"Tianmeng, before today, I genuinely hadn't met a human with such strong willpower. He endured the pain of my Source Power entering his body, yet he still managed to keep from crying out."
"Hehe, the more you get to know him, the more you'll realize he always loves to challenge his limits. The fourth Soul Ring of his First Martial Soul came from a 25,000-year-old Dark Demon Evil God Tiger."
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"You must know how sinister the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is, right? That Soul Ring even scared me. I offered to help him suppress the Soul Ring's energy, but he actually refused, enduring the energy impact all on his own."
"Though he inevitably lay in bed for several days afterward, I still have to say, that kind of perseverance is truly commendable."
In the Sea of Spirit, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm gave a thumbs-up, recounting Xu Tianxi's glorious achievements to its new neighbor, Ice Emperor.
Ice Emperor glanced sideways at Xu Tianxi, who was outside, enduring the bone-changing pain and gritting his teeth to adapt to the Soul Ring's energy. Its expression turned serious.
"His perseverance is indeed very strong. With my Soul Bone enhancing his physique, the age limit of the Soul Rings he can withstand is almost 60,000 years, and he's pushing hard to reach that limit."
"If he hadn't just absorbed his fourth Soul Ring two months ago, and the time for Soul Power to nourish his body was too short, his upper limit could have been much higher."
Hearing this, a trace of worry flickered in Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's eyes. "What you said reminds me of something. Tianxi's cultivation has been progressing too quickly, and his body might not keep up. With the sudden addition of an ultimate attribute, he'll need at least a few months to adapt."
The Source Power of the Douluo Continent's seventh fiercest Soul Beast, Ice Emperor, was too vast. Xu Tianxi's own Soul Power cultivation was negligible in comparison. If he were to absorb it freely, he would directly jump five levels to Soul King.
Adding another ultimate attribute was no small feat. Even though Xu Tianxi's body had been refined countless times, he still needed a period of adaptation.
Ice Emperor gave Tianmeng Ice Silkworm a look that said, Are you dense? "Do you think I wouldn't have thought of something you could? During this fusion, I deliberately controlled the Source Power."
"Under my intentional control, Tianxi's Soul Power will increase by exactly four levels. The remaining Source Power will then surge into his Martial Soul and body. Given the drag that Dual Extremes attributes have on his cultivation speed, the time needed for this last level before Soul King will be enough for his body to adapt."
"As expected of Bingbing, so clever! With you here, I can already see the days of eternal life beckoning to us."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm instinctively buttered it up, both to flatter Ice Emperor and out of genuine admiration.
With the two of them, mighty beast kings, by their side, was there anything in the world they couldn't achieve?
Ice Emperor sighed lightly, looking at Xu Tianxi, who had stabilized his Soul Ring and was meditating to recover under Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's protection. A complex array of thoughts flickered in its eyes.
"As you said, Tianxi's future holds infinite possibilities. I have high hopes for him to take that step."
"But what truly moved me was that my life is nearing its end, and he has at least three hundred years of spring and autumn ahead of him. I've stayed in the Far North Land for too long, and I also want to use this opportunity to see the outside world."
"If that's the case, I won't have lost anything, no matter what."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was uncharacteristically silent for a moment upon hearing this, then it spoke in a serious, deep voice. "You're right. If I hadn't been in such a desperate situation back then, and if those bastards in the Star Dou Great Forest hadn't drained my Soul Power, I wouldn't have spent so many years researching the plan to become an Intelligent Soul Ring."
"Neither you nor I really had a choice. We just wanted to live longer."
"And I also believe that Tianxi won't let us down. If even he, whom you and I jointly created, can't succeed, then it can only mean that becoming a god is impossible."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm rarely spoke such serious words. Ice Emperor's eyes showed approval as it mused,
"Indeed. When I sacrificed myself, I clearly sensed the uniqueness of Tianxi's Second Martial Soul. His Dark Gold Black Tortoise Shield seems to have undergone a peculiar mutation long ago. Its attributes are not just water and earth, but also a surging and dormant aura of destruction—the Destruction Attribute."
"Soul Beasts with the Destruction Attribute are extremely rare on the Douluo Continent, and Martial Souls with it are almost non-existent. Yet, this attribute appeared in his Dark Gold Black Tortoise Shield. It's truly inconceivable."
"Isn't that perfect? If this power can't be drawn out, then so be it. But if it can, it will be a formidable weapon, and our Path to Godhood will be even more secure."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was unconcerned about this; it only hoped that Xu Tianxi would become as strong as possible.
"That's true, if he can truly succeed—"
Just as the two were deep in conversation, Electrolux's aged voice suddenly echoed in the Sea of Spirit.
"Heh heh, big worm, little scorpion, it seems you both have a lot of determination."
"Who dares eavesdrop on this Emperor's words? Show yourself!"
Upon hearing the strange voice, Ice Emperor's eyes immediately flashed with fierce light as it searched for the source of the sound.
"Bingbing, don't get agitated. The source of that voice is an unfathomable old man."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm quickly held Ice Emperor back, looking with apprehension at the illusory glowing portal that had materialized out of thin air.
The white-robed old man, Electrolux, calmly stepped out of it and smiled serenely at Ice Emperor, saying,
"Don't think this old man's words are offensive. I simply treat every living being with an equal perspective."
"Whether it's you or the big worm, there isn't much difference in this old man's eyes. The same goes for that big black dragon in the Star Dou Great Forest."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm secretly transmitted, "The big black dragon he mentioned should be Beast God Di Tian. This old man's Divine Sense level is terrifyingly high; he's not someone to be trifled with."
Ice Emperor's expression changed in surprise, and the fierce light in its pupils naturally receded, replaced by deep vigilance. "What are you doing here?"
Electrolux smiled faintly and said, "Simple. This old man observed your process of sacrificing yourself for Tianxi and developed some interest in your world's Soul Rings. I need you and the big worm to describe in detail the entire process of your transformation into Intelligent Soul Rings."
"Why should we cooperate with you?" Ice Emperor pressed.
"Because this old man's goal is the same as yours: to see young Tianxi continuously grow stronger, even cultivating to godhood. Only then can this wisp of my Divine Sense recover better."
Electrolux slowly said, "By studying your process of transforming into Soul Rings, this old man can bring my world's contract ritual to this world, granting the Soul Masters of this world even greater power, and that, of course, includes Tianxi."
"Will the contract you speak of harm Soul Beasts?"
Ice Emperor asked worriedly. As the second-in-command who harbored ambitious thoughts towards the Far North Land's leader, Ice Emperor also regarded the Soul Beasts of the Far North as its subjects.
"No, it requires the voluntary consent of both the Soul Master and the Soul Beast to work."
Electrolux said calmly, "This old man can see that the conflict between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts in your world is severe. If this old man's contract can be thoroughly researched and perfected, perhaps it will also be an opportunity for you Soul Beasts to avoid the human blade."
The Ice Emperor lowered its head, pondering for a long time before suddenly looking up and saying in a deep voice, "Alright, I'll tell you. Given your strength, you wouldn't lie or deceive us. Tianmeng, you go first!"
"Alright, alright, let me think about where to start."
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm collected itself, organizing its thoughts, and began to explain its concept of becoming an Intelligent Soul Ring, from the initial idea to several failed attempts, then to Xu Tianxi's success and various sensations. After the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm finished, the Ice Emperor continued. Electrolux occasionally smiled and nodded, sometimes furrowed his brows, and sometimes pondered for a long time.
"The general concept is sound, but it still needs experimentation. The rest is up to Tianxi."
Outside, Xu Tianxi, who had been cultivating with the help of the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's exuviae to ward off the cold, withdrew his spirit and opened his eyes, exhaling. A jade-green glow flickered in his pupils, and he appeared even more alluringly handsome. His physique had grown taller, exceeding 1.85 meters, with broad shoulders and back, no different from an adult man.
He lowered his gaze to the 400,000-year-old red Soul Ring beneath him, adorned with four golden lines, and a myriad of emotions welled up in Xu Tianxi's heart.
The top-tier Soul Ring, coveted by countless people, was now his. His future should be smooth sailing.
And this Soul Ring's Soul Skill had mutated, differing from Yuhao's. The Soul Bone Soul Skills, however, were identical: the Ice Emperor's famous ultimate abilities, Eternal Frozen Domain and Ice Emperor's Wrath. It seemed the Ice Emperor had intentionally done this.
"The Ice Jade Scorpion Tail External Soul Bone has been retrieved into your body. It normally hides at the end of your coccyx, contracting into three ice crystal patterns, resembling a scorpion tail barb totem, merging with your skin. When you need to use it, just treat it as a part of your body to activate it."
"There's no need to worry about being unable to use it. During the fusion process, it already became one with your body. The two Soul Skills it grants you possess immense power. Your current cultivation can now wield them, but you still need to be mindful of the consumption..."
The Ice Emperor's voice resounded in Xu Tianxi's mind. Xu Tianxi knew this was the latter guiding him, and he listened attentively.
"Your Soul Power is at level 49, but your overall qualities have already reached the Soul Sage level. Perhaps the only thing lacking is age. Make good use of my power and Tianmeng's power. We expect you to create a future."
"For the next period, pay attention to adapting to the new power of Ultimate Ice. The mysteries of ice are endless. Feel its difference from water with your heart, and I believe it will bring you many surprises..."
After imparting all its teachings, the Ice Emperor silently vanished.
Xu Tianxi carefully examined the Dark Gold Black Tortoise Shield in his palm, which seemed to have condensed into a shield of profound ice. He nodded in silent contemplation, considering further transformations.
"The academy holiday is almost over. I need to hurry back. Although I haven't broken through to Soul King, level 49 cultivation is sufficient."
"The Dark Gold Black Tortoise Shield has already undergone a dramatic change. I'll find an opportunity to test it out later. Hmm, Xiao Hongchen is good..."
With a thought, Xu Tianxi gathered the residual substances left by the Ice Emperor and Tianmeng. With a flash of his figure, he disappeared into the world of ice and snow.
Moments later.
The wind and snow in the sky above the Far North Land suddenly intensified, and the vast, cold, frosty Soul Power billowed across the sky, covering everything. More than a tenth of the outer regions of the Far North Land seemed to have put on new clothes at this moment. Countless Soul Beasts fled like startled birds, not daring to provoke the aura of that great one.
In the Far North Land, there was only one powerhouse capable of changing the heavens and earth to such an extent!
Suddenly, a figure in a white dress appeared in the air where the Ice Emperor had vanished. Her pure white hair cascaded from the back of her head to her feet, and her sky-blue eyes were ethereal and clear, like a beautiful ice and snow spirit.
She was the Snow Empress, the ruler of the Far North Land, one of the top three fiercest beast kings on the continent. The frosty mist swirling around her body alone could chill the souls of Super Douluo-level powerhouses, rendering them immobile.
Yet, at this moment, she, possessing immense power, looked down at the devastation on the ground, sensing the Ice Emperor's now-absent aura. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and two lines of clear tears slid down her frost-like, snow-white cheeks, transforming into pearl-like energy crystals before they even hit the ground.
"Bing'er, Bing'er, where are you? Have even you disappeared? Why didn't you wait for me to find you? Why, why..."
"I have no hope of surviving the Heavenly Tribulation. This journey is bound to be fraught with peril. I had intended to see you one last time before I left, to use my Source Power to help you through your tribulation, Bing'er. Where are you..."
With a choked sob, the Snow Empress took out the token she had exchanged with the Ice Emperor. She desperately tore open the earth but could only find some crystalline formations created by the Ice Emperor's overflowing Soul Power.
Thanks to Xu Tianxi's skilled collection techniques and the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's exuviae's ability to conceal auras, the Snow Empress found no meaningful "relics" of the Ice Emperor.
Drops of small, pearl-like energy crystals fell to the ground. The Snow Empress struck out with a palm, creating a hundred-meter-diameter pit.
She placed the token of her connection with the Ice Emperor into it, then used the power of Ultimate Ice to bury everything deep within the Far North Land.
After doing all this, the Snow Empress stood there blankly for a long time, before finally, at some unknown point, forcing herself to turn around with a look of grim determination.
"Bing'er, I, too, must seek that sliver of hope in transforming into human form. May we meet again in the next life."
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