"On this point, please rest assured, Lord Zhongli. The teachers we send as team leaders are all Soul Douluo-level powerhouses."
"No, no, no! What I mean is, I hope Lord Hongchen can send even higher-level personnel to lead the team."
After Jing Hongchen finished speaking, Zhongli Wu shook his head.
"A higher level?"
Jing Hongchen murmured twice. That would mean Zhongli Wu wanted him to send a Rank Nine Soul Engineer.
"Wouldn't that be too high-profile? Besides, in previous years, the teachers leading teams in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament were all Soul Douluo-level. There has never been any accident."
Jing Hongchen tactfully responded.
Although the Mingde Hall still had three Rank Nine Soul Engineers, they each had their own work to do. They were fully engaged in the development of Experimental Subject No. 1—who had time to go lead a team?
Whoosh!
A silver-colored spatial ring flew out and landed steadily on the table in front of Jing Hongchen.
"What is this?"
Jing Hongchen was puzzled.
"Take a look."
Jing Hongchen picked up the spatial ring and infused his spiritual power into it. The next moment, his pupils contracted slightly.
"This is too much!"
Inside the spatial ring was a mountain of rare metals, far more abundant and precious than what he had received last time!
"This isn't quite right..."
"The other Rank Nine Soul Engineers in Mingde Hall all have their own tasks. As the Hall Master, it wouldn't be easy for me to arrange this…"
Before Jing Hongchen could finish speaking, another spatial ring flew over.
Jing Hongchen's expression shifted. He had bet correctly.
He reached out to catch the second spatial ring, and the polite expression on his face instantly turned into a bright smile.
"Oh! I almost forgot. What a memory I have."
"A Rank Nine Soul Engineer from our Mingde Hall just happens to be taking a vacation during the tournament period."
"I feel that compared to taking a break, ensuring the students' safety is more important, so I've decided to assign them as the team leader instead. What does Lord Zhongli think?"
Jing Hongchen smoothly put away both spatial rings and smiled.
Zhongli Wu originally thought that he had already mastered the art of changing expressions, but now he realized there was still another expert before him.
However, he didn't mind. These resources weren't particularly valuable to the Holy Spirit Cult.
With the presence of the Evening Water Alliance, rare metals were never a concern. The former Three Empires were desperate to exchange them for mid-to-low-level soul tools.
Not to mention, the Holy Spirit Cult had always been fond of "zero-cost purchases"…
"I trust that Lord Hongchen will fulfill your promise. I will also have someone follow along."
"Rest assured! The Holy Son of your esteemed sect will not suffer any harm."
Jing Hongchen smiled.
"Good. I hope so."
With the matter settled, Zhongli Wu wasted no time. He turned around and vanished from the room.
"Sigh, they say that we at Mingde Hall are wealthy, but I think the Holy Spirit Cult is even richer."
"But then again, selling goods is never as fast as just robbing them…"
Jing Hongchen looked at the two spatial rings in his hand and sighed.
Time Flies
In the blink of an eye, the two-month holiday had passed.
Within the Necromantic Plane.
The figures of Jiang Jue and Electrolux emerged.
Before them stood a dazzling, beautiful scorpion—the Ice Emperor.
"You've come to ask me to sacrifice myself to you, haven't you?"
"Then let's begin!"
The Ice Emperor swayed its emerald-green tail, its yellow pupils gazing at Jiang Jue without a trace of hesitation.
Jiang Jue looked at the Ice Emperor, admiration flashing in his eyes.
As expected of the Ice Emperor, who had survived for nearly 400,000 years—ruthless to others, ruthless to itself. Once a decision was made, there was no hesitation.
"Yes! I am here for your sacrifice."
Jiang Jue nodded.
It was nearly time for their departure, and this was the best moment for the Ice Emperor's sacrifice.
Since the holiday schedule at Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy differed from Shrek's, once he returned, he would immediately prepare to leave.
"Let's begin! How do you want to do it?"
The Ice Emperor asked.
"Soul first, then soul bone, and finally soul ring!"
Jiang Jue said each word with weight.
"Alright! We'll do it your way."
The Ice Emperor had no objections. Since it had chosen to trust Jiang Jue, it would follow his decisions—it only needed to execute them.
"Elder Yi, I'll have to trouble you to stand guard for me this time."
"Rest assured, with me here."
Electrolux's deep voice echoed, his eyes filled with curiosity. He had never witnessed a soul beast sacrificing itself to a human before.
"Ice Emperor, let's begin!"
Jiang Jue sat cross-legged on the ground and summoned the Soul Refining Banner.
The "soul first" step meant that the Ice Emperor would first enter the Soul Refining Banner.
"After this, who knows when I'll see Xue'er again… But as long as Jiang Jue ascends to godhood, I will definitely find you!"
The Ice Emperor thought to itself, then steeled its resolve. It was time to begin the sacrifice.
However, just before it could make a move, Jiang Jue acted first. He separated a golden spiritual essence from the Soul Refining Banner, radiating a gentle glow.
"Ice Emperor, absorb this!"
Jiang Jue commanded, and the golden light swiftly merged into the Ice Emperor's body.
"This aura… feels familiar."
The Ice Emperor muttered. The energy reminded it of a certain silkworm.
But before it could ponder further, the spiritual essence propelled its cultivation towards the 400,000-year mark.
Boom!
A thunderous sound erupted in the sky as terrifying dark clouds gathered, signaling an apocalyptic storm.
The entire sky dimmed, lightning streaking through the clouds like writhing serpents, and an overwhelming pressure descended.
The Ice Emperor's 400,000-year Tribulation had arrived!
The Necromantic Plane had developed over millennia, now closely resembling the external world. Even here, tribulations could manifest—and the Ice Emperor's trial was none other than the most fearsome Lightning Tribulation.
Electrolux remained calm, ready to wave his hand and disperse the tribulation.
But just then, Jiang Jue shouted—
"Ice Emperor! Now!"
The Ice Emperor's gaze turned fierce. Its amber pupils gradually shifted to an emerald green. The long green tail arched up, and a soft green radiance pulsed along its length before finally concentrating at the tip.
With a flash of green light, a tiny glowing orb separated from the Ice Emperor's body and floated upward. The Ice Emperor's once-vibrant eyes instantly dimmed.
That was its spiritual essence.
"Welcome home, Ice Emperor!"
Jiang Jue waved the Soul Refining Banner, instantly absorbing the emerald-green sphere.
The tribulation clouds above suddenly froze.
"???"
It was as if the target had vanished…
Moments later, the thunderclouds began to disperse slowly, though a few bolts of lightning flickered uncertainly, as if expressing their frustration and confusion.
Where is the beast?