Chapter 69

In fact, contrary to Tang Wulin, Huo Yutong's progress is currently very unsmooth.

Tianmeng was lifted up by a single snow-white hand, but she dared not resist at all, merely forcing a dry laugh and saying:

"Wait, Snow Empress, hear me out—I'm here to help Bingbing, really!"

The Snow Empress looked at her coldly, slightly tilting her head.

"Oh?"

Her gaze was icy cold, yet despite that, it revealed a stunning beauty.

Tianmeng couldn't help cursing her own terrible luck in her heart.

She had brought Huo Yutong all the way to the extreme north to find the Ice Emperor, never expecting that the Snow Empress would happen to be looking for the Ice Emperor on business, causing what had been a promising situation to collapse instantly.

Although Tianmeng's shed skin is immensely powerful—strong enough to imprison even the Snow Empress—there is also a tiger-eyed Ice Emperor watching from the side! With the two heavenly kings of the extreme north present, Tianmeng has no chance to turn the tables.

Left with no choice, she painstakingly explained her plan to the Snow Empress, trying desperately to get it across.

After hearing her explanation, a flicker of contempt flashed in the Snow Empress's eyes.

"This plan sounds decent, but what makes you think we can believe you can bring this little girl to godhood? I sensed that she hasn't even reached the Soul Master level—how can you claim to turn such a weak human into a god? I'd rather trust myself than her."

"Don't say that, Snow Empress." Tianmeng said with a fawning smile: "Although Huo Yutong is still weak now, don't forget she has my million-year-old wisdom soul ring; if Bingbing listens to me, Huo Yutong will gain another Ultimate Soul martial soul, and you, having lived so long, should know what that means—even if her starting point is poor, I can help her catch up."

What she said did make some sense, and the Snow Empress fell silent.

But after a moment of silence, she still said:

"No, I still don't trust you. Twin Soul and Ultimate Soul martial souls have appeared on the continent before, yet none have ever become gods. Humans may be strong, but their innate starting point is simply too low—it would be better for me to do it myself."

Tianmeng's expression changed instantly.

"Snow Empress, are you going to re-cultivate?"

The Snow Empress is a seven-hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, a terrifying existence capable of rivaling Di Tian on her home turf—yet such a powerhouse actually said she wanted to re-cultivate into a human? The Snow Empress didn't try to hide it, giving a slight nod.

"That's right. Although I look down on humans, I must admit they are indeed favored by the heavens, their comprehension far surpassing that of soul beasts. Like Bingbing, I can no longer survive the next heavenly tribulation; rather than perish in the tribulation, I would rather transform into a human to seize that sliver of hope."

Tianmeng froze.

She had been imprisoned by the fierce beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest for far too long, so her understanding of outside information is very inaccurate.

She could deduce that the Ice Emperor was about to face the tribulation because she liked him, but she truly didn't know that the Snow Empress was also going to undergo the tribulation.

Perhaps she was so shocked that her mind went blank; after a moment of stunned silence, Tianmeng blurted out: "Then Snow Empress, why don't you just join us?"

The Snow Empress's expression turned sinister in an instant.

"Tianmeng, you're asking for death."

Saying this, she exerted force with her hand, preparing to crush Tianmeng's spiritual form's head.

Tianmeng hurriedly said:

"Snow Empress, don't rush—look, isn't this great? Anyway, even with your help, Bingbing's chances of surviving this tribulation aren't high; why not have both of you possess Huo Yutong, combining our three powers? That would be far better than you going alone."

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, feeling like she might actually be a genius.

However, the Snow Empress did not look so pleased.

"Enough, I have no interest in cooperating with you, this ice silkworm. Just go die—if your spiritual form serves as nourishment, Bingbing's odds of breaking through this tribulation might be slightly better."

She no longer intended to waste words with Tianmeng, wanting to utterly annihilate her.

Just then, an ancient voice sounded.

"You're not interested in cooperating with Da Chongzi—what about me?"

"Who?!"

The Snow Empress's hand movement stopped abruptly, and she warily glanced around—she had completely failed to notice the speaker's presence.

"I'm here."

Following the ancient voice, the Snow Empress saw that Huo Yutong, who had been lying on the ground at death's door, had somehow risen to her feet, surrounded by a drifting gray aura.

Seeing her like that, the Snow Empress's eyes glazed over.

"This is... divine sense?"

Her tone was utterly uncertain; evidently, even she didn't believe what she was saying.

But as the Snow Empress, who stands at the pinnacle of the continent, she knows the limits of this plane well; the aura emanating from this figure before her clearly surpasses human limits, reaching the level of a deity.

Ilex, who was controlling Huo Yutong's body, smiled: "Well, although I am now merely a remnant soul, I once existed in a state where, if willing, I could become a god at any time, so I naturally possess my own divine sense."

"May I ask who you are?"

The Snow Empress's tone became respectful.

Soul beasts have always respected the strong; since the aura of divine sense is not feigned, it indicates that the opponent's strength far exceeds her own, and the Snow Empress is willing to grant them due respect.

"My name is Ilex, a remnant soul residing in this little girl's body, and also a participant in Da Chongzi's god-making plan. Although what Da Chongzi just said sounds fantastical, it is not without reason. Snow Empress, won't you reconsider?"

Upon hearing Ilex's words, the Snow Empress's expression grew complex.

Her earlier scorn for Tianmeng's suggestion stemmed from her belief that the combination of Tianmeng and Huo Yutong still lacked sufficient weight to warrant her investment.

But with Ilex present, everything changes; the persuasive power of divine sense is incredibly strong, and the thing the Snow Empress has sought her whole life is now right before her, making it hard for her not to be moved.

The Snow Empress took a deep breath and asked: "Ilex, straight talk—tell me, what's your success rate?"

Ilex pondered briefly, then spoke confidently: "If you and the Big Scorpion join in, I have over seventy percent confidence in helping Huo Yutong become a god."

His words were incredibly arrogant, yet his confident tone made no one think he was bragging.

Xue Di remained silent.

Seventy percent, that's a figure enough to drive people mad; if she were to do it alone, the success rate would probably be less than ten percent!

Seeing Xue Di's heart moved, Ilex revealed a faint smile.

He extended his hand toward Xue Di.

"What do you think, Xue Di?"

He knew Xue Di would not refuse him.

As expected, after a long silence, the Snow Emperor extended the snow‑white hand and firmly grasped the little hand Huo Yutong reached out.

"Please guide me."

By the way, to recruit the Snow Emperor into the party, three prerequisite conditions must be met.

First, the Snow Emperor delays the humanification plan and instead seeks the 'human‑form soul beast' mentioned by Mu En; when Tianmeng finds it, it happens to be beside the Ice Emperor (achieved in chapter 44).

Second, Ilex awakens early, increasing the persuasiveness of the god‑forging plan (achieved in chapter 51). Third, Ilex begins researching soul spirits early, transforming the Ice Emperor into Huo Yutong's soul spirit (achieved in chapter 62). When all three prerequisites are met, the hidden route for the Snow Emperor to join early can be opened.

That's why I went to such lengths to make the Snow Emperor Huo Yutong's second martial soul; within the plot I can give many reasons.

For instance, Ma Xiaotao not competing, I need to increase Huo Yutong's battle strength; also, Ice Sky Snow Girl is a better fit as a female counterpart for little Huo Niang—these are valid reasons.

But these are not the fundamental reason I designed this plot.

The fundamental reason is only one: the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion martial soul basically has no special effects, but Ice Sky Snow Girl can turn white‑haired! Moreover, it has dual forms that can be switched at will—a gentle, virtuous loli mother and an aloof, icy white‑haired maiden—fulfilling two XP at once.

White‑haired beautiful girl is the best! (End of chapter)