"Since you've asked so earnestly, I'll answer with great generosity! I am the Incarnation of Justice and Wisdom, the first Million Year Soul Beast in the history of the Douluo Continent, and the first to make history by creating a Wisdom Soul Ring—the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm!"
"A... a Million Year Soul Beast!" Qian Renxue could only stare as everything she believed in was shaken to its core.
First, Huo Yuhao had come from Ten Thousand Years Ago. Now they were about to face a 380,000 Year Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. And now there was a Million Year Soul Beast, too.
Qian Renxue felt dizzy.
Huo Yuhao had told the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm that Qian Renxue was a trustworthy partner. Otherwise, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm would never have revealed his identity.
Huo Yuhao then recounted how he had encountered the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, leaving out any mention of Electrolux.
"So..." Qian Renxue's eyes shone as she gripped Huo Yuhao's shoulders with both hands. "You really did come from Ten Thousand Years Later!"
Qian Renxue was afraid that the hope before her would slip away.
"Big Sis, you've asked me that so many times already!" Huo Yuhao glanced at Snake Lance Douluo, who had been frozen into an Ice Sculpture. "Hurry and put him in your Storage Soul Tool. Being frozen for a short time won't endanger a Titled Douluo's life."
Qian Renxue nodded. As the Young Master of Spirit Hall, she had a Storage Soul Tool. She put Snake Lance Douluo, still frozen into an Ice Sculpture, inside.
Qian Renxue found a spot behind a rock and, with astonishing speed, put on the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm Exuviae. Only then did she come back out after changing her clothes.
"No wonder you don't feel the cold. This Ice Silkworm Exuviae is incredible." Qian Renxue couldn't help praising it. She couldn't feel the cold at all; even when the temperature outside dropped dozens of degrees below zero, she stayed warm.
"Big Sis, let's go. Don't speak when we get there. Let me take the lead." Huo Yuhao took Qian Renxue's hand. Given the harsh environment around them, Qian Renxue didn't make an issue of it.
The two of them picked up the pace. Few Soul Beasts lived here. The foremost reason the Extreme North was uninhabited was its brutal environment, with snow and ice covering everything.
"Brother Sky Dream, how much farther do we have to go?" Huo Yuhao asked through the bitter cold. Even though he had taken the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, the cold became unbearable once the temperature dropped far enough.
"Almost there! Just a few hundred more meters!" the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm answered confidently.
Qian Renxue surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. The world was white with snow and ice, and the only structure was the enormous mountain before them.
Meeting Huo Yuhao and embarking on such a thrilling adventure with him filled Qian Renxue with excitement. Nothing like this had ever happened in her twenty years of life.
"Little girl, I'm going to call for the Ice Empress in a bit. While I do, that Exuviae you're wearing is our trump card for subduing the Ice Empress. So you have to hold out against the cold!" the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice rang in Qian Renxue's ear.
"Don't worry. If it means my little brother can subdue the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, I can withstand this much cold!" Qian Renxue nodded seriously. She met Huo Yuhao's gaze, and they both nodded.
"Good girl! I knew I could count on you!" the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice rang in Qian Renxue's ear, then Huo Yuhao's.
At the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's request, Huo Yuhao spent half a day wielding his White Tiger Dagger to carve out an Ice House large enough for two people. He only managed it with Qian Renxue's help.
Qian Renxue and Huo Yuhao huddled together inside the Ice House. The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice sounded just then. "Xiao Yuhao, I'm about to begin. You took the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye, so even though the climate in the Extreme North Core Circle is brutal, I'm not worried about your ability to withstand the cold."
"And you, little girl. I'm about to strip my Exuviae from your body. When I do, it'll feel as if you've suddenly plunged from warmth into an icy abyss. It could even put your life in danger!"
"Go ahead and remove it. I can handle it." Qian Renxue bundled herself up in her thick fur coat. Just then, Huo Yuhao took her hand, and a steady stream of Soul Power began flowing into her.
Qian Renxue paused, then opened her coat and wrapped both herself and Huo Yuhao inside it.
Huo Yuhao felt the warmth and softness of Qian Renxue's body. Their cheeks brushed together unconsciously, an overwhelming temptation for the rapidly maturing boy.
Qian Renxue's pretty face flushed. This was her first time touching a member of the opposite sex. She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and circulated her abundant Soul Power.
Just then, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm made its move.
The first White Soul Ring beneath Huo Yuhao's feet lit up. A powerful Mental Wave erupted, and Huo Yuhao felt a wave of dizziness spread through his body. Fortunately, Qian Renxue caught him before he could fall.
A White Soul Ring appeared quietly. Huo Yuhao lost control of his body, and his senses seemed to soar like a bird in the sky, gazing down at the earth.
Centered on Huo Yuhao, an invisible threat spread across the vast, boundless Life Forbidden Zone, spanning tens of thousands of square kilometers.
Qian Renxue was astonished to find that Huo Yuhao, in her arms, seemed to command the world. Even more shocking was that the White Soul Ring had now turned a brilliant gold.
"So this is a Million Year Soul Ring?" Qian Renxue exclaimed. She instinctively hugged Huo Yuhao tighter. The next moment, she cried out as the Exuviae clinging to her body vanished without warning.
A piercing cold spread across Qian Renxue's skin. She felt as though her blood were about to freeze.
At the same time, beams of golden light flew from Huo Yuhao's forehead. There were nine of them: the Nine Seals set by the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.
Huo Yuhao regained control of his body. Thanks to the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, he could withstand the bitter cold, but Qian Renxue might not be able to. He slowly sent his Soul Power into her, along with a trace of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass's energy that he had yet to fully absorb.
Only then did color return to Qian Renxue's pale face. Her body gradually warmed, and throughout it all, their hands remained clasped tightly together.
The nine balls of light gathered and took the shape of a figure resembling Huo Yuhao. A powerful mental presence radiated from the Spirit Body formed by the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. "Ice Empress, I know you've sensed me. It's me! I, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, have returned! This time, I'll defeat you!"
Just then, thick clouds churned overhead, turning a deep jade green. A fierce, icy wind spread through the air.
"Tian Meng, you're still alive? No wonder you're the longest-lived creature in the Extreme North. Once I devour you, I'll be the number-one Soul Beast on the Douluo Continent." A clear voice rang out from all directions. At the same time, a thunderous crash sounded, and a jade-colored scorpion appeared before Qian Renxue and Huo Yuhao.
Before you continue