Chapter 429: Unexpected Change! Another Fragment?
The radiant white soul ring around Huo Yuhao slowly began to change color, transitioning from its original hue to the golden shade unique to a million year soul ring.
One after another, golden orbs of light emerged from Huo Yuhao's forehead. With each orb that separated, he felt an increasing emptiness within. By the time the ninth orb had left his body, he was already struggling to stand.
These ten golden orbs were the core essence of Tianmeng Iceworm's spirit, his most fundamental power. Now, nine had left, leaving only the final tenth orb the one Huo Yuhao had already partially absorbed. This last orb was also what maintained the connection between them.
The nine golden orbs gently descended from the air, stacking upon one another. Soon, they condensed into a radiant golden figure one that looked exactly like Huo Yuhao.
At the same time, a powerful mental presence erupted as Tianmeng's spiritual form fully materialized:
"Ice Empress, I know you've sensed my presence. I, Tianmeng, have returned for revenge! Dare you face me?"
As he spoke, a tremendous mental force instantly enveloped Huo Yuhao, completely concealing his aura and presence within the ice shelter.
However, because Huo Yuhao and Tianmeng were now fundamentally linked, as soon as Huo Yuhao's own mental power came into contact with this force, he could perceive everything happening outside through Tianmeng's vision.
After delivering his challenge, Tianmeng Iceworm remained still, his golden light growing even more intense. Amid the vast snow covered world, his figure became an undeniable beacon.
Above, the sky darkened further, the clouds pressing low. The entire atmosphere became even heavier.
Time passed slowly.
Then suddenly
A mischievous grin formed on Tianmeng Iceworm's face.
He had felt it.
That familiar aura was approaching at high speed.
Ice Empress, you've taken the bait.
The dark clouds trembled violently for a moment.
Then, from the northern horizon, an emerald green radiance surged forward like a tidal wave, instantly covering the sky.
In a mere moment, the pitch black heavens transformed into a translucent, mesmerizing shade of jade, as if the entire sky had become an enormous emerald gemstone.
From every direction, a crisp, ethereal voice echoed:
"Tianmeng, so you really came after all."
"Ice Empress, of course, I came."
Tianmeng's voice suddenly softened, turning unexpectedly tender.
"Do you still remember what I told you back then? That as long as I lived, I would one day return to become your mate."
His honeyed words made Huo Yuhao's entire body shiver with disgust.
"That's so damn gross…!"
If even Huo Yuhao, his own ally, found it unbearably nauseating, then for the actual recipient Ice Empress this was nothing short of revolting.
Her crystal clear voice instantly turned icy cold, dripping with murderous intent:
"Tianmeng, you're courting death."
In that instant, the emerald sky darkened into a deep shade of black green, brimming with killing intent.
Yet Tianmeng remained composed, speaking with calm sincerity:
"No, I meant every word."
"Ice Empress, do you know why I chose to return now?"
"Because I know that within a hundred years, you will reach your final limit. When that time comes, you will be unable to surpass your next catastrophe and you will perish in this frozen wasteland."
"So I have returned, to ensure that you survive so that we can truly be together."
A brief silence followed.
Then, Ice Empress let out a cold laugh.
"So, your way of 'being together'… is to make me into this human's soul ring?"
"This is the only way," Tianmeng Iceworm said with an exaggerated sigh.
"The Divine Realm has forbidden us soul beasts from ascending to godhood. If we do nothing, we will all perish. Thus, I had no choice but to find another path."
"You've seen the vision of the future, haven't you? You know Huo Yuhao eventually became a god. That means my plan worked."
"Or are you truly willing to fade into oblivion, struck down by divine lightning?"
The Ice Empress fell silent.
Then, after a pause, her voice rang out again:
"If you had come to me before I saw the vision, perhaps just perhaps I would have considered it."
"But now…?"
In that moment, a sharp emerald light streaked across the sky.
Almost instantaneously, a new figure materialized in front of Tianmeng Iceworm.
At the same time
Ye Lao's voice suddenly rang in Huo Yuhao's mind.
"Hmm? This soul beast…"
Huo Yuhao, noticing the change in tone, immediately asked:
"Ye Lao, what's wrong?"
"This soul beast… has a fragment."
"WHAT?!"
Huo Yuhao's mind went blank for a second before sheer joy exploded in his heart.
This was perfect!
They had come all this way searching for a fragment and now, one was right in front of them!
If they could subdue the Ice Empress, their mission would be complete.
They could return victorious!
The realization made him grin uncontrollably.
But he had no idea that in just a moment, that smile would be wiped off his face completely.
The Ice Empress was one of the three supreme rulers of the Extreme North, even ranking above the Titan Snow Demon King.
Yet, her size was surprisingly small.
She was a scorpion, barely two meters long, with a dual colored body one part icy blue, the other a brilliant jade green.
Her upper body had four layered segments, each slightly over half a foot in length, with her head positioned on the foremost layer.
The silver white pincers at her mouth gleamed with an eerie chill, and her upper body was covered in dazzling hexagonal crystalline scales, their brilliance rivaling that of pure diamonds.
Under the reflection of the snow, her entire form radiated an otherworldly brilliance, as if she herself had become a source of light.
Yet, the true centerpiece of her radiance was her long, raised tail.
Unlike a normal scorpion's segmented appendage, the Ice Empress' tail had only five sections each one a flawless emerald, glowing with the vitality of life itself.
At the very tip, her diamond like venomous stinger shimmered like a flawless mirror, its silver white hue carrying a lethal beauty.
Seeing her, Tianmeng Iceworm's eyes filled with adoration, his gaze locked onto her mesmerizing form.
"You've come."
His tone carried a mix of longing and nostalgia.
Yet, Ice Empress' golden eyes gleamed with mockery.
With a chilling smirk, she sneered:
"Tianmeng… did you really think I wouldn't see through your pathetic tricks?"
"That vision of the future exposed everything."
"Your plans, that human called Huo Yuhao, and even that so called Ye Lao…"
"Now tell me if I refuse to offer myself as a sacrifice, yet still dared to come here…"
"Doesn't that strike you as a bit… strange?"
For the first time, Tianmeng Iceworm felt his heart tighten.
Something felt off.
This script wasn't right.
If she wasn't here to negotiate, then…
What was she really planning?
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