Chapter 30: Fusion Begins, Jade Scorpion Tail
He was never short on choices.
Had they followed the Ice Empress's plan, she would have gifted him a torso soul bone, along with attached external soul bones like the sternum and ribs. However, doing so would permanently occupy the core position of the torso soul bone.
Instead, Huo Yuhao had another idea.
If the Ice Empress could create a set of external soul bones that didn't occupy the torso soul bone slot, he could retain the torso soul bone space for future development. This way, both soul bone abilities and his physical strength would remain unaffected, while preserving one of the most valuable bone slots.
Besides, external soul bones were rare and unique. Their ability to evolve alongside the soul master made them even more precious. By not using up a main torso soul bone slot, their potential for future growth became even greater.
"A scorpion tail?"
The Ice Empress looked down at her translucent emerald tail, its jade-like brilliance shimmering. She gave a soft chuckle, clearly pleased.
"I must admit, Yuhao, you've got quite the eye."
Yuhao began to lay out the full scope of his plan, hoping it was achievable.
"Yes. I want a scorpion tail—but one that connects to the coccyx, extending through the pelvic bones—including the ilium, ischium, and pubis—while also integrating structurally with the sternum and ribs, forming a complete support system."
In doing so, the spinal column would remain free, while the scorpion tail and pelvis would act as a substitute for that section. Meanwhile, the sternum and ribs could still serve as external soul bones.
The Ice Empress hesitated.
"That's... complicated. It involves a lot of structural complexity. I can only promise to try my best."
"But be warned—this level of soul bone fusion will significantly extend the pain duration. The agony will strike straight at your soul. Are you truly ready for that?"
Yuhao gave a carefree smile.
"Of course. And Ice Empress, trust me—once the fusion begins, you and I will both be under the protection of Strong Luck."
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"Strong Luck?"
The Ice Empress didn't comment further. It seemed similar to the Echo of Destiny she'd heard earlier—another mysterious rule-based power. She was curious to see just how strong the willpower of this potential god-maker truly was.
"Let's begin."
No more words were needed. Yuhao took out the Secret Method Soul Bone, which would serve as a medium. Once he confirmed his body had recovered to peak condition, the Ice Empress began the sacrifice fusion, starting, as always, with soul bone before soul ring.
"Yuhao, remember: I'll use my extreme ice to numb your pain during the fusion. But even with that, the pain is far beyond what ordinary people can handle. You must stay conscious. Lose that, and everything will be for nothing!"
As the tip of the Ice Empress's tail pierced the base of Yuhao's spine, the fusion began.
The Secret Method Soul Bone reverted to pure energy and slowly merged with Yuhao's coccyx. At the same time, Ice Empress's energy surged into him, and an indescribable pain tore through every inch of his body. His spiritual sea entered a state of extreme chaos.
"Damn, this hurts... but it's amazing!"
Yuhao gritted his teeth, eyes bloodshot. Even with the aid of the Secret Method Soul Bone, the pain nearly knocked him out. Yet, the feeling of his bones and muscles growing stronger filled him with uncontainable excitement.
The Ice Empress's energy… far surpassed Tianmeng's.
At this moment, Yuhao couldn't help but think—maybe having a second self for enduring this kind of torment wouldn't be so bad.
Just as with Tianmeng's sacrifice, Yuhao planned to maximize the gains this time as well. To do so, he activated the power of luck he had stored over the past half year.
I hear the Echo of [Strong Luck]!
A deep, fate-laced bell rang once more. The Ice Empress was briefly stunned. A strange power surrounded her—a god-like luck that made her feel as if she could accomplish anything. She couldn't help but smile.
"Yuhao… you do keep surprising me."
She could feel it. Tasks she previously found impossible were now trivial. Her innate racial abilities—once thought lost—were restored. It felt as though the very heavens had chosen to favor her.
"With this power backing us... I'll make sure the soul bone and soul ring I craft for you are the finest my entire race has to offer!"
Yuhao, on the other hand, also noticed that the pain in his body had eased considerably. It was as if the world itself now favored him.
He already understood how the Echo of Strong Luck worked. By consuming the power of luck stored through his End-Time Bell Martial Soul, he could gain a temporary "wish-fulfillment" state. The energy consumed wasn't his own luck, but rather a replica—an accumulated luck from this world's luck system.
His true luck—his core Douluo Continent luck—remained untouched.
Though he'd only stored half a year's worth of luck, those six months were extraordinary. He had altered his future, earned favor from powerful factions, and accumulated massive benefits, comparable to what most people might take over a decade to achieve.
Three days later...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!
Massive cracks erupted from beneath the ground. Snow and ice across the region froze solid from the shockwaves. After enduring days of agony, Huo Yuhao finally stood tall, ready to unleash everything.
His clothing had long since disintegrated during the fusion. Now, rising from the snow—completely bare—his eyes flickered through shades of ice-blue, gold, green, and gray, emanating an overwhelmingly dangerous aura that shook the skies themselves.
The sky above turned emerald.
An intricate Ice Jade Scorpion Empress pattern sprawled across his back. Two massive scorpion pincers extended to his shoulders. Most striking of all was his tail—once five segments, now nine—sculpted from flawless jade, glimmering with a crystalline blue glow. Cold metallic light shimmered from the razor-sharp tip.
From beneath him, a dazzling scarlet soul ring rose, marked with four golden lines—proof of a 400,000-year soul beast's power. The pressure it exuded was unmatched—majestic and divine.
"Tsk tsk tsk... No matter how many times I see it, Bingbing's body is just too mesmerizing."
Tianmeng's teasing fell on deaf ears. The Ice Empress ignored her entirely, instead watching Huo Yuhao dress himself and steady his aura before speaking:
"Yuhao, as you wished, with the aid of that mysterious bell, I've successfully forged a 400,000-year external soul bone for you, comprising the pelvis, sternum, ribs, and more. At the same time, my soul ring has also broken through, reaching 400,000 years in full."
"That's not all. This sacrifice granted you four soul skills, including one domain-type ability. I'm exhausted now, so I'll only give you a brief introduction…"
As she began to explain, Huo Yuhao quietly explored the abilities gifted to him through this soul ring and soul bone—his heart already surging with anticipation.
End of Chapter