Departure, Far North

Qin Yue had nothing he needed to go back for. He had plenty of daily supplies in his Storage Soul Tool, and the small black box containing the Dragon Core was already on him.

Thus, he did not return to the Residence where he normally lived and cultivated. Instead, he left Shrek City through its northern gate and set out alone along the Imperial Road leading north.

Shrek City stood eight thousand li from the Far North, roughly the same distance as Ice City and Sunlight City in his previous life. It seemed far at first glance, but Qin Yue was now a Soul Master with considerable cultivation, and his Martial Soul was exceptionally suited for long-distance travel. This distance was nothing to him.

Still, why struggle along by himself when there was a better option? To ensure that his plan succeeded smoothly—and to account for the safety issue should the Ice Empress truly go mad—Qin Yue had invited a powerful ally.

About a hundred li from Shrek City, Qin Yue entered a dense mountain forest to the left of the Imperial Road, as they had agreed beforehand. The trees here were tall and thick, making it an excellent place to hide.

Qin Yue had not walked far into the forest when he heard a rapid burst of air from nearby. He raised his gaze toward the sound and saw a colossal creature over five meters long. It resembled a lion, yet it possessed three heads, each more than a meter in diameter, and its enormous fangs gleamed with a terrifying reddish-gold luster.

The newcomer was none other than Scarlet King, the Three-Headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff—one of the many Beasts of Calamity from the Star Dou Forest, with three hundred thousand years of cultivation!

Scarlet King swept his gaze over Qin Yue and let out a slightly dissatisfied snort, as though demanding to know why Qin Yue had come so late and made him wait so long.

Qin Yue laughed awkwardly and hurried to placate the excellent beast of burden he had painstakingly persuaded, lest Scarlet King decide to quit on the spot.

There were many Beasts of Calamity in the Star Dou Forest, but he could not simply summon any one of them.

The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, would never leave the Star Dou Forest, and the Beast God's arrival would cause far too great a commotion. Qin Yue had ruled him out first.

Bi Ji, the Emerald Swan, was a purely Healing System soul beast. Di Tian would never let the goose go, and even if he did, Qin Yue would not have invited her.

King of Ten Thousand Demons, the Demon Eye Demon Tree, was innately addicted to devouring. Even Di Tian had to keep him by his side under constant watch. If he accompanied Qin Yue alone to the Far North, no one could guarantee that he would not develop designs on the Power of Fate. In that case, Qin Yue might as well venture in alone.

Bear Lord, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, was powerful, and his attributes would not be suppressed by the Far North. Yet for the same reason as King of Ten Thousand Demons, his temperament made it too difficult to ensure everything went smoothly, so Qin Yue ruled him out.

Scarlet King, the Three-Headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff, possessed only three hundred thousand years of cultivation, and his fire attribute was naturally countered by the Far North. Once he entered the Far North, the influence of its heavenly might would inevitably cause his strength to plummet. He might not even be able to defeat the Titan Snow Demon King.

Not to mention the Two Emperors of Ice and Snow, who were far stronger than the Titan Snow Demon King among the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North.

Yet precisely because of this, Scarlet King was the most suitable Beast of Calamity for this operation.

His three hundred thousand years of cultivation could deter the insignificant rabble, his fire attribute could convey their goodwill on this journey, and his experience serving as the bodyguard of Bear Child Qiu'er had made his temperament more stable. Coupled with his identity as a beast from the Star Dou Forest, he naturally stood out once all these factors were considered.

Moreover, Qin Yue had interacted with Scarlet King the most, and Qiu'er was also most familiar with him. Persuading him had been far easier than persuading any of the other Beasts of Calamity.

There was one final point: Qin Yue had already ridden Scarlet King once in the Star Dou Forest. Under the influence of the broken-window effect, Scarlet King would not be especially opposed to Qin Yue riding him again. If Qin Yue had said the same thing to any other Beast King that could be ridden, they would probably have sent him flying straight to the Far North the instant he finished speaking.

Qin Yue's gaze swept over Scarlet King's uncomfortable-looking back. He cautiously met the gaze of Scarlet King, who was lowering his head to look at him.

Crack—! A sturdy ancient tree snapped in response, sliced in half by a single strike from a crimson tail. Its upper half crashed down onto the ground.

Scarlet King released another six snorts like Air Arrows, his tail flicking rapidly in short arcs behind him. He looked as though he was about to turn on Qin Yue at any moment.

Yet Electrolux, who had temporarily awakened within Qin Yue's Sea of Spirit, saw through him at once. He bluntly stated that the big dog before them only looked as if he were about to go berserk; in truth, his mental fluctuations remained extremely stable. It was merely a demonstrative protest.

"Ah~" Having received the reminder, Qin Yue sighed. He said nothing and merely put on an expression as though Qiu'er had entrusted herself to the wrong creature.

Scarlet King gave another "pfft," expelling six streams of air from his nostrils. He turned his mountain-like body and lay down, then said fiercely, "What are you waiting for?! Hurry up and settle your damned business. This king wants to return to the Star Dou Forest as soon as possible!"

The corners of Qin Yue's lips rose before quickly disappearing. He leaped onto Scarlet King's back, and Scarlet King, without bothering to see whether Qin Yue was seated firmly, immediately shot forward as a crimson blur, racing north toward the Far North at explosive speed.

Meanwhile, because Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had inexplicably sensed unease and decided to leave early, Huo Yuhao had also made his preparations. He saw off Wang Dong, who had likewise decided to leave the academy a day early, before setting out alone for the Far North.

Walking along the Imperial Road, Huo Yuhao admired scenery he had never bothered to notice before, his heart faintly stirring with excitement.

"Brother Sky Dream, how far north do we have to go?"

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, who was sleeping with his head down, did not even open his eyes. He replied lazily, "We're going to my hometown this time—the Far North at the northernmost edge of the continent. It isn't that far, only eight thousand li."

"Eight thousand li?" Huo Yuhao stared in shock. "It's only a Second Soul Ring. Do we really have to go that far?"

"This isn't as simple as a Soul Ring." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm grew much more serious. "We're going to help you awaken your Second Martial Soul. Let me ask you, is Qin Yue strong?"

"Strong!" Huo Yuhao nodded eagerly. "Brother Qin is the strongest Soul Master of the same age I've ever seen. And the feeling he gives me is the same as that Inner Court senior sister's—both are overwhelmingly powerful."

"That Fire Bird?" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm looked disdainful. "She only looks fierce. If they really fought, Qin Yue would one hundred percent beat her until she knelt and begged for mercy. Ultimate Martial Souls are just that overbearing!"

"Could it be?" Huo Yuhao's spirits rose. He was no fool, and he naturally caught the deeper meaning in Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's words.

"Looks like you've realized it. As expected of the person I chose." Remembering something, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm rolled about excitedly. "This trip to the Far North is to help you awaken an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul—one that can make up for the lack of offensive power in your Spirit Eye Martial Soul!"