Earth Dragon Gate, Cold Spring Trade

"What gift? What kind of gift?" Ice Empress leaned closer.

Snow Empress turned her head as well, equally curious.

For Peerless Fierce Beasts who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, ordinary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures had very little effect. They were nowhere near worthy of being called a great gift.

Zi Yao merely smiled mysteriously and said nothing.

"You'll know once we get there, sisters."

"Fine. I haven't gone out in nearly twenty thousand years either. This is a good chance to learn about human society as it is now."

Snow Empress said indulgently.

In truth, she had no interest in humans at all. But since Zi Yao had said so, she did not mind spending a few extra days in the outside world.

The three continued on their journey.

They arrived above a city at the northern fortress of the Heaven Dou Empire. It was called Dragon City, the most prosperous city in the northern part of the empire.

"Hmm... it should be around here."

Zi Yao put away the map.

"Heh, the northern fortress built by humans is rather unimpressive. If our Far North truly wanted to break through, I alone could wipe out this city."

Snow Empress sneered.

"Exactly. It's only because our Xue'er is so kind that she hasn't launched a beast tide all these years."

Ice Empress echoed from the side.

Although the Extreme North was a forbidden zone for humans, beast tides were almost nonexistent.

This was because, unlike the Star Dou Great Forest, the Far North had a true ruler capable of commanding everyone's respect.

"War only harms more of my people. As long as humans do not invade the Extreme North on a large scale, I will not start a war."

Snow Empress shook her head.

Those Soul Masters who wished to hunt Soul Rings also had to risk becoming nourishment for Soul Beasts' cultivation. She could tolerate that for now.

But if any faction dared to hunt souls on a large scale, or even provoke a war against the Extreme North—

She would let humanity experience what a frigid natural disaster truly was!

"As expected of the ruler of the Far North. I have learned much."

A Lan said respectfully from where she was hidden within the Soul Ring.

She had only just become a true Blue Silver Emperor. Compared to Snow Empress, the ruler of the Far North for hundreds of thousands of years, she still had much to learn.

By then, the three had arrived before a sect. An earth-yellow Giant Dragon was coiled above its gates.

A Guard stepped forward to question them.

"May I ask why you have come to our Earth Dragon Gate?"

"We are here to see your sect master, Nan Shui Shui. I have an important matter to discuss with her."

Zi Yao said calmly.

The two Guards looked at each other.

Zi Yao spoke with great confidence.

But he was only a six-year-old child. If they actually reported this and it turned out to be a prank, they would inevitably be punished.

"Go when you're told. Do I have to fight my way in?"

The hot-tempered Ice Empress clenched her fist.

The aura of a Beast with more than three hundred thousand years of cultivation burst forth, nearly frightening the Guard, who was only a Soul Emperor, into fainting. He scrambled and rolled toward the gates.

Before long,

A young married woman in a pink cheongsam emerged from within. The dress perfectly outlined her mature, curvaceous figure, while her pretty face carried a seductive charm.

She studied Zi Yao and the others, quickly realizing that none of them were simple.

First was Zi Yao. Though young, his bearing and temperament were extraordinary.

As for Snow Empress and Ice Empress, there was no need to mention them. Their cultivation was unfathomable, and the faint pressure they radiated made it difficult for her to breathe. At the very least, they were Titled Douluo-level experts.

"The arrival of you three truly brings honor to our humble Earth Dragon Gate. Please follow me to the main hall."

Being tactful, she did not reveal her thoughts and welcomed them warmly.

The three entered the main hall together.

Having long occupied a position of supremacy, Snow Empress took the seat of honor with a naturally arrogant expression.

Ice Empress sat beside her.

Nan Shui Shui felt displeased.

This is my territory, after all. Shouldn't they at least exchange a few polite words with me?

Even if they are Titled Douluo, my Earth Dragon Gate has existed for a thousand years. It may not be unable to afford offending them!

"Sect Master Nan, please sit."

Zi Yao said, smoothing things over.

He left a side seat for Nan Shui Shui, while he himself sat on Snow Empress's lap.

Nan Shui Shui suppressed her displeasure and sat down, crossing her legs. The slit in her cheongsam fell open, revealing her snow-white thigh. As she instructed her servants to quickly prepare the finest tea, she took the initiative to ask,

"May I ask why you three have come to my Earth Dragon Gate?"

"I am here to discuss cooperation with Earth Dragon Gate."

Zi Yao said calmly.

Cooperation?

Nan Shui Shui glanced at Ice Empress and Snow Empress. Two Titled Douluo-level experts certainly had the qualifications to discuss cooperation.

"No, no, Sect Master Nan has misunderstood. The ones discussing cooperation are not my two sisters, but me."

Zi Yao saw through her thoughts and corrected her with a smile.

You want the Ice Snow Twin Empresses to work for a human faction? Are you tired of living?

"You?"

Nan Shui Shui looked him over and nearly laughed.

A little brat whose hair hasn't even grown in wants to discuss cooperation with me?

At that moment, a maid brought tea before them. Just as she was about to take out a teacup for Snow Empress, Snow Empress raised her hand and created two crystal-clear ice cups in midair, placing them on the table.

"Pour the tea into these."

"Yes." The maid was startled as she poured the tea into the ice cups.

Snow Empress mobilized her Soul Power and guided one cup of tea before Nan Shui Shui. The tea did not ripple in the slightest. "Sect Master Nan, have some tea as well."

Nan Shui Shui took the ice cup in surprise. She could not feel any chill from it at all, and she raised it for a sip.

Even stranger,

the scalding tea rapidly cooled to a comfortably warm temperature.

She was a Soul Douluo and had some understanding of the so-called Extreme Attributes.

It was said that Ultimate Ice Soul Masters could not only control cold, but even perfectly control temperature.

Could the person before her be a Titled Douluo with an Extreme Attribute?

Her heart tightened.

There were only a handful of Soul Masters with Extreme Attributes on the continent. Even among those legendary figures who had become Deities Ten Thousand Years Ago, not one had achieved an Extreme Attribute.

"Little friend, please continue explaining this cooperation of yours."

Those who understood the times were wise. She immediately changed her attitude.

"No rush. Before that, may I see Sect Master Nan's Rouge Dragon Martial Soul?" Zi Yao asked instead.

Nan Shui Shui did not refuse. A diamond-shaped pink crystal appeared on her forehead, while dark-red scales, like gemstones, grew from her fingertips.

Then, a dragon-shaped phantom appeared behind her, likewise covered in dense dark-red scales. Since it was a draconic subspecies, it had no wings.

"Very good. The Rouge Dragon is exceedingly rare among subdragons, and its Annihilation Attribute is something that can even destroy Extreme Attributes."

Zi Yao praised her, though his gaze remained calm and unruffled.

Listening to Zi Yao's praise, Nan Shui Shui felt that something was strange, yet she could not put her finger on it. After retracting her Martial Soul, she asked bluntly,

"I have already displayed my Martial Soul. Now you should continue explaining the cooperation."

"The Rouge Dragon is indeed good, but it is not a top-tier Dragon Type Martial Soul. The Annihilation Attribute is also extraordinarily difficult to cultivate. I presume that is why Sect Master Nan has been unable to reach the Titled Douluo realm."

Zi Yao made no effort to conceal his purpose as he continued,

"The terms of cooperation are simple. I will help your Rouge Dragon rise into the ranks of top-tier Martial Souls and grant it a Destruction Attribute no weaker than an Extreme Attribute."

"And what you need to offer is equally simple. I want the Cold Spring that Earth Dragon Gate has guarded for a thousand years."