Qian Renxue!

Shui Xinrou gave a slight bow.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince has come to Skywater Academy. It is only proper that I welcome you."

The two entered the academy together.

Rows of Blue-Leaf Snow Orchids grew along both sides of the path.

Water flowed slowly through stone channels, glimmering beneath the sunlight.

Shui Xinrou walked beside Xue Qinghe, maintaining courtesy on the surface.

Yet she did not relax in the slightest.

The crown prince before her was easygoing and thorough in his dealings, enjoying an excellent reputation among the nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire.

But the more he was like this, the more Shui Xinrou felt that Xue Qinghe was not simple.

There had never been anyone truly gentle and kind among the royal family.

For Xue Qinghe to be valued so highly by Xue Ye and supported by so many ministers, he could not possibly be relying solely on his status as the eldest legitimate son.

Shui Xinrou did not take the initiative to mention academy affairs.

Xue Qinghe likewise did not hurry to reveal his purpose.

The two entered the reception hall.

A Skywater Academy instructor served tea before promptly withdrawing.

Xue Qinghe lifted his teacup.

His golden eyes swept over the academy crest in the reception hall through the faint mist rising from the water.

No one knew.

The real Xue Qinghe had long since died.

Qian Renxue had infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire under Spirit Hall's orders.

She had secretly poisoned the real Xue Qinghe, then altered her appearance through a soul bone skill and completely replaced him.

Over the course of several years.

She carefully maintained her identity as the crown prince and never revealed a flaw.

This time, Xue Ye had sent her to lead the Imperial Fighting Team to Skywater Academy, ostensibly for a friendly exchange.

Qian Renxue had another purpose as well.

She intended to ascertain the strength of Skywater Academy's current generation of students.

The five elemental academies held a special position within the Heaven Dou Empire.

If she wished to completely control the empire, she needed to understand these academies' attitudes and foundations in advance.

Qian Renxue set down her teacup.

"Dean Shui, Qinghe has come this time under Father Emperor's orders to promote exchanges between Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the major academies."

"The members of the Imperial Fighting Team greatly admire the Skywater Team."

"If it is convenient, I hope the two sides can have a friendly spar."

Shui Xinrou had already guessed his purpose.

She glanced at the Imperial Fighting Team standing outside the reception hall.

Yu Tianheng came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Dugu Yan was the granddaughter of Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo.

Ye Lingling was also the inheritor of the Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul.

Every member of the Imperial Fighting Team was a genius carefully selected by Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The current Skywater Team had not yet fully matured.

If the two sides fought, Skywater Academy's chances of winning would be extremely low.

Shui Xinrou said apologetically:

"Your Highness, you have come at an unfortunate time."

"Shui Bing'er has led several students to the Far North for training, and they have yet to return."

"Without its captain, the Skywater Team will likely be unable to spar with the Imperial Fighting Team."

A trace of regret flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes.

"In that case, we can only wait until next time."

She rose to her feet.

"Qinghe still has other academies to visit, so I will not trouble Dean Shui any longer today."

Shui Xinrou rose as well.

Just as she prepared to see them out of the academy, an instructor hurried to the doorway.

"Dean."

"Instructor Shui Xinlian has returned with Shui Bing'er and the others."

Shui Xinrou paused.

Qian Renxue looked at her again.

"What a coincidence."

"It seems Qinghe's trip today has not been in vain."

Shui Xinrou felt helpless.

They had already returned. If she continued to refuse, Skywater Academy would instead appear to fear the Imperial Fighting Team.

She quickly made her decision.

"Since Bing'er has returned, let her lead the Skywater Team in a spar against the Imperial Fighting Team."

"Your Highness, please proceed to the Soul Fighting Arena."

Qian Renxue nodded gently.

"Sorry for the trouble, Dean Shui."

On the other side of Skywater Academy.

Qian Chen followed Shui Bing'er through the academy's main gate.

The Ice Empress stood at his side.

She wore a dark green short skirt, her emerald-green hair falling to her waist as her fair legs stepped across the bluestone path.

Ever since entering Skywater City, she had been holding onto Qian Chen's sleeve.

The scenery within Skywater Academy was exceptionally beautiful.

Its teaching buildings had been built around an artificial lake.

Covered bridges spanned the water, while flocks of waterbirds perched along the lakeshore.

Quite a few students passed along the paths.

They all wore light blue uniforms.

None of these girls were unattractive.

Even if they could not compare to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, each had her own distinctive charm.

Qian Chen looked around.

Skywater Academy truly lived up to its reputation as an academy that admitted only female students.

No matter where he looked, he could not find a single male student.

The Ice Empress followed his gaze, and her expression worsened by the moment.

"There are so many academies outside."

"Yet you had to choose one full of girls."

Qian Chen withdrew his gaze.

"Shui Bing'er was the one who invited me."

The Ice Empress snorted softly.

"I think you are rather pleased with it."

Qian Chen did not respond.

Shui Bing'er walked ahead of them.

Hearing their conversation, a faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks.

Shui Yue'er turned around and walked backward in front of Qian Chen.

"Skywater Academy does not admit male students."

"You are the first."

"You will definitely be popular in the academy from now on."

As soon as she finished speaking.

Several passing students noticed Qian Chen.

"Who is he?"

"How is there a male student here?"

"Shui Bing'er and the others brought him back."

More and more gazes fell upon Qian Chen.

His snow-white brocade robes accentuated his upright figure.

His black hair was tied behind his head, with a faint purple-gold sheen flowing through it.

That handsome, otherworldly face stood out starkly amid the surroundings.

Two girls stopped by the lake.

"He is so handsome."

"Why have I never seen him before?"

"Could he be a new student?"

The people beside them immediately leaned closer.

"Since when did the academy start admitting male students?"

"If he really stays, I will definitely come take classes here every day."

A bolder girl walked toward him.

She straightened her collar, then swept her long hair behind her shoulder.

"Hello."

"May I ask what your name is?"

Before Qian Chen could answer, the Ice Empress stepped forward and stood between them.

"He is busy."

The girl looked at the Ice Empress, then at Qian Chen.

In the end, she did not continue asking. She turned and returned to her companions.

After walking some distance away, the group looked back at Qian Chen several more times.

The Ice Empress grabbed Qian Chen's wrist.

"You really know how to pick a place."

"Someone was already asking your name the moment we entered."

Qian Chen lowered his head to look at her.

"Bing'er Sister, you can let go now."

"I will not."

The Ice Empress instead hooked her arm around his.

Her soft body pressed against Qian Chen's side, her emerald-green hair spilling over his shoulder.

She raised her eyes and swept her gaze around.

Those students preparing to approach could only stop when they saw how intimate the two appeared.

Shui Yue'er puffed out her cheeks.

"Ice Empress is only Qian Chen's sister. Why are you making it look as if he already has someone he likes?"

Shui Bing'er reached out and pulled her sister back.

"Do not talk nonsense."

Shui Yue'er blinked.

"Sister, why are you so nervous?"

The tips of Shui Bing'er's ears reddened slightly.

"I was only afraid Ice Empress would hear you."

The Ice Empress turned back to glance at them.

Shui Yue'er immediately hid behind her sister.

The group continued onward.

More and more students gathered beside the lake.

They followed from afar, whispering among themselves as they continued to study Qian Chen.