Douluo Continent: I possess astonishing wisdom as I control energy!

Instead, there was a girl floating in mid-air, wearing an ice-blue dress.

She was tall and slender, the clean lines of her skirt accentuating her elegant curves. Her long, snow-white hair cascaded down to her waist, the ends moving naturally even without wind, revealing her cool and indifferent face.

—The leader of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Far North, the Ice and Snow Maiden, the Snow Empress.

Kong Ming'an stared blankly, a faint blue light gleaming in his eyes, and unconsciously murmured softly.

"What a nice view."

Don't get me wrong, he wasn't lustful at first sight; he simply saw something different.

From his unique perspective on "energy," the Snow Emperor's very existence is an ultimate perfection in terms of energy structure.

The Snow Empress was born from the purest ice-attribute elemental energy of the far north, a being truly born of nature and nurtured by the earth.

Every energy node and every flow of energy in her body conforms to some fundamental principle of the universe, making her a perfect creation of nature.

This is a kind of "beauty" that transcends worldly aesthetics and reaches the source.

Kong Ming'an admitted that he was tempted.

I was so excited that I even had an uncontrollable urge to "dissect" a humanoid creature for the first time. Damn it, why am I losing control?

The Snow Empress slowly awoke, a hint of confusion flashing in her icy blue eyes, before she immediately sensed the presence of the human beside her.

The daze turned into vigilance; almost instinctively, the Snow Empress circulated her icy soul power, subconsciously wanting to destroy everything around her.

But just before her terrifying icy power was about to erupt, two incredibly powerful auras locked onto her!

One aura was filled with deathly stillness and holiness, while the other was a pure, scorching pressure of blood and energy, like a furnace.

Either of these two auras would have required serious attention from her even at her peak, but now that she was not at her peak and was being targeted by both simultaneously, she felt a direct and fatal threat!

She forcibly suppressed her instinct to attack, her icy blue eyes scanning the entire scene before finally settling on Kong Ming'an, who appeared to be the "weakest" but stood in the main seat.

She could sense that the two terrifying auras were entirely focused on the human boy, firmly protecting him in the middle.

"Human. Where is this place? And who are you?" Her voice was clear and ethereal, like the clash of ice shards, carrying an innate majesty and aloofness.

Kong Ming'an withdrew his analytical gaze and regained his usual composure:

"This is my laboratory. As for me, you can call me Kong Ming'an. Snow Empress, welcome back. Although the occasion may not be to your liking, I am actually sincere."

"Sincerity?"

Xue Di's eyes turned slightly cold as she glanced at the two figures behind Kong Ming'an before her gaze returned to Kong Ming'an: "Your so-called sincerity is imprisonment?"

"It's not imprisonment; in fact, I'm rescuing you."

"Rescue? Hmph."

The Snow Empress's gaze grew even colder. She had been sealed away by humans during her transformation, and remained trapped in that dark, sunless seal for an unknown period of time.

After all that, how could she possibly believe the words of the person in front of her? The only reason she didn't attack directly was because of the threat posed by the two powerful figures behind Kong Ming'an.

“I know your past, and I know you can’t trust humans for now, but,” Kong Ming’an said calmly, with a gentle smile, “we might be able to make a deal.”

"trade?"

Snow Empress frowned slightly, her tone still icy, "There isn't a single good human being!"

That's a personal attack.

Kong Ming'an had long anticipated Xue Di's reaction, but he still made a mental note of Xue Di's actions, deciding to retaliate in the future.

Hmm. Kong Ming'an can be quite petty at times.

Unhurriedly, Kong Ming'an slowly spoke, "I have a way to help you safely pass through the next 700,000-year tribulation. Hmm, I also have a way to help the Ice Emperor with his 400,000-year tribulation."

A slight ripple appeared in Xue Di's icy blue eyes, and a hint of emotion flickered across her usually calm face.

"Do you know what you're saying?" Her voice was still cold, but her tone was no longer as absolute as before.

"nature."

A knowing smile, like a fish taken the bait, appeared on Kong Ming'an's lips. His ink-black eyes met those icy blue eyes, and he casually tossed out the chips he held in his hand.

"In fact, I can give you more than you can imagine."

"Aside from your tribulation, the Ice Emperor's tribulation, and even more, I can promise to protect the entire far north, sparing it from the scourge of excessive human encroachment."

"This is something you alone might not be able to do, even if you survive the Heavenly Tribulation, right?"

The Snow Empress frowned. If this human boy before her possessed a way to resolve her tribulation and the Ice Empress's tribulation, she could barely believe him.

After all, with two powerful figures standing behind her who could make her feel threatened, it wasn't impossible for them to possess a method to deal with the heavenly tribulation.

Can this human boy offer shelter to the far north? What makes him so special?

Just as Xue Di was about to speak, she saw Kong Ming'an slowly raise his hand, revealing the dark purple triangular mark on his palm.

In an instant, a wisp of divine power containing an aura of destruction flashed and disappeared within the mark.

Is this some kind of divine test?!

Chapter 41 Snow Empress: I am willing to give up everything I have

Xue Di's originally resolute attitude almost completely collapsed at this moment.

There was no way around it; she was absolutely certain that the aura she had just felt was the divine test, and a divine test that was already bound to her!

This proves that the boy in front of her is a divine successor who has been recognized by the gods and is almost certain to become a god in the future!

Xue Di's expression suddenly became complicated. If it were the current situation, and considering what the boy had just said...

The solution to the heavenly tribulation, the promise to protect the far north. Without a doubt, the young man standing before her was probably not just boasting, but truly had a solution.

Xue Di pursed her lips slightly, a hint of struggle flashing across her exquisite and beautiful face. She opened her mouth, as if to agree to Kong Ming'an's so-called deal.

But thinking about her attitude just now, he just couldn't bring himself to say it.

One second she was disdainful, the next she was solemn—such fickleness made even her own eyes look ugly. But if it could protect the far north and Bing'er...

Xue Di's thoughts shifted, and her resolve wavered. Just as she was about to speak, Kong Ming'an abruptly changed the subject, shrugging his shoulders.

"Alright, I've already put out all my chips. Now, let me see yours."

"..."

Xue Di, who wanted to speak, was speechless again.

My chips?

Yes, this is a transaction, but what does she have? Or rather, what can she give the other party?

Rare and precious materials, things used to enhance strength? There are some in the far north, but would the other side really be interested in them?

Should she choose to help the other party and become an ally on their path to godhood? But with two powerful figures beside them, does the other party truly need her as an ally?

Moreover, she is a soul beast and is currently the other party's prisoner. According to the normal soul master's thinking, killing her and obtaining the soul ring and soul bone would be the most correct choice, right?

A hint of melancholy flashed in Xue Di's eyes.

The thing she desperately wanted was right in front of her, but she had no means to buy it.

A silence fell over the room, but a faint smile flickered in Kong Ming'an's eyes. Feigning confusion, he asked, "What, you don't have any chips?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed in Xue Di's eyes. Her previous indifference vanished, and she awkwardly looked away, her voice softening.

".Um."

"But you're satisfied with my offer, and you want it all?"

Xue Di pursed her lips and nodded again, "...Mm."

“Then I have an idea.” Kong Ming’an smiled. “Perhaps we can complete part of the transaction.”

"Partial transaction?" Xue Di asked, somewhat puzzled.

“It’s very simple,” Kong Ming’an explained. “Until I successfully inherit the divine position, you can stay by my side temporarily.”

"On the one hand, they act as my protectors to ensure my safety; on the other hand, they cooperate with my observations and assist me in my research."

"These are your chips. I will place my chips on the other side of the scale, which means you can ask me for one thing."

"For example, resolving your tribulation, or the Ice Emperor's tribulation, or the promise to protect the far north in the future. Anything is possible, as long as it is within my power."

"Of course, the value of a promise to protect the far north will exceed your bargaining chips, so I will charge you some additional things on top of your base bargaining chips, such as your ultimate ice and snow soul power sample, blood, hair, body tissue, etc. I will charge you some every now and then to offset the value."

"The above is what you call a partial transaction. I wonder what the Snow Empress thinks?"

Xue Di fell into a slight silence, pondering Kong Ming'an's words.

To be honest, the suggestion from the boy in front of her didn't seem unreasonable; in fact, to some extent, it preserved a great deal of her autonomy and dignity.

Protecting and researching samples is far better than becoming a spirit ring or spirit bone. Moreover, the promise of a future god is invaluable, not to mention she has the choice.

But how should she choose? She didn't care whether she lived or died, but she couldn't bear to leave the far north and the Ice Empire.

When Hyotei was undergoing the 300,000-year Heavenly Tribulation, she was injured in her origin, and she will definitely not be able to pass the 400,000-year Heavenly Tribulation. Meanwhile, the opponent's Heavenly Tribulation will definitely arrive within a hundred years. At that time, Hyotei will most likely die from the Heavenly Tribulation. Therefore, finding a way to break the Heavenly Tribulation is urgent.

However, if a deity with an infinite lifespan promises to protect the far north, the far north may usher in lasting peace.

Xue Di fell completely silent.

Behind Kong Ming'an, two super old men were quietly observing, but they couldn't help but glance at each other. At this moment, the two knowledgeable and powerful men revealed an indescribable expression on their faces.

"Mr. Kong is a very good teacher."

Electrolux couldn't help but sigh,

He had always felt that Kong Ming'an had a special talent for this research, after all, Kong Ming'an's various ingenious ideas always managed to enlighten him at certain times.

But given Kong Ming'an's eloquence, he certainly couldn't have done something like that.

Kong Deming's lips twitched slightly, his tone complex.

"I didn't teach him these things; it's purely because the kid is quick to learn."

He hadn't actually finished speaking.

He managed to get something for nothing and still make the other person feel like they'd made a huge profit. Judging by his grandson's skill in conning people, and considering how young he was, he was incredibly adept at it.

His intuition told him that he probably didn't need to worry about the Kong family bloodline, but perhaps he should be concerned about the safety of his grandson.

Kong Deming shook his head and sighed, having already made up his mind.

Hmm. Go back and get a few more level nine defensive soul tools for this kid to carry, so he doesn't get killed one day.

Time passes slowly.

Before Kong Ming'an, the Snow Empress pondered for a long time, her icy blue eyes flashing. Finally, she raised her head and looked at Kong Ming'an.

"Human. I'm willing to make a deal."

Her voice remained cool, but it had lost some of its aloofness and gained more sincerity. After a slight pause, she continued, only this time with a hint of difficulty in her voice.

“But beyond the promise of sheltering the far north, I want more.”

"More?"

Kong Ming'an frowned slightly. Unlike his old man, Deng, a political creature who had spent years in the management of Sun and Moon, he held a rigid belief that "verbal promises are just empty words."

Kong Ming'an's promises are not empty words. If the Snow Emperor agrees to the deal, he will begin to protect the far north in the future, or even now. This is not just empty talk.

Comparatively speaking, Xue Di's efforts were worthwhile, even profitable, as they demonstrated his sincerity.

More?

He's not a sucker; he doesn't do transactions without any bottom line rather than on equal footing.

What do you want? And what else can you offer in return?

Kong Ming'an's tone was slightly serious; he has always been rigorous when it comes to "fair trade."

Xue Di seemed to sense Kong Ming'an's seriousness, and an inexplicable pressure fell upon her, but she still did not give up.

Her icy blue eyes flickered slightly as Xue Di looked directly into Kong Ming'an's eyes, her tone earnest yet tinged with trepidation.

"I want to help Hyotei survive the 400,000-year tribulation, as for the price..."

Xue Di took a deep breath, gently raised one hand and placed it on her chest, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"I am willing to give up everything I have, whether it be my body, soul, strength, or anything else. Everything I have is my bargaining chip."