The Snow Empress's Trail, Absolutely Cannot Be Tainted by the Holy Spirit Cult!

Months ago, while conducting soul beast experiments in the depths of the Frozen Sea, they accidentally discovered an extremely unique Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

That soul beast clearly possessed a terrifyingly powerful aura.

Yet its state was abnormally weak, and it frequently appeared near various ice-attribute natural spirit veins.

It seemed to be frantically absorbing energy, and based on their years of experience in researching soul beasts.

They quickly made a bold guess.

Transformation.

That soul beast was preparing to transform and recultivate.

To verify this hypothesis.

The two of them observed in secret in the Far North for half a month.

They finally confirmed it without a doubt, then immediately returned to the Holy Spirit Cult headquarters.

They borrowed this Level 9 Soul Tool, specifically designed to track the life fluctuations of high-level soul beasts, from the hands of the Supreme Cult Master Ye Xishui.

Now, the moment of harvest had finally arrived!

The brown-haired man couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

"A high-quality Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast transformation!"

"If we can capture it alive and bring it back to the Holy Cult."

"It will absolutely be a monumental contribution!"

"It might even provide a breakthrough for that project which has plagued the Holy Cult for years!"

Amidst the blizzard, the two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with endless madness and greed.

They then sped off in the direction of the red dot.

Yet what they did not know was that at this very moment, on the other side of this ice field.

A team was also rushing rapidly toward the area where they were located.

The sky of the Far North was a murky gray.

Thick clouds churned, resembling an icy curtain pressing down upon the earth.

And in such an environment, a silver-white light screen was suspended before Kong Deming.

On the light screen.

Was a real-time image from a high-altitude reconnaissance satellite.

Within the blizzard, two blurred figures were struggling forward.

Although the image flickered with ripples and static due to the interference of the wind and snow, it was still possible to lock onto the general position of the targets.

Kong Deming looked at the screen, his brows slightly furrowed, and he said with some surprise: "There really is someone."

He turned his head to look at Xu Tianyao beside him, his expression somewhat unreadable.

For this trip to the Far North, Xu Tianyao had actually managed to persuade Mingde Hall and the military to temporarily divert a military reconnaissance satellite responsible for monitoring the northern border to the Far North.

With this level of authorization, there were few people in the entire empire who could achieve such a feat.

Initially, Kong Deming had felt that this kid was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Now it seemed.

This kid had clearly been prepared for a long time.

Facing Kong Deming's scrutinizing gaze.

Xu Tianyao said with an excited expression: "Grandfather, let's follow them quickly; perhaps we will have an unexpected harvest."

"Oh?"

Kong Deming narrowed his eyes and asked: "You know them?"

Xu Tianyao nodded.

"If the intelligence is correct, they should be from the Holy Spirit Cult."

As soon as these words were spoken, Kong Deming's originally calm expression instantly turned gloomy.

Anger surged within those aged eyes.

"The Holy Spirit Cult?"

Seeing this reaction, Xu Tianyao felt a slight tightening in his heart.

He had anticipated that Kong Deming might be surprised or perhaps dissatisfied.

But he had not expected the other party's reaction to be so intense.

Kong Deming slowly turned around, his gaze fixed firmly on Xu Tianyao.

"When did you have contact with them?"

"Who gave you this information?"

"Is it Xu Tianran?"

Three consecutive questions made the surrounding atmosphere suddenly grow tense.

Xu Tianyao could even feel the vast, ocean-like Soul Power within Kong Deming beginning to fluctuate faintly.

Clearly, the old man before him was truly enraged.

Kong Deming certainly knew that Xu Tianran had secretly utilized the power of the Holy Spirit Cult.

During the palace coup years ago, when the old emperor's condition worsened and riots broke out across the land, the traces of the Holy Spirit Cult's activities were behind them all.

Regarding this, Kong Deming had chosen to turn a blind eye.

Because that was politics; it was the price that had to be paid for the transition of imperial power.

But Xu Tianran was Xu Tianran.

Xu Tianyao was Xu Tianyao.

The former was the Emperor of the Empire.

The latter, however, was the successor he had personally selected.

He was the junior he valued most, and the one he intended to cultivate by pouring in everything he had learned throughout his life.

He absolutely would not allow Xu Tianyao to have any involvement with that group of Evil Soul Masters.

Absolutely not!

Seeing the anger in Kong Deming's eyes, Xu Tianyao seemed to realize something; he appeared to have misunderstood a matter.

Kong Deming's tacit approval of Xu Tianran using the Holy Spirit Cult did not mean he identified with the Holy Spirit Cult.

And it certainly did not mean he would allow him to have contact with the Holy Spirit Cult.

It was highly likely that, just like any normal person, he detested the Holy Spirit Cult deeply and was perhaps even thinking of eradicating them at every waking moment.

Thinking of this, Xu Tianyao explained with a panicked expression, "Grandfather, you've misunderstood."

"I have no dealings with the Holy Spirit Cult whatsoever."

"Imperial Brother has never allowed me to come into contact with them either."

Kong Deming did not speak, merely watching him quietly, waiting for him to continue.

Xu Tianyao continued, "This piece of information was actually discovered by Imperial Brother's side."

"The Holy Spirit Cult has been secretly searching for high-level Soul Beasts recently, seemingly conducting some kind of experiment."

"A few months ago, they discovered a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the Far North that was in a peculiar state."

"After analysis, Imperial Brother suspects that the Soul Beast is very likely undergoing transformation and recultivation."

Hearing this, Kong Deming's gaze shifted slightly.

A transforming Soul Beast?

There was likely no one on this continent who did not know the value of those four words, for they represented a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone that were within reach.

Xu Tianyao continued, "If the intelligence is accurate, that is likely a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast possessing the Ultimate Ice attribute."

"And my Moon Martial Soul also possesses the Ultimate Ice attribute."

"That is why Imperial Brother had me bring this information to you."

"He wants to use the Holy Spirit Cult to find that Soul Beast."

"As for whether we can obtain the opportunity, that will depend on our luck."

The wind and snow howled, and Kong Deming remained silent for a moment before the coldness in his eyes slowly dissipated.

With his wisdom, he could naturally judge whether Xu Tianyao was lying.

A moment later, the old man slowly raised his hand and patted Xu Tianyao heavily on the shoulder.

"Remember."

"You may use Evil Soul Masters."

"You may observe Evil Soul Masters."

"But never identify with them, trust them, or rely on them."

"Some things, once you are stained by them, can never be washed clean."

Xu Tianyao felt a jolt in his heart and nodded earnestly, "Rest assured, Grandfather, I understand. Not only will I not become one of them, but once I am strong enough, I will eradicate them!"

Hearing Xu Tianyao speak of annihilating them, Kong Deming finally revealed a trace of a smile.

He even reached out to brush the accumulated snow from his shoulders, just like an ordinary elder.

"Very well, you've passed the test."

As he spoke, he looked back at the satellite screen in his hand.

At this moment, the image had begun to flicker incessantly, with vast swathes of static interference appearing wildly.

Clearly, the storm layer above the Far North was affecting the satellite signal.

Kong Deming furrowed his brows and muttered, "We cannot delay any longer."

"In this kind of weather, the satellite can hold out for at most another hour."

"Let's go, we must catch up to them quickly."

As his voice fell, the old man grabbed Xu Tianyao from the side and took a step forward, the silver-white soul guidance thrusters at his feet suddenly igniting.

His figure transformed into a streak of light, charging into the wind and snow.

And ahead of them, two Holy Spirit Cult Evil Soul Masters were advancing at high speed in the same direction; hidden within an ice cavern not far from them lay the greatest treasure of the Far North!