The Far North.
On the vast, boundless snowfield.
A figure sat quietly cross-legged. Countless drifting snowflakes fell, only to silently vanish within a few meters of him, as though an invisible barrier sheltered the youth.
"Such talent and perseverance are truly extraordinary."
The Ice Empress gazed at the figure on the ground and sighed softly.
"Hehe, Bingbing, how could my judgment ever be wrong?" Tian Meng said smugly.
"..."
For once, the Ice Empress did not lash him with her scorpion tail. She simply watched in silence.
After all, if Xu Cheng's fusion failed, she would be doomed as well. Fortunately, Tian Meng had proved reliable this time, actually finding such an exceptional human.
"Buzz!"
A humming sound rang out across heaven and earth.
With Xu Cheng's body at the center, invisible ripples spread outward. Layer upon layer of snow surged up, raising waves more than ten meters high-a spectacular sight.
The Ice Empress hurriedly summoned a barrier.
It sealed them off from everything around them.
She had to avoid attracting her former companions. Never mind the Snow Empress-even that Titan Snow Demon fellow would probably charge at her in a fury upon seeing her like this, before she could explain...
Everything could wait until the fusion's dust had settled. There was no rush.
"Buzz!"
Meanwhile, pale green patterns spread across Xu Cheng's back, following his meridians and bones. Like densely woven spider silk, they soon covered his entire back.
They radiated a soft green glow. At the same time, an abdominal plate slowly formed, extending toward his arms and along both sides of his thighs. The shell, translucent as ice crystals, now became a suit of inner armor.
It protected every vital area.
"Wow, that armor is pretty good! The Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion isn't just terrifying on the