"Human, what are you trying to do?"
The Ice Emperor spoke cautiously. That divine pressure—it had only felt it once ten thousand years ago, but that feeling was something it would never forget for the rest of its life.
"Ice Emperor, there's no need to be so tense. I'm here today to discuss something important with you."
Jiang Jue gestured for the Ice Emperor to relax, giving it a slight smile to show that he meant no harm.
Yet, the Ice Emperor took another step back.
Jiang Jue's mouth twitched—did he really look that much like a villain?
Since pretending wasn't working, he decided to get straight to the point.
"Ice Emperor, what do you think of me?"
"Hmm?"
The Ice Emperor was momentarily stunned, its yellow eyes clearly showing a trace of confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what do you think of my talent?"
Jiang Jue's aura suddenly erupted as he summoned the Soul Refining Banner. A surge of gray energy swept outward, enveloping his entire body.
When he opened his eyes again, a majestic air surrounded him. The eerie energy of the Necromancer Plane surged around him, making him look even more mysterious and imposing.
Then—
Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black!
Four soul rings appeared in succession. And when the fourth soul ring—a deep, ink-black ring with two crimson patterns—manifested, a strange ripple spread through the surroundings.
That's right, Jiang Jue's fourth soul ring came from a 21,000-year-old soul beast.
As for the mental shock that most Soul Masters feared when absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring? To Jiang Jue, it was nothing more than a ripple in a pond.
After all, he didn't even spare the souls of soul beasts—why would he fear something as minor as a soul ring's backlash?
"And so what?"
The Ice Emperor still looked puzzled.
Indeed, this human's talent was exceptional. It could tell that the boy in front of it was only twelve years old, yet his soul power and soul rings were astonishing. But what did that have to do with it?
"I admit, you humans are the most naturally gifted race. Some of you can reach the level of a soul beast's ten-thousand-year cultivation in just a few decades, or even surpass it. But what does that have to do with me?"
Hearing the Ice Emperor's words, Jiang Jue knew it was beginning to take the bait, so he pressed forward.
"Ice Emperor, do you think you'll be able to survive your upcoming fourth Heavenly Tribulation?"
The Ice Emperor fell silent.
After a few seconds, its deep voice finally sounded again.
"I won't survive it."
"But what does that have to do with you?"
Jiang Jue's eyes gleamed as he spoke in a tempting tone.
"Ice Emperor, do you want to live forever?"
"Eternal life?"
The Ice Emperor hesitated. A trace of longing flashed across its gaze.
What had it been pursuing all its life?
Wasn't it immortality?
"Human, continue speaking."
Jiang Jue cleared his throat and explained,
"Look at them—Snow Emperor, Evil Monarch, Di Tian. No matter how strong they are, they are still just beasts. They will never be able to cross that threshold."
"That threshold…"
The Ice Emperor murmured. It knew exactly what Jiang Jue was referring to.
But before it could dwell on the thought, Jiang Jue continued,
"This isn't a matter of talent—it's because 'they' won't allow it. If you truly wish to live forever, perhaps you should try a different approach..."
"A different approach… Human, you came to me because there's something you want from me, right? Just say it openly."
The Ice Emperor was no fool. It had already sensed that Jiang Jue had a plan.
After all, ever since the Dragon God lost the war against the Divine Realm, soul beasts had found it nearly impossible to ascend to godhood.
It wasn't about talent or cultivation—it was because the Divine Realm forbade it.
And now, standing beside Jiang Jue was a true god. That alone made the Ice Emperor believe his words a little more.
"Alright!"
"Since you're willing to listen, I won't hide anything."
Jiang Jue smiled.
"Ice Emperor, I want you to sacrifice yourself to me and become my soul ring. Then, you can assist me in my cultivation. Once I become a god, I will help you ascend as well."
"Human, do you take me for a fool?!"
The Ice Emperor's expression changed instantly, its voice filled with fury.
If it truly sacrificed itself to Jiang Jue, its consciousness and spirit origin would suffer irreversible damage.
And what guarantee did it have that Jiang Jue would keep his promise? Once it became his soul ring, its fate would be completely out of its own hands.
Jiang Jue had already anticipated this reaction.
In the original story, Ice Emperor had only agreed because Tianmeng Iceworm had prepared a massive spiritual reservoir that allowed it to become a Wisdom Soul Ring, preserving its consciousness and spirit.
Jiang Jue didn't have Tianmeng's preparation—but he had the Soul Refining Banner!
That alone was enough to protect the Ice Emperor's soul.
"Ahem. Ice Emperor, take a look at this banner. It's big, it's beautiful."
"Doesn't it look like your new home…?"
The Ice Emperor fell into silence.
Jiang Jue's Soul Refining Banner was still billowing with dark smoke.
Could it really trust this human?
"Human, do you think I'm an idiot?"
"Yes… No! I mean—I'm not! I didn't!"
Jiang Jue immediately denied it, speaking with unwavering conviction.
"Ice Emperor, this truly can preserve your consciousness."
"Xiao Hu, come out and show yourself."
With a slight shake of the Soul Refining Banner, the Ice Jade Battle Tiger suddenly appeared before the Ice Emperor.
"Awoo?"
The Ice Jade Battle Tiger let out a cry, assuming it was being summoned for a fight. It was ready and eager—
But when it turned and saw the Ice Emperor, its legs immediately gave out, nearly fainting on the spot.
"Does Master want me to fight the Ice Emperor? Won't that be the end of me?!"
Jiang Jue massaged his forehead.
He hadn't expected the Ice Jade Battle Tiger to be this much of a coward. If Nangong Wan hadn't been sent away on a mission, he wouldn't have had to bring out this fool to embarrass himself.
However, the Ice Emperor's yellow gemstone-like eyes lit up.
It could see that this tiger, despite being a ten-thousand-year soul beast, still retained its complete soul.
"Human, you cannot deceive me."
The Ice Emperor spoke slowly.
It was clear that it was already considering Jiang Jue's proposal.
After all, it was already in Jiang Jue's hands. If it refused, the outcome wouldn't be good. And more importantly—it desperately wanted to leave this cursed Necromancer World!
"Rest assured, Ice Emperor. I'll let you be my Primary Soul."
Jiang Jue reassured it in a soft tone.
"Very well! I'll go crazy with you just this once!"
The Ice Emperor raised its twin pincers solemnly.
"I swear upon the Ice God—I shall become Jiang Jue's soul ring. If I betray this vow, may I be stripped of everything!"
Jiang Jue smirked inwardly.
"It's settled!"
For soul beasts, faith was often even stronger than a human's.
"Ahem, Ice Emperor, I swear upon the Sea God and the Asura God that I will never deceive you. If I do, may both divine thrones collapse instantly!"
Hearing this, the Ice Emperor's expression changed.
It deeply revered the Ice God. To it, the Ice God was sacred and untouchable. It would rather die than allow harm to come to its deity.
Seeing how serious Jiang Jue was about his oath, the Ice Emperor couldn't help but trust him a little more.
"Welcome to the Soul Refining Banner family! Soon, this place will be filled with kind, caring companions!"
Jiang Jue grinned, his eyes flashing with excitement.
With this done, all that was left was the Extreme North.
"I hope Elder Zhang and Nangong Wan don't disappoint me."
"Bring the Snow Emperor's embryo back safely."
Jiang Jue glanced at the Ice Emperor and thought to himself.
(End of Chapter)