"Yes."
Jiang Jue answered directly. There was nothing to hide here, nor could it be hidden.
"Did you kill this one?"
A trace of resistance flickered in the Ice Empress's eyes, though there also seemed to be a hint of expectation.
She knew nothing about what had just happened at the auction — souls inside the Soul-Refining Banner couldn't see the outside world without Jiang Jue's permission.
"No."
Jiang Jue replied calmly.
"That's good."
The Ice Empress seemed to have received the answer she wanted, and her tense expression eased.
She didn't ask further, and Jiang Jue didn't explain more. Everything was understood without words.
"Mm—!"
At that moment, Meng Hongchen let out a muffled groan, her face showing pain. Her left arm was glowing a vivid green, and the whole arm had swollen thicker.
"Ice Empress!"
Jiang Jue called out softly.
"Understood!"
She answered, her figure flashing to Meng Hongchen's side. Her fair hand tapped once at the swelling arm, then pressed directly against it.
The rampaging Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone shuddered the moment it felt that icy touch, instantly wilting.
"Behave, and fuse with her."
The Ice Empress pressed her palm to Meng Hongchen's arm and gave a low command.
The soul bone instantly quieted down — as if it had sensed the aura of a king.
As the Ice Jade Scorpion Emperor, the Ice Empress surpassed ordinary Ice Jade Scorpions both in bloodline and in control over ice. Helping Meng Hongchen fuse the bone was effortless.
With her intervention, Meng Hongchen's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, her face calming as the green light in her arm actively merged into her bones — carefully, as though afraid of hurting her.
"All done."
The Ice Empress smiled faintly, patting her small hand and speaking to Jiang Jue.
But then she realized that such an action might hurt her regal image, so she quickly returned to a serious expression.
"This time you owe me. Without me, that human female's left arm would be gone for sure. By the time you regretted it, it would've been too late."
Seeing Meng Hongchen's condition stabilize, Jiang Jue extended his spiritual sense to confirm it and finally relaxed.
"What, you don't trust me?"
The Ice Empress raised her brow unhappily. For some reason, seeing him act as if he didn't trust her made her feel faintly uncomfortable.
"No — this time it's all thanks to you, Ice Empress."
Jiang Jue smiled slightly at her proud, tsundere look.
"Of course."
"Oh, right — Ice Empress, do you have any soul beasts in the Extreme North that are about to break through the hundred-thousand-year level?"
Jiang Jue thought back to the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo at the auction and asked.
"Hm? Why are you asking? Don't tell me you want me to… commit beast fornication?"
The Ice Empress looked at him suspiciously.
Seeing her wary expression, Jiang Jue explained what had happened at the auction.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul beast? Re-cultivated into human form? And caught by humans? That stupid?"
She spoke each word with visible disdain, almost as if hating iron for not becoming steel. Were there really soul beasts in the world that foolish?
Jiang Jue's mouth twitched. Just wait until you see your Xue Xue — you won't be saying that.
"As for whether there are any about to break through a hundred thousand years in the Extreme North… I honestly don't know. I've been preparing for my fourth heavenly tribulation these years, and soul beasts that haven't reached a hundred thousand years aren't even worth my attention."
"Alright, then head back for now."
"Fine. Call me if you need me."
She nodded slightly, transforming back into a streak of green light. She was just about to enter the Soul-Refining Banner when Jiang Jue's voice stopped her.
"And… Ice Empress, next time you vent your frustration on Xiao Hu, hit lighter."
The green light paused briefly before quickly entering the banner, leaving behind a faint 'Got it.'
Jiang Jue shook his head. He didn't know what Xiao Hu had done to offend the Ice Empress, but inside the banner it often wailed in pain. It wasn't that he pitied it — he just didn't want the two soul flames inside it to get damaged…
Looking at the now peaceful Meng Hongchen, he gently wiped away the cold sweat from her brow, then sat on the other side of the bed and began cultivating.
But that night, some people were destined not to sleep peacefully.
"What?!"
"You're saying most of the discounted soul tools the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy sold us are just common ones from the market?"
Inside a lavish golden room, Xu Jiawei's angry voice rang out.
"Yes, Imperial Brother."
Xu Jiujiu stood before him, her expression equally grim.
"It's fine, it's fine. I still have two sculptures… I still have two sculptures…"
Xu Jiawei took a sip of tea, forcing down the anger in his heart.
"When the time comes, I hope the Body Sect will give Mingde Hall a good beating for me. To dare make a fool of me — outrageous!"
Heaven Dou Empire – Impassable Terrain – Body Sect
"Sect Master! Sect Master!"
Rain or shine, Yu Tao had run nonstop, finally returning to the Body Sect. Without pause, he headed straight for Du Busi's room, shouting loudly.
"Third Brother, weren't you watching the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament? Why are you back?"
Two Body Sect disciples guarding the door looked at the flustered Yu Tao and quickly asked.
"Call the Sect Master! I have urgent news!"
"But the Sect Master is already asleep—"
"Alright, with Little Tao's yelling like calling ghosts, how could I sleep?"
An old but commanding voice came from within.
Creak!
The door opened, and an elderly man stepped out.
He was tall, with long dark-green hair cascading down his back — but humorously, the top of his head was completely bald. This was none other than the Body Sect Master, Du Busi.
"Little Tao, didn't I send you and Lang Ya to the tournament to find our Body Sect people? Why are you back?"
"Sect Master… I…"
Yu Tao, having run all the way back, was still catching his breath.
"Look at you — can't you be more composed?"
Du Busi frowned at him.
"It's fine, Sect Master. I'm not composed, but you are, aren't you?"
Yu Tao steadied his breathing with soul power.
"Enough flattery — out with it."
"Reporting, Sect Master: Second Brother and I found a genius with a Body Martial Soul! And not just any — the strongest type of Body Martial Soul. He might even be innately silver level!"
"Mhm… Mm?!"
At first, Du Busi was pleased — after all, soul masters who awakened Body Martial Souls were rare, so finding one was already satisfying. But when he heard the latter half, his voice instantly jumped by over ten decibels.
"What did you say?!"
An oppressive aura burst from him involuntarily.
Failing to pass on the Body Martial Soul was his lifelong regret. His elder brother Du Bisi had died early, and the most talented member left in the sect was Long Aotian, who had only awakened a skin-based Martial Soul.
"I'm not done yet.
His Martial Soul isn't just a Body type — it's also Ultimate Ice attribute."
At that, Du Busi's eyes lit up.
"Go! Take me there right now!"
Without another word, Du Busi grabbed Yu Tao and soared into the air.
"Didn't you say we should be composed? Look at you — in a rush again!"
"To hell with composure — just lead the way!"
Their voices grew fainter as they flew into the distance…