As Snow Empress's final movement concluded, her solo dance slowly came to an end in the blue-tinged heavens of the Extreme North. She descended from the sky, her robes fluttering, surrounded by ice laws like a snow fairy descended from the heavens, landing lightly beside Huo Yuhao.
She tilted her head slightly, glancing at him, her breath still a little quick, a faint smile playing at her lips.
Huo Yuhao reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, speaking softly, "It's been ten thousand years—your dance is even more beautiful than before."
Snow Empress turned her face away, a light smile curving at the corner of her mouth. "As long as you like it."
Su Tong's gaze was somewhat dreamy, as if she'd fallen into a state of enlightenment. After a moment, she snapped back from Snow Empress's dance and looked at her with some emotion.
"Mistress, you've been hiding this skill all along. I've never seen it before. Have you only ever shown it to Teacher?"
"I've only seen it a few times myself." Huo Yuhao smiled and shook his head. "Snow's dance is a method for summoning the Extreme North's spirit beasts—it's not something you can see just anytime."
"Not only that—Snow is an elemental spirit born of the Extreme North. Her dance carries a unique essence that can even resonate with the ice laws of this land, guiding others toward enlightenment. So watching her dance is beneficial even for someone at your level. You just experienced a moment of enlightenment yourself, didn't you?"
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao looked at Snow Empress with some emotion.
In truth, he wasn't the only one who had benefited. He'd also gained new insights from the dance, new reflections on the ice laws rising in his heart. After all, Snow Empress now was incomparable to her past self. Through ten thousand years of accumulation and re-cultivation in human form, she was already one foot into the divine level, specializing in ice laws—in that domain, she was nearly unmatched across the Douluo Star.
And here in the Extreme North, she also received the natural enhancement of this land, allowing her to manifest law power with unparalleled brilliance.
Those who watched had thus gained some benefit as well.
Su Tong nodded thoughtfully.
As they chatted, a rumbling tremor came from the distance—not thunder, but the stampede of thousands of beasts.
"ROOOAR!!!"
Snow mist churned. The earth trembled lightly as a massive beast tide surged from all directions, as if the entire Extreme North had come alive. Countless spirit beasts poured in like a tide, yet stopped uniformly five hundred meters away from the group, lowering their bodies in the most reverent posture toward Snow Empress.
Looking out, the ice plain was packed with figures—Ice-Jade Scorpions, Titan Snow Demons, Ice Bears, sea spirit beasts from the icy seas—layer upon layer of massive or agile forms, surrounding them completely.
Even without Snow Empress radiating any pressure, their gazes remained fixed on that white figure, reverent and fervent.
But soon, many spirit beasts froze, especially the Ice-Jade Scorpion clan.
Because they saw the emperor of their clan—one of the Extreme North's Four Heavenly Kings, Ice Empress!
At this moment, Ice Empress's Spirit Soul had left Huo Yuhao's Sea of Spirit, standing imposingly beside him and Snow Empress, gazing at this gathering of ten thousand beasts.
As one of the Extreme North's Four Heavenly Kings, she naturally wouldn't miss such an occasion.
For the record, the Four Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North was a title that evolved after Little White—the Ice Bear King—absorbed some Ten-Thousand-Year Black Ice Marrow, broke through his 300,000-year tribulation, and stepped onto the public stage ten thousand years ago. It specifically referred to Snow Empress, Ice Empress, the Titan Snow Demon King, and Ice Bear King Little White.
Though Little White was reluctant to be ranked alongside Snow Empress, once the title spread, there was no helping it.
However, this title circulated more within the Extreme North. The outside world generally still recognized the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North.
After all, in outsiders' eyes, Ice Empress was gone—perhaps even transformed into the Spirit-Ice Douluo.
Under these circumstances, having Little White fill Ice Empress's vacancy and continuing to call them the Three Heavenly Kings was most appropriate.
But this was the Extreme North. Even after ten thousand years, many spirit beasts still remembered Ice Empress. They would not forget that jade-green figure who once stood alongside Snow Empress. In their hearts, Ice Empress would always be one of the irreplaceable Heavenly Kings.
The Ice-Jade Scorpion clan, seeing Ice Empress, let out trembling hisses—the highest honor they could offer their emperor, an unerasable submission etched in their blood. The leading hundred-thousand-year Ice-Jade Scorpions were especially moved—they'd never imagined they'd see that jade-green figure, lost to legend, again in their lifetimes.
"Hahaha! Yes, cheer for my return!"
A grating voice suddenly rang out. A golden, plump silkworm had somehow appeared beside Huo Yuhao, raising its head and proudly looking around at the gathered spirit beasts.
It, Skydream Iceworm—a million-year spirit beast from the Extreme North, Huo Yuhao's first investor—naturally deserved to be present at this moment.
Four Heavenly Kings having a fifth was common knowledge!
But it clearly lacked Ice Empress's prestige.
The scene fell silent for a moment.
Many spirit beasts were stunned, looking with confusion at the big worm whose face clearly said "Worship me now!"
"Who is that?" a young Ice Bear who'd become a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in recent years asked the old bear beside him in a low voice.
Did the Iceworm clan have such a brave member?
The old bear squinted for a long time, then said uncertainly, "I think... it's that Iceworm who was chased by Ice Empress back in the day? It later became the Spirit-Ice Douluo's Spirit Soul. It even persuaded Ice Empress to become his Spirit Soul and martial soul—it was the Spirit-Ice Douluo's guide."
"I see... wait, doesn't that mean—"
The young Ice Bear didn't finish, but its eyes were already wide as it stared straight at Huo Yuhao standing beside Snow Empress.
Many spirit beasts also realized it at that moment.
Ten thousand years had inevitably blurred too many memories; they hadn't recognized him at first.
But now—both Ice Empress and Skydream Iceworm's Spirit Souls were present, and that man stood beside Snow Empress, the two of them side by side, close in manner. Who else could it be but the Spirit-Ice Douluo himself?
It had to be the one who'd founded the Spirit Transmission Tower and saved the Extreme North—the Spirit-Ice Douluo, returned!
Their reactions were slower—some spirit beasts who'd seen Huo Yuhao and the others before had already recognized them, and had also identified Ji Juechen, Ye Guyi, and Su Tong.
These quicker ones, filled with excitement, led the way with howling roars.
"ROOOAR!!!"
The other spirit beasts followed suit.
Titan Snow Demons howled skyward, their massive voices shaking the ice surface. Ice Bears beat their chests with heavy paws, producing dull, rhythmic thuds. In the distant icy seas, several massive sea spirit beasts leaped from the water, scattering ice crystals into the air, letting out happy growls as they splashed back down.
Ten thousand beasts cried out, their voices shaking the frozen plain—yet without a hint of hostility.
It was a cheer, a worship, the joy of reunion after ten thousand years.
Huo Yuhao's prestige here was evident. Thanks to the Spirit Transmission Tower and Snow Empress, his standing in the Extreme North was second only to hers.
Seeing all attention focused on Huo Yuhao and the others, Skydream's face fell. "Hey, now that you've all realized it and know my story too, cheer for me as well!"
Ice Empress glanced at it calmly. "Enough. Don't ruin the atmosphere here. Their cheers already include you."
"I meant cheer for me alone!" Skydream said aggrievedly. "When I spoke earlier, they all went silent and their faces fell! And after they realized who I was, they just ignored me! Don't I have any dignity?"
"What dignity could you possibly have in the Extreme North? You have no prestige here at all." Ice Empress rolled her eyes.
Huo Yuhao's prestige in the Extreme North was second only to Snow Empress.
But Skydream? It had never ruled the Extreme North—how could it have any prestige?
"Who says I don't?" Skydream's eyes darted. It puffed out its chest and looked at Little Iceworm, whom it had brought out of Huo Yuhao's Sea of Spirit.
Little Iceworm wanted to witness Huo Yuhao's apotheosis before being "released," and with Skydream's insistence, this young Iceworm—once used by Huo Yuhao for disguise—was still with him.
At this moment, Little Iceworm was gazing up at Skydream with boundless admiration, its little head nodding vigorously.
Skydream perked up. "See? Icey, my die-hard fan! There's still someone—no, some worm—in the Extreme North with taste!"
Ice Empress: "A worm you've conned counts?"
"How can it not? And where there's one, there'll be more. Setting aside other spirit beasts, I'm the strongest of the Iceworm clan. Once those Iceworms see me, they'll bow down in worship!" Skydream laughed.
Ice Empress was completely speechless and turned away.
Just then, Little Iceworm suddenly looked up and said in beast language, "But, Ancestor, there are no other Iceworms here besides us."
This was true. This was the Extreme North's core region; the Iceworm clan's habitat was far on the outskirts. With their generally weak strength, crossing the frozen plain to get here would take time—so no other Iceworms were in sight.
By the time their "team-building" ended, the Iceworm clan probably still wouldn't have arrived.
The scene fell silent for a moment.
Ice Empress burst out laughing.
Skydream slowly turned its head, staring at Little Iceworm with hollow eyes.
Even you've "betrayed" me?
If you can't speak well, don't speak at all! Why say such honest things?!
While Skydream was being backstabbed by its little minion, Huo Yuhao stood quietly, watching the scene of thousands of beasts reveling, his gaze shifting. He slowly raised his right hand, palm outward, and pressed down gently.
No pressure, no aura—just a simple gesture.
The beasts' voices gradually lowered, as if an invisible hand had swept across the entire plain. Countless eyes watched him—some reverent, some excited.
Huo Yuhao looked around and smiled. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached every spirit beast clearly: "I've returned. Thank you all, along with Snow Empress, for creating the Spirit Transmission Tower's current prosperity."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the old friends among the spirit beasts, and smiled. "It's been ten thousand years. Today, let us gather properly—and let me express my gratitude."
As he spoke, he raised his hand. Divine-level power spread silently. He mobilized the ice laws, merging them with the world's power Snow Empress had drawn through her dance, creating a gentle snow—Spirit Snow—that drifted down like fine silk, landing softly on every spirit beast.
As the Spirit Snow touched them, many beasts shuddered. Old injuries quietly healed; their cultivation progressed. Clearly, this was an opportunity for them.
The beasts were silent for a moment, then erupted in even more fervent cries and roars.
Seeing this, Huo Yuhao smiled and turned to the tall figure before him.
The Titan Snow Demon King.
As one of the Extreme North's signature figures, he was also a branch Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower. This time, he'd received their notice and handed over his duties to his deputy to come.
They'd already met at the Tower meeting, so the Titan Snow Demon King knew Huo Yuhao had returned and wasn't as excited as the other spirit beasts.
Now, coming before Huo Yuhao, he shrank his size, glanced at Snow Empress nearby, and was silent for a moment. "You two got together?"
He'd seen clearly when Snow Empress landed beside Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao's gaze softened as he nodded. "Yes."
"Congratulations." The Titan Snow Demon King was silent a moment, then finally squeezed out two words.
"Thank you." Huo Yuhao said. "I thought—"
"You thought I wouldn't bless you?" The Titan Snow Demon King interrupted gruffly. "You could be called the strongest male in the Extreme North—naturally the most suitable partner for Snow Empress. Besides..."
He seemed to see Snow Empress's gaze turn toward him and shuddered. "I don't want to die."
Object? He wouldn't dare. Huo Yuhao had already become a deity, and Snow Empress was only one step away.
He didn't want to suffer a combined beating from Huo Yuhao and Snow Empress.
After all, Snow Empress alone had nearly beaten him to death back then.
Fun fact: The Titan Snow Demon King had once pursued Snow Empress—and had been beaten nearly to death, his bones, including his skull, shattered. It took him a full thousand years to recover.
And that was only because Snow Empress held back, considering he had Ice God bloodline. Otherwise, the title of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North might not have survived.
"I didn't think that." Huo Yuhao shook his head.
The Titan Snow Demon King didn't dwell on it, instead changing to a topic that interested him.
"Now that you and Snow Empress are together, does that Ice Bear King have to call you 'Daddy'?"
He and Little White had never gotten along; without Snow Empress keeping the peace, they'd easily clash.
In the original story, Snow Empress had made Little White her Spirit Soul not only because he couldn't survive his third tribulation but also because she worried he'd conflict with the Titan Snow Demon King if left behind.
Huo Yuhao was taken aback, then laughed despite himself.
"Ah Tai, don't say that in front of Little White. He probably wouldn't want that. We should keep our own relationship separate."
"Why not ask? Besides, saying it to his face is fine—he and I are still the same as ten thousand years ago. He can't beat me, and I can't do much to him."
The Titan Snow Demon King said gruffly. "As long as you two don't take sides, he can't do anything to me."
He'd also received some of the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Ice Marrow back then. After all these years, he and Little White were still evenly matched.
"Let's drop this topic." Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly. "On a more serious note—I'd like some of your blood."
"What do you need my blood for?" Ah Tai asked, puzzled.
"To study the Ice God bloodline."
Titan Snow Demons were descendants of the ancient Ice God's dalliance with Titans, carrying a trace of Ice God bloodline. Though the ancient Ice God's aesthetic preferences were... somewhat unique, that fact was undeniable. Otherwise, Snow Empress wouldn't have merely beaten Ah Tai half to death—she'd have sent him straight to meet the Ice God.
Huo Yuhao needed more samples to research and enhance his Creation power and develop his Chaos Dharma Body. The Ice God bloodline was a good subject.
Of course, not just the Ice God bloodline—he also intended to study the bloodlines of powerful spirit beasts and divine beasts on the Douluo Continent.
Such as the Silver Eagle Beast and Mirror Shadow Beast—rare species with replication-type spirit abilities—or the parents of the true phoenix: the Space Blue Demon Bird and Time Blue Demon Bird.
Though many divine beasts didn't exist on the Douluo Continent, remember that all spirit beasts and martial souls on the Douluo Plane were related to dragons and divine beasts, carrying corresponding bloodline traces to varying degrees.
In Soul Land IV's original story, a Space Blue Demon Bird had appeared. It was created when the Spirit Elevation Platform replicated a spirit beast in the Star Dou Great Forest that carried Blue Demon Bird bloodline, combining it with the platform's immortal energy to produce an atavistic Space Blue Demon Bird.
Though it was only a replicated mirror image from the platform—not even a true Spirit Soul—its power was genuine.
With the Spirit Transmission Tower's Spirit Elevation Platform and spirit beasts that still retained their vitality, Huo Yuhao could research the origins of most spirit beast bloodlines—the bloodlines of those divine beasts—and convert them into nourishment for his own growth.
Perhaps one day, the Tower could even use his research to recreate those divine beasts' powers in spirit beasts or soul masters.
Hearing Huo Yuhao's plan, the Titan Snow Demon King didn't hesitate, quickly giving him some of his blood—including a drop of essence blood.
"Thanks." Huo Yuhao accepted the jade bottle, his tone sincere.
He was about to put it away when his gaze paused.
A figure was approaching them.
It was a beautiful mermaid, over three meters long. Her upper body was that of a dignified middle-aged beauty, still charming, her brows carrying the authority of one long in power. Two white, jade-like shells covered her chest—that was all she wore on her upper body. Her lower half was a long fish tail, covered in golden scales.
She wore a golden crown set with several deep sea-blue gems, refracting light with her movements.
She was the Sea Princess—a 600,000-year-old Savage Beast, second only to Snow Empress in the Extreme North!
"Spirit-Ice. It's been a long time." The Sea Princess came before Huo Yuhao, her gaze somewhat complex.
She hadn't known Huo Yuhao was the Spirit-Ice Douluo until today.
"Yes, it's been a long time. Since you responded to Snow Empress's summons, I take it you've made your decision."
"Yes. I already promised Snow Empress I'd follow your lead from now on. With the Divine Realm gone and the Sea God seemingly fallen, this is the Spirit Transmission Tower's era. I've thought it through clearly." The Sea Princess said softly.
Before, she'd been reluctant to lead her clan out into the world. But after being beaten by Snow Empress, who had re-cultivated, she began to change.
After all, with the Divine Realm gone and their faith—the Sea God—having shattered his divine seat, if they didn't adapt to the times, they'd be the ones to regret it.
Earlier, when she'd sensed Huo Yuhao's apotheosis and learned the Tower had birthed a divine-level expert, she'd been both surprised at the era's changes and grateful—grateful that Snow Empress had woken her up before she could continue to stagnate.
Now, knowing Huo Yuhao was the Spirit-Ice Douluo, she felt even more certain she'd chosen the right side.
As for the Sea God, whose divine seat seemed shattered?
Sorry. She'd already led her clan to fully join the Spirit Transmission Tower. She and the Sea God weren't close.
And please, Sea God, don't contact her in the future,she was afraid Huo Yuhao might misunderstand.