On the outer edges of the Extreme North, while searching for the Scarlet Ice Toad, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen both sensed the unrest deep within the region. Their hearts clenched as though being gripped by an invisible hand.
"What's happening? I keep feeling like I can't breathe… What exactly is going on in the depths of the Extreme North…" Meng Hongchen muttered to herself, frowning deeply.
As she pondered, she suddenly noticed that the falling snowflakes in the sky were all converging toward the depths of the Extreme North. That was absolutely not normal!
No! I must find the others right away!
Meng Hongchen abandoned her search for the Scarlet Ice Toad and hurried off in search of the others.
Within the core region, gazing at the growing blizzard, Jiang Shengyu sensed several powerful auras drawing near. At the same time, Xiao Bai, who had been lying down all this while, stirred and stood up, eyes fixed in one direction.
"Ah Tai is here!" Xiao Bai said to Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong. "That's the Titan Snow Demon King. He's just a bit stronger than me."
Not long after those words, a group of Titan Snow Demons emerged at the blizzard's perimeter. Leading them was a colossal Titan Snow Demon, several times larger than the rest. Fixing its gaze on Xiao Bai, it rumbled, "Little White, what's going on here?"
"It's the Snow Empress cultivating. Do not disturb her!" Xiao Bai declared.
Upon hearing that the Snow Empress was cultivating here, the surrounding Titan Snow Demons all instinctively retreated a step and bowed their heads. Even the Titan Snow Demon King lowered his posture, sighing softly, "The Snow Empress has been gone for so long… she has finally returned!"
But then its eyes shifted, noticing Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong on Xiao Bai's back. Its voice thundered: "Why are there two humans here?"
"They were brought here by the Snow Empress herself! You cannot touch them!" Xiao Bai answered firmly.
Learning that these humans were personally brought by the Snow Empress, the Titan Snow Demon King immediately abandoned any other thoughts. In the Extreme North, the Snow Empress was the one and only sovereign. Among the ferocious beasts of this land, which of them had not grown up under her watch? Compared to the Star Dou Great Forest and the Devil Spirit Great Forest, the soul beasts of the Extreme North were far more united.
At Xiao Bai's summons, the Ice Bear Clan had also gathered in great numbers to stand guard for the Snow Empress. Alongside them, many members of the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan appeared as well, led by none other than a ferocious beast—the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion.
This soul beast had always ruled over the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan in the Ice Empress's absence, while also searching for her whereabouts. Now, with the Snow Empress's return, hope rose in its heart that perhaps she could help locate the Ice Empress.
More and more powerful soul beast clans of the Extreme North gathered in this place.
As time passed, Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong were cared for—when hungry, Ice Bears and Titan Snow Demons brought them seafood from beneath the frozen seas; when thirsty, they could simply melt snow into water.
Gradually, the snowstorm began to subside.
At the very moment the blizzard ceased, every soul beast prostrated itself—even Xiao Bai and the Titan Snow Demon King were no exceptions. The focus of their reverence was singular: the Ice Sky Snow Maiden, the Snow Empress!
Clad in a robe of icy blue fur, with pure white hair dancing in the wind, she stood at the center of heaven and earth. She had completely succeeded in her re-cultivation.
Though belonging to the category of soul beasts, the Ice Sky Snow Maidens were unique. Unlike most soul beasts, aside from producing spirit rings and spirit bones, they were almost indistinguishable from humans.
Thus, the Snow Empress's re-cultivation differed as well. While still a soul beast, she no longer had to fear the tribulations that plagued others.
Her gaze fell upon Xiao and the Titan Snow Demon King. Her voice was gentle: "I have returned."
"Snow Empress!"
All the soul beasts roared her title in unison.
Her eyes then rested on the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. She spoke softly: "You need not worry. The Ice Empress is well and in no danger. However, she will not be returning for the time being. The Ice Jade Scorpion Clan shall remain under your care."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor Scorpion flicked its hooked tail gratefully. "Thank you, Snow Empress!"
The Snow Empress proceeded to greet every soul beast clan present, one after another, before instructing them all to return to their respective territories. Only the Ice Bear Clan and the Titan Snow Demons remained, as their sovereigns had yet to depart.
"Ah Tai, Xiao Bai, I have words to share with Shengyu and Qingtong. Please leave us for now."
Xiao Bai nodded at once. "Understood."
The Titan Snow Demon King glanced briefly at Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong, but said nothing. He simply bowed to the Snow Empress before departing.
When both the Ice Bears and the Titan Snow Demons had withdrawn, the Snow Empress fixed her gaze upon Jiang Shengyu.
"Snow Empress, is there something you wish to tell me?" he asked.
"Of the three imperial techniques—Imperial Sword, Imperial Palm, and Imperial Frost Heaven—I have yet to pass Imperial Frost Heaven to you," she said softly. "And coincidentally, your fifth spirit ability, the 'Zhu Xian Sword Formation,' is also a domain skill—it complements Imperial Frost Heaven well."
Jiang Shengyu straightened his posture, his tone solemn. "Snow Empress, do you truly intend to teach me all of your ultimate techniques?"
"Of course! What master withholds her skills from her disciple?" she nodded. Suddenly, her expression hardened. "Watch closely—the essence of Imperial Frost Heaven!"
At her words, boundless snow and frost descended once more. Before Jiang Shengyu's eyes, she slowly executed the technique: Imperial Frost Heaven—Snow Dance, Raging Sun!
A colossal domain spanning ten thousand meters unfolded, within which the Snow Empress reigned as absolute sovereign.
Jiang Shengyu studied her every movement as she patiently demonstrated again and again, personally guiding him through the practice of Imperial Frost Heaven.
Several days passed, and Jiang Shengyu finally grasped its fundamentals.
The Snow Empress sighed, raising her eyes to the sky. She spoke to the two: "It is time to say goodbye, Shengyu, Qingtong."
"Snow Empress…"
Both Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong looked at her, hearts heavy with emotion.
"There is an aura about you both that even I cannot see through," she said. "Your future will be dazzling, radiant. Strive onward—I hope to one day see you standing atop the continent itself."
"We will," Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong replied in unison.
"Enough. Much time has already passed. The brother and sister who came with you are likely growing anxious by now." The Snow Empress sighed softly. "I will have Xiao Bai escort you out of the Extreme North."
Soon after, she summoned Xiao Bai and the Titan Snow Demon King once more.
Upon hearing that he was to escort the two humans out of the Extreme North, Xiao Bai did not hesitate and agreed at once.
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