"This world is so weak, what's the point?"

"Following us, you'll definitely meet many strong people in the future," Shuna's words resonated even more with the Snow Empress. "Fighting them and constantly getting stronger, isn't that much better than being trapped in a small world?"

Yes, Shuna and the others were right.

The three of them felt genuine gratitude and affection for Rin, and this could not be faked.

Most importantly, following Rin could make her stronger.

Just this point alone made the Snow Empress feel she had no reason to refuse.

"I can agree to your terms."

"But I also have a few conditions. If you can guarantee them, I am willing to fight alongside you and never betray you!"

The Snow Empress was a person of unwavering loyalty.

Once she made a decision, she would not go back on it.

Moreover, Rin had given her immense respect.

She was currently only in an embryonic state. With the strength of Rin and the others, they wouldn't need to say so much to enslave or control her.

Self-destruction was only effective when the strengths were not too disparate.

But what about Rin and his companions?

The Snow Empress had a feeling that Rin possessed the power to forcibly control her.

He didn't use it because he wanted to gain her true devotion, not a servant who was outwardly compliant but inwardly rebellious.

Just this point alone made the Snow Empress develop a considerable fondness for Rin.

"Yes, speak."

"First, I hope you do not force me to do anything I don't want to do."

"No problem with that."

"Second, I hope to return to this world in the future…"

At this point, the Snow Empress's voice carried a hint of chilliness. "I want to take revenge on Tang San, and those high and mighty gods!"

Being captured like a plaything.

Such humiliation, the Snow Empress absolutely could not tolerate!

She wanted to become stronger, then return here and make those high and mighty gods pay the price!

"Even if you don't say it, I will help you with this matter."

As long as the Snow Empress became his dependent, she would be his own person.

Rin would help her bear the Snow Empress's hatred.

In the future, if there was an opportunity, Rin wouldn't mind directly conquering the Soul Land Universe and making it a part of the Cardinal World.

"Good!"

Seeing Rin agree, the Snow Empress breathed a sigh of relief and became even more satisfied with her new master. "What do I need to do to become the dependent you spoke of?"

"Just relax."

Seeing that the Snow Empress had acknowledged him, Rin didn't hesitate and quickly activated his Capturer ability on her.

"This is?!"

The Snow Empress vaguely heard a question, asking if she was willing to become Rin's dependent.

The Capturer could forcibly capture, or it could gently inquire like this.

"I am willing."

Having made her decision, the Snow Empress would not be suspicious. She was willing to trust Rin once.

If she were deceived, she could only blame herself for being too naive and blind.

"You won't regret it."

Rin's dependent transformation of the Snow Empress proceeded very smoothly. Without resistance, the connection between them was as natural as water flowing into a channel.

"Rest in my Spirit Space for now."

Rin opened the God Sealing Altar, released the Snow Empress from it, and then used magic power to stabilize her form.

Pale blue magic power transformed into a gentle stream, nourishing the damage the Snow Empress had sustained from her transformation being interrupted.

The complete transformation would have to wait until Rin brought the Snow Empress back to the Cardinal World and utilized the rules of that place to fully complete it.

"Thank you."

The Snow Empress didn't hesitate and immediately entered Rin's body.

The dependent contract allowed Rin to safely accept the Snow Empress, and the latter also learned of Rin's origins and some of his thoughts from this oath.

He had not deceived her.

The relationship between a dependent and a master was like companions and family who shared honor and disgrace.

He would not harm or enslave her.

And she would genuinely protect him and fight for him.

"Rin-sama, where do we go next?"

Shuna asked, "Do we continue exploring this world?"

"No."

Rin looked up, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity. "We cannot come to this world again for a short period of time."

Before the three girls could ask why, an invisible and formless pressure descended from the sky, instantly enveloping everyone.

"This is?!"

From a sheer magnitude perspective, this pressure was already not weaker than a Special A-Rank monster, though it still lacked in quality.

"It's Tang San!"

In the Spirit Space, the Snow Empress's voice echoed in Rin's ear. "He really has been watching this world all along!"

With the facts laid bare, the Snow Empress no longer had any doubts.

If Rin hadn't appeared, she could imagine her future, which would definitely end with her being schemed to death by Tang San.

"Let's go, we're heading back."

Rin didn't intend to clash head-on with Tang San.

Fighting one Tang San was fine, but five God Kings working together would be a bit troublesome.

As the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, and furthermore, Rin had taken full advantage of this operation.

The old man's death meant Tang San lost a puppet he could directly control, greatly reducing his ability to interfere with the Soul Land Continent.

Taking the Snow Empress meant Rin gained a powerful dependent whose aptitude and potential were no weaker than Ogerpon's, and perhaps even surpassed her.

"[Traveler…]"

"Boom!!"

"Damn humans!!!"

Just as Rin was about to activate the Traveler to return to the Cardinal World, a colossal emerald green creature burst out from under the ice, sweeping a rolling cold current toward the position where Rin and the others stood.

"Bang!!"

Ogerpon moved quickly, appearing in front of Rin in a flash.

"Poniii!"

The girl held both hands out in front of her, tearing through the cold current formed by the Ultimate Ice. She actually blocked the Ice Empress's long-accumulated fatal blow with sheer brute force.

"What?!"

The Ice Empress's jewel-like eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting her attack to be blocked.

And so easily, so casually!

"Bing'er!"

Immediately, the Snow Empress recognized the identity of this emerald ice scorpion. It was her rare friend in the Northern Icefield, the Ice Empress.

"Tsk, this guy came at the worst possible time."

Because of Tang San's Spiritual Power lock, Rin and the others hadn't noticed the Ice Empress approaching.

But this put Rin in a rather awkward situation.

He needed to take people back.

So what about the Ice Empress?

Leave her here?

Rin felt that if Tang San lost track of them, he would definitely take his anger out on the Ice Empress.

(To be continued.)

I just finished a fic I was working on and I'm thinking of starting another soon, so if you have any recs, drop them. Also, it's a new week, don't forget to drop more stones for bonuses xD

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