After a passionate night, Snow Empress and Ice Empress returned to their cultivation.
Snow Empress, having gained new insights, was eager to capitalize on the momentum.
Ice Empress, on the other hand, was spurred into action by Snow Empress' success, determined to strengthen herself.
Last night, Qian Ran had revealed certain secrets to them, making it clear that they now had a real chance to attain godhood. Although they didn't fully understand how Qian Ran was capable of such feats, they trusted his words implicitly.
Qian Ran had never lied to them before.
In the past, soul beasts were oppressed by the natural order, forced to accept stagnation. Reaching the 100,000-year mark was considered the pinnacle, and with no prospect of further growth, they lacked motivation to push beyond.
But now things were different.
The possibility of godhood was in their hands, and they weren't about to waste it.
To put it into perspective, even the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, a fearsome beast from millennia past, had failed to achieve godhood despite its incredible power. Compared to such legendary figures, Snow Empress and Ice Empress were incredibly fortunate.
Moreover, with Enlightenment Tea at their disposal, breakthroughs could come at any time.
Under such ideal conditions, failing to make progress would feel like a grave personal failure.
They didn't want to disappoint Qian Ran or fall short of his expectations.
Besides, they were fully aware of the plan involving Qian Ran and the Silver Dragon King. The future would inevitably pit them against the God Realm itself.
If the God Realm discovered that Qian Ran held a unique path to godhood, they would never tolerate his existence.
Only by becoming gods themselves could they truly support him.
In the absence of such opportunities in the past, soul beasts had resigned themselves to their limitations. But now, with the chance to grow stronger, they were determined to seize it.
While Snow Empress and Ice Empress focused on their cultivation, Qian Ran wandered around the Icefire Yin Yang Well.
Amidst the myriad rare plants surrounding the area were two powerful soul beasts: a Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger and a Bright Phoenix.
These were both companion beasts obtained from system rewards.
Living in the unique environment of the Icefire Yin Yang Well, the two beasts were thriving. The Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger, in particular, had grown astonishingly fast, nearing a cultivation level of 10,000 years in a short time.
The tiger's ability to absorb and grow stronger through devouring made the abundant rare herbs in this area its ideal nourishment. With so many resources at its disposal, rapid growth was inevitable.
The Bright Phoenix, though newly introduced and still at a lower level, also showed incredible potential.
Spotting Qian Ran, the two beasts bounded over to him, relishing his affectionate pats.
As system-bound creatures, their loyalty to Qian Ran was absolute, and they naturally felt a deep bond with him.
"Xiao Hei, don't go devouring all the herbs here," Qian Ran said, rubbing the tiger's sleek fur. The centuries of accumulated resources around the Icefire Yin Yang Well couldn't withstand the tiger's insatiable appetite forever.
In truth, Xiao Hei's rapid progress wasn't solely due to the herbs—it also owed much to Mu En's remains. After Mu En's death, Qian Ran had used his body to nourish the tiger, significantly boosting its cultivation.
Without such high-quality sustenance, even the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger's formidable devouring ability wouldn't have enabled such quick advancement.
"Roar!" Xiao Hei purred in response, nuzzling Qian Ran's hand affectionately.
Qian Ran had high hopes for the tiger. With its rare attributes of time and space, it possessed abilities unmatched by most other beasts.
By harvesting soul rings from such creatures, Qian Ran could gain access to their unique attributes, and the allure of time and space was particularly tempting.
The system-awarded companion beasts were also all female, making it convenient for Qian Ran to acquire soul rings through appropriate means.
Having already secured the allegiance of powerful beasts like Ice Empress, Snow Empress, and Zi Ji, Qian Ran was left with only a few targets, such as Bi Ji, the Auspicious Beast, and Gu Yuena. Including sea soul beasts still left gaps in his collection, but they might not fully satisfy his ambition.
"Master."
Blazing Delicate Apricot (Ajiao) and Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb (Youyou), two sentient immortal herbs, approached Qian Ran with timid looks.
Since being brought into the Xumi Ring, they had seen little of Qian Ran. Whenever he visited, he was usually accompanied by Snow Empress or Ice Empress. Intimidated by the two powerful beasts, Ajiao and Youyou had refrained from seeking Qian Ran's attention.
Soul beasts had a rigid hierarchy, and the two immortal herbs didn't dare to challenge the dominance of the Empresses. Competing for Qian Ran's favor in their presence felt like courting death.
A 400,000-year-old Ice Jade Empress Scorpion and a 700,000-year-old Ice Heaven Snow Lady were not opponents they could provoke. They were fortunate enough to coexist in the same space. Another immortal herb, Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, hadn't dared to return to its original home in the Icefire Yin Yang Well since the two Empresses' arrival.
Snow Empress and Ice Empress might appear gentle around Qian Ran, but to other soul beasts, they remained imposing and untouchable.
"Ice Empress hasn't been bullying you, has she?" Qian Ran asked, noting the herbs' forlorn expressions.
Ajiao and Youyou shook their heads quickly. Snow Empress and Ice Empress hadn't mistreated them, but their overwhelming presence made life in the Icefire Yin Yang Well feel stifling—like living under constant surveillance.
"Oh, right…"
"I almost forgot about that good stuff."
Qian Ran suddenly remembered something. Among the leftover supplies from helping Juzi evolve her martial soul was a potent serum designed for plant-based bloodline enhancement. It was the perfect gift for Ajiao and Youyou, allowing them to undergo ancestral regression with no side effects.
Taking out the serum, Qian Ran explained its benefits to the two herbs.
Ajiao and Youyou were overjoyed.
In the Icefire Yin Yang Well, every beast and maid Qian Ran had brought in had gained significant benefits. It was finally their turn to be blessed.
At the same time, the two herbs realized something important.
In Qian Ran's world, opportunities didn't come to those who waited—they had to be seized. If they hadn't approached him today, would someone else have claimed this treasure?
They could tell that a significant portion of the serum had already been used. Clearly, others had benefited before them.
"Master, um, can we follow you?" Youyou asked hesitantly, while Ajiao boldly voiced the same desire.
(End of Chapter)