"Hehe, little sister Qingyue, you've finally arrived. We've been waiting for you for ages. It's been so long since we last met, and you're still as radiant as ever. Haha."
Looking at the leader of Skywater Academy, Huo Li smiled faintly. The leader was named Shui Qingyue, a mature beauty with a sexy figure.
Though she was nearly fifty, she looked remarkably young, with delicate features and skin as fair as snow, like a girl in her early twenties.
She was also Shui Yue'er's biological mother and Shui Bing'er's stepmother.
Hearing Huo Li's compliment, Shui Qingyue said with a smile, "Big Brother Huo Li, you're still as smooth-talking as ever."
"Miss Qingyue, it's been a long time."
A middle-aged man beside Huo Li spoke up coldly, offering Shui Qingyue a greeting of sorts.
He had sword-straight brows and bright eyes, handsome features, and an imposing air. His long, ink-black hair was tied in a high ponytail that fluttered behind him in the breeze. Tall and sturdy, he gave the impression of a sharp sword suddenly drawn amid a gale.
The man was named Ling Qiufeng. He was the leader of Godwind Academy and Feng Xiaotian's teacher. Like Huo Li and Shui Qingyue, he was an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.
"Yes, it's been a long time, little brother Qiufeng." Shui Qingyue shook her head and teased him with a wry smile. "You're still as aloof and cold as ever."
While the three middle-aged adults exchanged pleasantries, the younger ones gathered to chat. Huo Wu even took Ling Yun over to Shui Bing'er and the others and introduced them.
"Little brother Ling Yun, let me introduce you. This is Shui Bing'er, the captain of Skywater Academy."
Then Huo Wu pointed to Ling Yun and introduced him to Shui Bing'er. "This child is Ling Yun, the greatest prodigy at Blazing Academy. Once the exchange tournament begins, you'll see just how terrifyingly strong he is."
"Wow! What an adorable little boy, and he's so handsome, too. He'll definitely grow up to be a real heartthrob. Come on, come on, let big sister pat your head..."
Before Shui Bing'er could say anything, a girl who looked very much like her came bounding over and lunged at Ling Yun like a shameless flirt. She was Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er's younger half-sister.
As Shui Yue'er pounced on him like a hungry tiger, Ling Yun stepped back to keep his distance.
At the same time, Shui Bing'er grabbed her little sister by the collar and shook her head helplessly.
"Yue'er, there are so many people here. Can't you behave yourself for once?"
After speaking, Shui Bing'er turned to Ling Yun, held her head high, and smiled sweetly. "This is my younger sister, Shui Yue'er. She can be a little boisterous, so please excuse her. The top prodigy of Blazing Academy, huh? I'm looking forward to fighting you!"
"Me too!" Ling Yun nodded emphatically.
Shui Bing'er then introduced the other members of Skywater Academy.
Looking at the lively, adorable girls, Huo Wu suddenly grinned mischievously and spoke to Ling Yun through a Soul Power transmission. "Little brother Ling Yun, aren't these girls pretty? Got your eye on anyone? If you do, I can ask little sister Bing'er to help set you up~"
Her words left Ling Yun looking utterly awkward.
Meanwhile, Huo Li, Shui Qingyue, and Ling Qiufeng finished their conversation, and this year's academy exchange tournament officially began.
The rules were simple: the three academies would face off against each other in pairs. Since the tournament was meant to test the students' combat skills, winning or losing wasn't that important. A victory would build their battle experience, while a defeat would teach them a lesson.
Since the tournament was being held at Blazing Academy, Huo Li drew first. He swiftly picked two wooden plaques, which bore the names "Blazing Academy" and "Skywater Academy."
There was no doubt about it: the first match would be between Blazing Academy and Skywater Academy.
Seeing the names on the two plaques, Shui Qingyue's lips curled into a smile, and she giggled like a little girl.
"I can't believe we're facing Blazing Academy in the very first match. Water counters fire, Big Brother Huo Li. It looks like my Skywater Academy will take the first victory!"
Huo Li didn't take offense. Instead, the corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile.
"Hehe, that remains to be seen."
"Oh? You must have a lot of confidence in your children, Big Brother Huo Li. But the girls of Skywater Academy are no pushovers!"
"Little sister Qingyue, you're mistaken. My confidence doesn't come only from my eldest son and precious daughter!"
While they chatted, Huo Li announced the first match. Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er led their respective teams onto the arena.
"I can't believe we're facing Skywater Academy in the first match. Little sister Bing'er won't be easy to beat!"
Huo Wu's brows drew together as she spoke, but Ling Yun beside her said, "It's all right. When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it with earth. We just have to give it everything we've got."
"Mm, well said!"
Once both teams were in position, the teacher acting as referee solemnly announced, "I hereby declare the first match underway. Both teams, release your Martial Souls!"
"Partners, activate your Martial Souls!"
"Sisters, release your Martial Souls!"
Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er spoke in unison. Before their words had even faded, everyone on the arena released their Martial Souls. Ling Yun summoned the Five Spirit Lock, and three Soul Rings appeared around him.
Seeing his Soul Ring configuration, Shui Bing'er and the others were instantly stunned. Shui Bing'er cried out, "Sister, look! His... Ling Yun's Second Soul Ring is a thousand-year one?"
"A thousand-year Second Soul Ring! No wonder Sister Huo Wu called him Blazing Academy's greatest prodigy!" Shui Bing'er murmured in amazement.
When she'd heard Huo Wu say that, she'd privately guessed Ling Yun might already have reached the Soul Elder level. She'd never imagined that his Second Soul Ring would be a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
On the other side, Shui Qingyue and Ling Qiufeng were just as astonished. Shui Qingyue's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Big Brother Huo Li, you really did find a gem! A thousand-year Second Soul Ring... How did he manage that? No wonder you're so confident in Blazing Academy."
"Hehe, it's all thanks to my daughter. She was the one who brought him back."
As the three of them chatted, the match began.
Huo Wu immediately gave her orders. "My brother and I will lead the attack. Ling Yun, transform into a Divine Wood Ape and restrain Bing'er and the others.
"Huo Yun, Huo Yu, take to the sky and provide long-range fire support. Huo Qingyang, boost our strength. Yan Hao, you're a Power Attack System Soul Master, so remember to protect Qingyang!"
"Understood!"
The group answered in unison. Huo Yun and Huo Yu were twin brothers whose Martial Soul was the Fire Crane. Both were level thirty-four agility-type Battle Soul Elders.
Yan Hao's Martial Soul was the Fire Leopard, and he was a level thirty-three Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. Huo Qingyang's Martial Soul was the Fire Star, and he was a level thirty-two support-type Battle Soul Elder.
They were all elite students from Blazing Academy, their strength surpassed only by Ling Yun and the two Huo siblings.
At the same time, Ling Yun swiftly unleashed his Soul Skill.
"Five Spirits Power, transform!"
In an instant, Ling Yun transformed into a Divine Wood Ape and sent the Power of Wood Spirit sweeping toward Shui Bing'er and the others.
"Power of Wood Spirit: Entangle!"
Before you continue