Academy Exchange Match, Facing Skywater Academy

"Heh, Sister Qingyue, you've finally arrived. We've been waiting for quite some time. It's been so long, yet your grace remains as sharp as ever, haha."

Watching the leader of Skywater Academy, Huo Li offered a faint smile. The leader of Skywater Academy was named Shui Qingyue, a middle-aged beauty with a sultry figure.

Despite being nearly fifty, she appeared remarkably youthful, with delicate features and skin as white as snow, looking for all the world like a woman in her early twenties.

She was also the biological mother of Shui Yue'er and the stepmother of Shui Bing'er.

Hearing Huo Li's praise, Shui Qingyue replied with a beaming smile, "Brother Huo Li, you're still as smooth-tongued as you were back then."

"Miss Qingyue, long time no see."

At this moment, a middle-aged man beside Huo Li spoke coldly, offering a brief greeting to Shui Qingyue.

The man had sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, with a handsome, extraordinary appearance. His long, ink-black hair was tied into a high ponytail that danced in the wind behind him. His frame was tall and robust, giving off the impression of a sharp blade suddenly unsheathed amidst a gale.

The man was named Ling Qiufeng, the leader of Godwind Academy and the teacher of Feng Xiaotian. Like Huo Li and Shui Qingyue, he possessed the cultivation of an eight-ring Soul Douluo.

"Indeed, long time no see, Brother Qiufeng." Shui Qingyue shook her head, teasing him with a wry smile, "You're still as cold and aloof as ever, completely unapproachable."

While the three middle-aged figures exchanged pleasantries, the younger generation gathered together, chatting idly. Huo Wu pulled Ling Yun over to Shui Bing'er and her group to make introductions.

"Little Brother Ling Yun, let me introduce you. This is Shui Bing'er, the captain of Skywater Academy."

As she spoke, Huo Wu gestured toward Ling Yun, introducing him to Shui Bing'er, "This child is named Ling Yun. He is the number one genius of our Blazing Academy. Once the exchange tournament begins, you'll see just how terrifying his strength is."

"Wow! What a cute kid! And he's so handsome, too. He's definitely going to be a heartthrob when he grows up. Quick, quick, let big sister pat your head..."

Before Shui Bing'er could speak, a girl who looked remarkably similar to her darted over. Like a little hooligan, she lunged at Ling Yun. This was Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er's younger sister from the same father but a different mother.

Seeing Shui Yue'er pounce like a hungry tiger, Ling Yun stepped back to maintain his distance.

At the same time, Shui Bing'er grabbed her sister by the collar, shaking her head helplessly.

"Yue'er, there are so many people here. Can you please act a little more proper?"

With that, Shui Bing'er looked at Ling Yun, standing tall with a sweet smile, "This is my sister, Shui Yue'er. She's a bit rowdy; please excuse her. The number one genius of Blazing Academy, is it? I'm very much looking forward to our battle!"

"Me too!" Ling Yun nodded firmly.

Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er introduced the rest of the Skywater Academy team.

Watching the group of lively, adorable girls, Huo Wu suddenly smirked and used soul power transmission to speak to Ling Yun: Little Brother Ling Yun, aren't these girls pretty? Do you like any of them? If there's a girl you fancy, I can have Sister Bing'er play matchmaker for you~

The remark left Ling Yun looking thoroughly embarrassed.

At the same time, the three elders—Huo Li, Shui Qingyue, and Ling Qiufeng—finished their conversation, and this year's academy exchange tournament officially began.

The format was simple: the three academies would face off in pairs. Since the purpose of the exchange was to test the students' practical combat abilities, the outcome was secondary; winning provided experience, while losing offered lessons.

Because the tournament was being held at Blazing Academy, Huo Li drew the lots first. He pulled out two wooden plaques, which clearly read "Blazing Academy" and "Skywater Academy."

Without a doubt, the first match would be Blazing Academy versus Skywater Academy.

Seeing the names on the plaques, Shui Qingyue couldn't help but curl her lips, giggling like a young girl.

"I didn't expect to run into Blazing Academy in the first match. Water suppresses fire. Brother Huo Li, it seems my Skywater Academy will be taking the first victory!"

Hearing this, Huo Li wasn't angry; instead, he smiled faintly.

"Heh, that remains to be seen."

"Oh? It seems Brother Huo Li has quite a lot of confidence in his children. But the girls of my Skywater Academy are very formidable!"

"Sister Qingyue, you're mistaken. It isn't just my eldest son and precious daughter who give me confidence!"

Amidst the banter, Huo Li announced the details of the first match, and Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er led their respective teams onto the arena.

"I didn't expect to face Skywater Academy in the first round. Sister Bing'er won't be easy to deal with!"

Huo Wu frowned as she spoke, but Ling Yun replied from beside her.

"It's fine. If soldiers come, we use generals to block; if water comes, we use earth to cover. We'll just give it our all."

"Mm, you're right!"

Once both sides were on the field, the teacher acting as referee spoke solemnly: "I now announce the start of the first match. Both sides, release your martial souls!"

"Partners, activate martial souls!"

"Sisters, release martial souls!"

Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er spoke in unison. Before the words had even faded, everyone on the arena released their martial souls. Ling Yun summoned the Five Spirit Lock, and three soul rings emerged.

Upon seeing his soul ring configuration, Shui Bing'er and the others were instantly stunned. Shui Bing'er exclaimed, "Sister, look! His... Ling Yun's second soul ring is actually at the thousand-year level?"

"A thousand-year second ring? No wonder Sister Huo Wu said he was the number one genius of Blazing Academy!" Shui Bing'er muttered in astonishment.

She had previously assumed that Huo Wu's claims meant Ling Yun had reached the Soul Elder level, but she never imagined his second soul ring would be a thousand-year ring.

On the other side, Shui Qingyue and Ling Qiufeng were also secretly amazed. Shui Qingyue widened her eyes in shock, "Brother Huo Li, you really have found a gem. A thousand-year second ring... how did he manage that? No wonder you're so confident in Blazing Academy."

"Heh, it's all thanks to my daughter. She was the one who brought him back."

As the three chatted, the match began.

Huo Wu immediately commanded, "My brother and I will take the lead in attacking. Ling Yun, transform into the Divine Wood Ape and control Bing'er and her team. Huo Yun, Huo Yu, fly into the sky and provide long-range fire support. Huo Qingyang, provide us with buffs. Yan Hao, you are a power-attack soul master; remember to protect Qingyang!"

"Understood!"

The group spoke in unison. Huo Yun and Huo Yu were twin brothers whose martial souls were the Fire Crane; both were level 34 agility-attack type Soul Elder.

Yan Hao's martial soul was the Fire Leopard, a level 33 power-attack type Soul Elder; Huo Qingyang's martial soul was the Fire Star, a level 32 support-type Soul Elder.

These individuals were all elites of Blazing Academy, their strength second only to Ling Yun, Huo Wu, and the others.

At the same time, Ling Yun swiftly unleashed his soul skill.

"Five Spirits Power, transform!"

In an instant, Ling Yun transformed into the Divine Wood Ape, manipulating the Power of Wood Spirit to sweep toward Shui Bing'er and the others.

"Power of Wood Spirit: Entangle!"