Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 496 The Snow Emperor’s Mingpai

Titan Snow Demon King glanced at Ji Lin and said, "We have completed this mission, so we will head back now. As for the mining, I will send a soul beast over once those humans have left. You just need to send someone with the token to collect it in a while."

"Also, please give my regards to the Snow Emperor."

"Atai, wait a minute."

Ji Lin called out to the Titan Snow Demon King, who was about to leave, and took out a piece of ten-thousand-year-old Xuanbing Marrow from his storage soul tool. He then tossed it to the Titan Snow Demon King, who instinctively caught it. The next moment, his eyes changed.

"This...this is too valuable!"

A bright, icy blue light appeared, and the Snow Empress's figure materialized beside Ji Lin. Upon seeing her, the Titan Snow Demon King hurriedly bowed. The Snow Empress looked earnestly at the Titan Snow Demon King and said, "Atai, the far north is now in your hands. Please accept this piece of ten-thousand-year-old Xuanbing Marrow. With it, you can at least overcome one more hurdle."

Titan Snow Demon King's eyes welled up with tears, and with a "plop," he knelt down before Snow Emperor.

"Empress Xue, Ji Lin, thank you for saving my life. I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life."

As he spoke, he respectfully kowtowed three times to the Snow Emperor and Ji Lin before standing up again, turning around and striding away with his Titan Snow Demon clan.

Watching the departing figures of the Titan Snow Demons, the Snow Empress turned to Ji Lin, her slender fingers brushing a strand of white hair behind her ear, and said softly, "Thank you for your willingness to help Atai."

Ji Lin shook his head and laughed, "It helped me this time too, didn't it? Consider it payment for this mission. It's just a piece of ten-thousand-year-old Xuanbing Marrow. Being able to build a good relationship with the current Lord of the Far North Ice Plains is a sure win for me."

Xue Di shook her head, but a gentle smile appeared on her face. She knew that Ji Lin had given Atai a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow because of her, so that Atai could safely pass the next Heavenly Tribulation. Otherwise, how could a mission without any losses be exchanged for a priceless Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow?

Xue Di moved closer to Ji Lin, almost touching him. Ji Lin could clearly smell the fragrance emanating from Xue Di. Before Ji Lin could react, Xue Di's red lips were close to Ji Lin's ear, and she whispered, "You're going back to collect your reward, aren't you? If you can't find the other person, then come find me!"

After saying that, she gently kissed Ji Lin's cheek, and her figure instantly transformed into white light and merged into Ji Lin's body.

Ji Lin subconsciously touched the damp spot on his cheek, completely bewildered. What was going on? What was Xue Nu doing? I don't remember flirting with her! Why was she going to give herself away for free, and even go this far? What did she mean by saying she went to find her when she couldn't find someone else?

Ji Lin isn't an idiot, how could he possibly go looking for someone else! Xue Di has already revealed her hand, if he were to actually go looking for someone else, that would be truly foolish.

Ji Lin smiled slightly. He didn't press Xue Di for answers. He knew that even Xue Di probably wouldn't dare to see him at this time. It was better not to make a fuss and risk making things worse by missing a great opportunity.

This is perfect! He was still racking his brains trying to figure out how to persuade Wang Qiu'er and Ling Luochen, and Xue Di has solved the problem for him right away. Sister Jiu Jiu! Sister Jiu Jiu, you miscalculated this time!

Just wait, I'll come find you to collect my reward as soon as I get back.

Ji Lin was excited about the rewards he would receive upon returning, and he couldn't wait to tear through space and return to Xingluo City. However, he knew he couldn't rush things. He had to give Xue Di some time to prepare, as it was her first time, and it was her first time doing two things at once. Although Xue Di had taken the initiative to propose it, Ji Lin couldn't appear too eager.

Stay calm, Ji Lin, stay calm, this is important.

Ji Lin took a few deep breaths, turned around, and looked at the place where the Sun Moon Empire's army was stationed. A smile gradually appeared on his face.

Orange! I hope you leave here as soon as possible, so I don't have to resort to violence again.

He wasn't worried that the previous lessons weren't enough. So much infrastructure had been destroyed, and no matter how unwilling Orange was, she couldn't rebuild and start mining in a short time. After all, it was difficult enough to move all that infrastructure over, and the mining equipment was also very valuable. She probably wouldn't be able to gather that much equipment within at least two months.

As for the rare metals that had already been refined, Ji Lin had secretly put them into his storage soul tool during the blizzard when he was causing trouble.

Having learned this lesson, the Sun Moon Empire will need to think twice before reopening the mining of rare metals here. In the meantime, Atai and his team will have enough time to help Ji Lin mine enough rare metals.

After that, send someone else to take over. He doesn't need to stay here. Zizai Sect isn't just a lone commander. At least there are Soul Saints who can handle things. It's just about transporting rare metals, and Soul Saints are enough. If all else fails, Xu Jiujiu can send a trustworthy Title Douluo, such as the Nebula Douluo Manyi by her side. She can be absolutely trusted.

With this in mind, Ji Lin secretly returned alone to the Sun Moon Empire's garrison to conduct reconnaissance.

Without the high-altitude detection soul guide in the sky, there would be far fewer troubles. With Ji Lin's abilities, there was nothing to worry about.

From afar, looking down from the air, he could see the devastation on the Sun Moon Empire's side. By this time, it was already bright daylight, and the Sun Moon Empire's army was clearly busy, gathering up the broken equipment and seemingly dismantling their camp.

A faint smile appeared on Ji Lin's lips. Ju Zi was quite self-aware, knowing that with the threat of soul beasts, she could no longer continue mining the vein. She consciously cleaned up the mess and prepared to leave.

The damage to machinery wasn't the most fatal issue; machinery could be replaced. However, the destruction of numerous tents meant that most soldiers had nowhere to stay, which was deadly in the freezing cold of the far north! Since Ju Zi was able to command her soldiers with such discipline, she must have a good reputation in the army. She couldn't just abandon these soldiers. Moreover, she had to consider the Douling Empire on the other side. Under these circumstances, retreating was the only thing she could do.

After a morning of rest, most of the damaged soul-guiding equipment was taken away by the Fire Phoenix Soul Guidance Corps using storage soul-guiding devices. Although these items were damaged, the rare metals they contained were still precious. They could still be used after being recycled back home, so they couldn't just be wasted.

After noon, the Sun Moon Empire army set off swiftly after a hearty meal, heading towards the southern Heavenly Soul Empire. The Fire Phoenix Soul Mentor Corps brought up the rear.

Watching them gradually disappear into the distance, Ji Lin breathed a sigh of relief. He would now leave the situation to the Titan Snow Demon King. With the help of the soul beasts, although the efficiency couldn't match the Sun Moon Empire's professional equipment, don't forget that some soul beasts were skilled at digging and mining. Ji Lin didn't need to worry about the rest. The Titan Snow Demon King was very powerful; even if the Sun Moon Empire launched a surprise attack, it could lead the soul beasts back to the far north. The Sun Moon Empire would absolutely not dare to pursue them into the far north ice plains, not even the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao and the Death God Douluo Ye Xishui.

After all, they didn't know that the famous Snow Emperor and Ice Emperor were no longer in the far north.

However, just in case, Ji Lin stayed here for a day. Only after Titan Snow Demon King led a large number of soul beasts to the mine did he quietly leave and head towards the Star Luo Empire.

Xingluo City seemed unaffected by the continental war, remaining as bustling as ever. However, upon closer inspection, it was noticeable that there were more patrolling soldiers in the city, and they were far more elite than the previous patrolmen.

Ji Lin did not linger and quickly returned to Zizai Gate.

Wang Qiu'er and the others were overjoyed to see Ji Lin return. Although Ji Lin had said goodbye to them before leaving, they couldn't help but worry because they hadn't heard from him for so long.

"So you finally decided to come back? You've been gone for so many days without even sending a message," Nan Qiuqiu shouted angrily at Ji Lin, hands on her hips.

Ji Lin helplessly spread his hands and shook his head, saying, "I've been in the far north these past few days. How am I supposed to send you messages back? Do you think I'm omnipotent?"

Nan Qiuqiu still wanted to make things difficult for Ji Lin, but Ye Guyi helplessly patted Nan Qiuqiu's head and said, "Alright, Qiuqiu, he just got back, let him rest for a while!"

Ji Lin glanced at Nan Qiuqiu and said provocatively, "Gu Yi is still the best. She's gentle and considerate, unlike some people."

Seeing that Nan Qiuqiu was about to explode, Ye Guyi quickly tried to calm her down, while glaring at Ji Lin and saying irritably, "Are you still a child?"

Ji Lin's lips twitched. Why did Ye Guyi seem to have become a madam? He glanced at Nan Shuishui in the distance. Which of these two is Nan Qiuqiu's mother?

Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao covered their mouths and chuckled, watching Ji Lin get his comeuppance was always so amusing.

Wang Qiu'er looked at Ji Lin with a strange expression. She noticed that Ji Lin was being restrained by Ye Guyi in her madam's form. Thinking of this, Wang Qiu'er quietly placed her hand on Ji Lin's head and gently stroked it.

Ji Lin looked at Wang Qiu'er with a puzzled expression and asked, "Qiu'er, what are you doing?"

Wang Qiu'er tilted her head, frowned, and said, "Don't you like it?"

Ji Lin looked at Wang Qiu'er expressionlessly and said, "Do you think I would like that?"

"Hmm, you don't like it."

Wang Qiu'er wisely lowered her hand. She sensed danger and had a premonition that if she hadn't put her hand down, she would be in big trouble tonight.

She didn't want to test whether Ji Lin would find other ways to torment her. She knew very well how low Ji Lin's standards were in that kind of thing; many of his tricks were unbearable even for someone as inhuman as her.

Most of the time, Ji Lin wouldn't force her if she didn't want to, but there was one exception: when she angered Ji Lin. Even if she wanted to resist, Ji Lin would forcibly suppress her and enforce family rules.

(End of this chapter)