Chapter 198: Semi-Finals

"Damn them, damn them, damn them!"

In the small world enveloped completely in Ice and Snow, Snow Empress's voice echoed fiercely within the frozen expanse, her fist crashing into a massive block of ice, shattering it into shards that scattered across the cold, barren ground.

The icy winds whipped around her, but her rage burned hotter than the frigid surroundings.

Her usually composed and regal demeanor was gone, replaced with seething frustration. The pristine ice and snow around her seemed to tremble in response to her fury.

"That, that.... bastard! And to think I proclaimed myself as their follower!" Snow Empress muttered, her crystal blue eyes flashing with anger. "Possessing my body and then trying to take over the boy....he would have had Ice, Skydream and I as their slaves! Unforgivable!"

Snow Empress was a loner, although she has her own tribe back in the Extreme North, she never bonded much with any of her kin. Instead, she became friends with Ice Empress, and now that added Skydream considering his... relationship with Ice Empress.

To Snow Empress, who didn't have a family, she considers Ice Empress, plus Skydream, her closest and only family. She would do anything in order to protect them.

In her long life, she had learned to trust only a few, and even fewer earned her loyalty. Ice Empress had always been the exception, a fellow ruler of the Extreme North whose strength and wisdom rivaled her own. And now, Skydream, despite his somewhat irritating personality, had become part of that small, close-knit circle—more so due to his bond with Ice Empress.

And though she hates to admit it, but the boy was also starting to grow on her.

Lastly, she doesn't bow to anyone! She had been the ruler of the Extreme North for almost her entire life, she was one of the few beings in the continent that some would be called invincible and and she had never needed anyone's approval or authority over her. Snow Empress prided herself on her independence, her strength, and her unyielding will.

To bow before someone—especially a fallen god trying to reclaim its lost power—was unthinkable.

"Don't beat yourself so hard, Snow Empress."

Snow Empress frowned and turned to find Huo Yuhao standing nearby, his calm gaze meeting hers. Unsurprisingly, his appearance mirrored his physical one; long white hair, dull blue eyes and missing his left arm—the consequences of defying the Ice God.

Snow Empress snorted and sweep her hand, effortlessly turning the large ice block into an ice throne.

"What are you doing here, Huo Yuhao?" She calmly asked, as she sat upon her throne regally.

Huo Yuhao approached slowly, his expression neither confrontational nor overbearing, but sincere. "I could sense your frustration from the outside. You've been through a lot recently, and I just wanted to check on you."

Snow Empress scoffed, turning away to face the icy expanse of her domain—no, her temporary cage. "I don't need your concern, boy. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself."

She glanced at him, "I should be the one asking you about your condition, not the other way around," her voice sharp but laced with a hint of concern. Her eyes briefly lingered on Huo Yuhao's missing left arm, the result of his defiance against the Ice God's influence.

Whatever trick the Ice God left behind for Huo Yuhao, it had gone further than just physical harm—it had etched itself into his very soul, ensuring that the wound would be forever seared into his existence.

The divine energy it left behind was not something that could simply be healed or regenerated; it was a lasting scar, a reminder of his defiance, and a curse that bound itself to his spirit.

Huo Yuhao chuckled softly, "You might be right about that," he admitted, looking down at the spot where his left arm used to be, a sneer on his lips. "If I didn't know any better, I would've thought that the God we encountered was the God of Pettiness."

"Hmph. I'm pretty sure all Gods are petty, after all, why would they sympathize with mortals?"

"But, aren't there Gods who were once mortals themselves? I mean, what about the original Shrek Seven Monsters?" Huo Yuhao asked, confused.

Snow Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, she opened her mouth to say something that was in her mind...but decided not to.

Huo Yuhao noticed her hesitation and asked, "What's wrong? Is something on my face? Crap, did that bastard mess up my good looks?" he let out a sigh, running his hand through his white hair.

"Shameless." Snow Empress rolled her eyes, with a twinkle in her eyes, she outstretched her fingers and cupped Huo Yuhao's chin. "Hmm. Although, with your current appearance, anyone would mistake you as my kin....or a Snow Lady if you were to put up a bit of makeup."

She smirked, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Well? Do you wish to experience the life of a Snow Lady?"

Huo Yuhao gulped, staring at her deep blue icy eyes made him feel as though he was some prey. He shook his head and abruptly stepped back, a bead of cold sweat dripped down his cheek. "No thanks, I prefer being the way I am."

"Your loss." Snow Empress shrugged.

Huo Yuhao frowned, looking a bit hesitant before letting out a huff of air.

"....Snow Empress, do you notice anything off about my missing forearm?" He asked, and further added. "Not just the curse the Ice God put on me, of course. Because I don't know why but I feel like—"

Snow Empress's expression darkened at his words. "You've been branded," she said, her voice cold and serious, "that marks you as an enemy to all ice-type soul beasts who possess even a trace of the Ice God's blood. It is not just a wound, Huo Yuhao."

"It's a message—a declaration from the Ice God, ensuring that no ice-type creature will ever see you as anything but a threat, well, with the exception of Ice Empress and I, and Skydream who doesn't possess the Ice God's bloodline so he's fine."

Huo Yuhao's eyes widened slightly, though he had suspected something like this, hearing it confirmed was unsettling. "A brand...? That explains the strange aura I've been feeling."

Snow Empress nodded, her face hard and unyielding. "Yes, it's no simple curse. Even at my peak state, I wouldn't been able to erase it. Although... Skydream and Electrolux might be able to? They have touched the boundary of divinity, and the curse placed on you was from a fallen God."

Huo Yuhao hummed in understanding and communicated with the true, asking them.

"I could try, but that would mean breaking all of my seals...which would lead to your body imploding." Skydream replied.

"I've been analyzing it for a while now, and I'm sorry, Yuhao. The curse the Ice God placed on you is incredibly vicious and complex. It's designed to prevent any outside force from interfering, ensuring that no one can break it—at least not without risking your life in the process." Electrolux replied.

Huo Yuhao frowned as he processed their responses.

"So, in the end, I can only rely on myself to get rid of this curse," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else. His voice carried a trace of resignation, but also determination. "That's fine. I already expected this. I just need to get stronger!"

For the next few days, Huo Yuhao stayed in the Grand Star Luo Hotel, in a new room, immersing himself in intense self-healing and retraining, adapting to his situation by learning how to fight and use his abilities with just one hand.

Without access to the right materials and equipment to create a prosthetic arm, he knew he had to sharpen his skills even more to compensate for his handicap(An: Get it?).

His training became relentless, each day filled with exercises that pushed his limits both mentally and physically.

Huo Yuhao's three remaining weighing bracelets increased to the maximum limit to what he could currently handle, reworked his soul power control and jutsus so he would be able to use the jutsus with one hand, refined the Heavenly Tempering Soul Technique, and practised his swordsmanship.

To his surprise, the Frostbane Sword that he had stored in his left hand had actually transfered to his right hand before the soul bone absorption.

Not wanting another repeat of the Ice God's Bone incident, Huo Yuhao immediately took precautions.

He asked his Ancestor, along with Electrolux and Skydream, to carefully observe the Frostbane Sword that had unexpectedly transferred to his right hand before the soul bone absorption.

Indra's response after a careful observation was, "The Frostbane Sword is a powerful weapon that had been slowly refined by the Diivine Power of the Ice God's Bone, but it's more bound to you. It recognizes you as the true master, not the Ice God."

Electrolux added, "Its transfer to your right hand seems to be a reaction to your current condition. It's adapting, not resisting. I don't sense any external influence, and certainly no malicious intent. It's acting in your best interest."

Skydream lazily chimed in, "Relax, Yuhao. Your sword's just doing what it's supposed to—adjusting to your new situation, it's growing. There are no remnants of a God in the sword."

Huo Yuhao contemplated storing the Frostbane Sword somewhere secure, just in case, but ultimately decided against it. His Ancestor, along with Electrolux and Skydream, had assured him that the sword was merely adapting to him, not posing any threat. They had sensed no lingering presence of the Ice God, nor any malicious energy within the weapon.

The sword had become a part of him, evolving alongside his own strength.

He needed every skill, tool, and advantage he could get, especially with the looming threat of the Ice God's curse. Storing the Frostbane Sword away would mean giving up one of his greatest assets, and he couldn't afford that.

Instead, Huo Yuhao decided to embrace the sword's evolution, integrating it fully into his fighting style.

During this time while Huo Yuhao was recovering, Shrek Academy continued on advancing in the tournament.

In the individual match against the Dou Ling Team, all members from Dou Ling quickly forfeited the match—most of their members had severe physical, mental and emotional damage in the team match.

As of right they were in the semi-finals, Shrek Academy is currently fighting the Star Luo Imperial Academy team—which is led by the Princess of Star Luo, Xu Jiujiu.

And the Shrek team that was going to fight them would be comprised of Ma Xiaotao, Xi Xi, Ling Luochen, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou and Ning Tian.

....

AN: Alright. If anyone, except my patrons here, can guess what kind of aesthetic I'm going for his prosthetic arm then I'm going to post an extra chapter!

Hint: It's from a story that was made into an anime...but because it was made too early, it got an ass storyline and ending.

Btw, anyone here saw and played the new mmo Soul Land game? I tried it out myself...eh, I quickly got bored. And my gacha luck sucks now, so after I get Mavuika I'm thinking on finally stop playing Genshin until the Snezhnaya region is unlocked.

Oooh~ when will Wu Dong Qian Kun get a new season~

❄️Shout out to the great Cultivators of my patreon, may you reach the peak of the heavens and conquer the earth! Pursue immortality and receive enlightenment!

•Julien

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P.S The Tournament Arc is over in my patreon with the new special chapter, and I'm now writing the new training arc! Check it out, you might like something there~

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