Chapter 284: The Snow Empress Appears, Ice Empress Unleashes Killing Intent

Qian Ran, the Ice Empress, and Qian Renxue stopped their playful antics and focused on the auction as Xu Jiujiu introduced the treasures one by one. The dazzling array of rare items expanded their horizons.

"Now, we present today's grand finale," Xu Jiujiu announced, her voice carrying a sense of anticipation.

The soul display once again glowed with golden light.

Xu Jiujiu stood gracefully at the center of the screen, her elegant golden gown accentuating her noble demeanor. Her stunning beauty, enhanced by her attire, exuded a blend of regal poise and gentle charm.

Qian Ran's attention momentarily lingered on her captivating figure, but his true excitement stemmed from what was to come—the long-awaited reveal of the Snow Empress.

As one of the two sovereigns of the Extreme North, the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress were undisputed rulers of ice and snow. Even an Ultimate Douluo would struggle to gain the upper hand against them.

The Snow Empress, whose cultivation had nearly reached 700,000 years, surpassed the Ice Empress in strength. Her soul beast age was second only to Di Tian on the entire continent. Facing an insurmountable tribulation, she had chosen the perilous path of transformation to a human form.

Initially, Qian Ran had considered obtaining the Snow Empress through Xu Jiujiu's connections. However, the Snow Empress was consigned to the auction by a ninth-level soul engineer from the Sun Moon Empire, making preemptive acquisition impossible.

Still, it was only a matter of time before she was his.

"Dear guests, from my attire, you might surmise the extraordinary nature of today's final treasure. Frankly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Its worth is nearly impossible to quantify in mere gold."

Her tone turned solemn, her expression sincere, drawing every guest's undivided attention.

"This final treasure is absolutely unique. Its value transcends conventional appraisal. Please, take a look."

As Xu Jiujiu gestured, the soul display shifted to reveal a white tray adorned with a hundred precious gems. Atop it rested a wooden pedestal encased in a faint golden glow.

Within the shimmering enclosure, a nebulous white mist swirled, struggling against its confinement like a trapped creature.

"What you see here," Xu Jiujiu continued, her voice carrying weight, "is not just a mysterious artifact—it is the embryonic form of a soul beast undergoing the process of transformation into a human."

"This mist is the crystallized essence of a 100,000-year soul beast caught mid-transformation. Encased within a ninth-level soul device, the Sealing Platform, it remains suspended in its nascent state."

The audience was stunned into silence, their shock palpable.

The Ice Empress's body radiated an intense killing intent, her fury unmistakable. The moment she saw the Sealing Platform, she was certain: it was the Snow Empress trapped inside.

The betrayal of witnessing her closest friend captured and displayed like a mere object fueled her rage.

"Calm down," Qian Renxue said firmly, a wave of her energy suppressing the Ice Empress's surging aura.

"Don't worry," Qian Ran reassured her. "We'll get the Snow Empress back soon."

The Ice Empress bit her lip, retracting her murderous aura. "I know. I'm not that impulsive."

Still, the glint in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. The room was filled with the presence of powerful individuals, including experts from the Body Sect and the Sun Moon Empire's Mingde Hall. Charging in recklessly would only complicate matters.

The auction room buzzed with frantic bidding as the price for the soul beast embryo soared past 100 million gold coins.

Fortunately, no one seemed aware that the creature inside wasn't just any soul beast but the Snow Empress herself.

"Do you think Huo Yuhao will outbid Mingde Hall?" Qian Ran mused. "Mingde Hall certainly has the funds. Their soul tools bring in massive profits—processing a few thousand gold's worth of metal into million-gold tools is quite the business model."

In one of the VIP rooms, Huo Yuhao's eyes gleamed with obsession.

The Snow Empress was his chance to surpass everyone, to claim the power that could rival, if not eclipse, Qian Ran's.

"Just wait, Qian Ran," he muttered. "Once I merge with the Snow Empress, my Ultimate Ice Martial Soul will crush you. Everything you've taken from me, I'll reclaim tenfold."

His gaze flicked to Xu Jiujiu on the screen, her beauty stirring other, darker thoughts. "And perhaps I'll take her, too."

Huo Yuhao raised his bid without hesitation. Backed by the wealth of the Haotian Sect, he had come prepared to win. He refused to lose the Snow Empress to anyone.

In another VIP room, Xu Jiujiu reported the escalating competition to Emperor Xu Jiawei.

"Brother, Mingde Hall, the Body Sect, and even the Haotian Sect are vying fiercely. The Haotian Sect seems particularly determined."

Xu Jiawei's expression darkened. "The Haotian Sect… They've stayed out of sight for so long."

"Should they win, it could disrupt our plans to entangle Mingde Hall. If the Haotian Sect secures the soul beast embryo, Mingde Hall won't suffer the consequences we'd hoped for," Xu Jiujiu said, frowning.

"Times have changed," Xu Jiawei replied, his tone measured. "With the Wuhun Sect as our ally, there's no need for petty schemes. Besides, even if the Haotian Sect wins, they won't leave here unchallenged."

"Actually, this ice-type soul beast embryo would suit Qian Ran perfectly," Xu Jiujiu murmured, her voice tinged with reluctance. The thought of handing such a treasure to her fiancé tugged at her heart.

"It's touching how thoughtful you are," Xu Jiawei teased, though his gaze softened. "But if the Wuhun Sect truly desires it, they can prove their worth by claiming it themselves. We'll see if our new allies are as formidable as they appear."

Xu Jiawei's intentions were clear: the Wuhun Sect's actions tonight would determine the depth of their partnership. If they secured the Snow Empress, it would solidify their strength and commitment to Star Luo.

And if they failed?

It would expose cracks in their armor.

(Chapter End)