Yu Tianheng's Challenge (Five Chapters Delivered; Please Don't Let the Book Gather Dust, or It'll Die)

"Yeah!"

At the referee's words, joy washed over Huo Wu and the others' faces. The Blazing Academy students below the stage were just as proud, erupting into a thunderous cheer.

Not far away, Shui Qingyue was dumbstruck when she saw Blazing Academy win. For a while, she couldn't say a word.

Only after a long moment did Shui Qingyue mutter dazedly, "Th-that child learned Ring Fusion too? And he can even use it in actual combat..."

At first, when she saw that Ling Yun's Second Soul Ring was already at the thousand-year level, Shui Qingyue had been surprised, but not worried.

She had believed that with their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, her daughter would surely defeat Blazing Academy. She never expected Ling Yun to know Ring Fusion as well—and even transform into a brown bear with earth-attribute powers, forcibly blocking Shui Bing'er's strongest attack!

Seeing Shui Qingyue's astonished expression, Huo Li beamed.

"Hahaha, that kid's our Blazing Academy's trump card. What good would he be if he didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve?"

"That child's talent far surpasses Feng Xiaotian's!" Ling Qiufeng chimed in unexpectedly.

"All right, the children are tired. How about we hold the second match this afternoon? What do you think?"

Huo Li proposed. Shui Qingyue and Ling Qiufeng both nodded, agreeing.

Meanwhile, after the match, Ling Yun and the others filed off the stage. Shui Bing'er was approaching, supported by Xue Wu. She looked at Ling Yun and spoke.

"Classmate Ling Yun, you're very strong. I lost this match."

"Hehe, Senior Bing'er, you're formidable too. If my Stone Armor Bear hadn't happened to counter water-attribute attacks, I'd have been the one blasted off the stage just now."

Ling Yun said sincerely. Shui Bing'er was capable of driving Tang San, that cheater, to despair, so her strength was certainly not to be underestimated.

Shui Bing'er had been feeling somewhat dejected, but those words immediately lifted her spirits. Her lips curved into a smile. "Hehe, I may have lost this time, but I won't give up. I'll keep working hard, then defeat you head-on."

"I look forward to it." Ling Yun didn't think Shui Bing'er could beat him, but he still gave her the respect she deserved.

Then the two shook hands, sealing their little promise.

It was worth mentioning that Shui Bing'er's hand was really soft...

When they heard the second match would be held that afternoon, everyone gathered to discuss the match. The victors reviewed their performance, while the losers learned from their mistakes.

As Ling Yun sat cross-legged to rest, Shui Yue'er quietly came over and asked with a smile, "Little Brother Ling Yun, your three Soul Skills are wood, fire, and earth attributes. If you absorb a water-attribute Soul Ring in the future, will you be able to gain a water-attribute Soul Skill too?"

"Um... In theory, yes."

Ling Yun nodded, looking puzzled. He didn't understand why Shui Yue'er was asking.

After getting his confirmation, Shui Yue'er burst out laughing and grabbed his arm.

"Then how about joining our Skywater Academy? To tell you the truth, all the girls at our academy are pretty young ladies like me!"

At that, Huo Wu couldn't sit still. She hurried over, took Ling Yun by the arm, and eyed Shui Yue'er warily.

"Hey, hey, hey! Shui Yue'er, you little rascal! You can't just poach someone from another academy!"

"That's right, Yue'er. Poaching someone isn't nice." Shui Bing'er patted her younger sister on the head and smiled wryly. "Besides, don't forget that our academy only accepts girls."

"Oh, rules are dead, people are alive. Little Brother Ling Yun is so talented and handsome. What's the big deal about making an exception for him?"

She winked at Ling Yun and smiled. "Isn't that right, Little Brother Ling Yun?"

"Hehe, thanks for the offer, Sister Yue'er, but I'll pass."

Ling Yun shook his head and declined. "I've already joined Blazing Academy, and Sister Huo Wu takes great care of me. I won't be going to Skywater Academy."

Seeing him turn Shui Yue'er down, Huo Wu nodded in satisfaction. "Hehe, see that, Shui Yue'er? There's no way Ling Yun's going to your Skywater Academy."

"Aw, what a pity. I was thinking that if you joined Skywater Academy, I could be your girlfriend—and even share a bed with you. But since you don't want to, never mind."

As she spoke, Shui Yue'er brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Her waterfall of azure hair swayed gently, and its refreshing fragrance drifted into Ling Yun's nose.

Huo Wu cried out in mock outrage. "Oh, you little rascal! You're even using your beauty to tempt Ling Yun into joining you!

"Ling Yun, you can't go with her. As the saying goes, bright roses have thorns, and beautiful women are poisonous!"

Seeing Shui Yue'er's alluring manner, even Shui Bing'er shook her head helplessly. "Sis, can you stop acting like a little flirt? Could you try to be a bit more reserved? You're a girl, after all..."

As they joked around, the afternoon arrived in the blink of an eye, and the academy exchange tournament resumed.

That afternoon's match was Blazing Academy against Godwind Academy. It was a simple affair. Everyone in the Three Elements Academies knew Feng Xiaotian was Huo Wu's devoted admirer.

So when Godwind Academy faced Blazing Academy, they barely put up a fight. The match was over in less than ten minutes, ending with Blazing Academy's victory.

The third match was scheduled for the following morning: Godwind Academy against Skywater Academy.

The outcome was hardly in doubt. Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's Ice Snow Flutter was terrifying, but Feng Xiaotian was a Soul Ancestor. Before they could use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, he blew them off the stage with a storm.

Without Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, the rest of Skywater Academy's team was no match for them and was quickly defeated.

And with that, the academy exchange tournament came to an end. With two straight victories, Blazing Academy became the undisputed top team among the Three Elements Academies!

After the tournament, Ling Yun returned to his old routine. He spent most of his time cultivating Soul Power on Fire Cloud Mountain, and occasionally went to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena to compete and earn some pocket money. Life was quite pleasant.

Just like that, two months flew by.

That day, Ling Yun, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang went to the Great Soul Arena as usual, preparing to take part in a Soul Fighting match.

But as soon as they entered the Great Soul Arena, a young man in fitted clothes came toward them, followed by two girls.

When he saw Ling Yun, the young man's lips curled into a sneer. "You're the 'King of Five Spirits,' right? I've been waiting for you for over a month. Come fight me. I want to see what kind of strength someone with a thousand-year Second Soul Ring really has."

The moment Ling Yun saw the young man, he recognized him. It was Yu Tianheng of the Imperial Fighting Team. The two girls behind him were Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.