"Who goes there?" Snow Emperor and Ice Emperor immediately grew vigilant. Being able to open a spatial rift in the Extreme North was no ordinary feat.
When the two figures emerging from the rift came into view, before Snow Emperor could speak, Ice Emperor's expression turned frosty:
"It's you—those inherently wicked humans! How dare you show your faces before me and Snow Emperor again?"
"I'll just—"
"Wait, Ice Emperor."
Snow Emperor stepped forward, extending a hand to stop the explosive-tempered Ice Emperor.
"Humans... and that Dark—Tokisaki Kurumi. What brings you here?"
"My master said he's short one soul beast..."
"Outrageous!"
Ice Emperor lunged past Snow Emperor, claws bared as she attacked the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
Yet, her skills passed right through Ning Rongrong and Tokisaki Kurumi as if striking nothing at all.
Snow Emperor's delicate brows furrowed slightly. After a moment's thought, she said, "Ice Emperor, let them finish speaking."
"Snow Emperor, can't you see their scheme? It's written all over them—they're those inherently wicked humans and that inherently wicked Dark Devilgod Tiger!"
"Just like Poseidon from twenty thousand years ago—utterly detestable!"
"Hmm? Poseidon?"
Ning Rongrong was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained her composure.
Given how long Snow Emperor and Ice Emperor had lived, it wasn't surprising they knew of Poseidon. Soul beasts' lifespans were extraordinarily long, after all.
Ning Rongrong and Tokisaki Kurumi stepped out of the spatial rift once more.
"Ice Emperor, I have no intention of fighting you. I merely came to ask for a ten-thousand-year soul beast. I've recently taken on a subordinate who lacks a ninth soul ring," Ning Rongrong explained.
"Good, good! Human, you've got some nerve!"
Though Snow Emperor's intervention had slightly quelled her rage, Ice Emperor's anger flared again at Ning Rongrong's words, her laughter laced with fury.
"You come to us for a soul ring? What exactly are you planning? Expecting me and Snow Emperor to help you hunt a soul beast? Should I just hand over my soul ring and soul bone while I'm at it?"
"Well, if Miss Ice Emperor is willing to offer yourself as a sacrifice, that would be ideal. It'd save us some trouble."
Ning Rongrong seemed oblivious to Ice Emperor's sarcasm, instead sizing her up with a nod.
"You—!" Ice Emperor's twin green braids, resembling ram's horns, twitched violently behind her back. Her modest chest heaved with indignation.
"Enough, Ice Emperor." Snow Emperor's voice cut through the tension as she appeared beside Ice Emperor in a flash, soothing her bristling companion.
"Human, don't you think you're being excessive?" Snow Emperor's gaze sharpened.
Though the girl before her was only a Soul Sage, paired with that irrational Dark Devilgod Tiger, the ease with which she had evaded Ice Emperor's attack made it clear she was no ordinary Soul Sage. And those six black and one radiant gold soul rings—since when did regular Soul Sages possess such things?
"I suppose it is a bit excessive. But I'm unfamiliar with the Extreme North, so I had no choice but to seek out Snow Emperor. After all, you are the true ruler of this land." Ning Rongrong shrugged.
"What can you offer me in return?" Snow Emperor fell silent for a long moment before speaking again. "As I recall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan built its reputation on trust and commerce. So, what's your offer?"
Her eyes flickered between Ning Rongrong and Tokisaki Kurumi. "Tell me what form this Tokisaki Kurumi takes. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
"Not at all." Ning Rongrong tilted her head curiously. "But why do you want to know?"
"Simple curiosity." Snow Emperor withdrew her scrutinizing gaze. "Your cultivation method differs from that of soul masters—you don't even hunt soul beasts."
"I see." Ning Rongrong smiled faintly. "As expected of the Snow Maiden. You and Bi Ji share a keen sensitivity to such things."
"Bi Ji from the Star Dou Great Forest?" Snow Emperor's expression shifted slightly in surprise.
Ning Rongrong saw no reason to hide it. "Not long ago, I met Di Tian. The one who accompanied him into the human world was the Emerald Swan, Bi Ji. She even agreed to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in the near future."
"So you're planning to lure Bi Ji to your sect and trick her into sacrificing herself? Typical of you inherently wicked humans!"
Ice Emperor couldn't resist interjecting.
"Honestly, Miss Ice Emperor, have we really wronged you so deeply?"
Ning Rongrong had only accidentally allowed the Ancient Ice Phoenix to nearly break free from its seal—but hadn't she fixed it?
Sure, it might take fifty years, but in that time, she was confident she could eliminate the creature for good.
"It's not just that. What do humans ever want from soul beasts besides tricking them out of their soul rings and bones?" Ice Emperor countered coldly. "Isn't that the definition of inherently wicked?"
Snow Emperor: "..."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "..."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
That's... such a logical point, I don't even know how to respond.
"You've misunderstood me, Miss Ice Emperor." Ning Rongrong couldn't shake the feeling that this prickly scorpion was just afraid she'd steal Snow Emperor away. Surely that couldn't be it... right?
"We need Bi Ji's power. As for soul rings and bones—well, claiming we have no interest would be a lie."
"A 570,000-year soul ring and bone are undeniably tempting. But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan still has some principles."
"We've recently developed an alchemy profession and require a being with life-attributed energy to assist. That's all."
"Besides, I've already formed a soul contract with Di Tian. You must know, Snow Emperor, that neither party can violate such a pact."
Snow Emperor remained silent.
After a long pause, she lifted her head. "I need you to help me ascend to godhood—not just provide clues to the legacy of the Ice God, as per our previous contract."
The earlier agreement had only promised to locate the Ice God's inheritance, nothing more.
"Snow Emperor, at 690,000 years, you're already a demigod. Obtaining the Ice God's legacy should be enough to achieve godhood, no?" Ning Rongrong pointed out.
"You know what I mean." Snow Emperor's voice was frosty.
"The value isn't equivalent." Ning Rongrong shook her head.
"Snow Emperor, if you refuse, we'll simply search on our own." She continued, "Our target is a soul beast nearing the 100,000-year mark. I have some experiments in mind."
"Of course, we'll steer clear of Ice Emperor's kin and those you hold dear."
"Since we're here for a soul ring, we understand the etiquette. We've no intention of slighting you."
"Oh, and Miss Ice Emperor—I have something for you." Under Ice Emperor's wary gaze, Ning Rongrong retrieved a book from her storage-type soul tool.
The cover depicted two women walking hand in hand, their intimacy radiating an ambiguous warmth.
"This book might help deepen your bond with Snow Emperor." As the book floated over, Ice Emperor—despite her earlier hostility—snatched it midair and flipped through a few pages.
"Tch—"
The fury in Ice Emperor's eyes dimmed considerably.
"Human... I retract my earlier statement. You're not quite so wicked after all."
Snow Emperor: "..."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
"Well then, farewell." Ning Rongrong took a few steps back, opening another spatial rift.
If Snow Emperor and Ice Emperor wouldn't cooperate, she'd just have to find the soul beast herself.
"Wait."
Just as Ning Rongrong and Tokisaki Kurumi were about to leave, Ice Emperor's voice rang out again.
"Thirty kilometers northwest of Blizzard Valley, there's a near-100,000-year Dream Iceworm—kin to that Sky Dream Iceworm that fled to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"I'd been saving it for myself, but... consider it a gift." At the mention of Sky Dream Iceworm, Ice Emperor's teeth ground audibly.
"Sky Dream Iceworm's kin?" Ning Rongrong nodded. "Very well. My thanks."
With that, the two vanished into the rift, leaving Snow Emperor's palace in silence once more.
"Ice Emperor... this isn't like you." Snow Emperor eyed her companion with suspicion.
"Well... she gave me a book that could strengthen our friendship. Consider that my repayment." Ice Emperor mumbled, "Besides, seeing that thing just reminds me of that runaway Sky Dream Iceworm."
"Didn't you say the seal on the Ancient Ice Phoenix was half-eaten by that glutton?"
"Leaving such a sinful soul beast to those wicked humans to deal with... i-it's only fitting!"
"Ahem—Snow Emperor, I'll take my leave now. I'll visit again later." In a flash, Ice Emperor transformed into an icy gust, bypassing the door entirely as she shot out through the window.
Snow Emperor: "..."
What's got you in such a hurry all of a sudden?