Heaven Dou Royal Academy

The carriage rolled through the gates of Shuiyun City. Su Yuntao watched the bustling crowds outside the window, a ripple stirring in his heart.

The people of Shuiyun City were unlike the common folk Su Yuntao had often seen across the continent over the past ten years. Not one of them looked pale and gaunt. Their living standards were worlds apart from those of people elsewhere on the continent, whether you judged by their physiques or their clothes.

Almost every face beamed with happiness. This stirred Su Yuntao's admiration for Shui Xinhan, the legendary dean of Skywater Academy. In this troubled Douluo Continent, she had kept the region peaceful and brought dignity and happiness to the people of Shuiyun City. Dean Shui was truly extraordinary.

"Little Monster," Yang Wudi said, "I've never admired many people in my life. Even a Titled Douluo isn't anything special in my eyes. But Dean Shui Xinhan is truly one of the finest people of this age."

"Oh?" Su Yuntao asked curiously. "Tell me more, Old Yang."

"Dean Shui Xinhan was born a commoner and suffered a great calamity as a child. She was later taken in by Skywater Academy. She's upright and kind, with tremendous cultivation talent. What's most astonishing is that, besides her exceptional strength, her knack for business and management is simply monstrous."

"Business and management?" Su Yuntao frowned.

Dugu Bo spoke up. "There's something you don't know, Little Monster. Many years ago, after Dean Shui Xinhan took charge of Skywater Academy, she carried out a series of reforms. Under her leadership, the Skywater Chamber of Commerce was founded."

"She encouraged the commoners in Shuiyun City and the surrounding areas to develop coastal fisheries. The Chamber bought their catch at high prices, then used the special abilities of Skywater's Soul Masters to freeze the seafood and ship it inland across the continent."

"To this day, seafood from Skywater Academy is highly sought after on the tables of merchants and nobles inland."

Su Yuntao's expression grew strange as he listened. He thought of Shrek and the impoverished Speed Clan. Compared with Skywater Academy, the gap between them was simply enormous.

"On top of that, under Shui Xinhan's guidance, the Skywater Chamber of Commerce opened a coastal shipping route to the Star Luo Empire, launching maritime trade with it. And that's not all. Dean Shui used her connections to bring in several high-ranking plant-type Soul Masters."

"With her massive investment, they cultivated a batch of superior crop varieties, increasing grain yields in the fields around Shuiyun City by nearly fifty percent! Thanks to her efforts, there's no famine anywhere around Shuiyun City. Her work has even spread across the continent. No one knows how many common folk she's saved!"

Su Yuntao stared in astonishment. He had never imagined Shui Xinhan possessed such boundless compassion.

"Dean Shui truly has a heart for saving the world. She's a powerful woman who genuinely cares about the common people."

Dugu Bo nodded. "Dean Shui is now trying to open a brand-new canal. She plans to connect the waterways around Shuiyun City with the rivers to the north. That way, merchant ships from Skywater Academy will be able to sail straight into the heart of the empire."

"Dean Shui's vision and boldness truly command my respect! For a woman to achieve so much—she proves that women are every bit as capable as men! If not for Pope Bibi Dong, Dean Shui would be the foremost female Soul Master on the continent!"

As the three men talked, Skywater Academy came into view.

Although Skywater Academy was slightly smaller than Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it was still vast. Its buildings weren't particularly ornate, but Su Yuntao could sense a different kind of refinement in them.

The three men stepped down from the carriage. Dugu Bo wasted no time.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—nine enormous Soul Rings appeared in an instant.

"I am Dugu Bo. I wish to meet Dean Shui Xinhan."

Though Dugu Bo released no pressure, the dozen or so guards on duty and the two Skywater Soul Masters still gaped in shock.

"Your Excellency, please wait. We'll report this at once," one of the Skywater female Soul Masters hurriedly said.

Before long, a pretty middle-aged woman who looked to be around thirty-four or thirty-five hurried over.

"I am Shui Lingti, director of instruction at Skywater Academy, and a seventy-eighth-level Soul Sage." Shui Lingti spoke respectfully. "Your Excellency Dugu, your distinguished presence truly brings honor to Skywater Academy."

Dugu Bo waved a hand. "There's no need for formalities, Director Shui. Where is Dean Shui Xinhan now?"

Shui Lingti replied without fawning or fear, "The dean enjoys the ordinary pleasures of life. She's currently out in the city with her two disciples. I've already sent someone to find her. Please wait a little while, Your Excellency Dugu."

"Never mind. I'm in no hurry."

A smile appeared on Shui Lingti's face. "May I ask which esteemed elder and talented young man are accompanying Your Excellency?"

"Yang Wudi."

"Su Yuntao."

"So it's Clan Leader Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan and Young Master Su Yuntao! Please follow me to the guest lounge and rest for a while. The dean will be back soon."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Lingti eagerly led the way.

"Director Shui," Su Yuntao suddenly said.

"What is it, Young Master Su?"

"I'm curious. Why do you and the dean both have the surname Shui?"

Shui Lingti smiled. "There's something you don't know, Young Master Su. The dean was born with the surname Shui. As for me, Skywater Academy's rules say that every child adopted by the academy from a young age takes Shui as their surname."

"That's why so many people at Skywater Academy are named Shui. The academy has adopted a great many children. Even the dean was raised here from a young age."

Su Yuntao nodded, his doubts suddenly clearing. It seemed Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er had also been taken in by Skywater Academy as children.

Skywater Academy truly had carved out a paradise apart from the world. In Douluo Continent, where there were no laws and might made right, the fate of these hundreds of female commoner Soul Masters would have been utterly tragic without the academy.

Female Soul Masters were usually beautiful from a young age. The greater their talent and the stronger their Martial Souls, the more beautiful they tended to be.

In this era of rampant slave trading, when catgirls and leopard girls were prized by the nobility, Skywater's female Soul Masters would have been the finest merchandise.

Fortunately, Skywater Academy existed. It had devoted tremendous effort and poured in vast human and material resources to protect and care for poor girls in remote, impoverished regions, changing the fates of countless women.

The three men arrived at Skywater Academy's guest lounge, where fruit and refreshments had already been laid out.

"Please rest for a while. The dean will be here soon."

Su Yuntao smiled. "Director Shui, Shuiyun City isn't small. Are you sure Dean Shui Xinhan can return so quickly?"

Shui Lingti smiled. "Please don't worry, Young Master Su. Skywater Academy has a well-developed intelligence network. The dean will receive the news shortly. She'll be back within three quarters of an hour at the latest."