You Little Thing, You're Really Bad!

The Ice Empress tilted her head in confusion. "Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? What is that?"

The twin ponytails atop her head swayed slightly, and her emerald-green eyes were filled with curiosity.

The Snow Empress beside her was equally curious, her gaze resting on Ling Xiao as she waited for his explanation.

Ling Xiao explained, "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is actually a treasure basin."

Its origins dated back to ancient times, when the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King had both fallen in a great battle.

Their skeletal remains had fallen from the God Realm and eventually landed on Douluo Continent.

The two sets of remains merged and restrained one another, eventually forming this treasure basin.

Over the long years, a great number of Immortal Herbs had grown within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Ling Xiao paused, then continued, "There are many kinds of Immortal Herbs, each with extraordinary effects.

Some can increase cultivation, some can strengthen the body, some can cleanse the meridians and marrow, and some can even repair one's foundation.

There are even rumors that anyone who obtains Immortal Herbs can ascend and become a god."

The Ice Crystal Palace suddenly fell silent. Both Ice Empress and Snow Empress were slightly stunned by his words.

Ascend and become a god?

Those four words were like four thunderclaps exploding in their minds.

The Ice Empress's eyes instantly lit up.

She excitedly stood atop the ice bed, her twin ponytails swinging wildly with her mood.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry up and leave right now!"

The Ice Empress sounded incredibly impatient, as though she wished she could fly straight to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well this instant.

After experiencing the Myriad-Year Profound Ice Marrow, she completely believed everything Ling Xiao said.

This time, since Ling Xiao said there were countless Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, there definitely had to be some there.

The Ice Empress was already unable to wait.

However, seeing how anxious the Ice Empress was, the Snow Empress merely smiled helplessly.

"Ice'er. Something that important must have something guarding it."

"Let's not rush. Let Little Ling Xiao finish what he has to say first."

The Ice Empress paused mid-step.

After thinking it over carefully, the Ice Empress realized that the Snow Empress was indeed right.

Somewhat unwillingly, she sat back down, and even her twin ponytails drooped slightly.

"Fine. Little Ling Xiao, hurry up and tell us."

The Ice Empress urged from the side.

The Snow Empress motioned for Ling Xiao to continue, and his expression gradually became solemn.

"Mom, Auntie. There... may be a trace of a god's divine consciousness there."

The moment Ling Xiao said this, the air seemed to freeze.

The Ice Empress's expression stiffened slightly.

The excitement that had been shining in her eyes was instantly replaced by gravity.

The Snow Empress's pupils contracted slightly.

A trace of a god's divine consciousness.

That was no ordinary enemy.

It was an existence from the God Realm. Even a lingering trace of divine consciousness could not be underestimated.

For soul beasts like them, still struggling in the mortal world, the word "god" itself represented an insurmountable chasm.

Ling Xiao continued, "So, this trip may be dangerous."

The Ice Crystal Palace fell into silence, and neither the Snow Empress nor the Ice Empress spoke.

Seeing their expressions, Ling Xiao's heart sank slightly.

In truth, he could not be certain whether the Ice and Snow Empresses would go with him.

After all, the crisis before them—the impending heavenly tribulation—had already passed.

Under such circumstances, rather than risk challenging a god's divine consciousness,

it would be better to remain safely in the Far North, consolidate their cultivation, and grow steadily.

That was a person's instinctive way of thinking.

Seeking benefit and avoiding harm was the instinct of all living creatures.

Ling Xiao could understand that as well.

He did not urge the Ice and Snow Empresses, quietly standing there as he waited for their answer.

Seeing Ling Xiao's silent expression, the two of them could not help exchanging a glance.

Their gazes met in the air, engaging in a brief, wordless exchange.

What Ling Xiao did not know was that they had already seen through his thoughts.

The Snow Empress gave the Ice Empress a look, and the Ice Empress immediately understood.

She turned to Ling Xiao, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Little Ling Xiao, what are you thinking about? Don't tell me you're worried that we won't go?"

His thoughts instantly exposed by the Ice Empress, Ling Xiao's body stiffened slightly.

"Uh... well..."

Ling Xiao stammered awkwardly.

"Hmph! I guessed right after all."

"You little thing, Auntie can tell what you're thinking with one look."

Just as Ling Xiao did not know what to say, the long-silent Snow Empress finally spoke.

"Little Ling Xiao."

The Snow Empress's voice was calm and gentle.

"Mm?"

Ling Xiao instinctively looked toward the Snow Empress.

"Come here."

The Snow Empress made space in the middle, signaling for Ling Xiao to sit between them.

Though Ling Xiao was still puzzled, he obediently walked over.

The Ice and Snow Empresses sat on either side of him, their familiar auras enveloping him.

When Ling Xiao sat down, the Snow Empress tightly clasped both his hands.

Her hands were as cold as ever, but her grip was exceptionally firm.

There was a touch of indulgence in the Snow Empress's tone.

"You may have grown taller, but you still think like a child."

Ling Xiao was slightly stunned.

"Mom wants to ask you something."

The Snow Empress gazed gently into his eyes.

"If we didn't go, would you still go there by yourself?"

Hearing the Snow Empress's question, Ling Xiao fell silent for a moment before nodding heavily.

That's right!

To become stronger, he had to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

There were Immortal Herbs there that could help the Ice and Snow Empresses further increase their strength.

It was a crucial step toward becoming stronger. Whether anyone went with him or not, he would still go.

After receiving Ling Xiao's answer, the Snow Empress instead asked him another question.

"Little thing."

The Snow Empress's tone changed slightly.

"Did you know about that place all along? Did you only tell us now?"

Ling Xiao nodded again.

The Snow Empress continued questioning him.

"Were you worried that we would be afraid of danger and refuse to go with you?"

Ling Xiao nodded once more.

After the Snow Empress asked him so many questions in a row, Ling Xiao felt a little embarrassed.

The Ice Crystal Palace fell into a brief silence, and a flicker of anger appeared on the Snow Empress's face.

The Snow Empress rarely showed such an expression. It was the anger of a mother.

The Snow Empress slowly raised her hand, and Ling Xiao instinctively closed his eyes.

He turned his head aside and shrank his neck, thinking his mother was going to hit him.

However, all he received was a light flick to the forehead.

"Tap~"

The Snow Empress spoke in feigned anger.

"You little thing, you're really bad! How could you think that about Mom?"

Her voice was filled with tenderness.

"If there really is danger there, then even if you didn't want me to go, Mom still would."

"No matter what lies ahead."

"Whether it's a god or divine consciousness. As long as you want to go, Mom will accompany you."

"That's right, that's right!"

The Ice Empress quickly chimed in from the side, her expression extremely serious.

"How could you think that about Auntie? Do you think your aunt is the kind of person who fears death?"

The Ice Empress spoke righteously, as though her earlier concern had been the greatest insult to her.

"Even if we really encounter danger, your aunt won't be afraid!"

Hearing this, a warm current rose in Ling Xiao's heart, and his nose stung slightly.

He truly had overthought things.

He was used to having no one to help him, used to relying only on himself for everything.

But he seemed to have forgotten that he was no longer alone.

He had the Snow Empress as his mother.

He had the Ice Empress as his aunt.

No matter what he encountered ahead, his mother and aunt would always accompany him.

"Mom, Auntie, I'm sorry."