Protection of Frozen Ice, Kinship, Younger Brother

In a secluded corner of the park.

Centered on the Martial Soul Fusion Skill "Herrscher of Ice," formed by the fusion of Xu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan.

A sudden blizzard erupted within a fifty-meter radius.

The wind and snow, sharp as blades, swept continuously toward the surroundings.

As the howling gale blew past, the extreme cold contained within it coated the branches in icicles, and the fallen leaves on the ground were shattered by the frost.

Even Ouyang Zixin, standing not far away, turned slightly pale.

"How is this possible? A Martial Soul Fusion Skill from Soul Masters can actually make me feel such bone-piercing cold. Could it be approaching the level of Ultimate Ice?"

Sensing the surging power within his body, Xu Yue was astonished.

"I never expected our Martial Soul Fusion Skill to manifest in such a form."

"Herrscher of Ice... is it due to elemental compatibility, or the influence of my memories?"

Although the Martial Soul Fusion Skill appeared in the form of a woman, the true controller remained him.

A Martial Soul Fusion Skill composed of a level 13 Soul Master and a level 11 Soul Master had seen its aura instantly climb to the level of a Soul Elder.

This was sufficient proof of the high degree of compatibility between their Martial Souls.

However, Great power is often accompanied by immense consumption.

With their current soul power, it was difficult to maintain for long.

Xu Yue immediately sensed the state of the "Herrscher of Ice."

Limited by the level of the fusers and their Soul Skills, the "Herrscher of Ice" could currently only perform the most basic elemental manipulation.

The only Soul Skill, Was the "Jade Shield" bestowed by Xu Yue.

However, under the influence of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, this Soul Skill had undergone significant changes.

Thinking of this, Xu Yue raised his staff high above his head, and an ethereal, crisp shout rang out:

"Protection of Frozen Ice!!!"

In an instant, an ice shield composed of countless crystalline facets took shape around them, refracting a cold light.

Every two seconds or so, the shield emitted an ice ring that expanded within a five-meter radius of itself.

"It's quite different from the Jade Shield; it's specifically specialized for ice-attribute defense."

"Against ice-attribute attacks of the same level, it can weaken them by at least fifty percent."

Just as Xu Yue was about to further test the shield's efficacy, the soul power light surrounding him began to tremble violently.

The figure of the "Herrscher of Ice" instantly dissipated, turning back into Xu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan as they landed on the ground.

The weakness from exhausted soul power made Xu Xiaoyan's legs go soft, and she looked as if she were about to stumble and fall.

Fortunately, a warm hand caught her in time.

"Are you okay?"

Xu Yue's concerned voice rang in her ears.

"I'm fine, thank you, Class Monitor."

Xu Xiaoyan's fair, pretty face flushed slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering, and her tone was filled with excitement.

"Was that just now our Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

"It was so beautiful!!!"

"It really was beautiful," Xu Yue agreed with a smile. "It actually looked somewhat similar to what you might look like when you grow up, Xiaoyan."

Having said this, a hint of regret appeared on his face.

"However, this single Martial Soul Fusion Skill exhausted all our soul power. It seems we'll have to wait until later to discuss the fusion of the Star Staff."

"Mm-hmm..." Xu Xiaoyan nodded rapidly, starlight seemingly flickering in her deep blue eyes.

Today's invitation had yielded results far exceeding her expectations.

Not only had it solved the mystery of the inexplicable attraction they felt when they first met, but it had also caused her Martial Soul to undergo a complete transformation.

All of this was thanks to the person before her.

"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill... doesn't that mean that the Class Monitor and I will..."

This thought made her heart race inexplicably, but she quickly forced it down.

She shifted her gaze away from Xu Yue and turned toward Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin not far away.

Finally, her eyes rested on that dazzling flash of gold.

Xu Yue did not notice Xu Xiaoyan's thoughts; he simply helped her walk toward Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin.

"Sister Mu Xi, Sister Zixin, we're done here. Let's go."

Ouyang Zixin nodded with a smile, though the corner of her eye flickered toward the silent Mu Xi beside her.

Just as they had when they arrived, Xu Yue led the way with Xu Xiaoyan, while the two women followed behind.

The four of them remained silent the entire way.

Upon reaching a street corner, an ice cream shop caught Xu Xiaoyan's attention.

A sweet smile bloomed on her face as she suggested to Xu Yue beside her, "Since the Class Monitor helped me with my Martial Soul Evolution today and I haven't thanked him yet, why don't I treat everyone to ice cream?"

Xu Yue nodded with a smile and turned back to ask.

"Sister Mu Xi, Sister Zixin, what flavors would you like? The same as usual?"

"The same, the same," Ouyang Zixin replied quickly, then glanced at Mu Xi and added, "Little Sister Xiaoyan might not be able to carry them all by herself, so why don't you go help her, Little Brother A-Yue?"

Mu Xi remained silent, her golden eyes seemingly unfocused as she stared blankly at the back of Xu Yue supporting Xu Xiaoyan.

Suddenly, she felt a touch against her chest, which startled her into snapping back to reality, her arms instinctively shielding her front.

"Zixin, what are you doing? You hooligan!!"

Ouyang Zixin looked at her best friend's defensive posture and pouted, "What hooligan?! You didn't act like this when we were in the dorm."

"Then what are you doing?"

Mu Xi slowly lowered her arms, her tone softening.

"I'm checking your heart!" Ouyang Zixin leaned into Mu Xi's ear and lowered her voice, "You haven't said a word, so I wanted to see if something was bothering you."

"You... what nonsense are you spouting?" Mu Xi retorted, stuttering, though her gaze drifted, unable to settle.

"A-Yue is my younger brother, and he and Xu Xiaoyan are classmates. Isn't it normal for them to walk together?"

"I... I am not bothered by that at all!"

Ouyang Zixin wore a teasing expression, a strange smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"I didn't even mention Little Brother A-Yue or Little Sister Xiaoyan! Little Xi... you just confessed without me even asking."

"Zixin, you...!" Mu Xi was suddenly flustered and angry.

"Alright, alright." Ouyang Zixin patted Mu Xi's back gently, her tone turning soft, "I just wanted to ask, what are you really thinking in your heart?"

"I... A-Yue is just my younger brother... that's all..."

Mu Xi remained stubborn, but by the end of her sentence, a hint of guilt faintly leaked through.

"Really?" Ouyang Zixin didn't believe her at all.

As her best friend of many years, she knew Mu Xi too well.

She heard plenty about Xu Yue's affairs, big and small, from Mu Xi almost every single day.

Whether it was praising his looks and how he would surely achieve great things in the future, or complaining about his occasional "little adult" behavior being uncute.

In short, whenever Xu Yue was mentioned, the corners of Mu Xi's mouth would always curl into a smile unconsciously.

The person in question might not be aware of it.

But as a bystander, she saw it clearly.

Seeing this, Ouyang Zixin's tone became more solemn.

"Little Xi, actually, you know it yourself in your heart."

At that moment, she saw Xu Xiaoyan paying at the counter not far away, so she leaned close to Mu Xi's ear once more and spoke in a light, quick voice.

"Affection or love, Little Xi, it's time for you to make a choice."