an Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, about 1.5 meters long with a bright green tail, gazed at the human before her with complex emotions. Not long ago, she had nearly died outside, but now, what worried her even more was the purpose of this unfathomably powerful human.
Few humans ventured into the Far North, so the Ice Emperor's concerns were not unfounded.
After a long silence, Hyotei finally spoke, unable to hold back any longer. "Thank you for saving me. If it weren't for you..."
Before Hyotei could finish, Cheng Xiao interrupted her with a raised hand. He looked at Hyotei and said calmly, "You've seen it yourself. These creatures from other worlds are beyond your ability to resist. I'm giving you only two choices: either become my soldier or be killed by my soldiers."
Hyotei's pupils constricted sharply. She glared angrily at Cheng Xiao and said in a deep voice, "What's the difference between these two choices? If that's the case, why did you save me in the first place? Wouldn't it have been simpler to just watch me get killed?"
"There's no difference," Cheng Xiao said coldly. "I'm just giving you a choice. As for the outcome, it's the same."
"You!" Hyotei was speechless. Her crystal-yellow eyes flickered with hesitation, and for a moment she didn't know how to choose.
Cheng Xiao wasn't in a hurry. Now that he had come to the far north, he wouldn't return empty-handed. Although he had obtained the Frost King's legion, this was merely a prelude to the upcoming war. While the Dragon Emperor was still unable to descend upon Douluo Continent, he had time to improve his own strength and that of his legion. Otherwise, the entire continent might be engulfed in the flames of war.
Time passed slowly. Seeing the Ice Empress unable to make a decision, Cheng Xiao sighed softly and then said, "Ice Empress, if you follow me, you will no longer need to worry about the Heavenly Tribulation."
"Also, can you contact the Snow Empress now? I want to see her."
Upon hearing this, the Ice Empress couldn't sit still any longer. She looked up in shock, her crystal-yellow eyes revealing a human emotion. She knew the human before her was strong, but the Snow Empress was the leader of the three Heavenly Kings of the far north, and her own strength was terrifying. This was no joke.
However, the Ice Empress hesitated slightly before agreeing, because she didn't want to die. If the Snow Empress came, perhaps she would still have a chance to negotiate.
"Alright, I promise you." Having made up her mind, Ice Empress said nothing more. Then, her body trembled, and a vibrant green light burst forth from her tail, instantly turning the sky a deep emerald green, which continued to spread towards the deepest reaches of the far north.
"Snow Empress, are you there?"
A moment later, a clear, melodious voice came from the sky.
"Bing'er, what's wrong?"
"Something's happened here."
"I'll be right there."
As the clear, melodious voice faded, compared to Cheng Xiao's calmness, Ice Empress visibly tensed up. She didn't know if Snow Empress would fight with the human before her. After all, this strange thing was unprecedented; for a human to want to see Snow Empress was simply outrageous.
Out of consideration for saving his life, the Ice Empress kindly reminded Cheng Xiao, "If you can persuade the Snow Empress, then I'll agree to your request."
Cheng Xiao nodded slightly. He sensed the energy in the world; an extreme cold was spreading. He knew it was the Snow Empress; she had arrived…
Not long after, a gust of cold wind howled past, the extreme cold causing the surrounding air to freeze. Just then, a figure appeared before them.
Long, snow-white hair cascaded to her waist, her sky-blue eyes were clear and bright, as if they could see through everything in the world. Her slender, delicate body was flawless, and her long, white legs hovered a few centimeters off the ground, as if they had never been tainted by worldly dust.
Just looking at her, one could feel her innate aloofness and nobility.
Seemingly not expecting a human to be here, the Snow Empress's gaze first fell on Cheng Xiao. With just one glance, she sensed that this human was no ordinary person.
"Bing'er, what's going on?"
The Snow Empress didn't show any hostility towards Cheng Xiao, but immediately sought the Ice Empress's explanation. The Ice Empress explained the situation, and when she heard the two choices Cheng Xiao offered, a hint of emotion flickered across her cold face.
"Human, you are threatening the Ice Empress." The Snow Empress narrowed her eyes, her tone icy.
"You are insulting my king." As soon as the Snow Empress finished speaking, Nash, who had been hiding in the shadows, couldn't stand it any longer. It decisively emerged from the shadows, radiating terrifying magical energy. Its ice-blue and crimson eyes blazed with rage. Had Cheng Xiao not given the order, it would likely have already begun its slaughter.
"Nash, don't be so talkative." Cheng Xiao reminded it in his mind, then said calmly, "Snow Empress, we don't need to become enemies. It's not a good thing for either of us."
"You can sign a partnership contract with her." Just then, a voice only Cheng Xiao could hear resounded in his mind.
Cheng Xiao was slightly taken aback. A partnership contract? These were indeed unfamiliar words, but he wasn't puzzled, for the voice belonged to the Shadow King Aspen, whom he knew well.
Immediately afterward, a surge of information flooded his mind. Cheng Xiao frowned, and after processing this sudden influx, he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Shadow King's power was even more wondrous than he had imagined.
"I think my stance is clear," the Snow Empress said, her expression unchanged, still indifferent.
However, Cheng Xiao didn't care. He looked into the Snow Empress's eyes and said, "After you've seen this, it's not too late to refuse."
With that, Cheng Xiao raised his palm, and a dark purple orb floated from it, then stopped in front of the Snow Empress.
"This is the best method I can think of. Take a look,"
the Snow Empress said, frowning as she placed her hand over the dark purple orb, while the Ice Empress stared blankly at Cheng Xiao.
"This aura... a dense death."
Cheng Xiao didn't answer, instead covering the dark purple sphere of light with his own hand. In an instant, a connection seemed to form between him and Xue Di. Then, through the mental space created by the partnership contract, he saw Xue Di.
Xue Di looked at Cheng Xiao, remained silent for a long while, and then said in a deep voice, "I've read this contract. I can agree to your terms, but in return, you must sign a partnership contract with Bing Di. Otherwise, I won't agree."
"I agree," Cheng Xiao said without hesitation.
"?" Xue Di was briefly stunned, her gaze fixed on Cheng Xiao. For some reason, she felt deceived, perhaps because her good friend had been deceived.
Cheng Xiao smiled and said, "Then it's settled."
"Ice Empress is a decoy; your target is me." Seemingly having figured something out, Snow Empress spoke expressionlessly.
"Hmm...it could be, or it could not be." Cheng Xiao didn't deny it; he looked at Snow Empress and smiled.
Snow Empress was silent for a long time before softly saying, "I understand. Since it's a contract signed as partners, let Ice Empress join in too."
"Okay." Cheng Xiao agreed.
The next moment, the two simultaneously exited the mental space.
Glancing at the dazed Ice Empress, Snow Empress suddenly didn't know what to say. In the far north, besides Ice Empress, she had no friends she could truly confide in. And now, to help a friend, she had even betrayed herself. For a moment, she felt her mind was in turmoil.
"Ice Empress, let's begin," Snow Empress said.
"Huh?" Ice Empress stared blankly at Snow Empress, clearly not understanding the meaning behind her words. However, she quickly grasped the meaning, because a contract called a Partner Contract had appeared in her mind.
The partnership contract was signed quickly, as the terms were equal and reciprocal. During the contract's validity, Cheng Xiao, Xue Di, and Bing Di would be of one mind. Furthermore, Cheng Xiao could use Xue Di or Bing Di's abilities to possess them.
After the contract was signed, Xue Di suddenly felt like she had sold herself out. Although she clearly felt her power had increased, this strange feeling still made her frown.
Fortunately, Xue Di hadn't lost her own power, meaning she didn't need to rely on Cheng Xiao to survive. She was still the Xue Di, the leader of the three great kings of the far north.
"Phew... feels pretty good." Cheng Xiao took a deep breath. This trip to the far north hadn't been in vain. He had not only gained the commander of the Frost Legion but also the power of Xue Di and Bing Di; it was practically perfect.
"What do you plan to do next?" Having learned about the monarch from the contract, a serious expression appeared on Xue Di's usually cold face.
"The City of Slaughter..."
Meanwhile, in the Papal Palace.
"Nana, are you really sure you want to go there?" Bibi Dong looked calmly at Hu Liena kneeling before her, her expression serene, her voice filled with worry.
Hu Liena nodded, her voice firm, "Teacher, our Spirit Hall's Golden Generation has lost this time, bringing shame upon you. If I can't make a breakthrough, I'm not worthy to be your disciple."
"I'm willing to risk entering the City of Slaughter to try my luck. Please grant my request, Teacher."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong felt helpless. The championship of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament didn't belong to the Spirit Hall, but to Seven Star Academy. That afternoon, the three members of the Golden Generation had fought tooth and nail for a spot in the finals, but unfortunately, they lost the next morning's match because they hadn't recovered.
Even Bibi Dong hadn't expected that Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, had quietly reached the Soul King level and even evolved her Martial Soul. This was truly astonishing.
"Nana, if you go to a place like the Killing System, you might not come back, do you understand?" Bibi Dong looked at Hu Liena gently and advised, "Why don't you go to the Death Canyon with Xie Yue and Yan to cultivate? Wouldn't that be better?"
"No, Teacher." Hu Liena shook her head and said seriously, "Although the Death Canyon is dangerous, it can't truly give me the feeling of death because I know you've always had people protecting us in secret."
"Teacher, I will definitely come back alive, please believe me."
"Alright, since that's the case, I agree to let you go, but you must promise me you'll come back alive." Bibi Dong gently stroked Hu Liena's head, something seemed to have appeared in her eyes.
Then, a purple light flashed in Bibi Dong's hand, and by the time Hu Liena reacted, a white skull was already in her hand.
"Nana, absorb it before you leave."
Hu Liena exclaimed in surprise, "Teacher, this is too precious."
Bibi Dong's face darkened, and she said, "Nothing more precious than you is more important. That spirit bone was more suitable for you, but it ended up benefiting those people from Seven Star Academy. However, Cheng Xiao is also a member of the Spirit Hall, so it's not a big deal."
"In my heart, the three of you are more important than the spirit bone. Don't refuse, take it."
Hearing this, Hu Liena didn't hesitate any longer and carefully accepted the spirit bone bestowed by Bibi Dong.
...
A magnificent waterfall, carrying a burst of water vapor, cascaded down from the sky. A violent roar echoed continuously from below the waterfall. The rushing waterfall crashed heavily against the rocks, instantly creating a thunderous sound that reverberated throughout the small valley.
Splash.
Tang San couldn't remember how many times he had been swept into the pool. Only those who had truly experienced the impact of a waterfall cascading from a height of two hundred meters could understand how powerful it was.
Since the end of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, his father, Tang Hao, had brought him here. With his soul power sealed, he couldn't even climb the incredibly smooth rocks, let alone practice his hammer-wielding skills in the waterfall.
Even with Tang San's resilient spirit, he couldn't help but feel defeated.
Indeed, losing the competition dealt him a severe blow, and now, he and his father were wanted by the Spirit Hall—it was like adding insult to injury.
What pained him most was that his father's cultivation had regressed. Due to the severity of his injuries, Tang Hao's internal wounds had been fully aggravated. Already injured, he had fallen from a Title Douluo to a Soul Douluo, and his ninth soul ring still couldn't be re-formed.
Despite this, Tang Hao still rigorously trained him, employing every method imaginable to ensure Tang San could focus on his cultivation, all in the hope of making Tang San a strong individual. Only in this way could they escape their current predicament.
Of course, Tang Hao was also extremely heartbroken. He had originally planned to let Xiao Wu take him away and keep him by his side, but he truly hadn't expected that the Spirit Hall would send so many Title Douluos, and even several Elders, just to keep him there.
Therefore, he had no choice but to leave with Tang San, abandoning Xiao Wu.
"Sigh..." Tang Hao sighed softly, gazing down at Tang San training diligently, and murmured to himself, "Little San, don't blame your father for being heartless. If you don't grow up soon, my son and I will have no place to stand on this continent."
====================
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"Douluo: Me, Starting Out as a Celestial Dragon (18+)"
"Douluo: Invincible Through Sign-Ins Starting from Spirit Hall (18+)"
"Douluo: Sign-In to Become a God — Starting with a Sign-In at Bibi Dong's Bedroom (18+)"
"Douluo: Destined Villain — Becoming a God Through Marriage (18+)"
"Douluo: Evil Eye Dragon God, Many Wives, Many Blessings (18+)"
"Douluo: Many Children, Much Blessing — Starting from Tianshui Academy (18+)"
"Douluo: Steal Tang San Mother at the Beginning (18+)"
"Douluo: Huo Yuhao Knows the Plot"
"Douluo: Tang San Becomes a Girl (18+)"
"Douluo: Xiao Yan Transmigrates As Tan San"
"Douluo: They Go Wild with Cheats After Reading My Diary"
"Douluo: Writing a Diary — Turns Out I'm the Strongest One!"
"Douluo: Legend of the Ancestral Dragon"
"Douluo: Double Comparisons, This Yuhao Is Too Cruel!"
"Douluo: Starting with Bibi Dong Burying Me Alive"
"Douluo: Starting with Hypn*tic Time Stop Dual Martial Souls! (18+)"
"Douluo: The Legend of Fallen (18+)"
"Douluo: Plane Master (18+)"
"Douluo: The Shapeshifting Star Sovereign Martial Soul (18+)"
"Douluo: Random Notes (18+)"
"Douluo: The Legend of the Madman (18+)"
"Douluo: Nanny Ye Xishui, Defeating God King Tang San (18+)"
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(End of Chapter)