A Defensive Soul Tool Gift, Dean Shui's Secret

Ji Wuming did not hold anything back and told Li Xianyue in detail everything he knew about the Phoenix-like soul beast.

"I see. There is another possibility: a place where Blue Silver Grass grows in exceptional abundance—namely, that Blue Silver Forest."

Seeing that they had found a perfect solution to the Martial Soul awakening issue, Dean Shui was also delighted. He looked at Ji Wuming and Shui Bing'er before saying to Li Xianyue,

"Sister Xian, sending word and hunting that soul beast will both take time. And Bing'er's Cold Syndrome could flare up again at any moment. Why don't you stay in Vast Sea City for the time being?"

Halfway through speaking, Dean Shui immediately pulled Ji Wuming over to his side and continued, "We can show you the sights of the sea while we're at it. Once we receive word from the clan, it won't be too late to return."

"That was exactly our intention. It has been a long time since I last came to a coastal city."

Though Li Xianyue said so, she did not want Shui Bing'er to remain under the excessive scrutiny of the clan elders.

Besides, Bing'er being away from Skywater Academy might very well delay her studies. Still, Li Xianyue was, after all, the acting director of Skywater Academy's External Affairs Department, and she had some insights into cultivating an Ice Attribute Martial Soul.

Li Xianyue turned to Shui Bing'er and asked, "Bing'er, how about we stay in Vast Sea City for now?"

"Auntie, I'll listen to you."

Shui Bing'er replied happily. Truthfully, she had not felt so relaxed in a very long time.

Afterward, Dean Shui sent someone back to the clan with a letter, while he personally invited the four of them to a banquet to celebrate Shui Bing'er's impending freedom from the suffering of her Cold Syndrome.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

During that time, seemingly due to Dean Shui and Li Xianyue deliberately playing matchmaker, Ji Wuming and Shui Bing'er's relationship rapidly improved. The two had practically become friends who could talk about anything.

Just as Ji Wuming finished making a Soul Tool casing, he heard footsteps lingering outside the door, along with some indistinct muttering.

"Why hasn't Brother Ji come out yet? Didn't he promise to go shopping with me every three days and do suitable Martial Soul training?

"What exactly is he doing in there? If he still doesn't come out, then I... I'll leave."

Shui Bing'er paced in front of the blacksmith shop, muttering to herself. It had been around two or three days since she arrived in Blue Fish Village.

Yet during that time, Ji Wuming had shut himself inside the blacksmith shop. Aside from bringing out daily meals and checking on her from time to time, he hardly ever came out. He was nothing like how warm and attentive he had been toward her before.

Had their feelings for each other faded, or had she lost her charm and made Ji Wuming grow tired of her?

She peered through the crack in the door. Suddenly, the door opened from within. Losing her balance, she fell straight into Ji Wuming's arms. At that moment, both of their hearts pounded violently.

With his sturdy physique, Ji Wuming did not topple over from the sudden impact. He remained standing and teased her,

"Bing'er, look at you, getting impatient again. Hurry and get up."

Shui Bing'er's face flushed red as she quickly steadied herself. Her gaze darted away as she said, "I was worried about you. If something happened to you, then in the future..."

Shui Bing'er abruptly stopped halfway through, her face turning even redder.

"What about the future?"

Ji Wuming pretended to be clueless as he asked curiously.

"Y-you... I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Shui Bing'er turned around, her back facing Ji Wuming. Not knowing what to say, her face became even redder. She wished she could find a hole in the ground and crawl into it.

Ji Wuming found her behavior rather surprising. Wasn't the Shui Bing'er in his memory supposed to be a cold, aloof ice queen? Why had she become like this now?

But then he reconsidered. Shui Bing'er was only seven years old now! How much aloofness could she possibly have?

Ji Wuming immediately placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her back around to face him.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. This is a Soul Tool I've recently developed. It has excellent defensive capabilities and can withstand an ordinary Soul Elder's Third Soul Skill. I'm giving it to you. If you encounter danger, it can offer you some protection."

Shui Bing'er curiously looked at the defensive Soul Tool in Ji Wuming's hand and asked, "This is the Soul Tool you spent three days tinkering with?"

"That's right!"

"First Soul Skill, Ice Seal!"

As ice rapidly spread beneath Ji Wuming's feet and climbed toward his upper body, he immediately circulated his Soul Power to activate the defensive Soul Tool. A blue energy barrier instantly enveloped him.

This prevented his whole body from being completely sealed in ice. Ji Wuming said with some displeasure, "That was uncalled for. Have you forgotten what Aunt Yue said? Don't use your First Soul Skill whenever you feel like it. If your Cold Syndrome flares up again, I won't be able to save you."

"Got it, got it. You're so naggy."

The moment Shui Bing'er finished speaking, Ji Wuming broke free of the Ice Seal, quickly ran over to her, and handed her the defensive Soul Tool. Then, without looking back, he strode forward while pretending to be angry.

"Brother Ji, are you angry?"

"Then Bing'er won't casually use her First Soul Skill before absorbing that Phoenix-type Soul Ring. Will you go shopping with me?"

Ji Wuming silently nodded. Shui Bing'er was delighted upon seeing this, though inwardly she complained wildly.

Brother Ji really loves getting angry.

Li Xianyue and Dean Shui, who had been watching the scene from the shadows, exchanged a glance before following behind them.

"Big Brother, is this really alright?"

For the past three months, Li Xianyue had followed Dean Shui's advice and allowed Ji Wuming and Shui Bing'er to spend time together, hoping they would develop feelings for each other. Even if Ji Wuming did not join the Shui Family, the Shui Family could still indirectly gain him.

"I've always had a sharp eye for people. Little Ji has many ideas, and his methods are quite bold. Even with only level-three Innate Soul Power, he has already broken through to the Soul Grandmaster level in merely four or five years!"

Dean Shui had already formed this idea when he previously wrote the letter. How many soul masters on the continent could possess a Second Thousand-Year Ring?

Ji Wuming would be the first in history. Even if his talent proved insufficient later on, how weak could his overall strength possibly be? Bing'er and Little Ming were a match made in heaven.

"But Bing'er is best suited for a Beast Martial Soul master!"

Dean Shui only pondered Li Xianyue's hesitation for a moment before rejecting it outright. While it was true that pairing two Beast Martial Soul masters would benefit their descendants' chances of awakening Beast Martial Souls or powerful mutated Beast Martial Souls,

those were not real concerns. Who could say what the future held? Yet there were not many chances to take Ji Wuming in now!

Thus, Dean Shui replied domineeringly, "Sister Xian, if those stubborn clan elders have any objections, let them come to me. Do you think I'd be afraid of them?"

"That would be for the best. With you supporting Bing'er, Big Brother, those clan elders won't dare act too recklessly. Why not return with us tomorrow?"

I'm not very good at writing romance scenes. I wrote this today, deleted it, then wrote it again. It was so cheesy. I'm truly sorry to all the readers who have been following the updates for posting late.