Bo Saixi's brows were tightly furrowed, her expression tinged with helplessness: "Actually, saying it won't make a difference."
"That place is the Far North."
"It was the entry point for the ancient spirit beasts' invasion a million years ago."
"There are many corpses of ancient spirit beasts at the entrance. Obtaining an inner core would be effortless."
"But the area around the entrance is the Snow Empress's territory."
Bo Saixi sighed softly: "As for the Snow Empress, I've only read about her in books."
"She is a spirit born from ice and snow, with a cultivation of around 800,000 years—extremely powerful."
"Moreover, the icy plains enhance her abilities. So, for tens of thousands of years, no soul master has dared to venture deep into the Far North Snow Plains."
"I do know a thing or two about that," Ye Tian nodded lightly.
He had heard of the Snow Empress's reputation.
He also knew that the Heavenly Dream Iceworm and the Snow Empress were acquainted.
But Bo Saixi wasn't wrong—the Snow Empress's combat power in the Far North was second only to that of a deity.
Even an Ultimate Douluo would be no match for her there.
Not to mention, the Snow Empress didn't fight alone—she could command all the spirit beasts of the Far North.
Even an army of hundreds of thousands would have to retreat before her might.
"However, this isn't an unsolvable situation," Ye Tian mused thoughtfully. "Gu Yuena might be able to help me."
Gu Yuena, who possessed a portion of the Silver Dragon King's power, could indirectly mobilize fragments of the Dragon God's divine spark.
Though Gu Yuena's strength was still negligible compared to a deity's, she could command spirit beasts.
If the Snow Empress was the emperor of the Far North's spirit beasts, then Gu Yuena could be called a deity!
"It seems gathering the treasures needed to revive Xiao Wu's mother won't be as difficult as I thought."
Ye Tian smiled faintly.
---
That afternoon.
Qian Renxue summoned Ye Tian to the imperial palace.
In the tranquil imperial garden, the lush greenery was bathed in the golden light of midsummer, casting shimmering reflections on the two figures standing face-to-face.
Looking at Qian Renxue in her elegant white dress, Ye Tian chuckled:
"As a child, you're really the epitome of filial piety."
Qian Renxue's expression was earnest.
"What's the use of making amends after someone has already passed?"
Strolling along the verdant corridor, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes remained calm as she said:
"Recently, Prince Xue Xing's faction in Heaven Dou City has been almost completely purged by me."
"The situation is gradually stabilizing, but Prince Xue Xing hasn't been captured yet—that's still a significant problem."
Ye Tian reassured her: "There's no need to worry too much. The political heart of the empire will always be Heaven Dou City."
"As long as Prince Xue Xing isn't in Heaven Dou City and can't access the imperial seal, he won't be able to cause any major trouble."
"Besides, 'Prince Xue Xing' is just a title."
"Even if you do capture him, if someone wants to oppose you later, he might just 'resurrect' out of nowhere."
"That's true," Qian Renxue said, her expression relaxing. "It seems I've been too tense these past few days."
"By the way, what do you plan to do with Xue Lanlan?" Qian Renxue turned her head to ask.
"According to She Long, her mental state is very unstable right now."
Ye Tian frowned but didn't answer immediately.
Xue Lanlan was already sixteen this year.
When the incident happened, she hadn't fully understood the situation.
But as time passed, she had pieced together bits and pieces from those around her.
She learned that her father had been forced to flee by her cousin and had suffered severe injuries.
It was something she couldn't quite accept.
"Sigh, let her go. I promised her," Ye Tian rubbed his forehead.
From a strategic standpoint, the best course of action would be to keep Xue Lanlan under house arrest in the palace as leverage.
But he had promised to protect her.
"Alright, I'll listen to you," Qian Renxue agreed without hesitation, her clear eyes fixed on Ye Tian.
Hearing this, Ye Tian noticed the unusual look in Qian Renxue's eyes.
But he chose not to acknowledge it, maintaining a composed demeanor as if he hadn't seen it.
Casually, he pulled out a prepared document from his robe and handed it to Qian Renxue:
"This is a draft I've written about forming an alliance with the Spirit Hall."
"You can review it first, and we'll announce it at the appropriate time."
Qian Renxue took the document but showed no intention of reading it, smiling indifferently:
"The content of the document isn't actually that important."
"No matter how we phrase it, most ministers will oppose it anyway."
"You haven't even read it—how do you know the ministers will oppose it?" Ye Tian raised an eyebrow.
"What, do you have some groundbreaking idea?" Qian Renxue looked slightly surprised as she sat down by a pavilion.
She unfolded the document and began reading line by line.
Her expression gradually shifted,
until finally, she looked up with a mix of astonishment and admiration:
"'To uphold the continent's eternal peace… establish the Douluo Alliance? Alliance members pledge never to engage in war?'"
"This is a truly novel idea!"
"The ministers might have reasons to oppose war, but they absolutely cannot oppose peace!"
Qian Renxue's face lit up with joy, as if she had discovered a new world.
But questions quickly followed.
"What if the Star Luo Empire and other major sects also want to join the Douluo Alliance?"
"Wouldn't the entire alliance become meaningless?"
"Also, if the Spirit Hall starts a war after signing the pact, they'd be at a moral disadvantage."
In this era, wars required justification.
An unjust army would face resistance wherever it went.
Ye Tian scoffed and pointed to the lower part of the document: "Please finish reading first."
"It's clearly written here—only peace-loving factions can join the alliance."
"...And whether they're peace-loving or not is ultimately up to us to decide."
"I've suddenly discovered another one of your virtues," Qian Renxue said with a peculiar look.
"What virtue?" Ye Tian asked, puzzled.
"You're thick-skinned," Qian Renxue covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"That is indeed a virtue," Ye Tian replied earnestly.
Qian Renxue mused: "With the alliance as a pretext, the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall can deepen their cooperation, both politically and militarily."
"I could even manipulate things behind the scenes to separate the four subordinate kingdoms from the Heaven Dou Empire and have them join the alliance as well."
"That way, we can consolidate resources and power through the alliance."
At this point, Qian Renxue smiled and gave Ye Tian a big hug.
"Thank you, Ye Tian."
"Without you, I might have needed another ten years to achieve this."
"Looking at this grand plan, I can't wait to announce it!"
"No need for thanks," Ye Tian's hand hovered mid-air, never quite landing on her back.
Then he sighed: "Once this is done, I'll be leaving."
Qian Renxue stiffened.
Her grip on the document tightened as she slowly pulled away from Ye Tian.
Her lips, bitten white, trembled slightly: "I think… the document still needs further revisions."
"Don't worry, if I have time, I'll send you the updated version later," Ye Tian smiled.
He didn't entertain Qian Renxue's attempt to make him stay.
Qian Renxue's eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"But I'd prefer if you finished it here in Heaven Dou City."
"But I can't stay here forever," Ye Tian stated the obvious.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's composure cracked.
She wanted to say more, but her pride kept her silent.
Her tone turned icy: "Fine, leave if you must. I've long grown accustomed to being alone."
Ye Tian spread his hands helplessly: "You can't expect me to stay in Heaven Dou City and wait for disaster, can you?"
"Someone has to take the blame for collaborating with the Spirit Hall, right?"
He was well aware of Qian Renxue's feelings for him.
But the current situation didn't allow him to remain in Heaven Dou City.
"I'm willing to bear the infamy of allying with the Spirit Hall," Qian Renxue took a deep breath.
"I'm the emperor now. The palace guards are tight—no one would dare touch me."
"But if you take the blame, your role as emperor would be meaningless."
"Then, the rebel armies across the land wouldn't just claim to 'purge the court of evil'—"
"They'd outright call for your head as a tyrant."
"Countless would declare themselves emperor, and your decade of effort would be for nothing."
A treacherous minister and a reckless emperor were two entirely different things.
The former only affected the fate of one individual.
The latter signified the collapse of imperial authority.
"But I truly don't want you to leave," Qian Renxue's voice wavered, her pride forgotten as she embraced Ye Tian again, pressing her face against his chest.
"I… can't bear the thought of losing you."
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them deeply.
The wise avoid love's river; fools repeat their mistakes.
Clearly, she was the latter.
In front of Ye Tian, she had once again revealed her vulnerability.
She knew full well in her mind that this was wrong.
But deep down, she hoped her display of weakness might soften Ye Tian's heart.
Even if… the chance was slim.
But even a sliver of hope was worth pursuing!
In the end, emotion triumphed over reason.
Qian Renxue stared at Ye Tian without blinking.
Then, as if mustering a shred of defiance,
she added: "I was… joking. Don't take it seriously."
"That wasn't funny," Ye Tian exhaled softly, as if accepting her explanation.
The two exchanged a glance, both aware of the unspoken truth, yet neither willing to address it directly.
---
Two days later.
Ye Tian received a letter from Bibi Dong.
Regarding the matter of Xiao Wu's mother mentioned in his letter, Bibi Dong agreed almost without hesitation.
She wrote: "Compared to you, a single spirit ring means nothing."
Reading those words, Ye Tian sighed softly.
It made him think of Qian Renxue's breathtakingly beautiful face.
He wasn't made of wood—how could he not have been moved by her advances?
But he couldn't bring himself to deceive her.
Moreover, he had promised Bibi Dong that their relationship would remain secret until the continent was unified.
He couldn't very well break that vow, go to Qian Renxue, and say, "Give up—I'm already with your mother."
The scene would be beyond awkward.
"It seems you're highly favored by Bibi Dong!" Bo Saixi, who had appeared unnoticed, peeked at the letter and remarked with amusement.
"Just one letter, and she's willing to give up a 100,000-year spirit ring."
"That must have taken tremendous courage for her."
Ye Tian quickly tucked the letter away, eyeing Bo Saixi warily:
"Your Eminence, reading others' letters isn't a good habit."
Bo Saixi giggled: "I didn't mean to, but you were so absorbed."
"Before I knew it, I'd seen everything."
"Let me tell you a secret—I never forget what I read."
"Should I recite the whole thing for you?"
Ye Tian immediately recalled the affectionate words Bibi Dong had written at the end.
His face burned with embarrassment—he could've dug out a three-bedroom apartment on the spot.
He waved his hands hastily: "No, no need. I don't doubt Your Eminence's abilities."
"You keep calling me 'Your Eminence'—even Xiao Wu calls me 'sister.' Can't you change how you address me?"
Bo Saixi's demeanor shifted back to its usual dignified elegance as she looked at Ye Tian.
Had he not known how she'd been exploring Heaven Dou City's bustling streets like an excited girl,
he might've believed her regal facade.
"Your Eminence, you're not joking with me, are you?"
"Should I recite the letter to prove it?" Bo Saixi arched a brow.
"Sister! Fine, you win!" Ye Tian covered his ears in surrender.
"Good, little brother. That's how you'll address me from now on," Bo Saixi smiled triumphantly.
Then she leaned in and whispered: "When you were retrieving the letter earlier, Xiao Wu came by."
"She seemed downcast. Seeing you weren't here, she left."
"She looked heartbroken."
"These past few days must have been hard on her."
Ye Tian fell silent.
He gazed wistfully beyond the courtyard:
"But now, I lack the courage to face her."
"Let's wait until her mother is revived before we meet again."
"Aren't you afraid someone else might take her away in the meantime?" Bo Saixi's breath was warm against his ear, her tone suggestive.
"She was never mine to begin with," Ye Tian said with rare solemnity.
"Nor will I ever switch sides."
"Rather than prolong the pain, it's better to leave and end it all quickly."
His decision to depart early was partly because of Xiao Wu.
After all, he truly didn't know how to face this friend who had once saved his life.
The thought made him laugh at himself:
"Ye Tian, oh Ye Tian—who'd have thought even someone like you would switch allegiances?"
"Don't be so hard on yourself. I'd have done the same in your place," Bo Saixi patted his shoulder.
"War may be inevitable, but because of you, there will be less of it."
"To this continent, you'll be a hero remembered for generations."
Ye Tian shook his head, refuting earnestly:
"That's the 'me' in your mind. The real me isn't so noble—just an ordinary person."
(End of Chapter)