The Snow Emperor's Dominance: Di Tian Must Come to the Far North Himself!

"It was this object that led me to find him."

Red King said in a deep, heavy voice:

"Di Tian explained that this is a token from The Master, containing a trace of his original essence. Once it draws near the target, the scale will naturally react and emit light; there is no chance of error."

It held the scale aloft, pointing it toward Xue Chen.

Sure enough, the light on the scale seemed to brighten, and there was even a faint sense of an invisible connection between it and Xue Chen.

Snow Emperor's gaze remained locked onto the strange silver scale. She could feel an ancient and noble aura emanating from it, one that far surpassed any dragon-type soul beast she had ever encountered.

Two-thirds of the suspicion she had originally harbored vanished in an instant.

She had long known that Xue Chen's origins were extraordinary and that a shocking secret lay hidden within him. But she had never imagined that this extraordinariness could be linked to the core of the Star Dou Forest, located tens of thousands of miles away, which symbolized the pinnacle of all soul beasts.

Watching the silver scale resonate faintly with Xue Chen, a layer of deep gravity settled over Snow Emperor's exquisite face.

What Red King said was likely not without foundation.

Chen'er's background was probably even more astonishing than she had imagined, and with it would inevitably come greater turmoil and unknowns.

The palace fell into a sudden silence, with everyone's eyes focused on the glowing scale and the bewildered Xue Chen.

Although Red King's words were supported by the token and sounded logical, Snow Emperor was the Lord of the Far North; how could her mind be anything but meticulous and steady?

She could never simply hand over Xue Chen—whom she had raised for years and treated as her own flesh and blood—based solely on the other party's one-sided story and a glowing scale.

This matter involved too much, hiding secrets that made even her feel a tremor of fear.

Light swirled in Snow Emperor's eyes. After careful deliberation, she raised her gaze to look at Red King, her ethereal voice carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:

"Red King, I will take note of your words for now. But Xue Chen is of the Far North, and more importantly, he is my child. Your word and this scale alone are not enough for me to hand him over to you."

She paused slightly, her tone calm yet carrying an invisible pressure:

"Go back and report to Di Tian. If this matter is truly of such great importance and involves the core of Star Dou, let him come to the Far North himself to discuss it with me in person. Otherwise, there is nothing more to say."

The expressions on Red King's three heads stiffened simultaneously. It knew that with Snow Emperor having spoken to this extent, it would be impossible to take Xue Chen away today.

A sense of stifled frustration and anger welled up in its heart. As one of the ten great fierce beasts, when had it ever been treated with such neglect?

But the situation was stronger than the individual. Facing the three great rulers of the Far North, it dared not show this emotion and could only force it down.

It took a deep breath, struggling to keep its voice steady:

"Since Snow Emperor has said so, I shall naturally convey your words."

It turned its gaze toward Xue Chen, its massive claw holding the silver scale as it reached out:

"Wait. Snow Emperor, I can refrain from taking him for now. But this object was specifically entrusted by The Master to be given to the Young Master. Since The Master has bestowed this, it must have a vital purpose for the Young Master. I ask that the Young Master accept it."

The silver scale hovered quietly before Xue Chen, radiating a sense of familiarity and intimacy that he felt deep within his own bloodline.

He reached out instinctively, and the scale landed lightly in his palm. It felt warm and cool to the touch, and that sense of a blood connection became even clearer.

Xue Chen looked up, his eyes filled with inquiry as he gazed at Snow Emperor.

Snow Emperor stared at the scale; she could feel that the power contained within it held no malice. She nodded slightly, signaling that Xue Chen could accept it.

With Snow Emperor's permission, Xue Chen carefully hung the strange silver scale around his neck.

As the scale pressed against the skin of his chest, that warm, cool sensation seemed to merge directly into his bloodline, bringing him an inexplicable sense of peace.

Seeing Xue Chen accept the scale, Red King breathed a secret sigh of relief; it had finally completed a portion of the task entrusted by The Master.

It lingered no longer, its massive body turning toward the palace exit. Before leaving, it took one last deep look at Xue Chen, its three heads bowing in unison as it delivered a solemn message:

"Young Master, take care!"

With that, Red King did not stay any longer. A flash of dark red light erupted from its body, and it transformed into a streak of light, speeding away toward the Star Dou Forest in the south.

It needed to report everything that had happened here to the Beast God, Di Tian, as quickly as possible.

Inside the Ice Crystal Palace, the tense atmosphere eased slightly following Red King's departure, but a greater mystery now hung over everyone's hearts.

Xue Chen touched the warm, cool scale on his chest, his young face filled with confusion and contemplation.

The Young Master of the Star Dou Forest? What on earth was going on?

Snow Emperor looked at the bewildered and uneasy Xue Chen, her eyes filled with nothing but tenderness and resolve.

She gently pulled Xue Chen to her side, her ethereal voice soft and steady:

"Chen'er, do not worry, and there is no need to be afraid.

As long as you do not wish it, Mother will do everything in her power to keep you safe.

No matter who the other party is, be it Red King or Di Tian, it makes no difference."

Her voice was not loud, yet it was filled with unwavering resolve.

Ice Emperor walked over as well, uncharacteristically setting aside her usual haughtiness. She reached out to pat Xue Chen's back, her tone analytical yet soothing:

"You brat, stop scaring yourself.

According to what that fellow Red King said, you are likely an existence of extreme importance to the Star Dou Forest.

Since that is the case, not only will they not harm you, they might even go to great lengths to protect you.

Look on the bright side; you've just gained even more powerful backing."

Hearing the comfort and assurances of his three closest kin, the taut string in Xue Chen's heart finally slackened, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

However, his mind remained a chaotic mess, as if stuffed with paste.

Everything that had just occurred had only served to make his identity as a transmigrator and his already mysterious origins even more muddled and unclear.

As this matter temporarily drew to a close, Ice Emperor seemed to suddenly recall something.

A cold glint flashed in her emerald eyes as her gaze swept across the corners of the vast hall. Her spiritual power, imbued with anger and impatience, rippled outward like invisible waves, her cold, clear voice echoing through the chamber:

"Tian Meng! Get out here this instant!"

Xue Chen was startled by the sudden shout;

Only then did he abruptly remember that Sky Dream Ice Worm, who had hidden himself to escape Ice Emperor's wrath, was still inside the Ice Crystal Palace!

Star Dou Forest, deep in the core, by the shores of the Lake of Life.

Red King had already returned and was currently prostrate on the ground, reporting everything that had transpired in the Far North to the Beast God Di Tian, who had taken the form of a man in black armor with golden eyes.

Di Tian listened in silence, his golden pupils deep and rippleless, though he frowned slightly; clearly, Snow Emperor's intransigence was within his expectations.

Yet, having to go and negotiate in person meant that the situation had become far more complicated.

However, Bear Lord, standing to the side, flew into a rage upon hearing that Snow Emperor had dared to refuse to hand over the Young Master and had even demanded that Di Tian come to discuss it himself.

His mountain-like frame surged upward, his dark golden fur bristling as he let out a thunderous roar:

"Snow Emperor has quite the ego! How dare she disregard the command of The Master!

Red King, let's go! Come with me to the Far North and snatch the Young Master back!"