Three Reunited, Contracting the Snow Empress

Mu En and Mu Xuanheng arrived in the Extreme North together.

The wheelchair was a specially made Soul Tool.

"Xuanheng, your third Soul Ring's effect is incredibly powerful. What kind of Soul Beast do you plan to get?"

He told Mu En that his next Soul Skill would be Chaofeng Yuyuan, which allowed him to control the elements. If the Soul Beast he acquired specialized in a particular element, his control over that element would be stronger than over the others.

Mu En was a little worried that his good disciple might get carried away and try to obtain a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as his third ring.

Clearly, his worry was unnecessary.

"Old man, I brought you along because I want to try signing a Contract with one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North. I want her to become my Soul Beast."

"Hmm? What?" Mu En belatedly realized something was wrong.

"The Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North? They're all Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts!"

"That's why I brought you."

If he'd brought Xuan Zi instead, Mu Xuanheng would really have been afraid. If Xuan Zi had an episode and went looking for food, Mu Xuanheng would die right there in the Extreme North—and there wouldn't even be a body left.

Contracting with one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North meant getting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast at the very least. That also meant his third Soul Ring would be a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

"Xuanheng!" Mu En wanted to stop his disciple from pursuing such a reckless idea.

"Teacher!" This was the first time Mu Xuanheng had called Mu En that, not even doing so when he'd become his disciple.

Mu En heard how determined Mu Xuanheng was. "We'll just try. If she refuses, we'll leave and get a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring instead."

He accepted it. Mu Xuanheng wanted even more than he did.

"No wonder you agreed to wait before getting your third Soul Ring."

Mu En flew with Mu Xuanheng through the Extreme North. "Have you decided who to look for? They're all powerful Soul Beasts and have no interest in hiding themselves. We can find them easily."

"We'll look for the one who's hiding."

He wasn't sure when the Snow Empress would take human form, so he didn't know what state she was in at this point.

If she'd already been sealed, he'd have no choice but to buy her or take her by force.

If she hadn't taken human form, they could simply talk things out.

Mu En searched with his Spiritual Power, taking note of two obviously powerful Soul Beasts.

Only the strongest, the Snow Empress, was nowhere to be seen.

He looked at Mu Xuanheng in confusion. "The Snow Empress has cultivated for 690,000 years and is nearing her tribulation. It's normal for her to conceal her presence at a time like this. You want to find her?"

"Yes. I want to find her precisely because she's nearing her tribulation. A Contract could ensure she survives for a while longer. I don't think she'll refuse."

The Snow Empress was concealing her presence. Even if he wanted to, Mu En would have a hard time finding her now.

Failure was almost a foregone conclusion.

"If we can't find the Snow Empress, perhaps we can try the Ice Empress. She's nearing her tribulation too. Maybe she'd agree." Mu En wanted Mu Xuanheng to give up.

"Old man, do you know why I waited until now to ask you to take me to find the Snow Empress?"

Mu En asked, "Because Chaofeng sensed danger?"

Mu Xuanheng replied, "Yes. It's excited. It's excited that I'm about to face a life-or-death challenge. Chaofeng is so unpredictable. I have to create danger for myself."

Chaofeng had no ability to foresee the future. Each time Mu Xuanheng had approached the Extreme North, it had been a dangerous situation, but this was the only time Chaofeng had been so excited.

"Wait!" Mu Xuanheng surveyed everything from high above, ignoring even the Soul Beasts.

His gaze settled on someone wearing a mask and a cloak.

"Found you." Chaofeng was stirring, and he could feel its excitement.

"Old man, follow that person. Be careful not to let her notice us."

"That person feels a little familiar." Mu En didn't understand why, but followed anyway.

Mu En was incredibly powerful. It was easy for him to keep his distance and remain undetected.

The moment he entered an area that Spiritual Power couldn't penetrate, they both realized this was it.

They rushed in and saw the masked figure sealing the Snow Empress.

At last, Mu Xuanheng's warning made sense.

The person before them was Ye Xishui, the Limit Douluo.

Everything became clear. In the original story, why had Xu Jiujiu smiled so slyly? Because she believed that the Super Douluo wouldn't be from the Sun Moon Empire.

Why had the Snow Empress been sold to the Star Luo Empire? Because Ye Xishui was at odds with Mingde Hall.

And Ye Xishui herself was already fully equipped. She no longer needed a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

The reason no one recognized the Snow Empress was that everyone believed only a Soul Beast that had just reached a hundred thousand years could reincarnate.

Faced with how confusing the original story was, Mu Xuanheng could only come up with this relatively reasonable explanation.

It wasn't Mu Xuanheng who called out her name, but Mu En.

"How could it be you?" He could feel Mu En's emotions surging.

Ye Xishui turned to face them. "Mu En? As I thought. Other than Long Xiaoyao, you're the only one who could follow me like this. But you brought a child with you?"

An endless sea of blood enveloped them. "Mu En, I couldn't beat you in Shrek City. Do you think you can overpower me here? And in your current state? After fighting Du Bisou, you can't even straighten your back, can you?"

"Xi Shui, come to your senses. Don't keep slaughtering people because of what happened in the past." The moment he touched the blood around them, he knew Ye Xishui had killed many people again.

Warm light replaced the blood and shielded Mu Xuanheng as well.

They both released their Soul Rings: yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red; and black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red. Both were peerless powerhouses whose Soul Ring configurations surpassed the norm.

Dragon Emperor Breaking Evil Crack clashed with Death God Light. The battle between the two Limit Douluo tore apart everything around them.

"Mu En, you're crippled. Stay in Shrek and rest. You can't beat me."

Mu En shook his head. "I can't beat you alone, but I'm only buying time."

Ye Xishui looked at him in disbelief. "Could that fellow Xuan Zi really become a Limit Douluo?"

Mu En's expression didn't change. She looked at Mu Xuanheng, whose face was just as calm.

"Fine, Mu En. I was planning not to come out as long as you were alive. Are you going to raise another Xuan Zi to hold me back?"

Neither of them felt any of the false love or hatred they'd once displayed. Outsiders didn't know the truth of their relationship, but they did.

Mu Xuanheng regretted it. He shouldn't have brought Mu En. Mu En's body couldn't withstand a battle between Limit Douluo.

A fight this intense would only cut short what little life he had left.

He'd only wanted Mu En to be a safety net, not to have him spend his life force like this.

"Use me!" He wanted Mu En to wield Limit Douluo power through his body. Chaofeng was far stronger than the Bright Holy Dragon.

Mu En refused. Mu Xuanheng couldn't possibly withstand the power of a Limit Douluo.

"Xi Shui! Enough! Mu En's body can't take a battle between Limit Douluo anymore." Another Limit Douluo descended from the sky: Long Xiaoyao.

There was nothing he could do to affect the battle at this point.

"Long Xiaoyao, what? Were you following me too?"

"Xi Shui, I—"

"Are you going to join forces with Mu En against me? The Black and White Holy Dragons joining forces to slay an Evil Soul Master—what a heartwarming tale." She sneered viciously at Long Xiaoyao.

A tower appeared in her hand: the Level 9 Soul Tool, the Death God Tower. Even unfinished, it could still enhance her combat power.

Mu En had even less chance of winning.

But his gaze was more resolute than Mu Xuanheng's. This was what it meant to fight to the death. Long Xiaoyao was caught between them, deeply troubled.

"Mu En, if you're going to fight to the death, why not put the child in your arms down?" Her psychological attack wasn't aimed only at Mu En. "Little one, are you going to watch this old man die?"

Ye Xishui put away the Death God Tower. "If you jump to the ground, I promise I won't keep fighting this Dragon God Douluo. What do you say?"

They were a thousand meters above the ground. Anyone who jumped would die, and her promise was certainly not to be trusted.

Mu En said, "Xi Shui, you can't fool this child. He won't believe you."

Mu Xuanheng replied, "All you want is a way out. I'll give you one." He shoved Mu En's arm away and jumped.

Mu Xuanheng spread Chaofeng's wings in midair. It looked as though he was in no danger of dying.

But that was only how it looked. The Extreme North lay beneath him, and a Soul Tool was hurtling down from above.

Ye Xishui stopped Mu En from going to his rescue. "A Level 9 Soul Tool and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Mu En, you've only lost one disciple. Aren't you happy?"

"Ye Xishui, you've gone too far."

Dark Soul Power blocked the Light Soul Power. How could Long Xiaoyao let him hurt Ye Xishui?

"Mu En, that's enough. You might as well wait until we leave, then go find your disciple. If you insist on fighting to the death, your disciple won't have the slightest chance of surviving. Don't forget, this isn't Shrek City. It's the Extreme North—an icy, snow-covered wasteland!"

The God Sealing Platform slammed into Mu Xuanheng, forcing his outstretched wings shut. He caught it with his bare hands.

"Snow Empress, I know it's you. You can hear us, right? I'm letting you out. Help us!"

He made no demands and set no conditions. He had no other choice.

Entrusting your hopes to an outsider was foolish, but he had to do it.

Chaofeng Dragon Claw tore apart the God Sealing Platform, releasing the Snow Empress.

Terrifying cold instantly froze Mu Xuanheng. Even Huo Yuhao, with his Ultimate Ice, couldn't withstand that cold. How could Mu Xuanheng possibly endure it?

The Snow Empress's fury could be felt throughout the entire Extreme North.

A sword of ice and snow shot upward from below, soaring into the sky. It carried the fury of her imprisonment and the frost of the Extreme North.

Long Xiaoyao stopped the sword of ice and snow with ease.

"Xi Shui, we should go. The ruler of the Extreme North has awakened. We shouldn't leave any injuries here."

Ye Xishui smiled sweetly. "Mu En, find a way to stay alive. Maybe the three of us can fight side by side again someday."

It was a blatant taunt, but Mu En no longer had the heart to care.

He hurried down and saw Mu Xuanheng lying beside the Snow Empress.

"Human, go save your disciple. The fact that he's alive is already a miracle."

After plunging from high above and being frozen by the Snow Empress, Mu Xuanheng was already on the brink of death.

Mu En poured Light Soul Power into Mu Xuanheng and took out a pill to feed him. He'd prepared it long ago.

A few seconds later, Mu Xuanheng regained consciousness.

He coughed several times, each cough tearing through him with pain. He paid it no mind. He forced himself upright and only relaxed once he saw Mu En.

"I'm sorry, Teacher. I was wrong. Next time, you shouldn't come."

Mu En gently stroked Mu Xuanheng. "This wasn't your fault. You did well—better than I expected. If someone else had come, things would have ended much worse."

He patted Mu Xuanheng. "The person you wanted to find has appeared, but she's in worse shape than either of us."

The Snow Empress's source power was now beyond control. Mu En tried to help, but she refused.

"Humans aren't good for much, but you two are all right." A hint of warmth entered her gaze as she looked at Mu Xuanheng. "He didn't bargain with me. He only wanted to save you. That makes him better than the other two."

Mu En said, "You'll die."

"You helped me. Do you think that means I won't die? This is my seventh heavenly tribulation."

Mu Xuanheng said, "The old man can't do it, but I can. Snow Empress, are you willing to sign a Contract with me?"

A sheet of paper floated in front of the Snow Empress. She could tell it was Mu Xuanheng's Martial Soul.

"Twin Martial Souls?"

"Companion Martial Soul," Mu Xuanheng corrected her. "I can sign a Contract with you that will make you part of my power."

"A Master-Servant Contract? I'd rather die!"

"An Equal Contract. Or, to be precise, a Symbiotic Contract." Mu Xuanheng couldn't tell what state the Snow Empress was in, but he had a few guesses. "Your reincarnation failed. Once the source power sustaining you starts to fade, you'll have no choice but to die. And it'll happen soon. If you sign a Contract with me, you'll live for at least another two hundred years."

"Oh, so I lose my source power and live off yours? You're generous, aren't you?"

Mu Xuanheng propped up his recovering body. "That's not how it works. Contracts come in many forms, not just the kind you know. Master-Servant Contracts are one category, and Equal Contracts are another. But even those are broad categories.

"An Equal Contract doesn't necessarily mean symbiosis, and symbiosis doesn't necessarily mean equality.

"There are three kinds of Equal Contract. The first lets you keep your original strength, but makes you share life and death with a human. It doesn't affect either party's lifespan, but when one of you dies, the other dies too.

"The second lets you give up your original strength and gradually become stronger alongside a human, reaching the same level of power. I assume you wouldn't want to choose either of those.

"The last one is the Spirit Contract I'm offering you. You give up your body and keep only your soul, but you can't stray too far from me. You'll be able to exert as much power as my body can withstand, up to your full strength, and then use my power. You won't lose your source, but you'll lose some freedom."

The Snow Empress picked up the Contract and quickly read it through. "What a Companion Martial Soul. If it could be used on a larger scale, it could resolve the conflict between Soul Beasts and humans. Too bad it's only your Martial Soul."

Mu Xuanheng said, "That's something I should work toward in the future. For now, I need to persuade you to accept this Contract, then withstand your power."

He released his Martial Soul, Chaofeng. "My Martial Soul is Chaofeng, the third of the Nine Sons of the Dragon God. First Soul Ring: a 300-year-old Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. Second Soul Ring: a Dark Evil God Tiger over 2,000 years old. You don't need to doubt my talent, do you?"

His Martial Soul, the ages of his Soul Rings, and his Soul Power were all right there. His talent was peerless.

The source power inside the Snow Empress kept surging. This was the only choice she had left. "Fine. What's your name?"

"Mu Xuanheng!"

"From now on, we share life and death. Don't disappoint me."

There was no need to write. With a thought, the words appeared on the Contract one stroke at a time.

The name Heavenly Snow Woman appeared on the Contract, and Mu Xuanheng's name appeared beside hers. The Contract was complete.

A massive amount of source power flooded into Mu Xuanheng's body, where it was sealed away. But that wasn't the end. There was still the Snow Empress's Soul Bone.

"What do you want?"

"Do I get to choose?"

"You do, but I'm giving you something you wouldn't dare imagine."

Her 700,000-year Soul Bone didn't become one of the six regular Soul Bones. Instead, it became an External Soul Bone attached beside his heart, like a cage, yet also a form of protection.

"Since we share life and death, I should protect you. Do you dare absorb it?"

"A Soul Bone that protects my heart, even if it's soft cartilage. How could I not dare?"

Mu En watched anxiously. "Xuanheng, this is a 700,000-year Soul Bone. Your body can't withstand it."

He smiled at the old man. "That's why it's dangerous."

The Soul Bone began to integrate. It wasn't as painful as he'd imagined, but it was far from painless. With 700,000 years of cultivation behind it, absorbing it could only bring unbearable agony.

The Snow Empress watched Mu Xuanheng writhe on the ground in pain.

Mu En wanted to ease his suffering, but Mu Xuanheng refused.

The Snow Empress had dared to sign the Contract first. How could he be afraid to absorb her Soul Bone?

It was like being bitten by insects and ants, crushed by a stone roller, and stabbed with knives—all at once.

The Snow Empress crouched beside him. "Since we share life and death, why don't we share this pain too?"

She reached out to touch his heart and share the pain, but Mu Xuanheng caught her hand. "I'm fine now."

The cold sweat, trembling body, pale lips, and contorted face all showed that his suffering was far from over.

The Snow Empress said, "I'm stronger than you right now. You can't refuse me." She pressed her hand against the source of his pain, forcibly sharing his torment.

Mu En watched for half an hour, convinced that both the human and the Soul Beast had gone mad. They could have absorbed the Soul Bone later, but they insisted on doing it now. He could have eased the strain on Mu Xuanheng's Soul Power, but he refused.

They endured it all.

An orange Soul Ring appeared beside Mu Xuanheng. Everything was finally done.

His contracted Soul Beast was the Snow Empress, leader of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North.