Shui Yue'er's Infatuation, Shui Bing'er's Cool Composure

The next day, close to noon.

Ji Xuan left Godwind Academy.

Having only recently arrived in Element City, he had yet to properly sample the local cuisine. Today, he wanted to find a decent restaurant.

Golden Crocodile Douluo had not accompanied him this time, choosing instead to protect him from the shadows.

Yesterday, after Feng Xiaotian finished absorbing the Whale Rubber, Dean Feng had taken him straight to the Star Dou Great Forest early that morning.

The round trip would take about a week.

Ji Xuan and Golden Crocodile Douluo had therefore temporarily stayed at Godwind Academy.

Element City's bluestone streets were broad and tidy, lined with shops on both sides.

The streets bustled with pedestrians, most of them young soul masters from the elemental academies.

Ji Xuan strolled through the crowd, curiously taking in this city famed for its elements.

His tall, straight figure and exceptionally handsome features made him stand out from the crowd, drawing glances from passersby.

Quite a few young girls whispered among themselves, their gazes lingering on him for a long while.

Half an hour later.

Ji Xuan had walked from the eastern part of the city to the north.

He stopped before an exquisitely decorated restaurant. Seeing the endless stream of diners entering and leaving through its doors, he figured the food must be quite good and prepared to go in and try it.

Just then, a burst of bright, bell-like laughter reached his ears.

Ji Xuan turned and saw two young women emerging from an accessory shop across the street.

Both wore long aqua-blue dresses, with tall, graceful figures and somewhat similar features.

The girl on the left had a cool, aloof temperament. She possessed a pair of pale blue eyes, while her waist-length blue hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her skin was white as snow.

The girl beside her appeared far more lively.

Her shoulder-length hair was a brighter shade of light blue, and her face was filled with a youthful, radiant smile as she excitedly held the aloof girl's arm and said something.

Judging from their attire and temperaments, Ji Xuan silently guessed that they might be the Shui Bing'er sisters from Skywater Academy.

"Big Sister, look, the accessories in this shop are so pretty..."

Shui Yue'er was speaking excitedly when, the instant she looked up, she precisely caught sight of Ji Xuan amid the crowd.

Her voice abruptly cut off, and her steps halted. Her beautiful eyes widened instantly, fixing straight on Ji Xuan, unable to shift away even a fraction.

"Yue'er? What's wrong?"

Noticing her Younger Sister's strange behavior, Shui Bing'er also stopped and followed her gaze.

When she saw Ji Xuan, a barely perceptible flicker of surprise passed through her cool eyes.

That young man's bearing truly was extraordinary, as though he had been born to be the center of attention in any crowd.

"B-Big Sister... he, he's so handsome!"

Shui Yue'er vigorously shook Shui Binger's arm. A faint blush spread across her face, and she was so excited that she could barely speak coherently.

Shui Bing'er could not help rubbing her forehead and sighing. "Yue'er, can't you be a little more reserved?"

Her Younger Sister was good in every way, except that she was far too infatuated with handsome men...

Whenever she saw someone of the opposite sex with exceptional looks, she could not even walk properly.

However, once Shui Yue'er's infatuated nature flared up, it was difficult to restrain.

She pulled the somewhat unwilling Shui Bing'er and quickly headed toward Ji Xuan.

Before long, the Shui Bing'er sisters arrived in front of Ji Xuan.

"Hi! Hello!"

Shui Yue'er kept staring at Ji Xuan, a shy blush on her face.

Shui Bing'er's expression remained calm, though her gaze held a trace of scrutiny and helplessness.

"Miss, may I ask what you need?" Ji Xuan looked at Shui Yue'er.

"Um... we're from Skywater Academy. My name is Shui Yue'er, and this is my Big Sister, Shui Bing'er. May I ask what your name is?"

Seeing Ji Xuan's gentle smile, Shui Yue'er's cheeks reddened further and her heartbeat quickened.

Shui Bing'er secretly tugged at her Younger Sister's sleeve, but when she met Ji Xuan's gaze, she still maintained basic courtesy and gave a slight nod.

"My name is Ji Xuan."

"Ji Xuan..." Shui Yue'er softly repeated, completely ignoring Shui Bing'er.

"I've never seen you before. You're not from Element City, are you?"

"Mm. I only just arrived in Element City and was taking a look around."

"Then... then you're not familiar with this place, right? Do you want me to show you around? I know Element City really well!"

"Sorry, I'm going inside to eat now." Ji Xuan pointed at the restaurant behind him.

"Then can we go with you?"

"Sure."

"Really? That's great! Sister, let's go in!"

"Then we'll impose on you."

Shui Bing'er had wanted to refuse, but seeing that her younger sister had already agreed—and feeling rather hungry herself—she gave a slight nod.

"Welcome, three honored guests!"

As the three entered the restaurant, a waiter hurried over to greet them.

Ji Xuan said, "Give us your finest private room."

"Right away! Three esteemed guests, the Listening Wind Pavilion on the top floor! Please follow me!"

Seeing Ji Xuan's extraordinary bearing, the waiter did not dare slight him and quickly bowed as he led the way.

"Wow, this place has such a nice atmosphere!"

The moment Shui Yue'er entered the private room, she could not help exclaiming in admiration. She quickly ran to the window and looked down at the bustling street below, visibly excited.

"Miss Bing'er, please." Ji Xuan gestured for Shui Bing'er to take a seat.

"Thank you."

Ji Xuan sat across from Shui Bing'er.

Seeing this from the window, Shui Yue'er hurried over and took the empty seat beside Ji Xuan.

After ordering, Shui Yue'er looked at Ji Xuan. "Ji Xuan, where are you from?"

"Spirit Hall."

Ji Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he lightly sipped his hot tea.

"Spirit Hall!" Shui Yue'er cried out.

Shui Bing'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Her previously relaxed posture unconsciously became guarded.

She had not expected Ji Xuan to be from Spirit Hall.

"What is it? Miss Bing'er seems to... have some objections to Spirit Hall?"

Ji Xuan keenly noticed the change in her attitude. He set down his teacup and smiled faintly.

Rather than answering directly, Shui Bing'er studied him with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes. "May I ask what brings Young Master Ji Xuan to Element City?"

In recent years, Spirit Hall had been trying to bring the three independent elemental academies under its control.

And Ji Xuan clearly had an extraordinary background, so she could not help being a little more cautious.

"I'm merely traveling." Ji Xuan calmly met her gaze. "What, does Element City not welcome people from Spirit Hall?"

"That's not the case."

For a moment, silence fell over the private room, and the atmosphere grew somewhat stiff.

Seeing this, Shui Yue'er hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Oh, Ji Xuan, don't misunderstand. My sister doesn't mean any harm..."

Just then, the waiter pushed open the door and entered with the dishes.

"Excuse me, honored guests. Please enjoy!"

After arranging the dishes on the table, the waiter bowed and withdrew.

"Ladies, please," Ji Xuan said.

The three began their meal.

As she ate, Shui Yue'er chattered away nonstop.

"Ji Xuan, try this. It's a specialty from our Element City. And this... this..."

"Thank you," Ji Xuan replied politely.

Shui Yue'er set down her chopsticks, cupped her face in both hands, and asked expectantly, "Oh, right, Ji Xuan, do you have a girlfriend?"

"I already have a fiancée." Qian Renxue's figure surfaced in Ji Xuan's mind.

"A... a fiancée?!" The smile on Shui Yue'er's face instantly froze, her eyes widening roundly.

Like a deflated balloon, she picked up her chopsticks and resentfully poked at the Soul Beast Meat in her bowl, muttering in a low voice, "How do you already have a fiancée..."

For the rest of the meal, she remained distracted. Every so often, she secretly glanced at Ji Xuan before letting out an almost inaudible sigh.

She had been dumped before she had even begun. Boohoo...

In contrast, Shui Bing'er ate quietly throughout, her posture graceful and proper.

Half an hour later, Shui Bing'er set down her chopsticks and took out a handkerchief to gently wipe the corner of her mouth.

"Yue'er, we should go back." Shui Bing'er rose to her feet. "We still have training this afternoon."

"Ah..." Shui Yue'er pouted in displeasure.

"Sorry, this is for today's meal." Shui Bing'er took out several Gold Soul Coins and placed them on the table. "We still have matters to attend to, so we'll be taking our leave."

Ji Xuan did not insist on keeping them. He merely smiled faintly. "It's nothing. Until we meet again."

Shui Bing'er walked around Ji Xuan and pulled Shui Yue'er away, though the latter kept looking back with every few steps as they left the private room.

"Ji Xuan, you have to come to Skywater Academy and visit me!"

Ji Xuan nodded slightly. Watching the two girls' retreating backs, he fell into thought.