Snow Empress felt her firm attitude almost completely crumble at this moment. There was nothing she could do to stop it. She was absolutely certain that the aura she had just felt was a God Assessment.
Not only that, but it was a test that was already bound to a soul. This proved that the young man in front of her was an heir to a Divinity. He was someone who had already received the recognition of a God and was almost certainly destined to become a God in the future.
Snow Empress's expression became complicated for a long time. She reconsidered the young man's words from earlier while thinking about the current situation. He spoke of a solution to the Heavenly Tribulation and a promise to protect the Extreme North Land. There was no doubt now that the young man standing before her was not exaggerating. He truly had a way to do what he said.
Snow Empress pursed her lips slightly. A flicker of hesitation crossed her exquisitely beautiful face. She opened her mouth, intending to agree to the transaction he had proposed earlier. But when she thought of her attitude just now, she could not bring herself to say it.
She had shown him disdain one moment and was solemn the next. Such a change in behavior felt ugly to her. Yet, if it could protect the Extreme North Land and Bing'er, she knew what she had to do.
Snow Empress's thoughts shifted as her inner resolve wavered. Just as she was about to speak, Ming'an suddenly changed the subject. He spread his hands wide and looked at her.
"Alright, I've put all my chips on the table. Now, let me see yours," Ming'an said calmly.
Snow Empress, who had been about to speak, was once again speechless. She thought to herself, "My chips?" This was a transaction, but what did she have? What could she offer the other party? Did she have treasures of Heaven and Earth or things to enhance strength? The Extreme North Land did have some, but would a future God truly value them?
Should she choose to help him and become an aid on his path to godhood? He already had two powerful individuals by his side. Did he truly need her help? Moreover, she was a Spirit Beast and was currently his captive. According to the normal thoughts of a Spirit Master, the most correct choice would be to kill her. They would usually take her spirit ring and Spirit Bone to become stronger.
A hint of sadness flashed in Snow Empress's eyes. The thing she wanted most was right before her, but she had no chips to buy it. The atmosphere became very silent. A faint smile flickered in Ming'an's eyes, but he feigned confusion.
"What is it? Do you not have any chips to trade?" Ming'an asked.
A hint of embarrassment flashed in Snow Empress's eyes. The cold indifference she had earlier was gone. She unnaturally shifted her gaze to the side. Her voice was much softer when she finally replied.
"I... I do not," she admitted.
"But you are very satisfied with my chips, and you want all of them?" Ming'an asked with a smile.
Snow Empress pursed her lips and nodded her head. "Yes," she whispered.
"Then I have a solution," Ming'an said, revealing a kind smile. "Perhaps we can complete a partial transaction."
"A partial transaction? What do you mean?" Snow Empress was a bit puzzled by his words.
"It is simple," Ming'an explained. "Before I successfully become a God and take my God Position, you can stay by my side. You will act as my guard to ensure my safety. On the other hand, you will cooperate with me. You will assist me in my research and let me observe you. With these as your chips, I will place my chips on the other side of the scale. This means you can ask me for one thing."
He continued, "For example, I could resolve your Heavenly Tribulation. Or I could help with Ice Empress's Heavenly Tribulation. I could even make a future promise to protect the Extreme North Land. All of these are possible as long as I have the power to do it. Of course, a promise like protecting the Extreme North Land is worth more than your chips.
Because of that, I will collect some extra things. I will need samples of your ultimate ice and snow spirit power, your blood, hair, and body tissues. I will collect these every now and then to make the trade fair. This is the partial transaction. What do you think, Snow Empress?"
Snow Empress fell into a deep silence while pondering his words. To be honest, the young man's proposal did not seem unfair. It even allowed her to keep her dignity. Being a guard and a research sample was much better than being turned into a spirit ring and Spirit Bone. Moreover, the promise of a future Divinity was worth more than anything. But how should she choose? Her own life did not matter much to her, but she could not stop worrying about the Extreme North Land and Ice Empress.
Ice Empress had damaged her Origin when she underwent her 300,000-year Heavenly Tribulation. She would definitely not survive her 400,000-year Heavenly Tribulation. That time would arrive within a hundred years. At that time, Ice Empress would most likely die. A method to break the Heavenly Tribulation was urgently needed. But if a future God promised to protect the Extreme North Land, maybe the land would finally have peace.
Snow Empress fell into complete silence as she thought. Behind Ming'an, two very old men quietly observed the scene. They looked at each other with strange expressions.
"Mr. Kong teaches his students well," Electrolux said with a sigh. He had always felt that Ming'an had an extraordinary talent for research. The boy's ideas often surprised him. But as for his skill in talking... if it were Electrolux, he could never do such a thing.
Kong Deming's mouth twitched slightly. His voice sounded complex. "I did not teach him these things. It is purely because this kid is very smart and has a good understanding of how people work."
He actually had more to say in his mind. He watched his grandson get something for nothing while making the other party feel like they won. Seeing how good his grandson was at tricking people at such a young age made him feel a certain way. He felt he did not need to worry about the family line continuing. However, maybe he should worry about the boy's safety if he kept tricking people.
Kong Deming shook his head and sighed. He made up his mind right then. He decided he would get a few more Level Nine defensive spirit tools for the boy to carry. He didn't want his grandson to get into trouble later on.
Time slowly passed in the cold air. In front of Ming'an, Snow Empress pondered for a long time. The light in her ice-blue eyes shifted back and forth. Finally, she raised her head and looked at Ming'an.
"Human... I am willing to make the trade," she said. Her voice was still clear and cold, but it was not as mean as before. It held a bit more sincerity. After a short pause, she spoke again, but her voice sounded difficult. "But... aside from the promise to protect the Extreme North Land, I want more."
"You want more?" Ming'an frowned slightly. Unlike his elders who were involved in politics, Ming'an believed that a promise was a serious thing. If Snow Empress agreed, he would truly protect the Extreme North Land. He felt his offer was already very fair.
He was not a fool. He did not like trades that were not equal.
"What do you want? And what else can you give me?" Ming'an's tone became serious. He was always very strict when it came to a fair trade.
Snow Empress sensed his seriousness. A heavy pressure seemed to fall on her, but she did not give up. Her ice-blue eyes flickered. She looked directly into Ming'an's eyes. Her tone was serious but also a little bit afraid.
"I want Ice Empress to survive her 400,000-year Heavenly Tribulation. As for the price..." Snow Empress took a deep breath. She gently raised one hand and placed it on her chest. Her eyes were filled with a strong resolve.
"I am willing to give everything of myself. I will give you my body, my Soul, my strength, and anything else I have. All of me will be your chips for this trade."