When Xue Tianyu personally agreed to join Skywater Academy, all the girls present burst into cheers.
A relieved smile bloomed across Shui Bing'er's beautiful face.
She turned and walked over to Shui Lanxin, softly suggesting that everyone take a short rest before setting off for the academy right away.
Xue Tianyu gently raised a hand, stopping them.
"Wait here for a moment."
"I'm going to say goodbye to my two family members. I'll come find you once I've taken care of things."
With that, Xue Tianyu flashed away, vanishing in an instant into the swirling snowstorm.
Watching the direction he had gone, a deep worry flickered in Shui Lanxin's eyes.
"Bing'er, do you think he might not come back after he leaves?"
"After all, a peerless genius like him, with five Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, would be treated like an ancestor at any high-level academy he chose to attend. Our little Skywater Academy is simply too small a temple. It would be perfectly understandable if he changed his mind along the way."
Shui Bing'er shook her head decisively, her voice full of conviction.
"Teacher, since he gave his word, he won't go back on it. I believe he's not the kind of person who breaks his promises."
The girls from Skywater Academy all looked surprised when they heard her.
That aloof beauty, who never spared any boy a second glance, had actually spoken up for a young man she'd just met—not once, but again and again. It was like the sun rising in the west.
A girl with a head of wavy curls stepped closer, fixing Shui Bing'er with a teasing look.
"Bing'er, don't tell me you've fallen for him?"
"So many young masters from prominent families pursue you at the academy, and you don't even give them a glance. But today you're taking a boy's side like this. That's not like you at all!"
Having her feelings exposed in front of everyone, Shui Bing'er's fair, jade-like cheeks instantly flushed crimson, the color spreading all the way to her ears.
She wore a fitted, sky-blue leather armor that perfectly outlined her slender waist, while her long, shapely legs stood out against the white snow.
Paired with the cool demeanor unique to an ice-type Soul Master, that bashful blush made her impossible to look away from.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"He just saved all our lives. I'm only showing him the basic trust due to our benefactor!"
Shui Bing'er hurriedly denied it, but her darting eyes gave away her flustered heart.
Seeing this, the girls grew even more interested and continued teasing her in a flurry of chatter.
"Oh, look, look! Our Bing'er is blushing!"
"Honestly, it's only natural to fall for him. He's so handsome, and his strength is so outrageous. He's practically a peerless hero straight out of a storybook!"
Hearing her students' playful banter, Shui Lanxin not only refrained from scolding them but wore a knowing smile herself.
"To be honest, even I can't help but feel a little tempted."
"What girl could resist a man with peerless looks who also makes her feel completely safe?"
"It's just a shame I'm too old now. If I were ten years younger, I'd even put my pride aside and pursue him."
Shui Lanxin stepped forward and patted Shui Bing'er on the shoulder, offering her earnest advice.
"Bing'er, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The one who lives closest to the water gets the moon first, so you have to seize it."
"Don't let some other vixen beat you to him."
With her face flushed, Shui Bing'er lowered her head, her cheeks burning so badly that for a moment she didn't know how to respond.
She could only stand there in silence in the snow, letting the Far North's cold wind cool her burning cheeks, her mind filled with Xue Tianyu's peerless figure as he had slain their powerful foe with a single sword strike.
In the core region of the Far North, a crystal-clear Ice Palace stood amid the depths of the snowstorm.
Xue Tianyu strode forward and slowly entered the main hall.
As soon as he stepped inside, a peerlessly graceful figure came to greet him.
It was the ruler of the Far North, the Snow Empress.
She wore a snow-white gown that showcased her graceful figure to perfection. Through its high slit, her long, slender legs showed tantalizing glimpses, radiating a deadly allure.
The Snow Empress reached out with her fair, tender hand and naturally brushed the lingering snow from Xue Tianyu's shoulders. She even carefully smoothed his collar.
Her gentle, considerate movements made her look just like a devoted wife awaiting her husband's return.
"Tian Yu, why are you back so soon?"
The Snow Empress's voice was soft and lilting, her gaze overflowing with tender affection.
Looking at the peerlessly beautiful woman before him, Xue Tianyu felt a pang of reluctance and took a deep breath.
"Xue'er, I'm leaving."
"I just accepted Skywater Academy's invitation. I'm planning to go with them and see the human world."
At those words, the Snow Empress's hand, still straightening his collar, froze in midair.
A mist quickly gathered in her beautiful eyes, and her rosy lips began to tremble.
Overwhelming sorrow and reluctance surged in her heart. The Snow Empress bit down hard on her lower lip, her dejected gaze so heartbreaking to see.
She lowered her eyes, her voice catching with a hint of a sob.
"Are you leaving so soon..."
Just then, another petite figure sprang out from a corner of the hall.
The Ice Empress, her jade-green twin tails bouncing, had red-rimmed eyes as she rushed over and grabbed Xue Tianyu by the hem of his clothes.
"Tian Yu, can't you stay?"
"The human world out there is so dangerous, full of crafty and treacherous people. Wouldn't it be better to stay here with us in the Far North?"
Seeing the Ice Empress's pitiful expression, Xue Tianyu felt a soft spot in his heart. He was just about to reach out and pat her head, offering a few words of comfort.
But the Snow Empress was the first to tamp down her sorrow and let out a soft sigh.
"Bing'er, don't make a fuss."
"Tian Yu has his own path of cultivation. As the hope of the Soul Beast Clan, he's destined to leave the Far North and train in the vast world beyond."
The Snow Empress took a deep breath and looked at the Ice Empress, a note of resolve flashing in her eyes.
"Still, although Tian Yu is quite strong now, I can't bear to let him venture out alone."
"Bing'er, why don't you follow him and protect him along the way?"
"With you by his side to look after him and deal with the humans' schemes, I'll feel more at ease."
At this suggestion, the Ice Empress's eyes widened.
She glanced at Xue Tianyu, then turned to the Snow Empress, her heart full of conflict and reluctance.
"But, Sister Snow Empress, if I go to the human world, you'll be all alone here. I can't bear to leave you!"
The Snow Empress stepped forward and gently stroked the Ice Empress's cheek, coaxing her softly.
"Be good."
"Protecting Tian Yu is the most important thing for us right now. As long as he can grow up safely, everything we do will be worth it."
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