Shui Bing'er sat across from Bing Yekong, using the sliver of moonlight filtering through the window to study his face.
"You're tired, aren't you?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine." Bing Yekong opened his eyes, his voice slightly muffled. "I just used up a bit too much Soul Power. One night's sleep will fix it."
Shui Bing'er did not press him further. She took off her outer robe, folded it, and handed it to him. "Use this as a cushion."
Bing Yekong took it, placed it behind his neck, and closed his eyes again.
The carriage's rocking gradually drew sleep over him. He heard the wheels grinding over gravel, the wind howling through the gaps in the carriage, and the occasional cry of a night bird in the distance. The sounds blended together like a drowsy lullaby.
He slept in the carriage for the entire night.
At noon the next day, when the convoy stopped at a post station outside Heaven Dou City for supplies, an imperial messenger riding with them caught up on horseback and delivered an urgent handwritten decree.
The decree had been personally issued by Xue Ye and bore the imperial seal of the Heaven Dou Empire. Its wording was polite yet eager: congratulations to Skywater Academy for winning this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Xue Ye would host a banquet in Heaven Dou City to celebrate their achievement and requested their immediate attendance.
Bing Yekong read the decree back and forth twice, then folded it and tucked it into his robes.
"Xue Ye wants to see us?" Shui Yue'er leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes. A celebratory banquet."
"Will there be good food?"
"It's a palace banquet. It probably won't be too bad."
Shui Yue'er let out a cheer. Shui Bing'er silenced her with