Snow Empress's snow-white fingers gently hooked around Huo Yuhao's arm, and the affection flowing in her silver eyes was almost tangible.
She leaned slightly against him, the crisp scent of cedar in her hair mingling with the warmth emanating from Huo Yuhao, creating a gentle haven just for them amidst the biting Far North winds.
Huo Yuhao lowered his eyes to look at the person beside him. His heartbeat had calmed down from the excitement of their reunion, but the tenderness spreading in his eyes was purer and deeper than the millennium-old ice.
"No matter how beautiful the snow and wind of the Far North are, they can't compare to the weight you hold in my heart," Huo Yuhao murmured softly, his palm covering the Snow Empress's hand resting on his arm. "Before, I always felt there was only endless desolation here, but now that you stand beside me, even the falling snowflakes become mere embellishments."
Before she finished speaking, a faint blush appeared on Snow Empress's earlobes, as if the glow of the entire snowfield had been blended into her skin.
(There is nothing beautiful in the Far North, but with you here, the Far North becomes more beautiful. This snowy landscape is not as beautiful as seeing you.)
The unfulfilled promises and regrets of forced separation from his past life are now quietly melting away with the warmth of their embrace. Huo Yuhao clenched his fists tightly, his nails almost digging into his palms—in this life, he would never again let the gears of fate crush this hard-won bond.
The conversation gradually turned to serious matters, and Huo Yuhao's expression became solemn. " Xue'er, regarding the Second Martial Soul and the God-Creation Plan..."
Before he could finish speaking, Snow Empress gently pressed his hand down. "Don't worry, Bing'er and I have already discussed it." Her eyes sparkled with a confident and strategic mind, which warmed Huo Yuhao's heart—it made him feel that Xue'er was a great helpmate and a reliable partner who could fight alongside him.
Huo Yuhao turned to look at the silent Ice Empress, his tone sincere. " Ice Empress, you are also my friend. If you don't want to merge with me, if you don't want to become my Soul Spirit, I won't force you. I will also find a way to help you avoid your great calamity."
A sudden surge of Ice Empress mist enveloped Hyotei, a complex expression flashing deep within his emerald pupils. "Hmph, at least you know what's good for you. Xue'er, the person you chose is more pleasing to the eye than I expected. That's good then. Since you've said so, Xue'er, you certainly won't refuse, will you?"
Snow Empress softly called out " Bing'er," her voice carrying a tacit understanding unique to them.
The image of the Snow Empress, lost in a long wait ten thousand years ago, remains vivid in my mind—she would always stare blankly in one direction, even amidst the icy snow and howling winds, her eyes always burning with unwavering determination. "He will come, but not now. Before he comes, I cannot go to him, so that he will not be in danger..."
Now, this wait that transcends time and space has finally been answered.
Huo Yuhao looked at Ice Empress and said firmly, "It's alright, Snow Empress. I now have Second Martial Soul. I can't force Ice Empress to do what she wants to do."
The Snow Empress's eyes flickered, then she suddenly turned to the Ice Empress with a sly smile, "Alright, Bing'er, since you're unwilling to become Yuhao's Soul Spirit, nor do you want to merge with him, then please help me protect him, okay?"
Ice Empress clicked his tongue heavily, but the chilling aura around him subtly subsided. "I know, I know. Since you've said so, Xue'er, fine, then I'll see if this kid is worthy of you."
She spoke with impatience, but her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the icicles at her waist—perhaps even she herself didn't realize that beneath her cold words, there might have been a Sisi of curiosity about the person in front of her.
Huo Yuhao raised his hand to form a hand seal, and his azure spiritual energy condensed into profound runes at his fingertips, instantly disappearing into the Ice Empress 'Ice Empress brow. "From now on, I'll have to rely on you to protect me."
His gaze was sharp, and his tone was calm. "I have cast a spell on you. Even if you encounter Titled Douluo in the future, they will not be able to see your true identity."
After saying that, a soft golden light emanated from his palm, and strands of divine power containing the origin of anger slowly flowed into Ice Empress's body. "The contract we have made not only allows you to mobilize the origin of 'anger' in your Emotion Godhood at any time, but also establishes a special telepathic connection."
"If you are in danger, I will sense it immediately and rush to your side."
Huo Yuhao turned to look at Snow Empress, his gentle expression now tinged with solemnity. " Xue'er is the same. I have already linked the essence of 'Sorrow' with her soul, so I will sense anything that happens immediately. This is also a guarantee for your safety."
"Whether it's a great calamity or anything else, I know that no one on the continent may be your match, but we must always be vigilant against the enemies on the continent."
(Actually, it's about letting the Soul Spirit control the original seven emotions again. Of course, I'm also considering adding a setting where Huo Yuhao can use the Soul Spirit, or rather, after the contract, he can use their abilities. Later on, I'll also arrange for Ice Empress to get some opportunities, such as the Ice Explosion Technique. As the main female lead, Snow Empress will definitely have more opportunities, since she's considered one of the main wives.)
In the past few days, he did not rush to leave, but stayed in the Far North with the Snow Empress. They talked a lot and stayed together for a full seven days.
For seven days, the ice and snow of the Far North seemed to be tinged with a gentle hue. Huo Yuhao and Snow Empress strolled side by side among the glaciers, sometimes snuggling together to admire the magnificent Far North, and sometimes pausing to gaze at the rare greenery on the ice field.
Snow Empress leaned on Huo Yuhao's shoulder and murmured softly, " Yuhao, if only time could stand still at this moment." She gently ran her fingertips through Huo Yuhao's hair, her voice full of longing.
Huo Yuhao lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his eyes filled with determination. "Yes, I will. After I avenge my Blood Sea and gain enough power, I will take you to every inch of the Douluo Continent, to see all the world's splendor and wonder." The two smiled at each other, a sweet atmosphere filling the air.
Hiding in the distance, Ice Empress clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, tears welling in her eyes. Looking at the unprecedentedly happy smile on Snow Empress's face, a complex mix of emotions welled up within her. "Why... Xue'er, I've been with you much longer..."
Crystalline tears slid down her cheeks, dripping onto the cold ground and instantly freezing into ice crystals.
Just then, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, its round body swaying, emerged from Huo Yuhao 'Sea of Consciousness, wriggling its tentacles as it approached Ice Empress: " Bingbing, don't be sad, you still have me!"
"Get lost!" Enraged, Ice Empress raised his hand and shot out an ice spike, which startled Tian Meng, who quickly retreated into her Sea of Consciousness.
Electrolux hovered in the clouds above the Sea of Consciousness, watching the scene unfold outside, and smiled with satisfaction.
A silvery-white light flowed around him, like a loving father watching his child settle down and start a family. He looked at Huo Yuhao from a father's perspective. " Yuhao, seeing you find such a wonderful partner, your teacher is truly happy for you."
"Your teacher also hopes that you can continue to be happy. All your teacher can do is try her best to protect your happiness."
The aurora borealis swept across the sky seven times, and the wind and snow in the Far North subtly changed their rhythm. Huo Yuhao stood on the edge of the cliff with its crisscrossing icicles, looking at the surging snow waves below, and finally realized that his return had come.
This trip to the Northern Territory not only allowed the incomplete Spirit Eyes Martial Soul to complete its key Soul Ring, but also unexpectedly yielded a wonderful destiny—a significant gain: finding a 50,000-year-old Ice Silkworm.
Huo Yuhao thought that transforming the Ice Silkworm into Soul Spirit would be a good thing, so he finally formed Soul Spirit contract. Interestingly, this Ice Silkworm was female, and after entering the Sea of Consciousness, it unexpectedly developed a lot of affection for Tian Meng.
Tian Meng also has feelings for Ice Empress, so the three of them are in a love triangle. Of course, Ice Empress still can't forget Snow Empress.
The Ice Silkworm's soft tentacles gently entwined around Tian Meng, its voice as sweet and melodious as melting snow. "So you're the legendary Hundred-Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast ~"
Tian Meng's crimson crystal core swayed incessantly in the Sea of Consciousness, responding haltingly, completely devoid of its former elegance. Ice Empress watched coldly from the side, yet the chill around him unconsciously surged, condensing the surrounding air into tiny ice flowers.
This delicate love triangle adds a touch of absurdity and whimsy to the already bustling Sea of Consciousness.
"It's time to give you a name." Huo Yuhao tapped his eyebrows with his fingertips, looking at the agile figure of Ice Silkworm and lost in thought. In a trance, the honest face of Ice Bear King Xiaobai passed through his mind, and the corners of his lips slightly raised. "How about calling me Xiaobing? It not only corresponds to your identity, but also..."
Actually, Huo Yuhao was also racking his brains over naming his child. He suddenly remembered the Ice Bear King Xiaobai. Xiao Bai, using Xiao Bai as a template, he would call him Xiao Bing.
Xiao Bing's crystal-clear body, like a lithe blue light, danced merrily around Tian Meng, the icy mist surrounding her tinged with joy. " Brother Sky Dream, I have a name! I have a name!"
Her voice was as clear as an ice bell, each word carrying an undisguised joy, and her tentacles would occasionally gently poke at the round crystal core of Tian Meng.
Tian Meng frantically retreated, a chaotic light flashing across the surface of her crystal core. "Don't come any closer! I love Ice Empress!"
He dodged while loudly proclaiming his feelings, trying to draw a line. However, Xiao Bing, like a clinging vine, clung even closer, her silver-blue eyes glistening with tears. "Isn't Xiao Bing good enough?" Her voice was filled with grievance, like that of an abandoned cub.
Tian Meng was so anxious that he jumped up and down in his Sea of Consciousness, stammering, "I don't know! Anyway, don't get too close to me, stay away from me!" But his clumsy refusal seemed pale and powerless under Xiao Bing's persistent offensive.
Electrolux, who was watching from the sidelines, laughed so hard his silver hair trembled, and invisible mental energy rippled through the air. "Hahaha, big bug, you've finally met your match! Weren't you so arrogant all the time?"
Tian Meng's tentacles drooped, his crystal core dimmed, and he looked utterly dejected. " Elder Yi, please don't make fun of me..." His mournful tone amused the Sea of Consciousness, which erupted in laughter once again.
Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, Xiao Bing mischievously circled around again, causing Tian Meng to frantically dodge. Electrolux's suppressed laughter wove together a joyful melody, filling this spiritual world with vibrant life.
As they parted, Huo Yuhao took out a celestial Immortal Herb emanating a chilling aura from his Soul Tool. Its Ice Jade Water Muscle Bone was translucent, with starlight-like halos flowing between its veins, gleaming with a soft blue light amidst the wind and snow. " Xue'er, this is Immortal Herb I found by chance at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Although with your cultivation level you might not need external aids, it's still a token of my affection."
He gently placed the immortal Immortal Herb in the Snow Emperor's Palm, its warmth melting the surrounding snow into tiny water droplets. "Once I've dealt with the current matter, I will definitely come to find you again."
The Snow Empress's fingertips traced the Immortal Herb, her eyes misting over. "Be extremely careful on your journey, and don't be reckless if you encounter danger..." She tiptoed and tied a strand of silver hair adorned with ice crystals to Huo Yuhao's wrist, "If you call out, I will surely sense it."
The cold wind swept across their intertwined fingertips, turning their tender words of advice into the most moving vow in the world.
The biting wind whipped up snowflakes, which condensed into frost on Huo Yuhao's cloak. He looked back again and again until the Snow Empress's figure turned into a streak of silver-white at the edge of the icy plain, before finally clenching his fist, turning around and stepping into the swirling snow.
Snow Empress stood barefoot on the icy surface, letting the biting ice sting her feet. She watched the figure gradually disappear, murmuring softly, the white mist she stirred condensing into tiny ice crystals in the frigid air. " Yuhao..."
Her voice was so soft it seemed it could be swept away by the wind and snow at any moment, yet it was as heavy as Qian Jun, filled with the lingering affection from ten thousand years ago and the deep love she couldn't bear to part with at this moment. Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the Immortal Herb left by Huo Yuhao, as if she could still feel the warmth of his palm. Tears had appeared on her eyelashes without her noticing, freezing into crystal beads the moment they fell.
The wind and snow in the Far North raged even more fiercely, but they could not dispel the burning gaze in the Snow Empress's eyes. She stared intently into the distance, as if trying to etch every step Huo Yuhao took away into the depths of her soul.
That tall, upright figure, that cloak fluttering in the cold wind, gradually overlapped in her eyes with the figure in her memory—his resolute turning to face death ten thousand years ago, and his lingering affection as he departed at this moment, transcending time and space, intertwining into the most moving scene.
"All partings in this world are perhaps for a grander and more beautiful reunion next time." Snow Empress looked up at the leaden sky, letting the snowflakes fall on her face. Two lifetimes of love, several reincarnations, those sweet and bitter memories surged like a tide.
From the fleeting glimpse of their first encounter to the heart-wrenching separation of life and death, and now to their brief yet precious reunion, it all seems like a dream. She had woken up countless times from this dream over the long years, only to reach out and touch nothing but emptiness. Now, seeing him safe and sound is the greatest blessing of fate.
Two lifetimes of love, how many times have we met? It's all like a dream. I wake up from the dream and you are nowhere to be seen. Ten thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye. Seeing you safe and sound is the best thing.
May you be safe and well, and all be well." The Snow Empress clasped her hands together, blending her most sincere blessings into the wind and snow. She knew that this parting was not the end, but a new beginning.
At some unknown moment, the gears of fate will turn again, allowing them to reunite in a better form.
Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on her lips. She turned and stepped into the vast snowfield, leaving only a trail of footprints gradually buried by the wind and snow, telling the story of this deep affection that transcends time and space.