Mother and Daughter Take Turns Testing Him

When Lin Hai and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the lobby of the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel, Shui Bing'er was already waiting there.

She clearly hadn't expected Lin Hai to come along, and a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment flashed across her face. Her fingertips unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, and her gaze slightly darted away.

After a brief self-introduction, Lin Hai calmly took his seat, his tone gentle yet authoritative:

"The city has been a mixed bag of people lately, and I was worried about Zhu Qing going out alone, so I came with her."

"You guys chat, don't mind me."

'How am I supposed to speak when you, the person involved, are standing right there?' Shui Bing'er groaned inwardly, but maintained a polite smile on her face.

She took a deep breath and decided to get straight to the point. "Lin Hai, actually, the main reason I invited Zhu Qing this time is also for you."

"Because of me?" Lin Hai raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of surprise.

"Don't misunderstand!" Shui Bing'er quickly waved her hand, her gaze falling on his waist. "To be precise, it's because of the Jade Pendant you're wearing."

"Jade Pendant?" Lin Hai took off the warm and translucent jade Jade Pendant, his fingertips tracing the exquisite Ice Phoenix pattern on it, and exclaimed in realization, "This is yours?"

"You... don't know its origin?" Shui Bing'er asked tentatively, her voice very soft.

"Origin? I really don't know the specifics." Lin Hai smiled frankly.

"This was a gift from someone else. It's said to have been a present from a Spirit Hall Main Hall to the Spirit City headquarters many years ago."

Seeing Lin Hai so openly admit his connection to the Spirit Hall, Shui Bing'er breathed a slight sigh of relief.

At least this man who unexpectedly became connected with the Shui Family is not someone who hides his true identity.

Moreover, judging from his appearance, he seemed completely unaware of the meaning behind the Jade Pendant.

She let out a soft breath and continued, "Then I'll be frank, this Jade Pendant is actually..."

"Bing'er!" A gentle yet dignified female voice suddenly interrupted her.

Shui Yunshu strode into the hall, her gaze quickly sweeping over the people present.

She rushed over as soon as she learned that her daughter had arranged to meet Zhu Zhuqing.

"Mom? What brings you here?" Shui Bing'er was caught off guard, but still introduced herself:

"Lin Hai, Zhu Qing, this is my mother, and she is also the dean of our Skywater Academy."

"Mom, this is Lin Hai, this is Zhu Qing..."

Shui Bing'er was halfway through her introduction when Shui Yunshu gently interrupted her, "I've already heard it."

She gracefully waved her hand, then smiled at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Miss Zhu Qing, would it be convenient for Lin Hai and me to have a few words alone?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Hai and, seeing that he did not object, nodded in agreement.

She walked over to Shui Bing'er, took her hand, and whispered, "Sister Bing'er, take me to meet your teammates?"

She's basically just been an observer throughout this whole affair, and she's only getting a vague idea of what's going on, so she might as well stop listening altogether.

Seeing her mother nod, Shui Bing'er left with Zhu Zhuqing.

I originally planned to handle this matter on my own, but my mother found out anyway.

It must have been Yue'er who said it; I'll definitely settle the score with her later.

Shui Yunshu sat down opposite Lin Hai, not in a hurry to speak, but smilingly scrutinizing him with a hint of examination in her eyes.

Lin Hai had to admit that he was somewhat overwhelmed by this beautiful, domineering, and unfamiliar aunt.

He cleared his throat and spoke first, "This gentleman..."

Then I realized that I didn't even know what his last name was!

Fortunately, the other party also noticed this and said softly, "Shui Yunshu".

Lin Hai gave an awkward smile and held the Jade Pendant back in his palm, "Dean Shui, Miss Bing'er was just talking about this Jade Pendant... Is it a member of the Shui Family?"

"If so, I can return it to its rightful owner."

Shui Yunshu was amused by his somewhat shy demeanor and, instead of beating around the bush, simply said:

"Lin Hai, if I'm not mistaken, you must be the His Highness the Saint Son has never made a public appearance in Spirit City since being bestowed the title, right?"

Shui Yunshu has been busy these past few days, secretly investigating Lin Hai and the people around him.

The result shocked her greatly—

Lin Hai had connections with Ning Fengzhi's daughter, Dugu Bo's granddaughter, the Ye Family, Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, and even Tang Yuehua of the Clear Sky Sect.

Since he is in Liu Erlong's academy, he is probably not far removed from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Moreover, she discovered that since Lin Hai appeared, the women around him had all experienced a significant increase in strength in a short period of time.

With such abilities, and the fact that the "Profound Ice Phoenix" which should have been in Spirit City is in his hands, his true identity is not hard to guess.

But what exactly does the Spirit Hall intend to do?

Complete infiltration of the Heaven Dou Empire?

Or are they planning to support Heaven Dou in launching a war against the Star Luo Empire?

Regardless of the possibility, if he can achieve either one, Skywater Academy will have no need to hesitate any longer.

By attaching themselves to the Spirit Hall, their future will surely be smooth sailing.

She had originally wanted to probe a few more times, but seeing Lin Hai's cheerful and honest demeanor, like a boy next door, she simply decided to lay her cards on the table.

Lin Hai did not intend to hide it.

After the tournament ended and Xue Ye passed away, the Spirit Hall began its full-scale expansion, and his identity was no longer a secret.

"Yes, it's me." He nodded, paused, then raised his hand and said, "This Jade Pendant ..."

"This item is called ' Profound Ice Phoenix,' and it has been passed down through generations of my Shui Family," Shui Yunshu said slowly.

"Bing'er and the others secretly took it to the Skywater City auction house and sold it a few years ago."

"The story in between is a long one."

Upon hearing this, Lin Hai immediately handed over the Jade Pendant: "In that case, it should be returned to Dean Shui."

Shui Yunshu waved her hand, refusing to accept it, and smiled:

"It's a long story, but I have to tell it. You can make a decision after I've finished."

She then detailed the symbolic meaning of the "Profound Ice Phoenix" in the Shui Family, and how Shui Bing'er and others had accidentally seen him wearing the jade on the street. She concluded with a slightly ambiguous tone:

"According to the Shui Family's rules, whoever holds this jade is the lover chosen by the family head. And Bing'er is the designated next family head."

"Originally, she was to take over the Shui Family and was not allowed to marry outside the family. But since you are the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, it is not impossible to make an exception."

"At worst, I'll work hard for a few more decades, and then pass the position of family head to your children!"

"So, Your His Highness the Saint Son, do you think the Spirit Hall would even consider a small, insignificant family like ours?"

Shui Yunshu spoke in a deliberately relaxed tone, but a careful observer would notice that she was actually quite guilty.

After all, there was a huge flaw in her words!

Lin Hai's expression gradually shifted from initial astonishment to contemplation.

He held the Jade Pendant between his fingers, pondered for a moment, and then spoke:

"I have a few questions that I would like to ask Dean Shui first."

"Ask away, I'll answer anything you know!" Shui Yunshu rested her chin on her hand, appearing languid, but her eyes betrayed her nervousness.