Parting is for a Better Reunion

The next day, early morning...

Shui Bing'er, who had refined the Whale Rubber last night, was now positively radiant as she sat on the sofa chatting with Shui Xinrou.

Meanwhile, Shui Yue'er was running her hands all over Shui Bing'er, touching here and pinching there, her little face full of confusion.

Why had her sister changed so much after just one night? Her skin was fairer, and she was brimming with energy!

Looking at the little hands wandering all over her body, Shui Bing'er felt rather helpless. She stopped Shui Yue'er, patted her head, and had her sit quietly on the sofa.

Liu Yanyang happened to see this scene as he came down the stairs, and he was somewhat puzzled.

Shui Yue'er was clearly two years older than Shui Bing'er, so why did she call Shui Bing'er her sister?

Still, he did not ask. After all, it was their family matter.

Walking over to the sofa, he smiled and greeted the three of them, "Good morning!" Then he took a seat.

"Thank you for bringing the Whale Rubber. I will repay you for saving my life someday!" Shui Bing'er rose to her feet and gave Liu Yanyang a slight bow.

He hurriedly stood up as well, waved his hand, and said with a smile, "There's no need for that. You already saved my life, and Aunt Shui has treated me very well. By all rights, this is what I should do!"

Watching the two of them, Shui Xinrou could not help but entertain a few thoughts. She spoke up.

"Sit down, both of you!" Hearing this, the two quietly sat back on the sofa, and Shui Xinrou continued.

"Xiao Yang, Aunt Shui is happy that you feel this way, but one thing is one thing. Bing'er will repay you herself for saving her life."

Liu Yanyang nodded along with Shui Xinrou's words and looked at Shui Bing'er.

"How do you feel after absorbing the Whale Rubber?"

"It expelled quite a few impurities. My physical condition has improved noticeably, and Mother examined me with Soul Power yesterday. My meridians are also broader than before," Shui Bing'er replied softly.

That meant only the Soul Ring issue he had considered yesterday remained. After absorbing his second Soul Ring, Liu Yanyang had spent a large sum to have Soul Beast-hunting teams in the Star Dou Great Forest search for traces of the Soul Beast he needed. At the same time, he had purchased information on quite a few rare Soul Beasts.

One piece of information stated that someone had once spotted a Three-tailed Ice Luan near the edge of the Extreme North Land, though its exact age was unknown.

After absorbing the Whale Rubber, Shui Bing'er's Soul Power had already reached level 20. Aunt Shui could take her there to see whether they could find it. If its age was suitable, it would be the best possible target for her second Soul Ring.

He immediately shared the news with Shui Xinrou and the others. After hearing it, all three wore different expressions.

Only Shui Bing'er looked at Liu Yanyang with shining eyes and asked softly, "Will you come with us?"

Liu Yanyang's expression stiffened slightly. How was he supposed to answer that? The Extreme North Land was so dangerous—what use would a Soul Grandmaster in his twenties be if he went along? He would only be dead weight. If danger arose, Aunt Shui would have to divide her attention to protect him.

He could not understand why the intelligent and composed Shui Bing'er would ask such a question. All he could do was cough twice and say, "No."

At those words, the anticipation in Shui Bing'er's eyes slowly faded, and she felt a little disappointed.

Liu Yanyang did not notice this and continued, "I'm leaving today. I still have things to finish."

"Big brother, can't you stay? Stay and play with Yue'er." Hearing that Liu Yanyang was leaving, Shui Yue'er quickly ran up to him, grabbed his sleeve, and shook it.

Shui Bing'er, meanwhile, was somewhat stunned. She did not understand why Liu Yanyang was leaving after only one day. The first time she had met him, it had been the same!

Only Shui Xinrou's expression remained unchanged. She slowly walked over to Liu Yanyang, pulled Shui Yue'er behind her, patted his shoulder, straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes, and said gently, "Aunt Shui knows you have your own path to walk, and that your heart is resolute. You will not give up easily."

"Aunt Shui believes you can do it. But remember, if one day you grow tired, come back here. The doors here will always be open to you. This place will always be your home!"

Seeing the affection in Shui Xinrou's eyes as she looked at him, Liu Yanyang could not help but choke up. He nodded slightly.

After taking a deep breath, he took Han Guang from his Storage Soul Tool, walked over to Shui Bing'er, and placed it in her hands.

"This item is called Han Guang. It can alter the color of a Soul Ring. Wear it and inject Soul Power to activate it."

"If the Three-tailed Ice Luan you find is a thousand-year Soul Beast, absorb it directly. There's no need to worry that a thousand-year second Soul Ring will put you in danger."

"The tallest tree catches the strongest wind!" He knew full well how dangerous Douluo Continent was, and he also knew that Shui Xinrou would never allow Shui Bing'er to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring.

Han Guang's concealing effect was perfect; no one would notice anything.

Liu Yanyang then waved goodbye to the three of them, turned around, and left Shui Mansion alone.

As Liu Yanyang walked farther and farther away, his figure gradually blurred from sight. Shui Bing'er tightly clenched Han Guang in her palm.

Shui Xinrou sighed softly beside her, stroked her daughter's head, and said earnestly, "Bing'er, Xiao Yang is someone who prepares for everything. His will is firm. Given time, his name will spread across the entire continent."

"I know you want to catch up to him, walk alongside him, and tell him that you are no weaker than he is. Then work hard, child! One day, the two of you will meet again!"

Shui Bing'er did not answer. She merely stared in the direction where Liu Yanyang had disappeared, her gaze gradually turning resolute.

After leaving Shui Mansion, Liu Yanyang immediately headed to the Caravan Post, rented a carriage, and set off straight for Nuoding City.

Tang San had already awakened his Martial Soul. In another month or two, he would likely be heading to Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy.

After taking Yu Xiaogang as his master, he would go hunt for his first Soul Ring. That would be Liu Yanyang's best opportunity to make his move.

The carriage traveled without pause toward Nuoding City, finally arriving there after more than a month.

Liu Yanyang got off the carriage and, without resting, headed straight for Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy.

From a distance, he could already see a towering archway built from solid stone, with two iron gates beneath it.

Through the iron bars, he could see winding paths leading into the depths of the grounds. A broad road ran straight inward, lined on both sides with towering trees.

At the center of the archway were several large words—"Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy."

Liu Yanyang strode up to the gate, but the young gatekeeper immediately stopped him. Seeing Liu Yanyang dressed in a black robe like an ordinary man, the gatekeeper's eyes held a trace of disdain.

"What are you here for? This is academy grounds. Unauthorized people are not allowed in."

Liu Yanyang ignored him and directly unleashed his Soul Power.

The gatekeeper's face went deathly pale in fright, and he immediately fell to the ground.

With a snort, Liu Yanyang walked straight into the academy.