Chapter 430: The Most Familiar Stranger, Part 2
The Ice Empress arrived on the scene, only to find her closest companion captured by a human. In a moment of panic, she transformed into her true form a beautiful yet terrifying emerald scorpion lunging at Ye Wen with her deadly tail, intending to pierce him with a single strike.
"No, stop!" Snow Empress's eyes widened in fear, realizing their difference in strength. While she hadn't yet confirmed Ye Wen's intentions, the Ice Empress's rash action risked escalating the situation.
Ye Wen chuckled, bemused by the steadfast bond between the Snow Empress and Ice Empress in every version of this world. Effortlessly, he flicked a finger with his free hand, deflecting the Ice Empress's stinger back toward her. The force was so strong that it sent the formidable 400,000 year old soul beast flying backward.
Before Ye Wen could reach out to catch her, the Snow Empress's voice trembled as she pleaded, "Please... please spare Ice."
Ye Wen was mildly surprised. He was using a soul suppression technique refined over the years, specialized to inhibit soul power. Though he hadn't used his full strength, the fact that Snow Empress could even speak was remarkable.
Still, he wasn't here to fight them. With a slight release of his hand, he let Snow Empress go. As he did, he lessened his earlier blow to Ice Empress. Regaining her footing, Ice Empress rushed back to her friend's side, standing protectively in front of Snow Empress while watching Ye Wen with wary eyes.
"Run, Sister! I'll hold him off!" Ice Empress urged, her scorpion eyes fixed on Ye Wen with fury.
Snow Empress's expression held a hint of defeat. As her soul power returned, she realized fully that Ye Wen could restrain them both whenever he wished.
Escape was impossible. Ye Wen's power eclipsed their own, and if he could fly, there was no hope of outrunning him. She looked at Ice Empress, her heart pained. "Ice, we're no match for him," she admitted, shielding Ice behind her.
The Snow Empress faced Ye Wen. "I acknowledge your strength," she said coldly. "I don't know whether you're human or soul beast, but I accept my fate. If you wish to take my life, I won't resist. But please, if there is any mercy in you, spare my sister. Otherwise "
Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of soul power flared around her, fierce and desperate. "I'll use my 700,000 years of cultivation and detonate my spirit bones and soul power to take you down with me!"
"Sister!" Ice Empress shouted, transforming into her human form a small, green haired girl in a vivid emerald outfit. Realizing Snow Empress was sacrificing herself, she couldn't bear it. She, too, gathered her soul power in preparation for self destruction.
"I won't abandon you, Sister! If we must die, let us die together!" Ice Empress declared, her spirit energy intensifying as she faced her companion with steely resolve.
Snow Empress's gaze softened. She shook her head. "Ice, I may not survive my 700,000 year tribulation. If my death can secure your safety, it's worth it."
"But Sister!"
"Listen to me!"
"Sister !"
"Don't make my death meaningless!"
Ye Wen sighed, scratching his temple in exasperation. Did he really come off as a villain? With his hand still raised in a placating gesture, he attempted to cut in.
"Um..."
The two, lost in their tearful resolve, finally remembered his presence and turned toward him, their guarded expressions returning.
Snow Empress, still protecting Ice Empress, glared at him. "Are you willing to spare her, or must I see this through to the end?"
Ye Wen felt an urge to laugh. "You two do realize... I never asked for your spirit rings or spirit bones."
A brief silence fell. Snow Empress's resolve flickered, and she cautiously asked, "If you're not here for those… then, are you perhaps a soul beast here to claim the throne of the Arctic Plain?" Accepting his power, she added bitterly, "If that's your intent, then according to the rules of survival, you've earned it. You are welcome to assume the throne."
A pause followed. Her voice then softened, her pride slightly humbled. "If that is your goal... I ask only that, should I not survive my tribulation, you protect my sister."
"Sister!" Ice Empress protested, her gaze filled with hurt and confusion, momentarily forgetting Ye Wen's strength.
"What are you two talking about?" Ye Wen replied, amused.
At his response, both women stiffened, embarrassment creeping into their features. The sudden realization that their assumptions had been entirely unfounded made Snow Empress tense with secondhand embarrassment.
Seeing this, Ye Wen only smiled. Despite Snow Empress's resemblance to his counterpart's companion in another timeline, he wasn't here to force her into anything. In this world, she was her own unique being.
"Actually," Ye Wen said, "I came here for another purpose entirely, nothing to do with taking your spirit rings, bones, or the throne of the Arctic Plain."
Snow Empress's wariness deepened. If this stranger wasn't after their most valuable assets, then his objective must be even greater.
She kept her tone formal, steeling herself against whatever his motives might be. "Then, may I ask what brings you here?"
Ye Wen smiled thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. Beyond his own reasons, his visit to the Arctic Plain was to seek out a suitable advantage for Huo Yu´er. Due to the Iceworm's sacrificial attachment, Huo Yu´er now possessed an empty spirit slot for an ice based martial spirit.
In the original timeline, the Iceworm had convinced Ice Empress to sacrifice herself to support Huo Yuhao. But with Huo Yu´er, Ye Wen felt Snow Empress would make an even better match. After all, between the two, Snow Empress, with her 700,000 year power, had the strength and refinement to be an ideal second martial spirit for Huo Yu´er.
"Snow Empress," he asked, "are you interested in ascending to godhood?"
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