A moment later, Shui Bing'er finished absorbing it without a hitch.
She opened her eyes. A flash of emerald light flickered in them and vanished, while the chill radiating from her grew even more concentrated.
"Level fifty-three!"
Shui Yue'er let out a shriek. She was completely numb with shock.
"Half a month, from level forty-one to level fifty-three...
Sis, you're not just cultivating anymore—you're flying!"
As Shui Yue'er spoke, she couldn't help glancing at Huang Yan.
If only I'd known...
I wish I'd been the one taken away back then!
Skywater Dean was just as stunned. This rate of improvement was probably unheard of in the entire history of the Soul Master World.
"Brother Yan, this Spirit Bone..."
Shui Bing'er rose to her feet, her eyes filled with astonishment and delight.
"The Soul Skill it gave me is beyond anything I could have imagined."
"Oh?"
Huang Yan replied with keen interest.
"If it can astonish even you, then it must be quite extraordinary."
Could it really be Ice Explosion?
"It's called 'Ice Explosion.'"
Shui Bing'er took a deep breath, steadying her emotions.
"It's an incredibly terrifying skill.
First, I have to freeze the target completely, filling its body with the energy of Ultimate Ice.
Then I can trigger a violent chain reaction between the target's own energy and the ice inside its body, making it explode in an instant!"
"Make the target explode?"
Xue Wu stared at her, dumbfounded.
"What if the other person is really strong?"
"That's the most terrifying part."
Shui Bing'er explained,
"The stronger the target, the more energy it has stored inside, and the more devastating the explosion!
If I can use my left leg to touch the target and inject the power of Ice Explosion directly, its power will increase severalfold.
This skill... it's practically made for fighting groups and challenging opponents above your level."
"Gasp—"
Skywater Dean drew in a sharp breath, her voice trembling.
"You mean, the stronger the opponent, the harder they explode?
That's no ordinary Soul Skill. It's a divine skill!"
Huang Yan was also a little surprised. He hadn't expected that this 25,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion would really yield Ice Explosion.
In the original story, this was a rare, inborn talent unique to Ice Empress's lineage.
But this Ice Jade Scorpion also had the Ultimate Ice attribute.
It wasn't so strange that it had yielded Ice Explosion.
"Looks like this Ice Jade Scorpion had an exceptionally pure bloodline."
Huang Yan smiled and ruffled Shui Bing'er's hair.
"Bing'er, with this Soul Skill and your Ultimate Ice, you'll probably have no rivals below Soul Saint level.
Even if you face a Soul Douluo, as long as you seize the chance to freeze them, they'll have to pay dearly."
"It's all thanks to you, Brother Yan."
Shui Bing'er gazed at Huang Yan with tender affection, silently vowing to stay by his side and protect him for the rest of her life.
"All right, don't get carried away celebrating."
Huang Yan turned to Xue Wu, who was still standing there in a daze.
"Our next task is to find a Soul Ring for Xue Wu.
Bing'er, since the Far North is your 'home turf' now, I'll leave it to you."
"No problem!"
Shui Bing'er smiled confidently, and the aura of Ultimate Ice unfurled around her.
"Xue Wu, come with me. I already sensed a few promising little ones."
Guided by the aura of Shui Bing'er's Ultimate Ice,
the group soon found a 4,000-year-old Snow Spirit Fox near the edge of the inner region.
With Shui Bing'er's help, Xue Wu killed it with ease. Once she had finished absorbing its Soul Ring, her Soul Power successfully broke through to level forty-one.
With the Soul Hunting over, the two groups had reached the moment to part ways.
"Sis, you really aren't coming back to the academy with us?"
Shui Yue'er clutched Shui Bing'er's sleeve, her eyes full of reluctance.
She even stole a glance at Huang Yan, as if hoping he might take pity and let her sister go.
Shui Bing'er gently hugged her younger sister, then patted Xue Wu on the shoulder. Her voice was soft but firm.
"Yue'er, Xue Wu, I'm going with Brother Yan to Spirit City.
I'm no longer just a student of Skywater Academy. I'm also his beloved.
Work hard when you get back to the academy. We'll meet again at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"All right... Just make sure you take good care of yourself."
Xue Wu's eyes reddened too.
Shui Bing'er stepped back to Huang Yan's side and bowed slightly to Skywater Dean.
Then she turned without hesitation and followed Huang Yan and Azure Luan Douluo away.
Seeing this, Azure Luan Douluo nodded to himself.
He'd originally worried that Shui Bing'er had been taken away by force, and that she might hold a grudge or even waver when she saw her old friends.
But now it seemed this girl could tell right from wrong and was utterly devoted to Huang Yan. Her character was truly admirable.
The three walked on for a while. Once the Skywater Academy group had disappeared from view, Azure Luan Douluo suddenly stopped.
Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er looked at him curiously.
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Huang Yan asked.
Azure Luan Douluo turned around and looked deeply at Shui Bing'er. A rare, kindly smile appeared on his face.
"Bing'er, I've been watching your conduct these past few days.
Your talent, character, and devotion to Yan'er are all beyond reproach.
I've only ever taken one disciple in my life, Yan'er. Now that I've seen how exceptional you are, I can't help wanting to nurture your talent."
Shui Bing'er froze, her heart beating a little faster.
"What do you mean, Teacher?"
Huang Yan's heart stirred. He'd already guessed.
Azure Luan Douluo stood with his hands behind his back and spoke solemnly.
"Bing'er, would you be willing to formally become my second personal disciple?
From now on, you and Yan'er won't just be partners—you'll also be fellow disciples. I'll teach you everything I know."
Shui Bing'er was overcome with joy. Before this, she'd called him "Teacher" mostly because she was following Huang Yan's lead.
Now, receiving the recognition of a Peak Douluo meant something entirely different.
Without hesitation, she bowed gracefully, her voice clear and sweet.
"Your disciple, Shui Bing'er, pays her respects to Teacher!"
"Hahaha! Excellent!
Excellent!"
Azure Luan Douluo laughed heartily and helped Shui Bing'er to her feet himself.
"Yan'er, you really do have a good eye. You found your teacher a fine disciple!"
Looking at the two of them, Azure Luan Douluo felt immensely pleased. With a sweep of his sleeve, he scattered the snow swirling around them.
"We've gained even more than we expected this time.
Yan'er, Bing'er, we should set out for Spirit City.
I've been thinking of finding Second Brother and having a good spar with him.
Let's see who the second strongest in Spirit Hall is now!"
"We'll do as you say, Teacher."
Huang Yan held Shui Bing'er's hand and smiled.
"Actually, I'd like to see how far Bing'er can go with Ultimate Ice at the Mimicry Training Ground in Spirit City."
Shui Bing'er stood obediently by Huang Yan's side, her eyes full of anticipation for the future.
"I'll work hard. I won't let you or Brother Yan down."
Meanwhile, on the road away from the Far North, the Skywater Academy group was unusually quiet.
Shui Yue'er walked at the very back, turning around every few steps, her thoughts in turmoil.
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