Skywater Academy, Benefits Galore!

A flush rapidly spread from Shui Bing'er's face to her neck.

She had always been delicate and lovely.

Now, her aqua-blue hair draped before her, her fair face tinged crimson, and much of her usual chilliness had faded.

Shui Bing'er secretly glanced at Qian Chen.

She did not refuse immediately.

Shui Xinrou said calmly, "I believe in Qian Chen's character."

She did not deny Shui Xinlian's words.

Understanding the implication, Shui Bing'er hurriedly turned her face away.

Ice Empress stood at Qian Chen's side.

With her arms folded before her chest, her gaze first fell on Shui Xinrou before shifting to the blushing Shui Bing'er.

"They've only just entered the academy, and you're already arranging someone to stay by Chen'er's side?"

"Your Skywater Academy really has a unique way of recruiting students."

Shui Xinrou could see Ice Empress's displeasure.

"Bing'er is only helping Qian Chen familiarize himself with the academy."

"There is no other meaning."

Ice Empress snorted softly.

"It had better be that way."

Qian Chen looked at them and spoke directly.

"Dean Shui, there is no need to use these conditions to keep me here."

Shui Xinrou's expression paused slightly.

Qian Chen continued, "Whether it is cultivation resources or having Shui Bing'er stay by my side, neither condition holds much appeal for me."

Shui Bing'er's eyes, which had just lifted, lowered again.

The fingers clutching the hem of her skirt slowly loosened as well.

Qian Chen did not notice her change.

"I am willing to join Skywater Academy because the environment here is suitable for ice-attribute soul masters to cultivate."

"Besides that, there are many soul masters my age in the academy."

"I need to interact with the human world, and I also need to understand cultivation methods from the outside world."

"As long as Skywater Academy suits me, I will stay."

After hearing this, the last trace of worry in Shui Xinrou's heart faded away.

She had originally feared that Qian Chen would be tempted by the conditions Xue Qinghe had offered.

But now, it seemed Qian Chen simply did not care about so-called preferential treatment.

Someone so young yet already possessing such strength was indeed qualified to look down on ordinary resources.

Shui Xinrou nodded.

"I understand."

"Skywater Academy will not restrict your cultivation, nor will we force you to participate in academy affairs."

"You may stay here for as long as you wish."

Qian Chen agreed, "All right."

Shui Xinrou looked at Shui Bing'er again.

"Bing'er, take Qian Chen to choose a residence."

"There are still several independent courtyards on the eastern side of the academy. Let him choose one himself."

Shui Bing'er raised her head.

Much of the redness had faded from her face.

But her aqua-blue eyes had lost some of their earlier brightness.

"I understand."

Shui Yue'er immediately stepped forward.

"I'll go too."

Shui Bing'er glanced at her.

"You are still injured. Go get treated first."

"Wasn't Sister injured too?"

"My injuries are no longer serious."

Shui Yue'er still wanted to argue, but Shui Xinrou had already raised a hand to signal her to leave.

"Yue'er, go receive treatment first."

Shui Yue'er could only stop.

She looked at Qian Chen and Shui Bing'er, then glanced at Ice Empress, who was still holding Qian Chen's arm.

"Then I'll come find you later."

Shui Bing'er nodded lightly.

She turned and walked toward the exit of the Spirit Arena.

Her aqua-blue skirt swayed gently with her steps, and her slender legs, wrapped in white stockings, crossed the frost-covered ground.

After taking a few steps, she stopped again.

Shui Bing'er turned back to look at Qian Chen.

"The academy residences are to the east."

"I'll take you there."

Qian Chen and Ice Empress followed her.

The three of them left the Spirit Arena together.

Shui Bing'er walked in front.

She never looked back.

Yet as they passed around a corner, she slowed down. Only after Qian Chen had come alongside her did she continue toward the dormitories.

On the eastern side of the academy.

Several independent courtyards stood in a row along the artificial lake.

The courtyard walls were not high, and large patches of Blue-Leaf Snow Orchids grew within them.

Clear water flowed past the courtyards before merging into the lake beneath a stone bridge.

Shui Bing'er stopped outside one of the courtyards.

"This place is very close to the Mimicry Cultivation Grounds."

"Cross the stone bridge ahead, and you'll reach the library and teaching area."

She pushed open the courtyard gate.

Neatly laid bluestone paved the yard, and a small pool stood in one corner.

A two-story building had been constructed beside the lake.

Once the second-floor windows were opened, more than half of Skywater Academy could be seen.

Qian Chen walked into the courtyard.

The rooms had already been fully furnished.

A bed, wardrobe, desk, and a quiet chamber specially meant for cultivation.

"This one will do."

Shui Bing'er nodded softly.

"After I return, I'll have someone deliver new bedding and daily necessities."

"If you need anything else, you can come find me at any time."

Qian Chen looked at her.

"Your injuries have not fully recovered yet."

"Go receive treatment first."

Shui Bing'er lowered her gaze to the wound on her arm.

Her sleeve had been torn, and a faint red mark still remained on her fair skin.

"This little injury is nothing."

She raised her eyes and added, "The dean asked me to help you familiarize yourself with the academy."

"I cannot bring you here and then leave you alone right away."

Ice Empress stood nearby.

She was still holding Qian Chen's arm, and obvious displeasure showed on her pretty face.

"The courtyard has already been chosen."

"Chen'er isn't going to get lost."

"You can go back now."

Shui Bing'er looked at their arms pressed together.

Ice Empress's emerald-green hair lay across Qian Chen's shoulder.

Her slender waist was nearly pressed against his side.

Shui Bing'er lightly pursed her lips.

"Then I'll come by later."

She turned and left the courtyard.

Her aqua-blue skirt swayed gently, white stockings wrapping her long legs.

As she passed through the courtyard gate, Shui Bing'er looked back once more.

Qian Chen stood beneath a tree.

Sunlight fell upon his snow-white brocade robes.

That handsome face was clearer now than when she had first seen him in the Far North.

Shui Bing'er withdrew her gaze and soon disappeared beyond the other end of the stone bridge.

Ice Empress reached out and pinched Qian Chen's cheek.

"She's already far away."

"And you're still looking?"

Qian Chen removed her hand.

"I was only looking at the academy paths."

Ice Empress snorted.

"Shui Bing'er was the only one on that path."

"What else could you see?"

Qian Chen did not argue.

He entered the small building and simply put away the belongings he had brought with him.

Outside the courtyard, quite a few Skywater students had already gathered.

They had witnessed Qian Chen make his move in the Spirit Arena earlier.

The news that he had defeated the entire Imperial Fighting Team by himself quickly spread throughout the academy.

"Does Qian Chen really live here?"

"I saw Shui Bing'er bring him inside with my own eyes."

"He looks even better up close than he did from afar."

"I heard he defeated the Imperial Fighting Team with a single soul skill."

"Will he join the academy's practical combat classes in the future?"

Several students leaned against the courtyard wall and secretly peered inside.

Others stood on the stone bridge, deliberately slowing their pace.

When Qian Chen came out of the building, the area outside the courtyard immediately fell silent.

The next moment.

Several girls straightened their aqua-blue skirts.

Some gathered the long hair hanging over their shoulders.

Others took out books and pretended they were merely passing by.

A tall student was the first to approach.

She wore the summer uniform.

Her sleeveless top revealed her fair arms, while a pair of well-proportioned long legs extended beneath her short skirt.

"Qian Chen."

"I'm Xue Wu from the advanced class."

"You've only just arrived at the academy, so you probably don't know many people yet."

"If you have time tomorrow, I can show you around the cultivation grounds."