Qian Renxue's Curiosity-Who Was He?!

The Ice Empress held onto his arm and never let go.

She had begun to wonder whether accompanying Qian Chen to Skywater Academy had truly been the right choice.

Although the soul beasts of the Far North fled whenever they saw Qian Chen, at least they did not surround him and stare like these girls did.

A Skywater Academy instructor approached from afar.

She came before Shui Bing'er.

"Bing'er, the dean has asked you to lead the team directly to the Spirit Arena."

Shui Bing'er asked,

"The Spirit Arena?"

"Has the academy received guests?"

The instructor nodded.

"Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, has brought the Imperial Fighting Team here for an exchange."

"The dean has agreed to have you lead the Skywater Team in a spar against the Imperial Fighting Team."

Shui Bing'er turned to look at her companions behind her.

They had only just returned from the Far North.

After the attack by the Ice Red-Chain Snake, none of them had fully recovered yet.

Facing the Imperial Fighting Team now would undoubtedly be extremely difficult.

But since the dean had already made the arrangements, she had no reason to refuse.

Shui Bing'er quickly calmed herself.

"I understand."

The instructor turned and left.

Shui Yue'er came to her sister's side.

"Why did the Imperial Fighting Team have to come today of all days?"

"We just got back from the Far North. We have not even had time to change our clothes."

Shui Bing'er straightened her aqua-blue sleeve.

"Since it is a friendly spar, it should not take too long."

She turned to Qian Chen.

"We are going to the Spirit Arena."

"Do you want to come with us?"

Qian Chen looked toward the depths of the academy.

The dean had not met Shui Bing'er first, instead sending her directly to the Spirit Arena.

Clearly, the visitors were no ordinary people.

Since the Imperial Fighting Team could represent Heaven Dou Royal Academy, its members naturally would not be weak.

Qian Chen found himself becoming more interested in this spar.

"I'll go."

Shui Bing'er nodded lightly.

"The Spirit Arena is just ahead."

The Ice Empress still held Qian Chen's arm.

She did not care about the Imperial Fighting Team.

She only wanted to keep an eye on the Qian Chen she had raised, lest he be surrounded by the girls here on his very first day at Skywater Academy.

Shui Bing'er led the group in a different direction.

They followed the stone path beside the artificial lake toward Skywater Academy's Spirit Arena.

Skywater Academy Spirit Arena.

The broad field was paved with whole slabs of blue crystal, surrounded by waist-high curtains of water.

Water flowed slowly through stone channels, casting a faint sheen across the field.

Xue Qinghe and Shui Xinrou stood before the viewing stands.

Yu Tianheng led the Imperial Fighting Team on one side of the field.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with short blue hair falling across his forehead and his arms folded before his chest.

Dugu Yan stood behind him, her emerald-green hair cascading over her shoulders.

Ye Lingling stood quietly at the rear of the team, holding the phantom of a begonia martial soul in her arms.

Shui Bing'er led the Skywater Team over from the other side.

Her aqua-blue uniform still bore traces of snow from the Far North, and several strands of her long hair had been scattered by the wind.

Shui Yue'er followed closely beside her, her face still somewhat pale.

The other students had not fully recovered either.

The moment Shui Xinrou saw Shui Bing'er, she immediately went forward to greet her.

But her gaze quickly stopped behind Shui Bing'er.

A figure in white entered the Spirit Arena.

His snow-white brocade robe fit his tall, straight figure, the silver patterns on its collar gleaming faintly in the sunlight.

His black hair was tied behind his head, with a few strands falling over his shoulder.

His face was handsome and refined, while his brows carried a calm, composed air.

Yet even more impossible to ignore was the emerald-green figure beside him, holding his arm.

The Ice Empress did not let go.

She followed Qian Chen into the Spirit Arena, unconcerned by the gazes falling upon her and Qian Chen.

The arena quickly fell quiet.

Skywater Academy's students all turned their heads.

"Who is he?"

"Since when has the academy had male students?"

"The person behind Shui Bing'er—could he be the one they brought back from the Far North?"

Whispers rose from all around the stands.

Shui Xinrou also looked toward Shui Xinlian.

Her gaze lingered on Qian Chen for a moment before falling on the Ice Empress.

Shui Xinlian quickly walked over to her.

"Dean."

Shui Xinrou lowered her voice.

"Who is he?"

Shui Xinlian glanced back at Qian Chen.

"A newly recruited student."

Shui Xinrou froze.

"A newly recruited student?"

"Since when did Skywater Academy begin accepting male students?"

Shui Xinlian glanced at Xue Qinghe in the distance.

She did not continue explaining and merely said calmly,

"His talent is extremely high."

Shui Xinrou raised a hand and pressed it against her temple.

"Absurd."

"Since Skywater Academy was founded, it has never accepted a male student."

Shui Xinlian did not argue.

She knew very well that if Qian Chen had not displayed astonishing strength, Shui Bing'er would never have suggested inviting him.

Moreover, Qian Chen had already agreed to join Skywater Academy.

Shui Xinrou wanted to ask more, but Xue Qinghe had already walked over.

His golden hair was neatly tied behind his head, and his gold-and-white robe was perfectly tailored.

A jade pendant hung at his waist, while royal crests were embroidered on his collar and cuffs.

In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, only one person dressed like this.

Qian Chen recognized her at once.

This was his younger sister.

They had been separated from the moment they were born.

Qian Chen had been abandoned on the Far North Snowfield, while Qian Renxue had remained at Spirit Hall.

Neither of them had received true familial love.

Qian Chen already knew his origins, but Qian Renxue still did not know she had a twin older brother.

Xue Qinghe noticed Qian Chen as well.

At that moment, her steps paused.

The man in white before her was close to her in age, handsome in appearance, and carried an air of noble elegance.

What caught her attention most were Qian Chen's eyes and brows.

Their features were surprisingly somewhat alike.

It was Xue Qinghe's first time seeing Qian Chen, yet she felt an inexplicable closeness to him.

There was no reason for that feeling, but she could not ignore it.

She looked at Qian Chen once more.

Their gazes met by chance.

Qian Chen's eyes were clear and calm, as though he had known her for a long time.

Xue Qinghe's heart skipped, and she immediately looked away.

Her fingers curled lightly within her sleeve.

It was only a glance.

Why had she reacted like this?

Xue Qinghe struggled to maintain the Crown Prince's composure, but a faint blush had already spread to the tips of her ears.

Qian Chen's gaze rested on her.

He thought of Bibi Dong's coldness toward Qian Renxue.

This time, he would not let his sister endure that pain alone again.

Whether Qian Renxue knew his identity or not, he would protect her.

Qian Chen withdrew his gaze.

Sensing the change in his emotions, the Ice Empress turned her head toward him.

"What is wrong?"

Qian Chen shook his head.

"Nothing."

The Ice Empress did not immediately believe him.

She looked at Xue Qinghe, then at Qian Chen.

She had seen the exchange of glances between Qian Chen and the Heaven Dou Crown Prince.

"Do you know him?"

"I don't."

Qian Chen answered quickly.

The Ice Empress narrowed her emerald-green eyes.

"But the way you looked at him just now did not seem like you did not know him."

Qian Chen did not explain.

The Ice Empress wanted to continue questioning him, but Shui Bing'er had already led the Skywater Team to the center of the field.

"Sister Ice Empress, Qian Chen, wait and watch from the side for now."

"This spar will be over soon."

The Ice Empress gave a soft snort.

"You should all be careful."

She looked at the Imperial Fighting Team.

"If anyone hurts someone Qian Chen cares about, I will not be polite."

Shui Bing'er was slightly stunned.

A faint flush rose to her cheeks.

Someone Qian Chen cared about?

As those words entered her ears, her heart beat a little faster.

"We will be careful."

Shui Bing'er answered softly.

Shui Xinrou walked to the edge of the field.

She glanced at both teams, still unable to understand Qian Chen's appearance.

However, the most important thing now was to send Xue Qinghe away first.

Shui Xinrou turned toward Xue Qinghe.

"Your Highness, the students of both sides are ready."

"Why don't we begin this spar now?"

Xue Qinghe withdrew her gaze from Qian Chen.

She nodded lightly.

"Alright."