Hearing that, Lin Yi, who had been quietly delighted, froze on the spot.
[What? A Guest Elder?]
[How could a mere Auxiliary Soul Master like me possibly qualify as Skywater Academy's Guest Elder?]
[No, no, that's not the point. The point is, I don't want to be with them.]
He was about to refuse when Xiao Wu spoke first.
"Guest Elder? That sounds pretty good." Xiao Wu looped her arm around Lin Yi's, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. "Lin Yi, just agree. It'd be so boring if I went alone."
Lin Yi's mouth twitched.
[What do you mean, alone? You're clearly going with Zhu Zhuqing.]
He looked at Zhu Zhuqing, hoping she would say something.
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a moment, then nodded gently. "I think it's fine."
Lin Yi: "..."
He took a deep breath, struggling to keep his expression under control as he looked at Shui Bing'er. "Miss Shui, thank you for the kind offer, but I'm just an ordinary Auxiliary Soul Master. My strength is average, and I'm afraid I can't take on the position of Guest Elder."
Shui Bing'er looked at him calmly. "You needn't be so modest. I've always had a good eye for people."
[Good eye, my ass!]
[Do you know what I'm thinking? Or do you know I have Twin Martial Souls?]
Lin Yi ranted inwardly, but he could only maintain a smile on the surface. "Well... I still don't think it's suitable."
Shui Bing'er did not press the matter. Instead, she looked at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. "Then what do you two think?"
Xiao Wu's eyes shifted as she hurriedly changed the subject. "Well... why don't we find somewhere to sit and talk slowly? It's tiring to keep standing around."
Shui Bing'er saw through her stalling tactic and nodded. "That works. There's a tea house ahead. Let's sit there for a while."
Lin Yi wanted to refuse, but Xiao Wu had already pulled him forward by the arm. Zhu Zhuqing silently followed beside them, giving him no chance to speak at all.
Lin Yi felt utterly helpless.
[Great, I've been arranged again.]
[But it's fine. As long as I don't agree, what can they do? They can't exactly tie me up and drag me there, can they?]
The group introduced themselves as they made their way to the tea house, where they found seats by a window.
Shui Yue'er called for the waiter to bring tea. The other girls from Skywater Academy also took their seats, their eyes frequently drifting toward Lin Yi.
Lin Yi grew uncomfortable under their scrutiny and could only lift his teacup, pretending to drink.
[Why do these people keep staring at me? Do I have flowers growing on my face?]
Shui Bing'er gave a light cough, drawing everyone's attention back.
She looked at Xiao Wu and said seriously, "Xiao Wu, if you're willing to join Skywater Academy, I can give you a direct recommendation slot. With your talent, there shouldn't be any problem."
Xiao Wu smiled but did not respond. Instead, she glanced at Lin Yi.
Understanding her meaning, Shui Bing'er turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "The same goes for you, Zhuqing. If you're willing to come, I can guarantee that you'll receive the best training."
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment before softly saying, "Thank you, but I need to think about it."
Her tone was calm, but her gaze also flicked toward Lin Yi.
Shui Bing'er understood at once.
These two girls were clearly centered around that young man.
Wherever he went, they would go.
Shui Bing'er turned to Lin Yi, her tone sincere. "Lin Yi, I know you may have plans of your own, but I still hope you'll seriously consider my suggestion. Skywater Academy may not be the strongest academy on the continent, but it is definitely the most suitable one for you."
She paused, then continued, "And as a Guest Elder, you won't need to take part in the academy's regular training. You can arrange your time freely, and the academy will provide cultivation resources. You'll only need to help the academy when necessary."
Hearing that, Lin Yi's heart stirred slightly.
[That actually sounds pretty good...]
[No daily training, free time, and cultivation resources.]
[Isn't that basically getting everything for free?]
[And most importantly, if Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing both enter Skywater Academy, they won't be able to keep following me around.]
He was about to speak when he suddenly realized something.
[No, no. If I go too, doesn't that mean I still haven't shaken them off?]
[How is that any different from before?]
Xiao Wu nearly burst out laughing when she heard his thoughts.
This guy had finally realized it.
She leaned close to Lin Yi's ear and lowered her voice. "Lin Yi, if you really don't want to go, then we'll just choose another academy. Wherever you go, we'll go."
Lin Yi's mouth twitched.
[Why does that sound a little like a threat?]
He looked at Zhu Zhuqing, trying to get a little support from her.
Zhu Zhuqing met his gaze, fell silent for a moment, then nodded gently.
Her expression clearly said: Me too.
Lin Yi was completely speechless.
[Great. These two are dead set on following me.]
Shui Bing'er took in the entire exchange, growing even more certain of her judgment.
Though this young man appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary Auxiliary Soul Master, the fact that two exceptionally talented girls followed him so wholeheartedly meant he was anything but simple.
And then there was the information revealed through those thoughts...
She had to find a way to keep him at Skywater Academy.
Although having a Guest Elder barely in his teens sounded utterly absurd, surely the academy elders would accept it if she revealed Lin Yi's thoughts.
"Lin Yi," Shui Bing'er said, her tone even more sincere than before. "I know you may feel that the position of Guest Elder is somewhat unnecessary, but for Skywater Academy, being able to invite a... talent like you would be an honor."
She paused before continuing, "And think about it. If Xiao Wu and Zhuqing both go to Skywater Academy while you attend another academy alone, would they really feel at ease? Rather than making them worry, why not go together? That way, you can look after one another."
Lin Yi felt speechless once more.
[What the hell kind of talent? I'm just an Auxiliary Soul Master.]
[And girl, you don't know who they are. If you did, would you still dare to talk so big?]
[Besides, what academy has a Guest Elder who's barely in his teens?]
[But now that I think about it, why does this sound like she's trying to persuade me not to separate them?]
[The problem is, I'd love nothing more than to separate them.]
Hearing his thoughts, Xiao Wu immediately chimed in, "That's right, Lin Yi. Sister Shui makes sense. If you go to another academy, Zhuqing and I definitely won't feel at ease. We'd be running over to see you every other day. What a hassle that would be."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded as well. Though she said nothing, the meaning in her eyes was obvious.
Lin Yi: "..."
[So you mean I have to go to Skywater Academy?]
[And if I don't, you'll follow me to another academy?]
[Then what if I don't attend an academy at all and choose to cultivate independently?]
[But judging by their attitudes, they're completely determined to follow me.]
[Sigh, they really are hard to deal with.]
Lin Yi took a deep breath and looked at Shui Bing'er. "Miss Shui, may I ask if a Guest Elder doesn't need to do much?"
"Normally, you won't need to do anything," Shui Bing'er explained. "It's only when the academy encounters special circumstances that we might need your assistance, such as helping research Martial Soul characteristics or taking part in certain special missions."
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