Taking Action

Without time to think further, Shui Qianrou rushed to the Shui Sisters' side and pulled them away from the Profound Ice Tiger.

She anxiously examined the two of them and finally relaxed when she saw that they were unharmed.

If her carelessness had truly led to irreparable consequences, Shui Qianrou would have regretted it for the rest of her life.

Shui Binger's eyes reddened as she and Shui Yue'er threw themselves into Shui Qianrou's embrace, as if that were the only way they could feel safe.

They were still young children, after all. Having just experienced such a terrifying scene, how could they possibly remain unaffected?

Shui Binger had stepped in front of Shui Yue'er only out of an older sister's instinct, but in truth, she had been terrified too!

While comforting the two badly frightened girls, Shui Qianrou finally had time to notice the Profound Ice Tiger.

The terrifying soul beast that had placed immense pressure on her was now tightly bound by Golden Chains, unable to move.

Yet its roaring showed that it had not lost consciousness.

What kind of powerhouse could accomplish this?

Shui Qianrou was shaken.

At the same time, two figures emerged from the forest.

One was a white-robed man in his twenties, carrying a small white Profound Ice Tiger in his arms.

Beside him was a pink-haired girl of around six, dressed in a white Princess Dress.

They were Pei An and Ning Rongrong, who had come after Soul Awakening to obtain Ning Rongrong's First Soul Ring.

Seeing the Profound Ice Tiger trapped within the Golden Chains, the little Profound Ice Tiger in Pei An's arms cried out anxiously.

It raised its little face and looked pleadingly at Pei An with its large, adorable eyes.

"Don't worry, little fellow. I wasn't planning to do anything to your mother."

Pei An gently rubbed the little Profound Ice Tiger's head, then walked with Ning Rongrong toward the larger Profound Ice Tiger bound by the chains.

With a slight wave of his hand, the Golden Chains restraining the Profound Ice Tiger slowly loosened.

"Be careful!"

Shui Qianrou hurriedly warned him.

Although that man could easily restrain the Profound Ice Tiger and presumably had no reason to fear it, there was still a little girl beside him!

The Profound Ice Tiger's attack on the Shui Sisters was still fresh in her mind.

This Profound Ice Tiger had already gone mad!

Yet the expected sudden attack never came.

Once the chains were removed, the Profound Ice Tiger merely pulled the little Profound Ice Tiger into its embrace and watched Pei An warily.

There was even a trace of fear in its tiger eyes.

A forty-thousand-year soul beast already possessed a certain degree of intelligence.

After Pei An had so effortlessly sealed it just now, the Profound Ice Tiger was certain that it was no match for the man before it.

Looking at the Profound Ice Tiger as though it faced a great enemy, Pei An sighed helplessly. "I told you, it was a misunderstanding."

"Your child wasn't forcibly taken away by me. It followed us here on its own."

As if to confirm Pei An's words, the little Profound Ice Tiger let out several soft cries.

Only then did the Profound Ice Tiger's vigilance ease somewhat.

It first gave a few low growls, then slowly lowered itself to the ground as blue light flickered on its forehead.

A pale blue crystal appeared out of thin air and flew toward Pei An.

After doing this, the Profound Ice Tiger glanced once more at Shui Qianrou and the others before disappearing into the forest with the somewhat reluctant little Profound Ice Tiger.

Watching them vanish, Pei An shook his head helplessly.

Another misunderstanding caused by the life aura around him.

Pei An had encountered the little Profound Ice Tiger while searching for a First Soul Ring for Ning Rongrong. It had most likely been drawn in by the warm life aura emanating from him.

Perhaps because it had sneaked away, its mother had come looking for it, discovered that her child's aura was mixed with a human's, and assumed that humans had captured her child. That was why she had frantically searched for it.

That was also why, when the Profound Ice Tiger fought Shui Qianrou earlier, it had acted out of character and directly attacked the Shui Sisters.

It believed humans had taken away its child, so it wanted to retaliate against humans through their children.

Still, the little Profound Ice Tiger had felt really nice to hold. It had struck right at the heart of Pei An, a cat-petting enthusiast.

Of course, liking it was one thing. Pei An would not take the little Profound Ice Tiger away from its mother simply because of his own preferences.

He had sensed the Profound Ice Tiger's movements, which was why he had brought the little one over.

He simply had not expected to run into Shui Qianrou and the others.

"Teacher, will we be able to see Little Ice again?" Ning Rongrong asked reluctantly.

"If fate allows it, then naturally." Pei An gently pinched the little girl's pretty face.

Children's thoughts really were easy to see through. It had barely been any time at all, and she had already given it a name.

"Thank you for coming to our aid, sir. May I ask your name? Skywater Academy will surely repay this kindness in the future."

Shui Qianrou stepped forward with the Shui Sisters and cupped her hands in thanks.

"Pei An. I'm nobody of note, so there's no need for repayment. This matter was partly my responsibility to begin with."

Pei An gave a slight wave of his hand and passed the Ice Crystal formed by the Profound Ice Tiger to Shui Qianrou.

"No, no. Saving these two juniors of mine is already a tremendous favor. How could we accept such a treasure as well?"

Shui Qianrou was no stranger to such things and recognized the origin of the Ice Crystal.

The Profound Ice Spirit Crystal was unique to the Profound Ice Tiger clan, formed from pure ice elements condensed during their cultivation.

A Profound Ice Spirit Crystal from a Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Tiger was already an invaluable ice-element treasure.

Before Shui Qianrou could even consider why the name Pei An sounded so familiar, she hurriedly refused.

Pei An shook his head.

"It isn't from me. It is an apology gift from that Profound Ice Tiger."

He was not making up an excuse to give her a gift.

Shui Qianrou was indeed a beautiful woman, but to Pei An, who dealt with beauties like Bibi Dong and Tang Yuehua every day, she was nothing extraordinary.

He would not give away a treasure just because of a woman's beauty.

This truly had been the Profound Ice Tiger's intention.

As Pei An's understanding of the Law of Life deepened, he had gained a certain ability to communicate with other living beings.

The Profound Ice Tiger was also a reasonable soul beast. Knowing that it had nearly harmed innocents, it had offered this Profound Ice Spirit Crystal as an apology.

It had seen Shui Qianrou's wariness toward it and discovered that Pei An could communicate with it, so it had asked him to convey its apology on its behalf.

Well, at least it knew to apologize with a gift. It had far more shame than certain humans who said, "Setting the facts aside, do you have no fault at all?"

"Huh?" Shui Qianrou was surprised.

But seeing Pei An's earnest expression, she felt that perhaps it really was the case.

Could this man truly possess the ability to communicate with soul beasts?

Without further ceremony, Shui Qianrou accepted the Profound Ice Spirit Crystal.

Shui Binger led the still somewhat timid Shui Yue'er forward to thank him. "Thank you, Big Brother."

Pei An smiled faintly and turned, preparing to take Ning Rongrong away to continue searching for a suitable soul beast.

Seeing the direction Pei An was heading, Shui Qianrou hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Are you going to hunt a soul beast for a junior in your family? Would it be possible for us to travel together?"

The matter with the Profound Ice Tiger had still left a lingering shadow over her.

Even though she knew that such an incident was extremely unlikely, Shui Qianrou still suppressed her embarrassment and spoke up.

Compared to the children's safety, such pride meant nothing.

Pei An did not turn around. He merely left behind a calm reply.

"Yes."

He had recognized the identities of the Shui Sisters.

Both had good talent, and Shui Binger in particular possessed the potential to reach the limit. He could recruit them along the way.

It was merely a convenient gesture. If it required too much effort, he had no time to spare.