I Don't Have Such an Old Daughter
As Di Tian released the final strand of the Snow Empress' origin power, the Ice Pill within Huo Yuhao's body finally ceased its autonomous operation.
It had devoured nearly half of the Snow Empress' remaining origin energy, causing the Ice Pill to expand to almost twice its previous size.
In stark contrast, the Fire Pill showed no visible change at all.
After finishing its devouring, the Ice Pill gradually calmed down and returned to its usual dormant state. Yet from time to time, it released waves of Ultimate Ice energy, continuing to temper Yuhao's physique.
Moreover, the intensity of this tempering power was far more majestic and overbearing than before.
However, the Fire Pill's power had not increased in the slightest.
This directly disrupted the delicate balance between ice and fire attributes within Yuhao's body, which was definitely not a good sign.
After pondering for a while, Yuhao came up with a temporary solution.
He would suppress the excess ice-attribute power within himself for the time being. Then, when necessary, he could release powerful ice-attribute soul skills such as Ice God's Wrath to vent and channel the surplus energy outward until it reached a controllable level.
But this was merely a stopgap measure.
To truly restore balance, Yuhao needed to find a fire-attribute energy source that was not inferior to the Snow Empress' origin power, allowing the Fire Pill to absorb and strengthen itself in the same way.
Only then could the Ice and Fire Pills regain equilibrium.
Yuhao immediately thought of a particular existence connected to the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"As long as I absorb it and transform it into a Spirit," he muttered inwardly, "it should be enough to neutralize the imbalance between the Ice and Fire Pills."
During the sealing and integration of the Snow Empress' origin power, Yuhao had also absorbed an enormous amount of pure soul power. Now that the Snow Empress had officially become his Spirit once again, his cultivation level had surged dramatically.
His soul power had consecutively broken through multiple bottlenecks and had already surpassed Rank 40, meaning he was fully qualified to attach another soul ring.
However, now was not the right time.
Yuhao had not forgotten that he still needed to participate in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in Star Luo City.
Turning toward Di Tian, Yuhao asked:
"Di Tian, how is your current condition?"
"It consumed a great deal of spiritual strength," Di Tian answered honestly. "I will need some time to rest and recover."
This alone showed how tremendous the cost of completing the Spirit contract between Yuhao and the Snow Empress had been.
One must remember that Di Tian was the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King who had lived for nearly eight hundred and ninety thousand years, his strength approaching a demigod-level existence.
"In that case, you should return to the Star Dou Forest."
Yuhao spoke calmly. Now that his fusion with the Snow Empress was complete, there was naturally no further need for Di Tian's assistance.
"My Lord, shall I escort you back to Star Luo City first?"
Di Tian insisted while enduring his exhaustion.
"There's no need. I've already been away from Star Luo City for an entire day and night. That alone will arouse suspicion. If others see you again, it will be impossible to explain."
The fusion with the Snow Empress had taken a full day and night.
If Yuhao's physique had not been so strong, the process might have lasted even longer.
"Very well."
Di Tian no longer insisted. But just as he turned to leave, he seemed to recall something.
"My Lord, there is another matter I must report."
"There has been something unusual about the Auspicious Beast these past few days."
"Oh?"
Yuhao's brows instantly furrowed.
"What happened to the Auspicious Beast?"
The Emperor's Auspicious Beast was of immense importance. Not only did it carry the fortune of the entire Star Dou Great Forest, but it was also the key to evolving Yuhao's Spirit Eyes toward the path of Destiny.
Nothing could go wrong.
"It's difficult to describe," Di Tian said with a troubled expression. "It doesn't seem injured or ill. It just feels… different from before. I cannot pinpoint what exactly has changed."
"Could it be related to the catastrophe you mentioned, My Lord?"
Hearing this, Yuhao's gaze darkened slightly.
"Could it be that that shameless God King has already set his sights on the Auspicious Beast?" he thought inwardly.
Although the laws of the God Realm prohibited deities from interfering directly in the mortal plane, if it was that particular individual, subtle manipulations would not be surprising.
Yuhao's very existence had already disrupted certain predetermined trajectories.
Aside from this vague feeling of abnormality, is there any other issue?" Yuhao asked.
Di Tian shook his head.
"Not at the moment."
"Then listen carefully," Yuhao said in a deep voice. "You must guard the Auspicious Beast at all costs. Do not allow her to leave the Star Dou Great Forest under any circumstances."
As long as she remained within the forest's protection, even if divine forces intervened secretly, they would not dare to act too blatantly.
Di Tian sensed the seriousness in Yuhao's tone and nodded solemnly before departing.
...
After Di Tian left, Yuhao prepared to return to Star Luo City.
Looking into the distance, he called out:
"Snow Girl, it's time for us to go."
The Snow Empress had intentionally walked far away earlier, not wishing to overhear Yuhao's conversation with Di Tian.
Upon hearing his voice, she turned around. A flash of embarrassment and irritation crossed her exquisite face as she said coldly:
"Call me Snow Empress. You are not allowed to call me Snow Girl."
Yuhao raised an eyebrow slightly. Just as he was about to respond, he suddenly seemed to realize something and chuckled softly.
"Is this about what you called me earlier? Is that why you don't want me to call you Snow Girl?"
The Snow Empress' cheeks immediately flushed a faint shade of red.
Before she could flare up, Yuhao added casually:
"Relax. I don't have a daughter who's seven hundred thousand years old."
Boom!
The moment those words left his mouth, the Snow Empress erupted.
Endless ice and snow energy burst from her body, instantly dropping the surrounding temperature by dozens of degrees. Frost rapidly spread across the ground, and the air became biting cold.
Yet none of it affected Yuhao in the slightest.
"Snow Girl," Yuhao said calmly, though an undercurrent of terrifying chill lay beneath his voice, "are you seeking death?"
Of course, he knew the Snow Empress could not truly harm him.
Her current power originated from him.
With a single thought, he could retract her strength entirely or even confine her within the soul ring.
But Yuhao had no intention of doing so.
He had already stated that he did not wish to control her through the Spirit contract.
What he wanted was a Snow Empress who genuinely acknowledged him.
And clearly, that had not yet happened.
Hearing his words, the Snow Empress laughed coldly in anger.
Having only just transformed into a Spirit again, her mindset had not fully shifted. In her heart, she was still the supreme ruler of the Extreme North, the foremost of the Three Heavenly Kings.
"Haha! You only dare to speak so arrogantly because of the contract's restraint," she retorted sharply. "Otherwise, even if the power I currently possess is less than one percent of my former peak, you would still be no match for me."
"Oh?"
Yuhao's lips curled upward slightly.
"Would you like to test that?"
Then he added calmly:
"Rest assured, I will not use the power of the contract. I won't even use the soul skills granted by the two orange-gold soul rings you provided. You, however, may use them freely—including drawing upon my soul power."
The Snow Empress' beautiful eyes narrowed, and an even colder aura enveloped her.
"Are you looking down on me?"
As the head of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North, she had never endured such blatant contempt.
Yet Yuhao remained utterly indifferent.
"Yes," he replied without hesitation. "I am looking down on you."
The faint disdain in his expression was the final spark.
"Ah! Then let me see what gives you such confidence!"
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