The vast, silent plain of ice became a stage for a sacrifice unparalleled in the history of the Extreme North. The Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, Bing'er, a ruler for countless millennia, stood poised, her massive form radiating a complex mix of apprehension, resolve, and unwavering loyalty towards the Snow Empress who had already made her choice.
"Prepare yourselves," Song Qing commanded again, his voice calm but resonant, cutting through the tension. "Focus your essence. Guide your soul."
Bing'er took a deep, shuddering mental breath. This was it. Four hundred thousand years of existence, culminating in this moment of willing surrender. For Xue'er. For the hope of rebirth.
She began to gather her immense power, the jade-green ice of her carapace glowing intensely, pulsing with concentrated Earth and Ice energy. The ground beneath her trembled slightly. Her multifaceted eyes fixed on Song Qing, projecting her intent.
WHOOM!
With a final, silent surge of will, her colossal form seemed to… dissolve. Not violently, but like ice melting under an impossible sun. Her physical substance broke down, releasing an overwhelming wave of pure Soul Power and elemental energy.
From the epicenter of this dissolution, two objects blazed into existence.
First, a Soul Ring. Deep, blood-red, almost bordering on crimson-orange, pulsating with the immense energy of nearly 400,000 years of cultivation. It radiated potent Ice and Earth signatures, heavy and powerful.
Second, a Spirit Bone. It was the Empress's sternum, a massive, intricate piece of jade-green ice bone, humming with defensive power and elemental resilience. The Ice Jade Scorpion Empress Torso Bone.
Simultaneously, a translucent, spectral form, mirroring the Empress's scorpion shape but shimmering with soul energy, detached itself from the fading light. It hesitated for only a fraction of a second before shooting towards Song Qing, specifically towards the faintly glowing Dark Soul Emperor's Crown on his brow.
Song Qing focused his will, opening the pathway. The spectral Empress flowed into the spirit bone without resistance, vanishing from sight.
'Bing'er…' A faint echo of Xue Di's thought brushed against Song Qing's mind from within the Crown, laced with sorrow and acceptance.
'She is safe, Xue Di,' Song Qing projected back reassuringly. 'Her transition begins now.'
His attention snapped back to the immediate task. The colossal red Soul Ring hovered before him, radiating immense power. The sternum bone drifted nearby.
He gestured, guiding the spirit bone into his spatial storage first. Integrating that would come later. The ring was the priority.
He sat down cross-legged on the ice, ignoring the cold. He closed his eyes, focusing inward, calling upon his first spirit.
The immense, shadowy aura of the Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor flared around him again, tangible even without the full avatar transformation.
He reached out with his soul power, gently drawing the massive red ring towards him.
The moment it contacted his aura, he felt the influx – immense power, yes, but also the dual attributes of Ice and Earth, mingling strangely with his Abyss, Void, and Time energies.
He guided the ring downwards, settling it into the eighth position around his spirit.
The absorption began.
It felt like swallowing a glacier whole while simultaneously wrestling with the weight of a mountain. The sheer volume of soul power was staggering, vastly exceeding his previous hundred-thousand-year rings. The Ice energy clashed sharply with the Abyssal Flame passive of his fourth ring, while the Earth energy felt heavy, almost sluggish compared to the swiftness of Void Dash or the distortion of Temporal fields.
But Song Qing's spirit was no ordinary vessel. The Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor seemed to relish the challenge. It devoured the soul power greedily, its abyssal nature corroding and assimilating the foreign energies. The Ice attribute didn't extinguish his flames; instead, it seemed to become infused with abyssal cold, transforming into something far more dangerous than simple frost. The Earth energy was reshaped, granted abyssal weight and temporal stability.
The ring solidified, locking into place. Deep, blood-red, verging on crimson-black, pulsing with terrifying power. His Eighth Ring.
A flood of information poured into his mind – the abilities granted by the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, filtered and mutated through the lens of his own superior spirit.
Eighth Soul Ring (Ice Jade Scorpion Empress - ~390,000 Year - Deep Red): Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor
Active Ability 1: Abyssal Jade Frost Nova: Unleashes an omnidirectional blast of jade-green ice infused with potent abyssal energy. This nova not only freezes targets solid with extreme cold (Ultimate Ice properties derived from the Empress, amplified) but also corrodes their soul power and inflicts lingering abyssal damage. The ice formed is unnaturally durable and resistant to melting. (Primary Ice ability inherited).
Active Ability 2: Emperor's Decree - Soul Fragmentation: A targeted spiritual attack. Song Qing focuses his abyssal and spiritual energy into a piercing mental lance aimed directly at the opponent's soul core. Does not cause physical damage, but seeks to inflict cracks and instability upon the target's spirit, potentially disrupting soul skill usage, causing intense mental pain, or even permanent soul damage on weaker targets. (Spirit-unlocked ability, focusing on soul domination).
Active Ability 3: Void Maw Devour: For a brief period (up to 10 seconds), Song Qing can manifest a localized vortex of abyssal void energy linked to his spirit's inherent devouring nature. This vortex can actively draw in and consume incoming energy attacks (elemental or pure soul power) below a certain threshold, partially replenishing his own soul power reserves. Cannot consume physical attacks or excessively powerful divine energy. (Spirit-unlocked ability, focusing on energy consumption).
Passive Ability: Tyrant's Jade Resilience: Greatly enhances Song Qing's physical and energy defenses, drawing upon the Empress's immense durability. His skin gains a subtle, near-invisible layer of abyssal-infused jade energy, significantly increasing resistance to physical trauma, elemental corrosion, and extreme temperatures (both hot and cold). (Passive enhancement drawing on Bing'er's resilience).
'Soul Fragmentation… Void Maw Devour… Abyssal Jade Frost…' Song Qing processed the new abilities. 'Only one directly ice-related, the Frost Nova, but amplified with abyssal power to Ultimate Ice levels. The others… seem to be inherent abilities of my own spirit, unlocked or manifested by absorbing such a powerful, compatible soul ring. Soul attack, energy absorption, enhanced resilience… Excellent additions.'
But the process wasn't over.
The moment the Eighth Ring settled, the passive skill from his other spirit kicked in.
Primordial Life Tree Spirit - Fourth Soul Ring: Amplified Soul Ring Resonance!
A ripple of emerald light seemed to flow from an unseen source, washing over the seven soul rings already encircling the Abyssal Dragon spirit.
Bzzt! Crackle!
The first three rings – the black 60k, 65k, and 85k year ones – pulsed violently. Their black light intensified, then shifted, deepened, gaining streaks of red, solidifying into undeniable, potent BLOOD RED!
All three instantly leaped past the hundred-thousand-year threshold! Their abilities surged in power, gaining the qualitative enhancements of true hundred-thousand-year skills.
Abyssal Void Dash now left lingering time traps, Shadow Dominion became a nightmarish realm of distorted time and senses, Abyssal Draconic Space Rend tore holes in reality itself.
Then the resonance hit the next four rings – the already red rings ranging from 100k+ to 165k years. They didn't change color, but the depth of their red intensified dramatically. They seemed to absorb the resonant energy, glowing brighter, humming with power that felt significantly older, more stable, pushing well past the 200,000-year mark, perhaps even further for the initially older ones.
Their abilities became even more devastating, more efficient, their passive effects strengthening considerably.
Song Qing felt the immense surge of power course through him as his first five rings were elevated to unprecedented levels.
The feeling was intoxicating. He was now a Rank 80 Soul Douluo wielding eight rings, four of which were well over 200,000 years old, and the eighth nearing 400,000, with mutated, time-infused, abyssal, and now ultimate ice abilities.
'This… this power…' He clenched his fist, feeling the raw energy thrumming within him. 'Even without activating the Eighth Ring skills yet, the boost from the resonance alone is staggering.'
From the sidelines, the observers felt the shift distinctly.
"His rings… they changed!" Ning Rongrong gasped, pointing. "The black ones are red now! And the red ones… they look… redder?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened slightly. 'All rings… hundred thousand years or more? His foundation… it's monstrous.'
Song Cai'er felt the increased draconic pressure wash over her, making her Golden Dragon spirit tremble slightly in deference. 'Qing is even stronger now…'
Qian Renxue watched with burning intensity. 'Resonance upgrade… His power accumulation is accelerating exponentially. He's pulling further and further ahead.' A thrill mixed with her pride.
Bibi Dong smiled, a deep, knowing satisfaction in her eyes. 'As expected. Each step he takes reveals more of his true potential. Soon, Qing'er… soon you will surpass even me.' The thought filled her not with jealousy, but with immense pride and burgeoning desire.
Song Qing took a moment to stabilize the surging power before turning his attention to the remaining figure.
Xue Di, the Snow Empress, stood calmly, her ethereal form already beginning to dissolve, pure white energy gathering around her. She looked at Song Qing, her ice-blue eyes holding serene acceptance and anticipation.
"It is time," she whispered, her voice like the first snowfall.
She focused her will, channeling her immense power, the essence of Ultimate Snow gathered over 700,000 years.
The process was similar to Bing'er's, yet fundamentally different. Instead of the heavy power of ice and earth, this was pure, absolute cold, profound Yin energy, the essence of winter itself.
Her form dissolved into blinding white light, tinged with ethereal blue and faint gold.
From this light emerged her Soul Ring.
It wasn't red. It wasn't even crimson-black.
It was a breathtaking ORANGE-GOLD.
The color of a million-year spirit ring, though perhaps slightly less substantial, signifying her 700,000+ years, touching upon that legendary threshold. It pulsed with unimaginable cold, yet held a strange, lifelike quality, humming with the power of Ultimate Snow.
Simultaneously, her Spirit Bone materialized – a small, intricate bone resembling a stylized snowflake or perhaps a frozen heart, radiating immense spiritual energy and control over ice. The Snow Woman's Heart Bone... A Unique External Spirit Bone.
Her spectral soul form, mirroring her breathtaking human appearance, emerged and flowed serenely towards Song Qing's Crown.
'Xue'er…' Bing'er's thought echoed from within the Crown, filled with longing and reunion.
'I am here, Bing'er,' Xue Di's calm reply resonated. 'Our wait begins.'
Song Qing secured the Heart Core bone in his storage, his focus entirely on the mesmerizing Orange-Gold ring.
'Seven hundred thousand years… Ultimate Snow… This will be… transformative for the Life Tree.'
He shifted his focus, calling upon his second spirit. The warm, vibrant aura of the Primordial Life Tree enveloped him again.
He drew the Orange-Gold ring towards him.
The moment it touched his Life Tree aura, he felt an intense clash, far greater than with Bing'er's ring. Ultimate Life met Ultimate Snow. Extreme Yang met Extreme Yin.
It felt like trying to merge fire and ice on a cosmic scale. His spirit recoiled instinctively.
But Song Qing gritted his teeth, pouring his will into the absorption. He didn't try to defeat the Ultimate Snow; he sought to integrate it. His Life Tree wasn't just life; it was primordial, fundamental, capable of encompassing all aspects of the natural world, even its most extreme cold.
He focused on the Yin-Yang aspect. Life (Yang) absorbing Absolute Cold (Yin). Finding the balance.
The Orange-Gold ring resisted fiercely, its power immense, ancient, absolute in its domain. But the Primordial Life Tree, representing the world itself, was ultimately vaster. Slowly, painstakingly, the ring began to merge, settling into the eighth position.
The influx of power was different this time. Not just raw energy, but a fundamental concept. Absolute zero. Perfect stillness. The counterpoint to life's constant motion and warmth.
His Life Tree spirit seemed to expand, incorporating this new dimension. Its vibrant green aura gained subtle undertones of ethereal blue and silver. It felt… more complete. Balanced.
The Eighth Ring solidified. Orange-Gold. Radiating both boundless life and absolute cold.
The new abilities flooded his mind.
Eighth Soul Ring (Snow Empress - ~730,000 Year - Orange-Gold): Primordial Life Tree Spirit
Active Ability 1: Domain of Absolute Zero Chill: Song Qing can infuse his Primordial Life Domain with the essence of Ultimate Snow. Within this infused domain, allies remain unaffected or even invigorated by the life aspect, while enemies experience rapidly plummeting temperatures reaching near absolute zero, freezing soul power, inducing extreme frostbite, and drastically slowing all movement and reactions. (Ultimate Snow Integration).
Active Ability 2: Glacial Life Cocoon: Song Qing can encase himself or an ally in a cocoon woven from solidified life energy and Ultimate Snow. This cocoon provides near-absolute defense against physical and energy attacks for a duration, while simultaneously rapidly healing injuries within and preserving life force, effectively placing the occupant in a state of suspended animation and accelerated recovery. Requires significant energy to maintain. (Defensive/Healing Integration).
Active Ability 3: Heart of Winter's Embrace: A targeted ability drawing on Xue Di's essence. Song Qing can project a beam or touch of pure Ultimate Snow energy that doesn't just freeze, but seeks to instill absolute stillness, potentially freezing a target's soul or halting their biological processes momentarily. Highly effective against fire/heat-based opponents but incredibly draining to use. (Offensive/Control Integration).
Passive Ability: Yin-Yang Harmony: The integration of Ultimate Snow grants Song Qing a profound understanding and control over Yin energy, perfectly complementing his Life Tree's Yang nature. This enhances his resilience to both extreme cold and extreme heat, allows him to manipulate both life force (Yang) and spiritual/cold energies (Yin) with greater finesse, and subtly improves the balance and stability of all his abilities. (Core passive integration).
'Absolute Zero Domain… Glacial Cocoon… Heart of Winter's Embrace… Yin-Yang Harmony…' Song Qing marveled. 'These abilities… they elevate the Life Tree beyond mere life manipulation. It now touches upon the fundamental forces of Yin and Yang, cold and stillness. True balance.'
And then, the resonance hit again.
Amplified Soul Ring Resonance!
The emerald light pulsed, washing over the Life Tree's first seven rings.
The three black rings (32k, 40k, 78k) flared, transforming instantly into brilliant BLOOD RED! Verdant Dominion became an ocean of healing, Venomous Constriction gained frostbite effects, Phantom Entrapment induced chilling hallucinations.
The four existing red rings (100k, 130k, 160k, 100k) absorbed the energy, their red deepening, becoming ancient, powerful, easily surpassing the 200,000-year mark, likely pushing closer to 300k for the older ones.
Crimson Soul Assimilation became terrifyingly efficient, Illusionary Transformation more seamless, Primordial Binding Forest nearly unbreakable, Life Essence Control almost absolute, Primordial Heartbeat Resonance capable of soothing or terrifying entire armies, Thousand Wood Spears hitting with the force of small trees imbued with life and frost.
His Life Tree Avatar gained resilience against extreme cold and could manifest ice constructs alongside plants. His Primordial Life Domain became even vaster, more potent, life and stillness held in perfect, terrifying balance.
Song Qing stood, now Rank 80, two spirits fully adorned with Eight Soul Rings each. Abyssal Dragon: Eight rings, minimum age well over 200,000 years, the eighth nearing 400,000. Primordial Life Tree: Eight rings, minimum age well over 200,000 years, the eighth a stunning 700,000+ Orange-Gold ring.
He opened his eyes. The power thrumming within him felt… godlike.
The onlookers were speechless. The consecutive absorptions, the double resonance, the appearance of an ORANGE-GOLD ring… it was beyond anything they had ever witnessed or imagined.
Bibi Dong stared, her heart pounding with exhilaration. 'Orange-Gold… He actually absorbed an Orange-Gold ring… And the resonance… His power now… it's terrifying.'
Qian Renxue felt a shiver run down her spine, a mixture of awe and possessive pride. 'He surpasses legends… My Qing…'
Rongrong, Zhuqing, and Cai'er were simply stunned into silence, their minds struggling to comprehend the scale of power Song Qing now wielded.
Song Qing took a deep breath, letting the immense power settle. He felt complete. Balanced. Ready.
He turned his gaze towards the deeper ice caves, where the Empress Bing'er had indicated the Yin-Yang Extreme Reversal Herb resided.
"Time to collect the final piece," he murmured, his voice calm, holding the quiet confidence of someone who now possessed the power to reshape destiny itself.