At the very front of the crowd.
A girl with long, water-blue hair stood quietly.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, with a cool and aloof air.
The name revealed on the ranking was hers.
[Continent Powerhouse Ranking · No. 12] [Name: Shui Bing'er] [Martial Souls: Ice Phoenix (Ultimate Ice), Storm Spirit (Ultimate Wind · Not Fully Awakened)] [Level: Rank 97 Titled Douluo] [Evaluation: Peerless in Ice and Wind, blessed with exceptional talent. A seed of ancient wind elements lies dormant within her, complementing and counteracting her Ultimate Ice. If she can be guided to awaken it, she will become the absolute ruler of both Ice and Wind.] [With the Wind God's descent, the wind elements across the continent grew active, awakening the dormant storm bloodline within her.]
At the sight of those lines.
The dean of Skywater Academy was so excited she nearly fainted.
The divine realm!
Had Skywater Academy actually produced a promising young talent who might become a god?
This was like smoke rising from the ancestors' graves!
Right after that, golden light gathered, and the rewards were bestowed.
[Reward for Making the Ranking] [One: Breath of the Wind God: Fully awaken the Second Martial Soul, "Storm Spirit," and grant it a First and Second Soul Ring (Age: 50,000 years)] [Two: Heart of Ice and Wind: Perfectly fuse the elements of Ice and Wind, eliminating conflicts between the Martial Souls!]
Two radiant pillars of light descended from the sky, enveloping Shui Bing'er.
Screee—!
A clear phoenix cry rang through the clouds.
Behind Shui Bing'er, the Ice Phoenix suddenly grew larger. Several streaks of green appeared on its formerly pure-blue wings.
In her left hand.
A green whirlwind was rapidly taking shape, eventually becoming a tiny storm spirit that flew happily around her.
Terrifying fluctuations of Soul Power surged out from Shui Bing'er, spreading wildly in every direction.
At that moment.
Soul Masters across the entire continent fell silent.
Those rewards were practically being spoon-fed to her—and they even chewed it up and swallowed it for her.
That was just unreasonable!
It was enough to make anyone green with envy!
At the Shrek Academy residence in Heaven Dou City.
Tang San stood by the window, watching the line of golden words gradually fade from the Sky Curtain. The hand resting on the window frame suddenly clenched.
Crack.
The sturdy rosewood frame was left with a fracture where he had squeezed it.
His face was frighteningly dark, and his Purple Demon Eye flickered uncontrollably.
"Twin Martial Souls..."
"Ultimate Wind..."
Tang San's voice was a little hoarse.
"How is that possible?"
"Twin Martial Souls are a talent found in one out of ten thousand. Why are they popping up one after another now, like cabbages?"
First that Bai Chenxiang.
And now this Shui Bing'er.
What's more, they were both connected to that so-called "Wind God."
Especially that reward.
He had asked Yu Xiaogang countless times how to resolve the problems caused by Twin Martial Souls, and still didn't have a perfect solution.
Yet that Venti had solved them with a casual wave?
"Xiao San, what's wrong?"
Yu Xiaogang pushed open the door. Seeing Tang San like this, he furrowed his brow.
Tang San took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, then turned around.
"Teacher."
"I just feel like... the world is changing too fast."
"The foundation Godwind City has revealed is terrifying."
Yu Xiaogang sighed and walked to the window with his hands behind his back.
"That's right."
"Bai Chenxiang, Shui Bing'er, and those few ferocious beasts."
"This Venti is breaking the continent's established balance with sheer force."
"And..."
Yu Xiaogang paused, a flicker of worry in his eyes.
"Godwind City's power is expanding far too quickly."
"If this continues, even Spirit Hall may have to avoid its sharp edge."
A cold glint flashed through Tang San's eyes.
"Teacher."
"Those rewards, those divine treasures..."
"If they could be put to our use, establishing the Tang Sect and even resisting Spirit Hall would be a piece of cake."
A hint of undisguised greed crept into his voice.
Tang San had never thought of himself as a villain.
In his eyes, treasures belonged to those worthy of them.
And this Wind God, who had appeared out of nowhere, had an unknown background and acted unpredictably. He was clearly a huge variable.
Since he was a variable, he should be brought under control—or... eliminated.
"Xiao San, be careful what you say."
Yu Xiaogang gave his disciple a stern look.
"Until we understand the other side's true strength, you must not act rashly."
"That Venti is unfathomable."
Tang San lowered his head, concealing the gloom in his eyes.
"This disciple understands."
"This disciple just... can't accept it."
Why?
Why was it that after all his hard cultivation and surviving life-and-death trials, he had to fight for every opportunity, while others could simply sit at home and receive theirs?
That Shui Bing'er was nothing more than a student at an ordinary academy.
What had she done to deserve a place in the top twelve?
"Godwind City..."
Tang San silently repeated the name in his heart.
"One day, I'll go and see for myself what secrets you're hiding."
In a side hall of the Pope Palace in Spirit City.
There was none of the usual tense, hostile atmosphere.
The room was filled with the gentle fragrance of tea.
Bibi Dong wasn't wearing the papal robes that symbolized supreme power. Instead, she had changed into a purple dress.
She seemed less imposing and more elegant and dignified.
Across from her.
Qian Renxue sat upright, both hands wrapped around her teacup, eyes lowered. She looked a little uneasy.
The mother and daughter were the two most noble people on the entire continent, and their relationship was the most complicated. Yet now, they were actually sitting together over tea—a rare sight.
"That scorpion made the ranking."
Bibi Dong took a small sip of tea, breaking the silence.
"The Ice Empress of the Far North, four hundred thousand years old."
"Add Shui Bing'er to that."
"The forces around Venti have already grown into a formidable power."
Qian Renxue's fingers tightened slightly, sending ripples across the surface of the tea.
"He... has always been amazing."
Qian Renxue spoke softly, with a hint of pride she hadn't even noticed herself.
Bibi Dong set down her teacup and gazed at her daughter with a complicated look.
Once upon a time.
All she had felt for Qian Renxue was loathing and cold indifference.
But ever since Venti had appeared, ever since Qian Renxue had obtained the Gnosis of Wind.
Many things had changed, imperceptibly.
That Venti was strong enough to inspire despair.
Even the old man in the Worship Hall was wary of him.
Rather than make an enemy of him, why not...
"Xue'er."
Bibi Dong suddenly used a different name for her.
Qian Renxue jerked her head up, astonishment filling her golden eyes.
This was the first time that woman had ever called her that.
"You and that Venti..."
Bibi Dong looked into her daughter's eyes, her tone unusually gentle.
"How far have things gone between you?"
Clatter.
The teacup lid slipped from Qian Renxue's hand and fell onto the table with a crisp sound.
Her stunning face, usually so spirited that she wouldn't even blink before a Titled Douluo, instantly flushed to the tips of her ears.
"W-what do you mean, how far?"
"Y-you're talking nonsense!"
Qian Renxue looked away, stumbling over her words.
"We... we're just..."
"Just friends?"