Faced with Su Tong's answer, Ye Guyi nodded noncommittally and didn't dwell on the topic.
Truth or falsehood would become clear over the near-eternal years after godhood.
She took out a soul tool light screen and began searching for information that interested her.
Snow Empress had given one to her and Ji Juechen while Su Tong was being "educated," and had taught them how to use it.
Su Tong watched curiously, leaning in to look at the screen. Ye Guyi didn't hide it.
In the search bar, three characters were clearly displayed: Gu Yuena.
Su Tong blinked. "Curious about her?"
"I just want to learn about her in advance—since we'll be meeting her when we go to Mingdu." As Ye Guyi spoke, the search results for Gu Yuena appeared. She clicked in and fell silent.
Looking at the image of the silver-haired woman with a peerlessly beautiful but cool expression, Ye Guyi glanced back at the lounge.
"Don't you think... this style is somewhat similar to Snow Empress's?"
Su Tong nodded seriously. "Very similar."
So that was it—the same type of substitute?
"It seems we've discovered Teacher's pref—"
A chill emanated from the room behind them. Su Tong shivered, her various thoughts dissipating.
She glanced back at the lounge awkwardly and said to Ye Guyi, "Let's go."
Discussing her teacher here—her mind really had grown dull.
Inside the room, Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze and sighed helplessly. "Su Tong... she wasn't like this before."
When he'd first met Su Tong, she'd been cold and aloof, keeping others at a distance. After joining the Tower, she'd thawed somewhat but still maintained her dignity. Unlike now—she was practically a gossip girl.
Snow Empress covered her smile. "Perhaps she let herself go during her years as Tower Master."
Huo Yuhao shook his head helplessly. "You should have kept her in check back then."
Snow Empress smiled but didn't take the bait. She shifted the topic: "You said earlier that you spend little time with me. So while we're in the Extreme North, your time belongs to me."
Huo Yuhao was briefly startled, his heart softening as he pulled her into his arms.
"Alright. Yours."
Leaning against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat and his presence, Snow Empress's voice softened unconsciously: "I can get jealous too. You spend too much time with Gu Yuena."
"I understand."
Huo Yuhao's voice was low. Looking at Snow Empress's bright eyes, he was silent for a moment. Instead of just holding her as usual, he lowered his head and kissed her soft, sweet lips.
Snow Empress was momentarily stunned, then closed her eyes, clutching the fabric at his chest. Outside, the aurora flowed, casting their intertwined shadows on the floor.
After a long moment, Huo Yuhao pulled back slightly, tightening his arms around her, his chin resting on the top of her head, inhaling the fragrance of her hair. His voice carried a hint of apology: "These years have been hard on you."
Snow Empress didn't speak. Her eyes were somewhat dreamy as she looked at him, then she smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning fully against him. "We'll have endless years after godhood—as long as we're together."
They lingered for a long time, only emerging hand in hand when dinner time arrived.
The reunion dinner was naturally a lavish affair. Dishes were served one after another, the aurora streaming through the ice-crystal dome, casting the entire dining hall in a warm, airy glow.
But during the meal, Ye Guyi and Su Tong kept giving Huo Yuhao strange looks.
Huo Yuhao naturally noticed. He raised an eyebrow and said directly, "What's with those looks? Just say it."
"Nothing much. We just saw some things online about you, Teacher. We were a bit surprised."
Su Tong's expression was peculiar. "We didn't expect you'd become a child and participate in this era's soul master competitions."
Huo Yuhao's expression remained unchanged. "Just once."
Soul master competitions in Douluo were an essential part of the experience.
Especially in Soul Land III's storyline—they were either in a competition or on their way to one. Even during the great battle against the Abyss, they were still competing.
Compared to some predecessors who'd transmigrated to the Douluo Continent, he'd participated in very few competitions.
So Huo Yuhao didn't think much of it.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, others would be.
Su Tong looked at him speechlessly but didn't press the matter.
Still, just seeing videos of Teacher as a child was already worth it. He'd been quite cute back then—serious and cold like a little adult. Too bad they'd never get to meet him at that age.
Su Tong sighed regretfully, then changed the subject. "So what about the Fire God reincarnation thing? Did you become the Fire God, Teacher?"
"If I had become a deity, you know, would you three still have a chance to become deities?" Huo Yuhao looked at them.
One reason he'd chosen to stay on the Douluo Continent and not become a deity ten thousand years ago was this very concern.
If he had ascended back then, he might never have seen these old friends again.
"Then what's this Fire God reincarnation about?" Su Tong asked, puzzled.
"Someone misidentified me. Still, I do have a deep connection with the Fire God." Huo Yuhao's expression was also somewhat peculiar at this.
Seven-Colored Lotus Flame came from a Fire God of another world.
The Tian Fen Shen Chu came from an ancient Fire God.
Beyond that, Ice-Devouring Extreme Flame had fully evolved into a divine flame along with his growth. Combined with Crimson Gold Mysterious Flame, he had two divine flames.
If this were Soul Land I, his configuration would certainly have drawn the Fire God's attention.
From these perspectives, he and the Fire God indeed had a deep connection.
"I see." After hearing his explanation, Su Tong looked thoughtful.
Meanwhile, Ji Juechen tasted a local specialty dish, swallowed expressionlessly, and asked, "You mentioned five experts who've touched the divine level in the Spirit Transmission Tower. I only found four online. Who's the fifth?"
He was referring to Emperor Tian, Snow Empress, Huo Yuhao, and Gu Yuena—all findable online.
"The fifth is my teacher. He's currently involved in a dangerous mission. You'll have to wait a while to see him." Huo Yuhao's gaze fell on the flowing aurora beyond the window, looking toward the Douling Continent.
Ji Juechen seemed to understand and didn't press further.
At the same time, on the Douling Continent.
Electrolux had arrived and received a warm welcome from the Holy Spirit Cult—personally greeted by the Demon Empress herself.
"It's been a while, Demon Lord."
Outside Tiandou City on the Douling Continent, the Demon Empress looked Electrolux up and down in his demon form, her eyes narrowing. "Our agreed meeting time is still some time away. Why have you come to us now?"
Electrolux's expression didn't change, his voice low and rough: "You must have sensed that breakthrough to the divine level earlier. That's your enemy, isn't it? And from the intelligence I've gathered recently, he seems to have several other experts who've touched the divine level around him."
The Demon Empress's pupils contracted, her smile fading.
So he already knew the Douluo Federation's strength.
"You're right. The Douluo Federation does have several experts who've touched the divine level." The Demon Empress's smile vanished, her tone turning cold. "Don't tell me you've changed your mind and want to back out?"
She paused, her gaze sharp as a blade: "They're not just our enemies—they're yours too. Don't forget, the Demon Plane once invaded the Douluo Continent. Do you think the Federation will spare you?"
Electrolux's tone was indifferent: "Don't try to scare me, Demon Empress. The Demon Plane's friction with the Federation is old history—it has no direct bearing on these new deities. Besides, the Demon Plane and the Douluo Plane are far apart. As long as we clean up our traces on the Douluo Continent, they'll have difficulty tracking us."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" The Demon Empress laughed coldly. "If you want to abandon our cooperation, just say so."
The Holy Spirit Cult and the Demon Plane were different—the Cult had no retreat, while the Demon Plane did. She understood this perfectly. That's why they'd originally wanted to capture a Fallen Angel martial soul wielder, intending to use them to open the Demon Gate when necessary and hold the Demon Plane hostage.
Who could have expected the Demon Plane to have a divine-level expert, sending their captured soul master flying?
So the Demon Empress had anticipated this situation—without leverage over the Demon Plane, it could terminate their cooperation at any time.
This ally was unreliable.
Electrolux didn't even lift his eyelids, his voice flat: "There's no need for anger. I'm just stating facts—the Federation's several divine-level combatants are indeed detrimental for our plans. But if I wanted to abandon our cooperation, I wouldn't be here today."
His gaze sharpened.
"I just want to know: what gives the Holy Spirit Cult confidence against such a great enemy? Is it the so-called Abyss Plane?"
The Demon Empress narrowed her eyes, studying him.
"You even know about that? Yes, the Abyss Plane is indeed the Holy Spirit Cult's partner. Now that you know, what do you plan to do?"
Electrolux withdrew his gaze and smiled.
"To continue cooperating, of course. The Demon Plane occasionally invades other planes, so I understand the Abyss Plane's power better than you do. Since you've already reached an agreement with them, dealing with the Federation shouldn't be difficult."
The Demon Empress frowned unconsciously.
She hadn't expected the Demon Lord to know about the Abyss Plane—and possibly understand it better than they did.
While she was pondering the implications, Electrolux changed tack.
"If our cooperation remains unchanged, shouldn't you show me your method of breaking through to the divine level? Only by demonstrating sincerity on both sides can our partnership last."
His "goal" in cooperating with the Holy Spirit Cult was to participate in their godhood plan.
"Follow me." The Demon Empress gave Electrolux a long look, then turned toward the center of Tiandou City.
Electrolux followed at a steady pace.
As the Douling Empire's capital, Tiandou City's streets were bustling with people and lined with shops—fairly prosperous. But Electrolux noticed that most pedestrians wore worried expressions, discussing the war in Xingluo in small groups.
"I heard Xingluo's defenses couldn't even hold for a day against the Douluo Federation. If the Federation turns its sights on us, what will we do?"
"What's there to fear? Lord Killing God is with us. He'll surely protect us."
"Exactly. Ten thousand years ago, the Sea God descended and stopped the Sun Moon Empire. Lord Killing God can definitely stop the Douluo Federation too."
Hearing these discussions, Electrolux frowned inwardly—the Killing God's faith was widespread here.
But he showed no emotion, following the Demon Empress expressionlessly.
After walking for about the time it took two incense sticks to burn, the Demon Empress stopped before an unremarkable building. It bore no markings and looked no different from the surrounding structures. But Electrolux could sense several powerful auras lurking in the shadows—at least Title Douluo level.
Seeing the Demon Empress, they didn't interfere.
She led Electrolux into the building without obstruction.
Inside, the furnishings were simple, just like an ordinary residence.
The Demon Empress walked to a wall, pressed a certain spot, and it slid open silently, revealing a dark staircase descending.
The further down they went, the colder and damper the air became, a faint smell of blood permeating the atmosphere. The walls on both sides were covered in dense dark red runes, faintly glowing in the dim light, extending into the depths like veins.
At the bottom of the stairs was a vast underground space.
Electrolux stood at the entrance, his pupils contracting slightly.
At the center of the space stood a blood-colored altar. Wraith-like shadows surrounded it, wailing silently. Dozens of Holy Spirit Cult evil soul masters sat cross-legged around the altar, their eyes closed in concentration, channeling spirit power continuously into it.
"This is the Holy Spirit Cult's godhood plan—the Blood River God-Slaying Grand Array!"
Looking at the array, the Demon Empress's face carried a hint of fanaticism. "Once the array is fully activated and a million souls are invested, it will devour countless souls and kill to become a deity!"
Electrolux took a deep breath, his expression calming. "Kill to become a deity? How interesting."
The Demon Empress composed herself and continued, "We've set up two Blood River God-Slaying Grand Arrays on the Douling Continent. If you show enough sincerity, we can give you one."
"Give me one... no." Electrolux shook his head. "I'd prefer the method for setting up the array, to build it myself."
The Demon Empress: "The Blood River God-Slaying Grand Array's construction method is a Holy Spirit Cult top secret. To obtain it, you'll need to show sincerity."
"Naturally. When you battle the Douluo Federation, I'll contribute my strength. But—you might win, but you might also lose. If you all die and the array's method is lost forever, won't I have wasted my time?"
"You're quite confident you'll come out unscathed?" The Demon Empress snorted coldly, then was silent for a moment. "I can agree to exchange part of the array's documentation first, but you'll need to offer suitable compensation."
"What do you want?" Electrolux narrowed his eyes.
"The Blood River God-Slaying Grand Array involves godhood. What I want from you is your secrets of the divine level."
The Demon Empress: "The Demon Plane is a mid-level plane. Its Limit-level experts should be fewer and weaker than the Douluo Plane's. Yet how did you reach your current spiritual level?"
Her gaze at Electrolux held a mix of probing and suspicion.
A Demon Plane lower-ranked than the Douluo Plane producing a divine-level expert was strange enough—especially one whose spiritual power had reached the third-class Divine Origin realm.
She herself was at the Divine Origin realm and knew how hard it was to break through to the next level. After all these years, she was still only at the early Divine Origin realm. The Demon Lord's situation clearly wasn't normal.
She'd long found this strange and had her doubts.
Perhaps the Demon Lord wasn't truly from the Demon Plane, but in a situation similar to the Killing God's. The Killing God had denied this speculation, but her suspicions remained.
This question was also a test.
Elder Electrolux smiled. "You want me to trade this secret for the array? Fine. You've shown good sincerity by letting me see the array. I agree."
"The reason I was able to reach this level in the Demon Plane is because the Demon Plane's Plane Lord developed consciousness. An intelligent Plane Lord, for its own benefit, naturally relaxes restrictions on its strongest beings."
"Developed consciousness?" The Demon Empress blinked, then shook her head. "That's impossible. How could your Demon Plane produce an intelligent Plane Lord when even the stronger Douluo Plane hasn't?"
"Why not?"
Electrolux said calmly, "Though the original Demon Plane's Plane Lord lacked consciousness, it had instinct. I trained its instinct by feeding it life energy from other planes, successfully nurturing desire—the desire to devour life energy. And with desire, consciousness isn't far behind."
"Using the Plane Lord's desire to drive behavior, gradually shaping it to act in my favor, thus nurturing its consciousness. Finally, let a sufficiently threatening enemy endanger the Demon Lords who feed it—let it feel the possibility of loss, let it know fear—let it begin to truly think about how to survive."
"When it starts considering that question and grants us its protection—that's when the Plane Lord's consciousness is born!"
Cassius: Those are my lines!
Yes, Elder Electrolux was describing the Demon Lord Cassius's plan.
He had to admit, the plan was feasible.
If not for running into Huo Yuhao, Cassius might well have succeeded.
As the "current Demon Lord," Elder Electrolux felt Cassius's plan perfectly fit the Demon Plane's "national conditions." It could explain both why the Demon Plane plundered life energy from other planes and his own level of cultivation. So he used it as leverage.
With this answer, the Holy Spirit Cult's suspicions should be largely dispelled.
And indeed, as Elder Electrolux predicted, the Demon Empress was shocked by what she heard, and her suspicion that he might not truly be from the Demon Plane mostly dissipated.
Anyone who could devise such a breakthrough method couldn't be anyone but someone desperately seeking godhood in the mortal world—or she'd go kill Sea God Tang San herself.