Chapter Thirty-One: Journey Across the Continent, the Far North Lands

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Dugu Yan suddenly jumped into the old man's arms, nearly knocking over the tea.

“Oh dear, Yan Yan, have you missed Grandpa?” Dugu Bo smiled as he gently patted Dugu Yan’s little head.

“Of course I’ve missed Grandpa!” Dugu Yan hugged Dugu Bo’s arm affectionately.

“Hahaha!” Dugu Bo laughed heartily.

After losing his children, he had become deeply doting on this granddaughter, determined to protect her forever—even at the cost of his own life.

“Grandpa, this is my teammate and friend, Ye Lingling!” Dugu Yan introduced her to Dugu Bo.

“Greetings, Senior Poison Douluo!” Ye Lingling stepped forward and greeted respectfully.

Dugu Bo looked at Ye Lingling and smiled, nodding. He knew she came from the Ye family, which had a Douluo titleholder, and since she was Dugu Yan’s friend, he naturally wouldn’t treat her coldly.

“Hmm! Yan Yan, your friend is truly a genius!” Dugu Bo said with surprise after sensing Ye Lingling’s soul power level.

“Of course! Lingling has the strongest aptitude in the Royal Tian Dou Academy. If it weren’t for her soul weapon being the Nine Hearts Begonia, she’d definitely be the team captain!” Dugu Yan said proudly.

Dugu Bo lightly gauged Ye Lingling’s soul power again, his expression dimming slightly, but he paid it no mind since her soul weapon lacked offensive power.

“Haha, it seems Yan Yan’s friend is a little monster with limitless potential!” Dugu Bo praised warmly.

This was a friendly compliment. After all, a genius like Ye Lingling might one day become a titled Douluo or even surpass his own soul power level. And with such a unique soul weapon as the Nine Hearts Begonia, building a good relationship would also benefit Dugu Yan’s growth.

“Senior Poison Douluo, you flatter me!” Ye Lingling replied modestly.

She had always maintained respect for titled Douluo. Though she might surpass Dugu Bo in soul power someday, in terms of combat strength, she would remain the weakest among them.

But there was no choice; her soul weapon was the Nine Hearts Begonia, possessing only healing abilities.

Thinking of this, Ye Lingling sighed helplessly. Yet every loss has its gain—her soul weapon’s healing power was unmatched.

Ling Xiao keenly noticed Ye Lingling’s momentary gloom and, after pondering, understood why. He might have been powerless before, but now he could use the advanced soul weapon energy!

“I’m not flattering you. I’ve never heard of such aptitude. Your future achievements are unimaginable!” Dugu Bo waved his hand.

“Grandpa, did you come just to see me this time?” Dugu Yan asked.

“Yes, Yan Yan, Grandpa is taking you to a wonderful place!” Dugu Bo said, gently stroking her head, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

“Yay! Grandpa, can I bring Lingling along?” Dugu Yan’s face lit up with hope.

Dugu Bo’s expression stiffened. The treasure he planned to show was best kept secret—too many knowing would invite greed.

“Yan Yan, Grandpa is taking you to a secret place as a surprise. Your friend isn’t suitable to come along!” Dugu Bo refused.

Although he didn’t know exactly what the treasures were, they were undoubtedly precious. He couldn’t risk others seeing them and harboring ill intentions.

“I see,” Dugu Yan said, looking apologetic toward Ye Lingling.

“That’s alright, Yan Yan. Since it’s a secret prepared by Senior Poison Douluo, it wouldn’t be appropriate for an outsider like me to go,” Ye Lingling said softly.

She felt no offense—everyone had secrets. With that thought, she subtly glanced at Ling Xiao, who was holding her hand.

“Yan Yan, let’s go with Grandpa now!”

Dugu Bo nodded, setting down his teacup, ready to leave with Dugu Yan.

As for Ling Xiao, he paid no mind—just a child after all.

“Alright! Goodbye, Lingling! Goodbye, Teaching Committee!” Dugu Yan bade farewell to Ye Lingling and the three committee members.

“Farewell, Senior Poison Douluo!” The three committee members bowed deeply to Dugu Bo, not daring to be careless.

All were Douluo-level fighters, and angering a titled Douluo like Dugu Bo—given his eccentric temper—could mean they’d experience the agony of poisoning.

Though it wouldn’t kill them, the pain would be excruciating.

After nodding, Dugu Bo left with Dugu Yan.

The two played a little more at the Royal Tian Dou Academy before parting ways. Ye Lingling returned to the Ye family; Ling Xiao headed toward the Spirit Hall.

Ling Xiao had stayed at the Spirit Hall for over a year, leaving behind some Life Waters. Thanks to these, the Spirit Hall’s Douluo-level fighters had significantly improved their strength—none remained below level ninety-five.

Although not specially trained, his pet Bai Ling had grown to nearly eighty thousand years old in strength, its size even surpassing a Titan Giant Ape.

This revealed to Bi Bidong and others that he had soul beast friends, including four soul beasts over one hundred thousand years old.

Yet no one coveted these beasts, and Bai Ling had long been accepted into the Spirit Hall’s care.

Afterwards, Ling Xiao chose not to remain in the Spirit Hall but to journey across the continent on foot, exploring step by step.

He returned once again to the place where Tu Rou and her companion lived, gave them some Life Waters, and then, amidst their reluctant gazes, set off into the mountains...

Over a year passed. Ling Xiao was now eight years old and had attained the Divine Rank of the Spatial God, beginning the Divine Trial. His height appeared that of a fifteen-year-old.

Now, he arrived at a snow-covered land—the first time he had ventured to this part of the Douluo Continent.

“What a peculiar place. The soul beasts here all possess ice and snow attributes, and it seems there are more powerful soul beasts than in the Star Dou Great Forest, and they are even stronger.”

Ling Xiao walked across the icy land. Despite the extreme cold, it felt no different than ordinary weather to him.

After traveling several thousand meters, he stopped and captured a two-thousand-year-old soul beast.

As he sat roasting meat on the ground, he noticed a massive white figure approaching—a soul beast far stronger than the Azure Bull Python.

He ignored it, thinking it still too weak and unattractive; otherwise, he might have considered adopting another pet.

Ignoring it didn’t mean the figure wouldn’t come closer.

Soon, a towering soul beast dozens of meters tall stood before Ling Xiao.

“Human! How dare you enter the Extreme North? Don’t you know it is forbidden territory for humans?” the white soul beast said sternly.

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“Forbidden territory for humans? Never heard of it!” Ling Xiao replied casually, simply wandering around.

Seeing Ling Xiao’s indifferent attitude, the beast’s anger erupted.

“Human, you dare treat me with such disdain? Know that I am the overlord of the Extreme North—the Titan Snow Demon King!”

The Titan Snow Demon King roared angrily and swung a massive fist, intending to kill Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao grew somewhat impatient. Before the fist even made contact, the mere gust from his punch sent the Titan Snow Demon King flying.

The Titan Snow Demon King landed hundreds of meters away, quickly getting up and staring at Ling Xiao in shock.

At that moment, two more figures appeared in the distance.

Ling Xiao’s eyes brightened. One resembled a human woman with snow-white skin and an aura of coldness, seated atop a beautiful scorpion.

Perhaps he could get a new pet after all.

“Titan Snow Demon King, what happened?” the woman asked.

“Snow Empress, Ice Emperor, beware! This human is very strong!” the Titan Snow Demon King said solemnly.

“Strong? I think you’re just weak!” the scorpion beneath the Snow Empress sneered disdainfully.

This angered the Titan Snow Demon King but he still spoke seriously, “Ice Emperor, I’m serious. He sent me flying with just a punch’s gust. We can’t underestimate him!”

“It’s because you’re weak. Watch me!” the Ice Emperor approached Ling Xiao.

“Ice Emperor’s Claw!”

The Ice Emperor’s pincers were covered in hard ice, boosting his strength and attack.

Ling Xiao shook his head and punched out, shattering the ice blocks on the Ice Emperor’s claws.

The Ice Emperor was sent flying hundreds of meters away. The Snow Empress lightly landed on the ground, her eyes filled with gravity.

“Little scorpion, you’re quite beautiful. Want to be my pet? I won’t treat you badly!” Ling Xiao stood up and said.

The Ice Emperor, still stunned by Ling Xiao’s strength, heard this and immediately exploded in rage.

“Human, how dare you be so presumptuous! You call to make me your pet? If you have the guts, fight me to submit!” the Ice Emperor roared and charged at Ling Xiao.

“Ice Emperor’s Wrath!”

The Ice Emperor’s entire body glowed with a faint green light as he generated a hundred-meter ice pillar.

“Spatial Imprisonment!”

Ling Xiao waved his hand. The Ice Emperor and the ice pillar froze in place.

Ling Xiao stepped forward and lightly tapped the Ice Emperor’s body. The spatial imprisonment was lifted, and the Ice Emperor was slammed into the ice layer.

“How about now? Submit?” Ling Xiao asked.

“Never!” the Ice Emperor roared.

“Perpetual Ice Seal!”

Ice rain poured from the sky, attempting to freeze everything around.

Ling Xiao watched the ice rain, and the Origin Flame appeared beside him. All the ice rain and a large icy field were instantly vaporized.

“What? The Ice Emperor is so easily suppressed?” The Snow Empress’s face grew serious.

At that moment, the Titan Snow Demon King seized the opportunity to attack, but Ling Xiao had already noticed. A black chain shot out and struck the beast.

The Titan Snow Demon King was sent flying a thousand meters, spitting blood, and fainted upon hitting the ground.

The Snow Empress’s expression grew grave. “Ice Emperor, retreat. You’re no match for him!”

“Snow Empress, I haven’t given my all!” the Ice Emperor struggled on the ground.

Seeing the Ice Emperor’s condition, the Snow Empress quickly moved to his side and took him away, distancing them from Ling Xiao.

“Hey, you promised if I could beat her, she’d be my pet. You’re breaking your word!” Ling Xiao said to the wary Snow Empress.

“Human, we have no intention of being your enemies. Let us part ways here,” the Snow Empress said solemnly.

“Snow Empress, what are you doing? Do you think we fear a human?” the Ice Emperor complained.

“No, I just fancy that scorpion!” Ling Xiao said. That scorpion would be a perfect companion for Bai Ling.

“Then I must offend you. I won’t let you take the Ice Emperor!” the Snow Empress said, icy light flashing in her eyes as snow swirled around her.

“You’re a soul beast but look almost human—very special and interesting!” Ling Xiao said, intrigued as he looked at the Snow Empress.

“Emperor Han Tian · Snow Dance Radiance!”

Centered on the Snow Empress, a domain spanning thousands of meters transformed into her realm.

“Emperor Palm · Great Heavenly Flame Dance!”

Seeing this move, Ling Xiao pondered and struck a palm, unleashing a vast fiery imprint covering ten miles. It shattered her domain and ripped apart space for hundreds of miles, turning it into dark void.

“What? Impossible!” The Ice Emperor couldn’t believe the Snow Empress, whom she considered overwhelmingly powerful, could even be harmed by this human.

The Snow Empress was shocked but gritted her teeth and unleashed another attack toward Ling Xiao.

“Emperor Palm · Great Cold Snowless!”

Ling Xiao responded in kind, black flames erupting around him.

“Emperor Flame · Black Flame Dragon!”

The black flames coalesced into a dragon several dozen meters long. Its terrifying heat melted the ice beneath, even burning space into void.

The Black Flame Dragon pierced through the giant palm, evaporating it instantly. The Snow Empress was defeated on the second strike.

Exhausted after two full-power moves, the Snow Empress’s body began to fracture.

“Emperor Sword · Ice Extreme Peerless!”

She gathered the surrounding cold air into a giant sword, but the cost was her body suffering damage.

“Emperor Sword · Sword Rain!”

Countless golden sword shadows appeared around Ling Xiao, stabbing toward the Snow Empress, shattering her giant sword.

“I’ve lost!” the Snow Empress admitted, collapsing.

“Snow Empress!” The Ice Emperor transformed into a petite figure and ran toward her.

At this moment, Ling Xiao approached them.

“Human, I will never submit! If you want to kill, then kill!” the Ice Emperor said.

“I won’t kill you. In fact, I’m interested in both of you now!” Ling Xiao took out two bottles of Life Water and looked at them with interest—one a beautiful scorpion, the other a soul beast resembling a human.

“What? Human, you’re truly a pervert!” The Ice Emperor stared incredulously.

She hadn’t expected a human to be interested in soul beasts, though it made sense—the Snow Empress was essentially a snow woman, very close to human.

“How am I a pervert?” Ling Xiao said, handing the Life Water to the two.

“Drink this—it will do you good!”

He also poured a bottle of Life Water over the unconscious Titan Snow Demon King lying nearby.

“I don’t believe it—it must be your trick!” the Ice Emperor said.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao was unrestrained. He bound her with chains and forced open her mouth, pouring the Life Water inside.

The Snow Empress was too weak to resist, so he treated her the same way. Though rough, it worked well. Within a dozen breaths, both had recovered.

The Titan Snow Demon King also awoke but kept his distance from Ling Xiao.

“This…”

The Ice Emperor felt her strength not only restored but increased—she couldn’t believe it.

The Snow Empress felt the same. She couldn’t understand why this human did this.

“So? Feeling better? Want to be my pet? Even better benefits await!” Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow.

The Ice Emperor’s expression darkened. “Human, don’t even think about it. Absolutely impossible!”

“Is that so?” Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes.

Seeing this, the Ice Emperor grew fearful but still insisted, “As overlords of the Extreme North, we will never submit to humans!”

With a thought, black chains bound the Ice Emperor.

Ling Xiao sat down, rotating her direction with the chains.

The Ice Emperor panicked. “Human, what are you doing? I warn you, don’t act recklessly!”

Bang!

A loud crash echoed. Silence fell, as if even the wind and snow had ceased.

The next moment, a furious voice thundered.

“Ah! Human, how dare you! I will never forgive you!”

Ling Xiao paid no mind to the threats, confident she was no match for him.

After sealing her mouth with chains, he continued his rough treatment. At the Spirit Hall, if Bai Ling misbehaved, he would spank her.

The Snow Empress was stunned. She never expected Ling Xiao to behave so.

She intended to stop him, but Ling Xiao’s gaze saw through her thoughts, and she too was bound by chains.

On the snowy plain, the howling wind and clamor lasted half an hour before finally ceasing.

Now, both the Ice Emperor and Snow Empress lay quietly on the ground, their eyes devoid of light, tear stains on their faces.

Ling Xiao shook his hand, produced two bottles of Life Water from space, and flipped them over.

At the moment the water touched their bodies, both gasped sharply in pain.

He pried open their mouths and poured the Life Water inside. Soon, their wounds began healing again.

“So? Want to be my pets?” Ling Xiao smiled again.

To them, Ling Xiao now seemed more terrifying than a demon.

Yet they truly did not want to be pets. After thinking, the Snow Empress tentatively said, “Can we not be pets? How about friends?”

“Hmm!” Ling Xiao considered it. He already had the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape as soul beast friends. A few more wouldn’t hurt.

As for whether they were pets or friends, it didn’t matter—he had his eyes on these two. If they could stay by his side, friends would do just fine.