Chapter 14: Convincing the Ice Emperor
After entering the cave, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm released the golden cocoon that enveloped the Ice Emperor.
Although the Ice Emperor's mental and soul powers were firmly suppressed, the cocoon still trembled.
Clearly, as a soul beast of nearly 400,000 years of age, her physical strength should not be underestimated.
"Bingbing, stop struggling. You can't break the cage made from my millions of years of legacy and nearly all of my mental power," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm said, his expression mean. Given that he was still in the form of an ice silkworm, it made him seem rather strange as he kept throwing out taunts. After confirming the situation was safe, he didn't rush into negotiations with the Ice Emperor.
Lin Qinghan watched the scene from the side, his mouth twitching slightly. Tianmeng Ice Silkworm really wasn't considering the future at all.
If the negotiation succeeded, Tianmeng would be in his spiritual sea with the Ice Emperor. It didn't look like Tianmeng would have an easy time in the future, let alone pursue the Ice Emperor.
"Tianmeng, please restrain yourself. If you keep this up, Bingdi will probably fight to the death." Seeing Bingdi struggle more and more intensely, Lin Qinghan hurriedly advised.
"Okay, Bingbing, let's stop playing around and get down to business," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm said, reluctantly ending his playful moment at Lin Qinghan's reminder.
"Playing around?! What do you think of me, Tianmeng? What do you want to do?" The Ice Emperor's voice became more hysterical, and it was clear she was genuinely angry.
"Bingbing, calm down. I was wrong earlier. I came to save you."
Seeing Bingdi genuinely angry, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm hurriedly clarified, though he only mentioned the good part of the plan, not what he wanted her to give in return.
"You? You're just a useless being who can only sleep, and you want to save me? Tianmeng, you dare not even come to see me in your true body, only as a spirit and in a human form. After tens of thousands of years, you've only gotten more cowardly," the Ice Emperor spat with disdain.
"It's not that I don't want to see you in my true body, but I don't have a true body. My primary form now is a corpse," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm explained with a wry smile.
His life over the past tens of thousands of years hadn't been easy. Though he was the soul beast with the highest cultivation in Douluo Continent, most of his time had been spent either being hunted or on the run. The ten thousand years trapped in the Star Dou Great Forest, especially the time spent near the core circle, had been unbearable.
However, when Tianmeng Ice Silkworm spoke about Lin Qinghan, his tone filled with pride. He had finally made it. Lin Qinghan's talent was extraordinary, and following him seemed to promise a bright future.
"You actually became the spirit ring of a weak human? Tianmeng, as a million-year-old soul beast, you're so foolish. You're bringing shame to the soul beasts of the Far North," the Ice Emperor continued, her tone full of regret. Her words, however, made Lin Qinghan frown. Why was she attacking him?
"No, Bingbing. Becoming a human spirit ring is the best choice for gaining eternal life. You must've felt it too. Ten thousand years ago, at least five humans became gods," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm said, deliberately leaving out certain key details.
"Keep talking! How do you gain eternal life?" Bingdi's interest was piqued. After all, her next heavenly tribulation was less than fifteen years away. Her race was highly talented, but the tribulations were equally terrifying. The last tribulation had only been survived with Xuedi's help. Now that Xuedi was missing, it was almost certain she wouldn't survive the next one.
"Bingbing, you must know that humans are the most talented species on Douluo Continent. Even a human with average talent can cultivate the power that soul beasts only obtain after thousands or tens of thousands of years, in just a few decades."
"On the other hand, even the most gifted soul beasts take tens of thousands of years to grow strong, and they have to face terrifying heavenly tribulations."
"Get to the point!" Bingdi was getting impatient. She already knew all of this common knowledge.
"Ahem, in short, my plan is to create a god, become part of that god, and enjoy eternal life with him."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm looked a little excited as he pulled Lin Qinghan forward.
"Create a god... him?" Bingdi looked at Lin Qinghan, whose aura seemed like that of an ant to her. Her thoughts were complicated.
In the end, the most likely hope for soul beasts to gain immortality was to rely on humans. Soul beasts couldn't become gods, even if they practiced for millions of years. It was terribly unfair.
"Bingbing, join us. Lin Qinghan's talent is unprecedented. Even those who became gods ten thousand years ago couldn't compare to him. Join us," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm urged.
He had said everything he needed to say. If Bingdi refused, he would turn her into Lin Qinghan's soul ring and soul bone. As much as he liked her, when compared to the hope of immortality, the latter would be the obvious choice.
"If I want to live, I have no other choice. But, Tianmeng, you must swear to Bing Shen that I will become a wisdom soul ring like you, or I won't let you get away with it—even if I have to self-destruct," Bingdi said, her voice laced with both resignation and determination.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's eyes gleamed with joy. This was the best outcome he could have hoped for. However, his expression soon became serious.
"Bing Shen, if I, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, don't allow Bingdi to become a wisdom spirit ring, I'm willing to be deprived of everything that belongs to Bing!"
"What should I do?" Bingdi asked, her tone softening.
"Don't worry. You're a real spirit beast close to 400,000 years old. Your power is too great for Lin Qinghan to handle right now. We need to figure out how to absorb it. You should release a spirit body first. I can't see you right now."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm released the suppression of Bingdi's spirit power. His tone became lazy again, with a bit of frivolity.
Bingdi, feeling the mental suppression disappear, couldn't stand being confined anymore. She released a spirit body and transferred her consciousness out.
"Humph, you dare to attack me when you can't even bear my strength," she sneered.
A green light emerged from the golden cocoon, transforming into a human girl about 1.5 meters tall.
(End of Chapter)