Phoenix True Flame ignited around Ma Xiaotao, the blazing fire melting an entire stretch of the frozen plain beneath her and exposing the earth under the thick ice.
The Snow Empress was no weaker. She raised both hands, releasing her overwhelming power without the slightest restraint. The entire Extreme North resonated with her might. As the true ruler of this land, the Snow Empress carried with her the fate and qi of the Extreme North.
It was as though the entirety of the northern icefields manifested behind her. Her aura instantly suppressed Ma Xiaotao, even though the latter had already invoked the Phoenix's Blessing. The Phoenix True Flame around Ma Xiaotao was forcibly compressed to within a mere meter of her body, unable to expand further.
"You're nothing more than a successor to a god—not a true deity.
Here in the Extreme North, beneath the gods… I am invincible."
The Snow Empress looked at Ma Xiaotao calmly. She slowly lifted her hand and swept it toward her. The power of the entire icefield bore down on Ma Xiaotao—an attack she had absolutely no chance of resisting.
If she took this strike, she would die. Even divine protection could not save her.
Ma Xiaotao realized this instantly. Without hesitation, she turned and fled. The phoenix on her back let out a sky-shaking cry, carrying her away with explosive speed.
The apocalyptic strike dissipated into drifting snow just before it landed. Watching Ma Xiaotao retreat, the Snow Empress exhaled with disdain.
"How laughable. This is the so-called successor of a god?"
"It seems that after being reborn in phoenix fire… she really has changed."
Jiang Shengyu spoke as he landed at the edge of the crater, looking down at Cai Meier and Xian Lin'er.
Although Jiang Shengyu had not elevated his strength to the Ultimate Douluo realm when he unleashed his soul skills earlier, he possessed a soul core. Even without breaking through, he was no weaker than any Titled Douluo. In terms of attribute amplification, even typical Super Douluo were no match for him anymore.
"Ma Xiaotao ran away and left the two of you behind."
Jiang Shengyu's aura rapidly receded to his seven-ring Soul Sage level.
He asked lightly, "Have you thought of any last words?"
He had no interest in taking prisoners, and neither Cai Meier nor Xian Lin'er held any meaningful value.
"You won't be arrogant for long! With a god involved, your defeat is inevitable!"
Xian Lin'er glared at Jiang Shengyu, still showing not a trace of fear.
"Little White."
Jiang Shengyu called, and the massive bear head leaned forward.
He said, "Send them on their way."
Little White shook its great head excitedly.
"Got it! This kind of thing is perfect for me!"
It gathered a colossal sphere of ice, swirling with wind and snow. With a roar, it hurled the iceball downward. Already gravely injured, Cai Meier and Xian Lin'er were instantly killed, their lives erased as they were buried forever beneath the snowy plains of the Extreme North.
The Titan Snow Demon King stepped to the side, pulled Ling Luochen from a mound of snow, and said,
"Snow Empress, Mister Jiang—there's another human here…"
Ling Luochen's face went pale. Before the three terrifying soul beasts, Jiang Shengyu's gentle smile was—by contrast—like a warm spring breeze.
She whispered weakly, "Shengyu…"
Little White stuck its enormous head right up to her, its thunderous voice shaking in her ears:
"Huh? Shengyu, she knows you!"
Ling Luochen blanched even further. She had just witnessed this seemingly harmless giant bear kill two Super Douluo moments ago.
Jiang Shengyu hopped onto Little White's back and looked at Ling Luochen, who was being held by the Titan Snow Demon King.
"Student Ling, do you need me to send you home?"
Hearing this, Ling Luochen let out a bitter laugh.
"No… no need. May I go to Mingdu with you?"
"You're sure?" Jiang Shengyu asked.
Ling Luochen's circumstances were different from Ning Tian or Jiang Nannan's. She had no sect or family pressure binding her. Jiang Shengyu welcomed those who genuinely wished to join them—but he needed to maintain stability in the group.
Acting on impulse was unacceptable.
Ling Luochen inhaled deeply under his gaze and nodded.
"I'm sure."
"And your family?" Jiang Shengyu asked again.
Ling Luochen pressed her lips together. After a long pause, she replied,
"I'll send a letter to my parents explaining everything. Shrek Academy has changed. It is no longer the righteous, open academy it once was. Under the radiance of divine intervention, shadows have begun to grow."
She was in a state of disillusionment—her lifelong faith shattered.
Cai Meier and Xian Lin'er's attitude toward the Heavenly Soul Empire soldiers, the changes in Ma Xiaotao's personality after her rebirth—these things made it clear to her: the Shrek Academy she once knew was gone.
"Perhaps Shrek Academy never changed. Perhaps… it was always like this. The façade has simply been torn away."
Jiang Shengyu spoke to the disheartened Ling Luochen, then patted Little White on the back.
"Little White, have your bear cubs patrol the borders of the entire Extreme North. If they see anyone other than Sun–Moon Empire soldiers, drive them away with blizzards."
"No problem!" Little White lifted its head proudly.
The Titan Snow Demon King added,
"The Titan Snow Demons will assist as well!"
He clearly understood the Snow Empress and Jiang Shengyu shared a special relationship. Befriending Jiang Shengyu would greatly benefit the future of their entire race.
Once matters in the Extreme North were settled, the three set out for Mingdu. Following the Snow Empress and Jiang Shengyu, Ling Luochen soon saw the dark clouds hanging over the Sun–Moon Empire.
"Is that the punishment the god left behind?" she asked.
"That is not punishment," Jiang Shengyu said calmly. "It is a reminder. A push. Its presence constantly reminds us to strengthen ourselves. The weak are beaten—just as the three nations of the Douluo Continent once were beaten by the Sun–Moon Empire, so the Sun–Moon Empire is now beaten by a god."
The difference was this: the Sun–Moon Empire continued to grow stronger, while the three former Douluo nations had relied only on divine protection from ten thousand years ago, barely scraping by.
As they flew, the Snow Empress suddenly stopped, turning her gaze toward the distant icy sea.
"Snow Empress?"
Jiang Shengyu looked at her in confusion.
"There's something in the sea," she said.
The sea?
Jiang Shengyu turned toward the Ice Sea. Large and small ice floes drifted on the surface, white shards scattered across the deep blue. Amid the countless pieces, a surge of water broke the surface. Beneath the waves, a massive existence seemed to be swimming.
Its size dwarfed even Little White and the Titan Snow Demon King—by several times. It was even larger than the Skydream Iceworm's revealed body. Among the soul beasts Jiang Shengyu had seen, only Gu Yuena and Di Tian's true forms exceeded it.
"A whale."
Jiang Shengyu stared into the icy sea, recognizing the presence beneath the waves.
PS: Access the complete/finished chapters/series at Patreon: NanamiTL
Please drop some power stones support me at my Patreon