Chapter 186: Tianmeng Iceworm's Hidden Scheme
Tianmeng Iceworm's plan wasn't without reason.
He knew that the bond between Snow Empress and Ice Empress was extraordinary. Though not sisters by blood, their connection was deeper than any family tie.
The Ice Empress was essentially Snow Empress's only true kin. Snow Empress deeply cared for her safety.
If Ice Empress had chosen to sacrifice herself to become Ye Chen's Spirit Wisdom Ring, Snow Empress—knowing Ice Empress's pride and wary nature toward humans—would never believe she did so willingly. She would undoubtedly assume that Ye Chen had used deceit or taken advantage of Ice Empress's weakness to coerce her.
Someone like Snow Empress would never allow Ice Empress to remain bound to a human in such a way.
And Tianmeng was the only one who knew the truth—Ice Empress's whereabouts, her condition, everything. He alone could bring that information to Snow Empress.
Just with that leverage, he was sure Snow Empress would not kill him or Huo Yuhao on sight.
If he could persuade her afterward, convincing her to become Huo Yuhao's second martial soul might not be impossible.
Of course… Snow Empress was far stronger than Ice Empress.
If she were to merge with Huo Yuhao, she would have to sacrifice part of her essence. To ask her to give up half her cultivation and lifespan—just to become the soul spirit of a human boy—was nearly absurd.
His claim of "fifty percent confidence" was nothing but a lie. It was merely to calm Huo Yuhao down.
In reality, he didn't even have a ten percent chance. But his unwillingness to accept failure drove him onward—to gamble, to take the risk.
And who knew? If Snow Empress grew furious over Ice Empress's situation and went straight to kill Ye Chen to "rescue" her, well… that might just open a door of opportunity.
Eventually, under Tianmeng's coaxing and manipulation, Huo Yuhao rose from despair, clutching onto new hope, and threw himself fully back into cultivation.
…
…
Shrek City.
Tang Sect headquarters.
Golden rays of afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows across the courtyard.
Ye Chen reclined beneath a tree, resting lazily while little Ice Empress busied herself nearby, humming as she experimented with cooking.
Perhaps she'd grown tired of snack foods—these days she had taken to trying her own recipes.
Ye Chen didn't mind; as long as she was happy, he let her do as she pleased.
He himself spent his days relaxing, drawing rewards, and using his Heavenly Infinite Eye to "observe" Shrek Academy from afar—watching Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng go through their daily training.
They were all diligent and self-disciplined, not slacking even after their rapid rise in power. None relied purely on Ye Chen's assistance.
They were fine soul masters—determined, focused, and solid in will.
After several days of observation, Ye Chen decided it was time to return and visit them one by one, bringing immortal herbs to help advance their cultivation.
But just as his gaze swept across the academy grounds, a familiar figure caught his attention—golden wavy hair, a confident stride.
Jiang Nannan.
Yet something was wrong. She had just walked out of the Academic Office, clutching a leave-of-absence slip in her hand.
Her steps were hurried and unsteady, her normally serene and elegant face clouded by visible anxiety.
Ye Chen's brows furrowed. Something was definitely wrong.
Jiang Nannan was always strong and composed—he'd rarely seen her in such disarray.
"Something's happened."
He immediately recalled Ice Empress into his spiritual sea, then teleported directly to the academy.
"Nannan-jie!"
He appeared from a nearby alley, calling out to her and quickly catching up.
Startled, Jiang Nannan turned around. Her shoulders trembled slightly when she saw him.
"Ah… Ye Chen? What are you doing here?"
Normally, she would've greeted him warmly. But now her face was taut with distress, her smile forced and brittle.
"Nannan-jie, where are you going in such a rush? Did something happen?" Ye Chen stepped closer, gently taking her hand, urging her to breathe.
"N-No… I'm just taking leave to visit my home."
She tried to pull her hand back, avoiding his gaze—lying, clearly.
"What's going on?" Ye Chen asked softly, still holding on. His tone carried both worry and determination. "Nannan-jie, please. Tell me the truth."
Jiang Nannan's composure wavered. Turning her head aside, she stammered, "It's nothing serious… I just miss home. I want to see my mother."
Something clicked in Ye Chen's mind. He quickly pieced it together—her mother must be ill.
The timing matched perfectly.
Xu Sanshi's coming-of-age ceremony was near, and in the story he knew, Jiang Nannan's mother had fallen gravely ill, in desperate need of the Xuanming Pill. Forced by circumstance, Nannan had nearly sacrificed herself to save her family.
But Ye Chen wasn't about to let things play out the same way.
Speaking gently, he said, "Nannan-jie, we're Tang Sect comrades, friends. There's nothing you can't tell me. I can see this isn't just homesickness."
He added with a serious tone, "Don't forget, I'm the Tang Sect's vice master. If one of our own faces trouble, how could I just stand by? Whatever it is, I'll help you."
Her lips trembled. The firm mask of strength she had worn finally began to crack.
She looked up at Ye Chen, eyes brimming with tears. "I… I just got a letter from a neighbor." Her voice shook, barely steady. "My mother… she suddenly collapsed. They said her illness is serious."
Her shoulders quivered, and tears streamed down her face.
Ye Chen's heart sank. Just as I thought.
He didn't waste time. In one swift motion, he activated his advanced flight device—the Aurora Shadow Mark VI—grabbed her hand, and said, "Nannan-jie, I'll go with you. I know some medicine myself. Who knows, I might be able to help. Just guide me—we'll reach your home soon."
Without waiting for a reply, he held her close and soared into the sky, speeding past Shrek City's boundaries.
"Thank you, Ye Chen…"
Gratitude filled her trembling voice. The act of flying together was already enough to touch her deeply.
Her home was in a small border city of the Heavenly Soul Empire, far from Shrek City. Normally, it would have taken days of nonstop travel.
But with Ye Chen's flying device, they could reach it in a matter of hours.
Though… the flight pod was a bit cramped.
Jiang Nannan leaned tightly against Ye Chen, practically in his arms. She could feel the warmth and steady beat of his chest beneath her.
Turning slightly, she blushed yet couldn't hide a faint smile. It was the first time she'd ever been this close to him—and her heart, despite everything, began to race.
(END CHAPTER)
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