First on the Golden Ranking!

The Silver Dragon Realm Gate stopped beside him.

The Nine Elements flowed in a predetermined order, passing through the Ancestral Scale and entering the Divine Core.

Gu Yuena withdrew her hand and sat down cross-legged.

She sent the excess essence back to the boundary gate, leaving only the portion that the Divine Core could withstand.

The newly formed silver pattern gradually solidified.

She stared at the sliver of silver light extending inward from the edge of the crack, then slowly closed her purple eyes.

Skywater Academy

The lights outside the True Dragon Tower were still on.

Shui Yue'er sent the last drop of water back into the lake and rubbed her wrist.

This time, no water splashed on the lake.

Long Yao put down his teacup.

That's all for today.

Shui Bing'er put away the Ice Crystal and picked up her coat that was draped over the stone railing.

Bibi Dong, who was standing nearby, also dissipated her Soul Power.

The two Spider Emperors' essences sank into her body, and the trace of water in her palm disappeared.

Shui Yue'er did not return to the tower immediately.

She walked to the stone table and looked at the lamp on the corner of the table.

A withered leaf fell onto the lampshade, blocking half of the light.

"Dean, may we remove this leaf?"

Long Yao at her.

You can reach it.

"I want to try it without using my hands."

Shui Yue'er raised her fingertip, and a wisp of water slowly flowed upwards along the edge of the lampshade.

The water flow supported the withered leaves.

But just as she was about to move the leaves away, the lampshade swayed slightly.

Shui Bing'er reached out and held the lamp base steady.

You touched the lampshade.

Shui Yue'er stopped immediately.

She narrowed the stream, bypassed the leaf stalk, and slowly carried the withered leaf to the table.

The lights illuminated the stone table again.

Long Yao picked up the leaf.

The leaf surface was half wet, but the petiole was still intact.

"That would be better."

Shui Yue'er raised her head.

"Then tomorrow..."

Nine Inches.

Before she could finish speaking, Long Yao gave her answer.

Bibi Dong placed the empty teacup back on the tray.

"If you used the time you spend haggling on practicing, you could practice twice more tonight."

Shui Yue'er turned to look at her.

"Did you teach your disciples like this before?"

"My disciples will not ask if they can practice less after they have finished their training."

"What will she ask?"

Bibi Dong thought for a moment.

She would ask, "When can you meet my requirements?"

Shui Yue'er looked at Long Yao.

"Dean, when will I be able to meet your requirements?"

First, wipe the water off the table.

A damp stain remained on the edge of the stone table.

Shui Yue'er glanced down, then turned to get a cloth.

Shui Bing'er followed her to the tower gate and handed her the dry cloth from the shelf.

"Keep your own water safe."

"I know."

She wiped the stone table clean and put the withered leaf into the bamboo basket beside it.

Long Yao got up and walked down from the platform.

Bibi Dong picked up the tray, about to return it to the tower, when she saw him walking forward along the stone path by the lake.

"Aren't you going to rest?"

"Let's take a walk."

Shui Yue'er immediately put down the cloth.

I'll go too.

Shui Bing'er handed her coat to her younger sister.

"Put it on."

"I'm not cold."

The older sister did not pull her hand back.

Shui Yue'er took the coat, put it on, and then quickly followed Long Yao.

Bibi Dong put the tea set back in its place and walked out of the tower.

The stone path along the lake is narrow.

Low-lying flowering trees and shrubs were planted on both sides, with a few small lamps hanging among the branches and leaves.

Long Yao walked ahead without activating his Soul Power.

Shui Yue'er originally wanted to speak, but stopped in her tracks as she passed the Outer Court residence.

One window was open.

Inside the window was a wooden table with a shallow bowl of water on it.

A newly admitted student sat at a table, using his Soul Power to propel small pieces of wood across the water's surface.

The wooden piece had only moved half an inch when it hit the rim of the bowl.

She pushed the wooden piece back to the center and tried again.

Shui Yue'er approached Shui Bing'er.

She only received the cultivation manual during the day.

Shui Bing'er looked into the window.

She's practicing the first exercise.

Bibi Dong parked on the side of the road.

This kind of training wouldn't even qualify as an entry-level test at the Spirit Hall.

But the water in that shallow bowl had already spilled halfway across the table.

The new student didn't replace the bowl with a larger one, nor did he increase the weight of his Soul Power; he simply put the wooden piece back in its original place time and time again.

Long Yao continued forward.

Shui Yue'er followed for two steps, then turned back to look at the window.

"Dean, aren't you going in to give her some guidance?"

She already knows where the problem lies.

But she kept bumping into the rim of the bowl.

"Last time she moved the piece of wood half an inch, this time it moved an inch."

Shui Yue'er looked at it again.

The wooden planks inside the window moved slowly along the water's surface, indeed traveling a longer distance than before.

She looked away and didn't disturb them further.

The group walked past their residence and arrived at the small garden behind the Outer Court.

A wooden frame is placed in the garden.

Several bamboo sieves were laid flat on the rack, with Lotus Seed that had been washed during the day drying inside.

A night breeze blew by, and the top bamboo sieve tilted off the wooden frame.

Shui Yue'er reached out and helped him straighten up.

She looked at the Lotus Seed in the sieve, then at the lotus pods placed beside them.

"So that's where the Lotus Seed Soup from the Kitchen comes from."

Bibi Dong picked up a lotus seedpod.

"The Lotus Seed haven't been peeled yet."

Next to the wooden frame was a low stool with a bamboo basket on it, and half a basket of lotus pods to be processed the next day.

Shui Bing'er picked up the two Lotus Seed that had fallen on the corner of the table.

"Teacher Lin has to teach at the Outer Court this afternoon, so he probably won't have time."

Long Yao sat down on a bench in the garden.

"If you're not in a hurry to go back, you can peel it for a while."

Shui Yue'er had already brought over a low stool.

"I peeled them, could you give me an extra bowl tomorrow?"

"Can."

She immediately pulled the bamboo basket in front of her.

"Sister, let's each have half."

Shui Bing'er sat down beside her and took out a lotus seedpod.

Bibi Dong looked at what she was holding, but did not act immediately.

The Lotus Seed delivered to her by the Papal Palace had always been properly prepared.

She knew where Lotus Seed grew, but she had never peeled them herself.

Shui Yue'er handed her a peeled lotus seedpod to look at.

"Start by breaking it open from here."

Bibi Dong followed her instructions and separated the lotus pods.

A Lotus Seed fell into the palm of my hand.

She raised her fingertip, about to activate her Soul Power, but then withdrew the wisp of purple-gold light.

Shui Yue'er saw it and immediately nodded.

"You have to use your hands."

Bibi Dong looked at her.

"I know."

I'm just reminding you.

Shui Bing'er kept her head down, peeling Lotus Seed, and did not participate in the conversation between the two.

Long Yao leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the lake outside the garden.

The True Dragon Tower in the distance is reflected in the water.

Occasionally, a fish swims by, and the pagoda's shadow spreads out in fine lines.

Shui Yue'er finished peeling the second lotus seedpod and suddenly stopped.

Should this be removed as well?

The Lotus Seed in her hand was broken in half, revealing a slender green core in the center.

Bibi Dong glanced at it.

"It needs to be removed."

"Why?"

"Bitter."

Shui Yue'er picked out the lotus seed core and placed it in the small dish next to her.

She remembered the Lotus Seed Soup she had eaten at lunch and continued to check each of the peeled Lotus Seed.

Shui Bing'er watched her movements.

"You're quite meticulous now."

I want to eat two bowls tomorrow.

Bibi Dong had already peeled more than ten kernels.

She picked out the lotus seeds separately and didn't throw them away.

Shui Yue'er looked at the small dish.

What are you still keeping it for?

"It can be used to make tea."

"You even drink bitter tea?"

Tea isn't just sweet.

Shui Yue'er shook her head and pushed her lotus seed forward as well.

"Then these are all for you."

Bibi Dong did not refuse.

She moved the small dish to the inside of the wooden shelf to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.

The half-basket of lotus pods was quickly emptied.

Shui Bing'er spread the peeled Lotus Seed seeds into a bamboo sieve, Shui Yue'er was responsible for collecting the empty lotus pods.

Bibi Dong picked up the last lotus seedpod and pried it open along the edge with her fingertips.

This time, she didn't look at Shui Yue'er's movements again.

Several plump Lotus Seed fell one by one into the bamboo basket.

Long Yao stood up from the bench.

That's enough.

Shui Yue'er brushed the crumbs off her hands.

How many bowls can these make?

"Enough for you to eat."

She immediately placed the bamboo sieve back in place and then found a clean, thin cloth to cover it.

Shui Bing'er put away the low stool.

Bibi Dong left the dish of lotus seeds on the table, covering it with a corner of a thin cloth.

The group returned along the same route.

Several of the window lights in the Outer Court are already missing.

The students who had been practicing Water Control were still sitting at the table, but the wooden piece in the shallow bowl was already able to rotate half a circle around the rim of the bowl.

Shui Yue'er didn't stop this time.

She walked to Long Yao's side and raised her right hand to look at it.

"Dean, I'll practice the Nine Inches tomorrow."

Long Yao at her.

"Why don't you ask if it can be less this time?"

"I'll try it first."

She paused, then added.

Ask again if you can't do it.

Bibi Dong walked behind, brushing away a few lotus seedpod fragments that were stuck to her cuffs.

You'd be better off saving your energy.

Shui Yue'er turned her head.

What's the point of keeping it?

"Serve the second bowl of Lotus Seed Soup tomorrow morning."

Shui Bing'er raised her hand to cover her lips.

Long Yao has already climbed the stone steps of the True Dragon Tower.

"Come in."

Shui Yue'er caught up with him and straightened her coat at the door.

"Dean, the sugar in tomorrow's Lotus Seed Soup..."

Go ask Teacher Lin.

Her eyes lit up immediately.

"Then I'll go help out in the Kitchen tomorrow morning."

Shui Bing'er followed and stepped onto the stone steps.

"Wash your hands first."

Shui Yue'er looked down.

Her fingertips were still stained with the light green sap left from peeling lotus pods.

A basin of clean water was placed right next to the tower gate.

She squatted down to wash her hands, no longer using her Soul Power.

Bibi Dong waited for her to finish washing, then dipped her hand into the water as well.

A ripple spread across the water basin.

This time, there was no purple-gold light, nor the Spider Emperor's essence.

Long Yao placed the dry cloth beside the basin.

"I went upstairs after washing up."

Shui Yue'er first picked up a dry cloth, wiped her fingers clean, and then handed another cloth to Bibi Dong.

Remember to come down early tomorrow morning.

Why?

"We peeled the Lotus Seed together."

Bibi Dong took the cloth.

"I remember."

Shui Bing'er was already waiting by the steps.

Shui Yue'er walked quickly over and went upstairs with her sister.

Long Yao carefully put away the last teacup on the table and left one of the lights on the platform.

Bibi Dong turned around and looked at him.

"Will you still be having tea here tomorrow morning?"

"Um."

She folded the cloth and put it back on the shelf.

"Then I'll boil some water for you."

Long Yao nodded.

"It's ready as soon as the water boils."

Bibi Dong agreed and walked up the stairs to the sixth floor.

As she passed the fifth floor, she saw Shui Yue'er moving the bamboo basket by the window inside.

Inside the basket, the few unripe green fruits remained quietly.

Shui Yue'er noticed her gaze and spoke first.

"This time I'll wait for them to ripen on their own."

Bibi Dong paused.

"Six more days."

"I know."

Shui Yue'er carefully placed the bamboo basket.

"Let's have Lotus Seed Soup first tomorrow."

The next day.

Outside the True Dragon Tower.

Bibi Dong poured the boiled water into the teapot and put the lid on.

On the other side of the stone table, Long Yao was reviewing the cultivation records of the new students.

Shui Yue'er walked out of the tower, carrying a tray in her hand.

Two bowls of Lotus Seed Soup were placed on a plate, and steam rose slowly.

"Bibi Dong, this bowl is yours."

She placed one of the bowls on the table and moved the other bowl in front of herself.

Shui Bing'er followed behind, arranging several plates of breakfast.

"Didn't you say you wanted to eat two bowls?"

"The other bowl is left in the Kitchen; Teacher Lin is watching over it for me."

Shui Yue'er picked up the spoon and took a bite first.

The Lotus Seed seeds were thoroughly cleaned, and there was no bitter taste.

Just as she was about to take another bite, the porcelain bowl on the table suddenly lit up.

A ray of golden light fell on the rim of the bowl.

Subsequently, the stone table, railings, and lakeside stone path were all bathed in gold.

Bibi Dong's hand, holding the teapot, froze in mid-air.

She looked up.

The Golden Ranking, suspended in the sky, is unfolding to both sides.

Gu Yuena's name slowly moved down the list.

Above the second-place finisher, the golden light that had never dissipated finally showed a crack.

"First place..."

Shui Bing'er put down the plate in her hand.

The fish in the lake sank to the bottom, and the willow branches swaying on the shore stopped moving.

Throughout the academy, the Water Element, which had been in constant motion, simultaneously returned to stillness.

Bibi Dong looked at her palm.

Before the purple-gold divine power could be fully condensed, it returned to the meridians on its own.

She was not suppressed.

However, the two Spider Emperors' origins have already withdrawn their power to probe outwards.

That was a change she had never experienced since breaking through Level 100.

Shui Yue'er also noticed something was wrong.

She turned to look at Long Yao.

"Dean, the first place winner is about to be announced."

Long Yao closed the register and placed it next to the teapot.

"I saw it."

"Aren't you going to look up?"

"Put the bowl down first."

Shui Yue'er lowered her head.

The porcelain bowl in her hand was tilted, and the Lotus Seed Soup was sliding outwards along the side of the bowl.

She quickly placed the bowl firmly.

The next moment.

The crack in the center of the Golden Ranking has fully opened.

There was no Thunder.

There is no convergence of the nine Elements.

A beam of blue light descended from the top of the list, spreading across the sky.

The nine Elements halos that had previously surrounded the Silver Dragon King retreated to the sides in turn.

The illusory silver dragon overlooking the continent slowly folded its wings.

Bibi Dong stood up.

She recognized this patch of blue light.

In the Papal Palace, it is that which cuts off the Rakshasa Divine Power.

The seventh floor of the True Dragon Tower is also where the origins of Twin Martial Souls are sorted out.

Now.

The same bluish light appeared at the very top of the Golden Ranking.

Shui Bing'er did not speak.

Her gaze fell from the sky to the stone table, and then back from the stone table to the sky.

A Lotus Seal is unfolding deep within the blue light.

The nine lotus leaves unfold in sequence.

Beneath the Lotus Seal, a figure in a green robe gradually appeared.

Shui Yue'er held onto the edge of the table.

She saw that robe every day.

That figure was right in front of her.

But when the Golden Ranking successful candidates finally revealed her face, she still forgot to pick up her spoon.

"Dean..."

Above the sky.

The first line of gold characters is now complete.

[Ranked first on the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking.]

All the lights in the Skywater Academy went out at the same time.

The lights were not damaged.

Instead, the bluish light that enveloped the academy illuminated every stone path clearly.

Students from the Outer Court walked out of their residences.

The teachers who were arranging morning exercises stopped in front of the Water Crystal.

Shui Yuerou was still holding the unfinished roster in her hand, but she had already forgotten to put pen to paper.

All eyes were fixed on the top spot.

The second line of text is condensed word by word.

[Long Yao.]