Welcome, everyone! I appreciate your interest in my translated novels. I hope my translations enable you to fully enjoy these stories.
I want to clarify that I will not be posting this novel on Patreon or asking you to visit there for access to advanced chapters, as many other translators do. However, I am human, and like everyone else, I need motivation to continue my translation work.
What motivates me the most? Financial support. I would appreciate any help you can offer to support my translations. If you can spare some funds, it would go a long way in providing me with a bit of pocket money for my efforts.
Thank you for your support, and I sincerely hope you enjoy my translations! Please note that in my country, PayPal is not supported.
Here are some methods to support me:
PAYEER: P1134728698
Skrill : [email protected]
Webmoney (WMZ Purse): Z820148229030
--------------------------------------------------
Chapter 51: Would You Believe Me?
"It's fine."
Huo Yuhao's face softened into a gentle smile as he listened to the words of the Ice Empress.
"If I say this, it means I'm confident. Please, help me contact Snow Empress."
"…If you've made up your mind..."
Ice Empress did not try to persuade him further. Hearing Huo Yuhao's assurance, she found herself curious how this human could possibly convince Snow Empress. If he could succeed, it would actually be beneficial.
After all, Snow Empress's seven-hundred-thousand-year lifespan was nearing its end, and she did not wish to witness her death.
Even if the plan went wrong, considering her own face, Snow Empress would likely not harm this human.
Ice Empress shivered slightly, her tail releasing a dazzling green light that dyed the gray-white clouds above into the same hue. The glow spread relentlessly, reaching ever deeper into the far north.
"Snow Empress, are you there?"
After a brief pause, a crisp and melodious voice drifted across the horizon.
"Bing'er, what is it?"
"Can you… come here for a moment? Something has happened on my side…"
Ice Empress hesitated, unsure how to explain the situation, but in the end, she forced herself to speak.
"Something has occurred here."
"I'm on my way."
At her words, Huo Yuhao remained outwardly calm, but Skydream Ice Silkworm and Ice Empress themselves visibly tensed.
From the silence, Ice Empress turned her gaze toward Huo Yuhao, her tone tinged with a curious gravity.
"I hope you truly are as confident as you claim to be."
Huo Yuhao said nothing, maintaining his serene demeanor. Yet, deep down, the thought of meeting the figure from his memories again caused his heartbeat to quicken ever so slightly.
Not long after, a biting gust of wind swept through, and a figure appeared before them.
Her snow-white hair flowed down to her waist, accentuating her unparalleled beauty. Her blue eyes, reminiscent of Huo Yuhao's own, were cold and proud. Her long, fair legs floated several inches above the snow, flawless as if untouched by even the faintest speck of dust.
Merely observing her, one could feel the innate aura of noble, icy elegance that radiated from her very being.
Whether startled by the presence of a human or stirred by an inexplicable sense of familiarity, Snow Empress's gaze immediately fixed on Huo Yuhao. Her eyes flickered with an emotion she did not expect. Meanwhile, Skydream Ice Silkworm, curled up like an ostrich burying its head, was completely ignored.
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze and spoke, her voice cool and even.
"Bing'er, what exactly is going on here?"
Ice Empress quickly recounted the events. Snow Empress listened silently, only showing a slight reaction when she heard that Ice Empress had agreed to become Huo Yuhao's spirit.
She said nothing further. Though she had considered assisting Ice Empress in crossing the four-hundred-thousand-year tribulation, that was merely to increase her chances of success. In truth, nothing could rival the choice of becoming a soul spirit. Since Ice Empress had made her decision, Snow Empress would not interfere.
Snow Empress floated toward Huo Yuhao, her exquisite eyes narrowing slightly, her tone still frigid.
"Human, what is it you want?"
Then, she added coldly, "If you intend for me to become your spirit, you may give up right now."
Yet Huo Yuhao did not rush to speak. He silently observed the figure who had aided him so many times in his previous life. Back when he had still been a Spirit Master, Snow Empress had already come to his side. And even until the final moments in the Divine Realm, she had spared no effort to assist him…
Time passed, second by second. Ice Empress's worry slowly transformed into astonishment.
Since when had Snow Empress possessed such patience?
Humans who opposed their spirit beasts, or even the fierce beast of the Extreme North, had never dared to fix their gaze so persistently upon her. Even Ice Devil Titan King had endured injuries inflicted by her for over a thousand years.
Yet here she remained, unwavering.
Ice Empress felt her mind teetering on the edge of comprehension.
Finally, Snow Empress's patience seemed to reach its limit. Her voice, still calm yet tinged with coldness, cut through the silence.
"Have you had enough time to look? Answer me, human."
"…I summoned you here because I genuinely want you to become my spirit."
Huo Yuhao paused, then continued with sincere intent.
"I need your power."
Snow Empress's expression remained unchanged. "I believe my position has been clear. I—"
"I know."
Before she could finish, Huo Yuhao interrupted. "But before that, there's something I want to show you."
With that, his second martial spirit awakened. Ice-white dragon scales quickly covered both arms, and his blue eyes transformed into silver-white vertical pupils.
The unique aura immediately drew a frown from Snow Empress, and Ice Empress let out a sound of disbelief.
"What martial spirit… is this!?"
Huo Yuhao said nothing, simply forming a blue longsword in his hand with a mere gesture.
Ice Empress blinked in confusion. She had expected him to use that heart-stopping martial spirit—one that even she felt a tremor at—to attract Snow Empress. Instead, he had casually condensed a sword of ice? How could that possibly be useful?
But as she glanced sideways, she noticed Snow Empress's gaze had changed.
"…Snow Empress?"
Snow Empress ignored her entirely, eyes fixed on Huo Yuhao. The instant he summoned the ice sword, a ridiculous notion flashed through her mind—and Huo Yuhao's next move confirmed her suspicion.
He inhaled deeply, his eyes sharp, and swung the sword across the empty ground beside him.
In an instant, the ice-blue blade flashed and vanished, illuminating Ice Empress's stunned gaze. The sword left a deep trench in the snow, several meters long, radiating an almost tangible sharpness.
"Empress's Sword!? How could you possibly wield the Empress's Sword!?"
Ice Empress screamed in shock. Huo Yuhao staggered slightly, drained by the effort. At just two spirit rings, performing the Empress's Sword was already pushing his limits.
After catching his breath, Huo Yuhao looked at Snow Empress, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"My cultivation is insufficient; I can only manage this much. I hope I haven't embarrassed you."
Snow Empress remained silent. After a long moment, she nodded lightly.
"…You are far more extraordinary than I imagined. I want to know… how you learned this move."
"If I say that you taught me. Would you believe that?"
Though the answer sounded absurd and casual, Snow Empress did not respond with denial. She instead fixed her gaze on him and asked, "If you truly learned it from me, you should know the other technique as well?"
"…Are you referring to this?"
Huo Yuhao lifted his left hand. Instantly, the surrounding cold air converged toward it, dyeing his originally fair palm a faint icy blue.
(End of Chapter)