Snow Empress looked at the Ice God Pearl and opened her vermilion lips, "Strictly speaking, this divine artifact wasn't discovered by me. It was found by two Titled Douluo who came to the Far North for research. They wanted to take it away and almost got into a fight. However, when they touched the Ice God Pearl, they were invaded by its cold energy, which attacked their hearts and killed them. I merely picked up the advantage."
A masterless divine artifact had killed two Titled Douluo just by being touched. Strictly speaking, this divine artifact was quite domineering, and ordinary people truly couldn't claim it.
But Huo Yuhao wasn't surprised.
The energy within the Ice God Pearl was extremely pure, the most pure ice attribute. The surrounding temperature was maintained between minus 200 degrees and minus 237 degrees Celsius.
For the Ultimate Ice attribute, any temperature below minus 150 degrees could be considered ultimate. The temperature around the Ice God Pearl was far below this value. From this perspective, the core energy inside, even if not absolute zero, was close to it.
Moreover, in Huo Yuhao's memory, the intensity of the ice attribute energy inside the Ice God Pearl was enough to serve as the core of a god-slaying soul-guided shell. Killing two Titled Douluo was nothing.
At least it was better than the original timeline where nine Titled Douluo died because of it...
Snow Empress continued, "After research by scientists, the Ice God Pearl could be used to create a 12th-grade god-slaying soul-guided shell. However, the internal energy of this divine artifact couldn't be mobilized through any soul tool or soul guide formation, so it was deemed impossible."
"But even without considering this aspect, it is undoubtedly a divine artifact. Its energy is purely ice attribute, making it the most suitable divine artifact for you."
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath upon hearing this and subconsciously wanted to take something out.
But before Huo Yuhao could act, a slender, fair hand gently pressed his wrist.
Snow Empress looked at him calmly. The smile that had been present since their reunion disappeared. She didn't use any power, but there was an inexplicable pressure.
"After such a long reunion, don't be so formal. I have no use for it. Although I don't know why you started cultivating again, whether for protection or self-improvement, the Ice God Pearl is perfectly suited for you. Take it!"
The last two words were emphasized by Snow Empress.
Huo Yuhao was forced to stop his actions. Thinking of what Snow Empress had just said, his expression became subtle.
Can't return the favor... huh? I already owe so much. If it's always like this, won't I just owe more and more?
"Yuhao, take it." Ice Empress glanced at Snow Empress, exchanged a look with her, and transmitted her voice to Huo Yuhao, "After a ten-thousand-year reunion, Xue'er is in a very good mood today. Don't make her angry."
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao hesitated no longer and stored the Ice God Pearl.
If he didn't take it, he felt like he would get beaten up, and it would be a group beatdown where he couldn't fight back... Moreover, with Snow Empress's current cultivation level, there was truly nothing among his possessions that could significantly enhance her.
He needed to find a gift she couldn't refuse.
Thinking this, Huo Yuhao communicated with the Throne of Eternity for a moment, "If I pass the trial, can I transfer the right of use?"
Eternal Lord: "..."
You want to give the Throne of Eternity as a gift?
Dream on!
On the other side, Snow Empress retracted her hand, her expression softening once more. As if remembering something, she softly said, "If you feel uneasy, how about giving me the Eternal Tower you created?"
Huo Yuhao snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head, "That was originally a last resort, a trump card to protect you."
The Eternal Tower was the last soul tool he created ten thousand years ago, a 10th-grade soul tool he left for Snow Empress as a trump card.
The materials used were mainly the Ice Extreme Divine Crystals unearthed from the Ten Thousand Year Ice Essence Cavern.
Ice Extreme Divine Crystals were the hardest and most flexible ice attribute metals. They appeared to be crystals but had the ductility of metal, making them top-tier rare metals.
Some Ice Extreme Divine Crystals possessed ice spirits, having intelligence and life, making them naturally soul-forged metals.
Ten thousand years ago, they were already first-class materials, originally intended to be crafted into Ice Extreme War God Armor, but Huo Yuhao didn't use them that way.
Ice Extreme War God Armor... as far as battle armor went, it could at most be considered three-word battle armor, and even then, it couldn't self-nurture and would automatically break upon reaching the divine level.
Rather than using it that way, it was better to preserve the Ice Extreme Divine Crystals with ice spirits for use when battle armor technology matured.
Huo Yuhao only took some Ice Extreme Divine Crystals with ice spirits and used 10th-grade soul guide formations, light necromancy, and spatial power to create the Eternal Tower and an Ice Extreme Divine Sword.
The rest of the Ice Extreme Divine Crystals were partly in his possession and partly left to Snow Empress.
Snow Empress's battle armor likely incorporated Ice Extreme Divine Crystals.
The function of the Eternal Tower... its strongest aspect was that it could activate the contingency plans he had set within the spirit contracts, preventing the Spirit Pagoda from becoming what it was originally and attacking Snow Empress.
Although once the Eternal Tower was used, exposing the flaws in the spirit contracts, the Spirit Pagoda might dissolve. But compared to the continuation of the Spirit Pagoda, Snow Empress was more important. Her safety was paramount...
Hearing Huo Yuhao's words, Snow Empress said softly, "That belongs to you. Without a proper title, it isn't mine."
Strictly speaking, the Spirit Pagoda in the Far North was the birthplace of the Spirit Pagoda, the original headquarters. The headquarters in Mingdu was established later.
The contingencies left by Huo Yuhao and Elder Yi were mostly within the Spirit Pagoda in the Far North, both to protect her and to accumulate resources...
"You just said I was being formal, but aren't you doing the same now?" Huo Yuhao smiled, "All the arrangements in the Far North are not only mine but also belong to you."
Snow Empress's eyes flickered, and the corners of her lips curled up as she changed the topic, "Speaking of arrangements, would you like to return to the Far North with me to see them?"
Huo Yuhao fell silent for a moment, then shook his head, "No, let's wait until the Promised Time comes. Seeing them now, I can't do anything."
Snow Empress nodded gently, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
"Then it's time for you to acknowledge your master, Yuhao."
One of the reasons she met Yuhao was to give him the identity of a high-ranking disciple, making it easier for him to act in the future.
The current Spirit Pagoda wasn't a one-party dictatorship. As for Di Tian's side, Snow Empress wasn't sure what he was thinking.
Huo Yuhao rashly restoring his identity might cause trouble. It was best for him to return as the first-generation Pagoda Master after reaching a certain level of strength.
Before that, she would provide cover for Huo Yuhao. After all, they did have a master-disciple relationship. She had even taught Yuhao two of the Three Ultimate Techniques of the Snow Empress, though they hadn't formally established the master-disciple title.
"..."
Huo Yuhao didn't refuse. He stood up, walked in front of Snow Empress, and bowed.
"Master, please accept this disciple's bow."
Although it was a very solemn gesture, Snow Empress found it somewhat amusing.
Huo Yuhao had started cultivating again and now looked like a child. Such a solemn gesture seemed rather odd.
However, this version of Yuhao was somewhat similar to when they first met ten thousand years ago...
A trace of nostalgia flashed in Snow Empress's eyes.
"Rise. It's just a cover, no need to be so formal. We didn't establish the title ten thousand years ago, and now I don't want to take the first-generation Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda as my disciple. I can't teach you anything now."
After saying this, Snow Empress stood up and walked in front of Huo Yuhao, pressing a finger to his forehead.
Snow Empress's finger was cold as jade. The moment it touched Huo Yuhao's forehead, an icy energy seeped into his body through his skin.
The chill wasn't biting but carried a strange warmth, like a ray of sunlight amidst the snow. Her fingertip trembled slightly, and an ice-blue light blossomed on Huo Yuhao's forehead, leaving a snowflake-shaped pattern that gradually faded into his skin.
"What I can give you is the Snow Empress's Token. When you're in danger, it will use spatial power to transmit energy and protect you."