After Xue Zhe, Liu Tianfeng, and Dugu Bo left, Xue Tianxing took the skipping Shui Yue'er and headed straight for the rear hall.
The moment he pushed open the rear hall doors, he saw Yu Ningxin, Shui Wuyue, and Shui Bing'er seated around a round table, chatting with smiles on their faces.
Shui Bing'er in particular had rosy cheeks, as though something they had said had embarrassed her. Her gaze darted away, and she did not dare meet Xue Tianxing's eyes.
"Tianxing, come sit."
Yu Ningxin spotted the two of them at the door first and waved with a smile.
Xue Tianxing answered, took Shui Yue'er by the hand, and quickly walked over to sit in the empty seat beside Yu Ningxin.
Shui Yue'er obediently ran to Shui Bing'er's side, hugged her arm, and curiously surveyed the furnishings in the hall.
Yu Ningxin patted Xue Tianxing's hand and got straight to the point.
"Tianxing, I just had a thorough talk with your Aunt Wuyue and asked Bing'er what she thought. The two of you being able to trigger a Martial Soul Fusion Skill is an incredible stroke of fate, and it will be immensely beneficial to both of your cultivation. So we've decided that Bing'er will live in the palace from now on and cultivate alongside you. You are not allowed to bully her. You must take good care of her, understand?"
Delighted, Xue Tianxing nodded seriously.
"Don't worry, Mother. I will take good care of Bing'er and never bully her. We'll work hard at cultivation together."
He turned to Shui Bing'er, his eyes brimming with a sincere smile.
Shui Bing'er grew even more embarrassed under his gaze. She lowered her head, though the corners of her lips could not help curling upward as she softly murmured, "Mm."
Just then,