The Empress Keeps Her Word

She had lived for hundreds of thousands of years. Proud by nature, she had never liked owing anyone a favor, much less surviving at someone else's expense.

What had happened today sat especially badly with her.

The Snow Empress sighed softly and looked at Bi Ji. "I can barely control the chaotic energy inside me now. What should I do next?"

Bi Ji said, "I can stabilize your source for now. At least for a while, your energy won't run out of control again."

"But you're trapped between human and Soul Beast. Your transformation has failed, and the path ahead is closed."

"You can neither advance your cultivation nor start over. The next heavenly tribulation may be your end."

A shadow crossed the Snow Empress's eyes, but she soon regained her composure. Her gaze flicked toward Song Que as she said softly:

"I understand. Help me stabilize my source first. Perhaps once it's stable, that will be enough..."

Bi Ji acted at once. Gentle green Soul Power enveloped the Snow Empress, gradually calming her turbulent source.

Seeing that he could do nothing to help, Song Que tightened his grip on his sword and turned to leave.

"Wait."

The Snow Empress called him back.

Song Que stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Is there something else?"

"Stay. Give me a moment."

Song Que was puzzled, but he remained where he was and waited.

Before long, Bi Ji withdrew her Soul Power.

The turbulence within the Snow Empress's source gradually subsided, though the Soul Power around her remained somewhat disordered.

She nodded her thanks to Bi Ji, then walked slowly up to Song Que.

"What is your relationship with Huo Yuhao?"

"He's my younger brother," Song Que answered honestly.

"Your brother... That's good."

The Snow Empress murmured to herself, then raised her eyes to meet Song Que's.

"Song Que, I don't like owing people favors."

"The path ahead of me is closed. Even if I can stabilize myself and survive for now, I'll only be clinging to life."

Song Que paused, unsure what she meant.

Di Tian's brow furrowed sharply. "Snow Empress, what are you planning?"

Ignoring his question, the Snow Empress looked at the Zanpakutō in Song Que's hand.

"It's a pity. You possess such exceptional power over ice and snow, yet you yourself aren't an ice-attribute Soul Master."

"But that doesn't matter. With me there, I can help you master that sword."

Song Que looked at the Snow Empress, then at the tense expressions on Di Tian's and Bi Ji's faces. He couldn't help speaking up. "Snow Empress, you..."

The Snow Empress smiled faintly. "Bing'er and Yuhao told me about Soul Spirits just now. I think we can try it."

Di Tian and Bi Ji froze. "Soul Spirits? What are those?"

The Snow Empress explained briefly, "A new creation developed by a human deity from another world together with Bing'er and the others."

"If a Soul Beast is willing, they can retain their full consciousness and become a Soul Spirit bound to a human Soul Master."

"A Soul Spirit is similar to a Soul Ring, but far surpasses an ordinary Soul Ring."

"Depending on their cultivation, they can provide their host with Soul Rings of varying number and quality."

"To some extent, it could also reduce the fighting between humans and Soul Beasts."

Di Tian frowned slightly, then nodded. "They can retain their consciousness and provide multiple Soul Rings?"

"It does sound promising."

Song Que paused, then hurriedly said, "If that's what you want, Senior Snow Empress, you could choose Yuhao."

"His Ice Empress Scorpion Martial Soul is the best match for you."

"Mine is only a tool Martial Soul. It might not be suitable..."

The Snow Empress shook her head. "That was my original plan, but the ice-and-snow power and potential within your sword are in no way inferior to mine. They may even surpass me."

"It doesn't matter that you aren't a pure ice-attribute Soul Master."

The Snow Empress looked up at Song Que. Seeing that he was about to speak again, she gave a haughty little huff and spoke with a firmness that brooked no argument.

"That's enough. Stop talking. Once I make a decision, I don't go back on it. It's settled."

In her small form, she had lost some of the majesty of one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts and gained a touch of lively charm instead.

Song Que sighed helplessly. "All right. I'm grateful you think so highly of me, Senior Snow Empress."

"I'll call Yuhao over to help. Since this is the first Soul Spirit contract, it'll be safer to have Yi Lao overseeing it."

The Snow Empress nodded lightly.

Song Que beckoned Huo Yuhao over at once.

After hearing what had happened, Huo Yuhao nodded. "It'll be fine, Brother Song Que. Yi Lao said he'll watch over the entire ritual."

Relieved, Song Que said, "Good. Yuhao, I'll leave the ritual to you."

The new Soul Spirit system carried enormous significance. At Song Que's suggestion, Du Busi, Jinpeng, and the others from the Body Sect came forward to observe.

Behind them, Di Tian and Bi Ji watched with grave expressions.

Bi Ji said softly, "If this really works, it would be a good thing."

Di Tian snorted. "Perhaps. But it won't change the outcome at the heart of it all."

"And even if it works in theory, putting it into practice will be extremely difficult."

Bi Ji nodded. "You're right. But it's a new path. We can take it one step at a time."

Nearby, Huo Yuhao drew a deep breath, his expression utterly solemn.

"Brother Song Que, Senior Snow Empress, you both need to drop every defense. You mustn't resist in the slightest. A Soul Spirit bond is a contract between equals. If either of you resists it, the ritual will fail immediately."

Song Que nodded. Gripping the hilt of his sword, he drew in his Soul Power and relaxed his body and mind completely.

The Snow Empress also reined in the restless cold around her. Her small body hovered in midair, ready.

Faint golden patterns appeared beneath Huo Yuhao's feet. He began chanting a low, cryptic incantation, while Electrolux quietly added a thread of spiritual power to guide the ritual.

Two gentle golden beams emerged from his palms. One enveloped Song Que, while the other connected with the Snow Empress, binding their auras together...

In a hotel room in Star Luo City.

Two men in black stood facing each other, speaking in low voices.

"Sir, Song Que and Huo Yuhao suddenly left with the Body Sect just now. What should we do next?"

The man in black frowned as he listened to the report.

"The Body Sect... Never mind. There's no need to rush. Those two will return before the finals."

"Yes, sir."

His subordinate hesitated, then spoke again. "Now that the Body Sect is gone, should we take the chance to go after Huo Yuhao's companions?"

The man in black considered it briefly, then shook his head.

"No. And remember, some people are fair game. Others aren't."

"Our main targets are Huo Yuhao and Song Que. The operation already risks drawing the Body Sect's attention, perhaps even their retaliation. There's no need to complicate matters."

"But there's a boy among them named Wang Dong. He offended the young master back at Shrek. If you get the chance, you can deal with him too."

"The family hasn't been able to uncover much about Wang Dong's background. We only know his family is reasonably well-off, but they're probably just ordinary wealthy folk. They're no cause for concern."

The subordinate hurriedly said, "Sir, Wang Dong just parted ways with the people from Just Sky Academy. He's alone now. Should we take this chance to..."