Hundred-Thousand-Year Ice Bird

Qian Yufeng released A-Luo. As a Soul Spirit, she was completely unaffected by the cold.

She looked at the vast expanse of white around her and asked in confusion, "Where are we?"

"This is the Far North, one of the continent's most dangerous regions. There are Soul Beast powerhouses here no weaker than the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King!" Qian Yufeng explained.

"What? There are powerful Soul Beasts here too?" A-Luo was briefly shocked.

But she quickly realized this was not why Qian Yufeng had brought her here and asked again, "What do you want me to do?"

"I want to investigate the Ice Birds' nest. Their nests are usually close to Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow."

"Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow is a rare natural treasure. It should have a special attraction for you, so I need your help finding the Ice Birds' nest."

Qian Yufeng spoke directly.

The moment A-Luo heard the words "natural treasure," her eyes lit up.

She circled Qian Yufeng once, then said confidently, "Leave it to me!"

Then she rapidly sniffed the air with her little nose, searching for places where spiritual energy was dense.

Shui Lingfeng watched A-Luo's movements curiously. Was this Soul Spirit really so miraculous?

The answer came quickly. A-Luo sniffed several spots before finally locking onto the area between two ice mountains ahead.

"A-Feng, that place has a very rich fragrance."

Qian Yufeng knew this was the target he had been looking for.

He said to Shui Lingfeng and the two maids, "Let's go. That is the place I want to search."

Then, with A-Luo leading the way, the four of them headed toward that location.

After crossing a small snow-covered mountain, a cave appeared before them.

A-Luo immediately said, "There's a very rich fragrance coming from that cave entrance. I wonder if it's hiding a large amount of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow."

Qian Yufeng sensed a faint Soul Beast aura, one that was in no way inferior to the Evil Tiger Demon Whale King they had encountered before.

Qian Lingxin's eyes filled with vigilance as she said, "Master, there is a dangerous aura hidden inside that cave!"

Qian Lingsu also prepared to strike at any moment. Her eyes remained fixed on the cave entrance, while her martial soul, the Pure Heart Sword, appeared in her right hand.

"That's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! I never expected a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to be hiding in that cave too!" A-Luo said again.

She could clearly sense its presence and was certain it was the aura of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? Doesn't that mean I've hit the jackpot?!" Shui Lingfeng was thrilled.

This trip had been absurdly profitable!

Heh, I got to freeload my way to victory again. This feels amazing!

Qian Yufeng looked at the three of them and said, "Wait here. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast already possesses intelligence, so I'll try to communicate with it first."

If Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were all like the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, eating when awake and sleeping after eating, the Heavenly Tribulation would generally overlook them.

After all, it was a spiritual-type Soul Beast and looked completely harmless.

If this Hundred-Thousand-Year Ice Bird had been secretly absorbing Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow without revealing itself, the Heavenly Tribulation would not descend.

But once it appeared, the Heavenly Tribulation would erupt instantly, and the other Soul Beasts nearby would suffer as well.

Qian Yufeng guessed that this fellow had sensed the existence of the Heavenly Tribulation and did not dare show itself.

But it could not keep hiding like this forever.

There was an old saying from his previous life: everyone must die eventually; whether early or late, death would come all the same.

The Heavenly Tribulation was something the God Realm used against Soul Beasts. Once it locked onto a target, it would not disappear.

After saying that, Qian Yufeng took A-Luo and quickly arrived at the cave entrance.

Since this was the territory of a powerful Soul Beast, naturally no other Soul Beasts would venture here.

The moment Qian Yufeng entered the cave, a man's voice came from within. "Human, you trespassed into my cave. What do you want?!"

Before he could speak, A-Luo said first, "Big bird, are you afraid of the Heavenly Tribulation outside?!"

As soon as she said that, it seemed to strike a sore spot, and the cave fell silent again.

Qian Yufeng seized the opportunity and continued forward.

About five minutes later, he saw a peculiar Ice Bird.

It was half the size of an ordinary Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Bird, but its pupils were black like those of a human.

(Appearance based on Pokémon Articuno)

"Based on your cultivation, I should address you as the Ice Bird Emperor."

"Human, what do you want? Your cultivation is strong, but this is my territory!"

The Ice Bird warned him, though its gaze fell upon A-Luo.

This little creature gave off the aura of a Soul Beast.

"You have hidden in this cave to avoid the Hundred-Thousand-Year Heavenly Tribulation."

"But your strength is insufficient to survive the Heavenly Tribulation."

As Qian Yufeng finished speaking, A-Luo spoke again.

"Big bird, although you've reached a hundred thousand years, you're worse off than I was back then. At least I got to eat plenty of delicious food out at sea!"

After saying that, A-Luo circled the Ice Bird once.

She chuckled. "You can become like me too. Then you won't need to fear the Heavenly Tribulation."

The Ice Bird asked doubtfully, "You are a Soul Beast from the sea. What is your original form?"

A-Luo answered, "Me? I'm a Golden Conch, a hundred-thousand-year one!"

After hearing her answer, the Ice Bird's entire body emitted an icy blue radiance, forcing Qian Yufeng to close his eyes.

When he opened them again, the Ice Bird had transformed into human form.

"Human, I gave myself a human name: Han Feng."

The Ice Bird had transformed into a man named Han Feng. Pointing at A-Luo, he said, "You want me to become like her and thereby avoid the Heavenly Tribulation?"

Qian Yufeng nodded. "That's right. A-Luo is a Soul Spirit, meaning a Soul Beast continues to exist in the form of a soul."

"However, I will not be the one signing the contract with you. He is waiting outside the cave."

Han Feng asked again, "Human, when can the contract be lifted?"

Qian Yufeng replied, "Once he becomes a god, you can regain your freedom."

"A god?!" Han Feng had lived in the Far North for tens of thousands of years, yet he had never heard any accounts of gods.

"The Heavenly Tribulation your Soul Beasts face is a law established by the legendary gods. Gods do indeed exist, and I am confident I can help the partner you are about to contract with become a god."

Facing Han Feng's doubts, Qian Yufeng spoke again.

"Gods really do exist. There's a Sea God out at sea, and I've even seen his statue," A-Luo added.

Either way, I'll die. If I refuse, this human will probably have the two powerhouses outside force their way in. Then the cave will collapse, and I'll still have to face the Heavenly Tribulation...

Han Feng sighed inwardly. It seemed he could only gamble on that sliver of hope.

"Human, bring in the human who will sign the contract with me." He ultimately accepted Qian Yufeng's suggestion.

"Good. Don't worry, you definitely won't regret your choice today!" Qian Yufeng said with a smile.

Soon, Qian Yufeng returned with Shui Lingfeng and the two maids in tow.

Shui Lingfeng looked at the man before him. So this was the Soul Beast that would form a contract with him.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Ice Bird—just thinking about it made him excited.

Qian Yufeng looked at the two of them and took out a massive carpet covered in strange patterns.

After spreading it on the ground, he said, "Ling Feng, Han Feng, stand on it!"

Once the two were in position, Qian Yufeng said again, "Ling Feng, recite the incantation I taught you!"

"*&#%￥..." Shui Lingfeng began chanting as well, and the patterns on the carpet gradually lit up.

A miraculous scene unfolded as a contract appeared between the two of them.

"Drip your blood onto it and complete the contract!"

Under Qian Yufeng's guidance, the two quickly completed the Soul Spirit Contract.

Han Feng's figure vanished and merged into Shui Lingfeng's body.

Before long, a chibi Ice Bird appeared above his head.

"I am the Soul Spirit Han Feng!"

Shui Lingfeng did not mind that he was sitting atop his head. Instead, he asked, "What about my soul rings?"

"Please wait, it'll be ready shortly!" Soul Spirit Han Feng swooshed into Shui Lingfeng's body, and then a red soul ring appeared.

Immediately afterward, Shui Lingfeng's other soul rings appeared one by one.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, red!

At that moment, the problem of obtaining his soul rings was completely resolved!