Teacher... Are You Willing to Accept My Repayment?

Ye Feiyang remained calm and slowly nodded.

The task of serving tea and water at the academy was no longer Zhu Zhuqing's responsibility. It had been handed over to the cute beast-eared girls instead.

Several of them possessed quite outstanding talent, and Ye Feiyang immediately decided to let them become academy students as well.

Of course, they still had to do their share of chores—after all, each of these girls had cost three hundred thousand Gold Coins. If they were only kept around for display and not made to work more, it would feel like too much of a loss.

Ye Feiyang's gaze fell upon Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er as he asked, "You two, who will come forward to become my disciple first?"

One controlled ice-type power while the other wielded flame energy. Their attributes should have been mutually restraining, yet when they stood together, there was an inexplicable harmony between them, and they were very close in private as well.

"Hey! Teacher is asking you two! Don't just stand there!" Xiao Wu reminded them with a playful smile.

"We'll follow Teacher's arrangements!" The two spoke almost at the same time, their voices crisp and perfectly in unison.

Ye Feiyang could not help but smile as he called on one of them directly. "Then Bing'er, you go first."

Shui Bing'er felt somewhat nervous—this was her first time experiencing such a formal disciple-taking ceremony. However, Xiao Wu and the others had already explained the process to her in detail, so she only needed to follow it. There was no need to panic too much.

Ye Feiyang accepted the discipleship tea Shui Bing'er offered him and took a light sip. Then he said solemnly, "From today onward, Shui Bing'er, you are the fourth Personal Disciple under my tutelage."

Following his usual practice, he took out a sword-leaf-shaped bracelet and handed it to her. "This is the token of a Personal Disciple. Keep it safe. Put it on now."

Shui Bing'er's small hands trembled slightly as she accepted the bracelet. She was obviously overwhelmed with excitement. She softly said, "Thank you, Teacher," before carefully slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

The instant the bracelet touched her skin, Ye Feiyang's consciousness silently entered the system interface.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully accepting the fourth Personal Disciple: Shui Bing'er!]

[Personal Disciple Shui Bing'er has been bound to the host's fourth soul ring slot!]

[The host's fourth soul ring age has dynamically updated to: 9,000 years]

[Shui Bing'er's information panel has been opened:]

Name: Shui Bing'er

Talent Evaluation: S-rank

Martial Soul: Ice Phoenix

Current Soul Power: Level 36

Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple

[Shui Bing'er has completed the system's in-depth analysis! An exclusive growth gift pack has been awarded:]

Martial Soul Advancement Pill ×1: Optimizes the Martial Soul's origin, greatly increases one's potential, and guides the Martial Soul toward beneficial evolution at a higher level.

Mystic Ice Phoenix Record ×1: A supreme manual suited to the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul. It allows one to control extreme cold, freeze thousands of miles, soar through the heavens like a phoenix, and be reborn through nirvana.

[Recommended supplementary cultivation method: Ice Heart Sutra]

Effect: Refines mental power to the utmost, maintains absolute calm, improves precise control over ice-type energy, strengthens resistance to mental attacks, and increases the smoothness of executing Martial Soul Fusion Skills.

[Compatibility Assessment: Perfect match! This disciple possesses immense potential. This cultivation method can greatly strengthen her top-tier battlefield control, pushing the freezing, slowing, defensive, and explosive properties of her ice abilities to their peak, granting her stronger area control, single-target lethality, and self-preservation methods.]

[Summary of the Mystic Ice Phoenix Record's core ultimate techniques:]

Mystic Ice Saint Body: Temper the body with extreme cold to become immune to heat and cold, greatly increase resistance to ice-type damage and physical strength, and even assimilate objects one comes into contact with.

Frozen Kingdom: Unleash a domain of extreme cold. Temperatures within the domain plummet, greatly slowing enemies' movements and Soul Power circulation. Ice-type skills become significantly stronger, and targets weaker than the user can be frozen instantly.

Phoenix Wings Soaring the Heavens: Condense a pair of Ice Phoenix wings to gain extreme flight speed. While soaring through the skies, the wings can launch countless crystalline ice feathers for area attacks.

Absolute Zero: Condense a single point of ultimate cold and release a terrifying current of frost capable of freezing space and concepts, inflicting devastating freezing damage upon a single target that is nearly impossible to defend against.

Ultimate Divine Power: Ice Phoenix Descent: Summon the phantom of a complete Ice Phoenix and unleash a destructive tidal wave of frost, freezing everything over a vast area, freezing enemies' Soul Power and thoughts, and wielding terrifying power capable of altering the environment.

Ye Feiyang quickly scanned the system information and could not help feeling envious. These skills were far too powerful! Moreover, the Ice Phoenix possessed the hidden trait "Nirvana Rebirth." Even if she were beaten to pieces, she could still revive. This was a heaven-defying divine ability exclusive to phoenix Martial Souls.

What pleased him even more was that his fourth soul ring age had reached nine thousand years. It was about to advance from purple to a black ten-thousand-year soul ring. Before long, his earlier soul rings would likely advance into ten-thousand-year soul rings as well. When he displayed them then, who knew how many jaws would drop?

Ah, I get to enjoy showing off in front of people again. This plain and simple sense of satisfaction is truly addictive, Ye Feiyang silently mused.

He looked at Shui Bing'er and said with a smile, "Bing'er, don't get excited just yet. Sit properly. There is still another opportunity waiting for you."

Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu were already used to this. They stood nearby with their arms folded, wearing knowing smiles as they waited to see Shui Bing'er's delighted reaction. Clearly, Ye Feiyang was the one showing off, yet they were prouder than if they had received the opportunity themselves.

Shui Bing'er looked at Ye Feiyang in bewilderment, though her heart was racing with excitement. Was she finally going to become stronger like Zhu Zhuqing and the others?

Ye Feiyang took out the Martial Soul Advancement Pill and held it before her. "Eat this."

Shui Bing'er did not hesitate in the slightest. She accepted the pill and placed it in her mouth. The pill melted the moment it entered, and a gentle energy instantly spread through her body. Her Martial Soul began to stir faintly as the originally ice-blue phoenix phantom slowly appeared behind her, silently undergoing changes.

The process of Martial Soul Evolution was not painful at all. Instead, it brought an indescribable comfort, as though every pore in her body had opened. She almost could not resist letting out a soft moan, but remembering that there were others watching, she forcibly held back any strange sounds.

Everyone watching could clearly sense Shui Bing'er's aura visibly rising. The Ice Phoenix phantom behind her became more solid and noble as well. A moment later, the phantom dispersed, and Shui Bing'er's Martial Soul had completed its evolution—the Undying Ice Phoenix!

After the evolution ended, Shui Bing'er stood frozen in place, clearly stunned by her new Martial Soul. She simply could not believe that such a heaven-defying opportunity had fallen into her hands. Her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul had not been of low quality to begin with, but now it had risen to an even higher level. Her Soul Power had also jumped two levels, directly reaching level 38, only one step away from becoming a Soul Ancestor.

This rate of improvement was more than ten times faster than her previous painstaking cultivation. Shui Bing'er opened her mouth several times, wanting to speak, but she was so excited that she could not force out a single word.

Seeing her like this, Ye Feiyang could not help laughing. "Look how excited you are. Calm down."

"T-Teacher, my Martial Soul Evolution succeeded! It's called the Undying Ice Phoenix now!" Shui Bing'er finally found her voice, her tone filled with incredulous joy.

Huo Wu's small mouth hung slightly open as she watched from the side. The shock in her heart was no less than Shui Bing'er's. If she had not witnessed it herself, she would never have believed that a Martial Soul could evolve like this. She could not help imagining what her Fire Shadow Martial Soul would become if it could evolve too.

"Wow! Undying Ice Phoenix! That name sounds incredibly impressive! Little Bing'er, you're going to soar from now on!" Ning Rongrong was genuinely happy for her, her face full of smiles.

She was not envious in the slightest—after all, her Martial Soul had already evolved. Her current Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was no inferior to anyone else's Martial Soul and could even firmly rank among the best. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu felt the same way. They had experienced such opportunities themselves, so they had nothing but blessings for Shui Bing'er. After all, they were now fellow disciples.

Ye Feiyang raised a hand to quiet everyone down. "Don't celebrate yet. Bing'er, sit properly. It isn't over."

Only then did Shui Bing'er finally understand why Ning Rongrong and the others became so excited whenever they mentioned Ye Feiyang, as though they wanted to offer him their very hearts. Anyone who experienced something like this would be completely won over, wouldn't they?

The former "ice beauty" now had burning cheeks and could barely sit still, yet she still forced herself to calm down and sit, waiting for Ye Feiyang to continue bestowing opportunities upon her.

Ye Feiyang's fingertips glowed with faint spiritual light as he slowly walked before her and lightly tapped her forehead. The next second, the essential teachings of the Mystic Ice Phoenix Record and the Ice Heart Sutra surged into Shui Bing'er's sea of consciousness like a tide, deeply imprinting themselves into her memories.

This was not merely a simple transfer of memories, but an inheritance that allowed her to comprehend its true meaning with a single thought. Through the system's empowerment, even cultivation essentials and insights were granted together. It was practically foolproof instruction.

This miraculous method of imparting techniques once again opened the door to a new world for Shui Bing'er. Only now did she deeply realize that her former self had merely been a frog at the bottom of a well, utterly unaware that the world of Soul Masters could be so vast.

After receiving the techniques, Shui Bing'er was stunned once more. She could not help sighing inwardly, This teacher is far too incredible, isn't he? What kind of divine method of teaching is this? It's unbelievable!

After roughly reviewing the techniques in her mind, Shui Bing'er had only one feeling—powerful!

"T-Teacher, your kindness toward me is so great that even if this disciple were shattered to pieces, I could never repay it! From this day forward, Bing'er will obey only your commands. If I betray you in even the slightest way, may I die a miserable death!" Shui Bing'er rose to her feet and publicly swore a poisonous oath to demonstrate her resolve.

Ye Feiyang reached out and helped her up, his tone gentle. "Since you have entered my sect, we are family. There is no need to say such things again." He paused, then continued, "All right. Go familiarize yourself with your new techniques first. If there is anything you do not understand, come ask me."

Shui Bing'er nodded. Filled with joy and gratitude, she turned and left the hall.

Ye Feiyang turned toward Huo Wu, who had yet to fully recover from her shock, and said with a smile, "Now it's your turn, Huo Wu."

Everyone could not help secretly laughing at Huo Wu's dazed expression. Xiao Wu stepped forward and lightly bumped her arm. "Hey, Huo Wu, what are you spacing out for? It's time for you to become Teacher's disciple!"

Huo Wu finally snapped back to her senses and said in a fluster, "Ah? Hm? Oh... i-is it my turn? The tea... where's my discipleship tea?"

She truly was nervous to death, though it was mostly because she had let her imagination run wild. If she had not known what Shui Bing'er had experienced, she would not have been this flustered.

Before leaving, Shui Bing'er gave Huo Wu a gentle nod and softly comforted her, "Fifth Junior Sister, don't be nervous. Just cooperate with Teacher. Whatever he tells you to do, do it." She also briefly described her own feelings from earlier, hoping to help Huo Wu relax.

Huo Wu pursed her lips and looked at the strange expressions on Ning Rongrong and the other two's faces. After being teased by everyone, she actually calmed down quite a bit. She lifted the discipleship tea that had long been prepared and presented it to Ye Feiyang. Then she accepted the Sword Leaf Bracelet and put it on, officially becoming Ye Feiyang's fifth Personal Disciple.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully accepting the fifth Personal Disciple: Huo Wu!]

[Personal Disciple Huo Wu has been bound to the host's fifth soul ring slot!]

[The host's fifth soul ring age has dynamically updated to: 17,000 years]

[Huo Wu's information panel has been opened:]

Name: Huo Wu

Talent Evaluation: S-rank

Martial Soul: Fire Shadow

Current Soul Power: Level 35

Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple

[Huo Wu has completed the system's in-depth analysis! An exclusive growth gift pack has been awarded:]

Martial Soul Advancement Pill ×1: Optimizes the Martial Soul's origin, greatly increases potential, and guides the Martial Soul toward beneficial evolution at a higher level.

Heavenly Flame Scripture ×1: A method for controlling ultimate fire. It does not pursue mere explosive destruction, but instead specializes in flame condensation, transformations of form, and precise control.

[Recommended supplementary cultivation method: Flame Condensation Thread Technique]

Effect: Trains precise control over flames to the utmost. It can condense flames into threads, nets, and various other forms, greatly increasing control and versatility. It is a perfect match for Huo Wu's control-type traits.

[Compatibility Assessment: Perfect match! This disciple possesses immense potential and unique Martial Soul traits. This cultivation system can maximize the advantages of her control-type flames, granting her extremely powerful flame manipulation, binding, and detonation abilities while compensating for her lack of sustained power after explosive attacks.]

[Summary of the Heavenly Flame Scripture's core ultimate techniques:]

Fire Spirit Saint Body: The body gains an extremely high affinity for flames and tremendous resistance to fire damage. It can partially transform into an elemental state, becoming immune to some physical attacks, while Soul Power recovery also accelerates.

Huo Wu's Shining Sun: Condense a highly compressed body of flame energy that can be precisely controlled from afar to achieve tracking, binding, continuous burning, and other effects. It can also be detonated at any time to inflict widespread damage.

Repelling Fire Ring: Release a circular shockwave of flames that repels and burns nearby enemies. An excellent skill for self-defense and control.

Flame Brand: Place a flame mark upon a target, allowing the user to sense the target's location from afar while greatly increasing the damage and effects of subsequent fire-type skills against that target.

Ultimate Divine Power: Flame Emperor's Grip: Instantly gather flame energy from an enormous area into the palm, forming a highly compressed dark-red fireball. When thrown, it does not explode. Instead, it forms a massive flaming hand that captures or suppresses the target, continuously refining it until the target is reduced to nothingness.

After reading the system information, Ye Feiyang could not help clicking his tongue inwardly. I'm truly envious that they can become my disciples! The techniques the system gives them are all supreme manuals that can directly lead to the path of immortality, and every set perfectly suits their individual traits. It's far too considerate.

He exited the system interface, took out the Martial Soul Advancement Pill, and held it out to Huo Wu. "You have one too. Swallow it."

Without a second thought, Huo Wu accepted the pill and put it into her mouth. Just like Shui Bing'er, it melted the moment it entered her mouth, and a gentle energy spread through her body. Her Fire Shadow Martial Soul began to stir as an increasingly solid phantom of flames gradually appeared behind her.

A moment later, the Martial Soul Evolution was complete, and Huo Wu's Soul Power directly rose to level 37.

Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu might currently be at somewhat lower levels, but that was because they were younger. Ye Feiyang was confident that within half a year, they would all break through to the Soul Ancestor realm as well.

Now that he had accepted Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er, there were temporarily no suitable candidates to take in as Personal Disciples. Ye Feiyang planned to make a trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well next. Tang San and his group should reach Heaven Dou City before long. However, it was still early, so he was in no hurry. He intended to bring all five disciples there later, allowing them to cultivate for some time and absorb Immortal Herbs to increase their strength.

The moment Huo Wu completed her Martial Soul Evolution, she excitedly grabbed Ye Feiyang's hand, her voice trembling with tears. "Teacher! You'll be my family from now on! Oh heavens, my Martial Soul really evolved! It's called the Supreme Flame Spirit now!"

She raised her little face and asked expectantly, "Teacher, what do you think of this name? Isn't it super impressive?"

Everyone smiled cooperatively at her. Shui Bing'er now thoroughly understood the reverence Zhu Zhuqing and the others held for Ye Feiyang. Anyone who experienced something like this would be completely won over, wouldn't they? Looking at Huo Wu now, she had clearly become Ye Feiyang's little fangirl.

"Huo Wu, don't be in such a hurry! It isn't over yet! Hurry up and sit down—Teacher hasn't finished showing off in front of everyone yet." Xiao Wu giggled as she teased her.

Ye Feiyang glanced at her and pretended to be dissatisfied. "What do you mean, 'showing off in front of everyone'? This is called imparting knowledge and teaching! What have you even been reading?"

Yet inwardly, he thought, I'm not doing this just to show off. It's not like I enjoy being the center of attention.

Xiao Wu chuckled and did not argue. After all, whatever Teacher said went.

Huo Wu finally came back to her senses and hurriedly sat cross-legged on the ground. With an expectant expression, she said, "Teacher, I'm ready. Please begin!"

Ye Feiyang clicked his tongue softly and complained inwardly, Why is there not a single innocent person in this world? Every one of them has more thoughts than the next. Human hearts truly are complicated.

He did not say it aloud and merely reminded her, "All right, stop messing around. Focus your mind and prepare to receive the techniques."

As soon as he finished speaking, spiritual light appeared at Ye Feiyang's fingertips as he gently tapped Huo Wu between the brows. The next second, the essential principles of the Heavenly Flame Scripture and the Flame Condensation Thread Technique surged into her sea of consciousness like a tide.

Huo Wu became excited once again—she could clearly feel that these techniques would allow her to grow without limit. Anyone in her position would have been as excited as she was.

Huo Wu blinked her watery eyes and gazed at Ye Feiyang with deep affection. In an incomparably serious tone, she said, "Teacher... are you willing to accept my repayment? Do you prefer long hair or short hair? As long as you say the word, even my life can be yours!"