Chapter 151: Changes in the Snow Empress, Tang San's Discovery
Although the Snow Empress felt lonely at heart, paradoxically, she was extremely sensitive to such matters.
How could she not have noticed the changes in the Ice Empress just now?
When the Ice Empress was possessed by Qi Tian, she showed care and consideration toward Snow Empress at every turn—indulging and accommodating her in everything. But now, the current Ice Empress was no longer like that.
For example, when they slept together earlier, the Ice Empress possessed by Qi Tian had been holding her as they slept. Now, however, the Ice Empress had burrowed into her arms instead.
Or rather, when Qi Tian possessed the Ice Empress, it was Snow Empress who was encouraged to rely on her. But now, it was the Ice Empress who sought to rely on Snow Empress.
This kind of subconscious change had already been noticed by the Snow Empress.
As a soul beast that grew up in the Extreme North, it was perfectly normal for the Ice Empress to feel dependence and reverence toward her, the embodiment of ice and snow.
What truly struck Snow Empress as strange were the changes in the Ice Empress during the days she had been possessed by Qi Tian.
'What exactly caused the Ice Empress to change like this?'
'Was it that 990,000-year-old Tianmeng Ice Silkworm? Or did something happen to her in the human world?' Snow Empress analyzed quietly, pondering.
As a 690,000-year soul beast, she understood how terrifying the vitality of ferocious beasts could be—let alone the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, whose cultivation was even higher than hers.
Because of that, Snow Empress doubted that Ice Empress had actually killed the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
However, Ice Empress had said that humans were involved and had taken a share of the spoils. In that case, perhaps killing the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm really was possible.
'If it wasn't the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm causing this… then could it be the work of humans?'
'No matter who you are, if you dare to harm Ice Empress, I will not stand idly by!'
'...Forget it. I'll ask Ice Empress about it tomorrow,' Snow Empress thought to herself.
In the past, unless humans or other fierce beasts invaded the Extreme North, she would never have concerned herself with Ice Empress at all.
Even if Ice Empress were killed in human territory, she probably wouldn't have much of a reaction—at most, a feeling of regret.
But after these few days together, she had begun to care about Ice Empress a little.
Snow Empress felt that having an Ice Empress who liked to cling to her and stay close wasn't such a bad thing after all.
...
Clear Sky Sect — Tang Xiao's Residence
Although Tang San had decided to accompany Yu Xiaogang to Shrek Academy and find a way to participate in the Soul Master Tournament, before leaving Heaven Dou City, he still returned to the Clear Sky Sect to inform the sect master.
Tang Xiao, as Tang San's uncle, had always left a very good impression on him.
"Xiao San, since you've made your decision, I won't interfere."
"But remember—Clear Sky Sect will always be your home. After you break through to Rank Forty, come back and visit."
"Regardless of whether you've fulfilled the elders' expectations, I will still pass on part of the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul's cultivation methods to you."
Hearing Tang Xiao's words, Tang San was deeply moved. He knelt and kowtowed three times.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Tang Xiao let out a sigh and said, "Since you're going on a long journey, go see your moth—your aunt."
"Huh?" Tang San was momentarily confused, not understanding why Tang Xiao wanted him to see his aunt.
Tang Xiao didn't explain. He simply waved his hand and went off to instruct the sect disciples in their cultivation.
Left with no choice, Tang San followed Tang Xiao's arrangement. He headed to the inner quarters and knocked on his aunt's door.
"The door isn't locked. Come in," a gentle voice called from inside.
Tang San pushed the door open and saw a woman dressed in black, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion. She had just finished cultivating and opened her eyes to look at him.
When their gazes met, Tang San felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and closeness toward her.
"Nephew Tang San greets Aunt," he said respectfully, bowing.
Only then did the woman in black come to her senses. Hearing Tang San address her that way, her emotions grew indescribably complex.
Still, she beckoned with her hand and said softly, "Good child, come here. Come to me."
"Yes," Tang San replied, stepping forward.
With a flick of her hand, the woman in black summoned a strand of black-blue Silver Grass, which stretched out and closed the door.
The room instantly grew dim. Although it didn't affect Tang San's vision, an uneasy feeling welled up in his heart.
That unease stemmed from the Blue Silver Grass martial soul just now.
From that strand of Blue Silver Grass, he sensed a trace of familiarity—yet more strongly, an overwhelming sense of suppression.
It felt very similar to facing the mysterious person he had encountered earlier that day. The difference was, this woman possessed much higher soul power.
"Xiao San, what are you thinking about?" the woman asked.
As she looked at Tang San, it was as if she saw Tang Hao from more than a decade ago—proud, high-spirited, and full of vigor.
Unfortunately, for the sake of her teacher, he had dragged both himself and the Clear Sky Sect down to their current state.
Still, she felt no regret. During that great calamity, she had gained significant benefits.
And now, she had finally become the Sect Master's wife. Who actually became sect master didn't matter—what she truly wanted was the position of the Sect Master's wife.
"Aunt… is your martial soul also Blue Silver Grass?" Tang San asked, trusting his instincts and voicing his doubt.
The woman nodded. "That's right. My martial soul is also Blue Silver Grass. If you encounter any problems in your cultivation, you can come to me."
Tang San had questions. Without hesitation, he recounted what had happened earlier that day.
"Aunt, today I encountered a soul master whose martial soul was also Blue Silver Grass."
"But for some reason, in front of his martial soul, my Blue Silver Grass couldn't exert any strength at all. I was suppressed at every turn."
"What?!" The woman was startled and immediately asked Tang San to describe that person's martial soul in detail.
After hearing Tang San's account, the woman suddenly stood up, her heart pounding with excitement:
"It's Teacher. She's back!"
At first, she had thought Tang San had merely encountered someone like herself—a Blue Silver King martial soul.
But now she was certain that the person's martial soul was the Blue Silver Emperor.
Through her martial soul inheritance, she knew that on a single continent, two Blue Silver Emperors couldn't coexist.
That sudden Blue Silver Emperor soul master could only be her teacher.
'What is there to fear? My soul power is now higher than hers! She couldn't even hold Xiao San back—she hasn't made much progress over the years.'
'And if that person truly is Teacher in disguise, then all the better. I can ask her for help—offer up her soul ring and soul bone and take another step forward myself!'
With that thought, Bai Yan said to Tang San, "Xiao San, that person's martial soul isn't Blue Silver Grass."
"Not Blue Silver Grass? Then what is it?" Tang San asked.
Bai Yan replied, "Her martial soul is the emperor among Blue Silver Grass—the Blue Silver Emperor! That's why your martial soul was suppressed."
"And your Blue Silver Grass is the most common type on the continent—difficult to cultivate and widely regarded as a waste martial soul."
Tang San suddenly understood. The truth was finally clear.
Still, he didn't feel discouraged, because he also possessed the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul.
The thought of that made him even more eager to return to the Clear Sky Sect.
Even so, he couldn't help but ask, "Aunt, is there any way to overcome this problem?"
Bai Yan shook her head. "This is determined by the innate quality of your martial soul. It's very difficult to improve it later."
"However, if your soul power is far superior to hers, then you won't need to fear her."
Tang San felt a bit dejected, but Bai Yan added more words:
"Still, emperor-grade martial souls like this—there will only ever be one on the entire continent. If you encounter her again, let me know immediately."
"When the time comes, we'll kill her. I might have a way to help you improve the quality of your martial soul!"
"Don't lose heart. I can also teach you some methods to increase your soul power."
Tang San's eyes lit up as he looked at Bai Yan with anticipation.
—
End of Chapter