Chapter 132: A Hundred Lifetimes, The Ice God's Inquiry!
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Shui Wuya walked to within three zhang of the Ice Phoenix Egg, extending his palm to release a gentle stream of spiritual energy that slowly seeped into the eggshell.
Within a few moments, the life force within the egg noticeably surged.
It works!
Shui Wuya confirmed Shui Bing'er's assertion that spiritual power could indeed accelerate the hatching of the Ice Phoenix Egg.
Just as he was about to increase the output of his spiritual energy, a sudden phoenix cry interrupted his thoughts.
"Chirp!~"
Instantly, a chill swept through Shui Wuya's chest as an Ice Phoenix burst forth, soaring into the sky above the Primal Secret Realm.
Everyone present, including Shui Wuya, was stunned by the appearance of the Ice Phoenix.
After a few seconds, the Ice Phoenix descended, its massive body shrinking to about six zhang, landing atop the three-zhang Ice Phoenix Egg.
Its crystalline wings enveloped the egg completely.
"It's incubating the egg!"
Someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise, unable to process the sudden turn of events.
Shui Wuya's eyes sparkled with keen interest. Despite his previous attempts, he had been unable to awaken the Ice Phoenix within him, which was formed from a soul tool. Now, unexpectedly, it had awakened on its own and started incubating the egg.
Could there be some mysterious connection behind this?
Unable to find an immediate answer, Shui Wuya decided not to dwell on it. He silently activated his fifth soul skill.
"Snow Emperor, Bai Shan, Dream, Octagon, Evil Eye, assist me!"
With a single thought, Shui Wuya's five soul spirits channeled their spiritual energies into his mind.
In an instant, Shui Wuya's spiritual power surged to nearly two million years' worth.
Shui Wuya extended both hands, releasing two beams of gentle yet immense spiritual energy directly into the Ice Phoenix Egg. The life force within the egg began to grow rapidly!
Shui Bing'er and the eight Soul Douluo experts were astounded by the terrifying level of spiritual power emanating from Shui Wuya.
As time passed, about three hours later, under the combined efforts of Shui Wuya and the Ice Phoenix soul tool, a tender phoenix cry echoed from within the egg.
"Chirp!"
The eggshell shattered, revealing a wet, one-zhang-sized baby Ice Phoenix emerging from within.
"It worked!"
A chorus of astonishment erupted among the onlookers. Shui Wuya immediately reined in his spiritual energy, and the Ice Phoenix, formed from the tenth-grade soul tool, returned to his body once again.
The newly hatched baby Ice Phoenix displayed remarkable boldness, showing no fear of the human soul masters present. After sniffing around each person, it ultimately chose to stay by Shui Wuya's side, seemingly drawn to his aura.
[Ice God's Sixth Trial Completed!]
[Reward Obtained: Ice God Affinity Increased by 20%!]
At that moment, the Ice God artifact on Shui Bing'er's body suddenly activated, indicating the completion of the Ice God's Sixth Trial.
"Thank you, Wuya."
Shui Bing'er smiled sincerely at Shui Wuya. Without his help, given her level of spiritual power, completing the Ice God's Sixth Trial would have taken her much longer.
"Thank you for your assistance," the eight Soul Douluo deans said in unison, bowing respectfully to Shui Wuya.
"You're welcome, it was just a small effort," Shui Wuya chuckled.
...
As night fell, Shui Wuya and Shui Bing'er sat around the campfire, discussing various topics and gradually growing closer.
"From now on, you're not allowed to call me 'Ancestor.' Just call me Bing'er," Shui Bing'er said earnestly. In truth, she had long wanted Shui Wuya to change how he addressed her. Being addressed as "Ancestor" as a young girl always felt odd to her.
"Sure thing, Bing'er," Shui Wuya smiled. As he gazed at Shui Bing'er's profile in the flickering firelight, her beauty was accentuated.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Shui Bing'er noticed Shui Wuya's intense gaze and blushed slightly.
Shui Wuya remained silent, still smiling gently as he quietly observed her.
And so, time passed in silence until the tranquility was broken once again by the emergence of the Ice God artifact from Shui Bing'er's body.
[Ice God's Seventh Trial Begins!]
[Trial Content: Ice God's Inquiry into Sentiments, Cycle of a Hundred Lifetimes!]
The Ice God artifact revealed the content of the Ice God's Seventh Trial, causing both Shui Bing'er and Shui Wuya to furrow their brows in unison.
Before they could fully grasp the meaning of that sentence, an irresistible force suddenly descended, immediately transporting their souls and consciousness to a new world.
...
In Zhao Family Village, nestled deep within the mountains, the villagers lived a simple life, working from sunrise to sunset.
"Master, Zhao Hu is here. He wants to discuss some work opportunities," reported a young man with a respectful demeanor standing at the entrance of the main courtyard to the steward inside.
Soon, an elderly man leaning on a cane emerged from the gatehouse.
The old man's gaze fell upon the young man, carrying a hint of kindness.
"Now that you're grown, stay here and work for us," the old man said in a hoarse voice, offering the young man a livelihood.
Zhao Hu, filled with excitement, knelt down and kowtowed heavily. He was an orphan in the village, raised by the villagers since childhood.
Now that he was an adult, he needed to rely on his own strength to survive.
The Zhao family was a prominent household in the village, and the patriarch was known for his kindness and prestige. Over the past decade, he had taken good care of Zhao Hu.
"Dad, why did you make Hu kneel again?" At that moment, a teenage girl appeared in the courtyard. She helped Zhao Hu to his feet and then looked at her father with a pout.
Seeing this, the steward hurriedly restrained the girl, who seemed ready to confront her father about making Hu kneel.
"Miss, Zhao Hu came to see the master for work, and the master has already agreed to give him a job," the steward explained hastily.
"Really? That's great!" The girl's eyes widened in surprise, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. Then, she grabbed Zhao Hu's hand and ran outside.
Watching his daughter's departing figure, the steward shook his head slightly and let out a helpless sigh.
"Let her be," the patriarch said with a smile before turning and heading back into the gatehouse.
"Hu, from now on, you're not allowed to kneel to my father anymore. These landlord tycoons always like to bully people."
"And also, in the future, if my father asks you to do something, you have to tell me first. You can only do it after I agree."
On their journey away from home, Chunlan kept talking to herself incessantly, as if lost in her own thoughts. When she finally stopped, she looked at Zhao Hu with a hint of regret in her eyes.
"It's a pity you can't speak. It would be nice if you could," Chunlan shook her head. Zhao Hu, not only an orphan from a young age but also mute, had suffered bullying from other children when he was young. However, Chunlan always stood up for him, and over time, their relationship became extraordinary.
"I may not speak, but I can protect Chunlan," Zhao Hu immediately conveyed his meaning through sign language. Seeing this, Chunlan's smile returned.
"I believe Hu will protect me."
At that moment, the two strolled through the fields, as if the air around them was sweet.
Years passed, and it was Zhao Hu's fourth year at the Zhao family. With no sons in the Zhao family, only Chunlan as their daughter, Zhao Laoye, knowing his time was limited, decided to choose a good husband for Chunlan.
Suddenly, young men from Zhao Village and nearby villages flocked to the Zhao family, hoping to catch the Zhao family's attention. However, Chunlan was dissatisfied with her father's decision, and despite the many suitors, she couldn't find anyone she liked.
Until Zhao Hu, unable to speak, knelt outside the Zhao family's gate, presenting a marriage proposal. A sudden downpour soaked his clothes, but it didn't shake his determination.
Unable to speak and knowing he couldn't compete with those more privileged suitors, Zhao Hu had one thing: determination.
In the end, the pouring rain proved his determination, and Zhao Laoye agreed to Zhao Hu and Chunlan's marriage.
In no time, the mute Zhao Hu became part of the Zhao family, becoming a fresh topic in Zhao Village.
"Hu, you really can't speak?" In their bridal chamber after the wedding, Chunlan caressed Zhao Hu's face, her face filled with happiness.
Zhao Hu smiled and shook his head, gesturing with his hands.
"I may not speak, but I love Chunlan."