Chapter 45: The Extreme North

Shrek Academy entrance.

Chen Xiaoming left without waking anyone. He departed silently, unnoticed by the drunken Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others.

As his figure faded into the distant horizon, four figures stepped out from the shadows—Flender, Zhao Wuji, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

Alcohol could intoxicate Soul Elders like Tang San and his group, but not Soul Saints and Titled Douluo like them.

Flender and Zhao Wuji had known Chen Xiaoming the longest within Shrek Academy. Aside from their past encounters where he had beaten them, they had interacted frequently, with Zhao Wuji even consulting him on several occasions.

As for Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, they felt as though Chen Xiaoming was shrouded in an impenetrable mist, making it impossible to truly see through him.

Watching him leave, Ning Fengzhi had a lingering feeling that Chen Xiaoming was about to embark on something significant. He muttered softly:

"I hope we meet again..."

...

One month later – The Extreme North, Northern Heaven Dou Empire

At the northernmost edge of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Extreme North was a frigid land where temperatures remained freezing year-round. It was an uninhabited, desolate region, yet it housed the Icebound Forest, a gathering ground for soul beasts. Many ice-attributed Soul Masters relied on this forest to survive on the icy plains.

A lone figure approached through the snow, draped in a heavy white cloak. His long hair cascaded down his back, and his delicate features bore a calm, composed expression. A unique aura rippled around him.

"Hah... After traveling for so long, I'm finally almost there."

The figure was none other than Chen Xiaoming, who had left Shrek Academy. His journey had brought him to one of his key destinations—the Extreme North.

The Extreme North was one of the three great soul beast territories of the continent. It was home to three immensely powerful entities known as the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North. Their strength was terrifying, ranking among the top ten soul beasts of the entire Douluo Plane.

And in such a harsh, unforgiving environment, any soul beast that managed to survive could hardly be considered weak.

Gazing at the crystalline forest before him, Chen Xiaoming noted the stark difference between it and the Star Dou Great Forest. This land was entirely covered in snow, its trees glistening with ice crystals, resembling breathtaking ice sculptures.

This was the second great soul beast habitat—the Icebound Forest.

"Taking a detour is too troublesome. I'll just cut straight through."

The true heart of the Extreme North was still a day's journey away. However, if he crossed the Icebound Forest, he would reach it much faster. Without hesitation, Chen Xiaoming decided to take the direct route.

This was merely a minor soul beast habitat, and it didn't even house a single hundred-thousand-year-old beast. How could it possibly impede his path?

If anything dared to stop him…

"Hmph." A soft snort escaped his lips, his gaze flashing with cold resolve.

With a single step forward, he entered the Icebound Forest. The ancient ice-crystal trees formed a mesmerizing sight, but the faint fluctuations of his soul power radiated outward, subtly warning off weaker soul beasts.

After all, he himself was a soul beast in human form. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no intention of slaughtering other soul beasts in this life.

Most of the creatures here were weak, ranging from ten-year to hundred-year soul beasts. Sensing his aura, they instinctively fled.

As he walked, Chen Xiaoming marveled at the strange and wondrous soul beasts that inhabited this world.

He saw an Ice Crystal Cat, its body composed entirely of shimmering ice, with gemstone-like eyes that flickered with a soft glow.

There was also a Snow Princess, a slender humanoid beast adorned with delicate snowflakes, resembling a figure clad in a pure white winter gown.

And then there was Snow Roller, a creature that looked like a round ball of snow, with short limbs and a waddling gait—it moved by rolling forward like an actual snowball.

The more he saw, the more Chen Xiaoming was struck by the wonders of this world.

"ROAR!"

Just as he was admiring the scenery, a thunderous roar erupted from the depths of the forest, laced with powerful soul energy. Chen Xiaoming's brows furrowed. He hadn't realized that, without noticing, he had already ventured into the inner regions of the forest.

Stopping in his tracks, he sensed a faint disturbance ahead—there was a group of people heading in his direction.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Five figures suddenly burst out from the forest.

Leading them was a young woman with flowing silver-white hair. Her delicate features held a regal air, and she wore an outfit adorned with intricate snowflake patterns, as pure as fresh-fallen snow.

At her feet, six soul rings flickered—two yellow, two purple, two black—the optimal configuration for a Soul Emperor.

Chen Xiaoming was briefly taken aback. She looked barely in her twenties, yet she had already reached the Soul Emperor level?

Behind her followed three young women and one man.

The three women were identical triplets. As they released their martial spirits, Chen Xiaoming noticed that their weapons were identical—each wielding an Ice Crystal, radiating a faint glow.

Their soul rings were also identical: one white, one yellow, two purple, and one black. It was rare enough to see triplets, but to have the same martial soul, soul power level, and soul ring configuration?

Chen Xiaoming raised a brow. I wonder if their soul skills are the same too?

The last of the group was a young man wielding an Ice Blade. He too had six soul rings, though his configuration—two yellow, three purple, and one black—was slightly inferior to the leading woman's. His fifth soul ring had yet to reach the ten-thousand-year level.

When the Soul Emperor woman spotted Chen Xiaoming, hesitation flashed in her eyes. Then, seemingly making a decision, she adjusted her trajectory to bypass him.

A moment later, she was yanked back by the young man.

"What are you doing?! Are you insane?" she snapped.

Without responding, the man sprinted toward Chen Xiaoming.

"He's just a Soul King. He can buy us some time—our chances of escaping will be better."

His voice was quiet, but his eyes gleamed with eagerness.

They were being pursued by a powerful soul beast in the depths of the Icebound Forest. He had resigned himself to the idea that one or two of them might not make it out alive, but then—just as luck would have it—a Soul King appeared. It was as if the heavens had gifted him a shield.

A Soul King might not be able to defeat their pursuer, but delaying it? That was entirely possible.

The three Soul King triplets and the Soul Emperor woman wore conflicted expressions. If they ran past him, they would be dragging an innocent stranger into their peril.

The Soul Emperor hesitated, struggling against the young man's grip.

"Don't forget—if he doesn't die, Xiao Xue and the others will."

The man's final words made her freeze in place. She stopped resisting.

"Go!"

Seeing her surrender, the man smirked and led the group straight toward Chen Xiaoming.

Within moments, they had reached him.

As they passed, the young man subtly slowed down, ensuring that the triplets and the Soul Emperor went ahead of him.

Then, in a ruthless flash, his Ice Blade slashed toward Chen Xiaoming's leg, a sharp arc of soul power slicing through the air.

He didn't care whether the attack landed—his only goal was to delay Chen Xiaoming, forcing him to face the pursuing beast while they escaped.

The blade light streaked forward.

Chen Xiaoming, however, stood motionless, his gaze impassive.

Deep within his eyes, a cold glint emerged.

"It's been a long time since someone dared to ambush me."

"You're only the second."

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