After a brief exchange, the Sea Princess glanced toward the Titan Snow Demon King and asked, "You need blood for research? Do you need our clan's blood as well?"
"No need. I have Liya. I've already understood your clan's power." Huo Yuhao shook his head.
The Sea Princess nodded, then asked curiously, "Speaking of which, where is Liya?"
Where was her daughter? Why hadn't she come out?
"She wasn't comfortable with the earlier scene, so she didn't come out with Ice Empress and the others. But she's already out now that you're here." Huo Yuhao looked behind the Sea Princess and smiled.
"What?" The Sea Princess was startled. As she turned, a stunningly beautiful figure with features similar to hers had already thrown herself into her arms, colliding solidly.
"Mom, it's been so long." Liya's voice was filled with longing.
"Liya—"
The Sea Princess swayed from the impact. She quickly steadied herself, her arms instinctively wrapping around her daughter, her eyes reddening. "Yes, it's been so long."
They embraced for a moment before the Sea Princess released her, studying Liya's ethereal form with some surprise. "Liya—how did you hide from my senses earlier? I didn't notice you at all!"
Liya blinked, a sly smile curving at her lips. "Hehe, the feedback from Yuhao's improvement was huge for us, and being with him lets me learn a lot. I'm not an ordinary hundred-thousand-year Spirit Soul anymore. Besides, I can borrow Yuhao's power—of course you couldn't sense me."
Whenever Huo Yuhao studied various laws, he'd often bring them along for collective discussion. Through constant exposure, she'd developed a good grasp of spatial power as well.
The Sea Princess was taken aback, then laughed.
"That's right. Lord Spirit-Ice is now a deity like the Sea God. With him as your backing, it's natural I couldn't sense you. How have you been these past years?"
"I'm Yuhao's Spirit Soul. He treats me well—he doesn't restrict me. Whenever he has time, he lets us leave his Sea of Spirit to do what we like." Liya glanced at Huo Yuhao, her cheeks puffing slightly.
Except this time in his re-cultivation, he'd awakened her last, making her miss out on many things.
Huo Yuhao stood nearby, watching the mother and daughter catch up. Once they'd exchanged ten thousand years' worth of private words, he spoke up: "Sea Princess, the Spirit Transmission Tower will soon attack the Holy Spirit Cult on Douling. Would you like to use this as the occasion for your clan's emergence into the world?"
The Sea Princess's expression turned serious. She released her daughter's shoulders and turned to Huo Yuhao.
"I've already stated that we'll follow your lead. If you command, our clan won't be absent. Whatever arrangements you need, Lord Spirit-Ice, just say the word."
Huo Yuhao's lips curved slightly. "Then come with us to Mingdu afterward."
This gathering of Extreme North spirit beasts was also in preparation for the coming battle. He would take some combat strength with him through the Undead Plane.
The Sea Princess: "Alright."
After finishing business with her, Huo Yuhao set aside all concerns and fully immersed himself in this once-in-ten-thousand-years "reunion."
Days later, Mingdu.
Gu Yuena sat cross-legged in her cultivation chamber, four elements—time, space, light, and dark—silently intertwining at her fingertips.
Thanks to Huo Yuhao's guidance, she'd begun her cultivation of time power before her spiritual power had even recovered to the Spirit Domain realm.
Time power was indeed mysterious and elusive—among divine-level experts, many dabbled in space, but few could touch time. Yet with her comprehension and foundation, once she found the direction, it came as naturally as water flowing into a channel, requiring little trouble.
And because she'd comprehended time power, her spiritual domain had also undergone a qualitative sublimation—evolving from the spatial locking domain she would have awakened into the far more powerful Spacetime Stasis Domain, surpassing her past self.
Now, she was using her mastery of time power, combined with the three elements she'd already mastered, to fuse the Light and Dark Divine Thunder.
In her palm, the four forces were slowly converging and colliding.
Space trembled. A faint thread of thunder emerged—not flashy, but carrying a world-destroying aura, flickering in the dim light of the elemental fusion, as if sleeping, yet waiting to be awakened.
"It's complete."
A hint of joy appeared in Gu Yuena's eyes.
"I have another technique. When Yuhao returns, I can teach it to him too."
Light and Dark Divine Thunder was the superior thunder technique to the Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire Four-Element Divine Thunder, because it encompassed the higher-order forces of time, space, darkness, and light.
To master the seven-colored divine thunder, first mastering Light and Dark Divine Thunder was a good approach—it allowed one to explore how to balance space, light, and dark in advance.
However, Light and Dark Divine Thunder wasn't a strict prerequisite for the seven-colored divine thunder. After all, the seven-colored thunder didn't contain time power—only earth, wind, water, fire, space, darkness, and light. Time laws weren't included, so they weren't strictly a prerequisite and advanced relationship.
That's why, though Huo Yuhao had directly mastered the seven-colored divine thunder through his Plane Lord authority without much research into Light and Dark Divine Thunder, that didn't mean it had no value for him.
Light and Dark Divine Thunder, while combining time, space, light, and dark, could also break through any time, space, light, or dark power. In other words, it had a certain counter effect against time power. This was something the seven-colored divine thunder lacked—the properties it could break through didn't include time.
(Note: This setting for divine thunder did appear in Soul Land IV, but only mentioned with the Four-Element Divine Thunder, and Lan Xuanyu barely used it.)
Though Huo Yuhao had the Reincarnation Domain as a means to counter most time-based abilities, having another option was still an extra layer of depth.
"Now, I could also try incorporating Light and Dark Divine Thunder into my body... no, I should wait until Yuhao returns for that—it's safer."
Influenced by Huo Yuhao's cautious approach, Gu Yuena considered it and decided against condensing Light and Dark Divine Thunder within herself for now, instead beginning to study the seven-colored divine thunder.
With experience in condensing the Four-Element Divine Thunder and Light and Dark Divine Thunder, her progress in studying the seven-colored divine thunder was much smoother, advancing quickly.
Gu Yuena felt that after getting some pointers from Huo Yuhao, she should master it soon.
Having a partner walking a similar path to cross-reference and learn from each other was truly far better than figuring it out alone.
After practicing a while longer, she was about to get up to teach Jia Lin and practice Heaven Forging when a feedback pulse from the contract made her pause, then her eyes lit up.
Silver light flickered around her, and she was already at the door.
In the previously empty square, spatial ripples spread out of nowhere, and several figures stepped out.
Huo Yuhao stood beside Snow Empress, with Ye Guyi, Su Tong, the Sea Princess, Ji Juechen, and the humanoid Titan Snow Demon King and Little White following behind.
"Na'er." Huo Yuhao spotted Gu Yuena standing on the steps and smiled.
"Yuhao."
Gu Yuena descended the steps, looking at the somewhat "unfamiliar" figures behind him. "Are these your former companions?"
"Yes, let me introduce you."
Huo Yuhao turned aside, first introducing Gu Yuena, then introducing Ye Guyi, Su Tong, Ji Juechen, and even the Sea Princess—who hadn't appeared publicly before—to Gu Yuena one by one.
Little White and the Titan Snow Demon King needed no introduction.
As Gu Yuena listened to his introductions, she studied the group.
She was somewhat familiar with the first-generation Tower members, so she quickly matched the names with her mental records.
Her gaze swept briefly over Ji Juechen and the Sea Princess, then lingered on Ye Guyi and Su Tong—two strikingly beautiful women of different styles.
After all, she'd read the unofficial histories involving them. She couldn't help but pay attention.
Between the two, she looked at Ye Guyi more often.
Su Tong was Huo Yuhao's disciple—their relationship was clear-cut, nothing to dwell on. But Ye Guyi, who'd never married and had a deep connection with Huo Yuhao, was somewhat harder to ignore.
As Gu Yuena studied them, Su Tong and Ye Guyi were also studying her.
Though they'd seen photos, seeing her in person still struck Su Tong as breathtaking.
The woman before them was tall and slender, her silver hair like moonlit cascades, her purple eyes deep as if holding galaxies, her skin fair as snow. She stood there quietly, ethereal and cool, yet naturally noble and graceful.
In a simple long dress, her every movement radiated elegance.
"With that presence and appearance, since ancient times, no one could claim to surpass her. As expected of a goddess." Su Tong glanced at Gu Yuena, then at Snow Empress, silently commenting: These two really do have many similarities. Teacher's preferences are all too clear.
Ye Guyi, unconcerned with that aspect, noticed Gu Yuena studying her and smiled, extending her hand. "Hello, I'm Ye Guyi, Yuhao's companion."
Having someone like Gu Yuena as an ally would make things much easier for Yuhao and them. She wouldn't hold any grudge over personal feelings.
Gu Yuena was briefly surprised, then took her hand, a sincere smile curving at her lips. "Hello."
After the greetings, with Huo Yuhao having already informed everyone about Gu Yuena in advance, the first meeting went smoothly, the atmosphere harmonious.
"Na'er, have Emperor Tian and the others arrived?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"They're already here—the meeting was set for today, after all." Gu Yuena nodded. "They're at the Tower now, waiting for it to begin."
This meeting was different from the previous one about the Possession Demons—it had shifted from online to a more formal in-person gathering. Not only would the current Eighteen Heavenly Pillar Tower Masters and Four Great Spirit Transmission Envoys attend, but some retired experts had also been invited.
After all, today was destined to be a day recorded in the Tower's history.
Huo Yuhao smiled at this. "Then let's head straight to the Tower."
Gu Yuena thought of what was about to happen and smiled. "Alright."
Without further delay, they headed directly to the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters.
Just as they approached the building, two figures emerged.
Noticing them, the two stopped in their tracks.
"Lord Huo Yuhao, Lady Gu Yuena, Tower Master Snow Empress, Tower Master Titan—"
A middle-aged man rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. "So many Spirit Transmission Tower bigwigs coming at once—what's happening? Is something major about to happen?"
"You don't know?"
The person beside him said, "I heard the current Tower Master Qianku is stepping down. Today's the big day for the new Tower Master's inauguration, so many higher-ups are coming in from everywhere."
"The Tower Master? Could it be—" The middle-aged man's eyes widened as he instinctively looked toward the distant figure.
"Who else could it be?"
The young man beside him watched Huo Yuhao and the others enter the Tower with some emotion, then frowned slightly.
"Speaking of which, who are those people with them?"
He was referring to Ji Juechen and the others.
"No idea. If even you, who's well-informed, don't know them, how would I?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "They must be Tower bigwigs too."
"I think so too. But I feel like they look familiar—yet I don't recall them among the current higher-ups."
The young man scratched his head, thinking for a while without recalling why they seemed familiar. He gave up and was about to leave.
Just then, he noticed three more figures approaching in the distance.
"Isn't that the former Tower Master, Carefree Tower Master, and Lord Soul-Calming?"
Hua Yichen had just gotten off the soul tool aircraft and headed straight for the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters.
From a distance, he spotted two familiar figures.
"Senior Ji, Lord Soul-Calming." Hua Yichen quickened his pace and greeted them.
Soul-Calming Douluo nodded.
Ji Xuanqiu smiled. "It's Carefree. It's been a long time since we last met."
"You've retired, and I've been in Eastsea all this time—naturally, we haven't had the chance to meet."
Hua Yichen sighed. "If not for this meeting, we might never have crossed paths."
Ji Xuanqiu smiled. "Yes, I didn't expect the Tower Master transition ceremony to call an old man like me. Perhaps it's because the next Tower Master is so special."
At this, Hua Yichen thought of Huo Yuhao's situation and nodded. "Indeed, a true deity inheriting the Tower Master position is an event worthy of history."
And thinking of how he'd formed a positive connection with this true deity, Hua Yichen couldn't help smiling.
If there was anyone happiest about Huo Yuhao's succession, he was certainly among them.
Composing himself, Hua Yichen added, "Still, besides the succession, this meeting will also discuss the attack on the Holy Spirit Cult on Douling. Your presence is likely related to that."
Ji Xuanqiu nodded. "I heard there was major activity in the Extreme North—Snow Empress summoned the spirit beasts there, mobilizing combat strength. That hasn't happened in years. It must be for this as well."
At this, Soul-Calming Douluo, who'd remained silent, looked at Ji Xuanqiu.
"Speaking of that, I've heard other news—three figures have appeared in the Extreme North who look exactly like the ancestors from ten thousand years ago."
Hua Yichen looked at him in surprise. "Exactly like the ancestors from ten thousand years ago? Really?"
"You doubt the Execution Department's intelligence evaluation?" Soul-Calming Douluo said flatly. "Three figures matching Tower Master Su Tong, Tower Master Ye Guyi, and Tower Master Ji Juechen have indeed appeared in the Extreme North, beside Lord Huo Yuhao and Tower Master Snow Empress. Many at the Extreme North branch saw them."
"No, that's not what I meant."
Hua Yichen frowned. "I'm wondering if they could be disguised by some spirit ability, or descendants of the ancestors—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Disguise? Who would dare impersonate the Tower's ancestors on its own turf, right next to Snow Empress? And three descendants who looked exactly like the ancestors from ten thousand years ago—that coincidence was too absurd.
His gaze turned to Ji Xuanqiu, wanting to know his thoughts.
After all, one of the three figures was the Ji clan's ancestor.
Ji Xuanqiu was silent for a moment, then said, "The Ji clan has no one who looks like the ancestor. But according to clan records, the Sword Fanatic Ancestor, like Ancestor Su Tong, was last seen in the Extreme North."
"You're not suggesting those three really are our ancestors, are you?" Hua Yichen's eyelids twitched. "Ten thousand years... without becoming a deity, you can't live that long."
Soul-Calming Douluo nodded as well.
Honestly, when he'd first heard the news, he'd been completely stunned, almost thinking he was dreaming. He couldn't believe it either.
"To know for sure, we only need to ask Tower Master Snow Empress." Ji Xuanqiu's gaze fixed on the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters before them, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
Having ruled out all possible explanations, the remaining one—no matter how bizarre—might just be the truth.
But if those three really were the Tower's ancestors, then why had Lord Huo Yuhao coincidentally been in the Extreme North?
If the ancestors were still alive, Snow Empress meeting her former companions was understandable. But Lord Huo Yuhao, about to inherit the Tower Master position—why had he been there with Snow Empress to meet them?
Who... was he?