Ning Xiaochun stood nearby, breaking into a cold sweat as he listened. "Sister Bing'er..."
Ning Rongrong, however, was amused by Shui Bing'er's remark about "freezing him into an ice sculpture" and burst into laughter through her tears. She took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes, then looked curiously at Shui Bing'er. "Sister, would you really freeze my brother into an ice sculpture?"
Shui Bing'er thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. "If he bullies you."
"That's wonderful!" Ning Rongrong instantly forgot her sadness, clapping her little hands and laughing through her tears. "From now on, if my brother dares not to play with me, I'll come find you, Sister Bing'er! You can freeze him for me!"
As she spoke, she actually took Shui Bing'er's hand of her own accord, looking up at her with a sweet smile. "Hello, Sister Bing'er! My name is Ning Rongrong! You're so pretty! Prettier than every other sister I've ever seen!"
Ning Xiaochun was left marveling at how quickly she'd changed her tune. He had to admire his little sister. When it came to "reading the situation" and "winning over allies," she was a born genius.
Shui Bing'er was a little embarrassed by her sweet smile and unreserved praise. The tips of her ears turned faintly red, but she didn't pull her hand away. She only murmured a soft "Mm."
Watching this "harmonious sister-in-law" scene, Ning Xiaochun finally felt the great weight on his heart lift. He wiped nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.
That was close... He'd managed to muddle through it at last.
But... seeing Ning Rongrong hold Shui Bing'er's hand and chatter away with one question after another, Ning Xiaochun felt a fresh twinge of foreboding.
His little sister was no pushover. Life from here on would probably get even more "lively."
The sunset's afterglow streamed through the research institute's glazed windows, scattering warm patches of light across the floor. The air still carried the scent of scorched metal, mingled with the refreshing chill left behind as the ice-attribute Soul Power dissipated.
Ning Rongrong had already skipped away. Before leaving, she'd clung to Shui Bing'er's hand, reluctant to go, and arranged to come back tomorrow to watch "Sister Bing'er" make ice flowers.
The little girl changed her tune faster than a page could turn. Just moments ago, she'd been sobbing her eyes out over "her brother being stolen away," but in the blink of an eye, Shui Bing'er had coaxed her into beaming with a delicate ice crystal rose.
The research institute fell quiet again. Only Ning Xiaochun and Shui Bing'er remained.
The slanting rays of sunset stretched their shadows long across the floor.
A subtle atmosphere hung in the air. They hadn't noticed it while the Little Demoness was there, but now that they were alone, they seemed unsure what to say.
Ning Xiaochun coughed lightly, searching for something to say. "Um... Rongrong really seems to like you."
Shui Bing'er gave a soft "Mm" and said no more. She walked to the window and gazed at the setting sun. The afterglow was reflected in her icy blue eyes, where it seemed to shimmer like flowing light.
Ning Xiaochun watched her graceful figure. After hesitating, he went over and stood beside her.
He was already much taller than he'd been at six, but he still stood a head shorter than Shui Bing'er. He tilted his head up, looking at the soft profile outlined by the sunset, and suddenly asked:
"Sister Bing'er, what... do you want to do in the future?"
Shui Bing'er paused and turned to look at him. After a moment's silence, she spoke slowly, her voice cool but firm. "Become a Titled Douluo."
She paused, then continued. "Make Skywater Academy proud of me. Let my teacher know that she made the right choice all those years ago. And show those who once looked down on Skywater Academy, who thought a women's academy could never achieve greatness, that women can stand at the pinnacle of the continent too."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable strength. It was Shui Bing'er's pride and unwavering resolve.
Ever since she was young, she'd known the burden she carried: to restore Skywater Academy to greatness.
Leng Ningshuang had been as kind to her as a mountain. Shui Bing'er had no way to repay her except to stand on the highest stage, at the height of her power, and make Skywater Academy's name resound across the continent.
"I used to set myself the goal of becoming a Titled Douluo before I turned fifty."
Shui Bing'er spoke calmly, as though the matter had nothing to do with her. "With my talent and Martial Soul, that goal wasn't easy, but it wasn't out of reach either."
She paused, then turned her gaze to Ning Xiaochun. A complicated, unreadable light flickered in her icy blue eyes. "But now..."
She gently raised her hand, looking at the wisp of ice-blue Soul Power circling her fingertips, purer and more concentrated than before. Her voice carried a trace of emotion she herself hadn't noticed.
"After taking those two Immortal Herbs, my foundations and potential have been completely reshaped. I can feel that I cultivate at least twice as fast as I used to, and my bottlenecks have become much easier to break through."
She lowered her hand and looked at Ning Xiaochun again, her gaze earnest and solemn. "Now I'm confident I can become a Titled Douluo before I'm thirty-five—or even... before I'm thirty."
She lowered her hand, her gaze settling on Ning Xiaochun once more. There was a note of sincerity and gravity in her eyes. "All of this is because of you. Xiaochun, thank you."
Ning Xiaochun felt a little embarrassed under her clear, sparkling gaze. He scratched his head and gave an awkward grin.
"Sister Bing'er, you're too kind! We're practically family! The stronger you get, the safer I'll be! This concerns my very life, so of course I had to do everything I could!"
Seeing him look "shamelessly cowardly," Shui Bing'er couldn't help letting the corners of her mouth lift slightly. But the expression soon faded, and her usual cool composure returned.
She turned to look out the window, her voice touched with curiosity. "What about you? What do you want to do?"
"Me?" Ning Xiaochun followed her example and looked out at the sunset, wearing the expression of someone "contemplating life." Then he said with a perfectly serious face:
"My goal's clear too! Within six years, I'll make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect the greatest sect under heaven!"
Shui Bing'er paused, then turned to look at him in surprise. The greatest sect under heaven? That was a far grander goal than becoming a Titled Douluo.
After all, the greatest sect under heaven at present was the Clear Sky Sect. Though the Clear Sky Sect had withdrawn from the world, its prestige and deep foundations remained.
Overtaking the Clear Sky Sect and becoming the undisputed greatest was easier said than done.
Ning Xiaochun seemed to notice her doubts. He grinned and explained:
"Sister Bing'er, don't think I'm just bragging. I mean the greatest in terms of overall strength! As for top-tier fighters, we have Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone, two Super Douluos, as well as my sworn grandfather, Poison Douluo. And several elders are in seclusion, striving to reach even higher realms. We're not lacking in high-level fighters compared to the Clear Sky Sect. And when it comes to wealth, resources, and..."
He pointed at the Soul Tools being tested in the research institute, confidence shining in his eyes.
"If we can develop and put into use the things in those blueprints—even if we achieve only seventy percent of their intended effects—and equip the sect's guards with them on a large scale, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's overall strength will absolutely rise to first place on the continent!"
He spoke with fervor, his little face glowing with something called "dreams."
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