Chapter 189: Opening of the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony (Four Thousand)

Huo Yuhao answered the Soul Guide Communication Device, and Lan Fuzi's voice came from the other side.

"Sir, as you requested, I have already sent your news back to the Holy Spirit Cult."

"Have you made your decision?"

"... Yes."

At the Spirit Pagoda in Mingdu, Lan Fuzi took a deep breath and said with determination:

"Just now, the Holy Spirit Cult assigned me a mission: within a year, Star Luo will send an exchange delegation here, and the Federation will naturally form an exchange team to visit Star Luo. They want me to find a way to bring you in..."

Someone had to take the first step anyway; it was just selling out Holy Spirit Cult intelligence. As long as it didn't involve his mother, Lan Fuzi didn't care.

If he could gain the trust of these two adults this way, perhaps one day he could ask them to help his mother recover...

After a brief conversation, Huo Yuhao hung up the communication device while lost in thought.

"Do you plan to go to Star Luo?"

Huo Yuhao answered the Soul Guide Communication Device without avoiding the three of them; Xiong Jun heard the entire conversation and frowned, saying, "That place isn't within the Spirit Pagoda's sphere of influence, and we aren't very clear on the specific situation inside."

"But regardless, Star Luo Continent is just a place with scarcer resources than Douluo Continent. What's the use of you going there?"

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao looked at Gu Yue Na, thought for a moment, and said frankly, "There should be things left behind by the Dragon God there."

Hearing this, Gu Yue Na couldn't help but stand up and come before Huo Yuhao, her purple eyes flashing with excitement:

"Yuhao, is this true?"

If she could obtain things left behind by the Dragon God, her chances of recovering her peak and even advancing further would greatly increase.

Huo Yuhao said, "You should know some things better than I do. You're on Douluo Star, and the Golden Dragon King's Dragon Core is also here now, so some things will naturally find you... but not necessarily good things."

Since we've come this far, let's just lay it all out and have a good talk with her.

Hearing this, Gu Yue Na paused in her movement, her expression becoming somewhat complex.

Seeing the atmosphere was a bit off, Xiong Jun wanted to change the subject, but saw the Snow Empress smile slightly and leave first.

Xiong Jun scratched his head, thought about it, and simply went to find his own disciple.

The matters to be discussed next didn't seem like something he should participate in.

After the two left, Gu Yue Na asked in a low voice, "Yuhao, you don't want me to obtain the Dragon God's inheritance?"

There were many things left behind by the Dragon God, and the only thing that might bring her trouble was likely the assessment of the Dragon God Position.

The Super God Artifacts left behind by the Dragon God were not difficult for her to obtain given her status, but the Divine Trial would inevitably have trials set by the Dragon God, and she didn't know exactly what kind of assessment the other party would set. However, the Dragon Clan now had only her as a true god, and the Golden Dragon King had only a remnant soul left. For her to inherit the Dragon God Position was her mission.

Huo Yuhao smiled slightly, not letting the atmosphere become serious, and said in a relaxed tone:

"I've heard of the Dragon God's power. If you become the Dragon God, wouldn't you be able to feed me all the way to God King? You can't eat soft rice like that."

Gu Yue Na was stunned, couldn't help but "pfft" laugh out loud, and her originally serious expression softened.

"Be serious at a time like this."

Before her voice fell, she came to sit beside Huo Yuhao, her long silver hair flowing like water down onto Huo Yuhao's shoulder, carrying a faint fragrance.

"Yuhao, believe me, I can do it. I am half of the Dragon God; inheriting the Dragon God Position is only natural."

"Sorry, I don't believe you."

Huo Yuhao's straightforward answer made Gu Yue Na freeze instantly, and she couldn't help but say angrily:

"Why?"

"A Soul Master of the Sea God can eventually inherit the God King Position, so why can't I? Even if the Dragon God is stronger than the Asura God, I am a First-Rank God!"

"Yuhao, do you not believe in my power, or do you not believe in my wisdom?"

Huo Yuhao turned around, his ice-blue eyes staring directly at her. After thinking for a moment, he didn't answer her question directly but instead asked back, "You and the Golden Dragon King represent the two sides of the Dragon God. The Golden Dragon King is the part symbolizing madness. Was the Divine Trial assessment set by the Dragon God when he was clear-headed, or when he was mad? Or rather, was it mixed with madness within his rationality?"

Gu Yue Na opened her mouth, wanting to say it was naturally left behind in a clear-headed state, but facing Huo Yuhao's serious gaze, she finally couldn't say it.

She lowered her eyes, her long silver eyelashes trembling slightly: "I'm not sure."

"Then do you know the specific content of the assessment?"

"... Don't know."

"Then do you know the purpose of the Dragon God leaving behind the Dragon God Position? Does he hope a Dragon Clan member inherits the God Position as soon as possible and will go easy on them in the assessment, or does he hope the inheritor surpasses him in some aspect and increases the difficulty of the assessment?"

Seeing Gu Yue Na intend to answer, Huo Yuhao added another sentence: "I have once contacted a god. The gods in the God Realm are deeply bored with their lives and have thoughts of abandoning their God Positions and running away. They might go easy on people in the assessments. But the Dragon God couldn't possibly have that kind of thought, right?"

Rong Nianbing wanted to run away, but the Dragon God is dead. Could their thoughts be the same?

Gu Yue Na: "..."

"Don't say it, okay?"

"I feel like you're targeting me, Yuhao. Your questions are getting more and more tricky."

Gu Yue Na pressed her lips, a trace of helplessness flashing in her purple eyes. "Regardless, this is something I must face. The Dragon Clan needs the Dragon God, and I am the only choice."

Looking at her determined expression, Huo Yuhao suddenly reached out and gently rubbed her head: "That's why I said I don't believe you can pass. If you want to put me at ease, you should tell me now that you plan to postpone becoming the Dragon God, properly raise your strength, and explore the content of the Dragon God Position's assessment step by step. Instead of telling me about responsibility and obligation... If you have ninety-eight percent confidence, I naturally won't say anything."

"And don't forget we have an Equal Contract between us. If you get into trouble, I will also suffer backlash."

While Gu Yue Na was silent, Huo Yuhao casually delivered the final blow.

The sulky Gu Yue Na suddenly furrowed her brows, grabbed Huo Yuhao's arm with astonishing force: "Yuhao, you said that contract wouldn't affect you? You can dissolve it at any time, right?"

Huo Yuhao shrugged and smiled: "I'm not a god. How can you be sure it won't affect me?"

Gu Yue Na stared at Huo Yuhao, met his gaze, showed an expression of helpless surrender, and released her palm.

"I understand. I will think it over carefully and won't take risks lightly." Since she had even said such a "threat," if she remained stubborn, Yuhao would be angry.

Confirming Gu Yue Na had taken it in, Huo Yuhao smiled slightly: "Then let's talk about our future trip to Star Luo."

The next day, before leaving Tian Dou City, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na visited Zhenhua at the Blacksmith Association.

Gu Yue Na came as a disciple to visit her teacher who had been struck by Lightning Tribulation, while Huo Yuhao came to meet Mu Ye, and incidentally ask Mr. Zhenhua about his thoughts on being struck by Elemental Tribulation... cough, his insights.

After all, the Four Element Lightning Tribulation was also a fusion method of the Four Elements: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire.

Zhenhua had been struck by Elemental Tribulation for so many years that his understanding of Elemental Tribulation was extremely profound; consulting him, Huo Yuhao felt he benefited greatly.

It was just that Zhenhua's own expression didn't look too good when he spoke of this matter……

And by the time the two returned to the Tian Dou Spirit Pagoda Branch, the Soul Guidance Aircraft bound for Headquarters was already prepared.

When they came, there were nine people; when they returned, there were nine people, plus…… three Soul Beasts.

One of the Soul Beasts was naturally the Bear Lord; the other two……

"What situation is this?"

Xie Xie's eyes reflected the two Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears in the airfield, his face blank with bewilderment.

Two Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears were squatting obediently at the edge of the apron, their golden fur shining brilliantly in the sunlight, their round, bulging eyes curiously sizing up the crowd.

Their builds weren't considered large among Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears, their age roughly around a thousand years, but their sharp claws and the faint fierce aura emanating from their bodies still made one dare not underestimate them.

"These are my bear sons and bear grandsons; this time for the Ceremony I intend to take them to see the world, and together pay respects to Spirit Ice Douluo." The Bear Lord stepped forward, grinning, "Da Xiong, Er Xiong, greet everyone."

Upon hearing this, the two Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears immediately stood upright, waved their claws clumsily, and let out low "Ao wu" sounds from their throats, which actually carried a bit of the meaning of a greeting.

The corner of Xie Xie's mouth twitched: "Da Xiong Er Xiong? Is this name…… too simple?"

He really wanted to say whatever, but owing to the Bear Lord Tower Master's status and strength, he still didn't dare court death.

The Bear Lord harrumphed indifferently: "We Soul Beasts have always named ourselves simply and directly, unlike you humans, who have to make things so literary……"

The Bear Lord's gaze suddenly fell on Gu Yue Na, he gave a light cough, and stopped.

He almost included the Master in it as well.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this, hurry up and board the plane." The Bear Lord waved his hand and walked toward the Soul Guidance Aircraft first.

Hearing this, the crowd followed; Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi exchanged words softly in the rear: "We've long heard that Soul Beasts hold Spirit Ice Douluo in great respect; besides the Spirit Ice Ceremony, they even have their own established sacrificial activities; now it seems it's indeed so. Tower Master Bear Lord paying respects to Spirit Ice Douluo even has to bring the whole family along……"

The Bear Lord walking in front seemed to have heard, and laughed heartily, "You don't understand; my reverence for Spirit Ice is like the flowing river, wave after wave, every day bringing people to pay respects would be fine too!"

Huo Yuhao: "……"

Hehe, pay respects every day, huh?

I'll remember this line; you just wait.

……

Mingdu, Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.

Noon was approaching; the entire city seemed to have been injected with boiling vitality. The streets around the Spirit Pagoda Square had long been meticulously decorated; ribbons and Soul Guide Light Screens intertwined into a gorgeous scroll. Under the joint arrangement of the Federation and the Spirit Pagoda, this towering spire and its surrounding area had already become the core stage of the celebration.

Mingdu's residents surged onto the streets early; among them were civilians who had lived here for generations, and Soul Masters who had come from afar.

Although the Spirit Ice Ceremony was originally established by the Spirit Pagoda to commemorate the First Generation Tower Master, after long years of precipitation, this grand gathering had long transcended simple commemorative significance. Those Soul Masters who had once benefited from Spirit Pagoda aid now also came to attend with hearts of gratitude.

Among the people gathered before the Spirit Pagoda Square were even people Xie Xie and the others knew from the East Sea, such as Senior "Blue Silver King", the Light Dragon Guang Biao brothers, Luo Yanglu, and so on.

Many Spirit Souls that had already contracted with other Soul Master Families also temporarily returned to the Spirit Pagoda today.

They either turned into streamers shuttling through the crowd, or maintained Spirit Form drifting over. Viewed from high altitude, the entire city seemed to flow with a Star River condensed from soul power——the human tide on the streets and the Flying Spirit Souls circling in the sky reflected each other's brilliance, the metallic luster of Flying Soul Guides and the primal energy of Soul Beasts flickering uncertainly in the sunlight.

The Spirit Pagoda's spire cast a solemn shadow in the noon sunlight, while the various Soul Beasts and Spirit Souls circling above added a lively rhythm to this scene.

"Every Spirit Ice Ceremony, one can feel the Spirit Pagoda's powerful influence and foundation."

Wang Hongchen stepped out of the Soul Guide Vehicle, looking at the lively scenery all around, and let out a sigh of emotion.

Yi Hongchen followed him out of the aircraft, and hearing this, smiled: "What, feeling apprehensive?"

"How could that be? How many years has that old almanac been?"

Wang Hongchen rolled his eyes, "I still remember the joke from several thousand years ago——various forces worried the Spirit Pagoda would become another Spirit Hall, sent personnel to probe Spirit Pagoda secrets, and the result they ultimately found was a civilian Soul Master assistance plan."

"The Spirit Pagoda uses an open stratagem; by now, they have long become an inseparable part of the Federation. Otherwise, the Federation wouldn't go all out to provide convenience at the Spirit Ice Ceremony either."

Yi Hongchen smiled faintly, just about to continue saying something, but his gaze suddenly caught a figure, and he couldn't help but stop his movement.

At some unknown time, the clamor on the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters Square gradually quieted down. Everyone's gazes focused on the high platform built in the center.

Qian Gu Dong Feng, as the current Spirit Pagoda Tower Master, naturally had to give an opening address for this celebration. Draped in a White Robe, he walked slowly up the square's high platform; every step seemed to resonate with the soul power between heaven and earth, making the surrounding space tremble slightly.

"Distinguished guests," Qian Gu Dong Feng's voice spread across the entire square through soul power, "Today we gather here together to commemorate the founder of the Spirit Pagoda——Spirit Ice Douluo."

"Ten thousand years ago, Spirit Ice Ancestor created the Spirit Soul System, resolving the blood feud between humans and Soul Beasts that had lasted ten thousand years."

His gaze swept over the crowd below, lingering a moment longer on those Spirit Souls standing shoulder to shoulder with humans, "The peaceful prosperity we see now is precisely the witness of his lifelong heart's blood……"

Qian Gu Dong Feng's opening remarks didn't take too long, only ten-odd minutes. First he spoke of the Spirit Pagoda and First Generation Tower Master's history, second the current flourishing state, and finally an outlook for the future.

"……Now, we stand here, witnessing not only the inheritance of history, but also the continuation of the future."

His voice paused slightly, then he declared loudly:

"Now, I announce——the Spirit Ice Ceremony, officially begins!"

As his words fell, the entire Spirit Pagoda suddenly erupted with dazzling radiance, spiraling and dancing in the sky; gorgeous soul power light bands interwove into a net, Soul Guide Fireworks around the square rose into the air simultaneously, exploding into brilliant splendor, and cheers swept the whole venue like a tidal wave.

End of Chapter