The front plaza of the Skywater Sect.
Feng Xiaotian was sticking close to Huo Wu, never leaving her side. Though he wore a black mask that covered half his face, the cheerful glint in his eyes gave away his smiling expression.
Since Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy had become affiliated with the Skywater Sect, the two academies had been interacting more and more. Meanwhile, Feng Xiaotian had become increasingly brazen in his pursuit of Huo Wu.
"Huo Wu, they've opened several ice-type training grounds in the Skywater Sect's front plaza. How about I go with you? They'd be a great help in improving your control over your flames."
"No need."
Huo Wu kept walking, her tone cool.
"Yesterday, I discussed an excellent Soul Power technique with several elders from Godwind Academy. I think it could also enhance your control over fire..."
"I said I don't need it!"
Huo Wu abruptly stopped, her delicate brows furrowing. Feng Xiaotian had thoroughly exasperated her.
She was already strong-willed by nature, and this masked man's endless pestering was driving her crazy.
"Huo Wu, can you stop shutting me out like this? I'm sincere about you. For your sake, I've even become the captain of Godwind Academy's team." Feng Xiaotian's face immediately fell.
Huo Wu snorted and folded her arms. "Feng Xiaotian, how many times do I have to tell you? I don't like you. Can you stop following me around every day?"
Feng Xiaotian's heart felt like it was breaking. His expression trembled as Huo Wu's words stabbed into him like knives. "Huo Wu, what's wrong with me? Tell me, and I'll change. My feelings for you have never been any less sincere than anyone else's!"
Huo Wu clenched her fists, her fiery temper flaring. How could Feng Xiaotian be so stubborn, no matter what she said?
Just then, she glanced up and spotted Shui Bing'er walking across the front courtyard.
She had a graceful figure and was leading a little boy by the hand. A rare, gentle smile played on her face as she patiently answered each of the little fellow's questions.
Huo Wu glanced at Feng Xiaotian's determined expression beside her, and a faintly mocking smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Feng Xiaotian, don't you always say you're exceptionally talented, the best of the younger generation at Godwind Academy? Haven't you always wanted me to accept your pursuit?"
Feng Xiaotian froze, then quickly put on a serious expression. "That's right, Huo Wu. My feelings are absolutely sincere!"
"Save it."
Huo Wu cut him off, lifting her chin toward Shui Bing'er. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly enough for several Godwind and Blazing Fire students nearby to hear. "See her? That's Shui Bing'er, the Skywater Sect's chief disciple."
Feng Xiaotian followed her gaze, a flicker passing through his eyes.
Shui Bing'er was exceptionally talented and peerlessly elegant. There wasn't a soul in all of Elemental City who didn't know her.
He'd especially heard the recent rumors that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had barged into the Skywater Sect for her sake and wreaked havoc!
"If you're capable, go challenge her openly, one-on-one."
A competitive, teasing gleam flashed in Huo Wu's eyes. "If you can defeat Shui Bing'er, I, Huo Wu, will agree to be your girlfriend, Feng Xiaotian. I won't go back on my word."
The moment she said this, many students from both Blazing Fire Academy and Godwind Academy fell silent and turned to look.
Shui Bing'er possessed the top-grade Ice Phoenix Beast Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power at rank nine. Rumor had it that her strength had soared after she entered seclusion.
She was the strongest fighter among the Skywater Sect's younger generation!
Feng Xiaotian, meanwhile, was Godwind Academy's greatest genius. He had Innate Full Soul Power, a profound understanding of Soul Power laws, and had cultivated divine abilities. Recently, he'd even created a Soul Skill of his own: Twelve Consecutive Slashes of the Gale Demon Wolf!
Just imagine the spectacle if two peerless prodigies like them fought!
"Are you serious?"
Feng Xiaotian glanced at Shui Bing'er, then fixed his gaze on Huo Wu. His face lit up with excitement.
Shui Bing'er might have extraordinary talent, unmatched ice power, and Innate Soul Power at rank nine!
But so what?
He, Feng Xiaotian, had Innate Full Soul Power and a unique insight into cultivation. His talent was no weaker than that of this beautiful woman with skin like ice and bones like jade!
He'd been wanting to fight her ever since he heard the rumors that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan coveted her!
Now that Huo Wu had made this promise, wasn't this the best of both worlds?
"Of course I'm serious!"
Huo Wu nodded, her chin held high.
If Feng Xiaotian didn't dare accept the challenge, she could use the opportunity to make him back off.
But if he could actually defeat Shui Bing'er, he'd be the Skywater Sect's top prodigy in all but name.
Then there'd be nothing wrong with giving him a chance!
"Good! You said it, Huo Wu!"
Feng Xiaotian could barely contain his excitement. "If I defeat Shui Bing'er, you'll be my girlfriend!"
If he won this fight, he wouldn't just win the girl of his dreams; he'd also restore Godwind Academy's reputation!
Then he'd stand with his beloved Huo Wu and show everyone that the students of the two academies were no worse than the Skywater Sect's inner disciples.
The setting sun cast its glow. Li Jiuxuan and Shui Bing'er had spent the entire day fighting in the training room.
They'd reaped a rich harvest!
Shui Yue'er had already been so exhausted that she couldn't go on more than half a day ago.
Panting, she'd fled the training room, afraid the two cultivation fanatics would drag her back in and make her keep fighting.
"I didn't expect Jiuxuan to be so good on his first try!" Shui Bing'er was especially pleased with her little brother.
The highest monster-slaying record in the training room was just over a thousand. He was only rank twenty-two, and this was his first time in the Simulation Training Room, yet he'd managed to rack up a thousand kills!
That's right, this little brother had gained another rank in Soul Power during their training today!
His cultivation speed was simply unprecedented!
"I am a Power Attack System Soul Master, after all. Most of the sisters at the academy are Control System Soul Masters," Li Jiuxuan said with a cheeky grin.
"Come on, let's go back to Calm Heart Lake. You've had such a tiring day. I'll cook for you." Shui Bing'er smiled warmly at him.
"Big sis, I can just eat in the cafeteria, you know." Li Jiuxuan scratched his head sheepishly.
To be honest, he still hadn't spent a single one of the thousand Gold Soul Coins Shui Bing'er had given him.
He'd spent the past few months doing nothing but cultivating.
"That won't do. When you little rascal get carried away with training, you forget everything else."
Shui Bing'er stopped and measured Li Jiuxuan's height with her warm, fair hand. He barely came up to her navel. "Working hard at cultivation is good, but you're still young. You have to eat properly, or how will you grow tall and strong?"
She'd said from the beginning that she would bring this little brother to Skywater Academy and take good care of him.
But seeing how little weight Li Jiuxuan had gained in the past six months made her feel she'd failed him terribly.
What little boy wasn't plump and rosy-cheeked?
And yet this little fellow refused to eat properly.
So she'd made up her mind: she would prepare all his meals herself and make sure he ate every bite.
By this time next year, he'd put on at least ten pounds!
"Oh..."
Li Jiuxuan could only nod obediently.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had put him under so much pressure recently that he'd had no choice but to raise his strength as quickly as possible.
But now that Shui Yuerong had become a Titled Douluo, he could afford to ease up a little.
Just as Shui Bing'er was leading Li Jiuxuan back toward Calm Heart Lake, hand in hand,
a group of students from Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy approached them.
The masked male student at the head of the group greeted her politely. "Hello, Chief Disciple Shui Bing'er. My name is Feng Xiaotian..."
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