Skywater Academy

They found me!

Lin Ming's heart sank. Both he and Little Lei Yi were in an extremely weakened state. If the newcomers had ill intentions...

He quickly scanned his surroundings, dragging his exhausted body, and forced himself to move behind a patch of dense bushes, recalling Little Lei Yi into his body.

Running or fighting was unrealistic right now; he could only hide and observe the situation.

Almost the moment he hid, seven figures passed through the trees and appeared in the clearing where the battle had just taken place.

They were seven young girls, dressed in matching light blue dresses, ranging in age from seven to thirteen.

The cuffs of their dresses were embroidered with patterns of snowflakes and flowing water, the emblem of Skywater Academy.

Leading them was a girl with short blue hair, about thirteen years old, with a calm demeanor. Her sharp gaze swept over the chaotic battlefield.

Broken trees, scorched marks, the fallen Lightning Leopard, and the floating yellow hundred-year Soul Ring.

She raised her hand, signaling her companions to stop.

"Sister Xuewu, the commotion came from this direction, right? Such a strong lightning attribute fluctuation!"

A blue-haired girl, about eleven years old, peeked out from behind Xuewu, looking around curiously.

It was Shui Yue'er.

"Mm, the battle is over. Judging by the traces... it was brief, but the power was astonishing."

Xuewu crouched down, examining the Lightning Leopard's wounds, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"This Lightning Leopard had at least four hundred years of cultivation. Killed in one blow... it doesn't seem like something an ordinary Soul Grand Master could do."

"Wow! Four hundred years? Then the person who did this must be at least a Soul Elder. Where are they? Did they run away?"

Shui Yue'er blinked and exclaimed.

"The Soul Ring is still here. They shouldn't have gone far, or..."

Xuewu stood up, her gaze scanning the surroundings vigilantly, ready to activate her Martial Soul Avatar at any moment.

"Xuewu, over here."

A clear voice, tinged with a hint of childishness, rang out.

The speaker was a girl standing slightly behind the others. She looked no older than eight or nine, with smooth, water-blue long hair, delicate features, and skin so fair it was almost transparent.

Most striking were her eyes, ice blue, clear, and serene.

She was frowning slightly, observing some faint traces on the ground.

"Bing'er, did you find something?"

Xuewu's attitude towards Shui Bing'er was clearly respectful, and she immediately walked over.

This was the most talented student of Skywater Academy's current generation. Despite her young age, she had already been designated as the core of the future team.

Shui Bing'er pointed to the almost imperceptible marks on the ground, then towards the direction of the bushes where Lin Ming was hiding, her voice calm but certain.

"The combatant was injured, or extremely exhausted, making movement difficult. They might still be nearby."

The other, slightly older students, upon hearing this, immediately spread out in a tacit understanding, forming a loose encirclement, their Soul Power subtly fluctuating.

Lin Ming, hidden behind the bushes, gave a wry smile. He hadn't expected this little girl to be so observant.

"Hey! You hiding over there, come out! We don't mean any harm!"

Shui Yue'er called out towards the bushes, her tone not aggressive, but rather tinged with curiosity.

"We're students from Skywater Academy, just passing by. You killed this Lightning Leopard alone? That's impressive."

Lin Ming knew he couldn't hide any longer. Moreover, judging by their words and actions, they didn't seem to intend to attack.

He took a deep breath, calming the churning Blood Essence within him, trying his best to appear composed, and then pushed aside the bushes to step out.

When his somewhat disheveled figure appeared before the Skywater Academy group, the girls were stunned.

"A... child?" one student exclaimed in surprise.

"No way? Him? Killed a four-hundred-year Lightning Leopard?"

Another student looked incredulous.

"Looking at him, his Soul Power fluctuation is very weak, and his clothes are all tattered."

Shui Yue'er's eyes widened even further. She stepped closer, scrutinizing Lin Ming from head to toe.

"How old are you? Are you even eight?"

Lin Ming's lips twitched slightly. He didn't answer the question about his age, simply stating calmly, "It was just luck. I killed this Soul Beast, and I need the Soul Ring. If you have no other business, please be on your way."

He deliberately made his tone sound cold, hoping to make them retreat.

However, the emptiness in his Soul Power and the fatigue in his body made his voice inevitably carry a hint of weakness.

Xuewu's gaze moved between Lin Ming's pale face, his torn clothes, and the hundred-year Soul Ring, her brow furrowed.

A child so young and seemingly weak, killing a four-hundred-year Soul Beast alone at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest?

This was completely illogical.

"Are you here alone?"

Shui Bing'er spoke, her voice still clear and cold, but her question cut to the heart of the matter.

"Where are your family or elders?"

Lin Ming's heart tightened, knowing this question would be difficult to answer.

"Training," he said briefly, trying to sidestep the issue.

"My teacher... is waiting for me nearby."

In the air, besides the seven girls before him, there was a Soul Power fluctuation hidden in the shadows.

It was a presence more powerful than the seven girls in front of him.

He didn't know if his lie could fool that powerful being, but he had to try at least.

"How can a child so young come to the Star Dou Great Forest alone for training? It's too dangerous."

Shui Yue'er spoke her mind.

"Hey, little guy, did you sneak out? Or did you get separated from your group? Tell us the truth, and maybe we sisters can help you."

"Yue'er."

Shui Bing'er gently stopped her from pressing further. She took a step forward, met Lin Ming's gaze, and looked at him seriously.

"You're injured, and your Soul Power is almost depleted. Absorbing a four-hundred-year Soul Ring, even in optimal condition, carries risks. In your current state, the chance of failure from forcibly absorbing it exceeds seventy percent, with the danger of your body exploding or your spirit being injured."

Shui Bing'er spoke at a moderate pace, yet every word was clear, her analysis methodical, completely unlike an eight or nine-year-old child.

"The Lightning Leopard's Soul Ring energy is violent and carries lightning attributes. While it's good that it matches your Martial Soul's attributes, it also requires your body and spirit to be in a relatively stable state."

Lin Ming fell silent.

He knew Shui Bing'er was telling the truth.

Using the Martial Soul Fusion Skill just now had put an immense strain on him and Little Lei Yi, and now was indeed not a good time to absorb a Soul Ring.

But Soul Rings wouldn't wait; the longer he delayed, the more variables there would be.

Seeing Lin Ming's silence, Shui Bing'er continued, "We can guard you for a while until you recover some of your strength. But afterward, you'll need to tell us the truth."

Her proposal made Xue Wu's eyebrows twitch slightly.

"Bing'er, isn't this too rash? We don't know his background yet."

"Sister Xuewu."

Shui Bing'er turned her head, her tone earnest.

"He's younger than I am, alone here, and seriously injured. The academy taught us that Soul Masters are not inherently enemies, and we should help each other within our capabilities."

"If he truly killed the Soul Beast by himself... perhaps he's worth befriending."

She spoke the last sentence softly, but Xue Wu and the other students all understood.

"Oh my, our Captain Bing'er is just kind-hearted. She wants to help but explains it so formally."