Snow Emperor's Reluctance! The Legend of the Ice Phoenix!

Upon hearing Xue Tianyu personally agree to join Skywater Academy, all the girls present immediately cheered with joy.

A look of relief blossomed across Shui Bing'er's exquisite face.

She turned and walked to Shui Lanxin's side, softly suggesting that everyone take a moment to rest before setting off to return to the academy.

Xue Tianyu, however, gently raised a hand to stop them.

"Wait here for me a moment."

"I need to bid farewell to two family members. I will come find you once I'm finished."

With that, Xue Tianyu flashed away, transforming into a blurred shadow that vanished instantly into the swirling snow.

Watching the direction in which Xue Tianyu had departed, a trace of deep concern flickered in the depths of Shui Lanxin's eyes.

"Bing'er, do you think he might not come back after leaving like this?"

"After all, a peerless genius like him, possessing five ten-thousand-year spirit rings, would be treated like an ancestor at any high-level academy. Our Skywater Academy is simply too small a temple; it would be normal for him to change his mind halfway."

Shui Bing'er shook her head decisively, her tone firm.

"Teacher, since he gave his word, he will certainly not break it. I believe he is not the type of person to go back on his promise."

The surrounding girls from Skywater Academy heard this and revealed expressions of astonishment.

The usually cold and aloof school beauty, who never gave any boy the time of day, was actually defending a boy she had just met for the second time today. It was as if the sun had risen in the west.

A girl with wavy hair leaned in, staring at Shui Bing'er with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Sister Bing'er, don't tell me you've fallen for him?"

"So many young masters from noble families have pursued you at the academy, and you wouldn't even spare them a glance. Yet today, you're being so biased toward a boy—this doesn't sound like you at all!"

Caught off guard by her companion, Shui Bing'er's jade-white cheeks instantly flushed with a crimson hue that spread all the way to her ears.

She was wearing a form-fitting sky-blue leather armor today, which perfectly outlined her slender waist, while her long, shapely legs appeared exceptionally dazzling against the backdrop of the white snow.

Coupled with the cold, aloof temperament unique to an ice-type spirit master, this touch of shyness made it impossible for anyone to look away.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"He just saved all of our lives; I am merely showing the most basic trust toward a benefactor!"

Shui Bing'er hurriedly tried to clarify, but her darting eyes completely betrayed the panic in her heart.

Seeing this, the girls became even more interested, chattering away as they continued to tease her.

"Oh my, look, look! Our Sister Bing'er is actually blushing!"

"Actually, it's quite normal to be moved. He's so handsome and his strength is so heaven-defying; he's practically a peerless hero stepped right out of a storybook!"

Hearing the students' playful banter, Shui Lanxin did not scold them; instead, she wore a knowing, motherly smile.

"To be honest, even I can't help but be moved."

"In this world, what girl could refuse a man who possesses both peerless looks and the ability to provide an absolute sense of security?"

"It's just a pity that I am old after all. If I were ten years younger, I would be willing to put aside my pride and pursue him myself."

Shui Lanxin stepped forward and patted Shui Bing'er on the shoulder, offering earnest advice.

"Bing'er, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since you are already close to the source, you must seize it."

"Don't let some other vixen get to him first."

Shui Bing'er lowered her head, her face burning so hot she didn't know how to retort.

She could only stand silently in the snow, letting the cold wind of the Far North brush against her flushed cheeks, her mind filled with the image of Xue Tianyu's peerless grace as he slew the powerful enemy with a single sword strike.

In the core area of the Far North, a crystal-clear Ice Palace stood deep within the wind and snow.

Xue Tianyu took a step forward and walked slowly into the grand hall.

As soon as he entered, a figure of peerless elegance came to greet him.

It was the ruler of the Far North, the Snow Emperor.

She wore a snow-white dress that accentuated her graceful figure to the fullest, and the slit in her gown revealed long, shapely legs that exuded a lethal temptation.

The Snow Emperor reached out with her fair, delicate hand and naturally brushed the residual snow from Xue Tianyu's shoulders, even carefully smoothing his collar.

Her gentle and virtuous movements were exactly like those of a devoted wife waiting for her husband to return home.

"Tianyu, why are you back so soon?"

The Snow Emperor's voice was soft and melodious, her eyes filled with an endless, melting tenderness.

Xue Tianyu looked at the breathtaking woman before him, a sense of reluctance rising in his heart as he took a deep breath.

"Xue'er, I am leaving."

"I just accepted an invitation from Skywater Academy, and I intend to accompany them to the human world for a while."

Upon hearing this, the hand the Snow Emperor was using to adjust his collar froze in mid-air.

A mist of water quickly welled up in her beautiful eyes, and her originally rosy lips began to tremble slightly.

A wave of intense reluctance and sorrow surged into her heart; Snow Emperor bit her lower lip tightly, her lost expression causing a pang of heartache in anyone who saw her.

She lowered her gaze, her voice laced with a hint of a sob.

"Must you leave so soon..."

Just then, another dainty figure darted out from the corner of the grand hall.

With her emerald-green twin tails, Ice Emperor had reddened eyes as she rushed forward to grab the hem of Xue Tianyu's robe.

"Tianyu, can you not go?"

"The human world outside is too dangerous, filled with cunning and treacherous people everywhere. Isn't it better to just stay here in the Far North with us?"

Looking at Ice Emperor's pitiful appearance, a touch of softness stirred in Xue Tianyu's heart, and he was just about to reach out to pat her head in comfort.

However, Snow Emperor suppressed the bitterness in her own heart first and let out a soft sigh.

"Bing'er, stop making a scene."

"Tianyu has his own path of cultivation. As the hope of our soul beast clan, he is destined to leave the Far North to temper himself in the vast world."

Snow Emperor took a deep breath and turned her gaze toward Ice Emperor, a flash of resolve in her eyes.

"However, although Tianyu's strength is decent now, I truly cannot rest easy with him venturing out alone."

"Bing'er, why don't you follow Tianyu out and protect him by his side?"

"With you there to look after him and deal with the schemes and tricks of those humans, I will be able to rest easier."

Hearing this proposal, Ice Emperor's eyes widened instantly.

She glanced at Xue Tianyu, then turned back to look at Snow Emperor, her heart filled with conflict and reluctance.

"But Sister Snow Emperor, if I go to the human world, you will be too lonely left here by yourself. I can't bear to leave you!"

Snow Emperor stepped forward, gently caressing Ice Emperor's cheek as she softly consoled her.

"Be obedient."

"Protecting Tianyu is the most important thing for us right now. As long as he can grow up smoothly, everything we do will be worth it."