Long Yao set down his teacup.
"Use your hands."
The purple soul power halted in midair.
Bibi Dong looked at him.
"Why?"
"This isn't the Papal Palace."
Long Yao said, "You came to Skywater Academy to cultivate your own strength."
"Not to use soul power in place of your hands."
Bibi Dong withdrew her soul power.
The bowls and utensils settled steadily back onto the table.
She stacked the empty bowls one by one, then set the plates beside them.
Shui Yue'er came over to the table.
"I'll help you carry some."
"No need."
Bibi Dong picked up the bowls and utensils.
Shui Yue'er picked up the two remaining plates anyway.
"I take the bowls back every day."
Bibi Dong glanced at her.
"Aren't you the dean's disciple?"
"Disciples have to eat too."
Shui Yue'er headed toward the Kitchen.
"Of course we have to clean up after eating."
Carrying the bowls and utensils, Bibi Dong followed her.
Shui Bing'er wiped the table clean.
Long Yao remained seated and did not intervene.
Inside the Kitchen.
The academy teacher responsible for lunch was preparing to clean the stove.
When she saw Bibi Dong enter, her hands paused.
The pope of Spirit Hall.
One of the most exalted figures on the continent.
Yet here she was, personally carrying bowls and utensils into Skywater Academy's Kitchen.
Bibi Dong set the bowls and utensils beside the sink.
"Put them here?"
The teacher immediately nodded.
"Right here is fine."
Shui Yue'er set down the plates.
"Who cooked today's fish?"
"Teacher Lin, as usual."
"Tell Teacher Lin to make it the same way tomorrow."
The teacher looked at her.
"There won't be fish tomorrow."
Shui Yue'er stopped in her tracks.
"Why?"
"We're having shrimp tomorrow."
Shui Yue'er's face brightened again.
"That works too."
Bibi Dong turned and left the Kitchen.
She had only taken a few steps when Shui Yue'er caught up from behind.
"Do you clean up your own bowls and utensils at Spirit Hall too?"
"No."
"Then who does?"
"The attendants."
"How many attendants does the Papal Palace have?"
"Many."
Shui Yue'er thought for a moment.
"Then do you usually just sit on the throne and wait for people to bring you things?"
Bibi Dong stopped walking.
"The pope has to handle Spirit Hall's affairs."
"Every day, I review documents sent in by branch halls across the continent."
"I also have to decide on Soul Master deployments and resource allocations."
"Sometimes, I receive envoys from the Two Great Empires as well."
After listening, Shui Yue'er immediately shook her head.
"That sounds like a lot of trouble."
"So all you want to do is eat and cultivate?"
"And drink fruit wine."
Shui Yue'er earnestly added that point.
Bibi Dong started walking again.
"You really don't ask for much."
"The dean still says no all the time."
Shui Yue'er walked beside her.
"I only wanted to bring a jug of fruit wine into the Heavy Water Formation."
"Drinking while cultivating affects your control over soul power."
"I wouldn't drink much."
"Even half a cup would affect it."
Shui Yue'er turned to look at her.
"How come you sound just like the dean?"
"Because he's right."
Shui Yue'er sighed softly.
"You've only been here a day, and you're already taking the dean's side."
The two returned to the True Dragon Tower's platform.
Shui Bing'er was already sitting cross-legged on the lake's surface.
Dozens of ice crystals hovered beside her.
The ice crystals constantly changed shape.
With every change, not a trace of cold seeped into the lake water.
Long Yao looked at Bibi Dong.
"You don't need to increase your soul power this afternoon."
"Then what should I cultivate?"
"Control."
Bibi Dong raised her right hand.
Purple-gold soul power appeared in her palm.
"My soul power can already complete a cycle."
"A cycle isn't the same as control."
Long Yao pointed at the lake.
"Send your soul power into the lake."
Bibi Dong walked to the shore.
Purple-gold soul power descended from her palm.
The instant it entered the lake, the water parted to either side.
A large school of fish fled swiftly.
Even the mud and sand underwater were swept to the surface.
Long Yao watched the churning lake water.
"Too much."
Bibi Dong withdrew most of her soul power.
The purple-gold glow rapidly weakened.
The lake's surface still had not calmed.
"Keep pulling it back."
She reduced her soul power again.
The purple-gold glow dwindled to the thickness of a hair.
The mud and sand gradually settled back to the lakebed.
Yet the fish still did not dare approach.
Long Yao picked up a lotus seed.
He flicked it with his finger.
The lotus seed fell into the lake.
"Support it with your soul power."
Bibi Dong raised her palm.
Purple-gold soul power approached the lotus seed.
Before the soul power even touched it, fine ripples had already appeared in the surrounding water.
The lotus seed moved half a foot forward.
Bibi Dong immediately adjusted her power.
The purple-gold soul power passed beneath the lotus seed.
The lotus seed was lifted out of the water.
The next instant.
A crack appeared on the lotus seed's surface.
Bibi Dong withdrew her soul power.
The cracked lotus seed fell back into the water.
"My soul power is too strong."
"It has nothing to do with strength."
Long Yao took out another lotus seed.
"After you broke through to level 100, every strand of your soul power carried the origins of both Spider Emperors."
"The Death Spider Emperor provides support."
"The Soul-Eating Spider Emperor handles refinement."
"Just now, you only used the Death Spider Emperor's power."
Bibi Dong looked at her palm.
"If I use the Soul-Eating Spider Emperor, the lotus seed will be devoured outright."
"Make both powers work at the same time."
Long Yao tossed the second lotus seed into the lake.
"Support its weight."
"Refine the excess soul power."
Bibi Dong raised her hand again.
A strand of purple-gold soul power entered the lake.
The Death Spider Emperor appeared behind her.
Six Spider Spears settled on the shore without releasing any deadly poison.
The Soul-Eating Spider Emperor appeared next.
Her second martial soul spread its Spider Spears and drew the excess soul power back into its body.
The lotus seed slowly rose.
Only a faint ring of ripples appeared on the lake's surface.
Bibi Dong did not move the lotus seed right away.
She controlled both martial soul origins, constantly adjusting the flow of soul power.
A moment later.
The lotus seed left the lake's surface and hovered above her palm.
There were no cracks on its surface.
Long Yao nodded lightly.
"Keep it up for fifteen minutes."
Bibi Dong sat down cross-legged.
She held the lotus seed above her palm.
Purple-gold Soul Power continuously flowed beneath the lotus seed, then was drawn back into her body by the Soul-Eating Spider Emperor.
Shui Yue'er stood nearby and watched for a while.
"This is pretty much how I control heavy water."
"Your heavy water is heavier than the lotus seed."
Shui Bing'er walked over from the lake's surface.
She withdrew the ice crystals beside her.
"Her Soul Power is also stronger than yours."
Shui Yue'er came up to Bibi Dong.
She extended a finger and lightly touched the lotus seed.
The lotus seed immediately shifted from its original position.
The purple-gold Soul Power moved with it.
Bibi Dong raised her palm slightly.
The lotus seed returned to its place above her palm.
Shui Yue'er touched it again.
The lotus seed moved the other way.
Bibi Dong looked at her.
"What are you doing?"
"Making it harder for you."
"The dean didn't tell you to touch it."
"The dean didn't say I couldn't, either."
Shui Yue'er reached out a third time.
A strand of purple-gold Soul Power wrapped around her wrist.
Her finger stopped in front of the lotus seed.
Bibi Dong looked at her.
"Sit quietly."
Shui Yue'er tried to pull her arm back.
The purple-gold Soul Power didn't hurt her, but it prevented her from reaching any farther forward.
"You're using Soul Power to bully me."
"I'm making you stay quiet."
Shui Yue'er looked at Long Yao.
"Dean, she's interfering with my cultivation."
Long Yao picked up his teacup.
"Your cultivation is already finished for today."
Shui Yue'er immediately changed her tune.
"She's interfering with my rest."
"Go practice controlling water by the lake."
"I suddenly think it's very nice here."
Shui Yue'er sat down beside Shui Bing'er.
"I won't touch it anymore."
Bibi Dong withdrew her purple-gold Soul Power.
The lotus seed remained suspended above her palm throughout.
Fifteen minutes later.
Long Yao raised his hand.
"Send it back."
Bibi Dong controlled her Soul Power and sent the lotus seed back into the lake.
The lotus seed landed on a lotus leaf.
The leaf merely sank a little, without tearing.
"That's all for today."
Bibi Dong withdrew both her Martial Souls.
"That's all I'm practicing?"
"You've just broken through to Level 100."
Long Yao said, "Your Soul Power has risen too quickly. It isn't suitable for you to keep cultivating."
Bibi Dong stood up.
She looked at the lotus seed in the lake.
"What about tomorrow?"
"Continue."
"Still with the lotus seed?"
"Tomorrow, you'll use a water droplet."
Bibi Dong nodded lightly.
Shui Yue'er raised her palm.
A mass of lake water rose from the shore.
The lake water condensed into a droplet in her palm.
"This?"
"Smaller than that."
Shui Yue'er shrank the droplet by half.
"Like this?"
Long Yao glanced at her.
"You'll practice too."
Shui Yue'er immediately dispersed the droplet.
"I still have to enter the Heavy Water Formation tomorrow."
"The Heavy Water Formation in the morning."
Long Yao said, "Water droplet control in the afternoon."
Shui Yue'er looked at Bibi Dong.
"This is all your fault."
Bibi Dong's expression remained calm.
"You touched the lotus seed twice just now."
"I only wanted to help you."
"I can help you tomorrow too."
Shui Yue'er immediately moved to Shui Bing'er's other side.
"Sister, let's go back and rest."
Shui Bing'er didn't move.
"It isn't time for dinner yet."
"Then let's go see the new students."
"Dean Shui Yuerou is arranging their accommodations."
Shui Yue'er looked at Long Yao.
"Dean, may we go?"
"Yes."
Shui Yue'er pulled Shui Bing'er down from the platform.
The two followed the stone path beside the lake toward the Outer Court.
Bibi Dong watched their retreating figures.
"Is she like this every day?"
"Yes."
"Don't you find her noisy?"
Long Yao poured himself another cup of tea.
"You get used to it."
Bibi Dong sat down at the stone table.
She looked at the empty cup.
Long Yao didn't pour her any tea.
She reached for the teapot and poured herself a cup.
The tea flowed into the cup.
Purple-gold Soul Power circulated on its own within her body.
Several ripples appeared on the tea's surface.
Bibi Dong didn't put down the teapot.
She adjusted the Martial Soul Origins of both her Martial Souls.
The Soul-Eating Spider Emperor absorbed the excess Soul Power.
The Death Spider Emperor stabilized the power in her meridians again.
The tea gradually grew still.
She returned the teapot to its place.
"Where am I staying?"
"There are rooms on the sixth floor of the True Dragon Tower."
Bibi Dong looked at the tower.
"The sixth floor?"
"Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er live on the fifth floor."
"You'll stay on the sixth floor for now."
Bibi Dong picked up her teacup.
"How long do I need to stay at the academy?"
"Until you've fully mastered your Level 100 power."
"How long will that take?"
"That depends on you."
Bibi Dong took a sip of tea.
She didn't ask any more questions.
The setting sun gradually sank behind the distant forested mountains.
Shui Yue'er and Shui Bing'er returned from the Outer Court.
Shui Yue'er carried a bamboo basket.
Several green fruits lay inside it.
"Dean, a new student gave these to us."
She set the bamboo basket on the stone table.
"Apparently, her family grew them."
Long Yao picked up a piece of fruit.
"Have they been washed?"
"Yes."
Shui Yue'er picked one up too.
She took a bite and immediately frowned.
"So sour."
Shui Bing'er tried a small bite.
"They aren't fully ripe yet."
Shui Yue'er put down the fruit she had bitten.
She looked at Bibi Dong.
"Try one."
Bibi Dong picked up a piece of fruit.
She glanced at Shui Yue'er.
"Are you sure?"
"I think you'll like it."
Bibi Dong bit off a small piece.
The sourness immediately spread through her mouth.
Her expression didn't change; she merely put the fruit back in the bamboo basket.
Shui Yue'er looked at her expectantly.
"How is it?"
"Average."
"Don't you think it's sour?"
"It is."
"Then why didn't you react?"
Bibi Dong lifted her teacup.
"What reaction does eating a piece of fruit require?"
Shui Yue'er picked up the fruit she had bitten into again.
"I thought a level 100 Soul Master couldn't taste sourness."
Shui Bing'er looked at her.
"Soul power doesn't change your sense of taste."
"Then what's the point of becoming a god?"
"You can live longer."
Bibi Dong set down her teacup.
Shui Yue'er nodded lightly.
"You can eat a lot more meals."
Shui Bing'er said nothing.
Long Yao picked up another green fruit.
Green light flowed from his fingertips into the fruit.
The green of its skin gradually faded.
The flesh ripened along with it.
He handed the fruit to Shui Yue'er.
"Try it again."
Shui Yue'er took the fruit.
She took a bite.
The intense sourness had vanished, leaving only a mild, refreshing sweetness.
She immediately picked up the bamboo basket.
"Headmaster, there are five more here."
Long Yao looked at her.
"Wait for them to ripen on their own."
Shui Yue'er set the bamboo basket back on the table.
"How long will that take?"
"Seven days."
"Seven days is too long."
"Put them by the window."
"Can I put them on the seventh floor of the True Dragon Tower?"
Shui Yue'er said, "There's more energy from heaven and earth there. They should ripen faster."
"The seventh floor isn't for storing fruit."
Bibi Dong picked up a green fruit.
Purple-gold soul power flowed into it.
The Soul-Eating Spider Emperor began refining away the unripe essence within the flesh.
The Death Spider Emperor sustained the fruit's own vitality.
The green skin gradually turned pale yellow.
She handed the fruit to Shui Yue'er.
Shui Yue'er took the fruit and bit into it.
Sweet, refreshing juice flowed into her mouth.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
"It's even sweeter than the last one."
Bibi Dong withdrew her hand.
"Wait for the rest yourselves."
Shui Yue'er hugged the bamboo basket.
"Help me one more time."
"No."
"Two fruits."
"No."
"One."
Bibi Dong lifted her teacup without answering.
Shui Yue'er placed a green fruit in front of her.
"The last one."
Bibi Dong looked at the fruit on the table.
A moment later.
A wisp of purple-gold soul power flowed from her fingertips.
The green fruit slowly ripened.
Shui Yue'er immediately tucked it away.
"I'll save it for tomorrow."
Bibi Dong withdrew her soul power.
"If you're saving it for tomorrow, why not wait for it to ripen on its own?"
"Because tomorrow is only one day away."
Shui Yue'er carried the bamboo basket into the True Dragon Tower.
"Seven days is still a long wait."
Shui Bing'er followed behind her.
"You can't eat them all tonight."
"I'll only eat one."
"What about the other five?"
"I'll ask Bibi Dong again tomorrow."
Bibi Dong sat beside the stone table.
Listening to their conversation, she lowered her gaze to her palm.
Today, she had broken through to level 100.
She had also used god-level soul power to lift the Lotus Seed, clear away the bowls and chopsticks, and ripen two green fruits.
None of these things had anything to do with the Papal Palace.
Nor did they have anything to do with the state of affairs on the continent.
Long Yao set down his teacup.
"It's time for dinner."
Before you continue