Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 442: Humans and Ice Maidens

He wasn't speaking out of his ass. He really intended to refine the Temporal Beacon he acquired at the grand auction into a true artifact. The size of that Temporal Beacon was unprecedented, even in the divine realm. It was sufficient to forge an artifact or even a super artifact. Asura's current cultivation level was inadequate for a super artifact, but it could still serve a significant purpose with time and some additional materials.

"Fine, let’s assume things can be done as you say, but then what about our clan's inheritance? Your method addresses the symptoms, not the root cause. Our reproductive ability is already weak, and we have even fewer members now. Only about twenty clan members can reproduce, and we lack sufficient resources. Even if we do produce offspring, it would be a drop in the ocean. By the time new members cultivate to the tenth order and go through a hundred years of gestation, it might be too late," Huang Bingbing said bitterly.

Asura said, "That's another matter. We were discussing solving the survival issue just now. We can do this: Before the teleportation array is completed, you can use the money to buy natural treasures and elixirs to help the clan cultivate in the absence of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The money I gave you should support you for a while. When it runs out, I'll provide more. As for the reproduction issue, I have another idea, but you must promise not to get angry before I finish explaining it."

Huang Bingbing's eyes flashed, "What idea?"

Asura said, "It might be offensive to the Ice Maidens, but you must promise to listen calmly."

"Alright, go ahead," Huang Bingbing said. Although Asura hadn't solved the Ice Maiden clan's problems yet, his five thousand naturae coins were a cozy blanket wrapped around her pride.

Asura nodded and said, "This is based on the case of my companion. Do you know how long it takes for humans to give birth?"

Huang Bingbing shook her head in confusion.

"Ten months. Humans only need ten months to give birth, less than a hundredth of what the Ice Maidens need by using the classic method. And considering my companion's situation, it’s clear that the Ice Maiden clan can give birth like a human woman. In other words, your physical structure is very similar to ours."

Huang Bingbing still didn't quite understand and asked in confusion, "So what?"

Asura said, "Your clan now has a thousand members. What if, instead of using the method of splitting divine consciousness to reproduce, you combined with humans? Theoretically, the number of Ice Maiden clan members could double within a year. In ten years at most, your reproduction problem could be completely solved."

"What did you say?" Huang Bingbing's voice suddenly rose as she stood up abruptly.

"I'm just suggesting. Don't get agitated," Asura said, fearing she might attack again. "You don't have to choose this option. I'm just presenting the possibility."

Huang Bingbing's breathing was visibly rapid. "Impossible. This is impossible. You humans are ordinary beings; we are born of pure essence, we are pure ice bodies. How could this be possible?"

Asura said, "Well, as you can see, it is. My companion was born this way, and you’ll see that for yourself. Of course, his bloodline power isn't as pure as that of your Ice Maiden clan. But I've seen your Throne of Frost. If you use the Throne of Frost and Eternal Profound Ice to purify the offspring’s bloodline, once they cultivate to the god level, wouldn't they be indistinguishable from your clan? Moreover, male clan members born this way could combine with females, and the reproduction rate would be much faster than gestating spirit embryos, creating a positive cycle."

Huang Bingbing slowly sat down, her eyes losing focus. It was clear that Asura's words had deeply affected her.

Ice Maiden clan and humans giving birth to offspring?

If someone had dared to say this during the Ice Maiden clan's peak, Huang Bingbing, as the clan leader, would have turned them into an ice sculpture. This was simply an insult to the Ice Maiden clan.

But now, the Ice Maiden clan was at a critical juncture of life and death! With less than a thousand members left, one wrong move could mean the complete extinction of the clan. Nothing was more important than the clan's survival in such a situation. Otherwise, she wouldn't have put the Throne of Frost up for auction. However, she knew that even if the Throne of Frost fetched a high price and provided the Ice Maidens with funds, it would only be a temporary solution. When the money ran out, the problem would resurface.

Moreover, compared to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the biggest issue after the number of clan members decreased to a certain point was offspring. With only twenty or so god-level Ice Maidens, producing one new set of members every hundred years was no longer sustainable for the clan.

Asura did not speak again, silently waiting for her to think. He knew accepting such a method would not be easy for Huang Bingbing.

After a long while, she slowly raised her head, "What do you want to gain? What do you want from us? The Throne?"

Asura shook his head. "The Throne of Frost is a sacred artifact of the Ice Maiden clan. I'm not that greedy. What I want is the friendship of the Ice Maiden clan, not for me but for humanity."

Huang Bingbing was taken aback, looking at him with a bit of surprise in her eyes.

Asura said, "Compared to the Ice Maidens, we humans are not any more fortunate. Yes, we humans have strong reproductive capabilities, so we are numerous. But most of our people are still just slaves. The better-off ones are the children of women who are violated by the demons and nymphs, those who are born with the ability to use a Demonic God Transformation. Some of them can become vassals, and very few nobles. I am human, and I hope that in the future, humans can at least have their own living space, not be mistreated or discriminated against, and have freedom to control their own destiny."

Huang Bingbing shook her head. "Your idea is impractical. It simply can't be done. And we won't be of any help."

Asura said, "It seems impossible now, but there's a saying that if water keeps dripping, it can even pierce a hole through stone. If we do nothing, humans will always remain slaves or even food. But if each of us strives to elevate humanity's status and gain more recognition from other races, one day, humans will become strong. I firmly believe this."

Huang Bingbing looked at Asura and saw the determination in his eyes, making her heartbeat quicken.

"Let me meet your companion. I want to check his bloodline personally," she said in a deep voice.

Before confirming that what Asura said was true, she naturally wouldn't make any promises.

"No problem. You’ll see him tonight."

Huang Bingbing nodded. "Okay."

The living room fell silent. Huang Bingbing bowed her head in thought, and Asura also pondered on his own matters.

Huang Bingbing's account of the Ice Maiden clan and their current situation made it clear that the Ice Maidens were a clan worth allying with.

Initially, Tang San had just wanted to help Wu Bingji cultivate using the Throne of Frost to enhance his potential. Undoubtedly, the easiest way to do this was through the Ice Maiden clan. But after hearing what Huang Bingbing had to say, he sensed this might be an opportunity.