Skywater Academy

As the carriage rolled through the gates of Shuiyun City, Su Yun Tao looked out at the bustling crowds, a ripple of emotion stirring in his heart.

The citizens of Shuiyun City were unlike the common folk Su Yun Tao had seen across the continent over the past decade; there was not a gaunt or sallow face to be found among them. Whether judging by their physique or their attire, their standard of living was fundamentally different from that of the commoners elsewhere on the continent.

Almost every person wore a look of genuine happiness, which filled Su Yun Tao with admiration for the legendary dean of Skywater Academy, Shui Xinhan. In this turbulent Douluo Continent, being able to safeguard a region and bring dignity and happiness to the commoners of Shuiyun City was a truly extraordinary feat for this dean.

"Little Monster," Yang Wudi spoke up, "I, Yang Wudi, have admired very few people in my life. Even Titled Douluo mean little to me, but this Dean Shui Xinhan is truly a hero of our age."

"Oh?" Su Yun Tao asked curiously, "Old Yang, tell me more."

"Dean Shui Xinhan was born a commoner. She suffered great hardships in her youth before being taken into Skywater Academy. She is upright, kind, and possesses immense cultivation talent. What is most astonishing is that beyond her strength, her talent for business management is nothing short of monstrous."

"Business management?" Su Yun Tao frowned.

Dugu Bo interjected, "Little Monster, there is much you don't know. After taking over Skywater Academy many years ago, Dean Shui Xinhan implemented a series of reforms and, under her leadership, founded the Skywater Chamber of Commerce."

"She encouraged the commoners in and around Shuiyun City to vigorously develop coastal fishing. After purchasing their catch at high prices, she utilized the unique nature of Skywater Academy's spirit masters to freeze the seafood and ship it to the interior of the continent."

"To this day, the seafood products from Skywater Academy are highly sought after on the dining tables of merchants and nobles throughout the continent."

Upon hearing this, Su Yun Tao's expression turned strange. He thought of the penniless members of Shrek and the Speed Clan, and the gap between them and Skywater Academy felt vast indeed.

"Furthermore, under Shui Xinhan's guidance, the Skywater Chamber of Commerce opened a coastal route to the Star Luo Empire, initiating maritime trade. Not only that, but Dean Shui also used her connections to invite several high-level plant-type spirit masters."

"With her massive capital investment, they cultivated a batch of high-quality seeds, which increased grain yields in the fields around Shuiyun City by nearly fifty percent! Through her efforts, famine was eradicated around Shuiyun City, and the practice was even promoted across the entire continent. Who knows how many common lives her actions have saved!"

Su Yun Tao was dumbfounded; he truly had not expected Shui Xinhan to possess such great benevolence and love.

"Dean Shui truly has a heart for saving the world; she is a powerhouse who genuinely puts the common people first."

Dugu Bo nodded, "Dean Shui is currently attempting to open a brand-new canal. She plans to connect the river systems around Shuiyun City with those in the north, which would allow the merchant ships of Skywater Academy to sail directly into the heart of the empire."

"The vision and courage of this Dean are truly worthy of my respect! For a woman to achieve such things—she is truly a heroine among men! If not for the existence of Pope Bibi Dong, Dean Shui would undoubtedly be the number one female spirit master on the continent!"

As the three of them conversed, Skywater Academy came into Su Yun Tao's view.

Although the scale of Skywater Academy was slightly smaller than that of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it was still grand in its own right. While the architecture of the academy was not ostentatious, Su Yun Tao sensed a unique, refined elegance to it.

The three of them stepped out of the carriage, and Dugu Bo did not waste time.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—nine massive spirit rings suddenly appeared.

"I am Dugu Bo, and I wish to see Dean Shui Xinhan."

Although Dugu Bo did not release his pressure, the dozen or so guards and two Skywater spirit masters on duty were still left stunned.

"Your Excellency, please wait a moment; we shall report this immediately," one of the female spirit masters said hurriedly.

Before long, a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties arrived.

"I am Shui Lingti, Dean of Academic Affairs at Skywater Academy, a level 78 Soul Sage," Shui Lingti said respectfully. "Your Excellency Dugu's arrival truly brings great honor to our Skywater Academy."

Dugu Bo waved his hand, "Director Shui, there is no need for such formalities. Where is Dean Shui Xinhan now?"

Shui Lingti replied with composure, "The Dean enjoys the simple pleasures of life and is currently out in the city with her two disciples. I have already sent someone to find her; please wait a moment, Your Excellency."

"No matter, I am not in a rush."

A smile appeared on Shui Lingti's face as she asked, "Might I ask who the two gentlemen accompanying you are?"

"Yang Wudi."

"Su Yun Tao."

"So it is Clan Head Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan and young friend Su Yun Tao. Please, follow me to the VIP room to rest for a moment; the Dean will be back shortly."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Lingti led the way with attentive courtesy.

"Director Shui," Su Yun Tao suddenly spoke up.

"Is there something you need, young friend Su?"

"I was wondering, why do both your Dean and you share the surname 'Shui'?" Su Yun Tao asked, puzzled.

Shui Lingti smiled, "Young friend Su, you may not know this, but the Dean's original surname is Shui. As for me, according to the rules of Skywater Academy, all children taken in by the academy from a young age adopt 'Shui' as their surname."

"That is why there are so many people surnamed Shui in our academy, as we take in many children. Even the Dean herself was raised by the academy from a young age."

Su Yun Tao nodded, his confusion instantly cleared. In that case, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er must also have been raised by Skywater Academy since childhood.

The existence of Skywater Academy truly created a sanctuary. In this world of Douluo Continent where there is no law and might makes right, the fate of these hundreds of female commoner spirit masters would likely have been tragic without the academy.

One must realize that female spirit masters are often beautiful from a young age, and the higher their talent and the stronger their martial soul, the higher their beauty tends to be.

In an era where the slave trade is rampant and 'cat-girls' or 'leopard-girls' are highly sought after by the nobility, these female spirit masters of Skywater would be considered the finest of commodities.

Fortunately, there is Skywater Academy. It is precisely because of the immense effort, the vast human and material resources invested, and the tireless protection and care for impoverished young girls in remote, destitute regions that the fates of so many women have been changed.

The three of them arrived at the VIP room of Skywater Academy, where fruits and refreshments had already been prepared.

"Please rest for a moment, the three of you; the Dean will be here very soon."

Su Yun Tao smiled, "Director Shui, Shuiyun City is quite large. Are you certain Dean Shui Xinhan can return so quickly?"

Shui Lingti laughed, "Young friend Su, please rest assured. Our Skywater Academy has a comprehensive intelligence network. The Dean will receive the news shortly; at the latest, she will return within three quarters of an hour."