Invincible!

Shui Yue'er jutted out her chest defiantly.

"Who says? Yue'er can give the captain a shoulder rub, too!"

As she spoke, she straddled the arm of the sofa and lightly pounded Xue Tianyu's shoulders with her little fists. The view inside her collar swayed back and forth before Xue Tianyu's eyes. The girl was obviously doing it on purpose.

Shui Bing'er glared at her younger sister.

"Yue'er, behave yourself. Don't get too familiar."

Shui Yue'er stuck out her tongue, never stopping her hands.

"The captain hasn't said anything. You're just jealous, sis."

Just then, the lounge door swung open, and Xue Wu, Yu Hairou, and several other girls walked in. Every one of them had changed into a different style of sexy nightwear. With seven breathtaking young women gathered in the living room, the spacious room was instantly filled with a bewitching atmosphere.

If another man had been sitting there, his blood would probably have been surging, and he'd have been unable to control himself. But Xue Tianyu's expression remained unchanged. He was long accustomed to being surrounded by admirers. In this world, where strength reigned supreme, possessing overwhelming power naturally meant possessing absolute authority.

Yu Hairou boldly leaned against the tea table. With her slender fingers, she peeled a purple grape, removed its seed, and carefully held it to Xue Tianyu's lips.

"Captain, do you really not need to step in against Thunder Academy tomorrow? Yu Tianxin has always been arrogant."

Xue Tianyu opened his mouth and ate the grape. His fingertips accidentally brushed Yu Hairou's lips, making her shiver all over as her cheeks instantly flushed red.

"Arrogance requires the strength to back it up." Xue Tianyu leaned against the sofa, letting the girls massage and knead his body.

"What is Yu Tianxin, anyway? A direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is nothing but a four-legged, lightning-spitting lizard before my Ultimate Ice. I could crush Yu Tianheng whenever I wanted. Yu Tianxin isn't even worthy of carrying my shoes."

The words were domineering to the extreme. The girls' eyes lit up, and their hearts raced.

Xue Wu chimed in, her eyes full of admiration.

"Exactly! Even Dai Mubai from Shrek had his White Tiger Vajra Transformation kicked to pieces by the captain. I heard he's still bedridden and can't get up! Yu Tianxin won't even get past us!"

Xue Tianyu gave a cold laugh.

"That kind of trash couldn't harm a single hair on my head even if he burned up his own blood essence. The air would be cleaner without him. And then there's Tang San, nothing but a piece of trash who plays with Hidden Weapons. If he dares to attack me from the shadows again, I won't even give him the chance to kneel and kowtow in the street."

Shui Bing'er stopped what she was doing, her expression turning solemn.

"Don't worry, Captain. Skywater Team will never bring shame upon you. Whoever dares to stand in your way, we sisters will tear them apart!"

As they chatted, time slipped by. The other girls tactfully left one after another, casting envious glances at Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er as they went.

Only the three of them remained in the living room. Shui Bing'er glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Captain, it's late. Bing'er will help you bathe and change."

Xue Tianyu stood up, and Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er immediately followed on either side of him.

They entered a spacious, luxurious bathroom. The enormous bathtub had already been filled with hot water, and a layer of pale blue petals floated on its surface.

Shui Bing'er took a deep breath and stepped forward, her hands trembling as she undid the buttons of Xue Tianyu's shirt. The garment slipped off, revealing muscles sharply defined like marble. Shui Bing'er's mouth went dry, and even breathing became difficult. She neatly folded his clothes and set them aside.

Shui Yue'er watched from the side, her face red as a ripe apple. She covered her eyes with both hands, yet couldn't help peeking through her fingers.

"If you want to look, then lower your hands." Xue Tianyu called out her little act.

Shui Yue'er was so embarrassed she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her, but she obediently lowered her hands. And she didn't stop there—she boldly walked over to the bathtub.

"Yue'er will scrub the captain's back."

Xue Tianyu stepped into the tub. The moment the water touched his body, its steaming heat plunged. Even the petals on the surface crystallized with tiny flecks of ice.

Shui Bing'er rolled up her sleeves, took a soft towel, and knelt beside the tub. She carefully wiped his shoulders and arms. Whenever her fingers brushed his icy skin, a flutter ran through her heart.

"The captain has such a beautiful body." Shui Bing'er's gaze grew hazy, and her voice brimmed with yearning.

Behind him, Shui Yue'er vigorously scrubbed Xue Tianyu's back.

"Shame on you, sis. I can't believe you'd say something like that."

Shui Bing'er shot back, "Your eyes were practically popping out of your head just now. What gives you the right to criticize me?"

Listening to the sisters bicker, Xue Tianyu found himself enjoying it for once. There was something pleasant about being able to control others as he pleased.

After his bath, he changed into a clean robe and headed for the bedroom. Shui Bing'er followed close behind.

Shui Yue'er tried to go in, too, but Shui Bing'er stopped her at the door.

"Go back to your own room."

Shui Yue'er protested, eyes wide.

"Why? I want to keep the captain company, too!"

Shui Bing'er invoked the authority of an older sister.

"I'm on guard tonight. There's no place for you."

Then, right in front of Shui Yue'er, she shut the door and turned the lock with a click. Shui Yue'er stamped her foot in anger outside, but there was nothing she could do.

The bedroom was dimly lit, with only a bedside lamp casting a warm yellow glow.

Xue Tianyu sat propped against the broad headboard. Shui Bing'er knelt on the edge of the bed with a dry towel, helping him dry his still-dripping hair. The room was utterly quiet, save for the faint rasp of the towel against his hair and Shui Bing'er's slightly hurried breathing.

"You've shut her outside. She'll hold a grudge." Xue Tianyu spoke casually.

Shui Bing'er kept going, her voice filled with possessiveness.

"Yue'er is still young and doesn't know any better. I'm all you need to serve you, Captain."

She put down the towel and untied the sash at the back of her nightdress. The blue silk slipped from her fair shoulders and bunched at her waist, leaving her stunning figure completely bare to the air.

Xue Tianyu raised his eyes and looked at her. Shui Bing'er felt embarrassed beneath his intensely possessive gaze, but forced herself not to cover up. Biting her red lips, she shifted her knees little by little until she was pressed against his chest.

"Captain..." Shui Bing'er's voice was soft as water.

She buried her face in the hollow of Xue Tianyu's neck, greedily breathing in his unique, cool scent.

"Bing'er is really scared. Scared that Huo Wu will steal you away, scared that another woman will take my place. Earlier today, you said only those you permit can stay by your side."

She raised her head, her eyes shimmering with tears.

"Bing'er wants to ask you for your full permission."

Xue Tianyu took her chin between his fingers and applied a little pressure. Her peerless face was filled with utter submission and longing.

"Full permission?" His thumb brushed Shui Bing'er's tender red lips. "Do you know what those words mean?"

Shui Bing'er nodded firmly.

"Bing'er knows. It means that from now on, this body, this life, even this soul belong to the captain. If you want me to live, I'll live. If you want me to die, I won't cling to life. Bing'er only asks that you... don't cast me aside."

Her confession was painfully direct and humble. The captain of Skywater Team, a celebrated prodigy of the Heaven Dou Empire, had completely set aside all her pride before this man.

Xue Tianyu said nothing. His grip simply relaxed, and he drew her slender waist into his arms.

In that instant, Shui Bing'er felt the weight lift from her shoulders.

Like a cat who had finally found her master, she clung tightly to Xue Tianyu's neck and gave herself to him without holding anything back. The bitterly cold air swirled through the bedroom, but it could not extinguish the blazing fire in the young woman's heart.

Outside the door, Shui Yue'er hadn't gone far.

She pressed herself against the door, listening to the faint sounds within. A blush spread from her face all the way down to her neck. She bit her lip tightly and clenched her fists.

"My sister's such a liar..." Shui Yue'er muttered under her breath, a stubborn gleam in her eyes. "Next time, I'll get ahead of her!"

The next day. Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

The final match of the qualifiers drew a packed house.

The uproar of tens of thousands of spectators shook the arena.

The entire Thunder Academy team took the stage.

Yu Tianxin stood at the front, lightning flashing around him as the phantom of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon roared skyward behind him.

Four Soul Rings of the optimal configuration revolved beneath his feet.

He pointed toward the Skywater Team's resting area, his arrogance reaching new heights.

"Xue Tianyu, if you're a man, get up here! What kind of skill is hiding behind women?"

In Skywater Team's resting area, the temperature plunged.

Frost settled over the girls' faces.

Shui Yue'er stopped peeling grapes and pouted angrily.

"That guy's got a death wish, shouting at the captain like that."

Xue Tianyu sat in the leather armchair at the head of the room and ate the grape that had just been brought to his lips.

He didn't even raise an eyelid.

Shui Bing'er's gaze turned icy. Ultimate Ice Soul Power erupted from her, and murderous intent shone in her beautiful eyes.

"Captain, I'll tear his mouth apart and show him what he really is."

Xue Tianyu stood up and brushed nonexistent dust from his pure white robe.

"No need. Since this lightning-spitting loach wants to die, I'll grant its wish."

He took one step forward, and his figure vanished from the spot.

When he appeared again, he was standing in the center of the arena.

He didn't release his Martial Soul or reveal his Soul Rings.

Xue Tianyu simply stood there, one hand behind his back.

The clamoring stands fell abruptly silent.

The overwhelming pressure made every Soul Master present struggle to breathe.

Even Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi, seated in the VIP section, couldn't help sitting up straight.

Salas's eyes widened as he stared at the young man in white.

Yu Tianxin looked at the man before him, who was even more handsome than he was, yet didn't take him seriously in the slightest. His fury surged.

"You're dead!"

He roared as his third and fourth Soul Rings lit up one after the other.

"Thunder Fury!"

"Thunderous Might!"

A wild web of blue-purple lightning formed into a giant thunder dragon, which swooped down on Xue Tianyu with the force of annihilation.

Xue Tianyu didn't even bother looking up.

He simply raised his right hand and waved it casually.

There was no dazzling Soul Skill, only pure, extreme cold.

The air froze in an instant.

The lightning filling the sky hung motionless in midair, creaking under the strain.

The next moment, the thunder dragon shattered with a roar, turning into a shower of ice crystals.

Yu Tianxin's pupils contracted. His face filled with horror.

Before he could defend himself, a slender, fair hand pierced through the icy mist and closed around his throat.

Xue Tianyu lifted him bodily into the air.

Yu Tianxin's legs kicked wildly. He poured his Thunder Power into Xue Tianyu's arm, but failed to leave even a mark.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?" Xue Tianyu said evenly. "Just a worm from the sewer."

Crack!

The sound of breaking bone rang out, sharp and clear.

Yu Tianxin's struggles stopped abruptly. His limbs drooped limply, and Xue Tianyu tossed him outside the arena like a heap of mud, his life and death unknown.

The entire arena fell silent.

You could hear a pin drop.

The referee gaped, forgetting even to announce the result.

In the spectator area below the stage,

Tang San clenched his fists until his nails dug into his flesh and drew blood, yet he didn't even dare breathe loudly.

"Champion of the Heaven Dou Division, and overall champion of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament: Skywater Team!"

Only after a long while did the referee's trembling voice finally ring out through the Amplifying Soul Tool.

Xue Tianyu turned and walked off the stage, leaving everyone with nothing but the peerlessly domineering sight of his white-clad back.

Night fell. Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

The Taiji Hall blazed with light and gold, hosting a lavish victory banquet.

The banquet was ostensibly held to celebrate the various teams in the Heaven Dou Division. In truth, everyone's gaze kept drifting toward the young man in white seated at the left of the main table.

Xue Tianyu sat quietly, a glass of fine wine in his hand.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er knelt on either side of him, pouring his wine and serving him food from time to time.

The captain and vice-captain of Skywater Team had set aside every trace of their prodigy's pride and now behaved like two tame songbirds, there solely to serve him.

At the head of the table, Xue Ye raised his wine glass, his face glowing.

Ning Fengzhi sat beside him, raising his glass as well.

"Today, Skywater Team took first place, and Captain Xue Tianyu displayed peerless might. This pleases me greatly!"

Xue Ye drained his glass and fixed his eyes on Xue Tianyu.

"Captain Xue, you're so young, yet already so powerful. You're sure to become famous across the continent. If you're willing to serve the Heaven Dou Empire, I can make an exception and grant you the title of prince, hereditary and perpetual! You may call upon any resource in the imperial treasury!"

The moment he said this, the hall erupted in an uproar.

A prince of the realm!

What an honor!

Countless young talents looked on with envy bordering on madness.

Xue Tianyu turned the stem of his wineglass lightly in his hand, not even glancing at Xue Ye.

"Not interested."

Three terse words, leaving no room for discussion.

The air in the hall instantly froze.

He had publicly snubbed the emperor of the empire!

The Royal Knights guards on either side of the hall were furious, their hands flying to their sword hilts.

Xue Tianyu raised an eyebrow, and a wave of frigid energy instantly enveloped the hall.

He hadn't even released his Martial Soul. The cold had simply spilled from him.

The few guards who had drawn their swords turned into lifelike ice statues in an instant, unable even to scream.

The chill from the blades surged back at them, and the temperature throughout the hall plunged below freezing.