast, invisible hand materialized, gripping the golden sphere that held the Ice Emperor within it.
The sphere, which had been racing toward Huo Yuhao's forehead, froze instantly in midair—completely immobilized.
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm's expression changed drastically. He could feel the terrifying magnitude of Wei Xuan's spiritual power. Shoving aside his shock, he immediately unleashed his strongest mental strike.
This was his full-strength spiritual assault—one capable of severely wounding, even killing, a Titled Douluo of the spiritual type.
The air trembled under the blow. Space itself rippled and twisted, the storm of snow obscuring all sight.
"Yuhao, charge forward! Get close to the Ice Emperor!" the silkworm shouted urgently.
Huo Yuhao had barely dodged part of the ice attack using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, but several ice spears had still pierced his body. Blood sprayed, staining the snow crimson. He collapsed to the ground, face pale as paper.
Even so, at the silkworm's words, he forced himself up, ignoring the pain and the freezing chill biting into his wounds. He stumbled forward, running with every ounce of strength he had left.
Then, the spiritual assault struck. Even Wei Xuan could not ignore it. His divine sense instantly condensed into an invisible shield of consciousness that protected his mind.
A muffled groan escaped him as he staggered backward several steps. His aura weakened, a sharp pain pounding through his skull—the clash had stirred the old wounds in his damaged spiritual sea.
Blocking the attack had come at a cost. But the silkworm that had launched it fared even worse.
The backlash struck brutally. His projected form flickered, becoming almost transparent—on the verge of disintegration.
A roar split the air. The Saber-Tooth Ice Tiger leapt forward, crossing nearly ten meters in a single bound, landing squarely in front of the Ice Emperor to block her.
Above, the Ice Flood Dragon rose, coiling its serpentine body through the sky.
Opening its jaws, it unleashed a torrent of frozen mist toward Huo Yuhao.
Before the mist even reached him, Huo Yuhao felt the freezing chill seep into his flesh. His limbs stiffened, his movements slowed—he was moments away from freezing solid.
"Yuhao… it's too late," the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm said weakly, voice trembling with unwillingness. His tone carried both rage and despair.
He cast one final, venomous glance at Wei Xuan, then detonated his ultimate power.
The space around Huo Yuhao twisted violently, rippling like water. A flash of black light burst out—and both he and the silkworm vanished without a trace.
The golden sphere, however, remained. It had been firmly held back by Wei Xuan's spiritual hand and could not follow them.
Wei Xuan exhaled softly, eyes thoughtful.
"I didn't expect this world to harbor such an extraordinary ice silkworm," he murmured. "To possess spiritual strength that surpasses even an Ultimate Douluo…"
This was only the second time he had been genuinely surprised. For something to wound him in the realm of spirit—such power was truly rare.
He coughed lightly, fatigue clouding his expression. Though his body was unscathed, the spiritual damage gnawed deeper and was far more unpleasant.
With a flicker of thought, his four Spirit Beasts returned to their rings. His martial spirit dispersed, and the rings dimmed one by one.
He rubbed his temples, trying to dull the throbbing in his head, then walked toward the glowing sphere.
"You actually resisted the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm's full-strength attack," the Ice Emperor said, astonished. Her eyes trembled with disbelief.
The spiritual wave released earlier had radiated such immense danger that even she had felt mortal fear. She knew—if that attack had targeted her, even unrestrained, she could not have blocked it. Her soul would have shattered instantly.
That assault had been pure spiritual destruction—no amount of raw power could defend against it. Only a stronger will could resist it.
But she… could not.
As much as she considered the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm a lazy glutton, she had to admit—its mental strength was supreme. Even if she reached a million-year cultivation, she might still fall short of that level.
Their racial talents differed too greatly.
Yet this human had endured it—and stood nearly unharmed. That was beyond terrifying. His spiritual realm rivaled, perhaps even matched, that of the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm itself.
And note—Tianmeng had only achieved that level after fusing as Huo Yuhao's Spirit of Wisdom. If it had still possessed a body, it would never have reached such might.
Wei Xuan exhaled slowly. "A strong attack, indeed," he said calmly. "But it's far from enough to kill me."
The Ice Emperor studied him closely, confusion flickering in her icy gaze.
"Are you… a soul beast in human form?" she asked suddenly.
Wei Xuan blinked, startled by the question.
"'Soul beast in human form'?" he repeated, then shook his head. "No. My case is… unique. Not that."
"Then why do you have such terrifying spiritual power?" she demanded, eyes wide with disbelief.
"I told you—it's complicated." His tone grew faintly impatient; the ache in his skull was worsening.
"Now," he said evenly, "you've seen what I can do. You know the benefits I've promised. What is your decision?"
The Ice Emperor was silent for a long moment. Then her expression steadied, the cold clarity returning to her eyes.
"I will become your Spirit of Wisdom," she said at last. "But… I want your oath. A vow made in the name of your martial soul. Only then will I believe you."
Wei Xuan inclined his head. Trust required proof, after all—and they had only just met.
"I swear," he said, his voice solemn, "in the name of the Ancient Ice Dragon Clan, that I shall one day bring the Ice Emperor into the God Realm, and aid her ascension to godhood. If I break this vow, may I be reduced to a cripple."
As his words fell, an unseen force rippled through the air, descending upon him.
"My sincerity should be clear," Wei Xuan said quietly. "Now, your turn. Ah—by the way, my name is Wei Xuan."
The Ice Emperor gazed at him deeply, then nodded. Raising her head slightly, her voice rang cold and solemn:
"By the Ice God above, I, Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, swear in the name of ice itself—I willingly become Wei Xuan's Spirit of Wisdom. If, after being freed, I betray this vow, may all that is of ice be stripped from me—even my life itself."
It was the heaviest oath a soul beast of the Extreme North could make. Once spoken, no creature of ice would ever dare defy it—not even her.
(End of Chapter)