"You're planning to declare yourself king?"
The Snow Empress studied Ye Xiao's expression thoughtfully.
"There's no need. Being a city lord will do."
"I have no intention of sheltering the entire continent, and I couldn't do it anyway."
"For now, all I can do is try to preserve a pure land for the harrowing future ahead."
Ye Xiao shook his head, no longer joking, and gazed solemnly into the distance.
He had a feeling the Swarm Disaster wouldn't keep him waiting long. They might meet very soon.
"Are you really that pessimistic about the future?"
The Snow Empress murmured, her heart sinking as well.
"I'm just preparing for the worst~"
"If the future isn't as terrible as I imagine, I'll just be a carefree city lord~"
Ye Xiao chuckled and patted the Snow Empress on the shoulder.
"Speaking of which, Snow Empress, what are you planning to do about the Far North?"
"Now that Tang San isn't watching, I could try spreading the cultivation methods there..."
"But if the Soul Beasts' levels have all been reset to zero too, the Far North must be in complete and utter chaos right now."
Ye Xiao stood and motioned for the two women to follow him as he spoke slowly.
"The Far North... Once you've finished your business in Mingdu, could you come back there with me?"
"As for the Soul Beasts running rampant... let's trust Xiao Bai."
"Bing'er's and A-Tai's clans are both among the top Soul Beasts in the Far North. They should be able to maintain order there."
The Snow Empress answered softly.
In truth, she was a little worried about the Far North as well.
"All right. Give me three more days. I'll give the orders to spread martial cultivation among the entire populace, then return to the Far North with you."
Ye Xiao agreed without hesitation. He had spirited away two of the Far North's great heavenly kings, so naturally, he had to take some responsibility for the Far North.
As the three talked, they made their way toward the palace's backup hall.
"You..."
The Snow Empress opened her mouth, somewhat hesitant.
Now that the Divine Realm would no longer interfere with the lower realm, she wanted to ask Ye Xiao whether he could leave the cultivation methods in the Far North. But considering that she had known him for less than a day...
The Snow Empress was torn.
If she asked so abruptly, she might damage their relationship...
"What is it?"
Ye Xiao asked in confusion as Ye Guyi held him in her arms and bullied him mercilessly.
"Nothing..."
The Snow Empress shook her head.
I'll wait a little longer. Once he and I have obtained the ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Marrow together and grown closer, I'll bring it up.
The Snow Empress thought to herself.
Just as she could distinguish her own feelings for Ye Xiao from those of her counterpart on the heavenly screen,
she would not use the relationship on the heavenly screen to pressure Ye Xiao, either.
"Mmm~"
Just then, a seductive nasal murmur suddenly rang out!
All three looked over at once and saw Wu Qingyao struggling to wriggle on the ice bed.
"Mmm... Where am I?"
Wu Qingyao slowly opened her eyes and gazed hazily at the ice overhead and the heavenly screen.
"I'm not dead yet..."
As her mind gradually cleared, Wu Qingyao recalled what had happened earlier.
A Titled Douluo of at least level ninety-six had failed to kill her with a single slap. That alone was enough for her to be proud of!
"Senior, you're awake. Thank you for helping us earlier."
"We're deep in the Far North. We're safe now."
Ye Xiao broke free of Ye Guyi's embrace and explained with a perfectly serious expression.
In truth, given his strength, Ye Guyi naturally couldn't hold him!
As for being held and bullied earlier... those who understood, understood~
"Ye Xiao..."
Looking at the face that was almost identical to the one on the heavenly screen, only much younger, Wu Qingyao gave a sigh.
"Senior, from what I heard Yan Shaozhe say earlier, are you Elder Wu Qingyao of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
"May I ask what your relationship is to Wu Feng on the heavenly screen...?"
Ye Xiao asked curiously.
"Wu Feng is my daughter."
Wu Qingyao spoke softly, studying the other two people in the cave as she did so.
Ye Guyi, and...
Wu Qingyao looked at the Snow Empress, already harboring a vague guess about her identity.
"Thank you to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for coming to our aid. I, Ye Xiao, am deeply grateful!"
Ye Xiao cupped his hands.
Although Wu Qingyao hadn't managed to accomplish much, he appreciated the gesture.
After all, Lin Huiqun had nearly beaten Wu Qingyao to death earlier!
Or rather, if the Snow Empress hadn't arrived in time, she would definitely have died!
"It was nothing..."
Wu Qingyao's heart leaped at Ye Xiao's words. Wasn't this exactly why she had risked her life to come?
"By the way, Sect Master Ning discovered through the heavenly screen that our founding ancestor, Ning Rongrong, had actually been replaced by an evil outsider long ago."
"So our sect master has even issued a warrant for that devil Ning Rongrong's arrest."
Wu Qingyao shook her head, her words carrying an implied meaning.
"Hm?"
Ye Xiao blinked, his expression turning strange in an instant.
What did she mean, Ning Rongrong had been replaced long ago?
And what did she mean, the sect had issued a warrant for its own ancestor?
"Mr. Ye Xiao, our sect would like to cooperate with you."
After briefly explaining how the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had severed ties with Ning Rongrong, Wu Qingyao grew serious and spoke to Ye Xiao solemnly.
"I understand. For now, let's watch the future revealed by the heavenly screen. We can discuss cooperation later."
"Elder Wu, you've only just begun to recover from your serious injuries. You'd best rest a little longer too."
Ye Xiao pondered for a moment, but did not agree outright.
He knew perfectly well what the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wanted. They had simply set their sights on his cultivation method's effects on Martial Soul Evolution.
"All right..."
Wu Qingyao nodded helplessly. She had already done everything she could.
If Ye Xiao still refused, it wouldn't be her problem.
She'd leave the rest for the sect master to worry about!
The group said no more and continued watching the heavenly screen.
"Everyone, from this day forward, I am the lord of Sword Cloud City. Who supports me, and who objects?"
In the palace's backup hall, Ye Xiao sprawled on the throne, looking teasingly at the ministers below, each of whom had lowered his head in silence.
"I object!!"
A merciless voice rang out as Jing Hongchen stepped forward, his face filled with righteous conviction.
The other ministers gazed in admiration at the old man who refused to bow before power.
"Have you gone senile?"
Ye Xiao looked at Jing Hongchen strangely. Given his relationship with Little Face Dog, how could he possibly let the Hongchen family suffer if he became city lord?
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty possesses extraordinary talent and has saved the Sun Moon Empire from the brink of collapse. You are the only savior of our Douluo Continent!"
"How could you be confined to a single city?"
"This old minister boldly begs Your Majesty to ascend to the position of supreme sovereign, unite the mortal world, and sweep away the calamities!"
The hall fell silent.
Jing Hongchen's high-minded "counsel" echoed in everyone's ears.
Damn it, you're the crafty one!
Ye Yulin's mouth twitched. How had an old fox like this emerged from their ranks of laboratory researchers?
"Your humble minister seconds the proposal!"
Ye Yulin stepped forward and stood respectfully behind Jing Hongchen.
"Hall Master Hongchen has the pure heart of a child. This old minister admires him and begs Your Majesty to ascend as supreme sovereign and save this continent!"
Everyone here had survived both the old emperor and Ye Xiao. Not one of them was a fool!
A clamor arose as the loyal ministers below dropped to their knees one after another, crying, "Long live Your Majesty!"