A Promise with the Auspicious Beast, the Tsundere Ice Empress Says One Thing and Means Another

"Alright?"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion sidled up and sniffed his hand.

"Alright." Dai Huabin nodded.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's tail started swishing again.

"That..."

"Let's go get some barbecue," Dai Huabin finished the sentence for her.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion nodded without hesitation, its golden vertical pupils glowing red.

"Wait for me!"

Before she finished speaking, she turned and rushed into the dense forest to the south.

The speed was outrageous; the golden figure flashed through the bushes a few times and disappeared.

The Scarlet King's three heads all turned to look at Dai Huabin.

Dai Huabin shrugged.

The Scarlet King remained silent.

About fifteen minutes later, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion ran out of the forest carrying a huge Soul Beast in its mouth.

The creature was covered in pale golden scales, had a wingspan of over six meters, and a pair of short, curved horns on its head. It was a light-attribute sub -Sub-Dragon, and judging from its size and aura, it had about four thousand years of cultivation.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion tossed the Soul Beast in front of Dai Huabin.

Can this be baked?

Dai Huabin looked at the Sub-Dragon on the ground, which was bigger than him, and thought about how to deal with it.

"Sure. But we'll have to scale them, bleed them, and remove their internal organs first."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion swung its tail even more enthusiastically.

"Okay, okay!"

The Scarlet King, listening nearby, rolled his eyes repeatedly, all six eyes on his three heads rolling over at the same time.

Without further ado, Dai Huabin took out tools from his backpack and began processing the Sub-Dragon.

Remove the scales, bleed, gut, and cut into pieces suitable for roasting.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion squatted to the side and watched the whole time, swallowing its saliva every now and then.

The Scarlet King couldn't take it anymore and turned his head away, refusing to look.

After the fire was lit, Dai Huabin placed the chopped meat pieces on his homemade grill and sprinkled them with salt and several seasonings he had brought with him.

The grease dripped into the fire, sizzling loudly.

When the aroma of meat wafted out, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's nostrils twitched several times.

The Scarlet King's middle head unconsciously turned back and sniffed.

Dai Huabin noticed it.

"Senior Scarlet King, would you like a piece?"

"No need," the Scarlet King replied quickly.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion glanced at the Scarlet King.

The Scarlet King turned his head away again.

Once the first batch of meat was roasted, Dai Huabin handed the largest piece to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, and cut off a small piece for himself, taking a couple of bites.

Ice Empress's voice echoed in my mind:

"Leave me a piece."

Dai Huabin was taken aback.

"Weren't you refining the Profound Ice Marrow?"

"I'm refining things and I'm eating things. Enough talk, pick the biggest one."

Helpless, Dai Huabin cut off a piece of Sub-Dragon hind leg meat weighing at least two pounds, roasted it until golden brown and crispy, and put it into the passage of the Undead Semi-Plane.

After a moment of silence from Ice Empress, a subtle sense of satisfaction emanated from the Blood Pact.

Although she would never admit it.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, biting into a large piece of meat, asked indistinctly:

"Who did you give the meat to just now?"

Ice Empress.

"Oh oh."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion chewed twice, swallowed, and said, "She likes roasted meat too."

Who wouldn't like it?

The nostril on the right side of the Scarlet King's head twitched.

Dai Huabin cut another piece, grilled it, and held it up towards the Scarlet King.

Scarlet King: "No need."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, biting into a piece of meat, mumbled, "Scarlet King, just have one piece."

The Scarlet King remained silent for five seconds.

The middle head slowly stretched out and snatched the piece of meat.

After chewing twice, the expressions on the three heads changed simultaneously.

The Scarlet King offered no comment, but he also didn't turn his head back.

Dai Huabin cut three more pieces, grilled them, and placed them in front of the Scarlet King one by one.

The Scarlet King ate one piece from each of his three heads very quickly.

After finishing his meal, Zhongdi cleared his throat.

The taste was just average.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion slapped the ground with its tail.

The Scarlet King added, "But it's not like it's inedible."

Dai Huabin's lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.

After dinner, Dai Huabin began packing his things.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion lay beside the fire, its front paws still greasy, and it licked them clean for quite a while.

She looked up as Dai Huabin stuffed the tools into his backpack one by one, the red light in his golden vertical pupils dimming.

"Are you leaving?"

"Hmm." Dai Huabin fastened his backpack. "I have other things to take care of."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's tail drooped down.

Will you come again?

Dai Huabin crouched down and looked her in the eye.

"I'm going back to the Shrek Academy in a month. I'll come visit you again before I start school."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared at him for several seconds, then the red light in its vertical pupils flared up again.

"Then it's a deal."

"It's a promise."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion extended a dragon claw, and Dai Huabin extended his fist, which touched the claw.

The golden flames beneath the dragon's claws were warm and had a peculiar feel.

The Scarlet King stood behind, his three heads displaying expressions that seemed to hold back words. He wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words.

How could this human have caught the Auspicious Beast completely off guard?

"They're gone."

Dai Huabin stood up and patted the Three-Eyed Golden Lion on the head.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion rubbed against his hand, then turned and ran back to the Scarlet King's side, glancing back once more.

Dai Huabin waved to her and turned to walk south along the forest path.

This time, Dai Huabin did not rush to try to Fate Connection.

The timing isn't right, my favorability with the Auspicious Beast isn't high enough, and the Scarlet King is right beside me; it's best to proceed cautiously.

Of course, the real interaction between Huo Yuhao and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion in the original novel happens after the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.

So for Dai Huabin, there is still plenty of time. Huo Yuhao should be happily preparing to go to the Far North to find the Ice Empress.

It was already evening when we emerged from the southern edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Dai Huabin calculated the date.

Since leaving Shrek Academy, I have gone to the Far North to sign Blood Pact, looted two palaces, raided Dragon City, plundered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, consumed Immortal Herb to break through my limits, and ventured deep into the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Ice Ridge Tiger.

All things considered, tomorrow is the day Shrek Academy is on holiday.

He was planning his next move. The Ice Empress sent a ripple through the Blood Pact; she had finished refining this stage of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow and no longer wanted to stay in the demiplane.

"Let me out."

Ice Empress's voice echoed in my mind, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"You want to come out?"

"After being in that drab, gray space for so long, I need some fresh air."

Dai Huabin found a secluded corner by the official road and opened a passage to the Undead Semi-Plane.

A girl who was a little over 1.5 meters tall walked out of the silver-gray light gate.

Her dark green pigtails swayed behind her head. She wore a white fitted short skirt with green trim, a hooded jacket, and white ankle boots—the same outfit she bought in Dragon City last time.

Ice Empress stood on the official road and looked around.

Where is this?

Shrek City.

Ice Empress raised his chin, looking at the lights shining on the castle wall not far away, his emerald green pupils reflecting a warm yellow light.

"That's where you went to school?"

"Right."

Ice Empress let out a soft snort.

"Lead the way."

The two entered Shrek City.

Shrek City is much more lively than Dragon City at night.

Shops lined both sides of the street, and the steam from the food stalls carried a medley of food aromas. Loud noises of finger-guessing games drifted from the taverns, and occasionally a few students in the Outer Academy uniforms would run past from the street corner.

This was the first time Ice Empress had been in such a densely populated human settlement.

Her pace slowed unconsciously, her emerald green pupils scanning the surroundings.

A vendor selling candied hawthorns walked by on a shoulder pole, and Ice Empress's head turned halfway around in response.

What is that?

"Candied hawthorn berries coated in sugar, sweet and sour."

"Buy me a skewer."

Dai Huabin took out his money and bought two skewers, handing one to Ice Empress.

Ice Empress took it and took a bite.

With a "crack," the sugar shell shattered, and the sweet and sour taste exploded in my mouth.

Her expression didn't change much, but she chewed noticeably faster.

He finished the whole skewer in three bites.

Dai Huabin handed over his own string of beads as well.

Ice Empress took the skewer naturally and ate it even faster than the first one.

Dai Huabin then took her to a stall selling meat-filled sesame seed cakes.

The owner, a plump middle-aged woman, deftly split the crispy sesame flatbread in half, stuffed in a large spoonful of braised minced meat, drizzled it with chili oil and vinegar, and handed it over.

Ice Empress held a meat-filled flatbread and took a big bite.

Oil dripped down the corner of her mouth, and she wiped it with the back of her hand.

Dai Huabin handed over a handkerchief.

Ice Empress took it, wiped his mouth, and continued eating.

The two of them walked along the main street, eating as they went: candied hawthorn, meat-filled sesame flatbread, roasted sweet potatoes, glutinous rice balls, and noodles with soybean paste.

At Ice Empress, I tried everything, and I ate everything as if it were my right.

After finishing a bowl of jajangmyeon (noodles with soybean paste), Ice Empress placed the bowl on the table and put his hands on his hips.

Dai Huabin was wiping the sauce that had spilled on the table for her.

"What are you laughing at?" Ice Empress suddenly asked.

"No, I didn't laugh."

"The emotions transmitted through your Blood Pact cannot deceive this emperor."

A slight blush rose on Ice Empress's face, and she tossed her two dark green ponytails, tilting her head back with a haughty air.

Do you think I'm a child?

Dai Huabin paused for a moment while wiping the table.

"No."

"Snort."

Ice Empress stood with his hands on his hips, his 1.5-meter height shifting slightly on his tiptoes, leaning forward two inches.

"I've lived all these years, and in front of me you're nothing but an ant that hasn't even hatched from an egg. What right do you have to treat me like a child?"

Dai Huabin nodded seriously.

"Ice Empress is right. You are Three Great Heavenly Kings of the Far North and ranked seventh among the Ten Great Fierce Beasts. This junior would never dare to show the slightest disrespect."

Ice Empress snorted and withdrew their heels.

"You're smart to know what's good for you."

She turned around, took two steps forward, then stopped and looked back.

What does that stall over there sell?

"Candied fruit."

"Purchase."

Dai Huabin followed.

Through the Blood Pact, he could clearly sense Ice Empress's emotions at that moment: curiosity, novelty, a slight excitement, and a touch of stubbornness that didn't want to be seen through.

Having been in the Douluo Continent for so long, his feelings for Ice Empress are different from his feelings for other characters.

In the original work, Ice Empress was one of his favorite characters.

Arrogant and powerful, Ice Empress is willing to risk everything once they've set their mind on something.

After signing the Blood Pact, this superficial goodwill transformed into a real bond of souls.

Ice Empress could sense Dai Huabin's emotions, and Ice Empress 'Dai Huabin thoughts.

This isn't something that can be faked.

Ice Empress suddenly stopped in their tracks, without turning around.

"What nonsense are you thinking?"

Dai Huabin composed himself.

"Thinking about tomorrow's plans."

"Hmph, you're kidding me." Ice Empress uttered two words and continued walking forward.

But Ice Empress didn't press the matter further.

That evening, Dai Huabin found an inn in the city and booked two rooms. After receiving the room keys, Ice Empress glanced back at him before closing the door.

What are the plans for tomorrow?

"Go to the college gate to pick someone up."

Ice Empress's emerald green pupils narrowed slightly.

"Your classmates?"

"Hmm. The academy is closed tomorrow, they should come out then."

Ice Empress pursed his lips, said nothing, and closed the door with a click.

Standing in the corridor, Dai Huabin sensed an indescribable emotional fluctuation coming from the other end of the Blood Pact through the wooden door.

It wasn't anger, nor was it dissatisfaction.

More like...

The next morning, Dai Huabin got ready and led Ice Empress to the east gate of the Shrek Academy.

Today is the first day of holiday for students of the Outer Academy. Many students have already started leaving the school gate. Some are carrying their luggage and rushing home, while others are going into the city in groups of three or five.

Ice Empress stood next to Dai Huabin, his hood covering most of his face, his hands in his jacket pockets, giving off an unapproachable vibe.

However, her exposed fair chin and emerald green hair still attracted the attention of many passing students.

Dai Huabin leaned against a stone pillar outside the East Gate and waited for about fifteen minutes.

Four people walked out of the school gate.