Chapter 161: The Snow Empress and Ah Yin
"Oh? I didn't expect you, a little brat, to actually know me."
Lion Douluo looked at Tang San with some surprise. Tang Hao didn't recognize him, yet this youngster did.
"Tang San greets Senior Lion."
Tang San quickly bowed in respect. Having studied under Tang Yuehua in his past life and been one of Yue Xuan's top graduates, his etiquette was flawless. Even though his appearance was very ordinary, his graceful manners still made a favorable impression.
"Out of consideration for the Grand Worshipper's old friendship with your Clear Sky Clan forefather, leave here at once."
Struggle flickered in Tang Hao's eyes. He knew nothing of "immortal herbs," nor that the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well's treasure trove of herbs had already been harvested and the next batch was still in its early growth.
Immortal herbs, according to what Xiao San had said, could turn average geniuses like Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing into gods—peerless treasures. How could he just walk away, allowing Spirit Hall to monopolize such a place?
Tang San likewise refused to leave. Even without the immortal-level herbs, many of the plants currently growing in the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well were themselves priceless treasures. Consuming any of them would yield considerable gains.
"Senior Lion, the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well is the fruit of heaven's favor, a gathering of the world's abundant spiritual energy. Formed by nature, it rightfully belongs to all soul masters, and those who are virtuous should dwell in it—"
Before he could finish, Lion Douluo burst out laughing. "That's right. Our Spirit Hall just so happens to be the most virtuous force in the whole world, and I myself am the most virtuous individual. Thus, the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well belongs to us. Your eloquence isn't bad at all, young one—this old man likes it."
Tang San felt as though he had swallowed a fly.
"Senior Lion, might you grant Xiao San and my father a few of the herbs in exchange for gold coins?"
"Ah—! Ah—!"
Two screams erupted from within the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well. Two new, human-shaped imprints appeared on the surrounding cliff face.
Lion Douluo had lived many years, and in his younger days, as a lion in peak vigor, he had unleashed countless "cannons" in human form. He'd seen it all. Engaging with Tang San just now was simply a way to pass the time, since guarding the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well alone was dreadfully boring. He found amusement in showing off and ridiculing them.
As for negotiating with the Clear Sky Clan? Negotiate for what? The entire place belonged to Spirit Hall. Two punches solved that dilemma nicely.
"Xiao San, there's nothing we can do to obtain the immortal herbs here. How would Spirit Hall ever have discovered this place?"
Tang Hao emerged carrying Tang San, eyes tinged with sorrow. Compared to the story Tang San had told him, far too much had changed in this life. In that story, he was the all-powerful Clear Sky Douluo, dominating everything. Now, he was constrained everywhere and had to lower his head.
"It must have been Qianrenchuan! Definitely Qianrenchuan!"
A palm print was visible on Tang San's face. He was so furious he nearly crushed his own teeth. "He's just like me—surely another reincarnator. And he must have come from the Tang Sect I created in my previous life. That's why he knew the location of the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well and revealed it to Spirit Hall!"
Damn it. That bastard had actually sided with Spirit Hall, betraying his teacher's legacy—an absolute death wish!
At this moment, Tang San loathed Qianrenchuan with every fiber of his being and secretly vowed that once he became a god, he'd make Qianrenchuan suffer the most brutal punishment of the Tang Sect—ten thousand ants devouring the heart!
His deduction that Qianrenchuan was a reincarnated member of the Tang Sect from his past life was, in Tang San's mind, the only logical possibility. From a mortal's perspective, it was indeed the only conclusion he could draw.
Spirit Hall, Pope's Hall, in a quiet chamber sat two graceful figures.
"You're also a soul beast, so how can you stay alongside those evil, shameless humans? Humans are the most greedy, base, and deceitful creatures there are. That man must be using you!"
When the Snow Empress discovered that Ah Yin was a transformed soul beast who had merged her cultivation and married a human, she stared at her in outrage and disbelief.
"You're misunderstanding my husband. True, greedy, deceitful humans do exist, but that doesn't include him. I once fell for human deception; it was my husband who exposed the naked truth and made me see reality.
"He's always treated me well—when danger loomed, he shielded me. He's never tried to use me. Quite the opposite—he's always considered my well-being."
A look of contentment spread across Ah Yin's face. She truly enjoyed her current life and felt deeply grateful. Without Qian Xunji, she never could have reached Title Douluo with nine rings in a mere thirty years. Possibly, she would have remained that foolishly benevolent girl who indirectly brought disaster upon the Blue Silver Clan—her own people—by naively devoting herself to the innately selfish Clear Sky Clan, aiding in their misdeeds.
Seeing Ah Yin like this, the Snow Empress stood up and couldn't help scolding her, "Why are you so foolish! Not one human is worth trusting; they're all scheming hypocrites. I ended up like this precisely because of one cunning, shameless scoundrel who lured me into a trap. If you keep this up, he'll wring every bit of value out of you and then kill you!"
Hearing the Snow Empress insult Qian Xunji, Ah Yin's expression turned increasingly cold. Her friendliness toward the Snow Empress was only because they were both soul beasts, and she felt a special kinship after so many years in the human world. She didn't want the Snow Empress to lose her life in vain. But that didn't mean the Snow Empress could speak so outrageously about her husband.
"Let me warn you: if you're willing to share your cultivation method and swear not to oppose Spirit Hall, if you behave, my husband will treat you like a human being. I can even guarantee your safety so you can leave Spirit Hall and return to the Extreme North.
"But don't say I didn't warn you—no one can fathom my husband's mind. This is Spirit Hall's territory. If you go against him, you'll face only certain death. I don't want that to happen, because we're both soul beasts."
With that, Ah Yin left the chamber, leaving the Snow Empress to think it over.
The Snow Empress's delicate brows furrowed. This ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Grass had been completely brainwashed by those detestable humans. She had to find some means to escape this place—this den of evil called Spirit Hall—and regain her strength, or she'd face utter doom.
In the Pope's Hall meeting room, Qian Xunji was busy with the backlog of matters. Ah Yin entered.
"How did it go?"
"The Snow Empress has a huge bias against all humans. My attempts to persuade her had no effect."
After pondering a moment, Qian Xunji let out a faint smile. "Then prepare a place for her to stay. For now, don't force her. After some time, take her on a stroll around Spirit City, just like when you first came here."
Seeing the smile on his lips, Ah Yin asked worriedly, "Husband, what do you plan to do with the Snow Empress?"
"I'm not planning to do anything to her. She's still the ruler of the Extreme North—she may have fallen into my hands this time, but her pride remains unbroken. No matter how we tortured her, she'd likely never yield. If the situation were hopeless, she might even self-destruct rather than let us succeed.
"However, just because I don't intend to harm her personally doesn't mean others won't. No doubt she's racking her brains, looking for a way to escape Spirit City and return to the Extreme North. If I feign letting her leave, letting her roam the Heaven Dou Empire, what do you suppose would happen?"
"Husband, that's so cruel!"
Ah Yin hastened to speak. She was no longer the naïve girl of the past. With the Snow Empress's unparalleled beauty and no strength, if she ventured into human cities or remote wilderness areas teeming with vicious soul masters, it would be a living hell.
"You're overthinking it. She might not have her cultivation, but her spiritual power is still at the Limit Douluo level. Anyone below Title Douluo could be mentally crushed. She can protect herself."
Qian Xunji cast a slightly disdainful glance her way. Over these many years, her intellect had only improved to a certain extent.
For the Snow Empress, leaving Spirit City with zero knowledge of the human world and trying to trek all the way back to the Extreme North on foot was pure fantasy. As for ignoring her for a few days, Qian Xunji simply wanted to calculate exactly how long the Angel God power would neutralize her abilities so he could time things right—show up at the key moment and "save the day."
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