Chapter 141: Xue's Devotion
With Ye Wen's Sea God affinity reaching 100%, he felt a profound connection with the vast ocean itself, as if it held a will that actively supported him. Invisible forces seemed ready to channel into divine power at his command.
Ye Wen glanced over at the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, who was holding his wife and daughter affectionately as they resumed their juvenile forms. He smiled warmly.
"That concludes today's matters," he said politely. "Madam, I wish you a peaceful life. If you need anything, don't hesitate to seek help from Sea God Island. I hope to see you all reach a million years of cultivation someday."
For any creature on Douluo, even the smallest chance to transcend was invaluable, even if it did not entail a godly status. Deep Sea Demon Whale King's wife bowed deeply in gratitude, and the family of three sank back into the deep blue sea.
With their departure, Ye Wen turned his gaze thoughtfully toward the horizon. "I know you're there," he murmured softly.
His senses had already picked up on her presence: just a few dozen kilometers away, a familiar, ethereal figure floated in the air, her gaze fixed on him with complex emotions. She was none other than the one who had left so silently over ten years ago Snow Empress.
Ye Wen had often wondered why, after revealing herself once, she had chosen to depart without a word. But over time, he had begun to sense her distant yet protective presence, a feeling that someone was watching over him even in his weakest moments.
For an Ice Emperor at the pinnacle of strength, this short distance took no effort. She appeared before Ye Wen in mere moments.
"It's been a long time, Snow Empress," Ye Wen said, his voice laced with a mix of emotions. "Have you been secretly watching over me all these years?"
Snow Empress, with her cool, tranquil gaze, gave a slight nod.
So, it was true. Though she hadn't needed to intervene, she had remained nearby, ready to act if necessary. This silent guardianship was a profound kindness, a debt that Ye Wen felt heavily. There was no close bond between them, yet Snow Empress had shouldered the role of his protector, perhaps at the urging of the world's consciousness itself.
Ye Wen's expression softened, and he spoke with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Snow Empress, for everything."
"No need," she replied in her clear, distant voice. "I simply observed from afar. I didn't do anything."
"That was enough," he said, "But tell me, Snow Empress, what will you do now?"
A brief flicker of uncertainty passed through Snow Empress's pure and captivating eyes. "With you so close to godhood, there's no need for me to remain as your protector. I plan to return to the Extreme North and continue my cultivation."
"Is that so?" Ye Wen mused, then looked at her intently. "Snow Empress, I am still missing one last spirit bone, and I came here with the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion in mind."
At his words, Snow Empress's previously calm expression turned fierce, her aura flaring with hostility. "You cannot harm any spirit beast over 100,000 years in the Extreme North. That land is my domain, and my duty is to protect the souls there."
Ye Wen raised his hand soothingly. "Stay calm, Snow Empress. I'm well aware of your ties to the creatures of the Extreme North. At first, because I owed you a debt of gratitude, I intended to spare you and chose the 300,000 year old Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion instead, a beast with the strength to match my own. But when I discovered you had watched over me all these years, I began to think of a different solution. Would you care to hear it?"
Snow Empress's icy eyes met his, still wary and defensive. "Speak."
"Snow Empress, you are a spirit beast born purely of the Extreme North's unique environment and the world's consciousness. In another world, you could have ascended to godhood as a natural born Ice Goddess. But as long as you remain bound to a spirit beast's form, you are marked by inevitable demise, fated to face tribulation after tribulation until you are destroyed. You know, don't you, that your tribulations grow harder each time, and that your next trial at 700,000 years could very well be your last?"
She met his gaze with a faint sadness, nodding slightly, her usually steady expression tinged with the weight of her fate.
Ye Wen continued, "What I'm suggesting, Snow Empress, is that you join me as my sacrifice and ascend with me to the God Realm. There, you would escape the perils of tribulation forever."
Snow Empress had sensed the essence of Ye Wen's recent soul ring acquisition, so his proposal came as no surprise. However, she gave a subtle shake of her head.
"Thank you, World's Chosen," she said, "but as you yourself said, I am a soul beast born of Douluo's consciousness, with a purpose to protect the Extreme North. If I were to ascend, I would abandon my duty and fail the countless souls I swore to protect. However," her gaze softened, "if you could take Bing'er from this cycle of suffering, that would be enough. Let Bing'er follow you to the God Realm. I will stay behind and guard the Extreme North."
She looked delicate and gentle, yet her resolve burned fiercely as she spoke of her purpose. Her nobility and selflessness reminded Ye Wen of tales from his previous world of martyrs who sacrificed themselves for their ideals. He felt a profound respect for her conviction.
"I think you've misunderstood, Snow Empress," he said. "I don't intend to take you to the God Realm to abandon Douluo. Becoming the World's Chosen means my destiny is to free Douluo from the grip of the gods. To do that, I need your strength. I need you to ascend with me, Snow Empress, and help me save our world from within the God Realm itself."
For the first time, her usually tranquil eyes wavered, a ripple of emotion crossing her face.
"Is that… true?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Though she was born with the potential to become a god, Snow Empress had been denied that destiny, relegated to prey in the hunt of others. Even her own progress toward 100,000 years brought terrifying trials, each deadlier than the last. Now, at 600,000 years, the looming specter of her next tribulation haunted her days. Ye Wen's words, a promise of liberation from this endless cycle, ignited a faint hope in her heart.
Ye Wen nodded with resolve and extended his hand to her. "It's true. To save Douluo, I need powerful allies, and your abilities would be invaluable in the journey ahead. Join me, Snow Empress."
Snow Empress's pure gaze clouded briefly before her resolve crystallized. Awkwardly mimicking a knight's gesture, she took his hand and lowered her forehead to it in a solemn vow.
Ye Wen, caught off guard, blinked in surprise.
"Chosen of the World," she intoned, her voice full of promise, "I, Snow Empress, hereby dedicate myself to your mission. I will strive to liberate Douluo from the tyranny of the gods. From this day forward, you are my king, and I am your sword."
An aura of pure white soul power radiated from her, illuminating the area. Snow Empress's form dissolved into pure spirit energy, flowing into Ye Wen and merging with his right arm.
(End of Chapter)
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