Martial Soul Awakening, Extreme Ice

"It was actually during the Dou Era 2 period. This was not good news."

Xue Nianbing sighed softly.

If it had been during the Dou Era 1 period, it would have been manageable. At the very least, there would have been some basic safeguards.

But during the Dou Era 2 period, it was truly a hellish difficulty setting and a disastrous start. All sorts of monsters and demons roamed the continent.

The God King stood high above, toying with the fates of all living beings.

The Fallen Ones had grown into a major force, joining together with organization and discipline to become an Evil Soul Master organization despised by everyone.

Most importantly, for commoners of this era, producing an outstanding child or rising above the rest was undoubtedly extremely difficult.

Ten Thousand Years had passed. The nobles had only grown stronger, while commoners had nowhere to turn.

No background, no connections, no wealth.

People with none of those three basically had no chance of making something of themselves. Even living a peaceful life was a luxury.

"Forget it. Don't think so much."

"The urgent matter is figuring out whether I can successfully awaken a Martial Soul. Otherwise, everything is meaningless."

Worry filled Xue Nianbing's eyes.

People of Douluo Continent possessed Martial Souls even if they had no Soul Power.

But he was not from Douluo Continent!

Would he become the first person in Douluo Continent's history without a Martial Soul?

From a certain perspective, that would be an "achievement" too.

"I should have one, right? Both the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress said that Extreme Ice was contained within my body. Sister Lexuan also said my constitution was different from ordinary people's and that I possessed astonishing Strength."

"With so many unusual traits, having one more Martial Soul wouldn't be too much, would it?"

Xue Nianbing thought to himself.

"Nianbing."

At that moment, a cool, clear voice sounded beside Xue Nianbing's ear.

Hearing the call, Xue Nianbing did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately ran out of the cave, vanishing amid the snowflakes and icy dust.

A moment later.

Xue Nianbing spotted a graceful figure in the distance.

The snow-white figure was tall and slender, with peerless beauty. Every frown and smile, every gesture and movement, was enough to make the Far North pale in comparison.

"Sister Xue."

Xue Nianbing called out with a smile.

Although he had been raised by the Ice and Snow Emperors, he did not dare call them "Aunt" or "Mother" again.

The consequences from back then were still fresh in his memory.

"Mm."

The Snow Empress nodded slightly, a faint smile at the corner of her lips. "Nianbing, you have reached the proper age. It is time for you to awaken your Martial Soul like the other children your age."

"Unless something unexpected happens, you should awaken an Extreme Ice Martial Soul, and your Innate Soul Power should not be low either."

The Extreme Ice within Xue Nianbing's body was exceptionally pure.

Moreover, it was not merely the cold of Extreme Ice, but Extreme Ice and Snow. That was also why she and the Ice Empress had found it familiar back then.

"Mm."

Xue Nianbing nodded, unable to suppress the anticipation in his eyes.

The Snow Empress glanced at Xue Nianbing, then stretched out her fair hand. With a flash of light, six Ice Blue stones flew out.

The stones shifted around Xue Nianbing in accordance with the Snow Empress's hand gestures.

A moment later, an Ice Blue six-pointed star formation appeared beneath Xue Nianbing's feet.

Mysterious patterns lit up across the formation, spiraling upward around Xue Nianbing's body. They glowed as though they contained strange energy.

Gradually, the lights entered Xue Nianbing's body and began awakening the power that had lain dormant for six years.

"Looks like I do have a Martial Soul."

"Extreme Ice... Will it be a pure elemental form, a Tool Martial Soul, or a Beast Martial Soul?"

Xue Nianbing grew increasingly expectant.

Soon, the last trace of light entered his body. It was as if some force within him had been stirred, and Extreme Ice followed it out.

Brilliant Ice Blue radiance bloomed from Xue Nianbing's body, streaked with strands of golden light.

"Just like six years ago."

Watching this familiar sight, the Snow Empress could not help recalling her first encounter with Xue Nianbing.

At the same time, the Ice Empress, who had returned from the Heaven Dou Empire's border, happened to witness the familiar Ice Blue pillar of light.

"Snow Empress, Nianbing's awakening has caused quite a commotion. I remember human Martial Soul Awakenings were not supposed to make such a fuss."

The Ice Empress moved to the Snow Empress's side, her golden eyes fixed on Xue Nianbing within the six-pointed star formation.

"Perhaps it is related to Nianbing's own secrets."

The Snow Empress said.

The Ice Empress nodded. "Nianbing truly has many secrets. He possessed Extreme Ice and astonishing Strength even before his Martial Soul Awakening, not to mention that jade pendant you spoke of back then..."

As the two spoke, Xue Nianbing's Martial Soul Awakening had already reached its final stage.

Crack!

A flash of light appeared in Xue Nianbing's palm, and a spear roughly ten feet long and as thick as the bottom of a bowl appeared suspended in his hand. Its surface glowed with Ice Blue light.

Xue Nianbing seemed to sense that its size did not suit him. With a slight movement of his mind, the Ice Blue spear gradually shrank until it matched his body.

The ice spear was extraordinarily beautiful and naturally emitted icy radiance.

Its spearhead was sharp, as though forged from ice crystals, with starlike cold light flowing across it.

Tiny Ice Blue crystals densely covered the shaft, while a hazy chill spread outward, as though it held the frost of countless ages.

The golden demonic patterns made it appear even more domineering.

"It truly is Extreme Ice." The Snow Empress and Ice Empress were clearly more concerned with the extreme chill emanating from the ice spear.

"Bing'er, the attribute of Nianbing's spear Martial Soul is almost identical to your Extreme Ice cold. From now on, you will be the one to..."

Before the Snow Empress could finish speaking, another change occurred.

Light also flashed in Xue Nianbing's other hand, immediately followed by an aura identical to that of the ice spear Martial Soul.

Snow Empress: "!!!"

Ice Empress: "!!!"

A second Martial Soul!

Xue Nianbing had Twin Martial Souls!

Twang!

It was a frosty bow forged from ice crystals and snowflakes, equally stunning in appearance.

The bow glimmered with flowing icy-white light, its snowflake carvings layered and unfurling across its body.

Its bowstring seemed condensed from starlight, glimmering faintly in and out of view.

The entire frosty bow was wreathed in icy-white cold air. Looking closely, it consisted of countless tiny snowflakes that appeared noble and mysterious against the Far North's multicolored halo.

Like the ice spear, the frosty bow shrank according to Xue Nianbing's will until it was suited to his size.

"Extreme Ice and Snow."

Feeling the aura of the frosty bow, the Snow Empress's eyes trembled slightly in utter astonishment.

"Not only does Nianbing have Twin Martial Souls, he has twin Extreme Ice Martial Souls!" The Ice Empress's voice was filled with intense shock.

Whether it was Extreme Ice or Twin Martial Souls,

Anyone who possessed even one would be a monstrous genius. If someone possessed both, would that not be even more terrifying?

Without question, across the entirety of Douluo Continent, fewer than five people could compare to Xue Nianbing in talent—perhaps none at all.

Holding the ice spear and frosty bow, Xue Nianbing felt waves of warmth rolling through his body, making him feel extremely comfortable.

Moreover, under the influence of those two Martial Souls, his appearance underwent slight changes as well.

Ice Blue hair, golden eyes.

His facial features and skin remained unchanged. He was still a handsome little boy, but now he possessed an added air of cold aloofness.

Twin Martial Souls, and twin Extreme Ice Martial Souls. With this talent, I can face the chaotic times ahead with some confidence.

Xue Nianbing thought to himself.

"Nianbing, test your Soul Power."

At that moment, the Snow Empress took out a crystal ball.

"Alright."

Xue Nianbing put away his two Martial Souls, walked before the Snow Empress, and placed his hand on the crystal ball. The next instant, the entire crystal ball erupted with light.