Ice Phoenix!

Xue Tianyu gave a slight nod, showing no objections to the accommodations.

"You've been thoughtful."

A shy, delighted smile appeared on Shui Bing'er's face, but with the Ice Empress glaring at her as if she wanted to kill, she didn't dare linger.

"Then get some rest. The whole team has training tomorrow morning to work on our coordination."

With that, she hurried off.

She hadn't gone far beyond the courtyard gate when several dark figures suddenly darted out from behind a nearby rockery.

Shui Bing'er jumped in fright. Taking a closer look, she saw that they were Xue Wu, Shui Yue'er, and several of the team's key members.

"What are you all skulking around here for?"

Shui Yue'er grinned and sidled up to her, linking her arm through Shui Bing'er's.

"Big sister, we're just concerned about our new captain's accommodations."

Xue Wu stood nearby with her arms crossed, her face full of mischief.

"My, my. Someone's the dean's prized pupil and is always so fair when handling things."

"So why'd you abuse your authority today and arrange for him to stay right next door to you?"

"You could hear that little scheme of yours all the way from the Soul Fighting Arena!"

Caught red-handed, Shui Bing'er's face instantly turned red to the roots of her hair. She hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

"Don't make things up! That was the only vacant courtyard in the academy!"

The girls exchanged glances, then let out a long, synchronized snort.

"Yeah, right. Your face is red as a tomato, and you're still denying it."

"Exactly! Want us to tell the new captain tomorrow that someone might come knocking on his door in the middle of the night?"

Shui Bing'er was so embarrassed and annoyed that she lunged at her mischievous friends, claws bared.

"You're asking for a beating! I'll tear those mouths right off your faces!"

Laughter as bright as silver bells rang through the quiet night as the lively young women tumbled into a playful scuffle.

Back in the dormitory, Xue Tianyu opened the door and lit the Soul Guidance Lamp on the table.

Before he could even change, a charming figure casually swept past him and flopped onto the broad, soft bed.

The Ice Empress rolled across the quilt like a lazy cat, then slipped cozily beneath the covers, leaving only her lively eyes peeking out.

Xue Tianyu looked at the Ice Empress, who had made herself right at home, and was at a loss for words.

"Shui Bing'er arranged a room for you next door. Go sleep there."

The Ice Empress didn't budge. Instead, she wrapped the quilt even tighter around herself and asked, as if it were only natural, "Why should I go next door?"

"Back in the Far North, didn't we always sleep together during those long nights?"

She leaned halfway out of the covers and rested her chin in one hand, her eyes shimmering with a hint of allure.

"What's wrong? Now that we've left the Far North, has senior suddenly grown shy?"

Faced with such blunt words, Xue Tianyu didn't know what to do with her.

The girl was obviously trying to tempt him on purpose.

"Suit yourself."

Xue Tianyu couldn't be bothered to argue. He went to the other side of the bed and lay down fully clothed.

As soon as he closed his eyes, a slender, silky arm quietly slid around his waist.

Then a soft, warm body pressed right up against him.

Through his thin clothes, Xue Tianyu could clearly feel her breathtakingly soft curves, while her long, shapely legs rested on his without the slightest restraint.

The Ice Empress's distinctive, snow-cold fragrance drifted straight into his nose. Such tantalizing closeness would have sent any man with less self-control's blood rushing in an instant.

Xue Tianyu opened his eyes, his voice calm.

"Behave yourself. Don't go too far."

The Ice Empress immediately shut her eyes and breathed evenly and steadily. She even deliberately let out a faint snore, pretending to be asleep.

But the arm around his waist showed no sign of loosening.

Xue Tianyu let out a helpless sigh.

This girl was getting more and more brazen, taking advantage of how much he indulged her.

He shook his head, cast aside his distracting thoughts, and closed his eyes to meditate.

The next morning.

Sunlight spilled through the academy's glazed dome and onto the Soul Fighting Arena at Skywater Academy.

The entire Skywater Team had assembled.

Every girl's gaze was fixed intently on the young man in white standing before them.

Yesterday, Xue Tianyu had made Xue Wu concede with nothing but the pressure of his Soul Power. They had all accepted his strength, but they were still intensely curious.

Shui Yue'er couldn't help being the first to ask.

"Captain, yesterday you only showed us your Soul Rings. You didn't even reveal your Martial Soul."

"What kind of Martial Soul do you have? With such an incredible Soul Ring Configuration, it must be unbelievably powerful!"

At her words, the girls around her nodded, their eyes full of curiosity.

Xue Tianyu offered no explanation. He simply raised his right hand slightly.

Pure, bone-chilling cold surged from his palm.

With a clear cry that rang through the heavens, the phantom of a phoenix spread its wings proudly behind him. Its entire body was translucent, as if carved from the purest ice-blue crystal.

The arena instantly filled with the extreme chill of ice.

The Ice Phoenix was noble and majestic. Every feather radiated a sacred aura that inspired reverence.

The girls were so stunned by the dazzling sight that they couldn't speak.

It was not only a display of strength but also an absolute feast for the eyes—breathtakingly beautiful.

Shui Bing'er's eyes widened, her heart pounding with shock.

They both possessed the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul, but Xue Tianyu's was countless levels above her own top-grade Ice Phoenix.

Under that supreme pressure from a higher being, the Soul Power inside her trembled uncontrollably. It was the instinctive submission of her Martial Soul!

Xue Wu stared, dumbstruck. Then she abruptly turned to Shui Bing'er, her voice dripping with sour envy.

"No wonder you insisted on bringing him onto the team!"

"You two have practically identical Martial Souls."

"So that's how it is—you're the perfect match!"

Shui Bing'er's face flushed red at those words, and she stamped her feet.

"Xue Wu, stop trying to play matchmaker, or I'm never speaking to you again!"

Ignoring the girls' teasing, Xue Tianyu turned to Shui Bing'er.

"Shui Bing'er, release your Martial Soul."

Shui Bing'er froze for a moment, but obediently channeled her Soul Power.

A slightly less mature phoenix cry rang out, and the smaller phantom of an Ice Phoenix appeared behind her.

But before Xue Tianyu's Martial Soul, her Ice Phoenix was like a subject trembling before its king.

"Close your eyes. Empty your mind. Don't resist my Soul Power."

Xue Tianyu took one step forward, instantly appearing in front of Shui Bing'er, and placed a hand directly on her shoulder.

A domineering yet exceptionally pure ice Soul Power streamed from his palm into Shui Bing'er's body.

Her delicate body shuddered violently.

She felt an immense, irresistible force take control of the meridians within her.

The Soul Power that had been calm surged wildly under the force's pull, boiling like water in a pot.

The Ice Phoenix Martial Soul within her let out an especially joyful cry, greedily absorbing the high-grade energy of its own kind like a hungry baby.