Qian Lingche fell silent for a moment, his gaze shifting between the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress. Finally, he drew a deep breath and slowly said:
"I was fortunate enough to read records about the two of you in the ancient texts, and I know your cultivation is extremely high. Although it sounds very tempting, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't absorb you."
He knew full well that the Snow Empress and Ice Empress had long surpassed the level of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. They were far beyond what he could withstand. If he tried to absorb them by force, he would likely explode and die.
The Snow Empress showed no disappointment. Instead, she said gently, "Your caution is wise. Although the Soul Spirit Method is profound, it isn't absolutely safe."
"However, we can first find a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to sacrifice itself to you. With the Snow God's Divine Power protecting you, you should be able to absorb it safely."
"Once your strength has grown, we'll find a way to capture that Ice Silkworm and have it sacrifice itself to you."
"With it as a medium, I think you'll be able to safely absorb my and Bing'er's Soul Rings."
At the mention of the Ice Silkworm, a hint of disdain flashed in the Ice Empress's eyes.
That bug should've stayed put in the Far North. But no, it had to run off. And look where that got it—it had been captured and taken to the Star Dou Forest to serve as emergency rations.
Guang Ling and the other two stood to the side without speaking. They made no attempt to influence Qian Lingche's decision.
This was his future, his choice. They respected him and believed in him. Whatever decision he made, they would support him without hesitation.
At last, Qian Lingche took a deep breath and looked at the two women. "All right. I accept your proposal."
The Snow Empress nodded, then made another request. "However, we have one more request."
"You have to take us back with you to cultivate at the Snow God's statue. That'll save us some energy we'd otherwise use suppressing the heavenly tribulation."
The Ice Empress nodded too, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint smile. "That's right, kid. Since you've agreed to our proposal, this little favor shouldn't be too much trouble for you, should it?"
Qian Lingche paused in surprise. After thinking it over, he nodded solemnly. "All right, I promise. When the time comes, come with me to the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall. I'll do my best to make things convenient for you both."
At last, under the pressure of the Snow Empress and Ice Empress, a fifteen-hundred-thousand-year Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly slowly emerged from the depths of the ice field.
Its wings looked as though they had been carved from ice and snow, crystal clear and exuding a chilling cold that made one's heart tremble.
Yet its eyes now held a trace of humanlike awe and helplessness. It clearly had no way to resist the will of the two rulers of the Far North.
If it could do it all over again, it would've frozen itself at home. Then it wouldn't have been forced into a sacrifice.
The Snow Empress raised a hand and pointed. A beam of icy-blue light shot from her fingertip and struck the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly squarely between the eyes.
"Follow the Soul Spirit Method and sacrifice yourself to him. He is the Snow God's successor. This is your honor."
The Ice Empress gave a cold snort from the side. "Don't even think about trying anything. You know what'll happen if you do."
The Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly trembled slightly, but in the end it lowered its head and slowly flew up to Qian Lingche.
Its voice was as cold and clear as ice and snow, carrying a hint of resolve. "I'm willing to sacrifice myself to you and become your Soul Spirit. I only ask that you treat my power well and not let it go to waste."
As soon as it finished speaking, its body gradually transformed into countless icy-blue points of light, drifting through the air like snowflakes before slowly gathering around Qian Lingche.
The energy of the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly gently lifted Qian Lingche's body until he was floating in midair.
He closed his eyes, his expression calm and focused, and crossed his hands over his chest.
The countless points of light from the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly circled him like a river of stars, then gradually gathered into a huge diamond-shaped ice sculpture that completely enclosed him.
The Snow Empress watched quietly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Good. He really can withstand it."
After studying Qian Lingche's condition, the Ice Empress curled her lips. "This kid's not bad. He accepted the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly's energy so calmly. Looks like we chose the right person."
Guang Ling and the other two stood nearby, their eyes full of worry. Guang Ling clenched his fists. "Xiao Che, hang in there!"
Ling Yuan murmured softly, "He can do it. He's never let us down."
No one knew how much time had passed when the ice sealing Qian Lingche suddenly gave a crisp crack. Cracks quickly spread across the entire sculpture, like a spiderweb.
The ice sculpture then exploded with a roar. Countless ice crystals flew in every direction before vanishing into the air.
Qian Lingche emerged from within, slowly opening his eyes. A flash of icy-blue light glimmered in them.
A blood-red Soul Ring slowly appeared beneath his feet, radiating immense pressure.
Guang Ling stepped forward and asked softly, "Xiao Che, how do you feel?"
Qian Lingche nodded to show he was fine, then slowly spread his arms, palms facing upward. The surrounding energy of ice and snow began surging toward him.
Icy-blue rays of light wove together in his hands, gradually condensing into a brilliant sphere.
A moment later, the sphere suddenly gave a crisp crack and shattered with a bang. At its core, a miniature Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly slowly awoke.
Its wings were still as crystal clear as if carved from ice and snow, emanating a faint, cold glow.
Although its body had shrunk considerably, its noble and icy aura had not diminished in the slightest.
The Ice Empress turned her gaze toward the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly hovering above Qian Lingche's palm. "How are you? What does it feel like after the sacrifice?"
The Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly gently flapped its wings and looked over its body. "Thank you for your concern, Ice Empress. I'm unharmed."
"After the sacrifice, my power has merged with his. He can wield my power, and I can still wield my original power."
It had retained its consciousness and could move freely. The only difference was that a bond now linked the two of them.
Qian Lingche turned to the Snow Empress, excitement in his eyes. "Senior, I'd like to try my fifth Soul Skill. Could I trouble you?"
A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring granted two Soul Skills, and the first had taken exactly the form he'd expected.
The Snow Empress nodded. "All right. I'd like to see how much of the Extreme Ice Phantom Butterfly's power you can bring out."
As she spoke, she stepped back to give Qian Lingche plenty of room.
The Ice Empress stood to the side with her arms crossed, her eyes carrying a trace of scrutiny and curiosity.
Guang Ling and the other two also moved aside. A fifth Soul Skill from a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring was certainly something to look forward to.
Qian Lingche slowly raised his right hand, and the blood-red Soul Ring beneath his feet suddenly blazed to life. "Fifth Soul Skill—Ice Explosion!"
Six enormous spheres of ice energy condensed around him, hovering in midair and exuding a chilling cold that made one's heart tremble.