"We can make it even bigger!"
Zhuge Lan said excitedly—
"But not next year's Soul Master Grand Tournament, but the one hosted by the Sun Moon Empire six years from now."
"If we handle it properly then, we can secure at least one Godhood."
"We'll discuss the details later."
This cliffhanger certainly whetted their appetites.
But everyone knew Zhuge Lan could "foresee the future," so if he dared to say this, he must have something to rely on.
Then...
"What Godhood?" Tianmeng Iceworm asked expectantly. "Brother Lan, do you think it suits me?"
Hey!
Now that he mentioned it, that Godhood was a bit fitting for this simp.
Ah Tai could also barely match.
The others weren't suitable.
But Zhuge Lan didn't plan to reveal it now, waving his hand dismissively.
"We'll talk about it later. You, scoot."
"Alrighty!"
Tianmeng Iceworm, who needed a favor, swiftly floated towards the Ice Empress.
The plan was temporarily settled.
Huo Yuhao used the technique taught by Electrolux, channeling a trace of the Ice God's divinity from the Ice God mark with a thought and leaving it on the forehead of the Ice God statue.
It would stand guard in his place.
Only then could he free himself and float down.
The six 100,000-year soul beasts, led by the Emperor Ice Penguin, consciously gathered before him.
"God, what are your orders?" The Emperor Ice Penguin asked respectfully.
"Spread the name of the Ice God throughout the entire Extreme North." Huo Yuhao instructed. "It's best if they are willing to submit. If any refuse to believe in the Ice God, don't resort to unnecessary slaughter; just drive them out of the Extreme North."
"Yes! God!" ×6
Watching the six 100,000-year soul beasts depart.
Huo Yuhao then noticed that Xu Sanshi and the others were also kneeling in worship.
"What are you all doing?"
"Of course, paying respects to you, God!" Lan Susu said devoutly.
Huo Yuhao inwardly exclaimed, "Good grief!"
You don't even have Ice God bloodline, why are you so fanatical?
But as members of the Ice God Temple, this attitude was a good thing.
"Brother Lan, Brother Lan, quickly exchange for the Ice Heart Art so I can reward them with it."
"Otherwise, just standing here like this is too awkward."
Zhuge Lan activated the [Creation Authority].
—
Condition: Create the first layer of the Ice Heart Art, the introductory to the Path of Ruthlessness from "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality"!
Cost: 150,000 Fortune Points!
Create? —
As expected of a cultivation world technique, just the introductory foundation, and only the first layer, cost a sky-high price.
Create!
The relevant information was instilled into Huo Yuhao.
He immediately released several balls of memory light, imprinted the Ice Heart Art into them, and sent them into the brows of Zhang Lexuan and the others.
"This is the first layer of the Ice Heart Art. It can sever one of the seven emotions and six desires. Those who reach Great Perfection can come to me to receive the next layer of the technique."
"In the coming days, cultivate well within the Ice God Temple. There will be a test next year. Those who pass will be rewarded with a 100,000-year Spirit Soul."
The eyes of Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Long Xiangyue instantly lit up!
Zhang Lexuan already had nine rings.
Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan already had Spirit Souls, and not being mental attribute, they couldn't absorb a second one.
So that left the three of them?
Instantly, their hearts burned with fervor, secretly resolving to follow Huo Yuhao's example. For the next year, as long as they didn't train to death, they would train like they were dying!
Huo Yuhao glanced at the surrounding icy landscape and summoned the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion Right Leg Bone.
Soul Bone Skill · Ice Jade Empress Armor!
A jade-green armor, adorned with ice-blue lines, appeared on his body, still emitting a biting cold air even in the core area of the Extreme North.
Second Stage · Split!
Permanently consuming 0.1% of the Emperor Armor's origin, he split off eight grain-of-sand-sized "fragments" and handed them to Xiao Xiao and the others.
Such a small amount could barely enhance ice attributes; it was mostly for absorbing the cold air.
"Be careful not to lose these ice fragments." Huo Yuhao said seriously. "The temperature here in the core circle is at the level of Ultimate Ice. Without it, you'll turn into ice sculptures in minutes."
Hearing this, they hurriedly stored the ice fragments close to their bodies.
"Hisss—" Xu Sanshi shrunk his neck and exclaimed strangely, "It's really cold! Jiang Nannan, help me take it out!"
It wasn't that he was deliberately seeking out Jiang Nannan; she was just the closest.
In the past, Jiang Nannan would have responded to such a request with a kick.
But now...
She hesitated slightly, thinking about how to refuse tactfully?
Huo Yuhao was more considerate, using his mental force to extract the ice fragment.
Jiang Nannan relaxed inwardly and shot Huo Yuhao a grateful look.
"Alright, that's the situation for now."
Huo Yuhao spoke—
"Sister Lexuan, you follow the Ice Empress and Ah Tai to get acquainted with the Ice Jade Scorpion and Titan Snow Ape tribes. The Ice God Temple will be handed over to you to manage from now on."
"Elder Song, I'll have to trouble you to stay a few more days to assist Sister Lexuan in taking over completely."
Song Yunzhi waved her hand with a smile; it was a small matter.
The Ice God Temple would surely rise in the future, possibly even surpassing Shrek. It was always good to build goodwill.
Zhang Lexuan and the others left.
Huo Yuhao looked at Ning Tian.
"Regarding the Spirit Transmission Pagoda, it's not suitable to build it in this core area. I'll have a 100,000-year soul beast go with you to select a site. Once the location is confirmed, I'll have soul beasts assist in the construction."
"As for the relevant building materials..."
Huo Yuhao paused.
This Spirit Transmission Pagoda wasn't part of the God's Trial; Mu En had no reason to "sponsor" it again.
He wondered if the money earned recently would be enough to build it...
After returning this time, he would need to sell a few more Tai Chi skill books and establish the sales system for Spirit Pills.
Then he wouldn't lack money.
Huo Yuhao made up his mind and was about to speak and make arrangements.
Ning Tian said cautiously, "Um... God..."
"I'm not a god yet, no need to be so polite." Huo Yuhao interrupted. "Call me Yuhao, or Tower Lord is fine."
"Alright, Tower Lord." Ning Tian changed her address. "Regarding the construction of the Spirit Pagoda, including the subsequent Spirit Pagodas across the continent, I can persuade the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect to take full responsibility."
Oh?
All the Spirit Pagodas across the continent—that was no small sum.
Although the current Nine Treasures Glazed Sect sounded impressive, in reality, the sect only had one Titled Douluo, with the majority being Soul Sages.
It had long lost the power of the Top Three Sects from ten thousand years ago, barely counted among the first-rate sects.
Taking out such a large amount of money would also strain them significantly.
Just giving it away?
Huo Yuhao didn't believe in free lunches.
"What do you want?"
"As the manager of the Spirit Pagoda, this is what I should do." Ning Tian said lightly.
Huo Yuhao, still young after all, was shocked.
So generous?
"The things that don't cost money are the most expensive." Electrolux taught. "She wants you to owe her a favor."
"Yes." Zhuge Lan nodded. "Even if Little Yuhao doesn't become a god in the future, with the Holy Flame Sect, Ice God Temple, and Spirit Pagoda under his command, surpassing the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect is only a matter of time."
In the long run, this deal was beneficial.
"Pah, pah, pah!" Tianmeng Iceworm spat in disgust. "What 'doesn't become a god'? He must become a god!"
Well now.
He even knows how to avoid jinxes.
Huo Yuhao now understood that favors were not easy to repay.
He proactively said—
"Forget about giving it for free. My Spirit Transmission Pagoda isn't that short of money."
"But since you come from the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect after all, we can reach a deep cooperation."