Chapter 927 - Divine Ice Phoenix Empress

The news of Leon's mother not returning after entering Extreme Misty Forest to look for Lynne, who disappeared since the start of the Cataclysm, immediately filled him with worry.

It seems that even after returning to the Crawford Empire, he would not get a moment of rest.

"Leon!" Faelyn's sudden cry sounded.

Shortly after, the elven princess rushed over before leaping into Leon's arms. Faelyn came as soon as she caught the news of Leon's return.

Leon caressed her head wordlessly.

Nevertheless, Faelyn felt something amiss in their reunion. It didn't feel as emotional and touching as she expected.

It didn't take long before she realized she may have interrupted an important talk between Leon and the guards.

Thus, she pulled herself away from Leon and stood to the side sensibly while suppressing her emotions.

Leon appreciated her understanding. Then, he turned to the guards with a solemn look and ordered, "Tell me everything you know."

"Yes, Your Highness!" the guard answered.

"Everything started with the first outbreak of artificial spirit energy that seeped out from under the World Tree shortly after the Cataclysm erupted. That was when Lady Lynne's character seemingly changed."

"I don't exactly understand the details, but something about the artificial spirit energy triggered Lady Lynne's change. She became colder and more vengeful, but more importantly, much more powerful."

"Even now, the artificial spirit energy below the World Tree remains in a permafrost state, and its tracks split into numerous pathways. Most lead to dead ends, where we found frozen towers, but one path leads all the way to Extreme Misty Forest."

As the guard recounted the details, Leon listened carefully.

…

…

…

Meanwhile, deep within the inner region of Extreme Misty Forest, a giant ice spike emerged from the ground, splitting the earth apart. Then, the giant ice spike retracted back into the ground, leaving behind a tunnel entrance to the underground space.

Shortly after, a young lady in blue dress stepped out from the darkness of the tunnel entrance with her bare feet along with a few escaping wisps of artificial spirit energy.

However, the wisps of artificial spirit energy didn't escape very far before a chilling breeze blew past and froze them, increased their weight, and dropped them to the ground.

The frozen wisps of artificial spirit energy shattered into countless shards afterward.

"That was the last of it, wasn't it, Master?" Lynne asked coolly, seemingly talking to herself. There was no else in the vicinity besides her.

However, Lynne shortly received a reply in her head.

'Including the 108 artificial spirit energy conversion towers we destroyed over the past several weeks, that should have been the last trace of it in this region,' said a mature and womanly voice.

"Shall we head back then, Master?" Lynne suggested, her blue eyes flickered with a hint of anticipation.

'No, our work is not done. We might have destroyed every trace of artificial spirit energy in the vicinity of the Crawford Empire, but there are bound to be more artificial spirit energy outside of it,' Lynne's Master replied.

"Oh…" Lynne uttered with disappointment.

The so-called Master she was conversing with was none other than the True Divinity Soul Fragment she awakened. The soul fragment belonged to the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress, a True God of her time.

Nevertheless, Lynne learned from the Ice Empress that not all True Divinity Soul Fragments could converse to their host like it did—especially among the True Gods.

But unlike other True Divinities, the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress's soul fragment was much fewer. Thus, Lynne had inherited a more complete portion of the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress's soul.

'Don't feel disappointed. I know you miss home, but you don't have the luxury to waste your time on anything besides cultivation. Remember, you only have roughly five years left, Lynne,' the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress kindly reminded.

Nevertheless, it was partly the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress's fault that Lynne had fewer years to live.

The Divine Ice Phoenix Empress's soul placed too much burden on Lynne's soul after the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress awakened. This further shortened Lynne's lifespan despite Lynne receiving a lifespan extension after reaching the Transcendent Realm.

"I understand what I have to do, Master," Lynne replied. But then, she asked, "However, wouldn't it work out better for you if I died, Master? You'll be able to take over my body. Why did you take me in as your disciple instead?"

When the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress's soul awakened, Lynne had lost complete control of her body for a period of time. At that time, her body was forcefully seized by the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress.

However, the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress eventually returned control of her body to her.

'Foolish child, I am also doing this for my own benefit. Besides, since we can co-exist, why must I insist on taking your life away from you? Only devils will take without giving,' the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress stated.

As the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress mentioned the devils, she also revealed her deep grudge for them.

'Furthermore, each time I take over control of your body, it shortens your lifespan further. I have already taken much of your life away from you by simply existing with you,' the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress sighed.

The age of gods and devils had ended long ago.

There was no point in trying to revive herself. As long Divine Ice Phoenix Empress can raise multiple successors to continue her life's mission, that was enough for her.

After all, she was eternal either way.

"Then what should we do now, Master? It seems like we are in Extreme Misty Forest right now. This is a dangerous land full of vengeful spirits. I don't think we will find anything good here," Lynne mentioned.

However, the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress argued otherwise.

'On the contrary, I sense something very beneficial for you further deeper.. If you can obtain and refine that item, it will improve your cultivation greatly,' the Divine Ice Phoenix Empress stated.