Chapter 293: Claiming the Snow Empress, Heart of Ice and Snow

"Cough, cough."

"Don't look at what you shouldn't."

Qian Ran finally snapped out of his daze, realizing it was inappropriate to keep staring. After all, the Snow Empress wasn't his woman yet. Once she was, he could indulge to his heart's content.

By now, the Snow Empress had fully awakened. Looking down at her bare body, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment. Despite her typically calm and indifferent nature, being seen like this by a man was mortifying.

Having spent her life in the Extreme North with only the Ice Empress as her companion, she'd never felt the need for vigilance. That unguardedness had led to this awkward situation.

With a flick of her delicate hand, a white dress wrapped itself around her pale and tender body, giving her a semblance of composure.

"Your injuries are completely healed," Qian Ran said, his demeanor returning to normal. He'd seen his fair share of beautiful bodies over the past few days, and while the Snow Empress was exceptionally stunning, she wasn't enough to utterly captivate him.

Still, the speed of her recovery had exceeded his expectations.

For someone of the Snow Empress's caliber, injuries to her origin were no small matter. Yet the system's gifted pill had performed exceptionally well.

"Thank you for this. My injuries are nearly healed, with only minor issues left to address," the Snow Empress said, taking a deep breath and casting a grateful look at Qian Ran.

With some time, she would return to her peak condition.

For her, this was a blessing. While she wasn't afraid of death, she hated the idea of dying in such a pitiful state. Now, she had a renewed hope for survival—and it was all thanks to Qian Ran.

It was hard to believe that a mere human Soul Elder could earn her gratitude, but the facts spoke for themselves.

Qian Ran was unlike any human she had ever encountered.

If one were to put it in terms of another world, Qian Ran was like a conservationist, but without the zealotry. He valued endangered species and understood their importance to the ecosystem. However, he had no patience for creatures that multiplied to the detriment of humans.

Creatures like the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion and the Ice Heaven Snow Woman were nearly extinct, making their survival critical. The Snow Empress was the sole surviving Snow Woman. Qian Ran couldn't fathom why this world's Soul Masters lacked the foresight to protect such species.

If powerful and rare soul beasts were driven to extinction, where would Soul Masters find their rings in the future?

It was no wonder that Douluo's history shifted toward high technology.

Most absurdly, humans exterminated soul beasts and then villainized their resistance. The hypocrisy grated on Qian Ran's nerves.

He didn't consider himself a saint. The strong prey on the weak; it was a natural law. But to label the weak as villains for defending themselves while portraying oneself as a victim? That was despicable.

Humans invaded soul beasts' homes to hunt them, yet when soul beasts retaliated, the hunters acted as though they'd been grievously wronged.

Ridiculous.

This distorted worldview was why Qian Ran felt little affinity for most humans in the Douluo Continent. After reading all the novels in the Douluo series, he found that soul beasts had far more consistent morals than humans.

"Snow Empress, now that you're healed, I can teach you a new method for assuming human form," the Ice Empress said cheerfully, holding the Snow Empress's hand like a doting sister.

"Is that… possible?" The Snow Empress's voice was filled with wonder. She didn't know what method the Ice Empress had used, but she was certain it had come from Qian Ran. If this new method could replace the traditional ten-thousand-year reincarnation process, it would be revolutionary for the entire soul beast community.

This realization deepened her appreciation for Qian Ran.

"Of course! Qian Ran won't mind." The Ice Empress grinned as she held onto the Snow Empress.

The Snow Empress looked at her friend in astonishment. The Ice Empress had changed so much, even in temperament. Once haughty and aloof, she now exuded warmth and joy—especially when speaking about Qian Ran.

It was clear to the Snow Empress that the Ice Empress was genuinely happy with her current life.

"I have no objections," Qian Ran said. "This new method won't compromise your strength. In fact, it might even give you a pleasant surprise."

The Snow Empress's curiosity deepened.

Earlier, Qian Ran had produced a miraculous pill that almost entirely healed her injuries. Now, he was offering a way to reshape the process of soul beast transformation. She couldn't help but regret not meeting Qian Ran earlier. If she had, she wouldn't have needed to rely on the ten-thousand-year snow lotus to reincarnate.

"Alright, Ice Empress and Snow Empress, you two must have a lot to catch up on. Go ahead and chat—I'll leave you to it."

With that, Qian Ran and Qian Renxue left the room.

Back at the hotel, Qian Ran reached up to touch his forehead. The Eye of Life had fully closed, leaving no visible trace. No one could detect its presence unless he chose to reveal it.

The transformation to his body, however, was undeniable.

Looking out at the scenery through the window, Qian Ran felt a profound sense of clarity and peace, as though he were one with nature.

Under the influence of Life Gold, his body had transcended to a new level of existence.

Even his spiritual sea had expanded significantly. At this point, his spiritual power was comparable to that of a Rank 95 Super Douluo.

His already striking appearance now carried an added allure—confidence, steadiness, and vitality radiated from him like a beacon.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Qian Ran meditated briefly before drifting into a deep sleep.

Yet, as he lay alone, he felt oddly out of place. He had grown used to sleeping on the soft stomachs or thighs of women. Without his usual "pillows," the experience felt strange.

The next morning, a notification sounded in his mind:

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for signing in with the Snow Empress. You have received Heart of Ice and Snow x5."

"Note: The Heart of Ice and Snow is a condensed essence of the purest ice and snow energy, containing extreme ice elemental power."

The night passed without disturbance. Rising from bed, Qian Ran recalled the system reward he had unlocked upon bonding with the Snow Empress. He couldn't help but grin as he opened the "gift box" waiting for him.

(End of Chapter)