Word Count: 2,919 Words
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The Sea God... should have some honor, right...?
The Snow Empress pondered for a few seconds, then gently nodded in agreement.
"Let's set a wager. What would you like?" Ling Bai asked.
"Anything goes?" A faint light flickered in the Snow Empress's sky-blue eyes.
"Of course."
"I hope that Bing'er can safely overcome her 400,000-year heavenly tribulation. Can you make that happen?"
"You sure know how to drive a hard bargain."
Ling Bai gave a wry chuckle but still spoke up, "There's a blessed land on the Douluo Continent called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It's rumored to be where the Water Dragon King and Fire Dragon King fell. The fusion of their divine powers with the essences of the sun and moon created two springs: the Scorching Yang Spring of Ultimate Fire and the Freezing Yin Spring of Ultimate Ice. Around these springs live numerous top-level plant-type spirit beasts, including at least ten 100,000-year ones.
If the Ice Empress were to absorb the pure and abundant ice-attribute essence from the Freezing Yin Spring, along with a 100,000-year Ultimate Ice spirit beast called the 'Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass,' do you think that would be enough to help her safely pass her 400,000-year heavenly tribulation?"
"Bring on the chess!"
The Snow Empress's response was crisp and decisive. She turned and stepped into the ice house, trusting that Ling Bai wouldn't deceive her about such a serious matter. If she truly obtained the Freezing Yin Spring and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, not only would the Ice Empress's 400,000-year heavenly tribulation be secured, but the Ice Bear King and Ice Devil Titan could also confidently face their 300,000-year heavenly tribulations!
"Not so fast," Ling Bai reminded her. "I'm wagering the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. What are you putting up?"
The Snow Empress paused mid-step. She didn't even have a physical body anymore. What could she possibly offer as a wager?
"Promise to agree to one request of mine," Ling Bai proposed in a timely manner.
"It's a deal."
The two settled their wager and walked into the ice house together. Ling Bai used his spiritual power to conjure a chessboard with black and white pieces. "Playing Go or Xiangqi would be bullying you, so let's play the simplest game—Five-in-a-Row. We take turns placing stones, and whoever lines up five pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins.
Black goes first. Do you want black or white?"
"This Empress shall give you the advantage."
The Snow Empress picked up a white piece. The rules of Five-in-a-Row were simple and easy to understand. As a 700,000-year spirit beast, her intelligence far surpassed ordinary humans. She felt confident she could defeat the young Ling Bai.
Ling Bai only smiled. His first black stone landed right at the center of the board…
Fifteen minutes later, the Snow Empress emerged from the ice house. Her expression revealed neither joy nor sorrow. Electrolux noticed her and asked curiously, "That was quick. How many games did you play?"
"Three games."
"And the results?"
At this question, the Snow Empress's face darkened slightly. She cleared her throat and said in a measured tone:
"In the first game, I did not win!
In the second game, he did not lose!
As for the third game... I wanted a draw, but he refused!"
Her voice was steady and imposing. Electrolux subconsciously assumed there must have been a fierce back-and-forth battle of wits. He said admiringly, "Then you did quite we—wait, no!"
Electrolux suddenly realized, and with a snap, the fishing rod in his hand broke into two pieces. He stared at the Snow Empress, whose delicate face was taut, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Good girl, all that to say you didn't win a single game!
The Snow Empress was inwardly seething with frustration. Five-in-a-Row seemed like a children's game at first glance, so simple it couldn't be simpler, so why couldn't she win a single round no matter what she tried?
A few moments later, Ling Bai appeared. Noticing the Snow Empress's vexed and puzzled expression, the corner of his mouth lifted in a faint arc.
Choosing white had doomed her from the start; without the ban on certain 'three-and-three' moves that usually limited black's advantage, black going first could force a sure win. In his past life, additional rules like stone swaps and double-threat limits were specifically designed to balance black's overwhelming position. The Snow Empress knew nothing about these competitive nuances, so naturally, she lost game after game.
"Three games, three requests in total. A promise is a promise- I'm sure the Snow Empress won't go back on her word, right?" Ling Bai teased.
The Snow Empress looked visibly troubled. She had lost the first game with shocking speed and, finding it hard to believe, had demanded another round. After suffering a miserable defeat in the second game, she stubbornly started a third, but the result was, predictably, another crushing loss.
Three consecutive defeats meant three promises, made as lightly as floating clouds. Even someone like the Snow Empress couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. What if Ling Bai demanded something embarrassing? Should she accept or refuse?
"My first request is for you to accompany me on a stroll around Star Luo City."
"All right."
The Snow Empress thought to herself that fortunately, Ling Bai's character was decent enough. This request was entirely within her comfort zone.
…
Moonlight filtered through thin clouds, casting a tranquil glow over Star Luo City. Lanterns of warm light along both sides of the streets swayed gently in the night breeze, painting the cheeks of passersby with a rosy tint.
The Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament was held every five years, rotating among the capitals of the four great empires. For the Star Luo Empire, this grand event occurred only once every twenty years. Spirit Masters and spectators from every nation converged in the city, giving a massive boost to the local economy. The streets of Star Luo City were flooded with people and lined with vendors, the faces of tourists practically bursting with cheerful excitement.
A man and a woman walked side by side through the crowds, attracting countless gazes along the way.
The woman possessed a tall, graceful figure with curves in all the right places. Her skin was pale and tinted with a rosy glow. Her crystalline white hair hung like a waterfall to her waist. On her perfectly shaped oval face, her features were exquisitely delicate, as if the hands of a divine artisan had meticulously crafted them.
Most striking were her pure, clear sky-blue eyes; a single glance would evoke images of a bright winter sky and the shimmering sea. The only pity was her frosty demeanor. The coolness in her gaze kept people at a distance of a thousand miles.
The man walking beside her was also outstanding in appearance, with black hair, black eyes, and a tall, dignified bearing. He naturally exuded a touch of devilish charm. Yet compared to the woman's rare and peerless beauty, he was still greatly outshone, just like the light of a grain of rice could not compete with the brilliance of the bright moon.
Noticing the envious and jealous gazes from all directions, Ling Bai joked, "If looks could kill, I should've died a hundred times by now."
"You brought this upon yourself." The Snow Empress did not mince words. "Besides, what's with the disguise? Is being seen with me something to be ashamed of?"
"You misunderstand. Look over there."
Ling Bai casually pointed to a young man who was so captivated by the beauty that he walked headfirst into a pillar and knocked himself unconscious.
"You alone captivate ninety-nine percent of the men here. If I were to walk around with my real face and draw dozens of women, that'd be way too much trouble," Ling Bai explained helplessly.
Of course, that was only part of the reason. More importantly, once the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament officially commenced and his Seraphim Martial Spirit was revealed, his true appearance would be etched into everyone's memory.
If someone with ulterior motives discovered that he and the Snow Empress had strolled around Star Luo City together, it could cause problems. If word reached Shrek Academy and Ning Tian, he would struggle to explain himself. So he simply created an 'alt account' and disguised himself as the Evil Spirit Master Ning Bai.
Let people remember, let them investigate!
They walked unhurriedly as Ling Bai enjoyed the scenic night view. The Reserve Team was traveling more slowly and would likely arrive in Star Luo City around the day after tomorrow. Ma Xiaotao and the others were recovering from internal injuries at the hotel. Tonight and the entire next day were free time. Balancing work and leisure, he could take the Snow Empress to fully enjoy the beautiful sights of Star Luo City.
The Snow Empress followed Ling Bai step by step. Star Luo City's brilliant lights contrasted sharply with the northern cities of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Where those were grand and rugged, Star Luo City was refined and elegant, with roadside stalls selling all kinds of delicate trinkets.
Her sky-blue eyes, which were usually full of icy majesty, now reflected colors of novelty. Despite living on the Douluo Continent for 700,000 years, what she had seen most was the snow-covered, eternally silver-clad Extreme North. Her first exposure to human civilization had been when leaving the Extreme North; Ling Bai had extended their journey by a few days, passing through several cities in the Heavenly Soul Empire and introducing her to all sorts of human creations.
In the distance, the streets were bustling with people, and occasionally the sound of gongs and drums drifted over. It seemed to be some special ceremony of the Star Luo Empire. The Snow Empress couldn't make sense of it. Her attention was drawn to a small roadside stall, where sticks of colorful popsicles were displayed.
She paused on her own, while Ling Bai continued toward a booth selling accessories.
"Hello, I'd like two of these."
"Sure! That'll be four spirit copper coins!"
The Snow Empress carried the spirit gold coins that Ling Bai had given her. After getting the popsicle and tasting it, she smiled in delight. It was cool and refreshing with a faint milky fragrance. Despite the countless delicacies of the human world, this Empress of the Extreme North had a particular fondness for ice cream and popsicles.
"Meng, we've been walking around all night. Aren't you tired? I'm begging you, let's go back to the hotel and rest!"
"Big brother, what kind of man are you? You've complained about being tired eight times in just two hours!"
"Women are so terrifying. Their stamina becomes unlimited once they start shopping..."
"It's obviously because you're too weak!"
Not far away, a handsome pair of twins—brother and sister—were bickering as they strolled through the streets. They were members of the Reserve Team from the Sun Moon Imperial Academy—Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
Having left the Sun Moon Empire for the first time in well over a decade, they naturally wanted to savor the novelty of a strange land. Anyone who has gone shopping with a woman knows: their energy somehow multiplies, while a man's depletes twice as quickly. Thus, Xiao Hongchen was doing his best to drag his sister back to rest—unsuccessfully.
Meng Hongchen complained in exasperation, "We finally get to come out and have some fun, and you're being a killjoy again, Xiao Hongchen..."
Suddenly, she noticed her brother's face and ears turning bright red, like a freshly steamed crab. Startled, she asked hurriedly, "Brother, are you okay? Fine, fine, we'll go back—"
"No..."
Xiao Hongchen, dazed, shook his head like a silly goose. His trembling finger pointed straight ahead:
"Meng, do you see that goddess over there?"
Meng Hongchen followed her brother's gaze, and amazement flashed across her eyes. In the night, blurred lantern light illuminated the streets, and there stood an incomparably beautiful, aloof woman. She lifted her head, and her clear sky-blue eyes reflected the myriad lights of the mortal world.
"Blessed by the spirits of heaven and earth, transcending the vulgarity of the mundane world... I always thought these were just storytellers' fabrications…"
A hint of infatuation appeared on Xiao Hongchen's face as he murmured, "Meng, I think I've just fallen in love at first sight."
Meng Hongchen was momentarily dumbstruck. Her brother, who usually dismissed everything and everyone, had actually fallen for someone at a glance! Before she could regain her senses, her brother had already pushed through the crowd and resolutely rushed toward the goddess, leaving behind a determined declaration in the air:
"Hesitation leads to defeat. True love never comes without effort!"
The Snow Empress was quietly savoring Star Luo City's milk popsicle, lamenting that Dragon City's ice cream tasted better, when she sensed something and turned her head. She saw Xiao Hongchen rushing toward her, excitement radiating from every pore.
He stopped about two meters away, and, staring at her incomparably stunning features and cool demeanor, felt as if he'd met the one person he would gladly protect for the rest of his life.
His heart pounded like a drum without any sign of calming down. He revealed a mouthful of snow-white teeth and said, "Hello. My name is Xiao Hongchen. I've fallen in love with you at first sight. Starting today, I want to pursue you. May I ask your name?"
'A confession?'
The Snow Empress's expression suddenly became strange. The last brave soul who dared to confess to her was the Ice Devil Titan. In the end, he had every bone in his body, including his skull, shattered. It took him several thousand years to recover.
She swept a glance over Xiao Hongchen. He assumed she was evaluating him based on his appearance, so he discreetly swallowed, straightened his back, and maintained a gentlemanly smile.
Actually, Xiao Hongchen misunderstood. The Snow Empress was contemplating whether to kill him with one slap of her Empress's Palm: Snowless Glacier or dismember him with her Empress's Sword: Unparalleled Chill.
In the brightly lit street filled with cheerful voices, Xiao Hongchen could only stare as the Snow Empress slowly raised her jade-like left hand—when another hand abruptly caught hers, a steady warmth emanating from the palm as the owner pulled her to his side. The Snow Empress, knowing that hand belonged to Ling Bai, did not resist. She raised her head and gazed at him silently, a trace of puzzlement flickering in her eyes.
In Xiao Hongchen's view, it appeared as though the Snow Empress raised her face, sky-blue looking into pitch-black, while their faces tinged red in the warm glow of the lanterns.
Was her face flushed from the lanterns, or…?
Meng Hongchen finally caught up, weaving through the thick crowd just in time to see Ling Bai and the Snow Empress 'gazing affectionately' at each other on one side—and on the other, Xiao Hongchen, rooted in place, practically turning to stone.
Somebody please give my brother a hug… It looks like his heart is about to shatter.
Meng Hongchen silently mourned for her brother. The one time in his life he had fallen in love, and he had lost so miserably. This ice-like princess clearly already had her knight.
"Let's find somewhere else to go."
Ling Bai whispered to the Snow Empress. Star Luo City had guards stationed every ten steps to maintain order within the city. Allowing the Snow Empress to kill Xiao Hongchen under everyone's gaze would certainly cause the Star Luo Empire's consecrated Titled Douluo to mobilize en masse once word got out. If Master Jing Hongchen later went on a rampage... it simply wasn't worth it for a mere Xiao Hongchen.
"Mm."
The Snow Empress nodded slightly. Before leaving, she cast an extremely cold glance at Xiao Hongchen. That gaze made him feel as if he were standing in the bitter cold of the Extreme North. Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, soaking the back of his clothes, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Brother, what's wrong?"
Meng Hongchen asked anxiously.
"It's nothing..."
Xiao Hongchen quickly channeled spirit power to dispel the freezing pressure left by that look. Still, he craned his neck longingly, trying to catch another glimpse of her as the pair disappeared into the crowd. But despite his efforts, he couldn't find them amidst the brilliant lamps of Star Luo City.
"Brother, that woman is not simple. When I looked at her, my Red-Eyed Ice Toad gave me a strong sense of fear! And did you see how that glance alone reduced you to this state? It's clear her strength is extraordinary!"
Meng Hongchen's face was full of lingering fear, but noticing that her brother seemed unresponsive, she nudged him again angrily.
"Hey, are you even listening? Besides, she already has someone. You don't have a chance!"
"Meng, you don't understand what love at first sight is. As for her strength... if she's with me, then her strength becomes my strength."
Xiao Hongchen said with a radiant smile. "Let your big brother share a bit of wisdom: never worry about whether the person you like is single. Women who already have partners are actually the easiest to pursue, because you only have one competitor."
Meng Hongchen was dumbfounded. She stared at her brother's beaming face for a long while before finally blurting out:
"Brother, don't be so ridiculous..."