Can I Get to Know You?

In the blink of an eye, Wu Changkong was thirteen years old.

Seven years were enough to change many things.

The blacksmith shop in Water Source Town was doing much better than before. Father Wu's craftsmanship had become famous throughout the surrounding villages, and the furniture he made was sturdy and durable, earning him many returning customers from the city.

As for Wu Changkong himself, over these seven years, he had completed a transformation from genius to monster.

At thirteen, his Soul Power Level was thirty-nine, just one final step away from becoming a Soul Ancestor.

If this cultivation speed were made public, it would be enough to shake the entire Soul Master world of the Heaven Dou Empire.

After all, among the continent's most exceptional geniuses, those who could reach level thirty at thirteen were already exceedingly rare.

Yet not only was Wu Changkong's Soul Power Level far beyond that of his peers, all three of his Soul Rings had reached the thousand-year level—purple, purple, purple. Any Soul Master who saw them would gasp in shock.

But he had never displayed all his strength before others.

Aside from the unavoidable battles when obtaining Soul Rings, he had always maintained a cold and distant image in front of outsiders.

It was a way of survival he had learned in his previous life—when a tree stood taller than the forest, the wind would be the first to destroy it.

Before possessing sufficient means to protect himself, exposing all his trump cards was the stupidest thing he could do.

Today was market day again.

Before dawn had even broken, Father Wu had already hitched up the old ox cart in the yard. It was packed full of the iron goods they had forged these past few days.

Wu Changkong helped his father load the last few crates onto the cart, then swung himself up onto the driver's seat.

The ox cart slowly made its way along the dirt road toward Skywater City.

Father Wu drove the cart and looked back at his son sitting at the rear several times, seeming as though he wanted to say something. In the end, he finally spoke.

"Changkong, look, you're about to break through to Soul Ancestor."

"I've been thinking, do you want to attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

"Although they only accept noble students, with your talent, making an exception for you definitely won't be a problem."

Wu Changkong shook his head. "I don't want to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Father Wu's face immediately fell as he said agitatedly, "Why? You won't go to Spirit Hall, and you won't go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy either. Tell me, where exactly do you want to go?"

"With such great talent, are you really going to keep following me to markets and sell iron goods?"

Wu Changkong fell silent for a while before calmly saying, "Actually, I want to go to Skywater Academy."

At that, Father Wu's eyes widened as he looked at his son as though he were an idiot.

"Skywater Academy? Don't you know Skywater Academy only accepts female students?"

"You're a boy. What would you even do there? They won't even let you through the door!"

"Then I just won't go anywhere."

"Even without attending any academy, I can still become strong."

This wasn't arrogance. It was the confidence of someone who had been an elder of the Sea God Pavilion in his previous life.

Forget being a student—even if they made him a headmaster directly, he could manage an academy in perfect order.

Whether he attended an academy or not would have negligible impact on his path of growth.

But Father Wu clearly didn't see it that way.

His face reddened with anger. "You... why are you such a stubborn child? You have talent but refuse to attend an academy. How is that any different from begging while holding a golden rice bowl?"

Wu Changkong didn't argue. He knew his father truly meant well.

So he merely listened quietly. Only after his father had grown tired of scolding him did he say, "Dad, I know what I'm doing with my own path."

Father Wu turned away angrily and ignored him, muttering things like, "You don't know shit,"

"This kid gets more disobedient the older he gets," before lightly snapping the whip against the ox's back and urging it to move faster.

The ox cart entered Skywater City. Father Wu drove it to their usual spot in the market, stopped, and began unloading the goods to set up their stall.

Wu Changkong helped carry a few loads. Then, while his father was busy greeting customers, he said, "I'm going for a walk," and slipped into the crowd.

He skillfully passed through the market, turned down two streets, and headed east along the riverbank.

Today, there was an extra carriage outside the Shui Family's gates.

Wu Changkong slowed down and stood behind an old tree across the street.

Today, a carriage was parked at the entrance, and he had a powerful premonition.

Before long, the Shui Family's gates were pushed open from within.

The first person to emerge was a maid carrying a bundle in her hands.

She hurried down the steps, placed the bundle inside the carriage, then turned and waited to one side.

Next, a girl walked out through the gates.

For a moment, Wu Changkong forgot how to breathe.

The little girl from seven years ago had gradually grown up.

Shui Bing'er wore a fitted ice-blue dress, with a silver-white sash around her waist that perfectly outlined her slender figure.

Her short blue hair added a touch of cool aloofness that kept strangers at a distance.

The baby fat had faded from her features, making her resemble the Long Bing from his memories even more.

Shui Bing'er walked down the steps, followed closely by another girl.

The girl was nearly half a head shorter than Shui Bing'er and wore a light-blue short dress. Her brows and eyes resembled Shui Bing'er's by five or six parts, but their temperaments were entirely different.

"Sis, do you think we'll run into anything fun when we go register at Skywater Academy?"

"I heard there's someone among this year's new students whose Martial Soul is Snowforged Silken Dance. It sounds especially interesting."

"You're going to school, not to play."

"Come on, you can play a little while going to school too." Shui Yue'er skipped after her sister, linked arms with her, and said with a grin, "Besides, with you around, Sis, I'm not scared of anything."

"Your Ice Phoenix has Innate Soul Power Level nine. Once you get to the academy, you'll definitely become a standout figure."

"You're no worse than I am."

The sisters stood side by side beside the carriage. The maid lifted the curtain, preparing to help them board.

Wu Changkong's heart pounded in his chest.

Seven years ago, he had watched her leave the Spirit Hall Temple from afar, missing his chance to speak because of his cowardice.

If he missed this chance again, who knew how long he would have to wait for the next one?

What was he afraid of? A man who wasn't even afraid of death was afraid of talking to a girl?

He stepped out from behind the tree and walked toward the Shui Family's gates.

Shui Bing'er was just about to step onto the carriage's footboard when she caught sight of a figure approaching out of the corner of her eye.

She paused and turned her head.

Shui Bing'er frowned slightly. This person looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't recall where she had seen him.

Shui Yue'er also noticed the newcomer. She curiously sized up Wu Changkong, then leaned close to her sister's ear and whispered, "Sis, that boy is really handsome, and I think he's looking at you."

Shui Bing'er didn't respond, simply standing quietly where she was.

Wu Changkong stopped a short distance away from the sisters.

"Um... I..."

Before Wu Changkong could finish, a servant standing at the Shui Family's entrance noticed this uninvited guest. Frowning, he strode over. "Hey, hey, where did this brat come from? What are you doing standing here?"

"This is the Shui Family's entrance. Don't block the way. Move along, now."

"Wait. Don't drive him away."

At once, the servant withdrew his hand and stepped back half a pace. "Yes, Young Miss."

Shui Bing'er stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Did you come to see us for something?"

"I... can I get to know you?"