Persuading the Snow Empress

"Human, what is it? You may speak now." Mist surged in front of Huo Yuhao, and Snow Empress's figure emerged from within.

"Snow Empress, did you acquire a Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus? And are you planning to use the essence of heaven and earth within it to rebuild your human form?" Huo Yuhao asked calmly.

Upon hearing this, Ice Empress was greatly shocked. Spirit herbs over ten thousand years old were already rare, and since Snow Empress had cultivated to her current realm, if this snow lotus could really help her reforge a human body, that would be against the heavens.

Ice Empress didn't know anything about the snow lotus, so she obviously couldn't have told Huo Yuhao. Then how did Huo Yuhao find out? She was baffled. If it were the Huo Yuhao of the past, she wouldn't have believed he could even enter the Extreme North.

"How do you know that?" Snow Empress stared unblinkingly at Huo Yuhao, as if trying to see through him. Her tone betrayed no emotion, but Huo Yuhao knew that if he didn't give a proper explanation, this seemingly kind older sister might very well turn hostile.

Huo Yuhao smiled but didn't answer directly. Instead, he continued, "You're right. The Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus can help you rebuild your body. I also know that on the day you do, you'll encounter a human Titled Douluo."

"And then you'll be captured by him using a Rank 9 soul tool. He'll take you to an auction, where you'll be sold. Eventually, you'll end up in the Sun Moon Empire. In the struggle between the two powers, unable to endure the humiliation, you'll self-destruct your origin."

"What are you implying? That you can predict the future? Do you think I'll believe that?" Snow Empress looked at Huo Yuhao with a calm gaze, seemingly unfazed.

Ice Empress, who had a slower reaction, looked confused. Her brain went into a tailspin: What's going on? Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to be doing?

"Maybe I really can predict the future," Huo Yuhao said. "And I can also tell you — when you self-destruct your origin, I'll be there. It was Ice Empress who saved what little was left of your origin."

At this moment, Huo Yuhao gave off an enigmatic aura — to put it crudely, he was kind of acting like a big shot — making both Snow Empress and Ice Empress want to punch him.

He continued, "You can believe it or not, it doesn't matter. But I can tell you this — the path you've chosen will not work."

Snow Empress said nothing. She just stared directly at Huo Yuhao, eyes silently saying, Please, continue your performance.

Big Sis, you're not following the script! Shouldn't you be asking me why I know this?

Huo Yuhao felt a bit awkward, like he was talking to himself, but he had no choice but to go on, "A long time ago, the Divine Realm no longer allowed soul beasts to become gods. There were exceptions — ten thousand years ago, Sea God Tang San's wife, the Soft Bone Rabbit who took human form, did become a god. But she had no divine position of her own — she merely relied on Tang San."

"Snow Empress, you are powerful, but not powerful enough. Even if you became a god, the Divine Realm would send divine envoys to destroy you."

"You should understand — even if you rebuild your human form, it's useless. Because in your heart, you still see yourself as a soul beast. Therefore, the Divine Realm will never accept you."

A few short sentences completely shattered Snow Empress's inner calm. She had a strong feeling that Huo Yuhao was telling the truth. And she sensed it — this world truly seemed to be working against soul beasts.

Again and again, the increasingly powerful tribulations had driven Snow Empress to despair. The path ahead was foggy. And if even taking a human form was a dead end, then what could she do?

Huo Yuhao also sighed inwardly. It was tough being a soul beast. Beasts like Snow Empress would simply die under ever-stronger tribulations. And even if they took human form, the Divine Realm still wouldn't allow them to become gods. Even Tang San's wife Xiao Wu had merely become the sheath for the Shura Sword, holding no real power in the Divine Realm.

After a long silence, Snow Empress's icy voice broke through the quiet. "So you're saying, I can only wait for death? Or… become your soul ring like Ice Empress?"

Staring into Snow Empress's sky-blue eyes, Huo Yuhao felt like she could see right through him — as if he were stripped bare. But he didn't mind. He knew it was just an illusion caused by their vast difference in strength.

"I sincerely hope you can join us. You should know I'm not just fearmongering." Huo Yuhao admitted candidly.

"I promised Ice Empress that once I became a god and the time was right, I would return her freedom and do everything I could to help her. That same promise applies to you."

"You don't need to answer now. You have plenty of time to think about it."

Snow Empress fell silent. Honestly, her heart wavered a little. But she noticed something odd.

"You said, 'when the time is right'? What do you mean by that?"

Huo Yuhao chuckled. Snow Empress was not easy to fool — unlike that silly Ice Empress.

"'When the time is right'" — it sounded vague, and left plenty of wiggle room. In other words, all interpretations were at Huo Yuhao's discretion.

But in truth, Huo Yuhao had no hidden agenda. He explained, "As I said, the Divine Realm is extremely hostile to soul beasts. If I revive you all too early, not only would you be suppressed, but I would be too. Even if I reach the Divine Realm, I won't be able to bring you back right away."

"Only when I've established myself in the Divine Realm, once I've grown strong enough, can I help you. Of course, I could just make empty promises now, but I won't do that. We're partners, comrades. Some things can't be hidden."

"Partners? You're human. We're soul beasts. The two races have always been at odds. What makes you think we could be partners?" Snow Empress's gaze pressed in like a weight.

"Snow Empress, I can feel your hatred toward humans — because we hunt soul beasts, right? But have you ever thought — before soul masters existed, what was humanity's position? We were prey — soul beasts' food."

"I don't hate soul beasts. But I also don't blame our ancestors. Without them, we wouldn't be here today. Whether it's humans or soul beasts, the killing and plundering between us has never stopped. In the end, we're all just trying to survive — to live better. That's the way of the world: survival of the fittest."

"You hate humans — I understand. Some people gave you no way to live, some wanted to wipe out your race. But the people of Douluo Continent are just their blade. The ones you should truly hate are the ones behind the curtain — the ones pulling the strings."

"The world is vast. Above Douluo Continent is the Divine Realm. Beyond the Divine Realm are galaxies and stars. We live in a well, and what we see is just a drop in the ocean."

"Snow Empress, join us. For the sake of your race, can you really watch soul beasts march toward extinction? Don't you want to do something?"

"And for yourself — do you really want to stay in the Extreme North, in this tiny corner of the world, forever? The Divine Realm doesn't have to be your limit. Don't you want to see what lies at the top?"

Snow Empress was shaken to her core. Were these really the words of a twelve-year-old human? And what was this "universe" he spoke of? She realized this human might not be as simple as he appeared.

Meanwhile, Ice Empress was already mentally fried. What kind of monster did Skydream find?

After a long time, Snow Empress finally returned to herself. She looked at Huo Yuhao and said, "I've studied your human race. But you're different. And you seem to know many secrets others don't."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "That's why I came to find you. I could've waited — waited until you self-destructed in the Sun Moon Empire's struggle, just like I said. My chances of recruiting you would've been much higher then. But I didn't want that. In your prime, you're far more valuable to me."

"At least you're honest." Snow Empress glanced at Huo Yuhao. This guy really just said it outright. Then she frowned, "Those things you mentioned — will they really happen?"

Huo Yuhao nodded seriously. "They will. As for how I know, that's my secret — I can't tell you. But I can say this: if I don't appear, and you follow your original plan, then the moment you're about to take human form, you'll be captured by a Titled Douluo. Oh — the soul tool he uses to catch you is called the Divine Sealing Platform. Maybe you'll meet him one day."

"Divine Sealing Platform…" Snow Empress memorized the name. A cold glint flashed in her eyes. She'd need to be more wary of powerful humans entering the Extreme North.

Huo Yuhao offered a tiny moment of silent mourning for that unknown Titled Douluo in his heart. For the sake of my soul ring, I've gotta sell you out. Amitabha.

Finally, under Huo Yuhao's expectant gaze, Snow Empress gave a somewhat non-committal response.

"I'll consider it seriously. Also, I need to make arrangements. If I leave, the Extreme North will fall into chaos."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao was overjoyed. Snow Empress saying this meant she was halfway convinced — his long speech hadn't been in vain.

(End of Chapter)