The woman's gaze immediately shifted to Gu Yuena. On closer inspection, she couldn't hide her surprise.
The silver-haired beauty before her had peerless looks and a cool, otherworldly air. More importantly, with her Soul Emperor-level perception, the woman could clearly sense the steady, solid Soul Power radiating from her—far beyond that of an ordinary Soul Master. This was unmistakably a Soul King!
Judging by her face and figure, she also looked far too young—certainly no older than twenty-five.
"A Soul King?"
The woman murmured in surprise, then asked seriously, "Miss, may I ask how old you are, and what your Martial Soul is?"
Gu Yuena was still a little dazed.
Her silver eyes, tinged with confusion, glanced at the woman, then turned to Yang Teng as her thoughts swirled.
How did it suddenly become me joining Skywater Academy?
When Gu Yuena didn't answer right away, Yang Teng grew anxious. Still forcing a smile, he hurriedly shot her frantic looks.
His eyes held a plea, a hint, and an urgent Leave everything to me. Just say yes first.
Gu Yuena took in the rare sight of him needing her help.
Seeing this usually roguish fellow, who seemed to take nothing seriously, wear such an expression sent an indescribable sense of delight rising quietly in her heart.
Her usually aloof, impassive face softened almost imperceptibly, and the corners of her lips seemed about to lift.
She didn't speak at once. Instead, a cool thought entered Yang Teng's mind.
Asking me for help?
Yang Teng's heart gave a jolt, and he immediately answered her in his mind.
Help me out, sis Na! Let's get inside first!
All right.
Gu Yuena's thought remained calm, though it carried a faint, hard-to-detect hint of cunning.
You're covering my desserts for the next year.
Yang Teng nearly laughed out loud. What was that supposed to be?
What do you mean, one year? If you like them, I'll cover them for the rest of your life!
Of course, he didn't dare actually send that thought to her.
This silent exchange took place in the blink of an eye. To the blue-dressed woman at the entrance, the silver-haired beauty had merely paused to think.
At last, Gu Yuena gave a slight nod and spoke in a cool voice.
"My name is Gu Yuena. I'm eighteen."
"Eighteen?!"
The blue-dressed woman cried out, nearly sloshing the juice in her cup.
An eighteen-year-old Soul King?! That was monstrous talent!
"My Martial Soul is Elemental Control," Gu Yuena continued, her tone as casual as if she were commenting on the weather.
To prove it—and to meet Skywater Academy's requirements—she casually pointed a slender, pale finger at the air before her.
In an instant, the dense water elements in the air rushed together. Two lifelike, deep-blue water dragons, complete with scales and claws, took shape out of thin air.
They circled Gu Yuena gracefully, their heads raised slightly as they radiated pure, powerful water-attributed energy, without any of the sluggishness typical of ordinary water-type Soul Master skills.
This flawless display of elemental control completely won over the blue-dressed woman at the entrance.
Her surprise was instantly replaced by overwhelming delight, and excitement flushed her cheeks.
"Good! Wonderful! Such pure, powerful control over water, and an eighteen-year-old Soul King... Heaven bless Skywater Academy!"
She seemed to already see the academy holding its head high at the upcoming Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. Excitement filled her voice as she said, "With a talent like this, we can surely beat those people from Godwind Academy and Chihuo Academy at the tournament!"
She no longer paid any attention to Yang Teng, whose smile had turned a little stiff. Stepping forward, she warmly took Gu Yuena by the wrist, as though afraid this treasure fallen from the heavens might slip away.
"Welcome to Skywater Academy, Gu Yuena! Come with me. I'll take you to meet the dean!"
With that, the woman led Gu Yuena, who still hadn't quite taken everything in, into the academy.
The woman in the tight blue dress didn't look back. She led Gu Yuena swiftly through the academy gates and vanished among the elegant ice-blue buildings.
Yang Teng was left standing alone at the imposing entrance to Skywater Academy, looking utterly adrift in the wind.
He followed after them with a bitter smile.
Skywater Academy's grounds were quiet and elegant. Most of the buildings were blue and white, decorated with crystals of ice and flowing water.
The dean, Shui Yunxia, stood by the window. She looked to be in her thirties and wore an elegant, water-blue gown. Her figure was graceful, and her face exceptionally beautiful.
The years had lent her a mature charm, along with the composure of someone in a position of power.
She was a Soul Saint and the heart and soul of Skywater Academy.
Hearing footsteps, she turned around. Her eyes fell first on Gu Yuena, and a flash of undisguised admiration and delight crossed them.
The woman in blue had already excitedly reported the situation to her.
"Sixteen years old, a Soul King, an Elemental Control-type Martial Soul, and mastery of water that's reached the pinnacle..."
Shui Yunxia softly repeated the key points, a bright smile blooming on her face. She made her decision at once.
"Gu Yuena, on behalf of Skywater Academy, I officially welcome you! You'll be a core member of the Skywater Academy Team!"
Gu Yuena gave a slight bow, her manners impeccable.
"Thank you, Dean."
Her voice was cool, yet carried a weight that could not be ignored.
Gu Yuena lifted her eyes to Shui Yunxia and calmly added, "Dean, there's one more thing. I hope Yang Teng can join Skywater Academy too and compete in this tournament with me."
She said it as naturally as if it were a matter of course. Truly, the Silver Dragon King was something else!
Yang Teng immediately gave Gu Yuena a mental thumbs-up, silently praising her: That's the spirit! I knew "bribing" her wouldn't be in vain! His heart soared.
Only then did Shui Yunxia turn her attention to Yang Teng, studying him carefully for the first time.
She looked at Yang Teng, then at Gu Yuena, whose expression was calm but whose eyes showed a hint of resolve. Her gaze turned a little strange as it shifted between them.
"Little sister Gu Yuena!"
Shui Yunxia's tone was gentle, but conveyed rules that were not open to question.
"Your talent and strength are more than we could ask for, but I assume you know Skywater Academy's rules."
She looked at Yang Teng.
"This young man, Yang Teng, doesn't seem to meet a single one of them."
The atmosphere in the room grew slightly tense.
Shui Yunxia lightly tapped her fingertips against the polished tabletop, as if weighing her options.
Rejecting Gu Yuena would be an immense loss. A peerless genius like her was crucial to the academy's reputation and its tournament results alike.
But making an exception to admit a male student who so obviously didn't meet the rules...
After a moment, she seemed to reach a decision.
Her gaze sharpened as it returned to Yang Teng. With her Soul Saint-level perception, she could easily judge the level of his Soul Power.
"Rules may be rigid, but people aren't."
Shui Yunxia spoke slowly.
"Gu Yuena's talent is worth making one exception. Little brother Yang Teng, judging by your Soul Power, you should be a Soul Ancestor, right?"
Yang Teng nodded slightly.
"I can give you a chance and make an exception this once. But whether you stay depends on your own ability."
She turned to the blue-dressed woman standing nearby. "Go call Bing'er over."
Before long, a young woman entered the dean's office. She looked about sixteen or seventeen, with a tall, well-proportioned figure and long, water-blue hair falling over her shoulders. Her eyes were a clear blue as well.
Her manner had a gentle softness to it. She was Shui Bing'er, captain of the Skywater Academy Team.
"Dean, you wanted to see me?"
Shui Bing'er's voice was clear and pleasant.
Shui Yunxia looked at Yang Teng, her gaze turning stern and imposing.
"Little brother Yang Teng, your opponent is Bing'er. She's our academy team's captain, a level forty-three control-type Battle Soul Ancestor."
"If you can defeat her within the time it takes one incense stick to burn, I'll make an exception!"
His opponent was Shui Bing'er, a control-type Soul Ancestor and one of the finest talents among Skywater Academy's younger generation.
Victory would open the door to Skywater Academy, which had never before welcomed a male student; defeat meant there was nothing more to discuss.
Yang Teng met Shui Yunxia's gaze and rolled his wrists.
"Sure! Let's fight."
Before you continue