Polar Day Nirvana: Frost Heaven Emperor Phoenix!

That deep, soul-level sense of harmony made every pore on Shui Bing'er's body open wide. It felt so good she nearly cried out.

On the Soul Fighting Arena, the two Ice Phoenix apparitions began to weave together, circling one another.

Xue Tianyu's enormous Ice Phoenix spread its wings, completely enveloping Shui Bing'er's Martial Soul.

A brilliant ice-blue pillar of light shot straight into the sky, piercing through the roof of the Soul Fighting Arena!

As everyone watched in utter terror,

two forces of extreme cold, born of the same source yet perfectly complementary, fused flawlessly in midair.

A phoenix cry that shattered the void rang out with a thunderous boom!

A colossal new Ice Phoenix, vast enough to blot out the sky and sun, suddenly descended above the Soul Fighting Arena.

White flames of frigid ice blazed across its entire body. The surrounding space began to twist and collapse beneath its terrifyingly low temperature.

A suffocating pressure slammed down like a hundred thousand mountains.

Every girl present let out a muffled groan almost simultaneously. Their legs weakened, and they nearly fell to their knees.

Xue Wu clutched the edge of the Soul Fighting platform and screamed in utter shock.

"Is this... a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?!"

Everyone's minds exploded with a deafening boom.

A Martial Soul Fusion Skill!

The rarest and most terrifying trump card on the entire continent!

Shui Bing'er herself was completely stunned. She opened her eyes and stared at the enormous Ice Phoenix in midair, controlled by her will.

She had actually grasped a Martial Soul Fusion Skill this easily?

She hadn't even practiced any coordinating incantations. Xue Tianyu had been directing everything!

"Try attacking the space ahead."

Xue Tianyu's voice rang steadily in her ear.

Shui Bing'er followed his guidance instinctively, her thoughts shifting.

The enormous Ice Phoenix in midair suddenly beat its wings and opened its beak.

A beam of white, bone-chilling light, solid as a physical object, blasted forth like divine punishment.

Rumble—!

Deafening explosions rang throughout Skywater Academy.

Wherever that attack passed, the steel-forged Soul Fighting platform instantly crumbled into dust.

In the blink of an eye, the terrifying frost flames of extreme cold destroyed most of the Soul Fighting Arena's buildings, leaving behind a crystalline, frozen ruin.

The world-shattering power of the attack left everyone gasping.

"What a terrifying Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"

"With that kind of destructive power, even a high-rank Soul Saint would be reduced to ashes if they took a hit!"

Shui Yue'er swallowed hard several times, stunned as she watched the Ice Phoenix apparition slowly fade.

That move would absolutely let them sweep through the tournament!

"Since it's an evolved fusion of the Ice Phoenix, let's call it Polar Day Nirvana: Frost Heaven Emperor Phoenix."

Xue Tianyu removed his hand from Shui Bing'er's shoulder and gave the move its name in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

The imposing name, brimming with grandeur, made the girls' eyes burn with even greater admiration.

The light faded, and peace returned to their surroundings.

Shui Yue'er was the first to rush forward. Her face alight with excitement, she grabbed Shui Bing'er's hand.

"Big sister! That's so unfair!"

"You even secretly practiced such an incredible Martial Soul Fusion Skill and didn't tell us!"

Shui Bing'er's cheeks burned. She waved her hands repeatedly, too shy to even lift her head.

"I-I didn't practice it in secret. This was my first time using it, too..."

Her words drew another round of gasps from those around them.

She had unleashed such world-shattering power on her very first attempt?

The others looked at Shui Bing'er with undisguised envy and jealousy.

They hadn't just gotten their captain back. They'd practically brought home a golden thigh to cling to!

Xue Tianyu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unchanged, his tone utterly casual.

"It's only a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Nothing difficult."

"As long as your Martial Souls are compatible enough, I'll guide you all in trying one when we have time."

His words dropped like a bomb into an already restless lake.

The girls instantly erupted into thunderous cheers. They jumped and bounced with excitement, their faces full of boundless anticipation for the future.

Xue Wu leaned close to Shui Bing'er's ear, nudged her with an elbow, and gave her a mischievous wink.

"Bing'er, you've really struck gold this time!"

"He's handsome, strong, and can carry the whole team. You'd better keep a close eye on him—don't let anyone whisk him away!"

Shui Bing'er pushed Xue Wu away in embarrassed annoyance, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

At the edge of the crowd, Shui Yue'er watched Xue Tianyu surrounded by everyone, then glanced at her sister's bashful face.

She bit her red lip slightly, a deep, complicated yearning quietly passing through the depths of her eyes.

If only I were the one who could use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him.

After a lively and astonishing morning, Skywater Academy gradually regained some peace.

Shui Bing'er was sitting in the lounge, calming the turbulent Soul Power within her, when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

A junior female student responsible for delivering messages pushed the door open, looking flustered.

"Senior Bing'er, the dean just sent word."

"The Imperial Fighting Team from the Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Academy has arrived outside the gates. The dean wants you to lead the team to the front courtyard at once to receive them."

A flicker of surprise crossed Shui Bing'er's lovely eyes.

As the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's ace team, the Imperial Fighting Team rarely left the imperial capital. Why had they suddenly come to Skywater?

She turned to look toward the independent courtyard.

Tian Yu had just spent a great deal of energy guiding her through that terrifying Martial Soul Fusion Skill. He must be exhausted and recovering through Deep Meditation right now.

It would be terribly inconsiderate to call him over at a time like this.

"Xue Wu, Yue'er, come with me to the front courtyard."

"Keep your movements light. Whatever you do, don't disturb Tian Yu while he rests in the separate courtyard."

Shui Bing'er quickly stood and retied her slightly disheveled ice-blue hair. Then she led several of the team's core members toward the entrance.

Several lavish carriages adorned with gold stood in the plaza before Skywater Academy's main gate.

They were all drawn by century-old Wind-Stepping Colts, displaying the full pomp of royalty.

A group of more than ten people stood on the open ground before the gate, looking around. Their bearing carried more than a hint of the haughtiness befitting students from a royal academy.

At the very front of the group stood a young man dressed in luxurious brocade.

His dazzling golden hair and exceptionally handsome face were complemented by sharply defined features, exuding an innate warmth and nobility.

Every gesture carried the composure of an imperial crown prince.

This young man was the reigning crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.

But no one knew that beneath this refined exterior lay Qian Renxue, an unparalleled prodigy the Spirit Hall had not seen in ten thousand years.

Shui Bing'er led her team forward. Poised and graceful, she gave a slight bow.

"Shui Bing'er, vice-captain of the Skywater Team, pays her respects to Your Highness."

A warm smile like the spring breeze spread across Qian Renxue's face. She immediately stepped forward and reached out to help Shui Bing'er rise.

"Miss Shui, there's no need for such formality."

"I've long heard that the Ice Phoenix of Skywater Academy stands head and shoulders above the rest. Now that I've met you in person, Miss Shui, your extraordinary bearing certainly lives up to your reputation."