Snow Empress, Taken Under His Wing

"Bear Lord has already withstood the fourth heavenly tribulation." Jiang Mian clenched his fists, his heart involuntarily sweating for Bear Lord.

At this moment, Bear Lord's body was stained with blood, but his fur gleamed even more brilliantly with a golden luster—this must be the gift the Heavenly Tribulation had bestowed upon him.

Though crossing the tribulation was a narrow escape from death, once he stepped over that threshold, unprecedented fortune and advancement awaited Bear Lord.

Seizing the gap, Bear Lord gulped down all the spiritual herbs in one go. The fluorescent glow of the herbs complemented the golden light radiating from Bear Lord himself, painting a magnificent tableau.

Jiang Mian left Zhu Zhuqing where she was and moved a few steps closer to Bear Lord, hoping he could help increase Bear Lord's chances of success.

The fifth stage of heavenly thunder cascaded down.

Its spectacular grandeur was like the Yellow River pouring from the heavens; even Bear Lord, under such a baptism of thunder, couldn't help but cry out in agony!

"Jiang Mian, watch out!"

Zhu Zhuqing's sharp eyes caught a bolt of thunder that, after being blocked by Bear Lord, still carried residual force and shot straight toward Jiang Mian.

Gritting her teeth, Zhu Zhuqing made her decision in an instant.

"First Soul Skill, Hell Stab."

In a flash, Zhu Zhuqing was already at Jiang Mian's side. She gave him a deep look, then tightly embraced him.

She never expected that repaying Jiang Mian's kindness would cost her life.

She was unwilling, but she had no regrets.

The imagined pain never came. Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes to find herself quietly pressed against Jiang Mian's chest, with snowflakes drifting around them—a scene of pure beauty.

Jiang Mian's expression was calm as he looked at the graceful, handsome figure standing before him and Zhu Zhuqing, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted.

The ruler of the Extreme North, the Snow Empress!

"So this was Di Tian's arrangement." Though Jiang Mian didn't understand how the Snow Empress could help Bear Lord, since it was Di Tian's plan, he would simply follow along.

"You're Jiang Mian?" The Snow Empress turned her head, her icy eyes fixed on Jiang Mian as she said flatly, "Entrusting the future of soul beasts to a child like you—has Di Tian gone senile?"

"Senior Snow Empress, whether Di Tian is truly wise or senile, I think you know better than I do." Jiang Mian showed no fear in the face of this soul beast even more powerful than Bear Lord.

Since she could say such a thing, it meant Di Tian must have reached an understanding with her, so Jiang Mian had no reason to be afraid, and nothing to fear.

"Hmph." The Snow Empress let out a contemptuous laugh. Her finger suddenly gathered a trace of Extreme Ice, and with a light tap on Jiang Mian's brow, he instantly felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss.

The blood in his entire body seemed frozen, and his limbs stiffened uncontrollably.

"What are you doing!" Zhu Zhuqing immediately noticed Jiang Mian's state. She stepped in front of him, glaring angrily at the Snow Empress.

The Snow Empress gave a cold smile and said nothing. Jiang Mian, enduring the pain, quickly pulled Zhu Zhuqing back, signaling her not to act rashly.

"If you force yourself to move, you might tear your muscles and internal organs," the Snow Empress said indifferently.

"Senior, why go this far?" Jiang Mian chuckled, completely ignoring the Snow Empress's warning. Even with his limbs stiff as iron, he still stepped in front of Zhu Zhuqing to shield her.

"Interesting." The Snow Empress suddenly smiled. "Di Tian said that becoming your soul beast wouldn't affect anything, but cultivation would advance quickly?"

"That's right." Jiang Mian nodded. "Whether you're by my side or not, your cultivation will increase very rapidly."

"Are you at level forty?" the Snow Empress asked.

"Just reached level forty." Jiang Mian smiled slightly. "What a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

"I'll let you capture me, but I can't follow you for the time being," the Snow Empress said. "The Extreme North cannot be without its master for even a day."

"Fine." Jiang Mian didn't voice his doubts. Since the Snow Empress had already said as much, he figured he shouldn't push his luck—after all, having Bear Lord by his side was enough to sweep the world, and one more or one less made little difference.

The Snow Empress suddenly cupped her hands together as if holding something. Jiang Mian felt an itch on his brow, though he didn't know what the Snow Empress had done.

"This mark allows me to observe your situation at all times." The Snow Empress extended her slender finger and tapped Jiang Mian's brow. "I can also find you through this mark. Once I've settled matters in the Extreme North, I'll naturally come to you."

"Then please enter first." Jiang Mian pulled out a Spirit Ball from somewhere. "It doesn't matter whether you're by my side or not. Once you become my soul beast, your age-limit cultivation will increase very quickly. You can give it a try."

"Very well."

The Spirit Ball emitted a red light, drawing the Snow Empress inside. The ball barely even trembled before capturing her successfully.

Was this the power of willingness?

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 peculiar feeling." The Snow Empress observed the flow of spiritual energy around her and couldn't help but marvel, "It's indeed much faster than before."

Jiang Mian felt the changes within himself. Sure enough, another attribute of Extreme Ice had been added to his body.

He felt it was a bit redundant, though. With so many fierce beasts as bodyguards, what use was there in piling on more abilities?

Now, aside from those three level 99 Limit Douluos, who in the world couldn't be instantly killed by Jiang Mian?

"Hey, have you all forgotten about me..."

With the final bolt of heavenly thunder falling, the thunderclouds in the sky had dissipated. Bear Lord was radiant and spirited, nothing like a soul beast that had just endured a tribulation.

He leaped between Jiang Mian and the Snow Empress, laughing. "I didn't expect the Snow Empress to willingly become your soul beast too, kid. You've got some deep fortune."

"The Bear Lord, known for his ferocity, seems quite deferential to this little one." The Snow Empress chuckled, then dissolved into snowflakes and vanished on the spot.

"Jiang Mian, wait for me..."

"Jiang Mian awaits the senior's return." Jiang Mian clasped his hands and bowed in the direction the Snow Empress had left.

"Everything's done. What should we do next?" Bear Lord scratched his head and chuckled. "I feel terrifyingly strong right now."

"Don't go picking a fight with Di Tian just yet." Jiang Mian raised an eyebrow in warning. "At least wait until I've boosted you to eight hundred thousand years."

Bear Lord laughed heartily, clapped Jiang Mian on the shoulder, and fell silent.

"Zhuqing, do you want to go back to the Star Luo Empire for a visit?" Jiang Mian looked at Zhu Zhuqing and asked with a smile.

"No." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head decisively. "I'm not going back until I've made something of myself."

"The Spirit Master Tournament is held every five years, and it's coming up in two years. Are you interested in participating?" Jiang Mian asked.

The Spirit Master Tournament was a competition where all the young talents of the continent took part, traditionally co-hosted by Martial Soul Hall and the two empires, with Martial Soul Hall taking the lead.

If Jiang Mian wanted to join the Spirit Master Tournament, he'd have to make a trip to Martial Soul Hall...

When the time came, Qian Renxue, Hu Liena... so many beauties in Martial Soul Hall. Just thinking about it was thrilling.

And Tang San—you're as good as dead!