"Bear Lord has already withstood the fourth lightning tribulation." Jiang Mian clenched his fists, unable to stop himself from worrying for Bear Lord.
Though Bear Lord's body was covered in blood, his fur shone with an even more brilliant golden radiance. This was likely the gift bestowed upon him by the Heavenly Tribulation.
Although crossing a Heavenly Tribulation meant surviving near-certain death, once he crossed that threshold, unprecedented opportunities and growth would await Bear Lord.
Taking advantage of the brief respite, Bear Lord swallowed all the spiritual herbs in one gulp. The herbs' fluorescent glow complemented the golden light radiating from his body, creating a magnificent sight.
Jiang Mian left Zhu Zhuqing where she was and stepped several paces closer to Bear Lord. He hoped he could raise Bear Lord's chances of success a little more.
The fifth wave of heavenly lightning came crashing down.
It was a magnificent spectacle, like the Yellow River pouring down from the heavens. Even Bear Lord could not help but cry out miserably beneath such thunderous baptism!
"Jiang Mian, watch out!"
Sharp-eyed, Zhu Zhuqing saw that after one bolt of lightning was blocked by Bear Lord, its lingering force had not dissipated and was charging straight at Jiang Mian.
Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth and made her decision in an instant.
"First Soul Skill, Hell Stab."
In an instant, Zhu Zhuqing was beside Jiang Mian. She looked deeply at him before tightly embracing him.
She had never expected that she would have to repay Jiang Mian's kindness with her life.
She was unwilling, but she had no regrets.
The pain she had imagined never came. Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes and found herself quietly pressed against Jiang Mian's chest. Snowflakes drifted around them, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty.
Jiang Mian's expression remained calm. As he looked at the handsome, beautiful figure standing before himself and Zhu Zhuqing, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.
The ruler of the Extreme North, the Snow Empress!
"So this was Di Tian's arrangement." Although Jiang Mian did not understand how the Snow Empress could help Bear Lord, since it was Di Tian's arrangement, he would simply comply.
"You are Jiang Mian?" The Snow Empress turned around, her icy eyes fixed on him. "Di Tian is entrusting the future of soul beasts to a child like you. Has he gone senile?"
"Senior Snow Empress, whether Di Tian is truly wise or truly senile, I think you know better than I do." Jiang Mian showed no fear even before a soul beast stronger than Bear Lord.
Since she could say something like that, it meant Di Tian had certainly reached an agreement with her. Jiang Mian had no reason to fear her, nor was there anything to fear.
"Hmph." The Snow Empress smiled disdainfully. A thread of Extreme Ice suddenly condensed on her fingertip, and with a light tap against Jiang Mian's brow, he instantly felt as though he had fallen into an ice cellar.
The blood throughout his body seemed frozen, and even his limbs became unbearably stiff.
"What are you doing?!" Zhu Zhuqing immediately noticed Jiang Mian's condition. She stepped in front of him and glared angrily at the Snow Empress.
The Snow Empress gave a cold smile without speaking. Jiang Mian endured the pain and quickly pulled Zhu Zhuqing back, signaling for her not to act rashly.
"If you force yourself to move, you may tear your muscles and internal organs apart," the Snow Empress said indifferently.
"Senior, is this really necessary?" Jiang Mian chuckled, completely ignoring the Snow Empress's warning. Though his limbs were as stiff as iron, he still stepped in front of Zhu Zhuqing and shielded her behind him.
"Interesting." The Snow Empress suddenly smiled. "Di Tian said that after becoming your soul beast, nothing else would be affected, but cultivation would improve very quickly?"
"That's right." Jiang Mian nodded. "Whether you are by my side or not, your cultivation will increase extremely quickly."
"Are you level forty?" the Snow Empress asked.
"I just reached level forty." Jiang Mian smiled faintly. "What a coincidence, isn't it?"
"I can let you capture me, but I cannot follow you for the time being," the Snow Empress said. "The Extreme North cannot go a single day without a ruler."
"Alright." Jiang Mian did not voice his doubts. Since the Snow Empress had already put it this way, he could not be ungrateful after gaining such an advantage. Besides, with Bear Lord by his side, he could already sweep through the world unmatched. One more soul beast or one less made little difference.
The Snow Empress suddenly held something between her hands. She gently pressed her palms together, and Jiang Mian felt an itch between his brows, though he had no idea what she had done.
"This mark will allow me to observe your condition at all times." The Snow Empress extended a slender jade finger and tapped Jiang Mian's brow. "I can also use this mark to find you. Once I have dealt with the matters in the Extreme North, I will naturally seek you out."
"Then please come in first." At some point, Jiang Mian had taken out a Spirit Ball. "It does not matter whether you stay by my side. After becoming my soul beast, your cultivation age will increase very quickly. You can try it first."
"Alright."
The Spirit Ball emitted a red light and drew the Snow Empress inside. The ball barely even shook before the capture succeeded.
Was this the power of willing acceptance?
Just as Jiang Mian was about to pick up the Spirit Ball from the ground, the Snow Empress walked out of it on her own.
"What a marvelous feeling." The Snow Empress observed the flow of spiritual energy around her and could not help marveling. "It is indeed much faster than before."
Jiang Mian sensed the changes within himself. Sure enough, he had gained another Extreme Ice attribute.
He actually felt this was somewhat unnecessary. With so many fierce beasts serving as his bodyguards, what use was there in giving him all these additional abilities?
Other than those three level-ninety-nine Limit Douluos, who else in the world could Jiang Mian not kill in an instant?
"Hey, have you forgotten about me...?"
As the final bolt of heavenly lightning fell, the thunderclouds in the sky dispersed. Bear Lord looked full of vigor, not at all like a soul beast who had just endured a lightning tribulation.
He jumped between Jiang Mian and the Snow Empress and laughed. "I never expected the Snow Empress to willingly become your soul beast too. You brat really are blessed."
"Bear Lord, who has always been known for his brutality, seems quite convinced by this little fellow." The Snow Empress chuckled, her body turning into snowflakes as she vanished from where she stood.
"Jiang Mian, wait for me..."
"Jiang Mian will await your return, Senior." Jiang Mian clasped his hands and bowed toward the direction in which the Snow Empress had departed.
"Now that everything is settled, what should we do next?" Bear Lord scratched his head and laughed. "I feel terrifyingly strong right now."
"Don't get carried away and go pick a fight with Di Tian." Jiang Mian raised a brow in warning. "At least wait until I raise you to eight hundred thousand years first."
Bear Lord laughed heartily, patted Jiang Mian on the shoulder, and said nothing more.
"Zhuqing, do you want to return to the Star Luo Empire and take a look?" Jiang Mian asked Zhu Zhuqing with a smile.
"No." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head decisively. "Unless I make something of myself, I will never go back."
"The Spirit Master Tournament, held once every five years, will take place in two years. Are you interested in participating?" Jiang Mian asked.
The Spirit Master Tournament was a competition that gathered talented young people from across the continent. It had always been jointly hosted by Spirit Hall and the two great empires, with Spirit Hall occupying the leading role.
If Jiang Mian wanted to participate in the Spirit Master Tournament, it seemed he would have to make a trip to Spirit Hall...
Qian Renxue, Hu Liena... There were so many beautiful women in Spirit Hall. Just thinking about it was exciting.
And Tang San, just wait for death!
Before you continue