Before Zhu Ziyang could announce the soul spirit system to the world, he first needed to inform Mu En. As both his teacher and a recognized leader in the soul master world, Mu En's support would be crucial in establishing and promoting the system.
So Zhu Ziyang went to find him.
"Teacher, do you remember when I told you about soul spirit contracts and soul spirits?" Zhu Ziyang asked calmly in the Sea God's Pavilion hall, sitting across from Mu En.
"Oh?" Mu En's expression grew curious. "Since you're bringing it up again, I take it you've made a breakthrough. Good—tell me everything. I'm eager to hear it."
"That's right!" Zhu Ziyang smiled proudly and summoned his three soul spirits. "Xue'er, Bing'er, Shuang'er—come out!"
The three appeared in turn—the Snow Empress, the Ice Empress, and Second Shuang—settling on his shoulders and chest, each gazing calmly at the elderly man before them.
Mu En's aged eyes shone with curiosity as he examined the infant girl, scorpion, and tiny dragon that had emerged from Zhu Ziyang's body. "So these are soul spirits? Truly remarkable!"
"Teacher, this is the Snow Empress—Xue'er now," Zhu Ziyang began, introducing the first and strongest of his soul spirits.
"I know you, human!" Xue'er spoke before Mu En could reply. "You once visited the Extreme North!"
"Hahaha! Indeed! In my younger days, I did travel to the Extreme North—though I never had the honor of meeting you, Snow Empress. In hindsight, perhaps it's fortunate I didn't. Otherwise, I might not have lived to see today!" Mu En laughed heartily.
"Hmph! At least you're self-aware," the Snow Empress replied haughtily, lifting her chin.
"Xue'er, don't be rude to Teacher," Zhu Ziyang scolded, frowning.
"My apologies, Daddy," Xue'er said softly, lowering her head in a show of contrition.
"Hahaha, it's fine!" Mu En chuckled, though he was clearly intrigued by the way she addressed Zhu Ziyang. "Tell me, Ziyang—does the Snow Empress retain her full power as a soul spirit? She feels almost as strong as I am now."
"Teacher, Xue'er is a special case. As the first soul spirit between Heaven and Earth, she naturally differs from others. After becoming a soul spirit, she retained about eighty percent of her strength—equivalent to a five-hundred-thousand-year soul beast. But ordinary soul spirits only retain around eighty percent of their host's strength."
To prove it, Zhu Ziyang introduced the Ice Empress and Second Shuang. "Both of them were one-hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, yet now they only possess the strength of a Soul Emperor."
"I see," Mu En said thoughtfully before smiling at the other two soul spirits. Then he turned back to Zhu Ziyang. "Besides retaining their intelligence and part of their former strength, what else can soul spirits offer?"
"Each soul spirit can provide two or three spirit rings. A soul master can usually host three to four soul spirits, and their strength will grow alongside the master's," Zhu Ziyang explained.
"In that case, this could both ease the crisis of dwindling soul beasts and greatly enhance a soul master's power—a true win-win." Mu En's eyes lit with satisfaction. "Ziyang, this creation of yours will change the entire soul master world!"
"Hehe, Teacher, before we change the world, we should first equip ourselves," Zhu Ziyang said with a grin. "If we always keep the most advanced technology in our hands, we won't end up dependent on others, like with soul tools."
"Well said!" Mu En nodded approvingly. "For now, let's not announce this to the entire Academy. We'll first inform a few elders and test it with a select few trustworthy students. When you officially take over the Sea God's Pavilion, you can fully promote it."
"Isn't that a bit too cautious?" Zhu Ziyang asked in surprise.
"This is your achievement, so you should be the one to present it," Mu En said firmly. "I won't take the credit from my disciple."
"…Alright, Teacher. I understand," Zhu Ziyang agreed.
"Good. Then let's convene a Sea God's Pavilion meeting," Mu En said with a smile.
Because Mu En himself had called the meeting, none of the elders dared delay. Soon, the full roster had arrived—Xuan Zi, Elder Lin, Elder Song, Elder Zhuang, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and Qian Duoduo.
Mu En got straight to the point, explaining the meeting's purpose before letting Zhu Ziyang demonstrate.
The best way to demonstrate, naturally, was through battle. So the recently recovered Xuan Zi was chosen to spar with Zhu Ziyang's Snow Empress.
The group—Title Douluo and one Soul Emperor—headed to a secluded training ground.
"Ziyang, begin!" Xuan Zi said with a smile, standing opposite him. "Don't worry about injuring me—this old man's defense is still very strong!"
Zhu Ziyang grinned. "Then be careful, Elder Xuan. Xue'er, go all out—don't hold back, and don't worry about me."
"Understood, Daddy!" Xue'er floated to the front, her cold gaze fixed on Xuan Zi.
Snow began to fall. Before their eyes, the infant Snow Empress rapidly grew, transforming in moments into a stunning young woman of fifteen or sixteen, her icy beauty like that of a queen in a swirling snowstorm.
Even Mu En, though familiar with her name, had never seen her true form. The sight of the famed ruler of the Extreme North commanded awe.
The battle began. Without hesitation, Xue'er raised her pale jade hand. A swirl of extreme cold gathered there, drawing the falling snow into countless razor-sharp blades. With a push of her palm, the snow coalesced into a massive sphere of deadly snowflakes, hurtling toward Xuan Zi.
Emperor's Palm – Great Cold Without Snow!
The moment Xue'er revealed her true form, Xuan Zi grew serious. Activating his Martial Soul True Body's second stage, the Taotie Divine Ox formed armor over his body. Eyes narrowed, fists clenched, he struck at the incoming sphere.
It shattered, engulfing him in a blizzard—yet Xue'er's assault didn't pause. Following her palm came her sword.
A flawless, crystalline blade appeared in her grasp. In a flash, she was at Xuan Zi's side, thrusting forward. Xuan Zi retreated quickly—he dared not take even one hit. He knew that if her sword struck, his months of recovery would be wasted.
He could only defend, never counterattack. In truth, that was the point—this spar was to test whether a soul spirit could sustain high-level combat. Xuan Zi now regretted volunteering; he should have let Qian Duoduo take this one.
It was soon clear the demonstration had succeeded. Though unique, the Snow Empress had proven that soul spirits could fight independently—exactly what the elders needed to see.
"Xue'er, that's enough!" Zhu Ziyang called, pale from the soul power drain. In just two moves, she had nearly exhausted him.
"Yes!" Xue'er shrank back into her infant form and settled on his shoulder.
"Back to the Pavilion!" Mu En said, holding Zhu Ziyang's hand and channeling soul power to help him recover.
In moments, the group returned, eager to share their impressions and begin the next phase of discussion.
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