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Chapter 52 — Truly a Fool
Feeling the undeniable chill emanating from above, Snow Empress fell into silence once more.
He really could do it!
How could she not recognize her own signature technique?
This human's cultivation might not match hers, yet from the sheer proficiency with which the technique was executed, he was clearly no inferior.
But how could this be possible? That was a martial technique she had personally created! How could a human who had never even seen it manage to perform it?
"I truly cannot bring it forth, Snow Empress."
Huo Yuhao dispersed the frost curling around his hands, a faint smile playing across his lips as he regarded the conflicted Snow Empress.
"But I suppose there's no need for me to continue demonstrating it, right?"
Silence.
The howling wind, the cacophony of snow and ice—everything fell into sudden stillness. Huo Yuhao said no more, simply watching the silent Snow Empress with steady, calm eyes.
"You… your body cannot yet contain my power."
After a long pause, Snow Empress lifted her gaze, her eyes locking onto his with a depth that broke the previous indifference in her voice.
"Moreover, I cannot leave with you just yet. There are still matters in the Extreme North that demand my attention… next time…"
She faltered and, with some effort, spoke the rest.
"When you come next, I will give you an answer."
At her words, both Ice Empress and Skydream Ice Silkworm froze in astonishment.
They had never anticipated that events would unfold in such a manner.
Though she had not spoken all her thoughts aloud, it was clear that Snow Empress had already been persuaded.
It had truly succeeded!
Huo Yuhao exhaled slightly, relief washing over him. Slowly, two spirit rings rose beneath his feet. As the first ring ignited, his mental perception immediately linked with Snow Empress through shared consciousness.
Through this connection, Huo Yuhao explained the possible future in which Snow Empress, having taken human form, might be captured by humans.
After hearing this, Snow Empress's expression darkened with complexity. Her suspicions were confirmed.
This Empress Sword technique… perhaps it really was she who had taught him—not her current self, but her future self.
Though the situation seemed strange, it was the only explanation that could account for the other's actions. She fell silent for a moment before asking,
"If I had refused to become your soul spirit, would you have told me this?"
"Huh?"
Caught off guard by the question, Huo Yuhao paused for a moment before laughing softly.
"I've learned so much from you, and I haven't even paid my gratitude yet. I couldn't just stand by and let you be captured."
"…Thank you."
With that, she turned to Ice Empress. "Bing'er, you may begin. I will guard you."
"Ah? Oh—oh."
Ice Empress had not fully processed what had just occurred. Slowly coming to Huo Yuhao's side, she asked hesitantly,
"What exactly should I do?"
"First, transfer the spirit bones. During the subsequent spirit transformation, you only need to seal your own power as guided by Brother Skydream. Leave the rest to me. I will do everything I can to ensure your safety."
"I understand."
Her amber eyes blinked as she hesitated. "But are you certain you can endure that kind of pain?"
"Don't worry."
Huo Yuhao drew in a deep breath. "This isn't the first time I've endured it."
While Ice Empress's mind spun with confusion, Snow Empress could not help but glance at Huo Yuhao once more.
"Then… I shall proceed."
Resolved, Ice Empress no longer hesitated. In an instant, she moved behind Huo Yuhao. Her tailhook shone with a brilliant jade-green light, and in the next moment, it struck like lightning into Huo Yuhao's back, piercing flesh and finally embedding into bone.
The searing pain made Huo Yuhao grit his teeth instinctively. Skydream Ice Silkworm had long been ready to assist, yet no intervention was needed. Relaxing, it observed quietly.
Previously, Huo Yuhao had absorbed the Ice Dragon King's power alone, enduring on his own. This current fusion process was merely a trivial trial in comparison.
And indeed, just as expected, aside from a slight furrow of his brow, Huo Yuhao showed no other reaction. There were no screams, not even a tremor. Skydream Ice Silkworm could only shake his head with a quiet sigh.
"This is… ruthless."
"He wasn't lying. This truly isn't his first time enduring such pain."
Snow Empress withdrew her gaze, glancing at Ice Silkworm. Her voice was cool and measured.
"How did you encounter him?"
"Well…" Skydream replied, shrinking slightly under the presence of the Extreme North's three great kings. "I met Yuhao in the Star Dou Great Forest's mixed zone. I was eager to leave that cursed place, and since he was the first spirit-type soul master I met, I chose him."
Now reflecting on it, he found it remarkable—a human without even a single spirit ring, daring to venture into the mixed zone.
"It is remarkable."
Snow Empress inclined her head slightly, though her tone lacked Skydream's sense of bewilderment.
Seeing that she had no further questions, Skydream relaxed, subtly shifting away from her, only to remember something and look back.
"There's one more thing you should know. He knows the sovereign of the Star Dou Great Forest's spirit beasts. That entity had intended to accompany him."
Snow Empress froze, disbelief evident.
"Impossible… that being has never appeared in the mortal world."
Skydream tilted his head toward the white dragon scales on Huo Yuhao's arm, his voice heavy with implication.
"You should recognize that this is no ordinary Ice Dragon martial spirit. That alone proves the credibility of what I said, doesn't it?"
Indeed, from the moment Huo Yuhao released his martial spirit, Snow Empress had been certain—it was far beyond a common Ice Dragon, beyond even what ordinary Ice Dragons could achieve through absorption.
Its presence made her heart shudder instinctively. Even an Ice Dragon's aura would pale in comparison; this was the aura of a true Ice Dragon King.
Breaking the long silence, Snow Empress finally spoke again.
"…Then why did she not accompany him?"
Skydream Ice Silkworm sighed. "Because Yuhao refused."
Snow Empress furrowed her brow, glancing at Huo Yuhao.
"Is he a fool? Didn't he fear that we might refuse and strike him down?"
One word from that entity would have compelled them to become soul spirit obediently, or at least accompany him for safety. The Extreme North held countless dangers beyond the two of them.
"No… he told that being," Skydream Ice Silkworm hesitated, a faint smile in his tone, "This time he came to the Extreme North… to meet with his friends."
…
Silence fell once more.
Snow Empress stared at the youth, speechless, several times opening her mouth, yet unable to find the words.
After a long moment, her cold voice finally returned.
"…Truly a fool."
(End of Chapter 52)