On the sofa, Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly and sent Rong Lingji a hint—telling him to observe the Holy Spirit Cult's other activities from the shadows, not to disturb Electrolux, and for now, not to share this intelligence with the Dark Department.
Snow Empress leaned against his shoulder, watching this, her eyes flickering. When he put down the soul tool light screen, she spoke: "Elder Electrolux has already reached the Douling Continent. In a while, once he's integrated into the Holy Spirit Cult, that will be our best opportunity to act."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Mm. In five days, the Tower will hold its meeting. After that, there will be some preparations to make. Elder Electrolux will have enough time to contact the Cult's higher-ups, dispel some of their concerns, gain some initial trust, and become the Cult's 'backup'—serving as insurance for our plan."
Destroying the Holy Spirit Cult's arrangements and forces on Douling was important, but in this operation, they couldn't realistically wipe out all the Cult's higher-ups on the Douling Continent.
After all, they couldn't just capture the Killing God and Demon Empress and throw them in front of the Abyss Passage, saying, "Saint Lord, look—here are your vessels. Come and get them."
If they did that, even a fool would know something was wrong.
So in this operation, regardless of others, the Killing God—who had already decided to become the Abyss Saint Lord's vessel—couldn't die or fall into their hands.
The Killing God needed to live freely, living until he opened the Abyss Passage and the Saint Lord used his body to descend upon the Douluo Continent.
To ensure this goal was achieved, in the upcoming Douling battle, they needed a divine-level expert who appeared to stand with the Holy Spirit Cult but was secretly on their side—serving as insurance for the entire plan.
After all, battlefields were unpredictable. In combat, they clearly couldn't hold back, and it would be difficult to hold back against a dangerous enemy like the Killing God—at most, they could avoid using certain trump cards.
Under these circumstances, if they won and the Killing God couldn't retreat in time and fell into their hands, the plan would fail.
But with a divine-level expert as insurance, things would be different.
And Elder Electrolux was that insurance.
With him as the Cult's "backup," they could truly fight without restraint—even if something went wrong and the Killing God couldn't retreat, someone would be there to cover.
Moreover, if handled properly, this attack on Douling could become an opportunity for Elder Electrolux to build trust within the Holy Spirit Cult.
A "Demon Lord" who stepped forward at the Cult's most critical moment, saving the Killing God and other higher-ups and stabilizing the situation, would wield far more influence than just being an "ally" in the Cult. He might even be able to influence their decisions to some extent.
At that point, they would gain some initiative as well.
Just as they were discussing the upcoming Douling attack, a knock came at the door.
"Teacher, Mistress, is it convenient for me to come in?" Su Tong's voice came from outside, tinged with a hint of mischievous laughter.
Huo Yuhao and Snow Empress exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly in unison. They remained as they were, not deliberately separating.
"Come in." Huo Yuhao's tone was calm.
The door pushed open, and Su Tong poked half her body in. Her gaze quickly swept between them. Seeing they were just leaning together without any "unspeakable" scene, the mischief in her eyes instantly turned to disappointment, and the curve of her lips drooped, as if to say: that's it?
Seeing Su Tong's expression, Huo Yuhao's eyelid twitched, and his gaze grew somewhat dangerous. "What's with that look? What are you disappointed about?"
Su Tong quickly composed herself, clearing her throat. "Nothing. I was just disappointed that I won't be able to go with you to the Douling battlefield."
Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes, still staring at her with an expression that clearly said, "Do you think I believe that?"
Knowing her excuse was weak, Su Tong's eyes darted. She quickly came to Snow Empress's side, grabbing her arm and laughing dryly. "I was just concerned about Teacher and Mistress's progress! Though you have two Mistresses, Snow Mistress guarded your rear for ten thousand years and protected us for nearly that long. Teacher, you can't neglect her! Otherwise, we won't stand for it. You should get closer to her—preferably make faster progress. I want to see your children soon and play with them."
She paused, then added with some emotion: "It's already a pity I didn't wake up earlier to see Teacher as a child. I can only hope for Teacher's children."
Huo Yuhao's feigned dangerous expression gradually faded into helplessness.
This girl really said whatever came to mind.
So this was the personality she'd developed after he left, without anyone to keep her in check?
At the word "children," Snow Empress's ears reddened slightly. She glared at Su Tong, her tone cool but equally helpless. "Enough. Stop talking nonsense."
"How is this nonsense?"
Su Tong muttered quietly while secretly observing their expressions.
Seeing they didn't seem to be pursuing the previous matter, she relaxed and looked at Snow Empress with some surprise.
She hadn't expected Snow Empress to be so pure about this topic. It seemed no matter how old a spirit beast was, they were still innocent in some ways.
And it looked like Teacher and Snow Mistress's progress wasn't very fast either—otherwise, she wouldn't have reacted like that. That wouldn't do—what if Lady Gu Yuena got ahead?
With that thought, Su Tong transmitted to Snow Empress:
Some things still need to be fought for. There's always a first-come, first-served order. Don't let anyone get ahead of you. If it came down to a choice, we'd all support you, Mistress.
This was true.
Among the batch from ten thousand years ago, they would definitely support Snow Empress. After all, they had ties with her, and she'd guarded their frozen coffins in the Extreme North for ten thousand years—no one could ignore that debt.
Even Ye Guyi, who harbored unspoken feelings for Huo Yuhao, would choose Snow Empress if forced to take sides.
Now that Teacher had finally come around, and Snow Empress could find the happiness she desired, they would all bless her. If possible, of course they hoped Snow Empress would seize the advantage and gain more.
"Seize the advantage..." Snow Empress was momentarily speechless. Of course she understood Su Tong's meaning. She instinctively glanced at Huo Yuhao.
Sensing their transmission and noticing the subtle look in Snow Empress's glance, Huo Yuhao immediately knew Su Tong had been whispering something that had led Snow Empress astray again.
He smiled helplessly and reached out to gently stroke Snow Empress's soft hair, silently calming her racing thoughts.
Then he turned to Su Tong. "You didn't come here just to check on our relationship progress, did you?"
Su Tong watched Huo Yuhao's natural, gentle gesture, momentarily dazed by the warmth of the scene. But she quickly snapped back, her expression turning serious.
"No. I came to ask Snow Mistress to gather the Extreme North spirit beasts." She said seriously. "In a few days, we'll be heading to Mingdu. Before we leave, we want to see those old friends again."
Within the Extreme North, there were many spirit beasts who knew them and Huo Yuhao—their old friends. Before leaving, they should gather with them.
"Snow and I have already started preparing for that." Huo Yuhao smiled. "Since I've returned to the Extreme North, of course I want to see them too."
He paused, then continued, "I was planning to gather this afternoon anyway. Since you brought it up, let's move it up half a day. Go notify Old Ji and Guyi first."
"Alright." Su Tong nodded and turned to leave.
But at the door, she paused again and transmitted to Snow Empress: "Oh, I didn't finish what I was saying earlier. What I meant was—after the Abyss matter is settled, Mistress, you can compete. At that point, we'll all support you."
She wasn't some lovesick fool. She understood the current situation well. With the plan about to unfold and the Abyss threat looming, this was no time for romance.
"I don't need you to remind me." Snow Empress's gaze was clear. She chuckled softly, her tone light yet gentle.
She naturally understood what time it was.
Neither she nor Gu Yuena actively competed for anything, worried it might affect Huo Yuhao. Since Gu Yuena hadn't broken that understanding, she wouldn't either.
Besides, there was nothing to fight over. With Yuhao's character, he wouldn't let them down.
After Su Tong left, Huo Yuhao looked at Snow Empress beside him. "What did she say to you?"
Snow Empress shook her head gently. "Nothing. Just some things I shouldn't dwell on now. I won't take them to heart."
"Is that so?" Huo Yuhao thought for a moment and roughly guessed what Su Tong had said.
He didn't press further. He simply turned his head, quietly gazing at the woman beside him—sometimes cool as frost, sometimes tender as water. His eyes lingered on her features for a moment, then he gently pulled her into his embrace. Her warmth in his arms seemed to shut out all the harshness of the Extreme North.
With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?
Huo Yuhao lowered his gaze, was silent for a moment, then a faint smile curved at his lips. He murmured softly, "There's not much time left for relaxation. After we return, there's Na'er. But for now, my time is entirely yours."
Snow Empress was briefly startled, looking up at him.
"Su Tong wasn't entirely wrong. Our progress has indeed been a bit slow." Huo Yuhao met her gaze, a teasing warmth in his eyes. "How about we... speed things up a little?"
Snow Empress's ears grew warm. She turned her head away, her voice soft as the wind: "Don't listen to her."
"I think a disciple's advice is worth considering."
With that, Huo Yuhao—following his usual habit—sealed his Sea of Spirit and leaned down to kiss her.
Snow Empress stiffened for a moment, then softened in his arms, her fingers gently gripping his shoulders. Their lips met, their uneven breaths the only sound between them.
After a moment, Huo Yuhao pulled back slightly, then turned his head, his warm lips tracing from her jaw to her slender neck, placing a light kiss there—a brief touch. His palm rested gently on her back, not overstepping.
After a moment, Snow Empress's ears were flushed. She turned her head and gently pushed him away. "We should go."
Huo Yuhao looked at her reddened face, inhaling her nearby fragrance. She seemed even more captivating than before. But his strong self-control instantly suppressed all distractions. He smiled gently and rose.
Snow Empress sat up straight, raising a hand to tidy her disheveled hair, using cold spirit power to cool her cheeks and ears.
Huo Yuhao gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her shoulder, took her hand, and opened the door.
On the way, Snow Empress had calmed down, her expression returning to normal. The faint blush had faded, replaced by her usual cool composure.
She looked at Huo Yuhao, her gaze gentle with a hint of surprise.
Noticing her look, Huo Yuhao smiled. "What is it? What are you surprised about?"
Snow Empress shook her head. "Just that you're different from before."
She paused, her lips curving slightly. "Back then, you were always unmoved by beauty, sitting properly without any distraction—so proper that people wondered if your orientation might have... issues."
Huo Yuhao's steps faltered, his smile freezing for half a moment, then he laughed despite himself. "What do you mean by 'orientation issues'? Who started that rumor?"
Not being interested in beauty meant he had orientation issues? Was that really so absurd?
"Who told you not to marry back then? I knew your reasons, but others didn't. They only saw that the Spirit-Ice Douluo had beautiful women around him but never touched any." Snow Empress sighed softly. "With that situation and Su Tong's strategies, absurd rumors were inevitable."
Huo Yuhao shook his head helplessly. "Sitting properly without distraction is the proper boundary to maintain with unrelated women."
He wasn't ruled by his lower half. Before confirming a relationship, wasn't it only natural to remain proper?
Snow Empress tilted her head, a faint smile playing at her lips. "And now... no longer sitting properly?"
Meeting her gaze, Huo Yuhao smiled frankly. "I'm facing my future wife. Why should I restrain myself?"
Snow Empress's eyes flickered slightly, like ripples beneath ice. The moment passed quickly. She turned her head, smiled faintly, and said no more.
They soon left the Tower and arrived at the Extreme North's center. Su Tong, the three, and Little White were already there.
Seeing this, Snow Empress released Huo Yuhao's hand and smiled at him. "It's been a long time since you've seen me dance solo, hasn't it?"
Huo Yuhao was briefly surprised, then his lips curved and his gaze softened. "Yes. Ten thousand years."
Snow Empress chuckled, a rare playful glint in her eyes. "Then today, I'll make it up to you."
She turned and walked toward the center of the ice plain, rising into the air and dancing upon the void.
There was no overwhelming display of power, but as Snow Empress danced, heaven and earth transformed. The vast white snow became clear azure; ice and snow like mirrors extended in all directions.
Between heaven and earth, only Snow Empress in her white gown remained—the sole touch of color.
Her long sleeves unfurled, white ribbons dancing around her. Blue snowflakes rose from her feet, spreading and undulating. At this moment, Snow Empress was like a snow spirit, the absolute center of the Extreme North's core.
Snow Empress was already stunningly beautiful, and now she was completely lost in her dance. The harsh winds softened; the swirling snow seemed to grow warmer—not in heat, but in a pure, refreshing coolness.
The silent frozen plain grew restless with her movement. Countless Extreme North spirit beasts rushed toward her.
Huo Yuhao's powerful divine consciousness spread across the entire Extreme North, so he naturally sensed this. But his gaze never left Snow Empress. He stood quietly, his eyes following every turn, every sweep of her sleeves.
This was a sight most beings would never witness in their lifetimes—as an Ice Sky Snow Maiden, Snow Empress was the spirit of the Extreme North, its daughter. When she danced solo, heaven and earth changed color, and all beasts bowed.
And it was the most beautiful sight Huo Yuhao had seen in this life, after ten thousand years.