Shui Bing'er Catches Him "Cheating"

"Hmph!"

Once the venue fell silent, Platinum Bishop Salas gave a cold snort. His gaze swept across the entire arena before he said calmly, "I represent Spirit Hall. There is no need for deception. I hereby announce that no matter which team reaches the Finals this time, Spirit Hall will make an exception and allow them to join the Martial Soul Sacred Hall!"

The moment those words fell, the Soul Masters present erupted into an uproar. Even Shui Wuchen's eyes flashed with a trace of surprise.

The Martial Soul Sacred Hall was Spirit Hall's highest institution apart from the Pope's Palace and Douluo Hall. Anyone who entered it was guaranteed to become a Soul Sage in the future, and might even have the chance to reach the Soul Douluo realm.

Although this held little appeal for Shui Wuchen, for the students of the academies present, it was undoubtedly an ideal place to work after graduation.

After all, the only forces comparable to Spirit Hall were the Upper Three Sects and the Two Great Empires. But while the Upper Three Sects were called sects, they were actually families. An outsider entering one would always be treated as inferior.

Though the Two Great Empires were immense, they had always lagged far behind Spirit Hall in nurturing Soul Masters. Unless they offered actual noble titles, they could not compare to Spirit Hall in the slightest.

But in recent years, having learned their lesson from the duchies and kingdoms, they had become increasingly reluctant to grant titles and fiefs.

In the VIP seats, Xue Ye's expression visibly darkened upon hearing Salas's words. Recruiting people so openly—this was a complete disregard for him, the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire!

Seeing this, the host's expression changed slightly as well. He hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Thank you, Bishop Salas, for drawing the lots. Next is the first match of the first round of the Preliminary Round, as well as today's only match: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy."

"Brother, who do you think will win this match?"

At that moment, Shui Bing'er leaned over and asked Shui Wuchen with a smile.

Shui Wuchen glanced at the two teams before casually commenting, "The one called Shrek, I suppose."

"Oh? Why do you think so, Brother? Heaven Dou Royal Academy is an academy heavily nurtured by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, while Shrek Academy is just an unknown academy."

Shui Bing'er was somewhat surprised. She had not expected Shui Wuchen to say that.

Shui Wuchen replied, "That Heaven Dou Royal Academy team is only their second team. The truly outstanding ones have already been selected away. Besides, look at them. They've probably been pampered too much, so their actual combat performance should not be very good."

Although noble Soul Masters were generally stronger than ordinary Soul Masters due to their superior Martial Souls and resources, it was undeniable that the gap among noble Soul Masters was severe.

The outstanding ones exceeded ordinary people's imagination, while the trashy ones also exceeded ordinary people's imagination.

As for this Heaven Dou Academy reserve team, they were not trash to that extent, but with such excellent resources, they had only reached this level. They had nothing to do with excellence.

The battle between the two sides began soon after. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reserve team performed even worse than Shui Wuchen had expected, losing in barely a minute.

"Looks like I thought too highly of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They do not even have a single four-ring Soul Ancestor."

Watching this, Shui Bing'er curled her lips. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's overall lineup was merely passable, even inferior to many ordinary advanced Soul Master Academies. It did not deserve its reputation.

Shui Wuchen said calmly, "That's normal. Doesn't Skywater Academy also have a Soul Elder? They're the second team, so it's only natural that they have no Soul Ancestors.

I just didn't expect them to fail to last even a minute."

"..."

Shui Yuer.

That was rather rude.

Seeing the result, the host said in disbelief, "Unbelievable! Shrek actually won, and so easily at that!"

"Hmph!"

Seeing this, Xue Ye snorted coldly. With a livid expression, he shot Prince Xue Xing behind him a glance before flicking his sleeve and leaving.

Clearly, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy reserve team's easy defeat at the hands of such an obscure academy had made him, the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, lose face.

And as the person responsible for this matter, Prince Xue Xing would inevitably receive a scolding after returning.

The opening match had ended. The audience and VIPs left in an orderly fashion, and there was naturally no reason for Shui Wuchen and Skywater Academy to remain. They all left the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

On the way back to the reception area, Shui Wuchen said something to Shui Bing'er and the others, then left the group alone and headed toward the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.

Watching Shui Wuchen's departing back, Shui Bing'er frowned.

During their time in Heaven Dou City, Shui Wuchen had often gone out by himself, and every time he returned very late. It was hard for Shui Bing'er not to overthink things.

Suddenly, Shui Bing'er's eyes shifted as she thought of a possibility.

"Brother... couldn't he be going to that kind of place?"

The thought of her brother being surrounded by unfamiliar women made Shui Bing'er's heart tighten, and a wave of distress rose within her.

But soon, Shui Bing'er frantically shook her head inwardly. No, Brother's personality means he would never go to a place like that.

Yet once such a thought arose, it was difficult to get rid of.

No, I have to follow him and take a look!

With the thought that there might be even a one-in-ten-thousand chance, Shui Bing'er immediately informed Shui Yueruo before quietly following behind Shui Wuchen.

Watching this, Shui Yueruo shook her head helplessly. "Bing'er, honestly."

Though she said that, Shui Yueruo could understand the situation.

After recruiting Shui Bing'er, she had investigated the siblings' circumstances. It could only be said that their lives had not been good.

Shui Wuchen and Shui Bing'er's mother had died when they were very young, while their father in name was extremely cold toward them and simply did not care whether they lived or died.

At that time, their identities as illegitimate children of nobles had instead become shackles. The nobles regarded them as filth, as mistakes they were unwilling even to mention, while commoners, oppressed by nobles in their daily lives, were also deeply hostile toward them.

If Shui Wuchen had not occasionally come up with strange ideas and made things to earn money, the siblings might already have died.

This situation did not begin to change until Shui Wuchen and Shui Bing'er awakened their Martial Souls.

That was why Shui Bing'er cared so deeply about Shui Wuchen. Deep in her heart, she longed for her brother's approval.

But as Skywater Academy's strongest genius and the emotional pillar among the girls, she normally had to appear cheerful, calm, and steady so that she could become someone others could rely on.

Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er followed Shui Wuchen for a while before arriving at a small forest outside Heaven Dou City.

"Why would Brother come here?"

A trace of confusion flashed through Shui Bing'er's eyes. As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City gathered treasures from all over the world. Whatever one needed, there was no need to leave the city.

At that moment, Shui Wuchen called out behind him, "Bing'er, come out. I found you!"