The path to Godhood was long and uncertain, but neither Shu Yan nor the Snow Empress were impatient. The two discussed this matter for a very long time before finally reaching a complete agreement.
Perhaps with the path ahead clarified, their conversations gradually increased, and the Snow Empress slowly began to personally guide Shu Yan in his cultivation. Her cultivation was infinitely close to seven hundred thousand years, and her true form was an Ice Sky Snow Woman. If one were to discuss who was most qualified to teach Shu Yan in this world, it could only be her.
The Snow Empress's guidance was indeed extremely useful; many previously unclear areas became clear as day with just a few words from her. To enjoy full-time guidance from a powerhouse whose strength was equivalent to a human Limit Douluo—throughout the entire world, only Shu Yan likely had this privilege.
Under the Snow Empress's almost 'nanny-like' tutoring, in the sixth month of his stay in the Extreme North Land, Shu Yan's Spirit Power officially reached rank forty-five. A thirteen-year-old Spirit Ancestor was extremely rare on the Continent. Even the Black and White Twin Holy Dragons, who once dominated the Continent, likely did not achieve as much as Shu Yan at this age.
The Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus
After Shu Yan decided to continue his peaceful cultivation in the Extreme North Land for a while longer, the Snow Empress brought him another incredibly precious gift.
This was a lotus-shaped plant emitting a faint ice-blue light throughout its body. Its leaves were like transparent ice crystals, with brilliant flowing light inside. The moment it appeared, the surrounding energy in the world seemed to intensify, and a faint fragrance filled the air, making one feel refreshed and invigorated.
Shu Yan's pupils slightly contracted, then he asked, "This is...?"
A faint smile appeared on the Snow Empress's cold face. She looked at the pure Snow Lotus and then said softly: "You've felt it too. This is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, which I obtained by chance.
I originally planned to use this Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus as a guide to complete the sealing of my own origin, but now that path has been abandoned by me, this Snow Lotus naturally loses its purpose. Now, giving it to you can be considered its final use."
The Snow Empress paused, then added: "The Snow Lotus is originally a top-grade plant-type Spirit Beast, but it's very difficult for it to develop sentience. Even after cultivating to the Hundred-Thousand-Year level, its sentience is still as weak as that of an ordinary hundred-year Spirit Beast. But precisely because of this, the Heavenly Essence contained in the Snow Lotus is purer and more massive than that of other Spirit Beasts of the same kind.
The energy it contains is even enough to make one undergo a complete metamorphosis, like being reborn. Although a part of the Heavenly Essence and energy in this Snow Lotus has already been absorbed by me, the remaining Heavenly Essence and energy are still enough to cause a transformation in you and greatly increase your Spirit Power level."
Shu Yan took the Snow Lotus from the Snow Empress's hand and instantly felt an abnormally vast amount of energy within it. He looked up at the Snow Empress and said seriously: "Thank you. I will repay this kindness in the future if I have the opportunity."
The Snow Empress merely shook her head gently, then said: "Since you and I have formed an alliance, there's no need for such words. As far as I know, even among you humans, so-called companions aren't that polite."
Shu Yan smiled wryly, then softly explained: "Human emotions are extremely complex; they can be incredibly pure, or they can harbor strong ulterior motives. If they are true companions, there's naturally no need to be so polite, but if both parties don't know each other thoroughly, necessary courtesy and politeness are still essential."
The Snow Empress nodded thoughtfully, seemingly trying to understand the meaning behind Shu Yan's words. "Are you saying that I'm not yet a companion you truly recognize?"
The Snow Empress's voice was calm. Although a faint smile still lingered on her face, in Shu Yan's eyes, a faint black aura was swirling around her. A chilling sensation rose in his heart. Shu Yan swallowed, then said with difficulty: "Of course not. This is merely a common state limited to humans; you naturally cannot be included."
Upon hearing this, the black aura swirling around the Snow Empress slowly dissipated. Shu Yan secretly let out a sigh of relief; the Snow Empress's oppressive presence was still too strong.
The Snow Empress glanced at Shu Yan, then sat down on an ice chair nearby. She rested her hand on her smooth chin, a hint of weariness in her beautiful eyes, and then said somewhat languidly: "Start refining and absorbing this Snow Lotus. Don't worry about any accidents; I will help you seal any excess energy into your origin. You just need to absorb the Heavenly Essence and origin energy from the Snow Lotus to the best of your ability."
Shu Yan nodded in agreement, then sat down cross-legged. The Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus floated quietly before him. Guided by him, its pure Heavenly Essence and energy began to surge out, transforming into streams of blue and white intertwined energy that flowed into his body. Surprisingly, this energy was extremely gentle, unlike the violent absorption of a Spirit Ring; instead, it carried a warm, water-like sensation.
The Snow Empress yawned softly from the side. Her sky-blue eyes traced Shu Yan's face, and fleeting moments of their interactions since they first met flashed through her eyes. Then she chuckled softly, a faint curve appearing at the corner of her lips, but it quickly returned to calm.
Reaching Spirit King
Seven days passed in an instant. Shu Yan's aura continued to rise. The Heavenly Essence and energy stored within the Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus were too vast. Even though the Snow Empress had previously absorbed nearly fifty percent of its Heavenly Essence, the remaining half still bestowed immense benefits upon Shu Yan.
In just seven days, his Spirit Power level climbed from the initial rank forty-five, almost reaching the Spirit King level, saving him nearly a year of arduous cultivation. Furthermore, nourished by the Heavenly Essence and the Snow Lotus's origin energy, his already robust physical constitution was once again elevated significantly, and his soul was also nourished, becoming more resilient and powerful.
However, his greatest gain was not limited to this. The Heavenly Essence and energy he couldn't absorb were sealed by the Snow Empress within his origin, subtly and continuously nourishing his body and further accelerating his cultivation speed. For Shu Yan, these seven days truly marked a significant transformation.
The Snow Empress looked at Shu Yan's face, which had become increasingly similar to her own due to the further evolution of the Ice Sky Snow Woman's origin, and for a moment, she couldn't help but be slightly dazed.
If her face embodied a beauty that was noble with a touch of cold allure, then Shu Yan's style leaned toward neutrality. His facial lines were softer than hers, combining handsomeness with a unique coldness typically associated with women. This contrast not only didn't make him appear awkward but instead enhanced his inherent charm. In other words, Shu Yan's face could indeed be described as captivating to both men and women.
In the instant the Snow Empress was dazed, Shu Yan's aura rapidly converged, then transformed into ripples of ice-blue Spirit Power. The colors on his original four Spirit Rings—purple, purple, purple, black—slowly peeled away, replaced by a uniform, deep, ink-like black.
With the evolution of his origin, coupled with the unreserved cleansing and sublimation from the Snow Lotus's Heavenly Essence and origin energy, Shu Yan's first four Spirit Rings all advanced to black, ten-thousand-year Spirit Rings at this moment.
Shu Yan slowly opened his eyes. Seven days of refining and absorbing had not made him feel tired; instead, he now felt refreshed and invigorated, as if his entire being had undergone a complete metamorphosis, feeling light and comfortable.
The Snow Empress rubbed her temples and slowly walked over from the side, her clear voice accompanying her. "A thirteen-year-old Spirit King. Such an achievement, even in your human world, is probably the first case throughout history."
Shu Yan chuckled brightly, then said: "That's largely thanks to you. Without this Snow Lotus, I probably wouldn't have been able to avoid a period of arduous cultivation."
The Snow Empress smiled softly, not caring much. She gently waved her jade hand, and a crystal-clear seed slowly flew up from the ground, then came to rest in her hand. "No need to be polite. The stronger you are, the greater our chances of success in the future. I'm also increasing my own chances of survival."
Shu Yan smiled helplessly. He always felt a strange sensation from the Snow Empress, a feeling that was somewhat like... an older sister towards a younger brother?
He didn't know what he had thought of, but Shu Yan's body trembled slightly. He quickly shook his head, expelling all the strange thoughts from his mind.