That day, after classes let out at noon.
Shui Bing'er hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered her courage and walked up to Lin Hao.
A hint of nervous anticipation shone in her clear, ice-blue eyes as she spoke softly.
"Big Brother... Lin Hao, I still haven't had a chance to properly thank you for saving my life last time."
"Are you settling in at the academy?"
"We're going to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena tonight to take part in some soul fighting matches. Would you like to come along?"
Lin Hao smiled faintly at her invitation and readily agreed.
"Sure. I've been wanting to experience the atmosphere at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena myself."
Hearing him agree, Shui Bing'er let out an inward sigh of relief, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Meanwhile, inside the Heaven Dou Crown Prince's Estate.
A messenger dressed in black slipped quietly inside and met Qian Renxue in the study, where she was disguised as Xue Qinghe, the Heaven Dou Crown Prince.
The messenger dropped to one knee and respectfully presented Qian Daoliu's letter, then gave a detailed report of Lin Hao, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo transferring their allegiance to the Worship Hall.
After hearing the report, a cold smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face beneath her disguise as Xue Qinghe.
She raised her teacup and took a light sip, her voice tinged with mockery and disdain.
"That woman hasn't changed at all."
"Selfish, vicious, and ruthless. For an old lover, she actually disregarded the safety of our Spirit Hall's gifted youth."
"Heh. She really does grow more pathetic with age!"
Then, when the messenger mentioned that Lin Hao's martial soul was the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum and that he had taken the food system path.
And that his First Soul Skill could create a Spirit-Gathering Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum that aided cultivation.
A spark of interest flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes. She set down her teacup, pondered for a moment, then addressed the messenger.
"Go back and tell Grandfather I appreciate his concern."
"As for that Lin Hao... I'll find an opportunity to approach him."
Night fell, and the city's lights began to glow.
As promised, Lin Hao arrived at the gates of Skywater Academy.
Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, Xue Wu, and the other girls were already waiting there.
The moment Shui Yue'er spotted Lin Hao, she bounced over to greet him, her large eyes brimming with curiosity and excitement as she chattered away with endless questions.
"Big Brother Lin Hao, where's your family from? Is it one of those legendary hidden clans?"
"A Soul King at eight years old! Did you grow up eating heavenly treasures? That's incredible!"
"Oh, and you're so handsome! Are there lots of girls who like you?"
Faced with Shui Yue'er's rapid-fire questions, Lin Hao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only trot out his "hidden clan" story, adapted from his experiences in Spirit City, to satisfy her.
As for his martial soul's name, he casually changed it to "Golden Spirit Immortal Chrysanthemum" to avoid exposing his identity.
Chatting and laughing along the way, the group soon reached the entrance to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.
The entire Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena was silvery white, resembling an enormous silver bowl turned upside down on the ground, and it occupied a vast stretch of land.
Brilliant Soul-Guiding Spotlights swept across one another overhead, illuminating the entire building as brightly as daylight.
Crowds from every direction streamed into the plaza outside the Great Soul Arena, their voices bubbling like a boiling cauldron in the lively bustle.
Shui Yue'er tugged excitedly on Lin Hao's sleeve and giggled.
"Big Brother Lin Hao, once we're inside, I'll take you to register for soul fighting!"
"With your strength, you're sure to give everyone in the Great Soul Arena a huge surprise!"
But just as their group reached the entrance.
Another group approached from a different direction.
They were dressed in fiery red, led by a boy with long golden hair and a spirited girl with long crimson hair.
The crimson-haired girl was tall and beautiful, but an air of proud defiance lingered between her brows.
Upon spotting Shui Bing'er and the others, the crimson-haired girl stopped, folded her arms across her chest, and gave a haughty snort, her tone carrying a trace of disdain.
"Tch. Just my luck, running into you lot again!"
On Skywater Academy's side, the blunt and feisty Gu Qingbo immediately took offense and shot back sarcastically.
"We only came for a soul fighting match, yet we still managed to run into a tomboy like you. That's eight lifetimes of rotten luck!"
"Why, you-!"
Huo Wu's pretty face flushed red with anger at those words, and her lovely eyes looked ready to spit fire.
Beside them, Lin Hao was a little taken aback.
These must be Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and the people from Blazing Fire Academy, right?
Why does it feel like there's so much gunpowder in the air between them?
Puzzled, Lin Hao quietly questioned Shui Yue'er beside him.
"What's... going on between them?"
Shui Yue'er explained in an indignant whisper.
"It's all because that Huo Wu keeps picking fights!"
"She's older than my sister. Before, she stood head and shoulders above the younger generation in Heaven Dou Imperial City, and everyone called her the most gifted girl."
"But after my sister awakened her martial soul, she soon caught up with her."
"Originally, people called her and my sister the 'Ice and Fire Beauties,' which was perfectly fine."
"But my sister has a much better personality than she does. We also formed the Sweet Water Troupe and often perform in the imperial city, so lots of people think my sister outshines her in talent, personality, and performing skills."
"Huo Wu couldn't accept that, so now she finds fault with us every time we meet!"
Standing to one side, Huo Wushuang watched his younger sister clash with Skywater Academy's students again. He rubbed his temples with a headache coming on, unsure what he should say.
Before Huo Wushuang could speak up to smooth things over.
Another group dressed in fitted blue-green outfits approached from nearby.
The boy leading them wore a fitted blue-green outfit, with flowing silver hair, handsome features, and a tall, upright frame.
When he saw Huo Wu facing off against Skywater Academy's students, his eyes lit up. He hurried over, his voice filled with delight and concern.
"Brother Wushuang, Little Wu! You're here too!"
Seeing the newcomer, Huo Wushuang called out somewhat helplessly.
"Brother Xiaotian."
The newcomer was none other than Feng Xiaotian of Godwind Academy.
Once he reached them, Feng Xiaotian's gaze first landed on Huo Wu, brimming with ardor and excitement.
Then he glanced at Shui Bing'er and the others opposite her, immediately understanding what had happened.
He took a small step forward to stand protectively beside Huo Wu and spoke in a sincere, earnest voice.
"Little Wu, don't let all those rumors outside bother you."
"Other people may often say Shui Bing'er is more outstanding than you, but in my heart, you'll always be the best."
"Your talent, your strength, your pride-they're all one of a kind. You don't need to care what anyone else says!"
In another setting, those words might have moved someone.
But he had chosen precisely this moment, when Gu Qingbo's retort had already sent Huo Wu's anger blazing three feet high.
Feng Xiaotian's speech had truly singled out the one kettle that wouldn't boil!
Huo Wu was already simmering with fury, and hearing those words made her explode on the spot.
She whipped her head around, her lovely eyes all but spitting fire as she shouted angrily at Feng Xiaotian.
"How many times have I told you? Don't call me Little Wu!"
"Feng Xiaotian, you haunt me every day like a ghost that won't leave! Don't you ever get tired of being so annoying?!"
Beside them, the corners of Lin Hao's mouth twitched several times. He could barely keep a straight face.
This Feng Xiaotian was way too much of a simp!
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