The night is getting deeper.
Yu Xiaogang was sitting alone by the window of the guest room, Jiujiu was speechless.
His mind echoed repeatedly with Zhou Qiubai's words, Liu Erlong's warning, and everything that had happened over the years.
Suddenly, he took out a yellowed notebook from his arms.
<Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul Theory>.
He turned to the first page, which was a preface written when he was young, "I traveled across the continent, observed thousands of martial arts souls, and observed tens of thousands of soul masters, and finally obtained ten theories. I hope to use this book to break the monopoly of sects and aristocratic families and open up a new path for civilian soul masters..."
That was written when he was twenty years old. He had just left Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, thinking that he would become the mainland theory Grandmaster in the future.
But now?
"Am I really... wrong?"
No one answered.
"No, I am not wrong, it is the world that is wrong!"
Yu Xiaogang said somewhat ferociously.
Without Xie Ru, without Chen Xuan, none of this would have happened.
Why?
Why are these all his!
······
Exclusive training rooms for the Skywater Academy and Skywater Team far away from Four Elements City.
On Ice Lotus Platform in the center, Shui Bing'er is sitting cross-legged.
At level thirty-seven, Shui Bing'er felt that Soul Power was flowing smoothly and purer in his body, far better than before.
She knows that this is the advantage brought by the top Beast Martial Soul Ice Phoenix.
It not only gave her unparalleled control ability, but also made her far superior to ordinary people on the path of cultivation.
At this moment, the door of the training room was gently pushed open. Shui Bing'er did not open his eyes, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, as if he had already expected the arrival.
"Yue'er, I told you not to disturb me during practice." There was a hint of helplessness in her voice.
How old are you? You still look like a child.
Sometimes I don't even know who is the older sister and who is the younger sister.
Oh~
She is Soul Power tall and is the eldest sister.
"Oh, sister, how did you know it was me?" Shui Yue'er jumped in, followed by five other people from the team Xue Wu.
Shui Bing'er opened his eyes helplessly and cast a speechless look at his sister. "In the entire academy, who else dares to open the door and come in directly while I am practicing? Who else besides you?"
Shui Yue'er stuck out his tongue and playfully approached Ice Lotus Platform: "Sister, what do you think I heard today?"
"About Young Master Zhou?" Shui Bing'er asked calmly, with a bit of expectation in his tone.
"How do you know?" Shui Yue'er opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Every time you speak in this tone, it's all about him." Shui Bing'er stood up, and Ice Phoenix's shadow slowly dissipated, "Tell me, what did he do again?"
Although her face looked a little calm, she probably only knew what was going on inside.
Shui Yue'er immediately began to narrate with excitement, from the discussion between Zhou Qiubai and Imperial Fighting Team, to Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena's winning streak, to today's defeat of Soul Emperor in the ring...
Shui Bing'er listened quietly. Although there was not much expression on her face, her hand holding the sword spike tightened slightly.
"Then when I become famous all over the world, I will come to you for advice."
She still remembers that promise.
"Big sister? Big sister?" Shui Yue'er's voice brought Shui Bing'er back to reality.
"Huh?" She seemed confused and slightly flustered.
"What are you thinking about? Your face is red." Shui Yue'er smiled slyly, "Are you thinking about Young Master Zhou?"
Shui Bing'er glared at her, but was unable to refute. "Nonsense."
"Yo yo yo~ Our eldest sister has also started to show off." Xue Wu teased.
"You're going to die!" Shui Bing'er glared at her.
Yu Hairou suddenly spoke, "Captain, if... I mean if, if, if, he joins a certain academy and meets us in a competition, will he show mercy?"
Shui Bing'er was silent for a moment, with a serious look on his face. "No."
"Why?" Shen Liuyu asked curiously.
"Because that's respect." Shui Bing'er said softly, "True respect is not to show off, but to go all out. I believe... he thinks so too."
Everyone was thoughtful.
Shui Yue'er suddenly smiled, "Sister, don't feel bad then, if I hurt him..."
"He can beat Soul Emperor, but you can beat him first." Shui Bing'er responded calmly.
"Eh? Sister, you are partial!" Shui Yue'er looked dissatisfied, and laughter echoed in the training room.
Shui Bing'er also smiled, but his eyes drifted to the window again.
East Palace.
Xue Qinghe, is standing in front of the window, looking at the bright moon in the night sky.
She has taken off her princely attire and put on a plain white dress, returning to herself.
Today is a day off for everyone at the East Palace. Ever since she became the crown prince, she has had this day every month.
Of course, it is also to allow her to be herself for a day, not Xue Qinghe.
"Miss." The voice of She Long outside the door interrupted her meditation.
"Come in." She said softly.
She Long pushed open the door and walked in. "Chi Xue sent back a message that Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun have returned to the inn and have not been out all night."
"Yeah." Qian Renxue didn't look back, "Continue to monitor, but keep a distance. Zhou Qiubai's perception is not weak, don't be discovered by him."
"Yes." She Long hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Miss, I have something that I don't understand."
"Say."
"Although Zhou Qiubai has a good talent, he is just Soul Elder after all. Is it worthy of Miss's attention?"
Qian Renxue finally turned around, candlelight flickering in her eyes.
"Uncle She Long, what do you think is the most important thing about a person? Martial Soul? Soul Power? Or background?"
"This..." She Long was speechless for a moment.
"It's the character." Qian Renxue walked to the desk, picked up a chess piece, and placed it gently on the chessboard, "Martial Soul can evolve, Soul Power can cultivate, and the background can be managed, but the character is innate and difficult to change."
She hadn't seen it before, so she didn't care.
But now that I have seen it, I need to make plans in advance.
She stared at the chessboard quietly. "Zhou Qiubai is a person who is casual on the surface, but in fact every step has deep meaning. Rejecting my solicitation is not arrogance, but sobriety. He knows that once he accepts it, he will be involved in the struggle for imperial power. Accepting the token is not a compromise, but a trade-off. He understands that this thing can save lives at critical moments, but it must not be used easily at ordinary times."
"This kind of person either doesn't make a choice, but once he makes a choice, he will stick to it." Qian Renxue put down a chess piece again, "And what I want is his persistence."
She Long seems to understand. "Miss, you want to..."
"I want to see how far he can go." Qian Renxue smiled, and the smile was full of expectation, "I also want to see what kind of sparks will collide when his persistence meets absolute strength."
She Long was shocked.
As the elder of the Spirit Hall, he naturally understands how far-reaching the lady is planning.
It was not just the throne of an empire, but a grander plan.
"Miss Yingming." She Long lowered his head.
"Go." Qian Renxue waved his hand, but his expression was firm, "Continue to observe. In addition, let Uncle Chi Xue check what the relationship is between Zhou Qiubai, Xie Ru, and Chen Xuan."
"Yes."
After She Long retreated, only Qian Renxue was left among Study.
At this moment, she was no longer Heaven Dou Crown Prince, nor the young master Spirit Hall, but just a girl looking up at the stars.