Chapter 2: The Far North Begins with the Sacrifice of the Snow QueenThe blood-red crack—the Mark of the Heavens—that stretched across the sky, its direction pointed directly towards the bitterly cold Extreme North Land of the Douluo Continent.Such a phenomenon, shaking the entire plane, naturally couldn't just cause panic and speculation in the lower realm. The God Realm, suspended above the mortal world, was equally startled by this sudden change.Within the God Realm Committee, vast mental forces had just intertwined, attempting to probe the ominous bloodstain. Tang San, who held both the Sea God and Asura God Positions, frowned deeply. The God of Destruction was wreathed in purple lightning, and the Goddess of Life's eyes were filled with worry. All the Divinities stood ready.However, before their mental forces could even reach the Douluo Continent, a voice, carrying a hint of sinister charm and playfulness, echoed from within the Mark of the Heavens, "Hehe, esteemed Great Gods of the God Realm, now is not the time for you to watch a show. For now... all of you, go to sleep."Before the words finished, an indescribable, pitch-black aura, as if originating from the deepest nightmare, instantly engulfed the entire God Realm like a tide.This power was not pure destruction, but rather ultimate 'hypnosis' and'stillness.' Even powerful God King-level existences like Tang San, the God of Destruction, and the Goddess of Life felt their divine souls grow hazy at this moment, their wills uncontrollably falling into stagnation, and they all fell into a deep slumber!The voice let out a soft "Oh?" Its mental force swept over the sleeping gods, locking onto several First-Rank Divinities among them."That's right, the characteristics of your God Positions seem quite suitable for this kid. In that case, let me give you all a 'good dream.'"A more bizarre power, a power named 'Nightmare Charm,' quietly injected itself into the dreams of those First-Rank Divinities. This power could not only forcibly hypnotize but also weave and manipulate dreams, silently influencing and even rewriting the perceptions of those affected."That simp from before wasn't worth saving at all. Rather than helping him, I might as well just get a new one. Kid, cultivate well. For at least five years, you don't have to worry about that old 6. He'll sleep for at least five God Realm days. I've left an interesting cultivation technique in your mind—one I just created. Try practicing it."After completing all this, the being behind the Mark of the Heavens seemed satisfied. The black mist shrouding the God Realm slowly settled, dragging the entire God Realm into an eerie silence.At the same time, in the core region of the Extreme North Land.Here, a monumental change was already unfolding, one that could affect the continent's entire structure.The Extreme North Land had three great Heavenly Kings.They were the Ice Sky Snow Maiden (Xue Di), with nearly 700,000 years of cultivation, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, with nearly 400,000 years of cultivation, and the Tai Tan Snow Demon King, with over 200,000 years.They were all fierce Spirit Beasts renowned throughout the world, with the former two ranking third and seventh respectively among the ten strongest fierce Spirit Beasts of their time.The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion had recently become Huo Yuhao's second Spirit.After the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion disappeared, the Ice Sky Snow Maiden (Xue Di) searched for her for a period without success. Because she failed to form the Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Spirit Cores when attempting to reach 700,000 years of cultivation, she believed she had no chance of overcoming the future 700,000-year tribulation.So, she found a hundred thousand year snow lotus and used its power to seal most of her cultivation, thereby transforming into human form.Unexpectedly, just as she transformed and entered the transitional state from Spirit Beast to human, in the form of a Spirit Beast embryo, she encountered a Ninth-Rank spirit tool Master from the Sun Moon Empire.A Spirit Beast embryo was an invaluable treasure for a Spirit Master. Not only could one easily obtain a Spirit Bone and a spirit ring of 100,000 years or more.Directly absorbing a Spirit Beast embryo even offered a certain possibility of directly absorbing the Spirit Beast within as a second Spirit.Since that Ninth-Rank spirit tool Master had already reached the Titled Douluo realm and had no empty spirit ring slots, he couldn't absorb the embryo. He could only use the Sun Moon Empire's Ninth-Rank spirit tool, the deification platform, to try and seal this Spirit Beast embryo.In fact, this person intended to betray the Sun Moon Empire and join the Star Luo Empire. There were too many Ninth-Rank spirit tool Masters in the Sun Moon Empire, and the competition was fierce. Although he had status in the Sun Moon Empire, it wasn't necessarily that high.But if he went to Star Luo, he would be a preeminent existence.Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.With this thought, the Ninth-Rank spirit tool Master decided to use this Spirit Beast embryo as a Meeting gift, and as a pledge of allegiance for joining the Star Luo Empire."Despicable human, how dare you ambush me during my transformation!" An angry mental force fluctuation emanated from Snow Empress's embryo. Her remaining power struggled against the deification platform's suction."Hmph, Snow Empress, if you were at your peak, I would naturally flee in terror. But now, how much strength do you have left? Meekly become my stepping stone!" The Ninth-Rank spirit tool Master laughed maniacally, fully activating his spirit tool. The deification platform's light grew brighter and brighter, and Snow Empress's resistance was gradually suppressed.Just as Snow Empress was about to be completely sealed.The sky was suddenly torn apart by a blood-red rift. A giant transparent meteor, carrying a soul-freezing chill, crashed down like a divine punishment!Its target was unerringly precise: that Ninth-Rank spirit tool Master!"What?!" The spirit tool Master only had time to let out a shriek of utter horror. The next moment, he was precisely struck by the meteor.The Titled Douluo's protective spirit power was like paper before the meteor, instantly crushed into dust!From within the Mark of the Heavens, the sinister charming voice seemed to mutter, "Oops, I didn't control the force well. It seems I threw it a bit off and accidentally crushed a little ant. I'll have to keep this from Little Tian, otherwise he'll nag me again!"As he whispered, the blood-red rift in the sky rapidly healed, as if it had never appeared, leaving only the eternal wind and snow of the Extreme North Land.The meteor landed, and its outer transparent crystal layer silently melted away, revealing a youth curled within, his face identical to Dai Youheng from Star Luo City. His eyes were tightly closed, seemingly still asleep.Snow Empress's embryo floated in the air, her remaining mental force filled with shock and bewilderment. She could clearly sense that the youth within the meteor had no particularly powerful energy fluctuations, but... how did he fall from the sky? And how could he instantly annihilate a Titled Douluo?However, Snow Empress had no time for deep thought. Her transformation process was forcibly interrupted, and she was impacted by the deification platform's power. Her embryo form, originally maintained by the hundred thousand year snow lotus, began to become extremely unstable. Vast amounts of her primordial power were rapidly dissipating, and her divine soul was on the verge of collapse."After all... is there no escaping this calamity...?" A wave of desolation surged in Snow Empress's heart. "But no matter what, it's better than being enslaved by humans!"Her gaze fell upon the youth who had emerged from the meteor."Perhaps... this is the only chance for survival!"In desperation, Snow Empress made a decision similar to that of the Tianmeng Iceworm—sacrifice!A brilliant red sacrifice array instantly lit up beneath her embryo. Vast primordial power of extreme ice, as if finding an outlet, surged towards the sleeping youth. The power of the hundred thousand year snow lotus protected her soul core, allowing her to retain her sentience during the sacrifice.However, as soon as the sacrifice began, Snow Empress realized something was wrong.The youth's body... was empty. He hadn't even awakened his Spirit!She carefully probed his bone age and discovered that this youth was already fourteen years old!"Fourteen years old and still hasn't awakened his Spirit? This... could this youth not be from this world?" Snow Empress was stunned, a wave of powerlessness washing over her. Her luck today was simply too bad. Being ambushed during her transformation was one thing, but the host she intended to sacrifice to didn't even have a Spirit!
