Xu Jiawei's Offer

In the little courtyard, Huo Yun'er watched Xu Jiujiu hurry away. For now, she could only invite Huo Yuhao and the Snow Maiden to eat.

"Miss Di, try some fish I grilled myself. The ingredients aren't anything fancy, but it tastes quite good."

At the table, Huo Yun'er enthusiastically served the Snow Empress some food, then offered her the grilled fish she had made.

The Snow Empress was unused to Huo Yun'er's warmth and seemed at a loss. She had never encountered anything like it in hundreds of thousands of years. In the Extreme North, she was the undisputed ruler. Every soul beast revered her. Even Xiao Bai, her adopted daughter, usually treated her with deference.

"That's right, Elder Emperor Snow. I can't vouch for everything my mom cooks, but I guarantee her grilled fish is among the best on the Douluo Continent."

Seeing the Snow Empress hesitate, Huo Yuhao chimed in.

Under their expectant gazes, the Snow Empress parted her lips and took a tentative bite of the golden, crisp-skinned fish, tender beneath its crust. Her eyes brightened. She continued eating it in small bites.

"Thank you for the meal. It was quite good!"

Once she had eaten her fill, the Snow Empress nodded to Huo Yun'er.

Huo Yun'er's smile grew even brighter at her words.

"I'm glad you liked it, Miss Di."

In the years since leaving the Duke's Estate, Huo Yun'er had had little to occupy her beyond caring for Huo Yuhao. She had come to love experimenting with her cooking. Everyone who visited the courtyard and tasted her food praised it to the skies.

According to Xu Jiujiu, who often came by for a free meal, Huo Yun'er's cooking rivaled that of the imperial chefs—and they had the finest ingredients to work with.

"Miss Di, you don't have anywhere to stay yet, do you? Why not stay with us for now? Her Highness probably won't have a place ready for you anytime soon. Our courtyard may be small, but we have a few spare rooms."

As evening fell, Huo Yun'er warmly invited the Snow Empress to stay. The Snow Empress did not refuse. After all, she had followed Huo Yuhao because she needed to remain near him, under the protection of his Four-Not-Like Martial Soul.

The night passed quietly. The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto Huo Yuhao's face. Its warmth chased away the last of his sleepiness.

After a quick wash, he opened his bedroom door and let the sunlight flood in.

"Good morning, Elder Emperor Snow!"

As soon as Huo Yuhao stepped outside, he saw the Snow Empress meditating cross-legged not far from his room. At his voice, she opened her eyes and nodded in greeting.

She had chosen the room closest to his the night before and had spent the whole night meditating, until his greeting interrupted her. She had discovered that cultivating near Huo Yuhao was faster than cultivating in the place with the densest Soul Power in the Extreme North.

Tian Meng and Elder Jiang really didn't lie to me. Huo Yuhao truly has an Auspicious Beast Martial Soul. If I stay near him, I have a feeling I may survive my next heavenly tribulation without the Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus.

The Snow Empress looked at Huo Yuhao, her blue eyes shining.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Yuhao, Elder Di, are you home?"

Huo Yuhao went to open the door. Xu Jiujiu stood outside.

Her long purple hair was neatly gathered behind her, and she had changed into an elegant purple dress. Black over-the-knee stockings accentuated her long legs. She looked even prettier than usual.

"What are you looking at? Have I left you speechless?"

Huo Yuhao suddenly felt Xu Jiujiu wave a hand in front of his face. He realized he had been staring at her without noticing.

His face flushed, and he lowered his head shyly.

"It's fine. You're a kid. It's only natural to appreciate someone pretty."

Xu Jiujiu reached out and ruffled Huo Yuhao's blue hair. Feeling how silky it was, she thought, How does this boy's hair keep getting softer? It doesn't feel like a boy's hair at all.

"Oh, right. Is Elder Di here? My Imperial Brother would like to meet you and Elder Emperor Snow. Would that be all right?"

"Meet Elder Emperor Snow?"

Huo Yuhao turned and looked questioningly at the Snow Empress, who stood in the middle of the courtyard.

"Lead the way."

The Snow Empress's cool voice carried across the courtyard to Xu Jiujiu.

In the Imperial Study of the Star Luo Empire's palace.

"So you're Huo Yuhao, the boy Jiujiu is always talking about? She's told me more than once what a genius her sworn younger brother is. Now that I've met you, I can see you truly are a young talent of the Empire."

Huo Yuhao and the Snow Empress had barely sat down before Xu Jiawei began praising him with a kindly smile.

"Your Majesty, you're too kind. I'm not nearly as impressive as Sister Jiujiu says."

Huo Yuhao scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"And you must be Elder Emperor Snow of the Ice God Family in the Extreme North. Thank you for saving one of our Empire's promising young talents."

As Xu Jiawei made conversation with the Snow Empress, he used his Martial Soul to probe her aura.

To his surprise, even as a level ninety-two Titled Douluo, he could not discern her level. All he could sense was an immense, mountain-like pressure radiating from her.

She's no ordinary Titled Douluo. Her cultivation has probably surpassed that of a level ninety-five Super Douluo, Xu Jiawei thought.

The Snow Empress merely gave a cool nod in response to his thanks and his probing.

Xu Jiawei did not mind. Instead, he carefully tested the waters again.

"I've heard your family has few members and lacks ice-attribute soul masters. Why not stay in the Empire for now? I would be glad to help you recruit some. If you're willing to join the Empire, I would like to offer you the position of deputy hall master of the Worship Hall."

"No. I came here solely for Huo Yuhao. I'll remain for a while to teach him."

Her answer ended Xu Jiawei's hopes of recruiting her. Still, he was secretly delighted to hear that she intended to stay in the Star Luo Empire.

"That's wonderful. I happen to have an estate available. Please accept it as a temporary place to stay."

To his surprise, the Snow Empress refused outright.

"No need. I'll stay at Huo Yuhao's home. It will be more convenient for teaching him."

Xu Jiawei had not expected Huo Yuhao to matter so much to Elder Emperor Snow. She was willing to disregard the proprieties between men and women and move straight into his home.