Training Shui Bing'er: I Tolerate All Under Heaven—How Much More You?

The battle did not subside until the sun began to set.

Several cities throughout Chang'an were filled with the joyful, elated atmosphere of victory!

Countless civilians pledged their hearts, and soldiers were willing to die for the cause!

Inside Chang'an's temporary royal palace.

Xue Luochuan held a grand banquet to celebrate the five victorious generals upon their return.

The generals, exhausted after a long day, had removed their armor and were devouring the delicacies spread across the table.

"You have all worked hard. You returned in complete victory, and I am greatly pleased!"

Several generals had given their all in this battle!

Kai especially had faced Yu Yuanzhen, the strongest among them.

Several times, Xue Luochuan had wanted to send Li Xin to support him.

But to prevent the Heavenly Dou Army from launching a counterattack when they finally moved troops to the southern city, he had kept Li Xin in the Royal Capital.

"Fortunately, Yu Yuanzhen did not fight to the death. Otherwise, the eastern city truly would have fallen!" Kai sighed in relief as he gnawed on a roasted lamb leg.

Xue Luochuan smiled with complete confidence.

"Yu Yuanzhen would not risk his life. This battle was not worth dying for, as far as he was concerned."

There was no deep-seated hatred between the Chang'an Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Soul Masters from sects like them were even more free-spirited.

The Five Elements Academy had only contributed to the Tian Dou Empire because it had accepted benefits from the Tian Dou Empire.

There was no need to risk their lives over such minor gains!

Money could be earned again after it was gone, but once a life was gone, it was truly gone!

Still, this battle had been exceptionally brutal for the Chang'an Empire!

After all, they had fought fewer against more. Even though they had utterly defeated the enemy army, Chang'an's soldiers had suffered heavy casualties!

Including the captured soldiers, Chang'an now had fewer than ten thousand troops available for battle!

Once the wounded prisoners recovered, they could assemble an army of thirty to forty thousand!

After its previous defeat, the Tian Dou Empire had also deployed heavy garrisons to the cities near Chang'an.

With passive defense, Chang'an feared no faction now.

But if they took the initiative to attack, Chang'an's forces were somewhat insufficient.

Having just endured the baptism of blood and fire, the Chang'an Empire needed time to recuperate and recruit more soldiers!

To conquer cities and seize territory, one needed not only capable generals, but enough soldiers as well!

Otherwise, even if they captured a city, they would not be able to hold it!

But they had returned in great victory today, and the whole nation was celebrating. They could enjoy themselves for a few days first!

Besides a large number of Heavenly Dou prisoners and supplies, the spoils of war this time also included several female students from Skywater Academy whom Hua Mulan had brought back!

The other academies had all sent students to gain experience, but Skywater Academy's dean had actually made these students lead troops.

Mainly because Shui Bing'er and the others were truly too young!

The oldest had only just turned thirteen!

Hua Mulan truly could not bring herself to kill them!

With such a great victory, everyone was in high spirits and ate to their hearts' content.

After eating and drinking their fill, Xue Luochuan leisurely made his way to his bedchamber.

Seven pale-blue figures, short but remarkably well-proportioned, stood in a line by the wall beside the door with their heads lowered.

People in the Douluo world matured early on average.

Though they were only thirteen, several of them had already nearly finished developing!

Moreover, Skywater Academy was a renowned academy for women.

Not only were these students exceptionally gifted, every one of them was beautiful and carried an extraordinary charm!

That was also why Xue Luochuan had kept them.

Xue Luochuan sat crisply upon the dragon bed.

Qian Renxue very knowingly stepped forward to pour his tea, massage him, and rub his back.

"You girls, did you ever imagine this day would come?"

Xue Luochuan spoke softly, but the invisible imperial majesty in his voice left Shui Bing'er and the others scarcely daring to breathe!

Skywater Academy was the only academy among the Five Elements Academy that admitted commoners.

They were all Soul Masters from ordinary families.

They held immense awe and reverence toward an emperor who stood so high above them!

What was more, they were defeated generals and prisoners now!

At Xue Luochuan's question, Shui Yue'er, Xue Wu, and several others were so frightened that their eyes brimmed with tears.

They feared that Xue Luochuan would inflict some harsh punishment upon them!

Only Shui Bing'er remained composed, calm and natural, though she still did not dare raise her head and meet the emperor's gaze.

"Your Majesty, we never imagined it," Shui Bing'er answered quietly. "We followed the dean's arrangements and never considered anything else."

They were still young and had not thought many matters through carefully or comprehensively.

"War between two armies is no child's play. You could die at any moment. Have you prepared yourselves to die?"

His light voice reached the ears of all seven girls.

At the mention of death, the already frightened girls nearly dropped to their knees.

"Your Majesty, spare us!"

"We do not understand these things!"

"The dean was the one who sent us!"

The girls hurriedly cried out.

Even Shui Bing'er, who had been forcing herself to remain calm, turned pale. Her steps wavered, and she nearly fell backward.

Death.

They had never considered it before coming here!

They had been gifted since childhood. Once their martial souls awakened, Skywater Academy had valued them highly.

From then on, their lives had been smooth sailing!

They had never even experienced defeat, much less death, which was more terrifying than defeat?

"If you are willing to sincerely surrender to me, then become my personal attendants. If you refuse to surrender..."

A chill flashed through Xue Luochuan's eyes.

They might be young, but each possessed considerable talent!

If they refused to surrender, they would surely bear resentment toward him!

Once people like that grew up, they might not affect him personally, but they would inevitably pose a hidden danger to the forces under his command.

His dream was to conquer the entire continent.

He absolutely could not leave behind such a threat to the continent!

At the threat of death, the girls all wavered.

Xue Wu was the first to kneel on one knee and salute. "I am willing to serve Your Majesty!"

Shui Yue'er and the others also saluted one after another to express their submission.

The desire to survive was human instinct. So long as they could live, few people wished to die!

Only Shui Bing'er's body swayed as hesitation flashed through her blue eyes.

They came from humble origins, and Skywater Academy had created their current brilliance!

But soon, her gaze became firm.

"Our dean fled before the battle. With a great war imminent, she vanished without a trace and instead sent us to lead the army, disregarding our lives. She is so calculating that she simply is not worth dying for!"

They were exceptionally gifted. Even without entering Skywater Academy, other academies would have valued them.

Their talent and hard work had not let the academy down; they had likewise built Skywater Academy's reputation!

Yet with a great battle imminent, Skywater Academy's dean had made such a heartbreaking choice.

This strengthened Shui Bing'er's resolve to surrender to Xue Luochuan.

"Very good. You can be taught!"

Xue Luochuan nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Your Majesty is keeping us by your side. Are you not afraid of raising tigers that will bring disaster upon you?" Shui Bing'er asked.

A final stubborn defiance belonging to a genius surfaced on her slightly childish, proud face!

"I tolerate all under heaven—how much more you?"

Xue Luochuan laughed boldly.

His ambition lay in the vast universe. What did he have to fear from a few young women?

Such broad-mindedness made Shui Bing'er and the others see him in an entirely new light!

A sense of sincere admiration began to rise in their hearts.

Thus, these seven girls were trained into attendants who served at his side.

As Qian Renxue massaged Xue Luochuan, she listened to their conversation.

She immediately caught several key words.

"War between two armies?"

It seemed these girls, like her, had been captured from the enemy army!

If so, Chang'an must have gone through a major battle today!

And there was no need to mention the outcome of that battle.

Xue Luochuan must have won!

Otherwise, there could not possibly have been no commotion in the Royal Capital!

This caused the hope in Qian Renxue's heart to gradually crumble.