After successfully coaxing the Ice Empress onto his one-man raft, Shuyan's once-quiet life in the Far North gained an unexpected layer of amusement.
Despite her earlier hostility, the Ice Empress's personality wasn't inherently difficult. Her disdain for Shuyan had stemmed more from her prejudice and dislike toward humans than anything else. In truth, she and Xue Jiujing shared some striking similarities.
Both sisters possessed the same proud, aloof temperament. However, Xue Jiujing was more composed, her outlook broader and more rational. Still, if there was one trait they had in common it was their unshakable stubbornness.
Simply put: once they made a decision, they never looked back.
To them, commitment meant going all in—no second chances, no safety nets. They believed that fortune only favored those with courage and preparation. As for the timid or naturally submissive? Their fate was death. No pity. No second thoughts.
In their eyes, weakness didn't deserve sympathy. Mercy, after all, was a luxury reserved for the strong. In this belief, they and Shuyan saw eye to eye none of them trusted in charity, only in strength.
Perhaps it was that shared ideology that made the three of them grow unexpectedly close. Before long, the Ice Empress had simply moved into Xue Jiujing's palace. The Snow Empress, long used to her freeloading ways, made no fuss. And Shuyan? He had nothing to say either. Despite her sharp tongue, the Ice Empress had grown notably more earnest once she committed herself to this path.
On idle days, she even took time to personally coach Shuyan in mastering the power of Absolute Ice, sharing practical combat experience as well. With her guidance, his understanding of both his elemental power and Martial Soul deepened significantly. He also began learning to control the Ice Maiden bloodline within him, reducing the risk of it flaring up again and masking his human presence—like it had the last time. The last thing he needed back in the human world was to be mistaken for a shapeshifted soul beast.
Time passed quietly, as it always did in the Far North's unchanging landscape. Days blurred into weeks, or maybe months no one could really tell. In such a cold and lifeless world, even emotions began to dull. Enthusiasm faded. Apathy set in.
Crackling softly, a bonfire burned in the heart of the icy realm.
Normally, fire wouldn't even be possible in temperatures this low. But with a slight shift of elemental energy around them, Xue Jiujing raised the surrounding temperature just enough to make it work.
On a stick over the flames, a fat snow rabbit sizzled, glistening with juices. The Ice Empress stared at it, gulping audibly, hand gripping Shuyan's sleeve as she muttered:
"Watch it closely if you burn it, I will make you pay."
Xue Jiujing, lounging nearby, watched the scene with a soft smile in her eyes. Warmth bloomed quietly in her heart.
Shuyan, on the other hand, eyed the drool threatening to drip from her mouth and sighed. Sprinkling some seasoning with expert hands, he quipped:
"Wipe your mouth first. And might I remind you—this is your seventh snow rabbit today. At this rate, the entire snow rabbit population might go extinct within the year."
It was clearly a joke, of course.
Snow rabbits, while low-tier soul beasts with little combat power, had terrifying reproduction rates. A single litter could produce a dozen or more. Even if the Ice Empress ate until she exploded, it would barely make a dent in their numbers.
The Ice Empress raised her chin in defiant pride and scoffed:
"They should consider it an honor that I, the great Ice Empress, am willing to eat such insignificant creatures. Normally, I wouldn't even look at them."
Shuyan nodded indulgently. "Yes, yes, my lady. I'll make sure to feed our little ancestor properly. Any more of this and you'll not only starve, I'll die of hunger too."
The Ice Empress's face twisted in mock fury. She pinched Shuyan's arm viciously and snapped:
"Are you saying I eat too much?! Fine, I admit your cooking is excellent, but this is an insult! If I ever touch your food again, may I be cursed to serve as Xue Jiujing's pet dog!"
Shuyan winced, rubbing his arm where she'd nearly dislocated it. For such a petite thing, her strength could punch through mountains—thankfully, she was holding back. Barely.
"You might as well eat, then," he said, sighing. "Becoming Xue Jiujing's dog? Isn't that your dream anyway? Everyone knows you're a total deviant when it comes to her. No limits whatsoever."
The mocking tone made veins pop on the Ice Empress's forehead. Her eyes flashed red.
"You little bastard… I'll kill you today in the name of the Far North's dignity!"
She lunged, arms flailing.
Shuyan, laughing, easily dodged. "Please, eat more. With those tiny legs, you'd need a ladder just to bite me."
The Ice Empress saw red. Fists flying, she launched herself at him with all the fury of a betrayed toddler.
Moments later, both of them sat beside the fire, sporting matching bumps on their heads. The Ice Empress, cheeks puffed out, nibbled a freshly roasted snow rabbit. Grease smeared her face, mixing with tear stains to create the image of a tragic little flower. She didn't care—she just kept chewing in silence.
Xue Jiujing reclined gracefully on an ice lounge formed from frozen spiritual energy. One hand propped up her head while the other covered a lazy yawn. Her silvery gown cascaded gently to the floor, revealing a glimpse of her flawless, snowy calf… and a dainty, glowing foot that was so exquisite it seemed unreal.
The Ice Empress was too busy eating to notice, but Shuyan, lost in thought, caught the scene entirely.
Xue Jiujing's lips curved into the faintest smile. She playfully curled a finger toward him, her voice for once tinged with flirtation:
"What's the matter?"
"Got the nerve to look but not to touch? I'm in a generous mood today… Who knows? Maybe I'll let you get away with it."
For a brief second, Shuyan froze.
Then, all at once, he snapped back to awareness his back slick with cold sweat.
No wonder Xue Jiujing was known as the purest soul in the world. Her aura might've been cold and distant, but the moment she teased, she surpassed even the most seductive of human soul masters. And the contrast… that subtle contradiction between icy restraint and raw allure it nearly dragged Shuyan, wielder of Absolute Ice himself, straight into a dream.
He dared not imagine what it would be like if she ever truly let loose.
And as that dangerous thought passed, he couldn't help but wonder… who in this world would be fortunate or unfortunate enough to truly win the heart of someone like her?