After the Water God departed, a strange silence shrouded the small plaza at the core of the Extreme North. Only the wind and snow howled ceaselessly, the previous murderous intent dissipated, replaced by a sense of lingering confusion.
Chen Yi was the first to break the silence. Stepping half a pace forward and forcing a friendly smile, he looked at Snow Empress, whose expression was complicated.
"Um… How about we talk it over first?"
Since ancient times, the Extreme North had always held unwavering faith in the Ice God. In the eyes of the spirit beasts of the Extreme North, the Ice God's status was far superior to the so-called Dragon God.
Now, the clear and unmistakable mark of the Ice God's inheritance glowing on Shui Bing'er's forehead served as the ultimate talisman, perhaps even a pass in itself.
As long as Shui Bing'er was present, the spirit beasts of the Extreme North would never regard them with hostility again.
Snow Empress remained silent. The pressure of ice that had enveloped her slowly receded like a tide, and countless blades of ice and snowflakes quietly disappeared. But her icy blue eyes remained glued to Shui Bing'er.
Seeing this, the Grand Elder gradually suppressed his fiercely confrontational spiritual and soul power fluctuations, but did not entirely let his guard down. He concealed his aura, ready to respond to any change at a moment's notice.
Just then, from behind an icicle not far off, a completely different yet equally chilling aura suddenly emerged without warning.
That aura was sharp and oppressive, bearing the ferocity of an apex predator.
A streak of emerald green and shimmering white light swept across, and at the top of a towering icicle appeared a small, breathtakingly beautiful scorpion.
Her entire body was crystalline, as if sculpted from the finest jade and diamond. The long scorpion tail elegantly curled, its venomous tip gleaming with a cold emerald light.
Ice Empress first shot a wary glance at Chen Yi and the Grand Elder, then fixed her gaze on Snow Empress, her eyes filled with worry and doubt.
"Xue'er? What was all that commotion… You were fighting humans just now?"
Clearly, the eruption of Snow Empress's aura and her confrontation with the Grand Elder had drawn the nearby Ice Empress's attention.
Snow Empress gently raised her hand, signaling Ice Empress to stay calm, and pointed to Shui Bing'er, who was still sitting cross-legged with eyes closed. Her voice trembled, barely audible.
"Bing'er, look at that human… It seems… she's inherited the Ice God's legacy."
"What?!"
Ice Empress's compound eyes narrowed sharply, radiating a palpable light as she turned, focusing all her senses on Shui Bing'er.
Upon sensing the aura hidden in the snowflake pattern, her body gave a slight tremble—even the emerald tail paused momentarily.
"That… is that really the aura of the Ice God?!"
Her voice was filled with disbelief and excitement, becoming somewhat incoherent.
Snow Empress nodded, concisely explaining the Water God's descent and the granting of the mark. After listening, Ice Empress's hostility towards Chen Yi was nearly wiped away entirely, replaced with deep surprise and curiosity.
Judging from Snow Empress's words, this human boy was familiar with the descending Water God, and might even have some connection to the Divine Realm.
At that moment, Shui Bing'er let out a long, comfortable sigh, and the last traces of the soul fluctuations around her faded completely.
She slowly opened her eyes, and the icy blue within shone more clearly than ever before.
The first figure to greet her upon opening her eyes was Chen Yi, standing before her. Out of joy, she almost rushed over to share her happiness. "Xiao Yi! I just…"
Before she could finish, her keen senses finally detected two unfamiliar yet powerful auras nearby. She broke off, her surprised gaze turning to Snow Empress and Ice Empress, then to Chen Yi.
Chen Yi nodded reassuringly and said gently, "These two are seniors from the Extreme North. Something happened when you absorbed your soul ring… They're very concerned about the mark on your forehead and about you."
Hearing this, Shui Bing'er raised her hand and lightly touched her forehead. A coldness spread from her fingertips. She recalled the clear, cold female voice that had echoed deep within her soul upon absorbing her soul ring and answered honestly.
"Right after the soul ring was absorbed, a voice rang out in my consciousness. She called herself the Water God and said the Ice God entrusted her to find a proper successor."
"Oh, it seems you've just gained the right to participate in the Ice God's Divine Selection," Chen Yi and the Grand Elder exchanged glances, understanding each other instantly. As expected, the Water God had personally intervened and opened the path to the Ice God's throne for Shui Bing'er.
When Snow Empress and Ice Empress heard the phrase "the Ice God's last wish," undisguised sorrow and realization appeared in their eyes.
So, the great Ice God was already gone…
Yet soon, that sorrow transformed into boundless excitement and hope.
The Ice God's legacy! The girl before them had been chosen as the next inheritor!
"This truly is… the legacy of the Ice God!" Ice Empress's voice was choked with emotion, her scorpion tail gently swaying.
Snow Empress took a deep breath, forcibly calming herself, then looked up at Shui Bing'er with a solemn, almost reverent gaze.
Shui Bing'er was a bit confused by the reaction. Chen Yi quickly communicated to her, explaining the near-fanatical faith and reverence that all spirit beasts of the Extreme North held for the Ice God. Only then did Shui Bing'er seem to understand.
Immediately standing up and straightening her clothes, she bowed solemnly toward Snow Empress and Ice Empress:
"Senior, Shui Bing'er greets you. I was unaware of the local rules and rashly sought out a soul ring. If I have caused any offense, please forgive me."
Snow Empress and Ice Empress averted their faces almost simultaneously, as if evading the salute.
"You are the chosen successor of the Ice God. Here in the Extreme North, there is no one qualified to receive your respect," Ice Empress swung her foreclaw repeatedly, showing her unworthiness of such praise.
Snow Empress's icy blue eyes showed a rare gentleness. "Bing'er… may I call you that?"
When Shui Bing'er nodded, Snow Empress continued, "You are now the Ice God's inheritor, and though I may have some experience with ice, I'd like to offer you guidance."
"If you would, why not stay here in the Extreme North to cultivate for a while? I will impart all my knowledge to you. Without detours, you'll be able to face the Divine Trial much sooner and with more confidence."
Chen Yi was delighted by the suggestion. Who was Snow Empress? The pinnacle of ice cultivation in this world, the sovereign of the Extreme North. Her understanding and mastery of ultimate ice far surpassed any human mentor, making her the ideal teacher for Shui Bing'er.
However, Shui Bing'er hesitated. She glanced at Chen Yi beside her, a faint dependence and uncertainty in her eyes. Then she apologized to Snow Empress:
"Senior, thank you for your kindness, but… When the Water God granted me the mark just now, she mentioned that my foundation was still shallow. She advised I continue to train at Xiao Yi's side and keep honing my abilities."
Snow Empress and Ice Empress exchanged glances. The fact that the God herself had given such instructions implied an extraordinary connection behind Chen Yi.
After a brief silence, determination shone in Snow Empress's eyes. She looked at Shui Bing'er again.
Since the Water God had made arrangements, she must have her reasons. Still, the Ice God's legacy was too important to lose track of.
"How about this? I will leave the Extreme North and accompany you into the human world."
"First, I can guide you through any difficulties you may face in cultivation. Second, I will protect you, preventing vile people from coveting the legacy of the gods."
She turned to Chen Yi and the Grand Elder. "What do you think of this arrangement?"
Without much hesitation, Chen Yi nodded. "For senior Snow Empress to personally teach Bing'er is an honor I could never hope for."
"I do feel uneasy, though, troubling you to leave your homeland…"
Chen Yi was already planning inwardly. With Snow Empress as a supreme bodyguard and mentor, Shui Bing'er's safety and advancement would be assured. Moreover… his own mother was reaching a bottleneck soon, and she might benefit from Snow Empress's guidance as well.
Seeing Chen Yi's ready agreement, Snow Empress looked to Ice Empress.
"Xue'er…"
There was deep reluctance in Ice Empress's voice, and her compound eyes were filled with longing as she looked at Snow Empress.
Snow Empress reached out, gently stroking Ice Empress's transparent carapace as her voice softened. "After I leave, the Extreme North will be in your hands. Guard our homeland well. When a new god is enthroned, I will return."
Knowing the importance of the Ice God's inheritance, Ice Empress finally nodded despite her reluctance, touching Snow Empress's wrist softly with her scorpion tail.
"Then… be careful. Try to bring back the new god as soon as possible so I can meet her."
"Mhm." After patting Ice Empress one last time, Snow Empress turned without hesitation to Chen Yi and Shui Bing'er. "Let's go."
The Grand Elder looked deeply at Snow Empress, nodded quietly, and led the way. Chen Yi took Shui Bing'er's hand and followed behind.
Snow Empress, clad in flowing white robes, walked lightly at the rear, bidding a temporary farewell to the icy kingdom she had ruled for countless years.
The four figures quickly disappeared into the swirling snow, heading toward the human world.
Behind them, Ice Empress stood atop the icicle, watching the group's shadows fade from view for a long, long time.
…