Departure

She uncorked the bottle and took a look, then quickly stoppered it again. When she raised her head to look at Bing Yekong, her eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

"Yekong, where did you get something this good? Shouldn't you be keeping it for yourself?"

"My martial soul is Ultimate Ice to begin with, so the Fire Spirit Pill is useless to me. As for the Creation Mystic Soul Pill, I already gave some to Feng Xiaotian, and Shui Yue'er got hers too. I kept a few for emergencies." Bing Yekong spread his hands. "Don't worry. I'm not short on them."

Huo Wu looked at him for a long while, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

This little guy, several years younger than her, had grown up under her watch. From the timid infant Shui Qingrou had carried back to the Shui Family all those years ago, to the young man now standing before her and handing her a pill that could change her fate—it all seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye.

"Yekong..." Huo Wu stepped forward, suddenly opened her arms, and pulled Bing Yekong into a fierce embrace.

She was half a head shorter than Bing Yekong, yet she held him tightly, with all her strength. There was a faint warmth to Huo Wu's body, the distinctive body temperature of a fire-attribute Soul Master.

"Thank you."

Her voice was muffled, carrying a nasal tone.

Caught off guard by the hug, Bing Yekong was about to say something and ask her to let go when Huo Wu suddenly rose onto her toes and lightly pressed her warm lips to his cheek.

It was as quick as a dragonfly skimming the water. By the time Bing Yekong reacted, Huo Wu had already released him, her face flushed as she took two steps back and glared at him fiercely. "Don't get any ideas! Your big sister is just thanking you!"

Bing Yekong touched the cheek she had kissed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "I wasn't getting any ideas..."

Huo Wushuang witnessed the entire thing from the side and shook his head helplessly. His sister had always been rash and fiery, doing whatever she pleased. He had long grown used to it. Still, Bing Yekong's kindness was something they truly needed to remember.

He stepped forward, reached out, and heavily slapped Bing Yekong on the back with a dull thud. "Good brother! I'll remember this favor."

The blow made Bing Yekong stagger. He grimaced helplessly. "Brother Wushuang, go easier..."

Huo Wushuang burst into laughter.

Next came the pill absorption. Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang each found a quiet room and sat cross-legged, while Bing Yekong remained in the sitting room to stand guard for them. When the Fire Clan elders learned that Bing Yekong had brought such a generous gift, even the Fire Clan head personally came to thank him. Bing Yekong had to spend quite some effort persuading him to leave.

Huo Wu's absorption of the Fire Spirit Pill was far more intense than Shui Bing'er's absorption of the Ice Spirit Pill.

Scorching energy surged from within her body, raising the temperature of the entire room by several degrees. Flames rolled around her like a fire phoenix breaking out of its shell. Huo Wu gritted her teeth and desperately suppressed the violent power, while the sweat that appeared on her forehead evaporated before it could even trickle down.

Bing Yekong watched her condition closely from the side, ready to intervene the moment he saw signs that she could no longer endure. Yet Huo Wu's willpower was far tougher than he had imagined. She forcibly withstood the full impact of having her martial soul transformed by Ultimate Fire.

Two hours later, the flames rolling over Huo Wu's body abruptly withdrew into her. She suddenly opened her eyes, and a flash of crimson-gold light passed through them. Her entire bearing had changed subtly. She had already possessed a somewhat proud and fiery aura, but now she was like a blazing flame, radiating scorching, pure soul power from head to toe.

"Level forty." Huo Wu lowered her head to look at her hands, her voice full of incredulous delight. "My martial soul... has become Ultimate Fire!"

Bing Yekong handed her a cup of cool tea and smiled. "Congratulations, Sister Huo Wu. Once you obtain your fourth Soul Ring, you'll be a Soul Ancestor."

Huo Wu took the tea and drained it in one gulp, then fixed Bing Yekong with a burning gaze. "Once I get my Soul Ring, you have to have a proper fight with your big sister!"

Huo Wushuang's absorption progressed much more steadily. The Creation Mystic Soul Pill's medicinal effects were gentle and long-lasting, and Huo Wushuang's foundation was sturdier than his sister's to begin with. He encountered almost no setbacks during the process. A little over two hours later, he had completely absorbed it, and his soul power had successfully broken through to level forty.

"I've reached the bottleneck too." Huo Wushuang opened his eyes and clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him. There was more emotion in his gaze when he looked at Bing Yekong. "One pill took me from level thirty-nine to forty and even tempered my meridians along the way. If word got out, those academies outside would probably go mad."

Bing Yekong smiled. "Just keep a low profile. Once you've both obtained your fourth Soul Rings and returned, we'll get together again. We'll invite Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, and the others."

Huo Wu nodded repeatedly. "Absolutely! Your big sister will treat everyone then!"

Huo Wushuang smiled and shook his head. "If you're treating, won't Feng Xiaotian be the one paying in the end?"

"He's willing to pay! Right, Yekong?" Huo Wu said righteously.

Remembering the dozen or so pairs of chopsticks Feng Xiaotian had snapped at the dinner table, Bing Yekong could not help laughing. "He probably really is willing."

The three chatted a little longer and agreed on a time to meet after obtaining their Soul Rings. Then Bing Yekong rose to take his leave. As he was leaving, Huo Wu chased him to the door and called after his retreating figure, "Yekong! That... that earlier one doesn't count! When your big sister gets back, I'll thank you properly!"

Without turning around, Bing Yekong waved his hand, though the corners of his mouth could not help lifting slightly.

When he walked out of the Fire Clan gates, the midday sun had just reached its peak. Sunlight spilled over Element City's bluestone streets, warming every stone brick.

Bing Yekong stood by the roadside, bathed in the warm sunlight, and took a deep breath of air filled with the smells of everyday life.

Shui Bing'er's martial soul problem had been resolved. Huo Wu had successfully evolved to Ultimate Fire. Feng Xiaotian had not only received the pill, but had also been taught two moves. Yang Wudi's alchemy room was already on the right track, and Dugu Bo's toxins were steadily being repaired.

Everything was moving in a better direction.

A few days later, Bing Yekong took Shui Bing'er to obtain her fourth Soul Ring.

On the morning of their departure, the sky had not yet fully brightened.

Bing Yekong stood outside the Shui Family gates waiting, carrying only a light pack on his back. His Soul Guidance Device was filled with dried provisions and necessary supplies.

Yang Wudi had arrived even earlier. He was squatting beside the stone lions at the entrance, chewing on a steamed bun. When he saw Bing Yekong come out, he greeted him indistinctly through a mouthful of food. "Leaving?"

"Waiting for Sister Bing'er."

No sooner had he spoken than Shui Bing'er appeared at the entrance.

She had changed into a neat set of fitted clothes, with her ice-blue hair tied high. She looked less gentle than usual and more heroic. She carried a small bundle on her back and wore a short dagger at her waist, which Shui Qingrou had given her as a practical tool.

"Let's go." Shui Bing'er walked to Bing Yekong's side and spoke softly.

Bing Yekong looked her over and nodded in satisfaction. "Ready?"

"Mm."

Yang Wudi stuffed the last bite of his bun into his mouth, brushed the crumbs from his hands, stood up, and stretched lazily. "Since everyone is here, let's set off. This old man's bones could use the exercise."

The three did not alert too many people. They merely informed Shui Qingrou before leaving Element City.