Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 143 Hyotei's Bargaining Chips

Yin Chen let out a long sigh of relief, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.

The process of treating Zhang Lexuan's injuries was no less agonizing than fighting a formidable enemy.

He carefully applied the ointment evenly, then wrapped it tightly with a clean bandage. Finally, he took out a healing pill that exuded a strong life force, gently pried open her slightly cool lips, and fed it to her.

After doing all this, he took out a clean set of men's clothes from his storage soul tool and, with slightly clumsy but gentle movements, helped Zhang Lexuan put them on, completely concealing the breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

As the bleeding from the wound stopped and the long-prepared royal medicine began to take effect, Zhang Lexuan's originally pale face finally regained a faint hue, and her breathing became more steady and long.

At least... I survived.

Yin Chen felt slightly relieved, but then a sense of helplessness arose in his heart.

Hopefully, after this senior sister recovers from her injuries, she can rationally view the unavoidable situation she just had and will not draw her sword against him.

After all, he had seen everything he should and shouldn't have seen, and even touched some things because of his lack of experience... Although it was all beyond his control, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea, especially when it comes to matters of innocence. Even Zhang Lexuan, who is known for her calm and composure, probably couldn't completely escape the temptation.

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing these chaotic thoughts.

Right now, there are more important things to solve.

He turned around and looked back at the green-haired, twin-tailed girl, Hyotei, who had struggled to sit up and was leaning against a giant block of ice, panting.

"Tell me, what do you want to trade with me?"

Yin Chen's tone returned to calm, revealing little emotion.

Hyotei didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Her voice was still weak, but it carried a hint of regal authority.

Yin Chen glanced at her indifferently, his tone completely flat:

"Does it matter? In your current situation, does it make a difference whether you're human or a soul beast?"

He knew, of course, that she was the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, renowned throughout the far north, but at this moment, revealing her identity was pointless.

Hyotei paused for a moment upon hearing this, then a bitter smile appeared on his lips as he said in a low voice, "That's right... it doesn't matter anymore."

Yes, past glory and majesty appear so pale and powerless in the face of life and death.

She took a deep breath, as if making her final decision, her emerald green vertical pupils fixed on Yin Chen's golden eyes, and word by word, she uttered a temptation that could drive any soul master mad:
"Your name is Yin Chen, right? So... do you want to obtain a second martial soul?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere seemed to freeze instantly.

Second Martial Soul.

Having twin martial souls is an unparalleled talent, one in ten thousand, and a shortcut to the pinnacle.

Any Soul Master who hears this would probably be so excited that they can hardly contain themselves.

However, Yin Chen's reaction was completely unexpected by Hyotei.

He showed no shock or greed, but simply tilted his head slightly and asked with pure curiosity:

"A second martial soul? How do you know I have a second martial soul?"

"You...you don't actually possess twin martial souls?!"

Hyotei's face froze instantly, and his voice trembled with disbelief.

If the opponent already possesses twin martial souls, then the value of her greatest bargaining chip will be greatly reduced.

“Of course…” Yin Chen deliberately dragged out his words, and seeing the sudden tension on Hyotei’s face, he slowly spread his hands, “No.”

"you……!"

Hyotei was so angry that she couldn't catch her breath. Clutching her violently heaving chest, her delicate face turned bright red, and she almost passed out.

This human brat, even at a time like this, still has the mind to tease her.

"Don't get excited, don't get excited, just kidding, trying to lighten the mood."

Yin Chen knew when to stop and quickly waved his hand.

He was truly afraid of angering the dying Northern Heavenly King to death, which would render all his previous schemes futile.

"Huh...huh..."

Hyotei took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the urge to freeze the kid in front of him into an ice sculpture, and gritted his teeth as he continued:

"I'm not joking with you. This 100,000-year-old snow lotus has extremely special and powerful effects. For soul beasts, it can enhance their cultivation and even help ferocious beasts to perfectly transform. For humans, consuming it can open up a second martial soul slot and obtain a blank ice-attribute martial soul."

"A blank martial soul?"

Yin Chen revealed a perfectly timed expression of confusion, even though he already knew the answer in his heart.

"That's right, a blank martial soul."

Hyotei's expression was complicated.

"It can form a brand new, blank martial soul foundation in your body. You can absorb the original power of an ice-attribute soul beast and imprint it on this foundation, making it your exclusive second martial soul."

"interesting."

Yin Chen nodded, then changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of indifferent scrutiny.

"So, your bargaining chip is this snow lotus? Don't forget, I can snatch it away from you at any time, and you... are powerless to resist."

Hyotei wasn't surprised by Yin Chen's bluntness. She met his gaze calmly, took a deep breath, and revealed the most crucial and shocking part of the deal:
"I know, but I myself am also a bargaining chip."

"I am the Ice Emperor, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. I, one of the three Heavenly Kings of the Far North, a super soul beast with a lifespan of 390,000 years, will personally become your second martial soul. How about this offer?"

Even though Yin Chen was mentally prepared, his eyes narrowed slightly when Bingdi uttered those resolute words.

However, before Yin Chen could respond, Zhang Lexuan, who had been "unconscious," suddenly trembled, opened her eyes in disbelief, and exclaimed in shock:

"Ice Emperor?! The Three Kings of the Far North?! You...you are the Ice Emperor, ranked seventh among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts?!"

"Senior Sister, you're awake."

Yin Chen was not surprised at all. He had long noticed the change in Zhang Lexuan's aura, but he had not pointed it out.

Zhang Lexuan stiffened, her gaze darting away in a flustered manner, unable to meet Yin Chen's eyes; clearly, the earlier embarrassment still lingered in her mind.

But the shock of Hyotei's identity was too great for her. She forcibly suppressed her embarrassment, tried her best to keep her voice steady, and focused all her attention on Hyotei:

"Are you really the Ice Emperor, the overlord of the far north? You... how did you get so badly injured? What exactly happened in the far north?"

As the top student of Shrek Academy's inner court, she naturally had some knowledge of the continent's top soul beasts.

Ice Emperor glanced coldly at Zhang Lexuan, his attitude completely different from when he treated Yin Chen, carrying the aloofness and arrogance befitting the Northern Heavenly King:

“That’s right, I am Hyotei. As for my injuries and the matter in the far north... they are irrelevant to our deal.”

(End of this chapter)