Separation

The address caused Shui Bing'er's lips to curve slightly. She lowered her gaze, remained silent for a few seconds, then unfastened a small bag from her waist.

It was a small, light blue cloth bag embroidered with a snowflake pattern.

She opened the bag and took out a ring from inside.

The ring was silver-white and simply styled, with a thin band and a light blue gem set on top.

The gem wasn't large, emitting a warm, soft luster under the sunlight.

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

"This is for you."

Shui Bing'er said.

"This is a storage Soul Tool."

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

"The space isn't large, about the size of two chests."

She paused and added.

"It was a gift from an elder on my birthday last year. I still have my own, and I've kept this one with me without using it."

She said it casually, but Lin Ming knew how precious Soul Tools were.

"This is too valuable."

Lin Ming said.

Shui Bing'er, however, shook her head, her ice-blue eyes looking at him earnestly.

"You need it."

"When you're out alone, you need to carry food, maps, and weapons."

"It's inconvenient to travel hundreds of miles with a bundle."

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

As she said the last sentence, Shui Bing'er winked playfully.

Lin Ming opened his mouth.

Shui Bing'er was right; he really needed a Soul Tool.

Before he could speak, Shui Bing'er continued.

"And..."

Her voice suddenly softened, and she looked at the ring, not at Lin Ming.

"This is my gift."

Lin Ming looked down at the ring, at the small hand holding it, and suddenly felt his throat tighten slightly.

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

The ring was cool to the touch, but the gem's stability felt slightly warm.

He examined it closely. On the inside of the silver-white band, two small snowflakes were engraved.

"Thank you, Senior Bing'er."

He thanked her softly.

Shui Bing'er watched him put the ring on his left index finger.

The band was a little loose, so he adjusted its position to fit on his second knuckle.

"It's a bit big, but it'll be fine when you grow taller."

Shui Bing'er looked at the ring on his hand and suddenly asked again.

"Do you know how to use it?"

"I've read related records."

Lin Ming replied truthfully. He took the small cloth bag Shui Bing'er handed him, and with a thought, the bag disappeared from his palm and appeared within the ring's space.

He took it out again.

Put it back in.

Took it out again.

Little Lei Yi curiously poked its head out, staring at the ring for a good while before extending a tiny finger to poke the blue gem.

"Yi!"

It yelped, startled by the small electric arc it produced, and retreated to Lin Ming's shoulder.

Shui Bing'er looked at Little Lei Yi and her lips curved again.

"His name is Little Lei Yi?"

"Yes."

Shui Bing'er nodded and spoke very earnestly to the little creature on Lin Ming's shoulder, only ten centimeters away.

"Hello, Little Lei Yi."

Little Lei Yi blinked its big blue eyes and let out a soft "Yi."

Shui Bing'er looked at it, her gaze softening for a moment before she looked up at Lin Ming again, resuming her serious, adult-like demeanor.

"You need to cultivate diligently."

"Mm."

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

Lin Ming smiled and looked curiously at the young girl's earnest face, asking, "Tell you, and then what?"

Shui Bing'er thought seriously for a few seconds.

"Then I'll tell Teacher Shen, and Teacher Shen can contact your dean."

The innocent answer was too proper, and Lin Ming couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"I'm serious!"

Shui Bing'er was embarrassed by his laughter, her small face flushing slightly, but she still held her composure.

"I know."

Lin Ming stopped smiling and said earnestly, "Thank you, Bing'er-jie."

Only then did Shui Bing'er nod in satisfaction. She glanced at the carriage that was already preparing to depart in the distance, then looked back at Lin Ming.

She then extended her right hand, her little finger sticking straight out.

"Lin Ming."

She called Lin Ming's name, her voice as solemn as if she were signing a contract.

"After you reach level twenty, you must come to Skywater Academy."

Lin Ming looked at the fair little finger, at her overly serious ice-blue eyes.

He also extended his right hand and hooked his little finger with hers.

"Mm, I will definitely come."

Their fingers were hooked together, and they gently shook them three times.

Shui Bing'er's hand was cold, yet very soft.

"It's a 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 encounter any bad people on the way,"

She put on a stern face, her tone serious.

"Run if you can't win, don't try to tough it out."

She paused, her voice softening slightly, and then added, "When you get to Nuoding City, remember to write a letter."

After saying that, she quickly ran towards the carriage.

Lin Ming saw her look back at him one last time before getting into the carriage.

On the carriage.

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

As soon as Shui Bing'er got in, she excitedly leaned over.

"Bing'er, what secret whispers were you having with the little brother just now? You even made a pinky promise?"

Shui Bing'er sat up straight, looking very serious.

"I made an agreement for him to come to the academy after he reaches level twenty."

"Oh~ an important agreement."

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

"Then our Bing'er needs to cultivate diligently. What if he comes and you, the older sister, have been surpassed?"

"I will cultivate diligently."

Shui Bing'er nodded seriously, then added in a small voice after a pause, "He should... be able to reach level twenty very soon."

Xuewu, sitting opposite them, smiled gently and said kindly.

"That child is indeed extraordinary. To be able to hunt a four-hundred-year Soul Beast alone at the age of seven, such composure marks him as a genius anywhere."

"Furthermore, his Martial Soul is quite peculiar. That Little Lei Yi seems full of spirit."

Qiu Ruoshui stroked her chin, speaking thoughtfully.

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

Xuewu looked at Teacher Shen and asked.

"Talent is hard to say, but his composure is rare. Knowing what he wants to do and daring to strive for it—that kind of resolve is more precious than talent."

Teacher Shen pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

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

"Bing'er, you did very well today. Encountering companions worth befriending is a fortunate thing."

A blush crept up Shui Bing'er's ears as she nodded seriously.

The carriage slowly started moving.

Shui Bing'er leaned over the edge of the bed, watching the figure in the distance grow smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared.

She returned to her seat and looked down at the little finger she had just pinky-sworn with.

By the roadside, Lin Ming turned around only after the carriage had completely vanished in the distance.

Little Lei Yi poked its head out from his shoulder, letting out a "Yi" sound. Its small finger also mimicked Shui Bing'er's earlier gesture, raising a little finger.