"Rubbish, of course I can speak."
That elegant voice rang out again.
"You didn't want to evolve before, so why now…?"
The Ghostly Blossom shrank slightly, whispering in a low tone.
After all, it was the one that brought Jiang Jue here in hopes of claiming credit, but who could have expected that the Lovesickness Heartbroken Scarlet would actually gain intelligence?
"I don't want to evolve, but I'm not stupid. You two made such a huge commotion just now—of course I could feel it. If this human really takes me away, how could I possibly still wait for the fated one meant for me?"
"And you, too—actually becoming a beast traitor."
"Shameful! I despise you!"
The Lovesickness Heartbroken Scarlet shook its white flower angrily at Ghostly Blossom.
"And you, human. If you can't pass my trial, I will never go with you—even if you kill me."
"But of course, if you can complete my trial and prove your unwavering loyalty to love, then whatever you ask me to do—I will do."
Ignoring the shrinking Ghostly Blossom, the Lovesickness Heartbroken Scarlet looked seriously at Jiang Jue.
"Unwavering loyalty to love, hm…"
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered, and in his mind appeared the silhouette of that person.
He believed she was still faithfully guarding that promise, waiting for him to return.
With that thought, Jiang Jue slowly shook his head.
"What? You can't? Then we're done here."
Seeing this, the once-white petals began to bleed red, and a faint crimson light spread across the whole plant.
It must protect the obsession in its heart—if it couldn't meet its destined one, it would rather dissipate completely.
"Wait. I mean I might not be able to do it—but that doesn't mean I can't help you find someone who can."
Jiang Jue said firmly.
"Really? Don't lie to me."
The Lovesickness Heartbroken Scarlet tilted its head suspiciously, clearly unconvinced.
"There's no reason for me to lie. You've been growing inside the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well. For hundreds of years, no one even enters this place—how could you possibly meet your fated person?"
"Besides, doesn't everyone who enters end up being killed?"
Jiang Jue spoke calmly. If not for Tang Shenwang arranging Huo Yuhao in the original story, this plant would have died waiting forever.
Ghostly Blossom smiled awkwardly and shrank further—the things they had been doing had essentially blocked the Lovesickness Scarlet's path to destiny.
"You… do have a point. But what if you lie?"
The flower hesitated, then nodded slightly.
"Well then you can just self-detonate later. The only difference is whether it's sooner or later."
Jiang Jue said matter-of-factly.
"…"
The Lovesickness Scarlet froze, then nodded seriously to itself.
"You speak well. Then I'll go with you this once. I hope you won't deceive me—otherwise, I'll self-destruct."
"Then it's settled."
Soul beasts really were naïve—better that way.
Jiang Jue extended his hand, and the Lovesickness Scarlet burst into light, transforming into a snow-white bracelet streaked faintly with blood, falling gently into his palm.
At the same time, it shoved Ghostly Blossom aside, looking like "Don't touch me, you beast traitor."
"If two people truly love each other, why would they need a Lovesickness Heartbroken Scarlet…"
Jiang Jue murmured while staring at the bracelet, a sharp brilliance flashing in his eyes.
At that moment, Snow Emperor also finished absorbing energy above the spring. Her aura stopped rising and completely stabilized. Her ice-blue eyes seemed to reflect all of heaven and earth.
"What a blessed place this is."
She whispered, descending slowly from the Ice Spring.
Had she been able to cultivate here before, she might have passed her 700,000-year tribulation.
"Xue'er, how do you feel?" Ice Emperor hurried to her side.
"The origin power may continue to leak in the future, but for now it has stabilized."Snow Emperor smiled faintly.
"That's good, that's good."
As long as her Snow Emperor was well, Ice Emperor was happy.
"Snow Emperor, are you ready? We're going down next."
Jiang Jue stared at the Ice-Fire Well as though he could see through its depths. He put away the immortal herb.
"Let's go."
Snow Emperor said without further words—she already knew what Jiang Jue intended.
"You two must be careful. If something feels wrong, retreat immediately."
Ice Emperor warned anxiously.
"Mm."
Splash!
A trail of bubbles rose as Jiang Jue and Snow Emperor vanished into the depths. Silence returned to the canyon, herbs gently swaying.
Inside the Ice Spring
"This spring is unbelievably cold."
Jiang Jue felt the bone-piercing chill. On his right arm, the tattoo of the Ice Jade Scorpion glowed faintly, protecting him.
"Don't worry. If you can't hold on, I'll intervene."
As they descended, the temperature plunged rapidly. Snow Emperor glanced at Jiang Jue with icy blue eyes.
"Alright."
Golden light enveloped Jiang Jue—as someone with Ultimate Ice as well, though not as refined as Snow Emperor, this place felt almost natural to him.
They didn't know how long they descended before both felt their Ultimate Ice soul power stir with excitement, like meeting kin.
They exchanged solemn looks.
"Jiang Jue, I can feel that not far below is something terrifying. That noble and terrifying bloodline—I've never felt anything like it. It must be the Water Dragon King's remains you mentioned."
"Don't worry, Snow Emperor. I never act without certainty."
Jiang Jue tapped between his brows and continued downward.
Snow Emperor pressed her lips together, raised her pale, slender hand, and released pure power, forming a protective snow-white barrier around Jiang Jue.
"Save your strength."
Jiang Jue said gently, and Snow Emperor followed closely.
The Water Dragon King
After another hundred meters, Jiang Jue inhaled sharply.
Before him lay what seemed like an iceberg—but it was no mountain. It was the gigantic corpse of a dragon. Its body was covered in frost-blue scales; veins and massive bones still clearly visible.
Endless extreme cold radiated from the remains, swirling into white vortexes—the very source of the Ice Spring.
"We found it: one of the Dragon God's nine children—the Water Dragon King!"
"It really is the Water Dragon King!"
Even though Jiang Jue had told her beforehand, Snow Emperor was still shocked beyond belief.
In front of this corpse, the two of them seemed infinitely small.
A dead dragon still held overwhelming pressure—Snow Emperor felt crushed under its aura. As a descendant of the Dragon God, it had once been divine.
Jiang Jue quietly stepped in front of Snow Emperor.
"Relax—I'm here."
Snow Emperor stared at this human who was currently far weaker than herself, her icy expression softening for a moment.
A Voice in the Spirit Sea
"Boy Jiang, what do you think—should the two of us work together to refine this Water Dragon King?"
"You use the Soul-Refining Banner to refine the dragon soul in its skull, and I will use necromancy to transform its remains into an undead creature."
Inside his spiritual sea, Electrolux's voice echoed.
(End of chapter)