Feng Xiaotian Challenges Shui Bing'er One-on-One

Shui Bing'er was stopped by Leng Qinghuan.

The two walked at the very back of the group.

"Bing'er, are you all right? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

"Auntie, don't worry. I'm fine."

"That's good. I never expected Huo Wu to have mastered Ring Fusion. Fortunately, your defense was strong enough to withstand that attack."

"Ring Fusion?"

Leng Qinghuan nodded and explained, "It's a special innate ability that forcibly gathers the Soul Power dispersed among multiple soul rings and releases it all at once through a single soul skill, producing destructive power far beyond the ordinary."

"I see."

"At the instant that Fire Ring collided with you, the light was so dazzling that even I couldn't see what happened. Did you use your External Soul Bone then?"

"No."

Shui Bing'er gently shook her head.

She subconsciously brushed her arm. The warm sensation seemed to linger there still, and a flush rose to her face again, which had only just recovered.

"That really is strange. Your Ice Ring Armor actually blocked a two-thousand-year soul skill attack..."

Leng Qinghuan fell into thought.

Shui Bing'er smiled.

"Auntie, it wasn't just Ice Ring Armor that blocked Huo Wu's full-force attack. There was also the power unleashed by my martial soul."

"That's what I thought. An Ice Phoenix is no ordinary martial soul. Bing'er, with your talent and potential, your future achievements may even surpass your grandfather's."

"I wouldn't dare compare myself to Grandfather, but I'll work hard."

"I believe in you. You gave it your all in this match. Hurry back and get some rest."

On her way back, Shui Bing'er spoke with Xu Feng in her mind.

"Phoenix Brother, thank you for helping me today."

"No need to be so polite. Huo Wu's Ring Fusion caught you off guard. Were you planning to take it head-on? I couldn't just stand by and watch."

"I truly didn't expect it. I underestimated her. It won't happen again."

"It's all right. No matter what happens, I'll protect you."

Something stirred in Shui Bing'er's heart.

Protected in the Ice Phoenix's embrace, she had even imagined what this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would look like in human form.

"Bing'er, your wings haven't been exposed yet. They'll be perfect for dealing with Godwind Academy tomorrow."

"Mm. There's still quite a gap between us and Godwind Academy. Aside from Feng Xiaotian, whose strength is close to that of a Soul Ancestor, their team has two other Battle Soul Elders. The rest are also close to three-ring Soul Elders. Moreover, Feng Xiaotian and the two Windbell Bird soul masters on his team can all fly, making them rather troublesome to deal with."

"It seems your External Soul Bone can't remain hidden any longer. Then don't hide it. No matter what, you can't lose to them."

"I know."

Although Shui Bing'er wanted to defeat the Godwind Academy led by Feng Xiaotian with her own strength, she also knew it would be impossible without revealing the Wings of the Phoenix.

Afternoon arrived quickly.

The area around the training grounds was still packed with spectators.

Shui Bing'er and the others also came to the stands.

However, to everyone's surprise, not only did Feng Xiaotian not compete for Godwind Academy, another Soul Elder also avoided the match.

They fielded one Soul Elder and six Soul Grandmasters.

In the end, Godwind Academy lost to Blazing Fire Academy led by Huo Wushuang.

Anyone with eyes could tell that Godwind Academy had deliberately thrown the match.

After the match ended, Leng Qinghuan gathered everyone together.

"You all saw this afternoon's match. Even without Feng Xiaotian and one of their main Soul Elder fighters, Godwind Academy still displayed considerable strength against Blazing Fire Academy. In tomorrow's match, everyone must give it their all."

"Yes."

Just as she spoke, Feng Xiaotian walked over.

"Teacher Leng, sorry to disturb you. May I speak with Shui Bing'er alone?"

??

Everyone's gazes fell on Shui Bing'er at once, unsure what Feng Xiaotian wanted.

"I'll go."

Shui Bing'er followed Feng Xiaotian to a corner not far away.

"Feng Xiaotian, what is it?"

"Regarding tomorrow's match, I have a proposal."

"Go on."

"Let's have a contest. Just you and me, representing our respective academies."

Shui Bing'er froze for a moment.

"You mean the two of us will fight one-on-one?"

"That's right."

"But... why?"

Feng Xiaotian gave his reason:

"Our team has three Battle Soul Elders, while the other four are all close to three-ring Soul Elder strength. Against the seven of you, we hold an absolute advantage. If it were a team battle, you might have to expend soul power dealing with my teammates. I hope you can face me in a fair duel at your best."

Shui Bing'er understood what Feng Xiaotian meant.

She glanced toward Leng Qinghuan and the others.

She could not decide the format of the match on her own.

Feng Xiaotian explained:

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not looking down on them. Since they can be your teammates, they're naturally outstanding as well. I simply admire your abilities and hope to have a one-on-one contest with you."

"But if we do that, your advantage will be gone."

"That's fine. In a one-on-one fight, I still have the advantage in Soul Power Level."

"Your teacher agreed to this?"

Feng Xiaotian nodded, the corners of his lips curling slightly upward.

"I can make this decision myself. I only need your agreement."

"Alright. Wait for me a moment."

After saying that, Shui Bing'er quickly ran toward Leng Qinghuan and the others.

She then told them about Feng Xiaotian's proposal.

Everyone was stunned.

"What? He actually challenged you to a solo fight?!"

"He's voluntarily giving up his advantage in a team battle? That's way too willful!"

"That's not willfulness. It's clearly arrogance! Conceit!"

"Still, Feng Xiaotian does have the qualifications to be arrogant."

They all spoke at once.

"Alright, stop it."

Leng Qinghuan cut everyone off and looked at Shui Bing'er.

"Bing'er, what do you think?"

"I'm willing to accept his challenge."

"Good, then it's settled. Feng Xiaotian is a very strong opponent, and he'll bring out more of your potential. I want to see where your limits lie."

Shui Yue'er said playfully:

"Big Sister, I want to see just how strong you really are too."

"Captain, we believe in you!"

The girls were full of confidence in Shui Bing'er and eagerly anticipated her duel with Feng Xiaotian.

Shui Bing'er smiled and nodded.

She then walked over to Feng Xiaotian.

"Feng Xiaotian, we'll do as you proposed."

"Good. Then I'll see you in the arena tomorrow. I hope you'll go all out and let everyone see your true strength."

"I will. You should too."

Feng Xiaotian smiled confidently, then turned and left.

Xu Feng's voice sounded in Shui Bing'er's mind at just the right moment:

"Bing'er, it's a good thing that Feng Xiaotian wants a solo fight. You only need to defeat him."

"Mm. In that exchange match two years ago, we lost to Godwind Academy. But at the time, I was only a core team member and had never faced him head-on."

"Tomorrow is a good opportunity. You'll definitely defeat him."

Xu Feng knew that Feng Xiaotian had challenged Shui Bing'er to a solo fight because he wanted to show off in front of Huo Wu.

Besides his usual means of attack, that guy had another trump card: Gale Demon Wolf Consecutive Slash.

It was his Self-Created Soul Skill, capable of stacking its attack power, each slash stronger than the last.

However, before the Wings of the Phoenix, even if Gale Demon Wolf Consecutive Slash stacked up to its final slash, it would pose no threat.