Why Isn't Young Master Wang Eating?

The ice formation slowly rotated in the air. Snow Empress's dancing phantom swayed gently with the flowing ice crystals. Her ice-blue skirt and silver-white hair looked just like when she had spun beneath the stars moments ago. Huo Yuhao reached out, his fingertips passing through the curtain of light and touching a frigid power of laws—the power crawled up his arm from his fingers and merged with the golden markings at his collarbone, deepening his understanding of "Emperor's Chill" by another level.

This was not a simple domain of ice. It drew upon Snow Empress's origin to wield authority over the ice elements of the Northernmost Land. Just as Snow Empress had said, "the Far North is home," he now seemed to have become part of this frozen plain. Every tremble of every ice crystal, every path traced by the cold wind, was clearly reflected in his Spirit Eye.

"So... this is the power of the ruler of the Far North." Huo Yuhao murmured softly. The heat in his eyes gradually transformed into scorching Soul Power, surging through his body. At last, he understood why Snow Empress had left no annotations—her ultimate techniques had always coexisted with the Far North, bound to the course of her life. And now, that bond had been transferred to him. The techniques he had learned in memories of the future now had the support of their source laws. They were no longer imitation, but true "possession."

Within the Sea of Spirit, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm circled the blue egg three times before clicking his tongue. "Good lord, Snow Empress practically took herself apart and handed you the pieces! The Soul Bone is her core strength, the soul ring is her combat experience, and these three runes are practically her lifeblood... Yuhao, you'd better live up to her feelings."

Huo Yuhao did not respond. He merely slowly withdrew his spiritual power. The pale-blue curtain of light gradually faded, and countless ice crystals turned back into snowflakes, drifting onto the hem of his clothes. He lowered his head to look at the red soul ring beneath his feet. Its orange patterns had completely fused with the ring, carrying the weight of Northernmost Fortune as they flowed—that was the foundation Snow Empress had solidified for him with her 780,000 years of cultivation.

Bzzzz—

At that moment, a violent fluctuation of Soul Power suddenly erupted from the frozen plain ahead. Emerald light pierced through the clouds like a sharp sword and shot straight toward him. Huo Yuhao's pupils contracted. He instantly recognized Ice Empress's aura. It was even more violent than what he had sensed outside the Ice God Palace before, filled with undisguised fury.

"It's Ice Empress." Huo Yuhao took a deep breath. His ice wings beat fiercely. Rather than slowing down, he accelerated toward that streak of emerald light. He knew Ice Empress must have sensed Snow Empress's aura vanish. Her rage now came from the Far North ruler's concern for her companion.

As he flew, he raised his hand and grasped the hovering Emperor Sword. The crystalline blade felt slightly heavy in his hand. The silvery-white sheen on its surface suddenly brightened, echoing the red markings at the edge of his Spirit Eye. At the same time, the palm-shaped mark on the inside of his forearm grew scorching hot, the power of the laws of "Emperor Palm" gathering in his palm.

He could not avoid this.

Snow Empress had traded her sacrifice for his growth. He had to carry this power and explain it to Ice Empress, prove to the Far North that Snow Empress had not disappeared—her will would continue through him.

The emerald light drew closer and closer. Ice Empress's figure emerged from the blizzard, her scorpion tail raised high, its emerald stinger gleaming dangerously. Her voice was like shattering icicles, carrying towering rage. "Huo Yuhao! Where is Snow Empress?!"

Huo Yuhao stopped a hundred meters before Ice Empress. His ice wings folded away as he landed steadily upon the snow. He did not conceal Snow Empress's aura on his body, allowing that ice-blue Soul Power to intertwine with the orange patterns on his red ring. He raised his head to meet Ice Empress's furious glare. There was no retreat in his Spirit Eye, only calm openness.

"She is here." Huo Yuhao raised a hand and touched the ice-blue Soul Bone atop his head. His voice was clear and unwavering. "She remained here with me, in her own way."

As his words fell, the Soul Power within him erupted. The Emperor Sword hummed as it pointed toward the sky, and the prototype of the "Emperor's Chill" domain spread out once more. This time, the curtain of light contained not only Snow Empress's phantom, but also the elemental power of his own Ice Martial Soul, creating a strange scene where ice and mist intertwined.

Ice Empress stared at the phantom in the light curtain, then at the aura on Huo Yuhao that shared Snow Empress's origin. Her raised scorpion tail abruptly froze. Shock flashed through her emerald eyes, followed by confusion, and finally pain too profound to believe.

To Ice Empress, Snow Empress was not merely the ruler of the Northernmost Land. She was also her beloved.

The wind and snow of the Far North came to a halt once again.

Huo Yuhao knew that the road ahead was only just beginning. Yet he tightened his grip on the Emperor Sword, feeling the faint pulse of the blue egg within the Sea of Spirit. His heart was perfectly calm.

Because he bore the wills of two rulers of the Far North.

An overwhelming grief rose from Ice Empress. She landed and took human form, reaching out to touch Huo Yuhao's forehead and sense the aura of Snow Empress's Soul Bone.

Huo Yuhao felt a trace of icy coolness on his forehead. The ice-blue Soul Bone grew faintly hot at her touch, and Snow Empress's aura flowed up from her fingertips. As though Ice Empress had sensed something, the sorrow around her abruptly turned into resolve.

"Since Snow Empress has already made her choice, then we of the Northernmost Land will follow her wishes."

"If there is ever anything you cannot resolve, come to the Northernmost Land. The Northernmost Land will always stand with you."

"I also hope you will treat Xue'er well in the future."

With that, Ice Empress turned without hesitation and flew toward her territory, looking as though she did not care in the slightest.

Yet a single clear tear fell, letting Huo Yuhao know that Ice Empress could never have accepted Snow Empress's decision so easily.

"Ugh, this is so boring..."

Wang Dong sat in the classroom of Freshman Class One, watching Zhou Yi lecture at the front and feeling utterly bored.

The pen in her hand spun endlessly while her thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.

"Wang Dong! Is there something about my lesson that does not suit your tastes?!"

A piece of chalk shot toward her like an arrow. Wang Dong instinctively turned her head and dodged it, then looked back to see Zhou Yi glaring viciously from the podium.

Wang Dong immediately put on a flattering smile. "Teacher Zhou Yi, I'll listen properly right away!"

Zhou Yi snorted coldly. "Forget it. My lessons are not worthy of Young Master Wang Dong's ears. Now get out there and run one hundred laps!"

Helpless, Wang Dong rose and headed for the classroom door, growing angrier the more she thought about it. Huo Yuhao, this is all your fault!

Just as Wang Dong was about to leave the classroom, a slightly trembling voice spoke up.

"Um, Teacher, I was distracted just now too. How about I go run with Wang Dong..."

Wang Dong was delighted. Whose capable subordinate is this? So brave! She actually dared to antagonize the 'Extinction Witch' in the 'Extinction Witch's' classroom. I approve of you.

Turning around, she saw a petite girl with emerald-green hair rise to her feet. Wang Dong recognized the girl. Her name was Xiao Xiao, and she usually liked hovering around her.

Zhou Yi took two breaths, seemingly angered beyond measure. Her gaze was sharp and severe. "Fine. You want to go out and run laps, do you? Fine, you can run with Wang Dong. Both of you will run two hundred laps. No using Soul Power. If you do not finish, do not come back!"

"No, this is completely unearned disaster..." Wang Dong felt like crying without tears. How did I suddenly get an extra hundred laps when I didn't even do anything? And no Soul Power? I might as well die.

When they reached the small plaza downstairs, Xiao Xiao spoke apologetically. "Um, Wang Dong, I'm sorry. I got you involved."

Wang Dong's heart was bleeding, but seeing the pitiful look on the little girl's face, she could not bring herself to say anything harsh. "It's only two hundred laps. Easy. I'll finish them in no time."

Ignoring Xiao Xiao's starry-eyed gaze behind her, Wang Dong took the lead and dashed off.

By late morning, Wang Dong had already run one hundred and eighty laps. Just as she was about to speed up and sprint through the final twenty, a voice came from outside the plaza.

"Oh my, isn't this our Young Master Wang? Why are you running laps here instead of eating? Do you not like food?"