Chapter 260: The Extreme North, Searching for the Snow Empress
At the same time, in the Tang Sect headquarters.
Ye Chen lounged lazily in a sun chair, basking in the afternoon light with the little Ice Empress curled up in his arms.
She was asleep, lips slightly parted, as a faint crystal droplet gleamed at the corner of her mouth—probably dreaming again.
Life had been peaceful for Ye Chen these past few months. Most of his time was spent on cultivation and managing the Tang Sect's growth.
Returning to Shrek Academy now would take up too much time and energy.
After all, if he visited, he'd have to divide his attention between everyone there. Even if he spent only an hour with each one, that would be ten hours a day—and knowing them, it would definitely run much longer.
As strong as his body was, even Ye Chen couldn't keep that up indefinitely. He needed proper rest.
Besides, thanks to the "Universal Communication Device," he could stay in touch from afar. Even without returning to Shrek, he chatted with them daily.
However, managing multiple conversations was its own challenge. Messages flooded in so quickly that he couldn't possibly listen to them all.
Unfortunately, this world had no technology powerful enough to convert voice into text—no AI, no advanced processors.
Ye Chen often thought about developing such a function himself. Perhaps he could even create a written-input option.
Of course, the difficulty was enormous without actual artificial intelligence.
He even joked to himself that he could make the Ice Empress do it—have her transcribe messages for him after listening to them.
Though, admittedly, she'd probably smack him for the suggestion.
On the other hand, what if he could harness part of her formidable mental power as computational capacity to turn text into speech instead?
She spent most of her time sleeping anyway, her mind idle. She might not be a genius, but for basic transcription, her mental strength was more than enough.
Still, these were just ideas—for now, untested dreams.
By this point, Ye Chen's cultivation had reached level 70, but he hadn't rushed to find the Snow Empress yet.
Through his observation, he discovered that at this stage in time, the Snow Empress hadn't yet found the ten-thousand-year Snow Lotus.
Though he appeared relaxed, basking in the sun, his consciousness was actually extended far away—using the Eye of Heaven and Earth to watch the distant reaches of the Extreme North.
That vast frozen land stretched for countless miles. Even with his transcendent ability, it had taken him an entire month of searching before locating the Snow Empress.
Yet, to his surprise, she still hadn't found the Snow Lotus.
Originally, his plan was to seize both the Snow Lotus and the Snow Empress together. Since she hadn't found it yet, he decided to wait.
After all, the Snow Lotus was her destined treasure—it would be easier for her to locate it than for him.
He had used the Eye of Heaven and Earth to scan for it himself but found nothing. The area was simply too vast, and even that divine sight had limits.
It seemed that the right time hadn't come yet. For now, the Snow Empress still lacked the lotus—but Huo Yuhao had already advanced to level 20.
"Well, no point waiting any longer. I'll take the Snow Empress first and find the lotus later," Ye Chen thought to himself.
He had to reach her before Huo Yuhao did.
The Snow Empress's intelligence far exceeded that of the Ice Empress—but Huo Yuhao's luck made him dangerous.
If by some absurd chance the Snow Empress were persuaded by Tianmeng, that would ruin everything.
"Ice Empress, wake up."
Ye Chen looked down at the drowsy little figure in his arms and wiped the glimmer from her lips.
"Mmm… is it mealtime already? What's for lunch today?"
The Ice Empress slowly opened her eyes, blinking sleepily—looking so endearing Ye Chen couldn't help smiling.
"You little glutton. Look at you—you've even gotten chubbier."
He leaned down and playfully nipped her cheek.
The Ice Empress spent most of her time eating or sleeping, her accumulated energy slightly reshaping her tiny body into one with a soft, round charm.
Ye Yunxi absolutely adored her and spoiled her endlessly—making whatever dishes she wanted, seven or eight meals a day. No wonder she'd put on a bit of weight.
"Hmph! That's because you never let me go anywhere. I get so bored I have nothing to do but eat!" she grumbled.
"I just told you not to sneak off to Shrek Academy. You go shopping with Aunt Ye every day—and eat nonstop while you're out," Ye Chen said helplessly.
"You—you've been watching me?!"
Her face flushed bright red, and she pounced on him, tugging at his cheeks in mock fury.
"Alright, alright, don't bite. I've already found the Snow Empress's location. Tomorrow we're going to find her."
He gently pinched her face and pushed her back a little.
"What?! You found her?"
Her sleepy expression vanished instantly, replaced by surprise. But then, suspicion crept into her tone. "Wait… you've been staying in Shrek City all this time. How could you possibly find her? Don't tell me she came looking for me there?"
"Haha, you'll find out tomorrow," Ye Chen replied with a grin. "But when it's time to persuade her, I'll need your help."
He patted her head affectionately.
Raising the Ice Empress all this time had been exactly for this moment.
Though he could force the Snow Empress into becoming his spirit, a soul spirit still required cooperation.
Once she became his seventh spirit, he'd gain his Martial Soul True Body—and a spirit Snow Empress could still use her own techniques.
If she didn't cooperate, it would complicate things.
With the Ice Empress's help, the process would be far smoother and quicker.
"Fine, fine," the Ice Empress muttered softly, curling up against him again. "But you promised—you can't bully her."
"Am I that kind of guy? I haven't bullied you, have I?" he teased.
"You—don't even start… you've done plenty of that…" she grumbled, face reddening all the way to her neck.
Ye Chen merely laughed, hugging her closer and brushing his nose against her warm ear.
The truth was, the Ice Empress had long since become his.
She often shared his bed, sometimes even teasingly without clothes. How was he supposed to resist that?
"I haven't—mmph…"
Before she could finish protesting, Ye Chen silenced her with another kiss.
The Ice Empress gave him a helpless, exasperated look, her eyes full of complaint.
This man really was impossible. Broad daylight—and with Aunt Ye right next door—what if someone heard?
(END CHAPTER)
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