Xue Di, the Snow Empress, remained captivatingly close to Song Qing, her ice-blue eyes still wide with wonder as she bathed in the gentle, vibrant aura of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit. The profound coldness that usually clung to her seemed to recede slightly, replaced by a softer, almost ethereal glow.
After a long moment of silent communion with the life energy, she finally seemed to remember the presence of others. She turned her gaze, not towards Song Qing's companions yet, but towards the massive, jade-green figure of the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, Bing'er.
The earlier flicker of annoyance Bing'er felt at being ignored vanished instantly as Xue Di's attention fell upon her.
"Bing'er," Xue Di's melodic voice addressed her, softer now, tinged with genuine warmth. "Thank you."
Bing'er shifted her massive pincers slightly, confusion evident in her mental projection. 'Thank me, Xue'er? For what?'
"For bringing him here," Xue Di clarified, gesturing slightly towards Song Qing with a graceful, snow-pale hand. "I was… deep within my cycle. Balancing the energies for the complement method. My senses were withdrawn, focused inward."
She looked back at Song Qing, then back at Bing'er. "If you hadn't arrived, if his unique life signature hadn't permeated my sanctuary," she indicated Song Qing again, "I would not have stirred. I would have remained withdrawn, perhaps for decades more. I would have missed…" Her voice trailed off, her gaze returning to Song Qing with that unnerving depth of recognition. "…this encounter. This resonance."
Bing'er felt a warmth bloom within her icy core, completely melting away the earlier pang of jealousy. Xue'er was thanking her! She had inadvertently facilitated this meeting Xue'er clearly valued.
'You are welcome, Xue'er!' Bing'er projected back eagerly, relief and sweetness flooding her ancient heart. 'Anything for you! Always!' Her massive tail gave a subtle, almost happy twitch.
Xue Di offered Bing'er a small, genuine smile – a rare sight that made the Scorpion Empress feel giddy – before her expression turned inquisitive again.
"But tell me, Bing'er," Xue Di asked, her ice-blue eyes sweeping over the entire group now – Song Qing, the near-god Bibi Dong, the radiant Qian Renxue, the watchful younger girls. "Why are you traveling with this human? And his… companions? It is unlike you to tolerate intruders, let alone guide them."
Bing'er mentally collected herself, recalling the tumultuous events leading up to this moment. She quickly summarized the situation for Xue Di, her mental voice projecting clearly for all present to 'hear'.
She described Song Qing's arrival near her territory, their initial clash, the surprising power of his abyssal spirit and domain that suppressed her own. She relayed his offer – the shelter for her soul within his spirit bone, the promise of reconstruction using the Yin-Yang Extreme Reversal Herb, contingent on her willingly sacrificing her Soul Ring and Spirit Bone to him after witnessing proof of his replicative abilities.
'He subdued me, Xue'er,' Bing'er admitted honestly, without shame now, only pragmatism. 'His methods are unconventional, his power contradictory, but undeniable. He offered preservation, potential rebirth, in exchange for my essence. After confirming the presence of another ancient soul already under his protection,' she subtly indicated the faint residual trace of A'Rou's recent manifestation, 'and witnessing his ability to generate Immortal Herbs from his life spirit…'
She concluded firmly, 'I agreed to guide him to the Reversal Herb. To witness his absorption and replication. If he succeeds, I will fulfill my end of the bargain.'
Xue Di listened intently, her beautiful face expressionless, her glacial eyes thoughtful. She processed Bing'er's account – the fight, the suppression, the spirit bone capable of housing souls, the promise of resurrection, the ability to replicate Immortal Herbs.
Her gaze drifted back to Song Qing, who stood calmly, allowing Bing'er to explain, the gentle aura of his Life Tree still pulsing around him.
She considered Bing'er's plight, the offer made, the conditions set. Then, she thought of her own perilous path – the Yin Yang Complement soul core method, the terrifyingly low chance of success, the near certainty of oblivion upon failure.
An idea sparked in her ancient mind. A radical idea. A deviation from her planned path, prompted by this unexpected encounter, by the resonance she felt with Song Qing's life spirit, by the possibilities his unique abilities presented.
She turned fully towards Song Qing, gliding closer still, her presence demanding his complete attention. Bing'er watched, suddenly nervous again, wondering what Xue'er was thinking.
"Song Qing," Xue Di stated, her voice regaining some of its ethereal authority, though still soft. "Your offer to Bing'er… it is intriguing. Preservation of the soul… reconstruction… replication of treasures…"
Her ice-blue eyes locked onto his emerald ones. "I find myself… envious."
Song Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. 'Envious? The Snow Empress?'
Xue Di continued, her voice dropping lower, becoming almost intimate again, despite the audience. "The path I currently tread, the Yin Yang Complement… Bing'er is right. It is fraught with peril. My instincts, honed over half a million years, tell me the chances of success are… slim. Perhaps less than one in ten thousand."
She sighed softly, a sound like fracturing ice. "I pursue it because it is the only path I knew that offered a chance, however remote, of transcending the limits of this world, of perhaps touching true godhood, of escaping the inevitable decay that even beings like myself eventually face."
Her gaze intensified. "But your arrival… your power over life… your promise to Bing'er… it presents another possibility. A different path to rebirth. A path that, perhaps… offers a greater certainty of continued existence, even if it requires a temporary sacrifice."
She made her decision, swift and absolute, characteristic of her elemental nature.
"Therefore," she declared, stunning everyone present into silence, "I make you the same offer Bing'er has accepted, but with one alteration."
She held his gaze, unwavering. "Forget witnessing the replication first. I do not require that proof. My instincts, the resonance I feel with your life spirit, tell me you speak truth. It feels possible for you."
Her voice became utterly firm. "Take my Soul Ring now, Song Qing. Take my Spirit Bone. Shelter my soul alongside Bing'er's and A'Rou's within your Crown."
Absolute silence descended.
Bing'er gasped mentally, reeling. 'Xue'er?! Offer herself?! Just like that?! Without proof?!'
Bibi Dong's eyes widened fractionally. 'This Snow Empress… she's even more decisive than I anticipated. And completely captivated by his life spirit, it seems.'
Qian Renxue stared, analyzing Xue Di's expression. 'She's serious. Calculated risk? Or absolute faith in Qing's potential?'
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Song Cai'er were simply bewildered. Two near-invincible spirit beast rulers just… offering themselves up to Qing?
Song Qing himself was momentarily surprised by the immediacy and conviction of her offer. He hadn't expected her to leapfrog Bing'er's condition.
"You would offer yourself willingly? Now?" he asked, seeking confirmation. "Without witnessing the herb replication?"
"Yes," Xue Di affirmed without hesitation. "Why delay? My current path leads almost certainly to oblivion. Yours offers a tangible hope, however unconventional. Why gamble on infinitesimal odds when a more certain, albeit different, future is presented?"
She tilted her head, a flicker of something almost mischievous in her icy eyes. "Besides… the thought of spending potentially centuries residing within the soul-space of the World's Blessed Child… observing your journey, feeling that vibrant life energy up close… It sounds far more interesting than slowly fading away in icy solitude or shattering my soul in a failed cultivation attempt."
Song Qing considered her reasoning. It was logical, in a ruthless, pragmatic way. And her faith in his abilities, born from that strange resonance, was… flattering.
"But why, Snow Empress?" he pressed gently. "Beyond survival. What is your ultimate goal in seeking this rebirth?"
Xue Di's expression turned contemplative again, her gaze drifting towards the distant, icy peaks. "Survival is primary, naturally," she admitted softly. "But beyond that… power. Like Bing'er, I feel the limitations of my current form, even with Ultimate Snow. The path to true godhood seems barred to spirit beasts in this era."
She looked back at him, determination hardening her features. "You offer a chance to bypass that barrier. To be reborn… human."
Bing'er gasped again, louder this time, mentally and almost physically. 'Human?! Xue'er wants to become human?!' The thought struck her deeply. She had never considered such a thing for Xue'er, the spirit of the North itself.
Xue Di continued, addressing Song Qing. "As a human, possessing a soul potentially reconstructed by your life spirit, retaining the essence of my power but free from the inherent limitations of my current existence… the path to Rank 100, the path to godhood, might become… attainable. Easier, perhaps, than the perilous gamble I currently undertake."
She offered a small, decisive nod. "That is my goal, Song Qing. Rebirth. Human form. And ultimately, godhood. A path your unique abilities seem uniquely suited to facilitate."
Song Qing absorbed her words. Survival, rebirth as human, pursuit of godhood. Ambitious. Logical. And it aligned perfectly with his own long-term plans. Having souls as powerful as the Snow Empress and the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress indebted to him, potentially reconstructed as powerful human allies in the future… the strategic value was immense.
He glanced at the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, Bing'er, who still looked utterly stunned by Xue Di's decision, especially the desire for human form.
"And you, Empress Bing'er?" Song Qing addressed her directly. "Your companion has chosen her path. Does her decision influence yours? Do you still require proof regarding the herb?"
Bing'er hesitated for only a second. Xue'er wanted human form. Xue'er trusted this human implicitly. Xue'er was choosing this path.
For Bing'er, there was only one possible answer. Her loyalty, her love for Xue Di, outweighed everything else. If Xue'er was taking this leap of faith, Bing'er would leap with her. And the thought… the secret, burgeoning thought… of perhaps being reborn human alongside Xue'er, of finally being able to potentially express her feelings on a more equal footing… it was a dizzyingly appealing prospect.
'No,' Bing'er projected firmly, her earlier caution dissolving completely in the face of Xue Di's decision. 'No proof is needed now. If Xue'er trusts you, if she chooses this path… then I choose it too. Take my ring. Take my bone. Shelter my soul. I will follow Xue'er. Always.'
Song Qing looked from the resolute Snow Empress to the equally determined Ice Jade Scorpion Empress. Two of the most powerful beings in the Extreme North, offering their very essence to him.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Very well," he declared, accepting their offers. "Your faith will be rewarded."
He considered the rings. The Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, nearing 400,000 years. Earth and Ice dual attribute. A potent combination, perfect for bolstering the defensive and control aspects of his Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor.
The Snow Empress, likely over 700,000, given her status. Ultimate Snow. An absolute elemental power, focused on control, freezing, and preservation. An ideal fit for his Primordial Life Tree spirit, adding an unparalleled defensive and control element to its already potent life-based abilities.
"Then it is settled," Song Qing announced. "Empress Bing'er, your essence shall become the Eighth Soul Ring for my Abyssal Dragon spirit. Empress Xue Di, your power shall form the Eighth Soul Ring for my Primordial Life Tree spirit."
He looked at them both, his expression turning serious. "Prepare yourselves. The sacrifice must be willing, absolute. Channel your essence into your core, focus your intent on transferring your power into the ring that forms upon your soul's departure. Simultaneously, release your spirit bone and willingly guide your soul towards my Crown."
Xue Di nodded calmly, closing her ice-blue eyes, a serene acceptance settling over her beautiful features. She began to gather her immense power, the very air around her starting to shimmer with snowflakes made of pure energy.
Bing'er took a deep mental breath, mimicking Xue Di's posture as best her massive scorpion form could. She focused her will, overcoming millennia of survival instinct, preparing to offer herself completely. Loyalty and hope burned brighter than fear.
Song Qing signaled for his companions to step further back, shielded securely by Bibi Dong. This process would release immense energy.
He stood ready, his Soul Power surging to the Rank 80, the Dark Soul Emperor's Crown glowing faintly on his brow, ready to receive the ancient souls.