419. I'm Being Tied?

Qian Renjue held the Snow Empress's delicate hand as they descended to the bottom of the hill.

The Ice Bear King, Xiao Bai, immediately rolled over to greet them, his round, ball-like body moving in a rather smooth and bouncy fashion.

"Mom!"

The Snow Empress frowned slightly, lifting her foot to step on the big ball, a rare expression of disdain flashing in her eyes.

"Xiao Bai, you need to lose weight! You're too fat."

"Huh?"

Xiao Bai blinked in confusion, his beady eyes squished by layers of fat showing a hint of grievance.

"But Mom, I’m a bear!"

"Didn’t you always say I was cute when I was little?"

"That… that was back then."

The Snow Empress glanced at Qian Renjue standing beside her, her face betraying a touch of guilt.

"Huh?"

Xiao Bai looked even more perplexed.

Qian Renjue also glanced at the Snow Empress with a peculiar expression, coughed lightly, and tried to explain:
"Well… bears that slim down don't really look good."

"Is that true?"

The Snow Empress turned to Qian Renjue, her gaze carrying a trace of aggrieved betrayal.

"Uh…"

Qian Renjue, unable to handle her expression, laughed awkwardly and stammered:
"I… I think so?"

"Of course it is! In a place like this, how can there be a bear without meat on its bones?"

Xiao Bai proudly patted his large belly, his eyes filled with confidence.

Meat is a bear’s courage. He had no intention of giving up his beloved fat.

"Alright, then~"

The Snow Empress lightly squeezed Qian Renjue’s hand, as if silently reprimanding him, before glaring at the ball-shaped Xiao Bai sprawled on the ground. Xiao Bai immediately fell silent.

Only the Ice Emperor noticed the subtle shift in dynamics.

She was certain it was the influence of that human. He had made her elder sister act somewhat… unfamiliar.

If her sister could offer herself up for this human, what chance did Xiao Bai—who was just a godson picked up out of boredom—have?

Qian Renjue ignored the Ice Emperor’s hostile gaze, which only made her gnash her teeth as she chewed on a piece of tofu skin.

Meanwhile, Qian Renjue curiously observed the massive Titan Snow Demon King, anticipation flickering in his eyes.

He wondered what the Titan Giant Ape deep within the Star Dou Forest looked like. If possible, perhaps he could strike a deal with them to offer sacrifices to Bibi Dong.

The Snow Empress, still holding Qian Renjue’s hand, looked gently at the Ice Emperor and softly asked:
"Bing’er, are you ready? Would you like to stay a bit longer?"

"Glrk~"

The Ice Emperor swallowed the food in her mouth, glared at Qian Renjue, and shook her head slightly.

"Sister, there's no need. Since the decision has been made, let’s get it over with. I’m not one to cower!"

"Ice Emperor, well said!"

Ah-Tai couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up.

"Well said, my foot!"

The Ice Emperor turned to Ah-Tai, her voice turning icy.

"Once I’m gone, you’ll be second in command. Go ahead and celebrate quietly."

"Uh…"

Ah-Tai scratched his head awkwardly.

To him, being second or third didn’t really matter. After all, the Snow Empress was still here.

"Huh?"

Xiao Bai, wide-eyed in shock, quickly rolled over to the Ice Emperor’s side, rubbing his chubby hands as he stared at the snacks on the ground.

"Big Sis Bing’er, are you not going to eat these?"

"Xiao Bai, are you hoping I’ll die?!"

The Ice Emperor’s face darkened with rage.

She was about to put her life on the line, and yet these guys were acting like carefree beasts.

After all these years of knowing each other, how could a pile of snacks mean more than her?!

Xiao Bai hurriedly denied it:
"Big Sis Bing’er, I didn’t mean that! I just thought they could serve as your offerings..."

"..."


Listening to the conversation among these soul beasts, Qian Renjue realized it wasn’t just the Snow Empress who had a peculiar way of thinking—these creatures were the same.

Still, he could understand. After all, soul beasts lived their own unique lives.

“Ah—!”

The Ice Emperor, furious, leapt up and punched Xiao Bai hard, ignoring his pitiful screams.

“Don’t touch my stuff! After the ritual, I’m going to eat it myself!” she roared.

Xiao Bai held his head, quickly dropping the pretense of crying out in pain, a smug look flashing in his eyes.

It didn’t hurt at all. Who says this fat isn’t great? This body is amazing.

“Still eating after the ritual?”

Ah-Tai scratched his head, unable to grasp the deeper meaning behind the Ice Emperor’s words.

The Snow Empress silently observed the scene, finding nothing wrong with their interactions.

It seemed that the soul beasts in this icy world didn’t have as many complex emotions as humans.

After dealing with Xiao Bai, the Ice Emperor swished her dark green twin tails and gracefully stepped in front of Qian Renjue.

Meeting his gaze, the hostility in her eyes gradually faded.

If this succeeded, she would have to stay by this human’s side forever. Keeping a grudge would only make things harder for herself.

Qian Renjue seemed to understand her thoughts and smiled faintly.

He and the Ice Emperor had no deep animosity, only a few brief clashes—nothing serious.

“Hmph.”

The Ice Emperor snorted softly, swishing her twin tails as she turned to look at the Snow Empress, her eyes filled with determination.

“Sister, I’m ready anytime.”

The Snow Empress gazed at the Ice Emperor, wondering if she should take her wishes more seriously.

“Bing’er, are you truly willing?”

A flicker of doubt crossed the Ice Emperor’s eyes.

“Sister, haven’t we already decided? You know me well.”

As she spoke, a resolute smile bloomed on her petite face. She was never one to leave herself a way out.

With a mischievous grin, she added, “Later, Sister, make sure Xiao Bai and Ah-Tai don’t steal any of my stuff!”

“Mm, I will,” the Snow Empress nodded seriously, then turned her frosty gaze toward the two beasts, who had already extended their paws.

Her icy expression made Xiao Bai and Ah-Tai quickly retract their hands. They wouldn’t dare provoke the Snow Empress—she didn’t play around in a fight.

The Snow Empress calmly instructed, “Ah-Tai, bring out the items.”

“Got it!”

Ah-Tai nodded and plunged his massive hand into the snow-covered ground.

Crash!

The sound of countless ice shards colliding echoed as snowflakes swirled in the air.

To Qian Renjue’s surprise, Ah-Tai pulled out a bundle of icy blue chains from beneath the frozen ground. Holding them tightly, he glared at Qian Renjue, seemingly eager to act.

This is meant for me?

Qian Renjue frowned slightly, puzzled.

The Snow Empress let go of Qian Renjue’s hand and walked toward Ah-Tai. She took hold of one end of the chains, her movements graceful.

Clink, clink!

The sound of the ice crystals clashing echoed as the Snow Empress turned and slowly approached Qian Renjue.

“Qian Renjue,” she called softly, her tone conflicted and laced with guilt.

“I must take responsibility for Bing’er.”

Hearing her words, Qian Renjue seemed to understand. He smiled and nodded.

“I’ll cooperate fully.”

“Hmph, you’re not the most annoying human,” the Ice Emperor said arrogantly, her perspective on him slightly shifted by his confidence.

Soul beasts and humans were like water and fire, fundamentally opposed. Who else would dare willingly bind themselves in front of soul beasts?

She added, explaining, “This is the Ice Prison Suppression Chain, crafted from millennia-old ice crystals.

“It’s enough to render your soul skills unusable!”