Category: The Saintess Has A Showdown

Chapter 71: The Monster of the Sea Concubine Palace

–Ice Shield Palace defensive line. A large crowd of Spirit Masters had gathered, trying to peek into the valley.

Most were from the Cold Court, Water Wish Pavilion, and Tide Pavilion, along with some of the original members stationed at the Seventh Palace of Ice.

These three factions had no Saint-rank Spirit Masters in their new generation and were geographically close, so their eagerness to witness the events unfolding in the Wind Valley was understandable.

After the Frost Snow Woman’s departure, the crowd had thinned somewhat, but many remained, waiting to see the final outcome.

As hundreds of Spirit Masters waited anxiously, a figure suddenly emerged from the valley entrance.

Swish!

A massive, ice-veined panther burst forth, a woman in an Ice Shield Palace uniform riding on its back, a blur of motion.

It was a messenger from the Ice Shield Palace, part of a specialized unit responsible for scouting and reporting battle results.

The panther rider, with an air of urgency, sped past the onlookers and entered a building behind the Ice Shield Palace’s defensive line.

Upon entering, she recalled her spirit beast and hurried inside.

“It seems there’s a result…”

“Who won!?”

“It seems several Saint-rank spirit beasts appeared.”

The Spirit Masters at the front lines discussed amongst themselves, eager for news.

Anything related to Saint-ranks was of great interest.

Meanwhile, inside the building, the messenger hurried down to an underground chamber, navigating a maze of corridors before pushing open a hidden door.

“Ice Empress, the results from the front lines! A total of seven Saint-rank auras remain in the Wind Valley.”

“Pwah—”

Hearing this, a green-haired girl with low twintails spat out a mouthful of tea.

The stream of water, like a fountain, sprayed the dignified woman sitting across from her, drenching her completely.

“Cough, cough, cough, cough!!”

Luo Kuxin coughed violently, wanting to apologize but unable to catch her breath, her face flushed red.

The messenger stared, dumbfounded.

Wasn’t the Wrathful Saintess in the Wind Valley? How had she returned so quickly…?

“Seven? Are you sure?” The soaked Ice Empress, unfazed, calmly wiped the water from her face and asked, her tone slightly puzzled.

“That’s impossible! I was there! There weren’t seven Saint-ranks!”

After a few seconds, Luo Kuxin stood up in disbelief, exclaiming.

The Misty Heart Lotus, the Swallow God, the Frost Snow Woman, the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, Weaver of the Sun, the Ice Soul Cold Star, and that mysterious, black-crowned Water Element. That was only six.

Seven, impossible!!

Wait, seven?

Had she missed something? Her seed clone had been destroyed by a stray attack from the Frost Snow Woman, so she hadn’t witnessed the end.

Could the Sorrowful Saintess have had another trump card? No way…

“Xin’er, what did you see? What were the Sorrowful Saintess’s spirit beasts?”

“Ah, this…” Luo Kuxin hesitated, facing the Ice Empress’s question.

The images of the graceful purple elemental figure and the black-crowned Water Element flashed in her mind. The truth, that the Sorrowful Saintess possessed three Saint-ranks, was about to escape her lips.

But just as she was about to speak, she froze, remembering the Water Element’s chilling, final smile.

“The Sorrowful Saintess’s spirit beasts are a Water Element and an Ice Spirit,” the green-haired girl blurted out, a lie she herself didn’t believe.

“…”
“…”

“Alright, you are dismissed,” the Ice Empress blinked, turning to the messenger.

“Yes!”

The messenger retreated, her expression strange, closing the door behind her.

This Wrathful Saintess must be the Ice Empress’s illegitimate daughter. She had sprayed her with tea and hadn’t even been reprimanded.

It was well known that in her youth, the Ice Empress had been notoriously short-tempered. She kicked down doors, punched holes in walls, attacked anyone she met, drank water straight from the bucket, and shattered her bed if she accidentally rolled off it.

Of course, these youthful indiscretions were rarely spoken of now. After all, the Ice Empress was one of the most powerful Spirit Masters in the Sea Region, a terrifying being beyond the Nether Traverse Stage.

“Alright, Xin’er, the attempt to contract with the Frost Snow Woman failed, and we’ve handed over the page of the Lost Scroll. What’s next?”

After the messenger left, the Ice Empress asked gently, waiting for the Wrathful Saintess’s explanation.

Luo Kuxin remained silent for a long time, then a sly smile appeared on her lips.

“Give the Desireless Saintess an Ice Soul Stone and have her help me contract with the Azure Sea Conch in the northern whirlpool currents.”

“How many Nether Lotus Seeds will that require?”

“Ten. The Desireless Saintess’s perception is terrifyingly sharp. During our encounter three years ago, I felt like she saw right through me.”

The Desireless Saintess of the Winter Floating Sky, despite lacking all five senses, gave off a dangerous aura.

The Ice Empress pondered for a moment, then nodded. “A page of the Lost Scroll, an Ice Soul Stone… if it can divert the attention of all the other factions, it’s not a bad deal.”

“But you understand, at such a great cost, if this plan fails, you will no longer be the Wrathful Saintess.”

“Naturally.” The Wrathful Saintess’s smile vanished, her expression turning serious.

The Frost Snow Woman and the Azure Sea Conch… Luo Kuxin knew she had no affinity with these two Saint-rank spirit beasts. She had never intended to contract with them.

But there was one she had to obtain, no matter the cost…

“fc2#%$#%@”

“cf24df*%&#@%xb42%#@…！@BH”

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted throughout the Ice Shield Palace’s defensive line. The two green-haired women in the underground chamber exchanged glances, then went out to investigate.

A small figure gradually emerged from the swirling dust and wind.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, a blue-haired girl in a Sea Concubine Palace uniform, six teardrop-shaped beauty marks on her face, stepped out of the Wind Valley.

She was dragging an unconscious, disheveled, black-haired girl behind her—He Daoqi, the Swallow God of Gray Citadel!!!

The Sorrowful Saintess had defeated the Swallow God and captured her…

After the initial uproar, a deathly silence fell, a heavy, oppressive feeling in the air, sending chills down the spines of every Spirit Master present.

The blue-haired girl’s downcast, teardrop eyes seemed to express pity and sorrow for her opponent’s incompetence, as if mocking her weakness.

The Sea Concubine Palace… had truly produced a monster.

Chapter 70: This is the Sorrowful Saintess

A chasm several kilometers wide split the Wind Valley, the massive pit filled with a violent aura, cracks spreading across the earth, the air scorching hot.

No one knew what kind of creature had caused such devastation.

Based on the detected auras, the Saint-rank spirit beasts that had appeared were just the tip of the iceberg.

Both the blazing sun and the purple planetary barrier had far surpassed their understanding.

The Frost Snow Woman’s appearance seemed to have drawn out some incredibly powerful Saint-ranks.

In the end, who had won the Frost Snow Woman’s allegiance?

No one.

The Frost Snow Woman, snowflakes swirling around her, left the Wind Valley under everyone’s watchful eyes, continuing her search for her elusive clan.

Amidst the shock and awe, no one noticed that she was merely a temporary form constructed from energy, destined to dissipate once her spirit energy was depleted.

Her life core, the true essence of an elemental spirit beast, had been hidden away in a secure location…

So, had the Frost Snow Woman actually won this chaotic battle?

Meanwhile, at the devastated center of the Saint-rank battlefield within the Wind Valley…

A blue-haired girl in a Sea Concubine Palace uniform, six teardrop-shaped beauty marks on her face, slowly rose from the ground.

Gong Lianyue was utterly bewildered. The terrifying Saint-rank enemy, who had driven her to despair, had vanished while she was unconscious, but her frost-covered life core remained in Gong Lianyue’s possession.

Didn’t this mean she could form a contract with the Frost Snow Woman at any time?!

This kind of absurd, nonsensical encounter, usually only found in wish-fulfillment novels, had actually happened to her?

As expected, reality was even more ridiculous than fiction.

Suddenly remembering that she couldn’t summon the Cloud Dream Flower or the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, Gong Lianyue’s heart tightened, and she quickly checked her soul cores.

[Mid-rank Dawn and Dusk Stage: Water Element Commander]
[Bloodline Talent: None]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Ice Binding Contract – O]

[High-rank Dawn and Dusk Stage: Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower] Transformation Record (Seven-Star Titan Moonquake Fox, Autumn Water Hundred Flower Fox Princess, Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, Weaver of the Sun)
[Bloodline Talent: Cultivation Amplification]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Deep Sea – Possessing the Divine – O]

[High-rank Dawn and Dusk Stage: Iron Jade Ice Scorpion]
[Bloodline Talent: Five-Leaf Clover]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Jade Shatter – OO]

Seeing her spirit beast list intact, Gong Lianyue breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the Frost Snow Woman’s ice array had only been temporary, seemingly related to her talent, capable of sealing non-elemental spirit beasts.

Although it was a forced seal, it wasn’t absolute. At the last moment, she had felt the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion almost breaking free, but it had been too late.

Regardless, she had survived, and she had obtained the Frost Snow Woman’s life core. A perfect outcome.

Plink!

As she withdrew her focus from her soul cores, Gong Lianyue’s eyes widened, catching sight of some strange text. It was so shocking, one of her eyes almost popped out.

A teardrop fell from her eye, landing on the ground with a soft plink.

Gong Lianyue quickly picked it up, placed it back in her eye socket, and then, in disbelief, focused her consciousness on her soul cores again.

The first line of text stunned her. What the…?

[Mid-rank Dawn and Dusk Stage: Water Element Commander]

How had her Water Element become a Water Element Commander?

After standing there dumbfounded for almost a minute, Gong Lianyue finally understood.

The Water Element had consumed the Ice Soul Stone with no effect. It seemed its aptitude was so poor that even an ice-type treasure couldn’t save it.

Then, under the immense pressure from the Saint-rank Frost Snow Woman, it had finally absorbed the Ice Soul Stone’s energy, transforming and evolving into a mid-rank Water Element Commander!!!

“…”
“…”

Understanding the truth, Gong Lianyue wasn’t particularly excited.

A mid-rank Water Element Commander…?

In reality, no matter what the Water Element evolved into, whether a high-rank Crystal King or a Calamity Sea Spirit, outsiders would simply say the Variant Water Emperor was in a playful mood today.

She would put the Water Element Commander aside for now. She had the Frost Snow Woman’s life core. Once she reached the Dead Sea Stage, she could form a contract.

“Why did the Frost Snow Woman leave her core with me?”

The blue-haired girl muttered softly, scanning her surroundings, then noticed something strange about her vision.

In her haste to put her eye back in, she had accidentally placed it backwards. Her vision was now split, one side normal, the other reversed, like a mirror image.

Click—

Forcing her eye to rotate back with a slight tug and a few visible blood vessels, her vision returned to normal.

After searching the surrounding ruins, Gong Lianyue suddenly detected a faint aura of life.

Was that…?

In the distance, a beautiful, black-haired girl in a Gray Citadel uniform lay on the ground, her hair disheveled, her appearance slightly disheveled.

No, not disheveled… The black-haired girl’s chest was still rising and falling. She was still alive.

“Oh!”

Gong Lianyue’s heart tightened. Just as she was about to flee, hurried footsteps approached.

A dozen Ice Shield Palace Spirit Masters, along with some lone Spirit Masters from other factions, only dared to enter the area after the Saint-rank auras had completely dissipated.

Seeing them arrive, Gong Lianyue relaxed slightly. Even if the Swallow God awakened, she wouldn’t have to be afraid now. There was safety in numbers.

However, when they were still more than a hundred meters away, they stopped, staring at the scene before them in shock.

The iconic teardrop eyes and beauty marks, the beautiful, flowing water-blue hair.

A cold and aloof figure, an ethereal presence that kept them from approaching.

And just a short distance from the blue-haired girl lay the beautiful, unconscious figure of the black-haired girl, the Swallow God of Gray Citadel, a face etched in the memories of every Sea Region Spirit Master.

Her hair disheveled, her posture defeated, lying amidst the ruins.

The contrast between the two girls’ composure and dishevelment spoke volumes. The Swallow God had been defeated, without a doubt.

The atmosphere turned eerily silent, a heavy, oppressive feeling filling the air.

This… was Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace…

Chapter 69: The Frost Snow Woman’s Allegiance

As the planetary barrier shattered and dissipated, the awe-inspiring Saint-rank aura within Death Tribulation spread outwards, almost shattering the souls of any spirit beasts still lingering nearby.

The Ice Soul Cold Star’s Death Tribulation not only froze life but also completely isolated all auras within.

Now, with the barrier gone, the residual auras of four or five Saint-rank spirit beasts mingled in the air, a terrifying, spine-chilling sensation.

Everyone in the vicinity instantly realized that this was no mere skirmish between a few spirit beasts, but an unparalleled clash of Saint-ranks!!!

They wondered what level of spirit beasts had been drawn to this chaotic battle over the Frost Snow Woman…

As the dense, viscous purple aura slowly faded, the Frost Snow Woman floated high above in the clouds, her expression shifting, her emotions complex.

She had naturally overheard the conversation between the two spirit beasts below. If it weren’t for the Ice Soul Stone the blue-haired girl had inadvertently obtained, the Ice Soul Cold Star would still be dormant, unable to manifest in its complete form.

And that black-crowned Water Element, the supposed Variant Water Emperor, wanting to separate from the Ice Soul Cold Star but unable to awaken its true form without a compatible elixir, had called out to her for help.

That was the gist of the Ice Soul Cold Star’s message, interspersed with some pointless taunts which the Frost Snow Woman didn’t bother translating.

If they were to fight here with all their might, they would first destroy their master’s body and then continue their bickering in hell.

With the Ice Soul Cold Star’s return, the blue-haired girl’s curvaceous figure shrunk back to its underdeveloped form.

[Not one of us.]

The Frost Snow Woman drooped, a dejected expression on her face, as she drifted listlessly towards the horizon.

She had heard that a clan of Snow Women, led by the Snow Monarch, had once appeared in this Sea Region. That was why she had traveled across countless realms to reach this place.

But that had been a thousand years ago. The Snow Monarch’s residual aura had long since faded, leaving only a faint trace.

She had sensed the aura of her kind, her excitement overwhelming, only to find it was a fake…

In her excitement, she had even attacked a weak human Spirit Master…

A pang of guilt struck the Frost Snow Woman.

Frost Snow Women were generally gentle creatures, never attacking ordinary humans without provocation.

There were even silly, wish-fulfillment novels circulating in the markets about a Frost Snow Woman being moved by the love of a village girl, willingly forming a contract with her and helping her become a powerful Spirit King.

So, even after being beaten by the Ice Soul Cold Star, the Frost Snow Woman wouldn’t seek revenge against its master.

Moreover, a terrifying Flame Fox was lurking nearby. Without any of her kind here, it wasn’t worth fighting to the death.

“…”
“…”

As she was about to leave, the Frost Snow Woman suddenly stopped, as if realizing something, and looked down at the unconscious, blue-haired girl.

The Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, Weaver of the Sun, the Ice Soul Cold Star, and that mysterious, black-crowned Water Element.

This human female Spirit Master… perhaps she was favored by Saint-rank spirit beasts.

The Frost Snow Woman’s inherited memories contained information about such individuals. They were destined to become rulers, inexplicably attracting Saint-ranks.

And then, perhaps one in a hundred million of these chosen ones had the potential to give birth to a legendary-rank spirit beast… Did this woman possess such potential?

If she left now, it might be hundreds of years before she found her clan again. The hope was too faint.

Lost in thought, the Frost Snow Woman suddenly turned back and descended towards the center of the battlefield.

Whoosh~~~

Snowflakes fell, frost spread.

Free from the Ice Soul Cold Star’s Death Tribulation, the Frost Snow Woman felt a sense of relief, her aura flowing freely.

The three green figures, still playing dead on the ground, were once again frozen, then shattered into shimmering dust, scattered by the wind as their energy depleted.

The Wrath-ful Saint-ess!

The area was now clear, quiet and peaceful.

The Frost Snow Woman floated down to Gong Lianyue’s side, gently placing her pale hand on the girl’s flat chest, where her soul cores resided.

Thump!

Thump, thump!!

Feeling the girl’s steady heartbeat, the Frost Snow Woman gently channeled a stream of icy energy into her.

A few seconds later, the flowing ice encountered a barrier and was repelled.

So there was no room for her…

The Frost Snow Woman wasn’t disappointed. If the girl were a Samsara or Nether Traverse Stage Spirit Master, she might have to wait for a long time, perhaps even in vain.

But this girl was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage. She would simply tidy herself up and wait for the day their paths crossed again.

Wait!?

Just as the Frost Snow Woman was about to leave, her icy eyes widened. She had noticed something incredible.

This blue-haired girl… possessed two soul cores…

Realizing this, the Frost Snow Woman’s expression turned strange, and she froze.

---

“Is anyone there?”

“Is anyone still alive?”

Ten minutes after the purple star vanished, a Spirit Master finally mustered the courage to enter the area.

A woman in a Sea Concubine Palace uniform and a green robe, two fish, one black, one white, painted on her cheeks, her expression somewhat gloomy.

Awakened by the shouts, the blue-haired girl rose from the ground with a splitting headache.

Her body felt incredibly heavy, the spirit energy exhaustion making even the air feel thick and viscous, her vision blurry and weak.

Wait, what about the Frost Snow Woman?!

Suddenly remembering the scene before she fainted, Gong Lianyue’s tired eyes widened, and she frantically looked around.

Where were the Frost Snow Woman, the Wrathful Saintess, and that Swallow God?

Confused and disoriented, Gong Lianyue suddenly looked down at her collar, a strange expression on her face.

Inside her collar, a shimmering, frosty white core radiated an incredibly powerful chill.

The Frost Snow Woman had left the Wind Valley, but she had left her most precious possession, her life core, in the hands of a stranger…

[A one in a hundred million chance to achieve legendary rank. Not a bad deal, right?]

Chapter 68: Water Element Commander

–Wind Valley

A burst of purple light, swirling outwards in a spiral cloud pattern, filled the sky for hundreds of meters.

Within the Death Tribulation barrier, the terrifying aura of the two forces clashed, the dense, viscous purple spirit energy almost solidifying.

A few seconds later, the illusory purple energy solidified, forming two dazzling purple stars, their surfaces swirling with ethereal cloud patterns.

Then, almost instantly, they began to fall like meteors.

Boom!!

Boom!!!

The two purple stars crashed down in different locations within the Death Tribulation barrier, the violent impact tearing apart everything in their path.

A few seconds later, the exploding stars contracted and vanished, their auras disappearing along with them.

The area was enveloped in a thick purple mist, everything within the blast radius shattered, like antimatter annihilating upon contact.

“…”
“…”

After a long silence, a faint aura of life emerged from the ruins.

Enveloped by a shimmering ink barrier, the black-haired girl gasped for breath. The next second, the battered barrier shattered.

The girl’s pale face was dazed, her mind reeling from the near-death experience. She had genuinely thought she was going to die.

As she struggled to regain her senses, the brush in her hand dimmed, as if losing its life force, returning to her spirit space on its own.

Even a Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master couldn’t fully utilize the power of a Saint-rank spirit beast. They could only borrow it temporarily and had almost no chance of defeating a wild Saint-rank.

With the Swallow God’s energy depleted and retreating, He Daoqi had no hope of winning the Frost Snow Woman…

Meanwhile, in another part of the sky, as the purple mist cleared, a strange object appeared.

A cocoon of densely woven, white hair, pulsating faintly as if alive, completely unharmed.

Swish—

The cocoon unraveled, revealing the Frost Snow Woman, her hair disheveled, her appearance slightly disheveled.

Countless white threads swirled around her, forming a dense web.

Suddenly, the Snow Woman’s expression turned to panic as she looked around.

It was gone…

The Water Element, which had been beside her, had vanished without a trace.

The Snow Woman quickly scanned the purple star, her gaze settling on a small, distant star.

The Water Element was trapped inside, its expression pitiful and helpless.

The Snow Woman was enraged. Icy air surged around her, her white hair whipping wildly.

Just as she was about to confront the Ice Soul Cold Star, the massive crystalline arm reached out and gently tapped the purple star.

Tap!

A ripple of icy energy spread outwards, and the Death Tribulation dissipated, the black-crowned Water Element gently landing on the ground.

For some reason, the Ice Soul Cold Star had released it.

Seeing this, the Frost Snow Woman froze.

The Ice Soul Cold Star and the Water Element stared at each other, the icy eyes on the crystalline arms rotating rapidly, communicating in a silent language understood only by spirit beasts.

[Useless – Lost – True form – Release – Denied – Sleep – Stone]

[Mock – Ridicule – Pitiful – Sorrowful – Failure – Punishment – Return]

The black-crowned Water Element, unfazed by the purple elemental figure’s mocking expression, glanced at the blue-haired girl sleeping within the purple crystal.

Following its gaze, she saw the cracks and bloodstains reappearing on Gong Lianyue’s body.

The Ice Soul Cold Star’s mocking expression vanished as it realized its own crystalline body was fading. If they didn’t return soon, the Ice Soul Stone’s energy would be depleted.

Just then, the Water Element raised a finger, forming the number [3].

One of the massive crystalline arms reached out and pressed down two of the Water Element’s extended fingers.

Creak—

The two fingers resisted, refusing to bend completely, the Water Element’s expression resolute and cold.

The tension between the two elemental spirit beasts escalated. Gong Lianyue’s spirit energy dwindled further, their bodies, like fading fragments, beginning to dissipate. They had reached their limit.

When only half of their forms remained, the Ice Soul Cold Star, its expression resigned, finally relented.

It released one of the Water Element’s fingers and gently pressed down the other, which bent easily. The Water Element had agreed… It seemed they had reached some sort of unspoken agreement.

The Water Element’s fingers, originally forming a [3], now formed a [2], a V-sign in the air.

Bang!

The next second, the Ice Soul Cold Star shattered, the purple fragments converging and reforming into a single, mysterious purple core.

The Water Element quickly grabbed the purple core and absorbed it, merging it with its ocean-blue core.

The purple core vanished, and the surface of the ocean-blue core was covered in a layer of hard frost, concealing the chaotic evil within.

Whoosh, whoosh!

The Water Element’s watery body froze, covered in a layer of ice.

Turning to leave, it glanced at the stunned and confused Frost Snow Woman, a beautiful, captivating smile appearing on its face.

“Failed again… but next time… I should be fully awakened…”

The Water Element whispered, its parting words unheard.

Glancing at the girl frozen in the purple crystal, it placed its dark, shadowy crown on Gong Lianyue’s head. Instantly, the crown turned a pure, ocean-like blue.

Crack—

As the Frost Snow Woman watched, a slightly frustrated expression on her face, the purple ice gradually enveloped the Water Element, freezing it once more.

The purple star, Death Tribulation, dissipated. A few seconds later… A few drops of water trickled from the deep blue crown on Gong Lianyue’s head, converging and gradually forming a massive, bulky Water Element.

This was a giant compared to the previous, frail Water Element, its blue waves swirling, its shoulders covered in spiked armor.

This was the Water Element’s true form, its evolved state—the mid-rank Water Element Commander!!!

Chapter 67: Blasphemy

–Wind Valley

At the heart of the swirling hurricane, the suddenly erupting purple morning star devoured everything, pulling the surrounding trees and earth into its vortex.

Like a devastating natural disaster, the frozen air compressed, filled with destructive ice spirit energy.

This domain-like effect was incredibly difficult to deal with, even the Saint-rank Frost Snow Woman feeling trapped and helpless within.

Those outside couldn’t see what was happening inside, and those inside couldn’t see the outside world.

No way in, no way out. This was eternal ice…

Death Tribulation, inescapable!!!

Meanwhile, within the purple planet, waves crashed and churned, flooding the sky.

The seawater hung suspended in the air, like a murky, chaotic river, flowing and merging.

Whoosh~~~

Whoosh~~~

The sound of waves lapping gently echoed in everyone’s ears, creating ripples in their minds.

The purple elemental figure looked at the Frost Snow Woman and the black-crowned Water Element in the sky, the icy eyes on its wrists both tilting downwards in a rare expression of seriousness.

“What is that thing…?”

At the same time, the Wrathful Saintess, her body fully recovered, observed from the shadows, her gaze fixed on the female Water Element in the sky.

Towering waves, a crowned figure.

It resembled the legendary Variant Water Emperor, but… it was definitely not the real thing!

The Variant Water Emperor’s aura was calm and gentle, but this Saint-rank spirit beast radiated a disturbing malice, a terrifying hidden desire lurking within its consciousness.

A chilling evil emanated from the black crown, completely unlike the Variant Water Emperor they knew.

Could it be… that it wasn’t the Variant Water Emperor disguised as a Water Element, but something else disguised as the Variant Water Emperor?!

Just what was the Sorrowful Saintess Gong Lianyue’s spirit beast?!

Bang!

Just as this thought crossed the Wrathful Saintess’s mind, she felt a terrifying gaze lock onto her.

She had been playing dead, lying motionless on the ground. For some reason, the watery figure nestled in the Snow Woman’s arms was now staring at her with a chilling intensity.

Goosebumps erupted all over her body, her scalp tingling as she was drenched in a cold sweat.

Her mind reeled, but she desperately suppressed her aura, remaining perfectly still.

That chilling gaze was like a vengeful ghost from a horror movie: I’ll be coming for you tonight…

Only after the Frost Snow Woman turned her attention back to the Water Element in her arms did the terrifying aura around the Wrathful Saintess dissipate.

She exhaled shakily, her heart pounding so hard she thought it would burst from her chest.

Frost Snow Woman: [@#TQIdasf!!@#$%*(%……)] 

Hearing this, the Water Element paused, its coy expression shifting, then nodded lovingly.

It ignored the human Spirit Master who had seemingly discovered something and turned to the purple elemental figure below: the Ice Soul Cold Star.

Even among Saint-rank offensive spirit beasts, it was top-tier, on par with the Water Moon Lantern Flower Sword Heart Crane. A terrifying opponent for both the Frost Snow Woman and the Saint-rank Water Element.

This time, two Saint-ranks working together… Could they break through the Ice Soul Cold Star’s Death Tribulation?

---

Meanwhile, the Ice Soul Cold Star, paying no attention to the surroundings, looked down at the blue-haired girl frozen in the purple ice: Gong Lianyue, its master.

Cracks were appearing on Gong Lianyue’s body, blood seeping into the ice, a gruesome sight.

At the early Dawn and Dusk Stage, supporting both the Ice Soul Cold Star and another mysterious being, her body was nearing its limit.

Seeing this, the Ice Soul Cold Star pulled out a blue, frozen gem from its purple elemental body, carefully holding it in its crystalline hand, and placed it on the surface of the purple ice.

Swish!

The gem vanished in a flash of icy light.

Absorbing the gem’s pure energy, the cracks on the blue-haired girl’s body closed, her blood flow returning, her body restored.

Judging by its appearance, it was the Ice Soul Stone, the reward for clearing the first level of the Soul Prison Trial, capable of inducing mutation and evolution in water-type spirit beasts.

It had had no effect on the Water Element back then. It seemed the Ice Soul Cold Star had secretly kept it, saving it until now.

Gong Lianyue’s life force surged, enough to sustain a single, full-powered attack.

Looking up at the Frost Snow Woman and the black-crowned Water Element joining forces, the icy eyes on the Ice Soul Cold Star’s wrists twitched, one up, one down, a displeased expression on its face.

[Battle Technique – Death Tribulation]

Two tiny purple ice spheres appeared on the tips of the Ice Soul Cold Star’s crystalline fingers, swirling and radiating a terrifying spirit energy.

The air around it vibrated violently, a terrifying wave surging outwards. It was no longer playing around.

Hum—

With a piercing hum, the two energy-filled purple spheres expanded rapidly, their light engulfing the surrounding area.

Death Tribulation within Death Tribulation. Two massive purple planets materialized, filling their vision.

It looked like a beam struggle between two spirit beasts, but the terrifying reality was that both purple spheres were unleashed by the Ice Soul Cold Star.

With a flick of its massive crystalline hand, it sent the two Death Tribulations in different directions.

The first, towards the Frost Snow Woman and the Water Element. Facing the expanding purple star, the two beautiful female spirit beasts’ long hair danced wildly in the wind.

There was no escape. This attack would decide the outcome.

Either they would perish, or the Ice Soul Cold Star would exhaust its energy and retreat.

The Frost Snow Woman’s expression turned serious, but then, something bizarre happened…

The black-crowned Water Element, the supposed Variant Water Emperor, casually crossed its legs and began playing with its black crown, spinning it like a ball.

The Variant Water Emperor’s most prized possession, treated with such disrespect… This wasn’t just blasphemy, and the Frost Snow Woman, focused on the incoming attack, hadn’t even noticed.

The first Death Tribulation sphere soared into the sky. The second… the Ice Soul Cold Star glanced at the distant black-haired girl and flicked its finger dismissively.

This second one… was for the Swallow God!!!

He Daoqi, hiding several kilometers away, watched as the approaching purple planet grew larger and larger in her eyes, her face turning pale, her pupils constricting.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Chapter 66: The Water Emperor Finally Appears

[Ice Binding Contract]

Whoosh—

A wave of chilling air radiated from the purple elemental figure. Behind the Ice Soul Cold Star, a massive, spinning ice crystal, shaped like a snowflake, slowly materialized in the void, shimmering and sighing.

The snowflake pattern was tinged with purple. This battle technique, so incongruous with the Water Element, seemed perfectly suited for the Ice Soul Cold Star.

The mere presence of the purple elemental figure seemed to freeze time and space.

Not from the cold, but from its very existence.

When people are killed, they die.

Every move, every glance of the Ice Soul Cold Star seemed to invite natural disasters, a bone-chilling cold.

Sensing the terrifying aura below, the Frost Snow Woman charged recklessly through the clouds, then suddenly slammed into an invisible barrier.

So painful, so hard!!!

Clutching her forehead, she drifted back, tears welling up in her eyes, staring at the barrier in shock.

The transparent barrier, rippling from the impact, gradually turned a dreamlike shade of purple, its surface unknown, eternally sealing everything within.

Only from the outside could its true form be seen. It was a massive planet formed from swirling purple clouds!!!!

Deep purple vortexes covered its surface, swirling and flowing like a living entity.

[Battle Technique – Death Tribulation]

The ten-kilometer-wide purple star continuously drew in everything it touched, trapping them in an icy, eternal slumber.

Their existence wasn’t frozen, but once inside Death Tribulation, there was no escape. It was as good as death.

No way out…

The Frost Snow Woman frowned, looking down at the purple elemental figure below, her cold gaze piercing through the thousand-meter-thick clouds, focusing on the eyeballs on its arms.

The two icy eyes rolled upwards in a mocking, comical expression.

[@#￥￥%#(*]…!!**(&%…&…………)]

A flicker of anger appeared in the Snow Woman’s icy eyes.

Her inherited memories contained information about the Ice Soul Cold Star’s four possible talents.

Star Aperture, Cold Vein, Moonfall, and Sea Soul. Which one did this Ice Soul Cold Star possess…?

Whoosh! The Snow Woman’s pale, slender fingers tightened, ten white, furry threads shooting out, intertwining like a spiderweb.

Her nimble fingers danced, weaving the ten threads together into a single, thick strand.

The bundled threads contracted and tightened, like a spring, coiling around the Snow Woman’s fingertip.

The concentrated spirit energy almost shattered the air around her, and icy blue blood seeped from her finger.

Aiming at the purple elemental figure on the ground, she unleashed her attack.

[Soul Embroidery: Sea and Sky as One]

Boom!!!!

The next second, a burst of air pressure ripped through the area for several kilometers, a blinding white arc flashing.

Even within the slow, viscous air of Death Tribulation, the attack was too fast for the naked eye to follow, several times the speed of sound.

The white thread, unleashing a deafening roar like a beam cannon, struck the small, delicate body of the Ice Soul Cold Star.

Dust and debris filled the air, everything within a radius of several hundred meters pulverized, including the unfortunate Wrathful Saintess, who was reduced to ashes.

The shockwave rippled through the purple star, Death Tribulation, filled with shimmering fragments.

“Whew~~~~”

A few seconds later, a chilling frost cleared the dust, revealing the scene.

The Frost Snow Woman’s cold eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the unharmed purple crystal.

Seven or eight life-sized, purple stars had materialized before the Ice Soul Cold Star, swirling around it, effortlessly blocking the Snow Woman’s full-powered attack.

Death Tribulation—

The massive purple planet could create smaller stars within itself. It was a nesting doll!!!

With the air dense with ice spirit energy within the Death Tribulation domain, the Frost Snow Woman couldn’t possibly defeat the Ice Soul Cold Star…

Within Death Tribulation, the Ice Soul Cold Star was practically invincible, its own personal BGM playing, unstoppable.

Meanwhile, the small, purple elemental figure sat cross-legged in the air, casually playing with a miniature star between its fingers.

[Help me.]

A sense of helplessness washed over her, and the Frost Snow Woman sent a desperate plea to the dormant, ocean-blue life core.

Her consciousness, like a sound wave, flowed into the beautiful core.

It had sent her a distress signal. Why was it playing dead now? The Snow Woman was confused.

The next second, as if answering her call—

The ocean-colored core pulsed, a wave of water erupting from within, like a reverse waterfall, soaring into the sky.

Boom!!!!

The erupting water instantly transformed everything within the star into a vast, clear blue ocean.

Under the watchful gaze of the Ice Soul Cold Star, a slender Water Element materialized near the core.

This pure, watery figure was even smaller than before, its delicate features formed from flowing water, its long hair swirling.

It wore a dark, shadowy crown, its aura, unlike other Saint-rank spirit beasts, not domineering, but gentle and soft.

[Not… one of us…]

Sensing the Water Element’s appearance and aura, the Frost Snow Woman froze.

If it wasn’t one of her kind, why had it resonated with her? Had she been deceived?!

Had this Water Element and the Ice Soul Cold Star lured her here to capture her and force a contract with a human?

The Frost Snow Woman’s expression shifted between shame, anger, worry, and sadness, the icy aura around her flickering, on the verge of frenzy.

Just then, the female Water Element suddenly rushed into the Snow Woman’s arms, like a frightened rabbit, its small, watery body trembling.

“…”
“…”

After a long pause, the Frost Snow Woman’s conflicting emotions vanished.

Only a single, giant heart remained in her eyes.

Although not one of her kind, she was deeply captivated.

Burying its face in the Snow Woman’s embrace, the Water Element smiled, a chilling, unseen smile… In that instant, its soul core had inexplicably turned a deep, inky black, darker than ink.

Chapter 65: The Uncrowned King

A palace of purple ice, a chilling mist filling the air, a single, brilliant star shining in the night sky.

This place, like a dimension out of time, its transparent, crystalline walls and floors reflecting like mirrors, a deep, abyssal beauty.

At the center of the palace stood a blue-haired girl, her expression lost. This wasn’t her spirit space, a place she had never been before…

Like a dream, her mind hazy, she had even forgotten her own identity, driven only by instinct and a deep-seated mission—to choose a battle technique.

Whoosh!!!

Suddenly, eight faint lamps on either side of the palace ignited, releasing an icy mist that made the already cold air even more chilling.

At the same time, a line of burning dark text appeared in the girl’s mind.

[Eight-Star Burning Ice: Unleash your spirit energy, creating eight burning ice planets that dissipate as your energy depletes.]

“…”

Looking away from the lamps, the blue-haired girl’s gaze fell upon a shimmering screen.

Instantly, the walls and floor of the palace pulsed with a brilliant purple light.

[Fan of Flowing Fire: Condense spirit energy into a fan shape, covering a wide area.]

Like choosing a class in an online game, wherever the blue-haired girl’s gaze landed, the image would magnify, displaying relevant information.

She knew, instinctively, that five more battle techniques remained unseen.

The most prominent was a frozen throne at the end of the ice palace, upon which sat a frozen skeleton wearing a crown, radiating an aura of dominance.

[Throne of Destruction: All frozen things shall be destroyed.]
[Crown of Bones: Grant life to frozen things.]
[Abyssal Horde: Create three ice demon puppets with offensive and defensive capabilities comparable to ordinary Saint-rank spirit beasts.]

Behind the throne stood a massive, ice-sealed gate, emanating a despairing aura of death.

And above the gate hung a massive, deep purple planet.

[Ice Emperor City: Eternal within the ice.]
[Death Tribulation: Her most beloved star.]

–Ice Emperor City and Death Tribulation were the battle techniques associated with the gate and the planet, respectively.

Although the descriptions of these two techniques were abstract, the auras they radiated were undeniably the most powerful.

Within this mysterious spirit space, the girl had a total of seven battle techniques to choose from. She felt that it was… few. She had never had so few options before.

Without hesitation, the blue-haired girl simply pointed at the object that intrigued her the most.

The next second, above the girl’s head, a swirling deep purple, icy mist enveloped the palace, and the massive star in the sky slowly descended.

A falling star, its surface covered in a layer of purple ice and frozen earth, yet burning with icy flames. A beautiful, mesmerizing sight.

As it approached, it shrunk, landing in the girl’s palm and disappearing.

[Battle Technique – Death Tribulation]

---

Wind Valley

Boom!!!!

A swirling vortex of deep purple spirit energy erupted, condensing around the unconscious, blue-haired girl, forming an illusory, purple crystal prism that enveloped her completely.

Frozen within the dreamlike purple crystal, Gong Lianyue sat with her legs drawn up, her hair still, her eyes closed as if in eternal slumber.

Not only her spirit beast, physique, and bone age, but even her spirit energy form had transformed completely, as if she had become a different person.

Meanwhile, lying nearby, playing dead, the three green figures stared in disbelief at the purple elemental spirit beast behind Gong Lianyue.

A female, elemental figure formed from purple ice crystals, its body possessing graceful curves, its surface shimmering with beautiful star patterns.

Two long, intertwined legs covered in purple sparks, but its arms were missing, like a limbless torso.

The purple elemental figure was beautiful, yet it radiated no offensive aura.

And then…

Crack!

Crack!

The sound of ice cracking echoed through the air as the very air itself froze solid.

Two terrifying, massive, crystalline arms, each with an eyeball growing on its wrist, emerged from the void behind the purple elemental figure. Deep purple swirls covered the arms, forming strange cloud-like patterns, a terrifying yet mystical sight.

Even more bizarre, two ice-blue, teardrop-shaped eyes, like frozen cores, grew on the wrists of the crystalline arms, darting around restlessly.

Looking at the arms floating beside its empty sockets, the elemental figure awkwardly raised them, tilting its head as it examined them, then clenched its fists. With a bang, the icy arms swelled, becoming several times thicker than elephant legs or pillars.

Compared to the weak and delicate purple elemental figure, the aura radiating from these floating arms was terrifying, making one’s scalp tingle.

These were the same arms that had crushed the head of the Eight-Headed Mist Crow’s master on Fallen Whale Island!!!

At this moment, the Sorrowful Saintess Gong Lianyue’s companion spirit beast, hidden for years, finally revealed itself.

“Sorrowful Saintess… just how many Saint-rank spirit beasts is this woman hiding!?”

The green figure stared at the purple spirit beast, dumbfounded.

Besides the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, Weaver of the Sun, and this creature, there was also the core taken by the Frost Snow Woman, which also seemed to be Saint-rank.

Suddenly, a chilling dread ran down her spine, and the Wrathful Saintess Luo Kuxin’s hair stood on end.

The icy eyes on the purple elemental figure’s wrists rolled upwards, a mocking, comical expression directed at the fleeing Frost Snow Woman.

A bone-chilling cold…

Something was wrong…

It seemed… unconcerned with the fleeing Frost Snow Woman, despite her possessing ten strands of the Snow Monarch’s fur.

This Saint-rank spirit beast was unlike anything Luo Kuxin had ever seen, fundamentally different!!!

Arms, body, and stars, a trinity, the uncrowned king of elemental spirit beasts.

The pinnacle of ice-type spirit beast evolution.

[Ice Soul Cold Star]

Chapter 64: The Water Element’s True Form

The mountain range was cleaved by an icy white arc, an aura of desolation emanating from the shattered chasm.

Floating a hundred meters above the ground, the Frost Snow Woman looked down at the devastated forest below, exhaling a cloud of icy mist, her expression cold.

With ten strands of the Snow Monarch’s fur, she was no different from an offensive Saint-rank spirit beast.

Meanwhile, within the ruins of a hidden forest…

Three glowing green, humanoid figures huddled together, one gently holding the shaken blue-haired girl in its arms.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“W-Wrathful Saintess?” Gong Lianyue asked, her expression puzzled.

A perfect heroic rescue scene, but the glistening drool dripping from the woman’s mouth made her want to slap her.

Seemingly sensing the lingering scent of the little fox, the creature within Luo Kuxin was frantically secreting saliva, which flowed back up her throat and out of her mouth, a disgusting sight.

Come to think of it, all three green figures were the Wrathful Saintess. She hadn’t expected her to be able to create multiple clones.

Gently placed on the ground by the green figure, Gong Lianyue calmly patted her skirt and asked,

“What now? Even if you subdue the Frost Snow Woman, she might not obey you.”

“There’s nothing we can do but try,” Luo Kuxin sighed.

Their initial agreement was simply to create an opportunity. Saint-rank spirit beasts weren’t so easily tamed. Their pride was greater than their fear of death.

She wondered how many years the Sorrowful Saintess had spent wearing down that Bloodbath Fox Sovereign.

“Whoosh~~~”

A chilling wind swept through, and the two Saintesses froze, their minds seemingly turning to ice.

Long, soft, white hair fluttered as a breathtakingly beautiful Snow Woman descended.

Seeing the Frost Snow Woman up close for the first time, the blue-haired girl’s pupils constricted, captivated by her cold, stunning face.

So beautiful, she seemed almost unreal…

For a moment, Gong Lianyue even forgot to summon her spirit beast, simply staring at the woman’s face, her vision slightly blurred.

The next second, the Snow Woman raised her sleeve, a chilling aura sweeping towards the blue-haired girl.

The three green figures moved simultaneously, shielding Gong Lianyue, forming a wall.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Three bloody splats as the white threads lashed out, the green figures flung aside like useless trash.

The chilling white threads then circled the blue-haired girl, harmlessly enveloping her, forming a flag-like spirit array.

“…”

“W-What’s happening!?”

After a few seconds, Gong Lianyue finally realized something was wrong and anxiously checked her soul cores.

For some reason, the Cloud Dream Flower and the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion’s auras had dimmed, covered by a layer of frost, as if dormant, unable to be summoned.

Only the Water Element remained available.

Had the Frost Snow Woman done this?!

Just then, the three mangled green figures twitched. They stood up like grotesque tumors, swaying unsteadily.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Without even looking at them, the Snow Woman flicked her white threads, effortlessly tearing them to shreds again.

Then, pulling on the threads, she sent several white lines slicing towards the blue-haired girl.

Engulfed by the approaching web of white threads, the terrifying sensation of imminent dismemberment filled Gong Lianyue, her teardrop eyes constricting.

“Water Element!!!”

At the very last moment, Gong Lianyue summoned the Water Element.

Even a low-rank spirit beast was better than waiting to be killed naked.

The watery figure materialized. The Frost Snow Woman’s eyes lit up, her attack pausing for a split second, and then—Bang!!!

The white threads, originally intended to intimidate Gong Lianyue, accelerated with terrifying speed, striking the Water Element’s life core with a force hundreds of times greater than before.

With a bang, water splashed everywhere, the icy shell shattering.

The Water Element and its core were torn to pieces, and the blue-haired girl collapsed to the ground, her vision going black.

Water sprayed everywhere, and from within the shattered icy shell, two life cores were revealed.

One core was like a surging, deep blue ocean, as pure and beautiful as a calm water surface, a sparkling sapphire.

The other contained faint purple stars, shimmering with a translucent, beautiful luster, like a mysterious, otherworldly dimension.

“…”

Seeing the two different-colored cores, the Frost Snow Woman’s expression shifted between shock, confusion, and hesitation, before finally settling on her target.

Three swirling white threads snaked out, wrapping around the ocean-blue core and pulling it towards her.

Clutching the core tightly, the Frost Snow Woman, her face radiant with joy like a little girl, soared into the sky with a flick of her sleeve.

Boom!

Icy wind swirled as the ice-blue comet shot upwards.

That fiery fox would surely be coming after her, but with the two Frost Snow Women working together, they could definitely defeat it!!

The Snow Woman wiped the ocean-blue core with her sleeve. For some reason, the color of this fellow Frost Snow Woman’s core was strange, not as pale and icy as others. It must have been tainted by that fox.

Boohoo, poor Snow Woman, Big Sister will avenge you!!!

Meanwhile, unnoticed by anyone—

The unconscious, blue-haired girl’s body began to change. Her physique grew taller, her water-blue hair cascading down to the ground.

Her slender legs became longer and more shapely, her flat chest developing curves…

As if maturing instantly, she transformed into her appearance from two or three years in the future. No, this was her true form.

A few seconds later, Gong Lianyue’s body floated upwards like a marionette, her eyes enveloped in a faint purple starlight, like a deity, looking down upon the world.

The boundaries between heaven and earth seemed to disappear. Where she was was heaven, and where she looked was earth.

Gravity reversed, the girl’s water-blue hair floating upwards.

The circular spirit energy surrounding her condensed, transforming into a deep purple, diamond-shaped crystal that enveloped her.

And what happened next was witnessed only by the recovering Wrathful Saintess…

Swish—

A wave of purple ice spread outwards, engulfing everything within a three-hundred-meter radius.

Time and space seemed to freeze, replaced by a vast expanse of visible purple ice.

Both the Frost Snow Woman, fleeing with the other soul core, and He Daoqi, arriving from the distance, were frozen in place.

Beside Gong Lianyue now floated a female, elemental figure made of purple ice crystals.

The elemental figure possessed a graceful, feminine form, its surface shimmering with beautiful star patterns, a true beauty among elemental spirit beasts!

Chapter 63: Ten Strands of Hair

–Wind Valley

An ice-blue comet streaked across the sky, leaving a trail of frost and chilling wind in its wake.

The Snow Woman in her shroud-like robe, her long, flowing hair shimmering with icy sparks, her eyes like frozen flowers.

The Frost Snow Woman, a Saint-rank spirit beast, belonging to the clan led by the legendary Snow Monarch.

There was a strange rumor about this species.

Frost Snow Women had no heart, no emotions, and thus were indifferent to outsiders.

However, they were incredibly close to their own kind, compelled to bring any fellow Frost Snow Woman back to their clan, regardless of the cost.

Their minds and personalities were like those of infants. Unless they willingly agreed, no one dared to force a contract with them. The annihilation of the Penetrating You Pool was a bloody example.

And at this moment, a spark appeared in the Frost Snow Woman’s icy blue eyes, a flicker of excitement, as if she had seen one of her own kind.

This time, she would rescue her from that terrifying fire fox monster!

---

“Beep, beep, beep, beep”

At the entrance of the hidden cave, the Water Element’s life core flickered rapidly. The blue-haired girl anxiously examined it.

Why did it look like it was about to run out of energy? It had only been out for a few seconds!

Wait…

Perhaps low-rank spirit beasts were always this frail, and she had simply never noticed. The little fox and the scorpion could maintain their transformations for so long because they were high-rank.

So this was the legendary “once you have a high-rank spirit beast, you can never go back to low-rank” phenomenon!

Like getting a new, high-performance computer and then being unable to tolerate the slowness of your old laptop.

As Gong Lianyue was lost in thought, the situation suddenly changed. A chilling wind swept through, covering the entire mountain range in frost.

Her blood ran cold, her face turning pale.

The Frost Snow Woman…

The girl looked up at the sky. An ice-blue comet, trailing water, was streaking towards them at an incredible speed.

Within seconds, a massive, icy Snow Woman appeared before them, her expression cold, her body shimmering with icy sparks, her body temperature unbelievably low.

Gong Lianyue’s breath hitched.

What was the Water Element doing, attracting the Frost Snow Woman again?!

What about her was so attractive to this spirit beast?

And for some reason, the Snow Woman’s aura was much stronger than before.

Recalling the Water Element, she glanced back. The green figure was still lying on the ground, barely conscious, oblivious to the approaching Snow Woman.

That useless Luo Kuxin was still out cold. She would have to stall with the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign’s aura for now.

[Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower]

“Chirp~~”

A cute, soft cry, and a burst of scorching flames.

A three-tailed fox, its body crimson like molten lava, flames erupting from the tips of its tails, emerged from the blue-haired girl’s embrace.

This was—a Flame Fox!

The Flame Fox clan was extinct. Anyone could recognize this legendary creature.

Having awakened the new battle technique, Possessing the Divine, even without the Tyrant Blood Pill, the Cloud Dream Flower could perfectly replicate the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, Weaver of the Sun’s, aura and appearance.

However, what Gong Lianyue hadn’t expected was…

Facing the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign again, the empowered Frost Snow Woman didn’t hesitate to attack.

Boom!!!

A massive ice coffin fell from the sky, landing before the Snow Woman, shattering the ground.

The coffin lid slowly opened.

It was the same ice coffin as before, but Gong Lianyue felt a primal fear, goosebumps rising on her skin, her scalp tingling.

Not just her, but the little fox, about to transform, also froze, its fiery aura extinguished.

As they watched in disbelief, soft, white hairs drifted out from the coffin, wrapping themselves around the Snow Woman’s pale fingers.

One, two, three, six…

Finally, all ten of the Snow Woman’s fingers were bound with the furry threads.

Ten… ten strands?!

This Frost Snow Woman possessed ten strands of the Snow Monarch’s fur!

One strand could shatter mountains and rivers, ten could bring down the sun and moon.

Her aura instantly transformed, her power skyrocketing, reaching a level far beyond an ordinary Frost Snow Woman.

[I will save you.]
[I will save you.]
[I will save you.]
[I will save you.]
[I will save you.]

As the cold, emotionless voice echoed in her mind, the blue-haired girl’s teardrop eyes narrowed.

The Snow Woman, her thread-bound hands intertwined, moved in a strange dance.

The crisscrossing white threads, like a net, blocked all escape routes, slashing towards Gong Lianyue with the intent to tear her to shreds.

[Battle Technique – Soul Embroidery: Ice Dust Cross]

Boom!!!!

The next second, the entire mountain range was cleaved by a flash of white light, the earth shattering like a raging sword strike.

The white threads extended for thousands of meters, piercing through the chaotic storm of dust and sand in the Wind Valley, reducing everything to powder.

As the dust settled, the Frost Snow Woman exhaled a cloud of icy mist, her expression cold, looking at the devastated mountain range.

Chapter 62: System

–Wind Valley

Floating a hundred meters above the ground near the edge of the Wind Valley, dozens of kilometers from the central area, the black-haired girl with vacant eyes stared blankly ahead, a dazed expression on her face.

Her seemingly invincible Swallow God had retreated. The vast difference in power between them, both Saint-ranks, was unbelievable.

She had lost the courage to even draw her sword, fleeing in disgrace, her pride shattered.

The Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace possessing the Weaver of the Sun, Bloodbath Fox Sovereign… It sounded too absurd…

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

As the black-haired girl drifted in the sky, a high-pitched buzzing sound, as faint as a mosquito, echoed in her ear.

She looked down, but there was nothing there. Yet, she felt a strange ripping sensation in the air.

Swish!!

A spray of blood.

The next second, a thin line of blood appeared on He Daoqi’s eyelid, as if grazed by a sharp blade.

“…”

He Daoqi turned towards the mountain peak behind her. A beautiful white-haired woman in a sea-blue uniform stood there.

“Sea Concubine Palace… are you here to kill me?” He Daoqi asked coldly, covering her eye.

“Just passing by,” the white-haired woman paused, then smiled.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Gray Citadel, Swallow God.”

“Since you know, and you still dare to attack when your type of spirit beast is suppressed by one rank… You must have already written your will.”

The girl was slightly annoyed. Another one who only remembered the Swallow God and not her name.

As she spoke, a swirling ink-like aura enveloped He Daoqi, forming a protective barrier.

The weapon-type spirit beast’s protective field had been activated. No spirit beast below Saint-rank could harm her.

Swish—

Another streak through the air, and another line of blood appeared on the black-haired girl’s delicate face.

What was that?!

Her pupils constricted. Even the Swallow God hadn’t reacted. Unbelievable…

What had attacked her?

“You could have killed me, yet you only inflict minor scratches. Are you mocking me?”

Grazing her eye, yet only cutting the eyelid. Piercing her cheek, yet only drawing a thin line of blood. He Daoqi’s expression turned icy.

The white-haired woman smiled without replying. She simply didn’t want to trigger the Saint-rank spirit beast’s berserk mode.

Spirit Masters at the Dead Sea and Dawn and Dusk Stages couldn’t unleash a Saint-rank spirit beast’s true power. An unconscious Saint-rank Spirit Master was dozens of times more terrifying than a conscious one.

She would slowly torment her, gradually breaking her will and spirit. Even a Saint-rank Spirit Master wasn’t invincible.

Swish!

Another attack. This time, a flash of white light, and blood sprayed from He Daoqi’s body.

Although they were just minor scratches, blood flowed like a fountain!

Bang—

The next second, the Swallow God’s protective field finally activated, a swirling ink barrier blocking a circular, ice-blue weapon. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed.

Seeing the weapon, He Daoqi’s eyes narrowed. A ice-blue, full-moon-shaped blade, like a hula hoop, spun at an impossible speed, constantly penetrating the ink barrier, leaving another cut on her skin.

In the blink of an eye, the circular blade returned to the white-haired girl’s hand.

Its speed was like a video playing frame by frame, skipping seconds, far surpassing the speed of sound.

“Who are you?” He Daoqi asked, her expression strange. This weapon clearly wasn’t Saint-rank, yet it could easily penetrate the Swallow God’s defenses.

“Sea Concubine Palace, Bai Ningying.”

“Never heard of you,” He Daoqi replied coldly.

She actually knew who she was: Bai He, a Saintess Candidate of the Sea Concubine Palace, second only to the Sorrowful Saintess.

Her high-rank, weapon-type spirit beast was the Cold Sun Mirror. It was said that this woman’s spirit beast had an abnormal number of battle technique slots, seven or eight, all focused on speed.

No spirit beast of the same rank could last even half a second against her. Bloodshed was instantaneous.

Strangely, despite multiple tests, Bai He hadn’t been identified as the legendary Spectral Star Body.

Unfortunately, no matter what secrets she held, how powerful her talent, whether she had a powerful backer or a system, as long as she remained in the Sea Concubine Palace, she would never surpass the Sorrowful Saintess.

After all, even a “system” could simply be a guidance-type Saint-rank spirit beast. The spirit beast ecosystem had evolved over countless years, and such things were no longer surprising. Compared to the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, which held a place even in myths, it was just an insignificant tool.

Bai He, unfazed by He Daoqi’s dismissive tone, smiled as the Cold Sun Mirror in her hand vanished again.

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish—

The Cold Sun Mirror spun rapidly in the air, a flurry of blades, each strike narrowly missing its target, constantly probing the ink barrier, toying with the weapon-type spirit beast’s defenses.

Blood trickled down He Daoqi’s skin, staining her clothes crimson, like a beautiful blood-red rose.

Enduring the pain, He Daoqi frowned, unable to track the weapon’s movements. Although reluctant, she decided to attack the Spirit Master directly.

“Swallow God!”

Her black hair danced wildly, and the next second…

Boom!!!

A torrent of ink-like sword intent erupted, a deafening roar, aiming at the mountain peak dozens of meters away. She swung the brush upwards, tracing a semicircle in the air.

Sword-shaped ink condensed, and with a flash of light, it descended like a waterfall from the heavens, crashing down on Bai He.

Bang—

The entire mountaintop was flattened, the destructive sword intent rippling outwards, dust and debris filling the air.

The center of the mountain range seemed to have been cleaved in two, leaving a smooth, massive gash.

A single strike from the Swallow God could move mountains and overturn seas, even altering the sun and moon. Even with seven or eight battle technique slots, her opponent wouldn’t stand a chance.

Scanning the area, the white-haired woman was nowhere to be seen, likely reduced to dust by the Swallow God.

“The Sorrowful Saintess is one thing, but a mere Saintess Candidate dares to challenge me?”

He Daoqi exhaled a puff of black smoke, the air filling with the smell of burning wood.

She looked down, faint green lines spreading across her arms. Maintaining the Saint-rank spirit beast for so long was taking its toll.

Also, just as she had unleashed that attack, she had sensed another Saint-rank aura, likely the Frost Snow Woman’s.

Was the Frost Snow Woman fighting the Sorrowful Saintess again?

It seemed the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign was dormant. Even the Sorrowful Saintess couldn’t maintain such a high-consumption, offensive Saint-rank spirit beast for long at this level. It consumed far more energy than the Swallow God.

He Daoqi’s expression turned serious. She decided to return to the fight.

With the Bloodbath Fox Sovereign dormant, for the Frost Snow Woman, she could still muster one final strike!!