"I'm a Level 56 Soul King now!"
Yang Ziyuan had no intention of hiding his strength.
After all, the people here weren't strangers, so there was no need to keep it under wraps.
"A Level 56 Soul King?! Are you kidding? If I remember right, you're a year younger than me, aren't you?"
Shui Bing'er's eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn't believe it.
After all, despite her talent of Innate Full Soul Power, she had only reached Level 24 by now.
How could he have surpassed me? And he'd had a whole year less to cultivate! Even if they were both geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power, the gap between them couldn't possibly be this huge, could it?
"That's right, cousin. You may be handsome, but this time I'm on my sister's side!"
Shui Yue'er, standing nearby, also looked unconvinced.
Because if Yang Ziyuan really was a Level 56 Soul King, wouldn't that make her look completely useless?
After all, there wasn't much of an age gap between them. How could their strengths be so different?
Seeing the doubt on their faces, Yang Ziyuan smiled ruefully.
"Ziyuan, why not show them your Soul Rings? Let them see that there's always someone better, and there's always a higher mountain!"
At Shui Wuyue's suggestion, Yang Ziyuan hesitated.
"Is that appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Don't worry. They know what they should and shouldn't say!"
Then he revealed his Soul Rings.
The moment they saw the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er cried out in shock. "A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?!"
"That's right, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring! Well? Weren't you doubting Ziyuan's talent? Now you know that you can't judge a person by appearances, and the sea can't be measured with a bucket!"
Seeing the shocked expressions on the two girls' faces, Shui Wuyue teased them.
At her words, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, Grandma is right!"
Turning back, Shui Yue'er asked curiously, "Cousin, how did you manage to absorb a Soul Ring beyond its age limit?"
Yang Ziyuan didn't know how to explain.
He couldn't exactly tell her it was because of his Martial Soul's properties and the rewards from his God Trial, could he?
Shui Wuyue hurried over to smooth things over for him. "Yue'er, I know you're curious about your cousin's Soul Rings, which exceed their age limits. But there are some things you're not ready to learn about. Don't ask again, understand?"
"Okay~"
At Shui Wuyue's warning, Shui Yue'er lowered her head obediently.
Seeing this, Yang Ziyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Then Shui Wuyue led them to the dean's office.
A woman was waiting there for Shui Wuyue to return and deal with a recent matter concerning the academy.
It was the Five Elements Academy Exchange Tournament.
Before each Soul Master Tournament began, the competing teams from the Five Elements Academies would visit one another for friendly exchanges.
This time was no exception!
However, this year's team was too weak.
So Skywater Academy hadn't taken the initiative to visit any of the other academies.
But to their surprise, Blazing Fire Academy had come to them!
Although they had the advantage in elemental attributes, that advantage meant nothing in the face of overwhelming strength.
"Dean, you're finally back! Do you know—"
When Shui Wuyue entered, the woman immediately stood up.
Seeing that Shui Wuyue already knew, the woman was about to ask if she had a solution when she noticed a boy following behind her!
"Who are you? How did you get in?"
Yang Ziyuan was at a loss for words.
Why did everyone ask him that?
Then again, it was understandable.
After all, Skywater Academy had never admitted a boy before!
After learning about Yang Ziyuan's situation, the woman's expression grew complicated.
"Dean, are you really going to admit him to Skywater Academy? If the Council of Elders finds out, they'll probably make a big fuss!"
"Don't worry about it. Just do what needs to be done. I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"
"All right, I'll be on my way, then."
After the woman left, Yang Ziyuan asked curiously, "Grandma, what did she mean by the Council of Elders?"
"The Council of Elders? They're the previous generation of senior administrators at Skywater Academy. Unlike other academies, when our senior administrators step down, they can choose to join the Council of Elders and remain at Skywater Academy."
"Then why did she say they'd make a fuss if she admitted me to Skywater Academy?"
"Because those people are a bunch of stubborn old fogies who refuse to listen to reason! They'll defend Skywater Academy's rules to the bitter end. They can even overturn some of my decisions as dean! Now do you understand why I can't abolish those strict admissions requirements?"
Shui Wuyue sighed.
She'd run into this sort of thing many times.
But there was nothing she could do.
She had no way to stand up to them!
But things were different now!
If Yang Ziyuan won the upcoming exchange tournament with overwhelming strength, those elders probably wouldn't object.
After all, deep down, they still wanted Skywater Academy to prosper!
After hearing Shui Wuyue's explanation, Yang Ziyuan finally understood.
No wonder she'd looked so dejected the last time she brought it up.
The Council of Elders had rejected her proposal!
"Grandma, what am I supposed to do, then? You can't convince them, so how am I supposed to join Skywater Academy?"
"That depends on how you do in the coming tournament!"
"How I do? What do you mean? Do I have to show them my Soul Rings again?"
Yang Ziyuan was thoroughly confused.
"No need to go to that much trouble!"
Then Shui Wuyue told him about the Five Elements Academy Exchange Tournament.
"...Grandma, did you plan all this from the start? You want me to help you deal with Blazing Fire Academy?"
"Uh, I wouldn't put it that way~ At least you'll make a name for yourself and establish your reputation. Who knows, you might even win yourself a beautiful girl!"
When she saw that he'd seen through her little scheme, Shui Wuyue didn't deny it.
After all, Yang Ziyuan really had solved a major problem for her.
"I'll pass on that. But I'm curious—are the people from Blazing Fire Academy really that strong? Why do you all seem so lacking in confidence? Your attributes counter theirs completely!"
Shui Wuyue gave a wry smile at Yang Ziyuan's question.
"Heh, there's something you don't know. Water and fire have always countered each other. It all comes down to who's stronger! The strongest member of Skywater Academy's team is only a newly advanced Level 42 Soul Ancestor. The rest of the team are no use at all! Blazing Fire Academy, on the other hand, is coming in strong! I don't know where that old rascal Huo Linfeng found his people. Besides their captain, Huang Tao, a Level 43 Soul Ancestor, they have two more Level 41 Soul Ancestors! That's why I had to count on you!"
"One against three? That'll be a tough fight."
After all, not everyone had the strength to fight opponents of a higher rank like he did!
"So, can you handle them?"
Knowing that Yang Ziyuan wouldn't use his Soul Rings, she couldn't help feeling worried.
"Don't worry, Grandma! Even if opponents like these came in twice their number, I could handle them easily!"
Seeing how confident Yang Ziyuan was, Shui Wuyue breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Shui Yue'er was completely baffled.
"Grandma, what's there to worry about? With my cousin's strength, beating them would be like swatting vegetables!"
Before Shui Wuyue could explain, Shui Bing'er stepped in.
"My dear little sister, don't forget his Soul Ring Configuration! If our cousin dares to use his Soul Rings, he'll be in danger!"
Before you continue