Bing'er: I Am the Older Sister

In Cold Mist Valley, Shui Bing'er's Soul Ring acquisition proceeded smoothly.

This was supposed to be a training session for them, but it changed the moment they encountered Lin Ming.

With Teacher Shen present, there was no combat and no danger throughout the entire process.

"Ice Crystal Wings allow for flight, and more importantly, they enhance my ice perception and Soul Power control."

Shui Bing'er opened her eyes, a hint of joy flashing in her ice-blue irises. Without waiting for others to ask, she introduced her Soul Skill.

"A very good Soul Skill. With this level of control, you can try to condense ice into shields, or turn ice into cones in the future. If these Self-Created Soul Skills are used well, they're no worse than official Soul Skills."

Teacher Shen nodded, gently planning future Soul Skills for her.

The others gathered around, watching with curiosity.

Lin Ming watched quietly from the side.

He remembered the days he hunted the Lightning Leopard.

Alone in the forest, he was on edge, meticulously planning every move.

He even had to detour a long way just for a drink of clean water.

Then he looked at Shui Bing'er, surrounded by her teacher and friends.

The Soul Beast had no choice but to obediently offer its Soul Ring.

This was the difference that having connections made.

Lin Ming sighed.

Fortunately, the most difficult first Soul Ring had been successfully acquired.

Next, he inevitably thought of Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang had also said he would help him hunt for a Soul Ring, but his plan involved having a six-year-old Tang San take hidden weapons and go on an adventure.

Teacher Shen could easily hunt a few hundred-year-old Soul Beasts, but Yu Xiaogang couldn't even deal with a four-hundred-year-old Mandala Snake and needed Tang San to save the day.

If Tang San wasn't a transmigrator, without the things from the Tang Sect.

He'd probably be buried under three meters of grass by now.

Teacher Shen would meticulously explain the development direction of Soul Skills, while Yu Xiaogang only thought about verifying his theories.

One was genuinely teaching, the other was just using students as tools.

Lin Ming shook his head.

Everyone walks their own path.

"Lin Ming."

A clear, cold voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lin Ming looked up and saw Shui Bing'er walking towards him.

She walked steadily, each step as if measured, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

"Senior Sister Bing'er."

Lin Ming stood up.

Shui Bing'er stopped in front of him, her water-blue eyes looking at him seriously.

"Thank you."

Lin Ming was stunned.

"Thank me for what?"

"For what you said earlier, about choosing Soul Skills, about the techniques for Self-Created Soul Skills."

Shui Bing'er's voice was calm, but her eyes were serious.

"So, thank you."

She paused and added.

Lin Ming hadn't expected her to be so polite and didn't know how to respond for a moment, so he just nodded.

"You're welcome."

"From here to Skywater City, it takes four days by carriage."

Shui Bing'er's small face was tense, but her fingers trembled slightly.

"The academy is on break now, the dormitories are quite empty, and the training grounds are mostly unused."

She looked directly at Lin Ming with her ice-blue eyes and asked.

"Would you like to come visit?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Yue'er's voice, laced with laughter, came from the side.

"Oh my, our Captain Bing'er is actively inviting someone to the academy, is this an exception?"

Xuewu also walked over, a smile on her face, and nodded.

"It's truly rare. I remember last time someone wanted to visit the academy, Bing'er sternly said, 'This is an important area of the academy, unauthorized entry is forbidden.'"

Shui Bing'er's ear tips flushed slightly, but she maintained a serious expression and replied matter-of-factly, "Lin Ming is different."

Qiu Ruoshui poked her head out from the side, saying with a grin, "How is he different, Bing'er?"

Shui Bing'er took a deep breath, trying to regain control.

"Lin Ming proposed valuable tactical suggestions, which falls under the scope of academic exchange."

"Oh~~" Shui Yue'er drew out her tone, leaning in with a smile.

"Academic exchange~~."

She stretched the two words out, soft and long, then stared at Shui Bing'er's face and asked, "Then why is your face red, Bing'er?"

"I'm not blushing!"

"Your ears are completely red."

"Sister Yue'er!"

Shui Bing'er tried hard to maintain a serious expression, but her cheeks were already feeling hot.

She finally couldn't hold back and turned away, no longer paying attention to the grinning Shui Yue'er.

Lin Ming watched the group of girls tease Shui Bing'er back and forth, finding it rather amusing.

He cleared his throat.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister Bing'er, but Nuoding Academy doesn't have much vacation time left. I'll be gone for six or seven days when I return, so it's too late."

Shui Bing'er blinked, and only after a few seconds did she softly say "oh" and nod, not saying anything further.

Teacher Shen observed all of this, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.

This child was usually too mature, always keeping herself wound up like a taut string. It was rare to see her act like a nine-year-old.

"Lin Ming."

Teacher Shen walked over and took out a light blue badge from her embrace.

The badge was snowflake-shaped, made of a material that was neither jade nor not jade.

She placed the badge in Lin Ming's palm, her movements light but conveying solemnity.

"After you reach level twenty."

Teacher Shen said gently.

"If you need it, you can use this to find me at Skywater Academy."

She paused, looking into Lin Ming's eyes, her voice warm and certain.

"At that time, I will personally take you to hunt for your second Soul Ring and find one that suits you."

Lin Ming gripped the badge. Its cool touch couldn't quite dispel the warmth in Teacher Shen's words.

Sending charcoal in snowy weather was far better than adding fuel to a fire.

This saying was perfectly illustrated at this moment.

He took a deep breath, raised his head, and met Teacher Shen's gaze.

"Thank you, Teacher Shen. I've remembered."

Teacher Shen nodded and said no more.

It was time to part ways.

Everyone arrived at a fork in the road. Teacher Shen led the other students to the carriage first.

Before leaving, Shui Yue'er looked back and winked at Lin Ming.

"Little Brother Lin Ming, remember to keep in touch! If Bing'er bullies you, write to me, and I'll help you tickle her."

"Sister Yue'er!"

Shui Bing'er became flustered again.

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore."

Shui Yue'er said with a laugh as Xuewu pulled her away.

Lin Ming carefully put the badge back into his embrace, close to his heart.

Little Lei Yi perched on his shoulder, tiny electric arcs flashing, quietly watching the blue-haired girl in front of him.

Shui Bing'er didn't leave in a hurry. She stood before Lin Ming, seemingly contemplating something.

After a few seconds, she spoke.

"You're seven years old?"

Lin Ming nodded, "Mm."

"I'm nine years old."

Shui Bing'er said, her tone as serious as if stating a fact.

"So I'm two years older than you."

Lin Ming paused, then chuckled.

"So?"

"So I'm the older sister."

Shui Bing'er said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The tips of her ears began to redden again, but this time she didn't look away, meeting Lin Ming's gaze directly.

"The older sister should take care of the younger brother."

Lin Ming looked into her ice-blue eyes, no longer smiling, and nodded.

"Okay, Big Sister Bing'er."