The corner of Ice Empress's mouth twitched imperceptibly twice.
Ice Bear King Xiao Bai's method of torture... was truly quite abstract.
Of course, what was even more abstract was that this fellow, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, actually believed that Xiao Bai had fallen asleep?
Or did he think that as long as he lured her over, Xiao Bai would no longer be a threat?
Ice Empress let out a cold snort in her heart, her voice crisp and chilly: "I have fulfilled your wish and let you see me, so now you should fulfill mine as well."
Actually, if possible, Ice Empress wanted to play along for a bit longer; that way, the reversal would be even more satisfying. But she really couldn't stand Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's disgusting, deeply affectionate look anymore.
If she looked at him for one more second, Ice Empress truly felt she would explode.
In the next instant, the high-upturned tail hook behind Ice Empress suddenly lit up, and a beam of pure white light instantly pierced through Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's body.
The moment Ice Empress's tail hook struck, Huo Yuhao felt Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's mental force surge violently, causing everything he could see to become blurred and indistinct.
Following that, Ice Empress's somewhat cold voice rang out once more:
"I don't know what scheme you have. But since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, I naturally won't be polite. Once I've absorbed your energy, I will be the strongest Spirit Beast on the continent!"
Ice Empress maintained her persona and image in Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's mind perfectly, successfully tricking him.
This fellow still thought his plan had succeeded, unaware that Snow Empress had already arrived silently in their vicinity; everything, including Huo Yuhao's hiding place, was within her perception.
Despite being pierced by Ice Empress, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm still didn't show any expression of pain, merely shaking his head with some regret.
Immediately after, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's golden body suddenly became illusory and then instantly pounced in front of Ice Empress. Everything around them became viscous, and a terrifying mental force, like a vast ocean, enveloped Ice Empress within it.
However, this powerful mental force could only trap Ice Empress for a brief moment; what could truly take effect were Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's other hidden trump cards.
Originally, if he had the heavenly dream remnant shell, this step wouldn't have been so perilous; at least his and Huo Yuhao's safety would have had some guarantee.
But the heavenly dream remnant shell had already been taken by Ao Yao, so Tianmeng Ice Silkworm could only choose a more risky method.
In the next instant, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's entire body abruptly transformed into a golden stream of light, directly enveloping Ice Empress—this process was particularly dangerous.
The heavenly dream remnant shell could have firmly imprisoned Ice Empress the moment he trapped her.
But this current method... was very likely to allow Ice Empress to break free from control and then avoid being enveloped by that golden light.
Fortunately, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm succeeded.
Although Ice Empress also put up some struggle, within the range of this golden light, she was still suppressed.
Of course, all of this was done intentionally by Ice Empress.
Nonetheless, Ice Empress was still shocked by Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's decisiveness. She had seen clearly just now that Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had almost burned his own Soul; if that strike hadn't managed to control her, he wouldn't even have needed her to eat him—this fellow would have played himself to death.
A complete death.
Now that she was controlled, that human named Huo Yuhao... the main character should be making his appearance now, right?
Ice Empress didn't show any anger, merely waiting expressionlessly.
On the other side, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Huo Yuhao had already broken into an argument.
In Huo Yuhao's view, he had been completely deceived. Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had gone to great lengths to trick him into coming to the Extreme North Land, and it wasn't for the sake of awakening a second spirit at all!
Under Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's explanation, Huo Yuhao finally realized that he seemed to have misunderstood Brother Tianmeng.
However, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm didn't care, simply refocusing his attention on Ice Empress. The next steps were the most crucial part of his plan.
To make Ice Empress become Huo Yuhao's second spirit, the first prerequisite was that Ice Empress must be willing.
As for why Ice Empress would willingly sacrifice herself to Huo Yuhao to become his second spirit, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had already prepared his rhetoric.
"To be honest, I don't think I can definitely persuade her, but there is still a chance. Spirit Beasts like us have lived for far too long; no one wants to end their life just like this."
"Even if there is only a sliver of a chance to live on, I won't give up. I believe the Ice Empress is the same."
As he spoke, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm once again manifested in Huo Yuhao's likeness, appearing before the trapped Ice Empress.
"Ice Empress, stop struggling, you won't be able to escape. Now... it's time to let you see my true form."
Accompanied by Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's voice, Huo Yuhao stepped out and came before Ice Empress. Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's voice then rang out: "Now, he is my Host, or rather, my master. And I am his spirit ring, the only wisdom spirit ring on the continent!"
Although Ice Empress had known about this for a long time, she still cooperated with Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's words by showing a shocked expression:
"What!? You became a human's spirit ring!?"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was very satisfied with Ice Empress's reaction, so he began to recount his tragic experiences after leaving the Extreme North Land, not forgetting to add some embellishments as he spoke.
At the very end, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm finally led the topic onto the right track: "Although it's hard to admit, humans are the most talented existences in this World. In just a few short decades, they can possess strength that Spirit Beasts take tens of thousands or even a hundred thousand years to Cultivate. Moreover, humans have another unique advantage over us Spirit Beasts."
"That is becoming a god. And what I want to do now is to nurture a god! As long as I can create a god, as his wisdom spirit ring, I can obtain an eternal lifespan and no longer have to worry about dying."
"As a million-year Spirit Beast, you might think I'm a waste, but I also possess a million years of pure energy. Perhaps I can't do it alone, but what if you're here? If you join in and become his Spirit, are you still afraid we can't create a god?"
"Furthermore, you have already reached your Limit, you've reached the end of your road. So, why not come and try with me?"
Listening to Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's inflammatory words, a strange expression appeared on Ice Empress's face, looking like she was smiling yet not smiling.
"Who told you that I've reached my Limit? Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, take another good look at my cultivation and see exactly how much it is!"
Hearing this, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's heart skipped a beat.