Jiang Shengyu nodded. "Alright. Once we leave the Clear Sky Sect, we'll head straight for the Extreme North."
Coincidentally, Meng Hongchen also required a spirit ring produced by the soul beasts of the Extreme North. If they could come across the lineage of the Scarlet Ice Toad, all the better. Jiang Shengyu explained Meng Hongchen's need for a spirit ring to the Snow Empress, lest she feel slighted.
At this, Snow Empress gave a cold snort and said, "So you can take my feelings into account?"
"Of course! As your disciple, it's my duty to care about my teacher's wellbeing." Jiang Shengyu replied with a smile.
"You still dare to say that?"
Rolling her eyes at him, Snow Empress chided, "If you truly cared about my body, you wouldn't be stirring up trouble every other day! How many times have I told you I need to rest and rebuild? Yet what happens? You fight Title Douluo, stir up soul power whirlpools, even clash with Ditian… and now you've dragged me into the territory of those two ferocious beasts! You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
At this moment, Snow Empress showed none of the aloof coldness of an "iceberg beauty." Perhaps it was because of her long familiarity with Jiang Shengyu—after all, confined within his storage soul tool, she had come to know everything about him inside and out.
But Jiang Shengyu was surprised by her words. "Wait—you could tell their identities as ferocious beasts?"
Snow Empress nodded lightly. "Naturally. Though there is some strange power surrounding those two, their soul power fluctuations are different from humans. At my level, distinguishing a beast's true nature is hardly difficult. But judging by your reaction… it seems you already knew they were beasts?"
Jiang Shengyu did not hide the truth. He nodded. "I did."
"Then why did you still come?" Snow Empress frowned. "They may have already sensed my existence. Aren't you worried they'll strike?"
Jiang Shengyu shook his head. "There's no conflict between us. I'm confident they won't act against us at this time. Besides, I came here for the Ten-Thousand-Year Frigid Jade Essence—it's of great benefit to your cultivation."
Snow Empress didn't know the source of his confidence, but when she heard the latter part of his words, she fell into silence. She gazed at him for a long while, then pursed her lips and finally smiled softly. "Brat… you do have some heart after all."
Jiang Shengyu chuckled. Snow Empress, dropping all pretense, immediately began the final stage of her reconstruction with the aid of the Frigid Jade Essence. The temperature in the room plummeted rapidly as a visible vortex of soul power formed around her.
Extreme cold surged ceaselessly from her body, only to be swiftly compressed back within.
Before long, the chill grew so intense that even Jiang Shengyu struggled to endure it. Just as he was about to summon his flames, Snow Empress reminded him, "Brat, use that white flame. It can purify energy—it'll benefit both you and me."
Without hesitation, Jiang Shengyu released the Pure Lotus Demon Flame. The milky-white fire circled around him, its heat contending with the surrounding cold. He exhaled in relief.
Meanwhile, Snow Empress consciously guided the extreme cold power through the purifying flame before drawing it back into her body.
At this crucial moment, Jiang Qingtong stood guard outside the room, ensuring they would not be disturbed.
Back in the main hall, Wang Dong'er returned to find Niu Tian and Tai Tan still seated. Frowning, she said, "First Uncle, Second Uncle, I'm here. What is it you wanted to tell me?"
Knowing she was still displeased over his earlier probing of Jiang Shengyu, Niu Tian first soothed her, then asked, "That boy—he's the one you've taken a liking to, isn't he?"
At his words, Wang Dong'er's cheeks flushed red. She gave a soft hum. "Yes… what of it?"
"Among the girls traveling with him, one looks at him strangely. Seems she harbors feelings for him as well." Tai Tan added from the side.
Wang Dong'er immediately knew he meant Meng Hongchen. She nodded. "I know. Meng Hongchen likes Brother Shengyu. They're both from the Sun Moon Empire."
Niu Tian fixed her with a serious look. "That boy's a bit of a philanderer. Dong'er, are you certain you want to like him?"
Wang Dong'er nodded firmly. "Yes! I have a premonition—it's as if fate itself tells me that I must like him. No matter how difficult it is, I'll pursue him until I succeed."
A premonition?
Niu Tian and Tai Tan exchanged a meaningful glance. Understanding dawned in Niu Tian's eyes, and he said, "Since that's the case, we won't say more. But there is something you must know."
"What is it?" Wang Dong'er frowned slightly, puzzled.
Catching Niu Tian's signal, Tai Tan spoke: "That boy is accompanied by a ferocious beast—none other than the Snow Empress, ranked third among the Ten Great Beasts! A creature of Ultimate Douluo level strength."
"What? That's impossible! Why would such a beast be following Brother Shengyu?" Wang Dong'er was stunned, disbelief written on her face.
The two men shook their heads. Niu Tian speculated, "From what I can tell, the Snow Empress's state isn't good. Perhaps that's why she follows him. But whatever the reason, if you truly wish to be with him, you must be extremely cautious. That boy is no ordinary fish in a pond."
Taking a deep breath, Wang Dong'er promised earnestly, "First Uncle, Second Uncle, don't worry! I'll take care of myself."
Seeing her confidence, Niu Tian and Tai Tan said nothing further. They ordered the sect to prepare a grand welcoming ceremony in honor of Jiang Shengyu and his companions.
The quality of the Ten-Thousand-Year Frigid Jade Essence was excellent, enough to sustain Snow Empress's cultivation for many days. During this period, she remained in the room, completing the final steps of her reconstruction. Jiang Shengyu even left three trigger-type ninth-rank defensive soul tools with her, ensuring her safety.
With these ninth-rank soul tools, Snow Empress no longer had to worry about exhausting her soul power.
Watching Jiang Shengyu carefully arrange the soul tools one by one, muttering to himself as he did so, Snow Empress sighed helplessly. "Brat, are you treating me like your daughter?"
"A disciple should naturally be responsible for his master's safety!" Jiang Shengyu replied with utmost seriousness. After checking the three soul tools again, he finally exhaled in relief. "There. Now nothing can go wrong."
Snow Empress looked at him quietly, watching the way he busied himself for her sake. Her gaze softened, and after a long pause, she said gently, "Thank you."