Because I Wanted to Protect You

Once the ice mist and snow spray dispersed, a pitch-black cave entrance appeared on the mountainside.

The entrance was about two meters wide. Broken stones and fractured ice layers could be vaguely seen inside.

Shui Qinghan turned to Wu Changkong. "Clear the loose rubble around the entrance, then check whether the structure inside is stable."

"Understood."

Wu Changkong stepped over the pile of rubble to the entrance and raised his hand, neatly slicing away several precarious chunks of rock along its edges.

Shui Bing'er walked over and looked inside. The cave was far more spacious than expected, enough to hold seven or eight people at a glance.

Xue Wu also leaned over to peer inside, breathing out a puff of white mist. "That's incredible... You blasted a cave straight into the mountain."

Then Shui Qinghan turned to the students. "The Far North isn't like the Star Dou Great Forest. In the Great Forest, you can pitch a tent anywhere you find an open patch of ground."

"Here, there's no shelter and no trees. A blizzard can come at any time. Spending the night out in the open is suicide."

"So the first priority is always finding a place to shelter from the cold. Next is maintaining your body temperature. Wrap your clothes tightly, and don't use all your Soul Power just for traveling. You need to keep some inside your body to fend off the freezing current."

"This isn't theory. These are lessons others paid for with their lives. Every one of you must remember them."

"There's still some time. Let's go out and see if we can find any suitable soul beasts."

"Yes, Dean."

The group searched northwest along the snowy ridge.

The wind and snow were slightly weaker than in the afternoon, but the cold had grown even harsher.

After walking nearly ten li, the sky gradually darkened.

Just as day gave way to night, a seemingly flat patch of snow ahead suddenly exploded. A massive creature lunged out amid the flying snow.

It was a gigantic lizard covered from head to tail in grayish-white ice armor. Its limbs were as thick as stone pillars, and several sharp ice spikes stood in a row along its back.

It usually hid beneath the snow before launching sudden attacks.

It opened its mouth, packed with fine teeth, and bit toward Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu at the front of the group.

Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's faces paled in shock, and they instinctively tried to retreat.

At that very instant, Wu Changkong had already flashed in front of them.

He used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Several afterimages beneath his feet were swept away by the wind and snow, and he moved like a streak of azure lightning.

"Third Soul Skill—Skyfrost Slash."

Gripping the Skyfrost Sword, he unleashed a fierce burst of icy-blue sword energy.

The terrifying sword energy surged forth with the power of frost, slashing down upon the Ice-Armored Lizard.

The strike landed precisely on the Ice-Armored Lizard's body. Yet its thick ice armor merely spat out a shower of sparks, blocking most of the sword energy's sharpness.

The Ice-Armored Lizard was enraged. It clawed at the ground, heavy white mist spewing from its mouth and nostrils as it charged at them again.

"Fall back."

Shui Qinghan stepped forward and released her Cold Luan Martial Soul.

"Fifth Soul Skill—Frostwing Thousandfold."

She swept her wings forward. The enormous wings expanded several times over, and thousands of sharp ice feathers formed across the sky.

The next second, the ice feathers poured down like a torrential rain.

The Ice-Armored Lizard's armor barely held through the first waves of ice-feather bombardment, cracking continuously.

It let out a mournful howl, then turned and fled in a miserable state, covered in shattered ice feathers and streaked with seeping blood.

"What a pity." Shui Bing'er looked in the direction the Ice-Armored Lizard had fled. "It was a Twenty-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, beyond what Changkong can absorb."

Shui Qinghan withdrew her Martial Soul. "Soul beasts are hard enough to find. Encountering a suitable one is even more a matter of luck."

"Also, Changkong remained very calm in that sudden situation just now. His reaction was more than a second faster than yours. You all need to learn from him."

"I know." Shui Bing'er lowered her head in acknowledgment, her gaze drifting toward Wu Changkong.

Ever since learning of Wu Changkong's talent, she had set a goal for herself.

She wanted to surpass Wu Changkong.

But whether it was talent, combat awareness, or even that life-and-death situation just now, his reaction had been so much faster than hers.

She bit her lip, unsure whether what she felt was unwillingness to accept it or something else.

Xue Wu did not have so many thoughts. She rested her right hand on Wu Changkong's shoulder and smiled. "Class monitor, Bing'er and I were both scared stiff just now. How was your mind still so clear?"

"Because I was thinking about protecting Bing'er, I wasn't afraid."

Xue Wu was caught completely off guard by that display of affection.

Shui Bing'er's face reddened a little, and the corners of her lips rose faintly.

Xue Wu nudged her with an elbow and lowered her voice. "Oh... the class monitor protected you~"

"He protected you too."

"I was just incidental."

Shui Qinghan looked at the young people, a trace of amusement appearing in her eyes.

"It's getting late. Let's head back first."

"Tomorrow, we'll extend the search area another five li north. Get plenty of rest tonight."

By the time they returned to the cave, it was completely dark. There were no stars in the Far North at night, only the howling wind and snow rushing in from the distance wave after wave.

Shui Qinghan entered last and raised her hand, setting up an ice-blue Soul Power barrier at the cave entrance. The wind and snow were blocked outside, and the temperature inside gradually stabilized.

Wu Changkong took out a bundle of firewood and dry grass he had prepared in advance from his pack, then crouched down in a level spot at the center of the cave.

He took out a flint and struck it hard above the dry grass. Sparks landed on it, sending up a wisp of smoke before a small flame caught.

He carefully added small pieces of wood, and soon the entire cave was filled with firelight. The temperature inside quickly rose.

They sat around the fire and took out their rations.

Shui Qinghan broke off half a compressed biscuit and warmed it over the fire. Only after the scent of wheat drifted out did she take a bite.

"You all know about the Four Element Academies, right?"

Xue Wu said, "Of course. Tianshui Academy, Godwind Academy, Blazing Fire Academy, Thunderclap Academy..."

"Yes. After we return, next month will be the Four Elements Academy Tournament. It's held once a year, with the four academies taking turns hosting. This year, Godwind Academy is hosting."

Shui Bing'er put down the jerky in her hand and asked, "Are we participating too?"

"It's not your turn yet." Shui Qinghan shook her head. "Your senior sisters will be competing this time."

"But the rules change every year. Your senior sisters will compete this year, and the next time, it'll be your turn."

"So don't think it has nothing to do with you. Once we return, your training will intensify. Be prepared."

Xue Wu sat cross-legged on the ground. Suddenly thinking of something, she looked up and asked, "If our class forms a team, will the class monitor be the captain?"

Shui Qinghan glanced at Wu Changkong. The boy was lowering his head and breaking apart his rations, as if the topic had nothing to do with him.

She withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "For now, yes. But the captain isn't fixed... If anyone can surpass him, that person will be captain."

Hearing that, Shui Bing'er was brimming with motivation. "Then I want to be captain. Changkong, I want to surpass you."

The silent Wu Changkong raised his head. Looking at Shui Bing'er, he smiled faintly. "Sure. I hope you can surpass me."

"If I surpass you, won't you feel unwilling to accept it?"

"No. I'll be very happy."

Xue Wu asked incredulously, "Changkong, how are you so good at flirting with Bing'er?"

"What? Was I flirting?"

He had only said what he felt. If Shui Bing'er could surpass him, of course he would be happy.