One Year Later, Returning to Skywater Academy

"Understood, Grandfather, take care."

Ye Qingzhou nodded gently, watching Ye Shuyuan's figure disappear beyond the door of the Education Committee office.

Once Ye Shuyuan had departed, Meng Shenji turned to look at Zhilin, his tone carrying a hint of entrustment: "Zhilin, this little fellow is now in your hands."

"Very well." Zhilin cast a glance at Ye Qingzhou, the gratification in his eyes undisguised.

In all his years, he had seen many gifted youths, but this was his first time encountering a Soul Ancestor at the age of nine like Ye Qingzhou.

Ye Qingzhou was humble and polite, his tone deeply respectful: "Then I shall trouble you, Committee Member Zhilin."

Having previously accompanied Ye Lingling to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Ye Qingzhou was already quite familiar with the layout of the grounds.

Zhilin only needed to give him a brief tour to familiarize him with the paths and introduce him to his homeroom teacher to complete the handover.

Days turned into weeks, spring gave way to autumn, and winter yielded to summer.

At the Ye Family Clinic.

Ye Qingzhou sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes slightly closed, his breathing long and steady.

Ye Qingzhou spoke slowly, his tone soft: "Improving by five levels in a year—this speed can be considered standard."

A year had passed; it had neither felt fast nor slow.

Being able to improve by five levels in a year was already the fastest cultivation speed among his peers.

Ye Qingzhou stepped outside, where Ye Shuyuan and Luo Feng had already been waiting for some time.

After a year of living together, the relationship between Luo Feng and Ye Qingzhou was no longer stiff, resembling that of a normal father and son.

Throughout this year, Luo Feng had been constantly trying to make amends for his past.

Seeing Ye Qingzhou arrive, Ye Shuyuan said: "Let us go. It is time to head to Skywater Academy."

Ye Qingzhou merely nodded slightly without further words, following Ye Shuyuan and Luo Feng as they boarded a carriage bound for Skywater City.

On the road to Skywater City, Luo Feng suddenly spoke up:

"Once the matter at Skywater Academy is concluded, I must return to Martial Soul Hall."

His words were filled with reluctance; he had not expected this year to pass by so swiftly.

"Is that so?" Ye Qingzhou paused for a moment before continuing forward.

"Yes."

Listening to the exchange between the father and son, Ye Shuyuan felt a sense of helplessness.

Clearly, Ye Qingzhou's perception of Luo Feng had returned to that of a normal son.

If he were to leave now...

Skywater City, Skywater Academy.

The carriage carrying Ye Qingzhou's party entered the grounds of Skywater Academy, which felt different from their previous visit.

The heavy atmosphere of the last time was gone, replaced by a vibrant and enthusiastic energy.

Within the academy—a place where men were typically forbidden from entering—many students from other academies were present today.

These individuals hailed from the Blazing Fire, Godwind, and Thunder Academies, their respective emblems clearly visible on their attire.

Ye Qingzhou leaned out of the carriage window, observing the people on the Skywater Academy training grounds:

"Blazing Fire, Godwind, Thunder... it seems everyone has arrived."

As his voice trailed off, the coachman's voice reached the ears of Ye Qingzhou and the others.

"Your Excellency Medical Saint, we have arrived."

"Very well, thank you for your hard work."

"Let us disembark and go find Shui Qingrou first."

Ye Shuyuan ushered Ye Qingzhou out of the carriage, with Luo Feng following closely behind.

The three made their way toward Shui Qingrou's office.

Shui Qingrou's office.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Enter."

Receiving Shui Qingrou's permission, Ye Shuyuan pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Coming into view were the deans of the Blazing Fire, Godwind, and Thunder Academies, along with the most gifted disciples from their respective institutions.

Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and Shui Qingrou stood at the far end of the room.

Shui Bing'er was the first to notice the movement at the door; her gaze fell upon Ye Qingzhou, a flicker of imperceptible light flashing in her eyes.

Shui Qingrou, who had been discussing the exchange tournament with Blazing Fire Academy Dean Huo Fenghua, Thunder Academy Dean Lei Ying, and Godwind Academy Dean Feng Yuanliu, looked up.

The moment she saw Ye Shuyuan, Ye Qingzhou, and Luo Feng, a bright smile appeared on her face, and she walked over to welcome them.

"Medical Saint Your Excellency, Vice-Captain Luo, Ye Qingzhou, welcome, please sit here."

The groups from the Blazing Fire, Divine Wind, and Thunder Academies all looked towards Ye Shuyuan, Ye Qingzhou, and Luo Feng as they entered.

Following Shui Qingrou's guidance, Ye Shuyuan sat beside her, a full smile on his face: "It's been a year, and the Shui Academy seems to have gotten even younger."

Shui Qingrou smiled faintly: "Not at all. If it weren't for Medical Saint Your Excellency's help a year ago, Shrek's affairs would have likely made me look even older."

"Everyone, allow me to introduce them." Shui Qingrou clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention to herself. "These three are the special invited guests for this exchange competition."

"Medical Saint Douluo Ye Shuyuan, Martial Soul Hall Angel Legion Vice-Captain Luo Feng, and Ye Qingzhou."

Huo Fenghua, Feng Yuanliu, and Lei Leiying, the deans of the three major academies, all expressed their utmost respect to Ye Shuyuan.

Shui Yue'er excitedly waved towards Ye Qingzhou: "Little Brother Qingzhou, come here quickly."

Ye Qingzhou walked to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er and was pulled to sit between them by Shui Yue'er.

Shui Yue'er's gaze remained fixed on Ye Qingzhou's gradually maturing face.

Indeed, her intuition was correct. After a year apart, Ye Qingzhou had become even more handsome and dashing than before.

Shui Bing'er's peripheral vision inadvertently swept towards Ye Qingzhou's profile, and she softly inquired: "Long time no see, have you been well recently?"

Ye Qingzhou replied: "It's been quite colorful, how about you?"

Shui Bing'er was slightly taken aback, then responded: "As for me, I'm living a life no different from that of a normal soul master."

Shui Yue'er sat quietly to Ye Qingzhou's right, her ears perked, listening to their conversation.

"How is he?" Since Ye Qingzhou entered, Huo Wushuang had been subtly observing him.

He looked at Feng Xiaotian and Yu Tianxin beside him.

Feng Xiaotian glanced at Ye Qingzhou and said: "Very strong. Support-type soul masters cultivate slower than us, yet he has already reached Soul Ancestor at this age."

"If he were an assault-type soul master, he would probably already be a Soul King."

There is a preset rule in the soul master world that assault-type soul masters cultivate faster than other types of soul masters.

He is considered the most talented among the Four Elements Academies, with Innate Full Soul Power, a half-completed Self-Created Soul Skill, and Thirty-Six Gale Slashes.

Currently, he has only cultivated to the twenty-fourth slash.

Once he completes his Self-Created Soul Skill, his advantage in soul master duels will be continuously amplified.

"Yu Tianheng told me about Ye Qingzhou."

Yu Tianxin hesitated before speaking further.

It felt a bit inappropriate to discuss the person in question in front of them.

Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang exchanged glances, clearly understanding Yu Tianxin's thoughts.