In the next instant, the Ice Empress's body turned into a jade-green streak of light, rapidly chasing in the direction where Shui Wuhen and the others had fled.
On the other side, Shui Wuhen and Shui Bing'er had already landed on Articuno's back and were flying at full speed toward the outer edge of the Extreme North Forbidden Zone.
However, Shui Wuhen still kept glancing behind them from time to time, worried that the Ice Empress might catch up.
Although Articuno's speed was already extremely fast due to Tailwind and Agility, Shui Wuhen still had no certainty whether they could escape the pursuit of a 100,000-year soul beast.
After all, before this, Shui Wuhen had never seen a true 100,000-year soul beast. He had no concrete understanding of how fast such a being truly was.
"Kill my Extreme North's subjects and still want to run? Human, don't you think you're being too naive?"
At that moment, that familiar clear voice rang out from all directions, causing Shui Wuhen's expression to change drastically.
The moment that voice appeared, it carried a terrifying sonic force. In an instant, the snow on the ground was swept up three meters high, like a suddenly rising wave.
Immediately after, a jade-green streak of light cut across the sky, leaving a horizontal trail. In the blink of an eye, a soul beast appeared in front of Articuno.
"Wuu~~"
The sudden appearance of the Ice Empress made Articuno immediately stop, her expression turning solemn as she stared at the Ice Empress ahead.
She could feel the Ice Empress's power—she was definitely not an ordinary 100,000-year soul beast. Although there was a significant gap in essence between them, the problem was that she was currently too weak.
Moreover, due to the laws of this world, the power she could exert was greatly restricted. She had originally thought that after using her martial soul true form, this restriction would be lifted, but things had not gone so smoothly.
At this moment, Articuno sighed inwardly. Unfortunately, she had not yet mastered her clan's strongest move, Sheer Cold. Otherwise, this arrogant scorpion would not be acting so recklessly.
If necessary, she would have to use the power of the Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow. It was just a bit of a waste.
At the same time, the Ice Empress on the opposite side looked at Shui Wuhen with some uncertainty. She did not expect his speed to be this fast.
If she were just an ordinary 100,000-year soul beast, he might really have escaped.
Come to think of it, the soul beast that was killed earlier was also strange. She remembered that a 70,000-year soul beast should be stronger than most Soul Douluo. Have humans become this strong now?
However, although she was puzzled, the Ice Empress's top priority was still the Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow. So she spoke again: "Human, you still haven't answered my question. Tell me! Where did you obtain the Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow?"
The reason the Ice Empress had not attacked was because she wanted to force Shui Wuhen to reveal the location of the Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow.
In her view, since these humans carried such dense aura of Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow, they must have discovered the legendary Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Cavern.
And the cavern would definitely contain a large amount of Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow. With Shui Wuhen and Shui Bing'er's current strength, they could not fully absorb it, meaning there should still be a lot left.
If she could find it, then not only her upcoming tribulation, but even her good sister Snow Empress's future tribulation would no longer be a concern.
Of course, she also would not waste these humans. After finding the cavern, she would naturally devour them as well. After all, the energy of the Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow within them could not be wasted.
"You want the Ten Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow?"
Upon hearing the Ice Empress's words, Shui Wuhen immediately sneered. "I'll tell you this—you can forget about it! Even if I die, I will never help beasts like you!"
Shui Wuhen had no good impression of soul beasts. Having come from the lowest level, he knew exactly how much threat soul beasts posed to humans. On this continent, humans died because of soul beasts almost every moment. He had even personally witnessed soul beasts devouring humans.
Some might say that human spirit masters also hunt soul beasts for spirit rings, and that soul beasts' living space is also being squeezed by humans.
But that argument meant nothing to Shui Wuhen.
Because Shui Wuhen was human, not a soul beast. If soul beasts don't die, then should humans die instead?
Humans and soul beasts are a struggle for survival between races—there is no room for compromise.
Under the premise of racial survival, any excuse or reason is meaningless!
Clearly, Shui Wuhen's words completely enraged the already hot-tempered Ice Empress.
Only a furious roar was heard: "Human, since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish!"
In the next moment, the Ice Empress's tail hook—glittering with a mirror-like silver-white sheen—moved instantly, turning into a phantom as it stabbed toward Shui Wuhen.
This strike carried tremendous power. With her 380,000-year cultivation, only peerless Titled Douluo could likely withstand it on the entire Douluo Continent.
Even Golden Crocodile Douluo, known for his defense, would most likely be severely injured by this enraged strike.
However, Shui Wuhen's reaction was equally fast. Almost at the moment the Ice Empress launched her attack, a pale blue barrier appeared in front of him.
Clang——
In the next instant, the Ice Empress's tail hook struck the pale blue barrier.
"What?"
The Ice Empress let out an incredulous voice. Her attack had actually been blocked by a human who wasn't even a Soul Saint?
At that very moment, while blocking the attack, Shui Wuhen immediately transmitted a message to Shui Bing'er beside him: "Bing'er!"
"I know, brother!"
The next moment, their bodies vanished into a blur, turning into light points that intertwined and slowly merged into Articuno's body.
"Wuu~~~"
Immediately after, accompanied by Articuno's long cry, her body erupted with dazzling light.
Along with the light came subtle changes to her form—her feathers became longer and more brilliant, and even the crown on her head began to shine with a special radiance.
"Wuu~ OOOO!!!"
After completing the transformation, Articuno's aura surged. In the blink of an eye, it reached the level of a Titled Douluo—and was still rapidly rising.
This was Shui Wuhen and Shui Bing'er's final trump card, which they called Super Articuno!
Even Shui Wuhen himself was shocked that the Super Articuno formed by their fusion possessed such terrifying strength.
Normally, a martial soul fusion skill could at most allow combat one major rank above. Even exceptional ones rarely exceeded two major ranks.
But their Super Articuno, from the very first attempt, had already surpassed three major ranks.
During the Spirit Master Elite Tournament, Shui Wuhen estimated that their combined power was already enough to deal with an ordinary Titled Douluo. Now that both of them had grown stronger, the Super Articuno's power had naturally increased as well.