"Honing oneself to the peak and reaching mastery?"
Damien realized Special Skills were his greatest gain from crossing worlds, his capital for challenging the Cardinal World and beyond.
"What are these?"
"So… so strong!"
Ice Empress was stunned by her status panel. She never imagined becoming a subordinate would bring such a massive boost.
Pride and freedom were relative.
In the soul beast world, might ruled, and survival was king.
In the original Douluo Dalu 2, Ice Empress, to survive, accepted Skydream Iceworm's persuasion and became Huo Yuhao's second martial soul.
Now, facing an impending tribulation and certain death, she was in the same predicament.
In such times, becoming a subordinate to survive wasn't a big deal, was it?
In the end, both she and Snow Empress became Huo Yuhao's divine beasts.
Seemingly grand, but still pets of human gods, with no control over their fate.
"Sorry, I misjudged you, Master."
Ice Empress's "Master" carried no resentment.
If word spread that becoming Damien's subordinate brought such transformation, countless Douluo Continent soul beasts would fight for the chance.
She'd paid with her freedom.
But compared to a bright future and survival, what was that cost?
It all depended on choosing the right master.
For now, Ice and Snow Empresss were lucky, meeting a generous, humane master.
"Master, huh?"
Snow Empress nodded, viewing her own status panel. "Calling our lord by name isn't proper. I'll use Master too."
"Uh, no need for that…"
Damien wanted them to just call him Damien, but seeing their resolve, he let it go.
Subordinate and master.
It was a transaction.
Yet Ice and Snow Empresss had won big.
Some might say Damien benefited too.
But to them, he had endless choices, while they had only this one shot to follow him.
They were luckier than any other Douluo Continent soul beast.
"Please, let Ice and me serve at your side to repay your kindness."
"Mm-hmm!"
Ice Empress nodded obediently. If her sister said so, she'd follow.
"Alright."
Damien turned to Snow Empress. "How do you feel?"
"Very strong!"
A rare smile, like melting winter snow, crossed her cool, stunning face. "Perhaps I'm now the strongest under Master's command."
[Snow Empress]
[Race: Greater Elementals of Ice]
[Magicules: 86,000 (High-tier A-rank)]
[Common Skills: Ice Magic, Ice and Fairy-type Pokémon Magic]
[Intrinsic Skills: Ice and Snow Body, All Sword Mastery, All Melee Mastery, Magic Amplification, Super Regeneration]
[Extra Skills: Ultimate Attribute, Thought Acceleration, Universal Sense, Ice and Snow Domination, Spatial Manipulation, Multi-Barrier]
[Unique Skills: Sword Saint (Mastery of swordsmanship and martial arts), Nature's Realm (Absorbs external Magicules to create and transform natural substances)]
[Exclusive Skill: Twin Martial Soul: Frost Desolation Empress (Linked with Ice Empress as Damien's martial souls, bound as twins, enables martial soul fusion)]
[Special Skills: Magicule Solidification, Ring of Divinity]
[Resistances: Physical Attack Immunity, Status Effect Immunity, Mental Attack Immunity, Natural Effect Immunity, Holy-Demonic Attack Resistance]
"86,000 Magicules."
"Sword Saint and Nature's Realm, two Unique Skills."
"Also has the Exclusive Skill 'Twin Martial Soul,' just with a different name."
When Snow Empress leads, fusing Ice Empress's power, she ascends to Frost Desolation Empress, breaking through a major realm.
This transformation heavily drains her Magicules, suitable only for brief bursts.
When Damien undergoes martial soul possession, he can enter this state too.
In truth, both Exclusive Skills are identical.
Snow Empress leads for Frost Desolation Empress.
Ice Empress leads for Eternal Night Radiant Sun.
When Damien uses it, he transforms into Frost Desolation Sovereign, gaining the ability to unleash Eternal Night Radiant Sun's ultimate destruction.
"Whether Snow or Ice Empress, their fused power has flaws."
"Only by fusing with me can this Exclusive Skill's true strength shine."
During martial soul possession, their Magicules stack.
Without qualitative change, it's pure numerical beauty.
Currently, the trio's combined Magicules could exceed 200,000 with possession.
That's Demon Lord Seed level.
In other words, Damien now had the strength to rival a Demon Lord Seed!
"Your Sword Saint Unique Skill…"
Damien asked, "You know swordsmanship?"
"Not just swordsmanship!"
Before Snow Empress could reply, Ice Empress, proud of her sister's innate Snowstorm Saint Body, exclaimed, "Snow Empress excels in sword and palm techniques, the pride of the Far North!"
"Indeed."
Snow Empress didn't feign modesty, nodding naturally.
Douluo Continent soul masters used soul skills; soul beasts were similar, limited to a few moves.
But Snow Empress forged her own path, creating the Snow Empress's Three Absolutes.
Emperor Sword: Peerless Ice, Emperor Palm: Great Cold Snowless, Emperor Frost Heaven: Snowdance Radiant Sun.
Sword technique, palm strike, and domain.
The Cardinal World's Sword Saint wasn't just about swords... it encompassed swordsmanship, bladework, spearmanship, and close-combat fighting.
The Sword Saint Unique Skill was granted to those who reached martial mastery.
Snow Empress lived 700,000 years.
That timespan, though inflated, was real. She'd spent those eons perfecting her craft.
Imagine a master honing their art for 700,000 years in the Cardinal World.
Per the Voice of the World, who could compete for the Sword Saint title?
No one!
Thus, Snow Empress claimed it effortlessly, earning the Unique Skill [Sword Saint].
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (removespace)