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Xue Di frowned, feeling Su Yu's plan was far too audacious.
She quickly accepted Su Yu's explanation regarding the nature of the Abyss, and precisely because of its formidable power, she felt that his plan was incredibly risky.
"Don't worry. I won't execute the plan unless I'm absolutely confident."
As always, unless something happened to the Divine Realm, the Abyss wouldn't dare make a move.
Even if the connection were severed, the Abyss would only come closer to probe—not attack outright.
If Su Yu wasn't certain, he wouldn't force an attempt to devour it.
At most, this was just about being prepared—making sure every contingency was covered in advance.
If the plan was feasible, then it would be executed. If it proved unworkable, it would be abandoned.
It was as simple as that.
Xue Di didn't think Su Yu was a reckless person.
Despite being capable of barely contending with a level 98 opponent, he conservatively assessed his own strength at level 96—at most able to withstand one or two attacks from a level 97 opponent when going all out.
If it weren't for his battle against Yan Shaozhe and the injured Xuan Zi during the Soul Duel Tournament, Su Yu's strength might still be considered just below level 97, as he had claimed.
"Alright, when the time comes, I'll help you place the detection soul tool deep within the Extreme North," Xue Di said.
"When will your soul spirit cultivation system be complete?" she asked.
Within Sun-Moon Hall, Xue Di found the pervasive metallic scent unpleasant. She wanted to return to the Extreme North as soon as possible.
Besides, she still needed to pursue the clues regarding the Ice God.
"It might have to wait until Yuhao finishes condensing his soul core before we can begin."
Over the past month, Huo Yuhao had already started condensing his soul core.
As for the soul spirit cultivation technique, Su Yu had already completed its development.
"Yuhao's first soul core should be a spiritual core—it shouldn't be too difficult for him."
Outside Huo Yuhao's cultivation chamber, Jing Hongchen, Su Yu, and Xue Di waited.
"Sigh, condensing a soul core at level 70… it's hard to say if that's good or bad." Though Su Yu had many ideas, this unprecedented cultivation sequence made it hard for anyone to feel fully at ease.
"The quality of his soul power just underwent a dramatic change—it's now more stable than ever. This soul core condensation should succeed," Su Yu said.
"By the way, Xiao Yu, how do you plan to deal with those people from Shrek?" Jing Hongchen, no longer wanting to worry unnecessarily, shifted the topic and asked for Su Yu's thoughts on handling the two Shrek Academy teams.
"Has Shrek sent anyone to negotiate?"
"No. Xuan Zi and his group vanished deep within the Sun-Moon Mountain Range, and our Sun-Moon Empire sealed off the borders. In just one month, Shrek City likely hasn't gotten any concrete information yet."
They hadn't even realized their outstanding students had been imprisoned, so naturally, they weren't prepared to negotiate with Sun-Moon Hall.
"Let's wait for Shrek to make their move. A hundred pieces of soul bone aren't a loss, but our demand for soul bones isn't that urgent. Once the war begins, as long as we unify quickly, the supply of soul bones will catch up."
Wait for Shrek's reaction.
If, for the sake of these people, Shrek responded with force or threw their full support behind the three Douluo kingdoms during the war, then those captives would remain in Sun-Moon Hall, baiting Shrek into the trap.
If Shrek's stance softened, then they'd engage in negotiations—keep them dangling for as long as possible.
In short, Su Yu leaned toward not making a trade.
But the stance of not trading would be determined based on Shrek's response.
"He's breaking through," someone murmured.
Inside the cultivation chamber, Huo Yuhao's soul power fluctuations gradually stabilized, then surged once more, pushing him past the threshold into Rank 70.
This breakthrough was natural and seamless. Huo Yuhao quickly consolidated his cultivation base.
Exiting the chamber, he approached Su Yu and said, "Brother Yu, I've completed my breakthrough. I can now begin cultivating using the soul spirit system."
Su Yu nodded and looked toward Xue Di.
Xue Di offered no objections.
"To be safe, it's better for you to condense your soul core in the Extreme North. The environment there is more suitable for you—absorbing energy will be easier, and you'll be able to obtain higher-quality soul rings," Jing Hongchen suggested.
Huo Yuhao, Su Yu, and Xue Di all agreed.
"In that case, let's head out now."
"Do you need me to accompany you?" Jing Hongchen asked.
"Hall Master, it's better if you remain in Sun-Moon to oversee things. The Holy Spirit Cult has been under pressure from our recent actions—they'll likely make a move soon. If you stay in Sun-Moon Hall, you'll be able to respond swiftly."
"Alright. Xiao Yu, with your strength combined with Xue Di's, even if you encounter an Ultimate Douluo, you should be able to retreat safely."
Ten days later, in the Extreme North.
The three of them wasted no time. After minimal preparations, they reached the heart of the Extreme North.
They headed straight into the core region.
"We can begin," Su Yu said.
Xue Di began condensing her essence blood, refining a portion of her bloodline power as Su Yu had requested.
Su Yu used the Life Origin Liquid within the space of the Blade of All Life to help her restore her condition.
Before long, a droplet of strange, ice-blue blood coalesced in front of Xue Di.
Huo Yuhao guided the droplet to himself, then swallowed it in one gulp, beginning to refine the bloodline power it contained.
He circulated the technique Su Yu had provided, quickly sensing the potent bloodline energy within.
His vital energy and soul power flowed in unison, guiding the bloodline power outward.
Time passed. Three days later...
Huo Yuhao's soul power surged.
The Ice Emperor's martial soul manifested.
Six soul rings rose one after another. Beyond the sixth, a seventh soul ring began to take shape as a phantom.
Within the crimson glow of the ring, threads of golden light shimmered.
The surrounding ice-element energy flooded into Huo Yuhao's body.
The phantom soul ring gradually solidified.
"Brother Yu, I did it!" Huo Yuhao called out.
The seventh soul ring fully solidified around him, and his soul power had risen to Rank 71.
At the same time, a notification echoed in his spiritual sea—the Divine Test of the God of Life had been successfully passed.
"Good. Stabilize your cultivation first—I have something else I need to take care of. In a month, we'll need to make a trip to the Star Dou Forest."
With that, Su Yu departed, moving through the core region, continuously shifting locations while using the power of fate to deduce patterns.
Though he couldn't yet sense the entangled fate between the two realms, he began to perceive the threads of destiny linking himself to the Abyss.
He continued to deduce, refining his understanding.
(End of Chapter)