Zhenhua

Huo Yuhao looked at Snow Empress for a while. After a brief silence, he exhaled softly and said solemnly, "I will give you all an answer!" He spoke those words aloud, causing Gu Yuena to turn toward him in confusion, blinking her eyes. *What is Yuhao talking about?* Huo Yuhao did not elaborate. He merely offered a gentle smile and said softly to Gu Yuena, "Once you understand, we can talk about it." Then he exchanged a glance with Snow Empress, pulled back his gaze, and said no more. Fine words were meaningless; what mattered were actions. When one did something wrong, one had to take responsibility. Yet, as Snow Empress had said, he could not allow this to get in the way of more important matters. Inside the Sea of Spirit, the onlookers took in this unfolding scene with agape mouths. Ice Empress, recalling her earlier exchange with Snow Empress, felt the corners of her mouth twitch. *Did I worry for nothing?* *Xue'er... is remarkably magnanimous.* ... The three of them finished lunch in peace. Under Snow Empress's lead, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena walked into the hotel. Only now did the Dark Phoenix Douluo, Leng Yulai, find the chance to catch up with the group. Noticing the faint smile hovering at the corners of Snow Empress's lips, her gaze shifted slightly. *Lady Snow Empress seems very happy today?* *Is it because she took in a disciple?* Leng Yulai looked at Huo Yuhao with a peculiar expression. *This boy doesn't possess Ultimate Ice, does he? While Lady Snow Empress certainly has the strength to instruct him, why did she choose him?* *Just because he passed the red-level examination?* Leng Yulai felt there had to be more to it than that. "My stay here is related to Divine Craftsman Zhenhua," Snow Empress explained as she led the group out of the hotel, talking as they walked. "I require two pieces of Heavenly Refined metal. However, Divine Craftsman Zhenhua performed Heavenly Refinement previously and is currently resting to recuperate his body, unable to forge for the time being. That is why I have lingered here for a while." Huo Yuhao nodded. Heavenly Refinement required enduring strikes from Lightning Tribulation. Unless a Soul Master was like Tang Wulin, they would inevitably need an extended period of rest after performing it. Precisely because of the Lightning Tribulations, a Divine Craftsman's forging lifespan was notoriously short. In the past, Zhenhua had retired right after teaching Tang Wulin Heavenly Refinement. Even for a Titled Douluo, a forging career at that level lasted less than twenty years. The brutal battering from the lightning caused bodily functions to decline, reducing the success rate of Heavenly Refinement drastically. What Titled Douluo could subject their body to Lightning Tribulation day in and day out? Huo Yuhao's expression turned somewhat strange. *Come to think of it, in this era, besides human Battle Armor, there is also Battle Armor for soul beasts. The demand for Heavenly Refined metal has risen even further... Is Zhenhua holding up all right?* It had only been a few years, so he should still be able to endure it, right? As they stepped onto the main street, the sudden appearance of two peerless beauties instantly drew the attention of the crowd. Someone among the onlookers even cried out in a low voice, "It's Pagoda Master Snow Empress! The rumors are true—she really is here in Heaven Dou City!" Snow Empress's smile vanished, and spatial power began to surge around her. But before she could act, a spiritual domain expanded outward from Huo Yuhao, causing the four of them to vanish from everyone's sight. "They disappeared!" "Hey, who yelled just now? Drag him out and beat him up! Big figures from the Spirit Pagoda are rarely seen—I wanted to ask her for an autograph!" "Isn't Pagoda Master Bear Lord right over at the local Spirit Pagoda branch?" "How could that be the same? One possesses both immense beauty and strength, while the other... cough, cough." Evidently realizing it was unwise to finish that sentence, the speaker cleared their throat and clamped their mouth shut. Within the spiritual domain, the four of them walked through the chattering crowd. Huo Yuhao established Spiritual Sharing with Snow Empress, a wry look on his face. "No wonder you set up spatial power in the gazebo. It seems you run into a lot of trouble on ordinary days." Snow Empress nodded and sighed softly. "My reputation among the common folk is quite significant." Even Di Tian had appeared in the newspapers, and some educational textbooks even featured introductions of him. How could her own fame be any less? The Star Dou Great Forest had plenty of prominent figures, whereas the Extreme North relied primarily on her to hold the fort. On top of that, having presided over Mingdou for ten thousand years had left its share of lasting impressions. If the Sea Princess were willing to emerge into the world, she might not have needed to bear such a heavy burden. Unfortunately, the Sea Soul Beasts' domain was the boundless ocean; their race had never truly wished to set foot on land. One could see the problem simply from the fact that the Ten Great Fierce Beasts had always consisted solely of land-dwelling beasts. While Snow Empress and Huo Yuhao conversed via voice transmission, Leng Yulai's brows were tightly knitted as she stared intently in Huo Yuhao's direction, shock welling in her heart. She had sensed Huo Yuhao's spiritual power. *Spirit Abyss Realm?!* *How is that possible?!* *At this age, not even Yun Ming could have achieved that!* Her heart surged with turmoil, and Leng Yulai glanced toward Gu Yuena. *This girl certainly has good taste. At the very least, his strength makes him worthy of her.* Gu Yuena was still pondering what Huo Yuhao had said earlier, completely oblivious to Leng Yulai's gaze. *What did Yuhao mean by giving an answer?* She looked at Snow Empress, and finally her gaze settled on Huo Yuhao not far beside her. Having faintly grasped something, she pursed her lips. The Heaven Dou Forging Master Association Building was one of the most prominent landmarks in Heaven Dou City. Only when the four reached the entrance of the association building did Huo Yuhao disperse his domain. On the top floor, a middle-aged man who had sensed the arrival of powerful auras walked over to the window. Catching sight of this scene, his gaze instantly locked onto Huo Yuhao. *Rank thirty-six... on the verge of breaking through to rank thirty-seven. And possessing a domain at such a tender age, with a Body Martial Soul of the spiritual attribute?* *Most importantly, spiritual power at the Spirit Abyss Realm!* The middle-aged man's eyes lit up brightly, brimming with excitement, and he could barely contain the thoughts surging within him. Yet the moment he saw Snow Empress, his expression instantly froze. *Why... why does it have to be someone from the Spirit Pagoda?* While the middle-aged man was lost in unsettled thoughts, Huo Yuhao and the others stepped into the Forging Association. Leng Yulai approached a staff member and asked, "How is His Excellency Zhenhua's health?" "His Excellency has already recovered. Please come this way, everyone." Evidently, this was not the first time Leng Yulai and Snow Empress had visited. Recognizing them immediately, the staff member swiftly arranged for someone to escort them to Zhenhua's office. Zhenhua's office lacked extravagant decorations; it was remarkably plain and understated. A handsome middle-aged man with black hair and dark eyes sat behind the desk. Seeing Snow Empress and Leng Yulai arrive, he stood up, nodded, and gestured toward the sofa to the side. "Pagoda Master Snow Empress, Excellency Dark Phoenix, and two young friends, please have a seat." "Excellency Zhenhua, forgive our intrusion," Snow Empress replied politely. She walked over with the other three and sat down on the sofa. "Regarding the Heavenly Refinement of the Ice Extreme Divine Crystal, have you found a way forward?" Zhenhua: "..." To be completely honest, he felt Pagoda Master Snow Empress was deliberately making things difficult for him. A metal like Ice Extreme Divine Crystal was impossible to purchase on the open market. It was simply too rare, offering zero opportunity for practice. Even if she handed the metal over for him to study, it would be useless. Zhenhua smiled wryly. "Pagoda Master Snow Empress, it is not that I am trying to shirk this, but I truly lack the ability to accomplish it right now. My success rate for Heavenly Refinement is merely twelve percent, and the material of an Ice Extreme Divine Crystal is extraordinarily precious. An Ice Extreme Divine Crystal without an ice spirit is better suited for Soul Refinement, while one with an ice spirit can simply be used directly." "Entrusting it to me to practice Heavenly Refinement would be far too wasteful."