Skywater Team, Strongest Substitute

Xiao Han could clearly sense that the aura emanating from Shui Bing'er was far stronger than before.

"It really is different after gaining a Second Soul Ring. Bing'er, how many levels has your Soul Power increased?"

"Two levels."

"You've already caught up to me."

"Stop trying to comfort me. I'm still nearly one level of Soul Power behind you."

Lin Zhiruo smiled.

"Bing'er, work hard and try to leave this boy behind."

"Dean Lin, it'd already be good enough if he doesn't pull ahead of me."

"Don't sell yourself short. You can do it. By the way, what is your Second Soul Skill?"

Shui Bing'er paused before continuing.

"My Second Soul Skill is a defensive skill. When activated, it creates ice rings that can be placed on myself or my teammates. Those covered by them will gain crystalline blue armor that can block physical attacks from opponents of the same level for five seconds. However, it can still be shattered by certain especially powerful attacks."

Lin Zhiruo nodded approvingly.

"Bing'er's first two Soul Skills are a group-control skill and a group-defense skill. They're perfect team-battle Soul Skills and can play a vital role in team battles."

Shui Bing'er's first two Soul Skills were exactly as Xiao Han had learned about; nothing had changed.

Everything had happened naturally. Even as a Transmigrator who knew the plot beforehand, Xiao Han had changed nothing.

Fortunately, that did not matter.

It was also good for Shui Bing'er to possess these two Soul Skills.

Afterward, the three of them left the Ice Sealed Forest.

On the way back to Skywater Academy, Xiao Han cultivated in the carriage and successfully broke through to Rank Twenty-Three.

After returning to the academy, Lin Zhiruo told Dean Zhao what had happened in the Ice Sealed Forest.

Dean Zhao was greatly shocked after hearing it.

"I never expected Xiao Han to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his Second Soul Ring. I've never seen anyone whose Second Soul Ring had reached the thousand-year level. This child has created another miracle."

"Yes. Although he can be a little headstrong, he always brings us surprises."

"Indeed. Xiao Han's Martial Soul is somewhat similar to Guangling Douluo's Guangling Divine Bow from Spirit Hall. Perhaps one day, he may reach—or even surpass—Guangling Douluo's accomplishments."

Guangling Douluo, the Fifth Offering of Spirit Hall, possessed both light and ice attributes. His Soul Power had reached Rank Ninety-Six, making him an object of reverence for all Ice Attribute Soul Masters.

However, he was not a pure Ice Attribute Soul Master.

"Dean Zhao, do you really think so highly of Xiao Han?"

"Of course. At such a young age, he has already created two miracles. His future is immeasurable."

"I hope so."

Dean Zhao nodded with satisfaction.

"Bing'er is also excellent. It's wonderful that these two children can grow together."

"Yes. To be honest, I'm already looking forward to the Soul Master Tournament seven years from now."

"Who isn't?"

The two exchanged smiles, filled with confidence in Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er's future.

Among the teams Skywater Academy had sent to the Soul Master Tournament in the past, there had never been young Soul Masters as exceptionally gifted as Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er.

The two of them would surely join the academy team together. Perhaps they could create a miracle for Skywater Academy and lead the team into the Finals Top Three.

Time flew, and another two years passed in the blink of an eye.

Over those two years, both Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er had increased their Soul Power by six ranks.

Xiao Han was now eleven years old, with Soul Power at Rank Twenty-Nine, just one step away from breaking through Rank Thirty.

Shui Bing'er's Soul Power was Rank Twenty-Eight.

Both of them qualified to become members of the team for the next Soul Master Tournament.

In the recently concluded Soul Master Tournament, Skywater Academy had not only failed to advance further but had also dropped one place.

The academies ranked ahead of Skywater Academy were, in order: Spirit Hall Academy, Thunder Academy, Godwind Academy, and Star Luo Imperial Academy.

Skywater Academy ranked fifth.

Dean Zhao's office.

Dean Zhao wore a solemn expression, clearly dissatisfied with the results of this Soul Master Tournament.

"Zhiruo, our academy will soon form an entirely new team. Although we have exceptionally gifted young talents like Xiao Han and Bing'er, the other academies are also growing stronger.

"Besides Spirit Hall Academy, which is overflowing with talent, Thunder Academy, led by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, has always been formidable.

"Feng Xiaotian of Godwind Academy will also lead a team into the tournament for the first time. In addition, the children of Huo Tianming, the dean of Blazing Fire Academy, are not to be underestimated either.

"Star Luo Royal Academy has always judged superiority by strength. It rose to prominence in this Soul Master Tournament, and now we have another powerful opponent.

"But no matter what, our goal remains to break into the Top Three. Do you have any thoughts?"

Lin Zhiruo pondered for a moment.

She knew it was time for her to step forward.

"Dean Zhao, how about I lead the team personally? Once the new team is formed, I'll personally train them for the next five years."

"Good. That was exactly what I had in mind. I believe that under your leadership, our Skywater Academy Team will certainly achieve its best results in history."

"Mm, I'll do my best."

Both of them had great confidence in the new team.

A few days later, the academy announced the roster for the new team.

The seven main members were: Yu Hairou, Gu Qingbo, Xue Wu, Shen Liuyu, Qiu Ruoshui, Shui Bing'er, and Shui Yue'er.

In the teams Skywater Academy had sent to the Soul Master Tournament in the past, there were usually eleven slots: seven main members and four substitutes.

Most of the time, the main members took the field, while substitutes were backups prepared in case of accidents.

Thus, the seven main members were chosen early on, while the four substitutes were not officially determined until one year before the Soul Master Tournament.

But this time was different because of Xiao Han.

Besides the seven main members, the announcement board also listed Xiao Han as a substitute.

Everyone at the academy knew of Xiao Han's strength. There was no dispute over securing his substitute position four years early.

If not to avoid accusations of favoritism, he would definitely have been one of the main members.

The day after the new team roster was announced, Lin Zhiruo gathered the eight of them at the training grounds.

"Starting today, Skywater Academy's new team is officially established. For the next five years, I will be your team leader and Teacher. I will be responsible for training you, supervising your cultivation, and leading you into competition, until the Soul Master Tournament ends."

Everyone was delighted upon hearing this.

They had not expected Dean Lin to be their new team leader and Teacher.

Xiao Han also learned this important news only then.

Lin Zhiruo continued.

"You all know that in the recently concluded Soul Master Tournament, our Skywater Academy only achieved fifth place. You are all young and have considerable potential, so Dean Zhao and I have high hopes for your generation's team. We hope to lead you into the Top Three."

Xiao Han chimed in.

"Dean Lin, with you personally leading us, we'll definitely achieve good results."