Separation

That form of address made the corner of Shui Bing'er's mouth twitch upward. She lowered her gaze and fell silent for a few seconds, then untied a small pouch from her waist.

It was a pale blue cloth pouch embroidered with snowflakes.

She opened it and took out a ring.

The ring was silvery white and simply designed, with a thin band and a pale blue gemstone set at the top.

The gem was small, its surface gleaming with a soft, warm luster in the sunlight.

She rested the ring in her palm and held it out to Lin Ming.

"This is for you."

Shui Bing'er said.

"It's a Storage Soul Tool."

Shui Bing'er explained. Her voice was steady, but slower than usual.

"It's not very big—about the size of two chests."

She paused, then added,

"It was a birthday gift from an elder in my family last year. I still have my own, so I've kept this one with me and never had the heart to use it."

She made it sound like no big deal, but Lin Ming knew how precious Soul Tools were.

"This is too valuable."

Lin Ming said.

Shui Bing'er shook her head, her icy blue eyes fixed earnestly on him.

"You need it."

"You're traveling alone. You'll need to carry provisions, maps, and weapons."

"Walking hundreds of miles with a bundle on your back isn't convenient."

"Besides, if it weren't for you... I would have wasted a precious Soul Skill."

As she said the last sentence, Shui Bing'er gave him a playful wink.

Lin Ming opened his mouth, then closed it.

Shui Bing'er was right. He really did need a Soul Tool.

Before he could speak, Shui Bing'er continued.

"And..."

Her voice suddenly grew softer. She looked at the ring, not at Lin Ming.

"I'm giving it to you."

Lin Ming lowered his gaze to the ring and to the small hand holding it. Suddenly, his throat felt tight.

He reached out and took the ring from Shui Bing'er's palm.

The ring felt cool to the touch, but the gemstone had a gentle warmth to it.

He examined it closely. Two tiny snowflakes were engraved on the inside of the silvery-white band.

"Thank you, Bing'er."

He thanked her softly.

Shui Bing'er watched him slide the ring onto the index finger of his left hand.

The band was a little too large, so he adjusted it until it rested against his second knuckle.

"It's a little big. It'll fit once you've grown."

Shui Bing'er looked at the ring on his hand, then suddenly asked,

"Do you know how to use it?"

"I've read about them."

Lin Ming answered honestly. He took the little cloth pouch Shui Bing'er handed him, and with a thought, it disappeared from his palm and appeared inside the ring's storage space.

He took it out again.

Then put it away again.

Then took it out once more.

Little Lei Yi curiously poked his tiny head forward, staring at the ring for a while. Then he reached out a little finger and tentatively prodded the blue gemstone.

"Yi!"

Startled by the tiny spark he'd set off, he quickly shrank back onto Lin Ming's shoulder.

Shui Bing'er watched Little Lei Yi, the corner of her mouth lifting again.

"Is his name Little Lei Yi?"

"Yes."

Shui Bing'er nodded, then earnestly greeted the little fellow, who was only ten centimeters tall, perched on Lin Ming's shoulder.

"Hello, Little Lei Yi."

Little Lei Yi blinked his big blue eyes and gave a soft "Yi" in reply.

Shui Bing'er looked at him, her gaze softening for a moment. Then she lifted her head to look at Lin Ming again, returning to her serious, grown-up manner.

"You have to work hard at your cultivation."

"Mm."

"If anyone at Nuoding Academy bullies you, tell me."

Lin Ming smiled and looked curiously at the earnest little girl before him.

"Tell you, and then what?"

Shui Bing'er thought seriously for a few seconds.

"Then I'll tell Teacher Shen. Teacher Shen can get in touch with your dean."

Her answer was so serious and childish that Lin Ming couldn't help laughing.

"I'm serious!"

Shui Bing'er looked embarrassed by his laughter. Her little face reddened, but she still held her expression firm.

"I know."

Lin Ming stopped smiling and answered earnestly,

"Thank you, Bing'er."

Only then did Shui Bing'er nod in satisfaction. She glanced at the carriage waiting in the distance, then back at Lin Ming.

Then she raised her right hand, holding out her little finger.

"Lin Ming."

She called his name, her voice so solemn it sounded as if she were making a pact.

"Once you reach level twenty, you have to come to Skywater Academy."

Lin Ming looked at her pale little finger and at her exceptionally earnest icy blue eyes.

He raised his right hand as well and hooked his little finger around hers.

"Mm, I'll definitely come."

Their fingers linked and swung gently three times.

Shui Bing'er's hand was cool, yet soft.

"Pinky promise."

Shui Bing'er declared, then quickly withdrew her hand and turned to leave.

After a few steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back.

"If you run into bad people on the road..."

Her little face was stern, her tone serious.

"If you can't beat them, run. Don't push yourself."

She paused, then continued, her voice a little softer,

"Remember to write once you get to Nuoding City."

With that, she hurried toward the carriage.

Lin Ming saw her look back at him once more before climbing aboard.

Inside the carriage,

Shui Yue'er had been leaning by the window, waiting.

As soon as Shui Bing'er got in, she grinned and leaned close.

"Bing'er, what were you whispering about with that little boy? And why'd you make a pinky promise?"

Shui Bing'er sat up straight, perfectly serious.

"We agreed that he'd come to the academy once he reaches level twenty."

"Ooh, quite the important promise."

Shui Yue'er drew out the words, teasing her with a grin.

"Then you'd better work hard at your cultivation, Bing'er. Wouldn't want him to surpass you when he gets here."

"I'll work hard."

Shui Bing'er nodded earnestly, then paused and added in a quiet voice,

"He should... reach level twenty pretty soon."

Sitting across from her, Xue Wu smiled gently and said,

"That boy really is extraordinary. To hunt a four-hundred-year-old Soul Beast on his own at seven years old... With that kind of character, he'd be a prodigy anywhere."

"His Martial Soul is unusual, too. Little Lei Yi seems full of spirit."

Qiu Ruoshui stroked her chin, looking thoughtful.

"Teacher, what level of talent do you think he has?"

Xue Wu turned to Teacher Shen and asked.

"Talent is hard to say, but his character is rare. He knows what he wants and dares to pursue it. That kind of determination is more precious than talent."

Teacher Shen thought for a moment before answering.

Then she looked at Shui Bing'er, her eyes full of warmth.

"You did well today, Bing'er. It's a blessing to meet someone worth befriending."

A blush crept up Shui Bing'er's ears, and she nodded earnestly.

The carriage slowly started moving.

Shui Bing'er leaned by the window, watching the distant figure grow smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared.

She returned to her seat and lowered her gaze to the little finger she had just hooked with his.

By the roadside, Lin Ming waited until the carriage had completely disappeared into the distance before turning around.

Little Lei Yi popped out from his shoulder with a little "Yi," then raised one tiny finger, copying Shui Bing'er's gesture.