Chapter 29

Ying Chengfeng had not expected that Yu Feiyan's absorption of the Soul Bone would draw Shui Qinghan here.

"What kind of explanation does the Dean want?" Ying Chengfeng stepped forward and spoke.

Shui Qinghan looked at Ying Chengfeng with a calm expression and said, "Taking without asking is theft. Return the Soul Bone, and this matter will be dropped."

"Hmph." Ji Qingyi stepped out and said, "The Soul Bone has already been fused. To return it would mean severing both arms; do you really think we would agree to that?"

With that, Ji Qingyi released her spirit rings, ready to fight at any moment.

Shui Qinghan, however, kept her gaze on Ying Chengfeng. "Our academy kept those two Soul Bones very well. How did you get your hands on them?"

Ying Chengfeng met Shui Qinghan's gaze directly. "As you already said, I stole them."

"Where did you steal them from?" Shui Qinghan asked again.

At this, Ying Chengfeng truly had no answer.

Just then, Yu Feiyan successfully finished absorbing the Soul Bone and stood by Ying Chengfeng's side.

Ying Chengfeng whispered to his mother, Ji Qingyi, "Mother, take Xiaoxue and Feiyan and leave first. I will follow shortly."

Ji Qingyi shook her head. "You take them; I will cover the retreat. The opponent is significantly stronger than me, and I am not confident I can hold her back for long."

"There is no need; I am very fast," Ying Chengfeng insisted, adding, "Besides, there is no need to make things too hostile."

Ji Qingyi had also learned of Ying Chengfeng's speed from the Azure Luan Elder.

It was a speed that far surpassed that of an average agility-type Soul Douluo.

Ji Qingyi hesitated for two seconds before saying, "Then be careful. If she dares to go too far, I will go back and call your grandfather."

With that, she immediately grabbed Qian Renxue and Yu Feiyan and flew toward the outside of the academy.

Shui Qinghan did not move to intercept them, continuing to watch Ying Chengfeng instead.

"Do you intend to stay behind and take responsibility yourself?" Shui Qinghan said indifferently.

Ying Chengfeng shook his head. "Responsibility... I really don't want to shoulder that."

His tone carried a hint of helplessness.

Shui Qinghan remarked, "I thought you would say that you would be the final victor in three days, and that this was merely taking your reward early."

"Am I allowed to say that?" Ying Chengfeng countered.

Shui Qinghan's expression turned stern. "You are certainly allowed to say it, but the rules of my academy cannot be broken."

"Exactly," Ying Chengfeng said, possessing at least that much self-awareness.

Immediately, Shui Qinghan continued, "Since you have broken my academy's rules, you must pay a price."

"You cannot keep me here," Ying Chengfeng said calmly.

"You are very confident."

Ying Chengfeng shrugged. "It is simply the truth."

"Then why are you still staying here?"

Ying Chengfeng did not speak again.

Shui Qinghan added, "The person who actually stole the Soul Bone is already being punished."

Hearing this, Ying Chengfeng was slightly taken aback.

He gave a bitter smile. "What kind of punishment is it?"

"Does it have anything to do with you?" Shui Qinghan's expression turned extremely unpleasant. "Can you not even wait three days?"

Ying Chengfeng was stumped by the question.

Of course, he wanted to return to Martial Soul Hall as soon as possible.

As for the three-day wait, it wasn't that he couldn't wait.

Asking for the Soul Bone early was just a casual inquiry.

But since Shui Bing'er had brought the Soul Bone over, he had assumed there wouldn't be any major issues.

Who would have thought that Shui Qinghan would come running to hold him accountable at a time like this?

But it was too late to say anything now.

Ying Chengfeng remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "Can I go see her? As for the price, you can state your terms."

Shui Qinghan looked at Ying Chengfeng for a few seconds before saying, "Follow me."

Before long, Shui Qinghan led Ying Chengfeng to a courtyard that was deathly cold.

"Go on in," Shui Qinghan said, standing outside the courtyard and gesturing for Ying Chengfeng to enter.

Ying Chengfeng pushed open the courtyard gate, and a blast of extreme cold immediately rushed toward him.

The freezing wind scraped against his face, causing a slight stinging pain.

In the center of the courtyard, Shui Bing'er was kneeling on the ground.

Her long, pale blue hair was covered in a layer of white frost, and her entire face had turned deathly pale, devoid of any color.

At this moment, Ying Chengfeng had already unleashed his Wind Domain with full force.

Suddenly, the temperature in the courtyard began to rise.

Ying Chengfeng quickly stepped forward, scooped up Shui Bing'er, and flashed out of the courtyard.

"Since I've already stolen the Soul Bone, I might as well steal a person too."

As he spoke, Ying Chengfeng had already carried Shui Bing'er eight hundred meters away.

Shui Qinghan still did not pursue.

She merely watched the back of Ying Chengfeng as he carried Shui Bing'er away, whispering to herself, "Why bother?"

Ying Chengfeng had already brought Shui Bing'er to a clearing in the woods.

He wrapped his clothes around Shui Bing'er before starting a fire nearby.

The night was very quiet.

Only the "crackling" sound of the firewood burning remained.

Shui Bing'er leaned against a large tree, her complexion beginning to slowly recover.

After half an hour, she finally opened her eyes slowly.

She watched Ying Chengfeng, who was still adding firewood to the blaze, and did not speak.

After a long while, Ying Chengfeng broke the silence, "Are you stupid?"

Hearing Ying Chengfeng's words, Shui Bing'er finally responded, "I can afford to lose."

"I know you can afford to lose, but you're making me look like a real scumbag, like I'm deceiving someone's feelings."

"Whose feelings?" Shui Bing'er asked.

"Yours."

Shui Bing'er managed a faint smile and said, "Are you done pretending to be asleep?"

But as someone from Blue Star, Ying Chengfeng really found it hard to accept.

However, Ying Chengfeng was very clear about one thing: the girls of the Shui Family were not to be trifled with.

They had an army of tens of thousands of well-trained soldiers.

Hearing Ying Chengfeng's words, Shui Bing'er said, "It doesn't matter. By the time the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament begins, I will have turned sixteen."

As she spoke, Shui Bing'er looked at Ying Chengfeng earnestly and said, "Just lie to me. I'll believe whatever you say."

"I can't handle a romantic showdown; I'm the type who follows physical desires, not the heart," Ying Chengfeng said very seriously.

Shui Bing'er was puzzled, asking, "What does that mean?"

Ying Chengfeng shook his head and said, "It means I'm not looking for commitment. What are you planning to do next? Will you be punished when you go back? How about I take you away?"

"Are you asking me to elope with you?" Shui Bing'er asked.

Ying Chengfeng looked up at the sky, speechless, momentarily at a loss for words.

At this moment, Shui Bing'er forced herself up and leaned against Ying Chengfeng's side.

She rested her head on Ying Chengfeng's shoulder and whispered, "I won't tease you anymore. I still have to go back to face the challenge match in three days."

"As long as no one can defeat our Skywater Academy Team, no one will pursue the matter of those two Soul Bones."

Ying Chengfeng asked, "Are you confident?"

Shui Bing'er was silent for a moment before saying, "I am. But could you accompany me for a walk today? Aside from cultivation, I only ever leave the academy when I'm hunting for soul rings."

As she spoke, Shui Bing'er looked up at Ying Chengfeng's profile.

Ying Chengfeng turned his head slightly and met her gaze, which was filled with admiration; he was momentarily stunned.

"Am I pretty?" Shui Bing'er asked.

It had to be said that Shui Bing'er truly possessed a unique, cold elegance and a distinct charm.

Her looks were not even the most attractive thing about her, though her appearance was certainly not lacking.

Ying Chengfeng pursed his lips and said, "I follow physical desires, not the heart."

"Is that so? I don't believe you," Shui Bing'er said, pressing her lips against his and kissing him.