Facing the incoming Great Xu Mi Hammer—
Tang Lan used Blood Escape for a short-range acceleration, dodging it effortlessly.
As soon as he steadied himself—
He unleashed all ten accumulated Soul Stingers at the Snow Empress!
A series of relentless strikes—
Even the Snow Empress, caught off guard, was severely injured!
She transformed into a streak of light, crashing through several ice mountains, vanishing from sight.
Tang Lan teleported using Blood Escape, arriving beside the Ice Empress.
He extended the four longer legs of his Eight Spider Lances, impaling her four limbs and lifting her into the air.
The four shorter lances clamped around her, releasing a potent paralytic toxin while draining her life force, preventing her from recovering.
Tang Hao dispersed his Haotian Hammer and landed beside Tang Lan.
But—
He staggered.
After three consecutive Great Xu Mi Hammer bursts, even with soul bone Reset restoring his physical state, the mental exhaustion remained.
His brain felt like it was being stabbed by needles, and he had no strength left to fight.
Tang Lan was slightly better off, but his internal energy was completely drained.
His Indestructible Vajra Divine Art deactivated automatically.
With his Nine Yang Divine Skill running at full power, he gradually restored his energy.
Activating Life Soul's Heart, he absorbed the Ice Empress's energy to replenish himself, finally catching his breath.
"Dad, go inside and recover first."
Tang Lan struggled to activate the Vast Sea Soul Barrier, sealing Tang Hao inside Blue King.
"Whoosh—"
The Snow Empress returned!
Her white dress was in tatters, her snow-white hair disheveled, and her breathing unsteady.
Even as a 690,000-year-old savage beast—
Taking a full-power Great Xu Mi Hammer from a Rank 98 Tang Hao had almost killed her outright!
But—
This was the Extreme North, where ice energy was endless.
So she was only severely injured.
Now—
Seeing that only Tang Lan remained,
She could easily kill him with a single palm strike.
But—
With the Ice Empress impaled on the Eight Spider Lances—
She hesitated.
She did not want to see the Ice Empress become a lifeless soul ring.
"Human!" The Snow Empress suppressed her fury. "Release the Ice Empress, and I will let you leave the Extreme North alive!"
Tang Lan smirked.
Finally—
A chance to talk.
Time for his Talk-no-Jutsu.
"We didn't come to kill you."
"On the contrary, we bring goodwill—to change the fate of soul beasts."
His words—
Made the Ice Empress scoff.
"Human, do you take us for mindless, lowly beasts?"
The Snow Empress didn't speak, but her unwavering gaze showed her stance—
She did not believe him.
Tang Lan shrugged helplessly.
"Ice Empress, think carefully."
"Your Ice Jade Scorpions attacked us first, yet I did not kill them."
"It was you who struck first without a word."
"And when the Snow Empress arrived, she immediately opened with an ultimate sword strike."
"Did you ever give me a chance to speak?"
Hearing this, the Ice Empress struggled violently!
"You despicable human! You hunted my Ice Jade Scorpions for their soul bones!"
"Who else would I kill if not you?!"
Tang Lan sighed, rubbing his forehead.
He summoned his Life Soul Blue Silver Emperor—
Although his soul rings had already exploded, the majestic aura of the Plant Sovereign was unmistakable.
"My mother was a 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor."
"So my first martial soul can generate innate soul rings, requiring no soul beast hunting."
Then—
He summoned his Thunderflame Haotian Hammer.
"This second martial soul—has yet to receive a single soul ring."
Finally—
He revealed the Sea God's Mark on his left hand, radiating divine energy.
"I swear upon the name of the Sea God, as his chosen successor!"
"Since my birth, the only soul beast I have ever personally killed was a Man-Faced Demon Spider that hunted me first!"
"I have never actively slain any soul beast!"
"If I am lying, may the gods strike me down, and my soul be annihilated!"
Yes!
Even though Tang Lan had witnessed many soul beast deaths in his journey—
The only one he personally killed was that Man-Faced Demon Spider.
All others—he merely drained dry and discarded.
The Ice and Snow Empresses reacted differently.
The divine aura of the Sea God's Mark could not be faked.
Even though they did not recognize this deity—
The fact that Tang Lan dared to swear upon it meant he was confident.
The Ice Empress suddenly sniffed at Tang Lan's back, like a curious puppy.
Her hatred faded, replaced by puzzlement.
"There's no resentment from my kin on you?"
"And… you don't even have ice attributes, let alone Ultimate Ice."
"How did you absorb an Ice Jade Scorpion's external soul bone?"
Seeing this human before her—
The Ice Empress was utterly confused.
How was this possible?
"I have no idea," Tang Lan replied. "This Ice Jade Scorpion Tail, like the rest of my soul bones, was something I obtained by chance."
He then revealed all his soul bones.
The Snow Empress let out a soft sound of surprise.
"Human… how is your entire body covered in external soul bones?"
The Ice Empress's eyes also widened!
Eight soul bones—
And all eight were external?!
The only two 'normal' soul bones were fused with external ones?!
This human is seriously not normal!
Something is very wrong here!
"Just luck, all luck."
Tang Lan responded modestly, then smoothly changed the topic—
"So now, if I release the Ice Empress, you won't attack, and we can have a proper conversation?"
"Inside my Sea God's Mark is a wisp of the Sea God's divine consciousness."
"And I am only a six-ring Soul Emperor. You've already seen my potential."
"Do you think the great Sea God would sit back and watch such an outstanding heir be killed by you?"
"If you attack again, the ones who will suffer in the end… will be you."
Tang Lan raised his left hand, his Sea God's Mark gleaming brilliantly.
Then—
The Sea God's divine consciousness actually emerged!
A golden projection of the Sea God appeared, gazing at Tang Lan.
—This kid really sensed my presence.
That's why he locked me up in the 'dark room'.
The Sea God wasn't offended by this.
After all—
He had no interest in broadcasting live "intimate" moments of his heir.
But—
Tang Lan's performance just now had truly excited him!
He couldn't hold back from appearing.
This was it!
This was the successor he had waited thousands of years for!
The Sea God raised a finger.
In the next moment—
A golden light streaked across the sky from the west, enveloping Tang Lan.
It was absorbed entirely by the Sea God's Mark on his left hand.
The mark's blue hue turned into a brilliant gold!
A vast, majestic voice echoed—
「The Sea God's Nine Trials Begin!」
「First Trial—Within one year, ascend all 333 steps of the Sea God's Light, twice over!」
Tang Lan blinked.
…Hah?
Wasn't the Sea God's Nine Trials supposed to be activated at Sea God's Island?
…Wait!
The west?!
The land beyond the Extreme North's sea…
Wasn't that Sea God's Island?!
Good lord!
The Sea God's consciousness saw him as too exceptional and feared he might escape—
So he opened the quest early?!
"Successor, you are exceptional."
The Sea God's divine consciousness spoke in admiration—
"For over a thousand years, I reigned supreme over the seas, achieving divinity and creating the Golden Thirteen Halberds, unrivaled across the ocean."
"Once you complete the first trial, I shall impart upon you my divine technique—the Golden Thirteen Halberds."
Tang Lan's expression turned strange.
Why did this feel like he was being 'forced into a marriage'?
The Sea God's consciousness didn't linger—after all, a god must maintain some dignity.
He glanced coldly at the Ice and Snow Empresses.
The two savage beasts—
Froze in place.
They couldn't move at all!
They were going to die.
If the Sea God willed it, they would be dead instantly!
"Sea God, wait!" Tang Lan hurriedly said. "Spare them! They are very important to me!"
The Sea God's consciousness withdrew its killing intent.
"Hasten to Sea God's Island and inherit my divine position!"
Then, he dispersed into golden light, returning to the Sea God's Mark.
Tang Lan's expression turned helpless.
The Sea God's Nine Trials had begun.
He had one year to complete the first trial, and from then on, he had to complete at least one trial per year.
This completely disrupted his previous plans.
"I'll need to rethink and adjust my plans later."
"But for now—"
"I need to secure the Ice and Snow Empresses first."
He sealed the Sea God's Mark with the Vast Sea Soul Barrier, preventing further interruptions.
Then—
He retracted the Eight Spider Lances, releasing the Ice Empress.
Unexpectedly—
Already weak, and just having been terrified by the Sea God's divine consciousness—
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed.
Tang Lan caught her in one swift motion, flying out of the crater.
The Snow Empress had also landed.
A being born from the essence of the world's ice energy,
She was now shaking slightly.
Clearly, the Sea God's killing intent had terrified her too.
Tang Lan wasn't in a hurry.
Tang Lan placed the Ice Empress down, letting her recover.
He then took out several large recovery sausages, swallowed them in one go, and sat down to meditate.
He wasn't worried at all about the Ice and Snow Empresses having second thoughts.
Hah!
Even the Sea God had stood up for him—
Would they dare make a move?
He was feeling completely at ease.
Half an hour later.
After restoring some of his internal energy, Tang Lan opened his eyes.
Immediately—
He met the examining gazes of the Ice and Snow Empresses.
Tang Lan grinned.
He raised his hand, pushing forward two orbs of spiritual light, letting them float toward the two Empresses.
Neither hesitated—
They absorbed them immediately.
—If Tang Lan hadn't spoken up earlier, they would already be soul rings and soul bones.
There was nothing to fear anymore.
Then came the same familiar speech—
Soul Spirits, Ascension, Divinity, and Immortality.
For the Ice Empress, who wasn't confident about surviving her 400,000-year tribulation, and the Snow Empress, who was nearing her 700,000-year catastrophe,
The temptation was undeniable.
But—
"A Soul Spirit Experiment Base in the Extreme North?"
The Ice Empress narrowed her eyes. "You want all the soul beasts here to become Soul Spirits for humans?"
Although soul beasts swore to never become mere soul rings,
If Soul Spirits were real, then for those who were old, injured, or peace-loving, it might actually be a better option.
"You're simply giving the soul beasts of the Extreme North... another choice."
Tang Lan explained—
"You've already seen what a Soul Spirit is."
"My father just used the Ironback Dragon and Titan Giant Ape Soul Spirits against you."
"But since we used Ring Explosion, it'll take three days to recover."
"By then, you'll see them yourselves."
The Ice Empress glanced at the Snow Empress and nodded, confirming the truth.
The Snow Empress considered it briefly, then nodded slightly.
"Something like this can be verified. As the successor of a deity, you have no reason to lie."
"In principle, I can represent the Extreme North in agreeing to this Soul Spirit Experiment Base."
"However, before that—
"I must personally visit the Star Dou Forest to confirm your claims."
"I want to hear from the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape themselves—
"Is this truly fostering peace between humans and soul beasts?"
"If everything you say is true, then—
"I am willing to offer my blood sacrifice and become your Soul Spirit."
Her tone had become respectful.
She now addressed him formally as "您" (a sign of deep respect).
Seeing this, the Ice Empress, who secretly admired the Snow Empress, quickly added—
"I will also join Snow Empress! I will offer my blood sacrifice and become your Soul Spirit!"
Oh ho!
A buy-one-get-one-free deal!
Thanks to the Sea God's divine intervention,
Tang Lan didn't even have to waste much effort—
His plan had succeeded perfectly!
But—
"You two won't become my Soul Spirits. Your hosts are different."
Tang Lan waved his hand.
With a flash of blue light,
Shui Bing'er, Oscar, and Tang Hao appeared!
The Vast Sea Soul Barrier was lifted.
Facing the Ice and Snow Empresses,
Shui Bing'er felt an immense pressure.
As a mere Rank 40 Spirit Ancestor,
Even their unintentional aura was overwhelming for her.
Yet—
Tang Lan did not shield her from it.
If she couldn't even endure this,
How could she earn the Ice and Snow Empresses' approval?
"Bing'er, release your martial soul."
Shui Bing'er gritted her teeth,
Circulating her internal energy,
And activated her Ice Phoenix martial soul!
The Ice and Snow Empresses observed—
Then shook their heads simultaneously.
The Ice Empress bluntly stated—
"Though it's a rare Divine Beast Martial Soul, the Ice Phoenix—
"Your awakening was too late, and your level is far too low."
"Compared to you—"
"The one already acknowledged by the Sea God is the better choice."
Shui Bing'er's expression dimmed.
She felt regret—
But didn't argue.
Not only because the Ice Empress was right—
But also because—
The one they wanted as their host… was Tang Lan.
How could she compete?
Could she even win?
Tang Lan frowned.
"I don't have an ice attribute."
"My Life Soul Blue Silver Emperor has innate soul rings and can evolve beyond a million years."
"Letting you become its Soul Spirits would be a waste."
"And my Thunderflame Haotian Hammer has lightning and fire attributes—
"It doesn't match ice at all."
"So you two—"
The Ice Empress interrupted him.
"Your Ice Jade Scorpion Tail—
"Its soul bone ability is ice-fire dual attribute, correct?"
Tang Lan thought about it and nodded.
"Exactly."
The Ice Empress smiled confidently.
"Then that's perfect."
"Ice and fire do not necessarily conflict.
"In fact, at critical moments, they can unleash immense power!"
"With both me and the Snow Empress blood-sacrificing to you—
"Gaining the Ultimate Ice attribute will be effortless!"
Her reasoning was solid.
But—
The Snow Empress suddenly spoke.
"You wish for us to become this girl's Soul Spirits—
"To grant her Ultimate Ice, allowing her Divine Beast Martial Soul to fully awaken?"
Tang Lan nodded frankly.
"I won't hide it."
"I am cultivating multiple deity successors."
"Like Oscar—
"Once he reaches Title Douluo, he will inherit the legacy of the Food God."
"In the future, we will ascend to the Divine Realm together."
"They are my team."
"And the one I place the most hope in—
"Is Shui Bing'er."
"The deity I have reserved for her…
"Is the First-Class God, the Ice God."
"With your Ice God bloodline—
"You are indispensable to my divine creation plan."
His words—
Shocked both the Ice and Snow Empresses.
This guy…
Not only was he planning to become a god himself—
He was also cultivating other gods?!
And the crazy thing was—
He actually seemed capable of succeeding!