The Dean
The following morning.
On the lakeside platform of the Skywater Academy, Shui Yue'er held a drop of water above her fingertip.
The water droplets were only the size of a grain of rice.
She held her breath and carefully adjusted her Soul Power.
The water droplet wobbled for a moment, then settled back down.
"This time it took ten more breaths than yesterday."
Shui Bing'er stood aside and put away the Ice Crystal in her palm.
Shui Yue'er looked up at the stone table.
"Dean, could I practice for Quarter of an Hour less today?"
"Cannot."
I haven't said how much less I want.
"Even if you say so, you can't."
Shui Yue'er sighed and continued to stare at the water droplet.
Bibi Dong stood by the lake, a drop of water also hanging from her fingertip.
The purple-gold Soul Power split into two streams: one to support the water droplet, and the other to retract excess power.
Her water droplets did not ripple.
Long Yao sat at the stone table, with a teapot in front of him.
He took the jade box out of his sleeve and placed it on the corner of the table.
Bibi Dong glanced at the jade box.
"Master, what is this?"
"A flower."
Shui Yue'er turned her head.
Can flowers be put in a box?
"Can."
What kind of flower is that?
Long Yao did not answer, but simply put the jade box back into his sleeve.
Shui Yue'er looked at her water droplet again.
"The dean didn't tell me."
"First, stabilize the water droplet."
She immediately looked away.
Shui Bing'er walked to the stone table and poured Long Yao a cup of tea.
Just then, golden light spread across the sky.
The Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking, which had been suspended in the air, reappeared.
The top name remains Long Yao.
The second place spot will remain with Gu Yuena.
This time, the Golden Ranking did not show the top performers.
A new notice slowly unfolded in the center of the sky.
[The Heavenly Dao Treasure Ranking is now open.]
People from all over the mainland looked up.
In the Heaven Dou Imperial City, Xue Ye put down the memorial in his hand.
Spirit City, Qian Daoliu walked out of the Worship Hall.
Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, Gu Yuena also put down her teacup.
On the platform of the Skywater Academy, Shui Yue'er forgot to control the water droplets.
A drop of water fell back onto the lake's surface, creating a small ripple.
She looked up at the sky.
Treasure Ranking? Are they going to assess treasures this time?
Long Yao picked up his teacup.
"Keep reading and you'll find out."
Golden text appeared line by line.
[The Treasure Ranking is based on the intrinsic value and rarity of the treasures, as well as their association with the owner.]
[All treasures listed will receive blessings from Heavenly Dao.]
All parties immediately dispatched people to inventory and preserve the treasured items.
The sect's treasury was opened, and the stewards of the Soul Master families registered the treasures one by one.
Many people stared at the sky, waiting for the list to appear.
A moment later, the first golden light landed at the end of the list.
[Tenth Place.]
[The Lovesick Heartbreak Red.]
A white flower appeared in the sky.
In the center of the petals, a bright red stamen shines like blood.
Golden lettering followed immediately.
[Only by choosing a Lord can one be born, and only with a sincere heart can one gain His/Her recognition.]
[It can protect one's origin and refine one's mind and spirit.]
[Current owner: Long Yao.]
On the Skywater Academy platform, Shui Yue'er opened her eyes wide.
She glanced at Long Yao's cuffs.
"Dean, are the flowers you brought back yesterday the Lovesick Heartbreak Red?"
Long Yao put down the teacup.
"Um."
Bibi Dong gazed at the Flower Shadow on the sky.
She remembered that when Long Yao left, he had a jade box in his sleeve.
Unexpectedly, it contained the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
Shui Bing'er asked, "Is there only one of these flowers?"
"This is a rare sight indeed," Bibi Dong said. "It only recognizes the utmost sincerity; forcing it will be futile."
Shui Yue'er looked at the words on the list.
"Then why does it recognize the Dean?"
Long Yao did not answer.
He took the jade box from his sleeve and placed it on the table.
The box lid is opened.
A single Lovesick Heartbreak Red, lies quietly among them.
Red veins have already blended into the heart of the flower amidst the pure white petals.
The Flower Shadow on the Golden Ranking and the real flowers in the jade box complement each other.
Outside the Skywater Academy, everyone's eyes were fixed on the jade box in Long Yao's hand.
Star Dou Great Forest, by the Lake of Life.
Gu Yuena put down her teacup and looked at the holder's name displayed on the sky.
She recognized the flower.
I also recognized the red patterns in the jade box.
On the platform of the Skywater Academy, Shui Yue'er approached the stone table.
She didn't touch the jade box, but carefully looked at the flower.
"Your Excellency, the Tenth Place item on the Treasure Ranking is in your hands."
Long Yao closed the box lid.
"I saw it."
Shui Yue'er returned to her seat and raised her right hand again.
"Then I'll continue practicing Water Drop."
Bibi Dong looked at her.
Don't get distracted this time.
"I know."
Shui Yue'er sent her Soul Power back into the lake.
A water droplet the size of a grain of rice rose again and stopped three inches above her fingertip.
Shui Yue'er regained her composure.
Soul Power flowed into his fingertips along his meridians.
A water droplet the size of a grain of rice hovers in mid-air, leaving only extremely fine ripples on its surface.
She didn't rush to suppress it.
First, let the shaking of the water droplets weaken on its own, then use Soul Power to fill the gap below.
The water droplets gradually returned to a stable state.
Long Yao at the sky.
The Flower Shadow of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, still lingers at the end of the Treasure Ranking.
The Golden Ranking treasures did not reveal another item.
"Maintain."
Shui Yue'er nodded.
She stopped looking at the flower.
Shui Bing'er stood to the side, an Ice Crystal forming at her fingertips.
The Ice Crystal were only the size of a fingernail.
She held the Ice Crystal in her palm, and slowly changed Ice Crystal shape with her other hand.
First came the round pieces.
It then turns into a fine needle.
Finally, it turned into a tiny Ice Blossom.
No cold air fell onto the lake surface throughout the entire process.
Bibi Dong picked up her teacup, her gaze falling on the Myriad Laws Returning to the Origin Tome.
The Jade Tome was placed on one side of the stone table.
The first page records her two great Spider Emperor origins.
Bearing, Refinement, Unification.
Three streams of energy flowed slowly along the lines.
Bibi Dong raised her hand and touched the three patterns again with her own Soul Power.
The Jade Tome did not reject it.
Her Soul Power traveled along the lines of the pattern and returned to her body.
This time, the energy in the meridians flowed more smoothly.
"Master, this Jade Tome can record the cultivation process and also reveal deficiencies in one's fundamental nature."
It can only record routes that have already been traversed.
Long Yao withdrew his gaze.
Your path is yours to forge.
"What would happen if someone were to cultivate according to this method in the future, but was unable to withstand the power of the two Spider Emperors' essence?"
"If the fundamental principles are not aligned, a cyclical system cannot be established."
Bibi Dong closed the Jade Tome.
Therefore, it can only give directions.
You can't walk for someone else.
"Um."
Long Yao placed the teacup on the table.
Shui Yue'er maintained her water droplet form, but a fine layer of sweat had accumulated on her forehead.
She didn't speak.
Keep your right hand still, but slowly raise your left hand.
A wisp of Soul Power emanated from his palm, attempting to stabilize the airflow beneath the water droplet.
The water droplet immediately veered to one side.
Shui Yue'er quickly withdrew that Soul Power.
The water droplet swayed twice, then stopped moving again.
Do not use both hands at the same time.
Long Yao said:
"Your Soul Power hasn't yet distinguished between primary and secondary elements."
"I just wanted to help stabilize it."
"The water droplet doesn't need your help."
Shui Yue'er looked at the water droplet above her fingertip.
Can it stabilize on its own?
"If you don't move, it will stabilize."
She pursed her lips.
This time, Shui Yue'er did not use any extra Soul Power.
Time passed little by little.
The Flower Shadow on the Golden Ranking gradually faded away.
The Shui Yue'er droplet remained three inches high.
Shui Bing'er retrieved the Ice Blossom.
She looked at Shui Yue'er.
"It's been over Quarter of an Hour."
Shui Yue'er's eyes lit up.
Just as she was about to disperse her Soul Power, she heard Long Yao speak.
"Continue."
Shui Yue'er's expression froze.
"It's been Quarter of an Hour."
"Today's requirement is 45 minutes."
Wasn't it Quarter of an Hour yesterday?
Today is today.
Shui Yue'er looked at Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong picked up her teacup and took a sip.
You practiced one less time yesterday than you did today.
"That's because the Treasure Ranking has appeared."
Only one flower appeared on the Treasure Ranking.
"Flowers are important too."
Bibi Dong did not respond.
Shui Yue'er had no choice but to continue maintaining the water droplets.
Her arms started to ache.
Soul Power cannot be increased.
It cannot be reduced either.
The water droplet will lose its balance if the force distribution is changed even slightly.
Shui Yue'er focused her attention on her breathing.
When inhaling, the Soul Power gathers downwards.
As you exhale, your Soul Power splits into thin threads, supporting the bottom of the water droplet.
The previously dispersed forces gradually gathered together.
The ripples on the surface of the water droplet are getting shallower and shallower.
Long Yao looked at her fingers.
"It's better now than before."
Shui Yue'er did not answer.
She was worried that if she opened her mouth, the water droplets would fall.
The lakeside fell silent once more.
Footsteps could be heard coming from the Outer Court in the distance.
Shui Yuerou led a new student across the stone path.
The student was carrying a wooden basin, which was half-filled with water.
Upon seeing the crowd on the platform, she immediately stopped at the roadside.
Shui Yuerou opened the booklet in her hand.
"Dean, she has completed the first exercise."
Long Yao at the wooden basin.
A piece of wood floats on the surface of the water in the wooden basin.
The wooden pieces moved slowly along the water's surface.
For every inch it moves, a ripple appears on the water's surface.
How long did it take?
Two hours.
Shui Yuerou answered.
"How many times was the water changed during the process?"
"It wasn't changed."
Long Yao nodded.
"Place it on the stone platform."
The new student puts down the wooden basin.
She raised her hand, and her Soul Power fell into the water once more.
The wooden piece moved along its original direction.
This time, the wood chip went over the middle of the pot without touching the side.
Shui Yue'er's eyes lit up as she looked at the wooden piece.
She didn't dare turn her head, so she could only ask:
Has she learned it yet?
"We've simply found a route that's passable."
Long Yao said:
"He hasn't learned to control himself yet."
The new student immediately withdrew his Soul Power.
She looked at Long Yao and nodded earnestly.
"To be continued tomorrow."
"Yes."
Shui Yuerou wrote the training records in a booklet and led the new students away from the platform.
Shui Yue'er maintained the water droplet.
She watched their figures disappear at the end of the stone path before turning her gaze away.
"Dean, is she better than when I first started training?"
"You made the piece of wood move half an inch the first time."
She moved two inches today.
"So she's better than you."
Shui Yue'er's fingers stiffened slightly.
Ripples appear on the surface of the water droplet.
Bibi Dong raised her hand.
A wisp of purplish-gold Soul Power swished from her fingertips, catching the edge of the water droplet.
The water droplet returned to its stable state.
Shui Yue'er looked at her.
"You helped me again."
You're distracted.
She only moved two inches.
So you shouldn't get distracted.
Shui Yue'er looked at the water droplet again.
"Then I'll walk three inches tomorrow."
"First, stabilize the water droplet."
I'm quite confident now.
As soon as she finished speaking, the water droplet shifted to the left.
Shui Yue'er quickly adjusted herself.
Long Yao picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Speak less."
Shui Yue'er shut her mouth.
Bibi Dong looked at her, her eyes now filled with scrutiny.
She once led the Spirit Hall.
Once an order is given, the subordinate Soul Master will execute it immediately.
Shui Yue'er, however, always managed to find an opportunity to speak during her cultivation.
But she does indeed complete the tasks assigned by Long Yao.
However, you should always ask a few more questions during the process.
Bibi Dong shifted her gaze back to the Jade Tome.
The pattern on the first page has completely stabilized.
She raised her hand and turned to the second page.
On the blank paper, a wisp of blue light slowly emerged.
Long Yao at her.
"Ready to record new content?"
"No."
Bibi Dong raised her fingertip and placed a drop of purplish-gold Soul Power on the paper.
"I want to try and see if I can record the process of controlling the water droplets."
"Can."
This is not my original path.
"Control itself is a form of cultivation."
Bibi Dong sent her Soul Power into the Jade Tome.
A drop of water appears on the paper first.
The water droplet is suspended three inches above the ground.
Then, two streams of purplish-gold Soul Power appeared from both sides of the water droplet.
One is responsible for Bearing.
One team is responsible for recycling.
After the two forces converged, a ring of tiny ripples appeared on the surface of the water droplet.
Bibi Dong looked at Shui Yue'er.
"Your Soul Power distribution just now was different from here."
Shui Yue'er dared not turn her head.
What's different?
"Your left side is more dominant."
"I've already adjusted it."
"After the adjustment, there's a little more on the right side."
Shui Yue'er remained silent for a moment.
She regained her sense of the flow of Soul Power.
The water droplets on the Jade Tome gradually developed fine lines.
Every change in power was recorded clearly.
Bibi Dong sent a wisp of Soul Power into the outer side of Shui Yue'er's meridians.
"Do not change the total amount of strength."
"Only change the direction of flow."
Following her guidance, Shui Yue'er moved her Soul Power from the left side to the bottom.
The force that was originally spreading outwards circled around the bottom of the water droplet.
The shaking of the water droplets decreased.
Shui Yue'er's eyes widened slightly.
"Is this all?"
Only what you feel yourself counts.
She continued to maintain it.
The water droplets stopped spreading outwards.
Half an hour later.
Shui Yue'er's arms were already sore and numb.
Long Yao at the sky.
That's all for today.
Shui Yue'er immediately withdrew her Soul Power.
Water droplets fall into the lake.
This time, only a shallow ripple spread across the lake.
She lowered her arm and stretched her wrist.
"It took half an hour longer than yesterday."
"Thirty-seven more breaths."
"That still counts as half an hour."
"Three interest points short."
Shui Yue'er looked at Long Yao.
"Dean, do you even need to calculate this clearly?"
"If cultivation isn't clear, then power will be."
She looked down at her palm.
"I see."
Shui Bing'er handed her the dry cloth.
Shui Yue'er wiped the sweat from her forehead and then looked at the Jade Tome on the stone table.
"Did they record my water droplets too?"
"Only the control method from just now was recorded."
Bibi Dong said:
"Your results for today were not recorded."
"Why?"
"Results change daily."
Shui Yue'er nodded.
"Then I'll practice again tomorrow."
"Tomorrow we'll practice Heavy Water first."
Shui Yue'er stopped moving.
Nine Inches?
Nine Inches.
"Wasn't it already finished today?"
"Water droplet completed today."
"I still want to practice water droplets."
"To be continued tomorrow."
Shui Yue'er looked up at the sky.
The Flower Shadow, Tenth Place on the Treasure Ranking, has vanished.
The Golden Ranking has regained its original luster.
She then looked at Long Yao.
"Dean, will there be a second place on the Treasure Ranking?"