"I was surprised too. Nothing like it has ever happened in the continent's history."
"Then did His Holiness come to arrest him?"
Yue Guan studied his expression. "You care whether he lives or dies?"
Shui Yu answered gravely, "He's the most talented student at Skywater Academy. Of course I care. It isn't easy for an academy to nurture someone with his potential."
Yue Guan smiled. "Don't worry. His Holiness the Pope has taken an interest in his talent."
"I'm not here to arrest him. I'm here to recruit him."
"Re... recruit him?"
"Yes. If he joins Spirit Hall, we'll let bygones be bygones. Spirit Hall will give him the best resources and the best mentors. He'll have a much brighter future than he would at Skywater Academy."
Shui Yu frowned.
They had come to poach a student from his own academy. Between ordinary academies, that would have been enough to make enemies on the spot.
But this was Spirit Hall, and across from him sat Chrysanthemum Douluo. He couldn't afford to fall out with him.
Shui Yu suppressed his anger and kept a courteous smile on his face. "I understand what His Holiness means. But if he goes to Spirit Hall, what becomes of Skywater Academy? An academy can't simply let a student it has nurtured walk away."
"Shui Family Head, that's not the right way to look at it."
"Spirit Hall has the finest resources on the continent. We also have a duty to cultivate talented children wherever we find them. That is our responsibility, and it is His Holiness the Pope's wish."
"A Soul King who can kill a Red-Robed Bishop—do you really think Skywater Academy is the right place for talent like that? Letting it go to waste would be the greatest waste of all."
Shui Yu