The moment the sword entered his hand, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bone in his right arm warmed slightly. A faint glow rippled beneath his skin along the icy blue scale patterns, as though it were greeting the Dragon Clan Bloodline within the sword.
The blade of the Frostsky Sword glimmered as well. The pair of miniature dragon wings on its crossguard trembled lightly, then fell still again.
Bing Yekong put the sword away and pushed open the door.
The others from Tianshui Academy were already waiting in the corridor.
Shui Bing'er stood at the front. Today, her hair was tied into a high ponytail, revealing a stretch of fair neck. Her academy uniform was immaculate, its cuffs snug and an ice-blue sash tied around her waist. She looked as sharp and capable as an unsheathed blade of ice.
Beside her, Shui Yue'er stamped her feet and breathed white mist. The moment she saw Bing Yekong, she shouted, "Captain, why did you take so long? You're treating us to breakfast today!"
"When did I owe you breakfast?"
"You promised last night!"
Bing Yekong thought about it and did not remember making such a promise. But seeing Shui Yue'er's utterly justified expression, he could not be bothered to argue. "Fine, I'll treat you. Then we're on our way."
By the time the group went downstairs, quite a few people were already seated in the first-floor lobby.
The teams from Divine Wind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy were gathered around their respective tables having breakfast. Feng Xiaotian held a bowl of hot porridge. When he saw Bing Yekong, he raised the bowl in greeting, half a fried dough stick still in his mouth as he mumbled, "I'm counting on you today."
Huo Wu sat by the window, with a bowl of clear noodle soup