After easily resolving the issue of soul shock, absorbing the hundred-thousand-year soul ring was not particularly troublesome for Shu Yan.
In fact, near the end of the absorption process, the Snow Empress and Ice Empress did not even intervene to help him. The entire process went so smoothly that it felt as if everything had been coated with lubricant.
When his steadily rising soul power finally stopped increasing, a sudden gust erupted around him, kicking up a flurry of snow and wind.
The Snow Empress and the others had already sensed the disturbance. Yet when the swirling snow settled, Shu Yan was nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, Xu Jiujiu, who was standing at the back, suddenly felt something strange behind her. She abruptly turned around—only to bump straight into Shu Yan's chest before being pulled into his arms.
The Snow Empress and Ice Empress also turned to look at him. A faint smile appeared in their eyes before the Snow Empress spoke.
"It seems this fellow's soul ring truly didn't disappoint us."
Shu Yan nodded. Holding Xu Jiujiu in his arms, his figure instantly vanished. When he reappeared, he was already about fifty meters away. Light flickered again, and the two of them returned to the group.
A trace of surprise flashed across the Ice Empress's eyes.
"Is that a teleportation soul skill? Why didn't I sense even the slightest fluctuation of soul power?"
Shu Yan smiled, gently setting Xu Jiujiu down before replying.
"It's actually a simple spatial warp—a soul technique created by using the spatial power within my sixth soul ring. You could call it teleportation. If I move alone, my current maximum range is about one hundred and fifty meters. If I carry someone with me, the distance is reduced by half."
"Fortunately, it consumes very little soul power. Compared to my overall reserves, the expenditure is practically negligible. Strictly speaking, it's not even a soul skill granted directly by the soul ring—it's something I developed myself. It also requires no charging time or conditions. It's completely instantaneous. If I later absorb the soul bone this creature produced, I probably won't even need to expend that tiny bit of soul power."
The Ice Empress stepped forward to examine Shu Yan before speaking with a hint of envy.
"This is really frustrating. You only obtained a single soul ring, yet you gained such a ridiculously powerful and versatile spatial ability. Sigh… I wonder when I'll be able to truly control the power of space."
Shu Yan raised an eyebrow.
"To truly master and freely wield spatial power, you'd need to condense dual soul cores with yin–yang complementarity. That's extremely difficult."
The Ice Empress pursed her lips and sighed.
"As far as I know, among all the fierce beasts, only Di Tian successfully condensed yin–yang complementary dual soul cores. Even Xue'er failed at the final step. Still, her talent is extraordinary—although she failed to form the dual soul cores, she at least gained preliminary control over spatial power."
Shu Yan simply raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
The concept of soul cores had appeared relatively late in history and had almost nothing to do with the era he was most familiar with. Among the current generation of human Limit Douluo, dual soul cores were usually formed through co-resonance of identical positions. Among soul beasts, Di Tian possessed yin–yang complementary dual soul cores. The Demon Emperor, who lurked behind the Holy Spirit Cult, likely had something similar.
If he remembered correctly, Huo Yuhao in the original story eventually possessed three soul cores.
While he was still thinking about it, the Snow Empress walked over holding a transparent soul bone that shone with a silver-white glow, almost like glass. She handed it to Shu Yan.
"Not bad luck. This creature produced a right leg bone, which isn't a critical slot. It fits perfectly—so it won't occupy the positions that Ice'er and I might need in the future."
Shu Yan stored it away and smiled.
"Let's head back. You two should start absorbing and refining the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow to prepare for the heavenly tribulation. Who knows—maybe this time, Sister Xue will successfully condense yin–yang complementary dual soul cores with its help."
The Snow Empress raised her eyes in mild surprise, then softly laughed and shook her head.
"I no longer care about such things. Whether I form yin–yang complementary dual soul cores or not doesn't matter to me anymore. What matters now is you. Earlier, that Rakshasa God said there is a divine position on the continent suitable for you. Perhaps when you have time, you should go speak with her about it."
Shu Yan chuckled lightly and nodded.
His thoughts and the Snow Empress's had coincided perfectly—one could say they shared an unusual kind of unspoken understanding.
…
After everything was settled, the group returned to the core region.
Shu Yan planned to stabilize his soul power before attempting to absorb the hundred-thousand-year Space Origin Right Leg Bone.
Yes—that was a name he had come up with himself. It might not sound elegant, but it certainly fit the reality.
After absorbing his sixth hundred-thousand-year soul ring, Shu Yan's soul power had reached Level 63. The ring had only raised his cultivation by three levels—an astonishing result.
But given the immense quality and quantity of his soul power, even gaining three levels was already something to be grateful for. After absorbing the hundred-thousand-year soul bone as well, his soul power might reach Level 65.
At that rate, in three years, he might even have a chance of advancing directly to the Soul Douluo realm.
While planning his cultivation progress, Shu Yan also began arranging matters for Xu Jiujiu.
Once they obtained the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, they would undoubtedly gain many immortal herbs and treasures.
The Qiluo Tulip and the Star Luo Spirit Pearl would definitely belong to Xu Jiujiu. Beyond that, Shu Yan actually wanted to give her the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and even the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
However, immortal herbs apparently couldn't be consumed in excessive quantities.
Shu Yan scratched his head, deciding that later he would have Bibi Dong resurrect the Chrysanthemum Douluo from ten thousand years ago first. His soul had always been preserved by Bibi Dong, and he possessed extensive knowledge about immortal herbs. His advice would certainly be more reliable. They could decide the details then.
Meanwhile, the Snow Empress and Ice Empress sat cross-legged in the Snow Empress Palace, beginning the refinement and absorption of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow. This process would take roughly two months.
Shu Yan and Xu Jiujiu were in no hurry and had the patience to wait.
During this time, Xiao Bai guarded the area around the Snow Empress Palace almost without leaving his post. His loyalty to the Snow Empress surpassed even his own life.
Shu Yan was more than happy with this arrangement. The Extreme North was already ideal for cultivation. At night in the core region, the sky was often filled with auroras and rare celestial phenomena. Here, Xu Jiujiu absorbed the power of the stars even faster than she could outside, which delighted her greatly.
Days passed peacefully.
During this period, Xu Jiujiu's soul power rose another level, reaching Level 46. By then, it had already been one month since they arrived in the Extreme North.
At the same time, subtle changes had begun to appear in the conditions of the Snow Empress and Ice Empress.
The great tribulation they had once feared… now seemed to be drawing very close.
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