"Captain!"
The remaining members of Skywater Academy charged toward Lin Tian at the same time.
Lin Tian raised his left hand.
The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus bloomed behind him.
Azure Divine Light spread in every direction.
The water-element Soul Skills dissipated rapidly the moment they approached the azure light.
Xie Yue seized the opportunity.
The two Moon Blades crossed past each other.
Two Skywater Academy members were sent off the Soul Battle Platform.
Yan stomped on the ground.
Crimson pillars of fire erupted from beneath the stone slabs.
The remaining three could only retreat.
One of them stepped onto the edge and was blasted off by the fiery shockwave.
The final two exchanged a glance.
They withdrew their martial souls.
"We surrender."
The referee immediately raised an arm.
"The match is over!"
"The winners are Spirit Hall Academy!"
On the Soul Battle Platform.
The blue ice crystals gradually dispersed.
Shui Bing'er stood beneath the platform, watching Lin Tian the entire time.
Lin Tian withdrew his two martial souls.
Five black Soul Rings vanished together.
Shui Bing'er walked over to the passageway.
"Why didn't you let me use my fourth Soul Skill just now?"
"Your Soul Skill needs time to gather."
Lin Tian looked at her.
"I won't stand there and wait for you."
Shui Bing'er fell silent for a moment.
"What if I had prepared it beforehand?"
"The result would still be the same."
She did not get angry at his words.
Shui Bing'er merely looked at Lin Tian seriously.
"You still haven't used any Soul Skills."
"I don't need them to deal with you."
She nodded lightly.
"I'll remember that."
Lin Tian left the Soul Battle Platform with the Spirit Hall Academy members.
Shui Bing'er remained where she was.
Only after that black-and-gold figure disappeared at the end of the passage did she withdraw her gaze.
"Captain."
A Skywater Academy member came to Shui Bing'er's side.
"That person is too strong."
Shui Bing'er looked at her palm.
The instant she came into contact with Lin Tian earlier, the Soul Power within her body had been suppressed.
His strength was no longer something an ordinary Soul King could compare to.
After the match ended.
Lin Tian returned to the hotel.
Spirit Hall Academy had rented an independent courtyard within Heaven Dou City.
There was a hot spring behind the courtyard.
Under the night sky, steam slowly rose from the surface of the pool.
Lin Tian pushed open the door.
Huo Wu was standing by the window.
She had changed out of her Blazing Fire Academy uniform.
She wore a crimson gown, its hem falling to her ankles.
Her fiery red hair draped over her shoulders.
She turned around and lifted her eyes to Lin Tian.
"You won again today."
"The opponents weren't strong."
"Shui Bing'er is already a level forty-five Soul Ancestor."
"Still not strong."
Huo Wu pursed her lips.
"Can't you say something nicer?"
"Her Ice Seal control was decent."
"She just didn't have the chance to use it."
Huo Wu walked up to Lin Tian.
She reached out and undid the metal clasp on his outer robe.
"You have moisture on you."
"I went to the hot spring after the match."
"Then I want to go too."
Lin Tian looked at her.
"You came looking for me just to soak in the hot spring?"
Huo Wu's fingers paused at his collar.
"Not entirely."
"What else?"
She raised her eyes.
"I wanted to see whether you were hurt today."
"I wasn't."
"I want to check for myself."
Huo Wu pulled his outer robe open to both sides.
The black inner shirt clung to his broad chest, with no wounds visible.
Her fingertips slid down along his collar, gently pressing over Lin Tian's chest.
"Indeed, there aren't any."
"Can we go to the hot spring now?"
"I'll go first."
Huo Wu turned and walked behind the screen.
Her crimson gown slipped from her shoulders.
She raised a hand to untie the sash around her waist and placed the dress on a wooden rack.
Beneath it was a close-fitting black garment.
The fabric traced her waist, accentuating her slender figure.
Her long legs looked fair beneath the lamplight.
She removed her short boots and stepped barefoot onto the wooden floor.
Her toes were round, and the lines of her insteps were clear.
Huo Wu turned back to look at Lin Tian.
"Why are you still standing there?"
"You want me to come too?"
"Is the hot spring inside your room?"
"This is the hotel's hot spring."
"Then we'll go together."
Huo Wu walked to the door, then suddenly stopped.
"But you're not allowed to try anything."
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid you'll bully me."
Lin Tian looked at her.
"Who was the one who took the initiative to kiss me last time?"
Huo Wu's cheeks flushed rapidly.
"That was the price I paid for losing the match."
"You didn't lose today."
"That's why I'm letting you accompany me to the hot spring."
She pushed open the back door.
The night breeze swept through the courtyard.
Huo Wu raised a hand to gather her hair and walked barefoot down the stone steps toward the hot spring.
Lin Tian followed behind her.
Two sets of clean clothes had been placed beside the hot spring pool.
Huo Wu entered the water first.
The warm spring water passed her ankles, her calves, and finally stopped at her waist.
She sat at the edge of the pool and lifted her legs.
Her fair thighs were faintly visible beneath the water's surface, droplets sliding down the lines of her legs.
Huo Wu supported herself against the edge of the pool with her arms.
"The water temperature is perfect."
Lin Tian entered the pool and sat across from her.
The surface of the water rippled gently.
Less than an arm's length separated them.
Huo Wu looked at Lin Tian.
"Have you soaked in a hot spring with Hu Liena too?"
"No."
"Really?"
"I have no reason to lie to you."
Her expression softened.
Huo Wu swept her soaked hair to one side.
Her crimson hair clung to her snowy-white shoulder, and several droplets slid down her neck.
"Then have you ever been like this with anyone else?"
"No."
"Do you only know how to cultivate every day?"
"Cultivation can increase my strength."
"What about besides cultivation?"
"Matches."
Huo Wu looked at him for a while.
"How can someone like you have so many women around you?"
"Who?"
"Hu Liena."
"She's my teammate."
"What about Ye Lingling?"
"She treated my injuries before."
"What about Xue Qinghe?"
"She's the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou."
Huo Wu scooped up a handful of hot spring water and splashed it at Lin Tian.
Droplets landed beside his face.
"You always make it sound so simple."
"It was simple to begin with."
"But it isn't simple for me."
Huo Wu lowered her head.
The water concealed most of her figure, leaving only her fair shoulders and slender neck exposed.
She fell silent for a moment before looking at Lin Tian again.
"Lin Tian."
"Mm."
"When I kissed you, why didn't you dodge?"
"You didn't mean any harm."
"What if I wanted more than just to kiss you?"
"What did you want to do?"
Huo Wu braced herself against the edge of the pool and stood.
Water streamed down her body.
She walked up to Lin Tian and placed both hands on his shoulders.
The distance between them narrowed.
Huo Wu looked down at Lin Tian, her long hair falling over her shoulders.
"I want to know if you only see me as an opponent from Blazing Fire Academy."
"You're Huo Wu."
"What kind of answer is that?"
"I remember you."
A little light returned to Huo Wu's eyes.
"What else do you remember?"
"The Soul Power control method you taught me."
"What else?"
"You like fire-element cultivation grounds."
"What else?"
"You lost to me twice."
Huo Wu raised a hand and smacked his chest.
"Can you stop bringing up winning and losing all the time?"
Lin Tian caught her wrist.
"Then what do you want to hear?"
She did not pull her hand away.
Huo Wu leaned closer, droplets from her waist falling onto the back of Lin Tian's hand.
"I want to hear you say that I'm beautiful."
Lin Tian looked at her.
"You're beautiful."
Huo Wu's eyelashes fluttered lightly.
"Say it again."
"You're very beautiful."
She finally smiled.
"That was a good answer."
Huo Wu bent down.
Her red lips landed beside Lin Tian's.
This time, she did not pull away immediately.
Lin Tian raised a hand and held her waist.
Huo Wu took the opportunity to sit in front of him.
The hot spring water rippled between them.
Her legs pressed against Lin Tian's sides, her fair feet lightly brushing his leg beneath the water.
"Lin Tian."
"Mm."
"Don't go back tonight."
"This is my room."
"I mean, don't let me go back to my room alone."
Lin Tian looked at her.
Huo Wu rested her face against his shoulder.
"I've thought it through."
"Thought through what?"
"I like being with you."
Her arms wrapped around Lin Tian's neck.
"I also like it when you look at me."
"And I like it when you teach me how to cultivate."
"Most importantly, I don't want to keep watching Hu Liena stand by your side every day."
Lin Tian did not answer.
Huo Wu lifted her face.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as agreement."
"Agreement to what?"
"Stay with me tonight."
Lin Tian held her waist and lifted her out of the pool.
Huo Wu's legs rose out of the water.
She instinctively tightened her arms around him and pressed against his chest.
"What are you doing?"
"Didn't you ask me to stay with you?"
"I only asked you to soak in the hot spring with me."
"We're done soaking."
Lin Tian carried her out of the pool.
Huo Wu's fair feet left the water, droplets running down the tops of her feet and her ankles.
Her long hair clung to her back, its crimson color especially striking beneath the moonlight.
"Lin Tian, put me down first."
"Didn't you say you didn't want to return to your room alone?"
Huo Wu looked at Lin Tian, so close before her.
"I didn't say I wanted you to carry me."
"It's too late to say that now."
She lightly bit her red lip.
"Then you're not allowed to bully me."
"When have I ever bullied you?"
"On the Soul Battle Platform."
"That was a match."
"And at the training grounds."
"You were the one who came closer."
Huo Wu did not refute him.
She buried her face against Lin Tian's shoulder.
"You're not allowed to bring those up tonight."
"Fine."
Lin Tian carried her into the room.
Candlelight cast their shadows across the room.
Huo Wu reached for a clean long towel nearby and pressed it against Lin Tian's cheek.
"Dry yourself first."
"You too."
Lin Tian took the towel and dried the droplets from her shoulders.
The motion traveled from her shoulders to her arms.
Huo Wu stood still and did not dodge.
The towel passed over her fair wrist before moving down to her slender ankle.
She looked down at Lin Tian half-kneeling before her, her toes curling slightly.
"Lin Tian."
"Mm."
"I'm really not used to you being like this."
"What aren't you used to?"
"You're treating me too well."
"I'm just drying you off."
"But I like it."
Huo Wu placed a hand on his shoulder.
She bent down, her red lips lightly brushing Lin Tian's forehead.
"This is the first reward for tonight."
"Only one?"
"The rest can wait until you're willing to stay."
Lin Tian stood up.
Huo Wu wrapped her arms around his waist again.
The two leaned against the bed.
She had already changed out of her long dress and wore only close-fitting clothes.
Her fair legs were pressed together, with droplets still clinging to her ankles.
Lin Tian raised a hand and arranged her damp hair for her.
Huo Wu quieted down.
"Can I still come find you in the future?"
"Yes."
"Even outside of matches?"
"Yes."
"At night too?"
"Yes."
Huo Wu raised her eyes.
"Then I'll take that as your agreement."
"Mm."
She pulled Lin Tian down to sit on the edge of the bed.
Huo Wu turned sideways and nestled into his arms.
Lin Tian's arm wrapped around her waist.
Moonlight outside the window fell across the floor.
Only the candle flame swayed softly in the room.
Huo Wu closed her eyes.
"Lin Tian."
"Mm."
"I'm very happy today."
"Because you won the match?"
"Because you were willing to stay with me."
She placed her palm over Lin Tian's chest.
"There's another match tomorrow."
"I know."
"Then let's sleep for a while first."
"Okay."
Huo Wu pulled the quilt over both of them.
Her head rested against Lin Tian's shoulder, her legs pressed against his.
After a moment, she lifted her face again.
"You're not allowed to leave while I'm asleep."
"I won't."
"And you're not allowed to send me back either."
"I won't."
Only then did Huo Wu close her eyes.
Lin Tian lowered his head and looked at her peaceful face.
Her fiery red hair spilled across the pillow, her fair cheek pressed against his shoulder.
Her hand still clutched Lin Tian's collar without letting go.
Night gradually deepened.
That night, Huo Wu stayed in Lin Tian's room.
The two slept in each other's arms.
The next morning.
Lin Tian opened his eyes from cultivation.
Dawn had only just broken outside the window, and a faint mist still drifted over the hot spring pool.
Huo Wu had already left.
A crimson note lay on the table.
"Lin Tian, I'm returning to Blazing Fire Academy first."
"The Soul Power control method you taught me is very useful."
"Once I perfect Huo Wu's Blazing Sun again, I'll come find you."
After reading the note, Lin Tian casually put it into his Soul Tool.
He sat cross-legged on the stone platform again.
The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus and Nine Nether Beast appeared at the same time.
Five black Soul Rings slowly revolved around his body.
Whale Rubber lay before him.
Lin Tian put a piece into his mouth, and its rich energy swiftly merged into his meridians.
Tank Engine began operating in response.
His Bloodline Power steadily rose, while Soul Power circulated through his meridians before flowing back into his dantian.
The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus released Life Divine Light.
The Nine Nether Beast suppressed the violent energy within the Whale Rubber.
With the two powers working together, the Whale Rubber's energy gradually became docile.
Lin Tian's Soul Power began to rise from rank fifty-four.
Rank fifty-five.
Rank fifty-six.
Soul Power continuously gathered within the Cultivation Room, making the teacup on the table tremble lightly.
Lin Tian did not stop.
He refined all the remaining energy, only withdrawing his two martial souls after the Soul Power within him had fully stabilized.
Rank fifty-six Soul Power flowed steadily through his meridians.
Tank Engine completed another enhancement.
Lin Tian raised his right hand and slowly curled his fingers.
The air in his palm compressed with a soft crack.
"Not bad."
At that moment, the door was pushed open.
Hu Liena entered the Cultivation Room.
She wore a white-and-gold academy uniform, her light brown long hair draped behind her shoulders, with a wooden box in her hand.
"You broke through again?"
"Mm."
Lin Tian stood up.
Hu Liena walked over to him and raised her hand to straighten his collar.
"What rank this time?"
"Fifty-six."
Her movements paused.
"You went from rank fifty-four to rank fifty-six in such a short time?"
"There's still plenty of Whale Rubber left."
Hu Liena glanced at the table.
"Then I need to continue cultivating too."
"Your Soul Power is already rank fifty-two. There's no need to rush your advancement."
"I want to catch up to you."
Hu Liena lifted her face and wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's arm.
"You're rank fifty-six now. I need to at least reach rank fifty-four."
"The gap won't shrink."
"Then I'll cultivate a little longer every day."
Lin Tian looked at her.
"When your body can't take it anymore, you must stop."
"I know."
Hu Liena placed the wooden box on the table and opened it.
Several pieces of Whale Rubber lay inside, along with a bottle of liquid that gave off a medicinal fragrance.
"I had these prepared."
"Tonight, you'll absorb them with me."
"Alright."
Hu Liena immediately smiled.
She took Lin Tian's hand and led him toward the center of the Cultivation Room.
"You've just broken through to rank fifty-six, so you can help me suppress the energy."
"You just want me to keep you company."
"Cultivating and keeping me company don't conflict."
She sat on the stone platform and looked up at Lin Tian.
"Captain, you can't focus only on becoming stronger yourself."
Before you continue