"I should be thanking both of you—Snow Empress, Ice Empress. Thank you for supporting me. I know I've said it before, but let me say it again—I, Huo Yuhao, will never let down your hopes of ascending to eternal life."
At that moment, Huo Yuhao was deeply moved by the sincerity in Snow Empress and Ice Empress's words. He also felt a little ashamed for having briefly doubted them.
In the spiritual world, Skydream Iceworm was sobbing with emotion—well, as much as a fat, glowing white silkworm could sob. It squirmed and twitched dramatically, until even the touched Ice Empress couldn't resist giving it a solid kick.
Watching this, Huo Yuhao couldn't hold back a laugh.
'Looks like Skydream still has a long way to go if he wants to win Ice Empress over…'
In any case, Huo Yuhao had now finalized his plan. Once he completed his mission in the Extreme North, he would head to the Dou Ling Empire to retrieve the ten-thousand-year Mysterious Ice Marrow and Ice Polar Divine Crystals.
"Heh… if we're going to visit the Three Kingdoms, we might as well stir up some trouble that benefits the Empire."
Huo Yuhao grinned wickedly to himself.
After the two-hour intermission, the auction resumed.
The final thirty items turned out to be underwhelming. None of them piqued the interest of Huo Yuhao or his companions. Not even the soul bones were worth bidding for—they were all under a thousand years old. Competing with these northern nobles over such low-value items would only cheapen the presence of someone carrying the Grand Worship Token.
The only items of real value were the rank-nine soul tools. But Huo Yuhao and the others had no use for them. It was better to let the wealthy northern families fight over them, and in the process, fill the Sun Moon Empire's treasury.
After the auction concluded, it was time to settle payments and collect the winnings. Huo Yuhao left in high spirits, carrying with him both the 2,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion Tail Bone and the 5,000-year Infernal Delicate Apricot, seated comfortably in a royal carriage arranged by the Empire.
He found a hotel and booked a room. Before heading to the Extreme North, he wanted to absorb the Ice Empress's recommended Ice Jade Scorpion Tail Bone.
But Huo Yuhao still didn't fully understand why the Ice Empress considered this particular bone so important. After all, no matter how good an external soul bone was, the fact remained—it was only 2,000 years old.
So he asked her directly.
"Yuhao," the Ice Empress replied, "you've absorbed my trunk bone. Your martial soul is now the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion. For our kind, the trunk bone and the scorpion tail bone are naturally linked. This tail bone connects directly to our source power. Meaning—the strength of the soul bone is tied to your own cultivation. Whatever your level is, the soul bone's age will match it. Do you understand?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up in realization.
'So it's like Tang San's Eight Spider Lances…'
Because the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion was such a significant martial soul for him, this tail bone would evolve along with him. Unlike the Eight Spider Lances, which upgraded through devouring, this scorpion tail bone would automatically scale with Huo Yuhao's strength.
No wonder the Ice Empress had insisted it was vital. An external soul bone that could grow alongside the user—it would dramatically boost his combat power.
Without hesitation, Huo Yuhao sat down and began absorbing the 2,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion Tail Bone. He was eager to see what its age would become after fusing with his current power. He was certain he'd already surpassed the level of a 2,000-year soul beast.
The Auspicious Beast watched with a complicated expression.
'Watching a human absorb a soul bone right in front of a soul beast… feels a bit like betrayal.'
She still remembered how, in her youth, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in the Star Dou Forest had been hunted by a group of human Soul Masters seeking its ring and bone. The event had enraged the top beasts of the forest, yet they had been powerless to stop it.
Still, the Auspicious Beast didn't dwell on the thought.
'Once the soul spirit system becomes widespread, even soul bones could be obtained through soul spirits. When that day comes, the act of absorbing soul bones won't be a taboo anymore.'
'I hope that day comes soon…'
She quietly wished for a better future.
One hour later—
Huo Yuhao opened his eyes. He could feel it—the Ice Jade Scorpion Tail Bone had been fully absorbed.
The absorption process had gone quickly, thanks to the bone's exceptional compatibility with him. With his Ice Jade Empress Scorpion martial soul, the bone had surrendered instantly, unable to resist his aura and pressure.
"Seven thousand years…"
Huo Yuhao muttered in surprise, sensing the new age of the external soul bone.
'That means my current power is equivalent to a 7,000-year soul beast. After all, a 10,000-year soul beast is equivalent to a Rank-60 Soul Emperor!'
Even more exciting was the unexpected gain in his soul power—he'd jumped two full levels. He was now at Rank 39, just one step away from becoming a Soul Ancestor.
"Finally about to break into Soul Ancestor… This Ultimate martial soul's slow cultivation really is something else."
He was visibly excited.
Even with the support of both the power of Life and Destruction, he had only managed to advance about a year faster than he had in the original story.
As Huo Yuhao calmed down, he noticed Meng Hongchen and the Auspicious Beast staring at him blankly.
"…What?"
He asked in confusion.
Meng Hongchen didn't answer. She simply pointed behind him.
'Behind me? What's behind me…?'
Oh, right—the Ice Jade Scorpion Tail Bone. He could clearly feel it at his tailbone.
'It doesn't look weird… does it? I mean, a human with a scorpion tail… that is kinda weird, right?'
Feeling uncertain, he summoned a massive ice mirror using his ultimate ice power and checked his reflection. What he saw stunned him.
'This… is awesome!'
That was his honest reaction.
And no, it wasn't vanity. Objectively speaking, this tail bone didn't look weird at all—it was stunning.
Nearly three meters long, composed of brilliant sky-blue gemstone-like segments, with shimmering hints of gold and green light. At the tip, a half-meter long venomous stinger glowed with a dangerous dark green hue.
It was beautiful. It was terrifying. And it was absolutely breathtaking—a perfect blend of elegance and deadly power.
(End of Chapter)
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