Snow Emperor

Everyone gasped, terrified, and retreated repeatedly.

Emperor Xue Ye's face turned pale, but as a shrewd and calculating monarch, he quickly suppressed the fear in his heart and forced a smile.

"What is Captain Xue doing? It is merely my subordinates who do not understand the rules and have disturbed a distinguished guest."

To win over such a peerless monster possessing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, what was a little bit of imperial dignity?

If the hard approach wouldn't work, then he would try the soft one.

Emperor Xue Ye clapped his hands.

The beaded curtain of the side hall was lifted.

A slender figure, surrounded by a group of palace maids, slowly walked into the hall.

The breathing in the hall suddenly grew a bit heavier.

The person who arrived was none other than the most noble princess of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ke.

She wore a luxurious pale gold gown, her golden hair styled into an exquisite bun, and a brilliant crown rested upon her head.

Her features were peerlessly delicate, and her temperament was pure and noble, untainted by the mortal world.

Xue Ke walked to the center of the hall and curtsied slightly.

"Father."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded with satisfaction.

"Ke'er, go offer a toast to Captain Xue Tianyu. Entertain our distinguished guest well on my behalf."

Xue Ke raised her head, her gaze landing on the young man in white sitting at the head of the left row.

During the day at the Great Soul Arena, she had been in the VIP box.

The scene of that man crushing Yu Tianxin with one hand was deeply branded into her mind.

Seeing Xue Tianyu's god-like face up close now, Xue Ke's heart began to beat uncontrollably fast.

She held a cup of jade nectar in both hands and walked with small, dainty steps to Xue Tianyu's table.

"Captain Xue, Ke'er offers you a toast."

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying a hint of the reserve unique to royalty, yet her hands holding the wine cup trembled slightly.

Xue Tianyu raised his eyes to look her over.

She was indeed a rare beauty.

She lacked the cold elegance of Shui Bing'er, but possessed an extra touch of high-born delicacy.

"Leave it there."

His tone was indifferent, and he did not reach out to take it.

Xue Ke froze in place, a flash of embarrassment crossing her beautiful face.

She was an imperial princess; when had she ever been ignored like this?

Which of those princes and nobles hadn't held her in the palms of their hands?

But with her father's orders first, she could only bite her red lips and gently place the wine cup on the table.

Shui Bing'er glanced coldly at Xue Ke from behind, her eyes filled with intense wariness.

Shui Yue'er even puffed out her chest without the slightest hesitation, as if to show off to Xue Ke.

The banquet progressed into its latter half.

Emperor Xue Ye made an excuse about not being able to hold his liquor and rose to leave.

Before leaving, he gave Xue Ke a meaningful look.

Xue Ke understood, walked to Xue Tianyu's side, and bowed slightly.

A glimpse of skin as white as frost and snow was revealed at her neckline.

"Captain Xue, the main hall is too noisy. Fine hangover soup has been prepared in the side hall; would you like me to take you there to rest for a moment?"

Xue Tianyu set down his wine cup.

"Lead the way."

The two left the hall one after the other, passing through winding corridors until they arrived at a quiet side hall.

The side hall was lit with high-quality calming incense and was decorated with extreme luxury.

The wide, soft couch was covered with the fur of a snow-white polar fox.

The door closed behind them, shutting out all the noise.

Xue Ke walked to the table, poured a bowl of hangover soup, and brought it before Xue Tianyu.

At this moment, only the two of them were in the room.

Xue Ke's original nobility and reserve faded slightly, replaced by the nervous demeanor of a young girl.

"Captain Xue, please partake."

Xue Tianyu did not take the bowl, instead sitting directly on the wide, cushioned daybed, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe with aggressive intensity.

"You know exactly why your Imperial Father sent you here."

Xue Ke's hand trembled, and a few drops of hot soup splashed onto the back of her fair hand, causing her to frown slightly at the sting.

Of course she knew.

To win over a peerless powerhouse possessing an Ultimate Martial Soul and a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, marriage was the most effective tool.

She was nothing more than a gift delivered to his doorstep.

Yet, she did not resist.

On the Douluo Continent, the strong were revered. The man before her possessed the power to easily crush an empire.

Becoming the woman of such a man was the destiny she had dreamed of.

Xue Ke placed the bowl on the table and took a deep breath.

She walked before Xue Tianyu, her knees softening as she slowly knelt on the plush carpet.

With this action, she trampled the dignity of a Heaven Dou Empire princess beneath her feet.

"Ke'er understands," she said, lifting her head, her beautiful eyes shimmering like rippling water. "To serve you is Ke'er's honor."

Xue Tianyu let out a cold laugh.

"Is this how you act, fawning and subservient, all the time?"

Xue Ke's face paled, and she hurriedly shook her head.

"No! Before others, Ke'er is a high and mighty princess, but before you, Ke'er is merely an ordinary woman who admires you."

As she spoke, she reached out with trembling hands, resting them upon Xue Tianyu's knees.

"You are too strong. The moment I saw you on the arena stage during the day, my heart was stolen by you. Even if my Imperial Father hadn't arranged this, I would have wanted to be yours."

Xue Tianyu extended two fingers, pinching her smooth chin and forcing her to look up.

"To be my woman, you must not only be beautiful, but also obedient."

"Ke'er is very obedient."

She pressed her cheek against his palm of her own accord, greedily soaking in his cold, detached aura.

The blend of imperial nobility and maidenly purity in Xue Ke was indeed enough to easily stir a man's desire for conquest.

Especially when such a high-born golden branch and jade leaf was willing to kneel at your feet and beg for favor.

Xue Tianyu's hand moved downward, tracing her slender swan-like neck and sliding across her delicate collarbone.

Xue Ke shuddered, her breathing becoming rapid.

She bit her red lip and took the initiative to undo the sash of her long dress.

The luxurious pale gold gown slid down her fair shoulders, piling at her waist.

Beneath it, she wore only a thin silk bodice.

Her proud curves were visible through the dim light.

Xue Ke closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, as she lifted her slender neck like a sacrificial offering.

"Please, enjoy."

Xue Tianyu grabbed her slender waist, lifting her entirely from the floor.

He tossed her casually onto the wide daybed.

Xue Ke let out a soft cry as she sank into the soft snow-fox fur.

Before she could rise, Xue Tianyu's tall frame had already pressed down upon her.

Several days later. Martial Soul City.

This magnificent city, standing at the junction of the two great empires, welcomed the final showdown of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Pope Mountain towered into the clouds, and the Pope Palace shone with sacred golden light under the sun.

In the exclusive guest area in the south of the city, the Skywater Team was settled into the most luxurious Hot Spring Palace in Martial Soul City.

In the private courtyard behind the palace, mist swirled. A massive natural geothermal hot spring emitted wisps of white steam.

A few vibrant red rose petals floated on the surface of the water.

Xue Tianyu leaned against the edge of the pool built from bluestone, his arms resting casually on the rim.

As the water rippled, it revealed his perfectly defined, flawless chest.

He kept his eyes closed, his expression languid, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Several days had passed since he left Heaven Dou City. The spring scenery in the side hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace that night had not left him with any lingering attachment.

Even the high and mighty Imperial Princess was, in his eyes, nothing more than a somewhat obedient plaything.

The trends of the world and the imperial power of empires were all like ants before his absolute strength.

A crisp, charming voice rang out beside his ear.

"Tianyu."

Accompanied by a splashing sound, a petite and exquisite, soft body pressed against his right arm.

Ice Emperor emerged from the water, wrapping her arms around Xue Tianyu's neck.

Her crystal-clear, emerald-green hair was dampened by the water, draping silkily over her snow-white shoulders.

Her peerlessly delicate face held a hint of playfulness, and water droplets slid down the tip of her dainty nose.

Beneath the thin, sheer bathrobe, her proud curves were faintly visible, exuding a natural, innate allure.

Xue Tianyu opened his eyes, turning his head to look at the stunning girl in his arms.

He raised his hand, gently brushing away a strand of wet hair clinging to her cheek.

"Why aren't you soaking in the front with Shui Bing'er and the others?"

Ice Emperor pouted, her beautiful emerald eyes filled with disdain.

"That group of little girls is chattering away; it's so noisy. Besides, the way they look at you—they look like they want to swallow you whole. I'm not going to squeeze in with them."

As she complained, she pressed her body even harder into Xue Tianyu's embrace.

She greedily absorbed the trace of extreme cold aura emanating from him, a remnant of the Ice Heaven Snow Lotus.

For a soul beast from the Far North, the climate in Martial Soul City was far too warm.

Only by leaning against this man could she feel truly comfortable.

Xue Tianyu chuckled, pinching her pert nose.

"The dignified Ice Emperor, one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North, has actually learned to be jealous of a few young girls?"

Ice Emperor gave a light huff, lifting her fair, small face.

"I am not jealous. You are mine, and no one can take you away. If it weren't for the fact that Shui Bing'er and the others serve you quite diligently, I would have already frozen them all into ice sculptures."

Recalling how the girls from the Skywater Team had been serving him closely these past few days, Ice Emperor felt a bit displeased.

Back in the Far North, she was the only one who could accompany Xue Tianyu at such close range.

Since they were twelve, they had joined forces to slaughter their way across this Douluo Continent.

Whether it was the Soul-Eater Python or the Frost Giant Bear, all had been reduced to dust under their Absolute Zero.

This bond was not something a few mortal women could compare to.

Xue Tianyu took the opportunity to wrap his arm around her slender waist, pulling her to sit on his lap.

Feeling the astonishing softness against his palm, his gaze deepened.

"Don't worry, they are merely servants. You are the one who will walk to the peak with me."

Hearing these words, a moving blush appeared on Ice Emperor's beautiful cheeks.

She obediently rested her head on Xue Tianyu's broad chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat.

"Tianyu, the air in this Martial Soul City carries a scent that I find very unpleasant."

She furrowed her delicate brows, her tone filled with a hint of disgust.

"Inside that Pope Palace, there are several auras hiding like rats. And that woman named Qian Renxue—after being rejected by you last time, she surely won't let it go."

Xue Tianyu picked up a cup of iced spirits from the wooden tray beside him and downed it in one gulp.

A terrifying killing intent flashed through his deep eyes.

"If Qian Renxue behaves herself, I will spare her life. If she dares to play any tricks during the finals, I don't mind turning this Martial Soul City into a second Extreme North Ice Plains."

He toyed with the empty wine glass in his hand, his fingertips applying slight pressure.

With a crisp "crack," the hard crystal glass instantly turned into a cluster of crystalline ice powder, falling into the water with a soft rustle.

"Whether we face the Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall or that waste Tang San, the outcome is already set. This championship is mine."

Ice Emperor looked up at the man's domineering, peerless profile, her eyes filled with infatuation.

This was the man she had chosen.

The only peerless monster in this world, an unrivaled king.

She extended her slender fingers, gently tracing the faint Ice Phoenix totem on Xue Tianyu's chest.

"When the tournament ends, shall we return to the Far North? I miss home. And..."

She paused, biting her red lip, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

"And there, you promised to help me break through my next heavenly tribulation."

Xue Tianyu backhanded her wrist, pinning it against the pool wall. Water splashed everywhere.

Ice Emperor let out a soft cry, her body completely enveloped by Xue Tianyu's tall frame.

"Breaking through a heavenly tribulation requires quite a bit of stamina."

Xue Tianyu looked down at her, his tone casual.

"Are you prepared to repay me?"

Ice Emperor did not retreat; instead, she boldly met his gaze.

Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her breath sweet as orchids.

"I am entirely yours; you may have me repay you however you wish."

The distance between the two grew ever smaller, their breathing gradually mingling.

Although the temperature in the Hot Spring Palace was high, under the convergence of their extreme cold Martial Souls, a thin layer of frost began to condense upon the surface of the water.

The atmosphere became incredibly amorous.

Just as this dry tinder and raging fire were about to ignite.

On the main road outside Martial Soul City, a peerless, beautiful figure appeared.

White snowflakes danced across the sky, falling without warning outside the sun-drenched Martial Soul City.

A woman with hair as white as snow slowly took a step forward.

She wore a pristine, snow-white dress, and her long, silver-white hair cascaded down to her ankles.

Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding a noble and cold detachment, as if she were untainted by the mortal world.

In those eyes, clear as sapphires, not a single ripple of emotion could be seen.

It seemed that all the splendor of this world could not catch her eye.

The two rows of Temple Knights guarding the city gate froze in place the moment they saw this woman.

They could not even manage the motion of drawing their swords.

An extreme cold pressure struck their souls, pinning them firmly to the spot.

This was not a suppression of Soul Power, but an aura of absolute superiority stemming from the depths of her bloodline.

The woman did not spare them a glance, walking straight through the towering gate and stepping into this capital where all Soul Masters made their pilgrimage.

With every step she took, a magnificent ice lotus bloomed upon the bluestone slabs beneath her feet.

A Cardinal standing atop the city wall watched that receding white silhouette, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

He was a powerhouse of the Soul Saint rank, yet in the face of that woman's aura, he could not summon the slightest desire to resist.

It was as if he were standing before a true deity.

At the same time.

Inside the Hot Spring Palace.

Ice Emperor, who was currently embracing Xue Tianyu, suddenly paused.

She whipped her head around, looking toward the direction of the Martial Soul City gate.

A burst of wild joy erupted within her emerald-green eyes.