The Champion

She instinctively grabbed her younger sister, trying to pull her back out.

But Shui Yue'er grabbed her sister's hand instead and dragged her inside.

"Oh, come on, Sister. What are you afraid of?"

"Snow Sister and Ice Sister aren't strangers."

Shui Yue'er was bold as could be and went straight to the bedside.

"Captain, we came to ask you about cultivation."

It was a pretty flimsy excuse.

Coming to ask questions in translucent nightclothes in the middle of the night—their intentions were obvious to anyone.

Xue Tianyu watched the sisters with an amused smile.

His gaze roamed over them without the slightest restraint.

"Questions about cultivation?"

"Let's hear them."

Shui Yue'er led Shui Bing'er to sit on the chair beside the bed.

"Captain, that move you used today—the Ice Phoenix's True Form—was incredible."

"My sister has the Ice Phoenix as her Martial Soul too, but hers isn't even a tenth as powerful as yours."

"Could you teach her personally, step by step?"

She put particular emphasis on the words "step by step," her eyes full of suggestive meaning.

Shui Bing'er was so embarrassed she wished the floor would open up and swallow her.

She really did want to ask Xue Tianyu for guidance.

But more importantly, in the stillness of the night, she wanted to be a little closer to this man.

Xue Tianyu looked at Shui Bing'er's embarrassed yet expectant expression.

He rose from the bed and walked straight over to her.

His intensely predatory gaze traveled up and down her perfect figure.

"You want to learn?"

Shui Bing'er felt heat rise through her body beneath his gaze and gave a small nod.

"Please teach me, Captain."

Xue Tianyu reached out with his right hand and clasped Shui Bing'er's soft wrist.

A stream of pure, frigid Soul Power surged along her meridians and into her body.

"The core of the Ice Phoenix isn't its form, but its intent."

"Your heart is too unsettled."

Xue Tianyu's voice echoed through the room.

His other hand settled quite naturally around Shui Bing'er's slender waist.

With a slight flex of his arm, he drew her into his embrace.

Shui Bing'er let out a soft cry, her hands pressed against Xue Tianyu's solid chest.

"Captain..."

"Focus on feeling this power." Xue Tianyu looked down at her.

They were less than half a foot apart, their breaths mingling.

Shui Bing'er could even clearly feel his warm breath brushing across her face.

She forced herself to steady her mind and feel the domineering, icy Soul Power coursing through her body.

It traveled through her meridians, sending waves of tingling sensation through her.

Shui Yue'er watched from the side, burning with envy.

She simply walked behind Xue Tianyu and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Captain, you're playing favorites. I want to learn too."

Shui Yue'er's chest pressed tightly against Xue Tianyu's back.

The soft sensation sent a fire blazing through his heart.

Ice Empress sat on the bed, her chin propped in her hands as she watched.

"Tian Yu really is charming. He's got both sisters completely smitten."

Snow Empress glanced at her, her tone indulgent.

"And hasn't the Ice Empress of the Far North fallen for him just the same?"

Ice Empress nodded without hiding it.

"Of course. The man I've set my sights on is naturally the most domineering man in the world."

Xue Tianyu released Shui Bing'er's wrist.

Shui Bing'er's legs felt weak.

If Xue Tianyu hadn't had an arm around her waist, she might have collapsed to the floor.

She gasped for breath, her eyes veiled in a misty haze.

"Thank you... Thank you for your guidance, Captain."

Xue Tianyu lifted Shui Bing'er's chin with a finger, making her raise her head.

"And that's all the thanks I get? Just words?"

Shui Bing'er bit her lower lip, a flash of resolve passing through her lovely eyes.

Summoning all her courage, she rose onto her toes and leaned toward him.

She left a clumsy but ardent kiss on his thin lips.

It lasted only an instant.

Shui Bing'er backed away two steps like a startled fawn, her face flushed red. Even her snow-white neck had turned pink.

Seeing this, Shui Yue'er immediately grew anxious.

"Sister, that's cheating!"

She grabbed Xue Tianyu by the shoulders and rose onto her toes to kiss him.

Unlike Shui Bing'er's awkwardness, Shui Yue'er was far more passionate and uninhibited.

She clung tightly to Xue Tianyu's neck, even boldly slipping her tongue past his teeth.

A full minute passed.

Only when she was nearly out of breath did Shui Yue'er reluctantly pull away.

She even licked her lips on purpose, her gaze utterly provocative.

"Captain, was that a satisfactory thank-you?"

Xue Tianyu wiped the moisture from the corner of his mouth and laughed heartily.

His laughter made the window lattice tremble.

"Very satisfactory."

"But it's late. Don't you think you've taken rather a long time to ask your questions?"

Shui Bing'er understood what Xue Tianyu meant and quickly took Shui Yue'er's hand.

"Then we won't disturb you any longer, Captain."

"Good night, Captain. Good night, Snow Sister and Ice Sister."

With that, she practically fled, pulling her younger sister out of the room.

Even after the door closed, Shui Bing'er still felt her heart pounding like a drum.

The room fell quiet again.

Xue Tianyu turned and walked back to the bed.

Snow Empress was already lying on her side beneath the covers, her breathtaking face the only thing showing.

Ice Empress had taken up most of the bed, sprawled like an octopus.

"The little girls are gone?" Ice Empress teased.

"I thought you were going to invite them to stay the night."

Xue Tianyu walked to the bed and briskly took off his outer robe.

"With two peerless beauties like you here, how could I have any thoughts for anyone else?"

He lifted the covers and lay down between them.

One woman in each arm, their soft warmth surrounding him.

Snow Empress nestled against his left side.

Her jade-white hand gently stroked his firm chest.

"Tian Yu, Spirit Hall definitely won't swallow this insult."

"That woman, Bibi Dong, is deep and cunning."

Xue Tianyu closed his eyes, enjoying the tender touch of Snow Empress.

"She's nothing but a buffoon."

"If she dares come, I'll bury her right along with the rest."

His utterly domineering words sent a look of infatuation through Snow Empress's eyes.

Women were drawn to strength.

Especially someone like Snow Empress, the exalted Lord of the Far North.

Only a peerless powerhouse who could truly overpower her could make her submit completely.

On his right, Ice Empress squirmed restlessly.

Her little hand traced his waistline, moving lower and lower.

"Why talk about people who spoil the mood?"

"The night is still young, Tian Yu. You can't play favorites."

Xue Tianyu opened his eyes and caught Ice Empress's misbehaving hand.

With a roll, he pinned her beneath him.

"You little temptress. I'll take you first tonight."

Ice Empress showed no fear. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him close.

"Come on, then. Who's afraid?"

Her green slip dress slid away in an instant.

The temperature in the room soared.

Springtime beauty filled the room, its intoxicating atmosphere spreading into every corner.

The two Ferocious Beasts of the Far North had completely melted into tenderness in Xue Tianyu's arms.

The next morning.

Sunlight spilled through the window lattice and onto the floor.

The air in the room still carried traces of the previous night's passion.

Xue Tianyu slowly opened his eyes.

Two smooth, jade-like bodies clung tightly to him on either side.

Snow Empress's eyelashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened.

Her clear, striking gaze was now filled with languid contentment.

Like a noble Persian cat, she rubbed against Xue Tianyu's chest.

"Awake?"

Xue Tianyu lowered his head and kissed her smooth forehead.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

Snow Empress's cheeks turned faintly pink, and she murmured a soft "Mm."

Remembering the wild scenes of the night before, even the Lord of the Far North, who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, couldn't help feeling shy.

Ice Empress had also begun to wake, still groggy.

She yawned and rubbed her bleary eyes.

"I'm so tired. It feels like all my bones are about to fall apart."

Muttering, Ice Empress buried her head beneath the covers.

"Tian Yu's a monster. How can he have so much stamina?"

Xue Tianyu burst out laughing and scooped Ice Empress out from under the covers.

"And you're already tired?"

"You've got plenty more of this to come."

Ice Empress cried out and hurriedly pulled the covers over herself, shielding her bare skin.

"No more, no more. I'm resting today."

Snow Empress chuckled beside them, her eyes full of affection.

After getting dressed, the three of them left the room.

In the courtyard, Shui Bing'er and the others had already been waiting for quite some time.

As soon as Xue Tianyu came out, the girls hurried over.

"Good morning, Captain!"

Every girl's face was bright with joy.

Princess Xue Ke stood off to the side, holding a delicate breakfast.

"Tian Yu, have something to eat first."

Xue Tianyu walked to the stone table and sat down, then took a sip of hot porridge.

His gaze swept over every girl present.

These gifted young women of the Skywater Team now all looked to him for leadership.

"The matter in Spirit City has been completely settled."

"Next, I'll be away for a while."

The girls' smiles froze on their faces.

Shui Bing'er hurried a step forward.

"Captain, where are you going?"

"Can't we go with you?"

Shui Yue'er's eyes reddened too, and she hurriedly tugged at Xue Tianyu's sleeve.

"Captain, are you abandoning us?"

Xue Tianyu set down his chopsticks and reached out to pat Shui Yue'er's head.

"Don't let your imaginations run wild."

"I'm going to the Far North to break through the Heavenly Tribulation."

"The conditions there are extremely harsh. With your current strength, going there would put your lives in danger."

"Once I've taken care of things, I'll come back for you."

Only after hearing that he was going to break through the Heavenly Tribulation did Shui Bing'er and the others finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Then, Captain, you must be careful."

Shui Bing'er's eyes were full of reluctance.

Xue Tianyu rose to his feet, an aura of overbearing dominance radiating from him.

"Don't worry."

"On this earth, the person who can hurt me hasn't been born yet."

He walked up to Shui Bing'er and pinched her fair cheek.

"While I'm gone, I'm leaving Skywater Academy in your hands."

"If anyone dares to cause trouble, just give them my name."

"If Spirit Hall dares to trip us up in secret, then when I return, it'll be the day Spirit Hall is destroyed."

Shui Bing'er nodded firmly.

"I'll remember, Captain."

Snow Empress and Ice Empress came to Xue Tianyu's side.

They stood one on either side, like two guardian deities.

Xue Tianyu wrapped an arm around each of their slender waists.

"Let's go."

A dazzling flash of icy blue light swept past, and the three of them vanished from the spot.

All that remained was a group of lovestruck girls gazing dreamily up at the sky.

The Far North was lashed by howling winds and snow.

The gale carried ice crystals that ravaged the land.

A dazzling flash of icy blue light shone, and Xue Tianyu, Snow Empress, and Ice Empress appeared on the snowy plain.

The familiar breath of bitter cold washed over him, leaving Xue Tianyu feeling utterly refreshed.

He came to a stop and casually turned his wrist.

Three Soul Bones, radiating strange fluctuations, appeared in the palm of his hand.

They were the rewards he'd received from Bibi Dong yesterday after winning the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Thinking back to Bibi Dong's sour expression when she'd presented the awards, a scornful sneer curled Xue Tianyu's lips.

One day earlier.

In Spirit City, on the vast square before Pope Palace.

The final match of the most closely watched Soul Master Tournament on the continent had just ended.

Hu Liena lay on the arena like a beaten dog, while the echo of Spirit Hall Academy's concession still rang across the square.

By the rules of previous tournaments, a grand awards ceremony had to be held immediately after the final.

The Pope would personally bestow the highest honors and rewards upon the champion team.

But at that moment, the atmosphere before Pope Palace was oppressive in the extreme.

Spirit Hall's pride and joy, the Golden Generation, had been utterly crushed by one boy fighting alone.

Such a humiliating disgrace had never befallen Spirit Hall since its founding on the continent.

On the high platform, Bibi Dong sat upon the papal throne.

Her stunning face was so dark it seemed water might drip from it.

The scepter in her hand, a symbol of supreme authority, creaked as she gripped it.

Gui Mei and Yue Guan stood behind her with their heads bowed, not daring to breathe too loudly.

"Your Holiness, it's time for the awards ceremony."

A Cardinal mustered his courage and stepped forward to remind her respectfully.

Bibi Dong's gaze was like a blade as she glared at the Cardinal.

His legs gave way in fright, and he dropped straight to his knees, trembling all over.

"I know."

Bibi Dong rose to her feet and drew a deep breath.

She forced down the raging fury churning in her chest.

She wanted nothing more than to slap that white-clad boy below the platform to death.

But in front of the continent's great sects and imperial powers, she couldn't do that.

Losing the championship had already brought Spirit Hall enough shame.

If she lost her dignity as well, the faith of half the continent would collapse in an instant.

"Bring out the Soul Bones."

Bibi Dong ordered coldly.

Before long, a maid carried a tray covered in red cloth onto the high platform.

The cloth was lifted.

Three radiant Soul Bones lay quietly inside.

A powerful wave of Soul Power swept across the square.

Countless Soul Masters in the stands stared wide-eyed, gazing feverishly at the three Soul Bones.

They were the Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull, the Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm, and the Rapid Movement Wind-Chasing Left Leg.

All were top-grade Soul Bones of at least ten thousand years.

Bibi Dong looked at the three Soul Bones, her heart bleeding.

They had originally been rewards she'd chosen specifically for Hu Liena and the other two. Now, they would have to go to Skywater Academy for nothing.

The referee had already forced himself to the center of the arena.

"Please welcome the Skywater Academy Team to the platform to receive the awards from His Holiness the Pope!"

His voice rang across the square, amplified by Soul Power.

In Skywater Academy's rest area, Shui Bing'er and the others were flushed with excitement.

They stood up and turned as one to look at Xue Tianyu.

Xue Tianyu brushed off dust that wasn't even there.

With a group of stunning girls behind him, he walked toward the platform.

He took his time, strolling as if through a courtyard.

He looked less like someone receiving an award and more like a king surveying his own domain.