Just as Ying Chengfeng was about to attack the other three on the arena, they spoke up one after another.
"Wait, wait!"
"I don't want a Soul Bone or any benefits. We can help deal with the Skywater Academy Team."
"Right! The Skywater Academy Team is strong. We can help keep some of them occupied."
Ying Chengfeng lowered his hand and said calmly, "I don't like owing people favors."
"It's fine. We were just having some fun," one of the men said politely.
Seeing that, Ying Chengfeng didn't make things difficult for the remaining three.
They were willing to join in and help of their own accord, so he had no objections.
After the free-for-all, it was time for the team competition.
Ying Chengfeng's four-person team had won the free-for-all, so they only needed to face the winner of the team competition.
While the team competition was underway, they could use the time to rest and recover.
There were sixteen teams in the competition, divided among four arenas.
The top four would be decided that day.
The final winner would be determined the next day.
The day after that, the winner of the free-for-all would face the winner of the team competition.
The ultimate match would take place the day after that, once the final winner had been chosen.
"What a hassle." Ying Chengfeng did the math. He still had to wait three days.
Ying Chengfeng glanced at his three temporary teammates, thought for a moment, and took out a hundred Gold Soul Coins.
"Use this to buy yourselves some drinks. We'll meet again in three days."
With that, Ying Chengfeng also planned to find an inn and stay for a few days.
"Shouldn't we practice together first? We'll be facing the Skywater Academy Team in three days. Won't that be a challenge?" one of his temporary teammates asked.
"No need. We can fight as a group of independent fighters," Ying Chengfeng said. "Besides, three days won't be enough to build much teamwork."
With that, Ying Chengfeng was about to leave.
But a figure approached him.
It was the aloof woman who had taken Shui Bing'er away three years ago.
Ji Qingyi immediately stepped in front of Ying Chengfeng and stared at the woman.
"I'm the dean of Skywater Academy," the woman said. "My name is Shui Qinghan."
"So you're the dean. What can we do for you?" Ji Qingyi asked, showing a little courtesy.
Shui Qinghan got straight to the point. "You must be honored guests from Spirit Hall, right? I'd like to invite you to visit my academy."
Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes slightly. "You think we're from Spirit Hall?"
Shui Qinghan smiled faintly. "It's a guess. Only Spirit Hall could have trained Soul Masters this outstanding."
As she spoke, Shui Qinghan looked at Ying Chengfeng several times, and also turned some of her attention to Qian Renxue and Yu Feiyan.
"A visit?" Ji Qingyi hesitated.
At that moment, Ying Chengfeng spoke up. "The dean has kindly invited us. How could we refuse?"
Ji Qingyi glanced at Ying Chengfeng curiously, unable to understand why her son, who never liked trouble, had agreed.
Ying Chengfeng smiled at his mother, Ji Qingyi, but said nothing.
Shui Qinghan then led the way.
Before long, she brought them to the Skywater Academy Team.
"These are the best students in our academy," Shui Qinghan began introducing them.
Ji Qingyi glanced over them. They were much like the students from three years ago, though a few had changed.
Some of the students she'd met three years earlier were still on the team.
Shui Qinghan asked, "How do they compare with this year's students from Spirit Hall?"
Ji Qingyi couldn't answer that question.
After thinking it over, she said, "It's hard to say. They're not the same age."
Ji Qingyi looked at Shui Bing'er and Xuewu. "These two are quite good. At the same age, they shouldn't be weaker than Spirit Hall's best."
"Is that so?" Shui Qinghan seemed quite pleased with the answer.
The group chatted as they walked.
Shui Qinghan did most of the asking.
Ji Qingyi answered selectively.
"You're planning to leave the Far North, aren't you?"
"Yes. We've been away long enough."
"Will you compete in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament in a little over a year?"
"That's hard to say."
"Oh? So you're not members of the team Spirit Hall selected this year?"
"We'll know when we get back," Ji Qingyi replied, careful not to commit herself.
Still, since they were visiting the academy, she felt she had to answer some questions.
As long as the questions weren't too intrusive, Ji Qingyi didn't mind answering them.
Before long, they arrived at Skywater Academy.
As the most prestigious advanced Soul Master academy in Skywater City, it had an excellent environment for cultivation.
But it was basically suitable only for Soul Masters with ice-type Martial Souls.
Of course, the Martial Souls awakened by people here were also mostly related to ice.
Shui Qinghan arranged accommodations for Ying Chengfeng and the others, then left, citing her busy schedule.
Ying Chengfeng was assigned a secluded courtyard on the eastern side.
The place was nestled between mountains and water, with a waterfall and a cold pool right next door.
With nothing else to do, Ying Chengfeng decided to take a casual stroll.
When he reached the cold pool, he spotted two girls training atop the waterfall's mountain peak in the distance.
They were Shui Bing'er and Xuewu.
The two were practicing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Snowflakes drifted thickly through the area where they trained.
Xuewu was tall and slender, dancing barefoot.
After quite some time, both girls' Soul Power had been greatly depleted.
They sat down together to rest.
But soon, they began practicing together again.
Their two streams of Soul Power touched once more.
By then, Ying Chengfeng was standing atop a tall snow-covered pine.
He watched the two girls practice in silence.
He took out a flute and began to play.
His flute music stirred up a breeze. Carrying a certain kind of intent, it flowed into Shui Bing'er and Xuewu's Soul Power.
The two streams of Soul Power, which had been somewhat repelling each other, actually fused.
In an instant, the snowfall grew heavier.
Every snowflake brimmed with the power to attack.
It seemed that anyone who came close would be frostbitten, while those with weaker strength might even be frozen solid.
"Where did that flute music come from? It actually helped us complete our Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
Xuewu was still dancing with complete abandon, but Shui Bing'er had already realized what was happening.
She looked around and spotted Ying Chengfeng standing atop the pine, playing his flute.
By then, Ying Chengfeng had finished his song and was looking at Shui Bing'er.
He then leapt down and landed in front of her.
"Thank you," Shui Bing'er said first, then asked, "How did you do that?"
Ying Chengfeng smiled faintly. "Your teamwork was already excellent. I only gave you a little guidance."
Shui Bing'er fell silent for a moment.
Xuewu had also come over to stand beside Shui Bing'er.
Then Shui Bing'er asked, "Why did you help us? Weren't you planning to defeat us in the Soul Master Challenge?"
Ying Chengfeng nodded, then said, "I was simply curious about how powerful a Martial Soul Fusion Skill could be."
In Ying Chengfeng's understanding, Soul Skills were weaker than Martial Soul Fusion Skills, which were in turn weaker than domains.
Of course, domains varied in strength, too.
Some domains were no stronger than Soul Skills.
Then Ying Chengfeng said, "Since you've mastered your Martial Soul Fusion Skill, would you like to spar with me now?"
He added, "How about the winner gets to name one condition?"
Before you continue