Heaven Dou City, the Crown Prince's Villa.
None of the young people had expected Xiao Yun's and Shui Bing'er's martial souls to resonate with each other.
Although these clan disciples had rarely seen martial soul fusion skills, most knew the basic principles behind them.
They knew that the prerequisite for performing a martial soul fusion skill was an innate resonance and compatibility between two martial souls.
After that, they only needed to slowly build their rapport until their hearts and minds were in sync, and they could perform a martial soul fusion skill.
At this moment, Xiao Yun's and Shui Bing'er's martial souls were clearly resonating.
The others might not have understood the details, but Shui Bing'er could clearly sense that her martial soul's compatibility with Xiao Yun's was exceptionally high-even higher than its compatibility with Xue Wu's.
Shui Bing'er could already perform the martial soul fusion skill Ice and Snow Drifting with Xue Wu.
Now she had met another person whose martial soul resonated with hers, with such a high degree of compatibility at that. Words could hardly describe her delight.
The dragon and phoenix martial souls circled in the air for a moment before each flew back.
Without the slightest hesitation, Shui Bing'er rushed over to Xiao Yun, then looked at Ning Chuan. "Young Master Ning, could you let Xiao Yun come to our Skywater Academy for further study?"
Yu Tianheng also spoke up. "Young Master Ning, our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has conducted extensive research into dragon-type martial souls. Would you allow Miss Xiao Yun to cultivate with our clan for a while? Rest assured, I merely appreciate her talent. Miss Xiao Yun would remain a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
Yu Tianheng knew full well that Xiao Yun's martial soul was of a higher grade than his own. If he could make this happen, he would kill two birds with one stone: he could seize the opportunity to explore the mysteries of her martial soul while using her as a link to bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan closer together.
As the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Qian Renxue naturally had to make a token effort to recruit her as well. Of course, she would certainly inform Spirit Hall about this afterward.
Seeing everyone trying to recruit Xiao Yun, Shui Bing'er hurriedly said, "You've all seen that Xiao Yun's martial soul has already resonated with mine. That means we can perform a martial soul fusion skill. I hope none of you will stand in the way of this opportunity!"
Yu Tianheng smiled at her words. "Miss Shui Bing'er, I certainly wouldn't interfere with Xiao Yun cultivating alongside you. She would only need to find time to visit our clan more often for short stays!"
Ning Chuan had yet to say a word, but they had already begun arguing.
Ning Chuan had not expected Xiao Yun's martial soul to resonate with Shui Bing'er's either. He was also considering whether to send Xiao Yun to Skywater Academy. After all, martial soul fusion skills were truly rare.
"I'm not going anywhere. Wherever Young Master Ning is, that's where I'll be!"
Just as their argument showed no sign of ending, Xiao Yun spoke up.
At once, everyone's eyes turned to Ning Chuan.
Ning Chuan smiled at this. "There's something you don't know. Bone Grandpa has already taken Xiao Yun as his personal disciple. So wherever she goes, we would need not only her consent, but Bone Grandpa's approval as well!"
Everyone was startled to learn that Xiao Yun had already become Bone Douluo's disciple. On second thought, however, it made perfect sense. With a martial soul as outstanding as hers, it was only natural that a Titled Douluo would wish to take her as a disciple.
They knew that with Bone Douluo involved, Xiao Yun was no longer someone juniors like them could casually invite.
Because of Xiao Yun, the gathering ended early, and everyone dispersed. Shui Bing'er and her companions, however, stayed behind.
Shui Bing'er knew full well that Skywater Academy was no major power, but that very fact gave it the best chance of securing Xiao Yun.
After all, an academy was merely a place of learning and would not restrict its students from coming or going. Besides, she had the advantage of a martial soul fusion skill.
Seeing that the Skywater Academy group had stayed, Ning Chuan smiled and invited them. "Miss Shui, why don't you hold off on returning to Skywater Academy and stay at our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for a while?"
"Sure!"
Shui Bing'er agreed without the slightest hesitation. With a smile, she said, "My sisters and I happen to want to experience the splendor of the Upper Three Sects. Could we all come along and have a look?"
"Of course!" Ning Chuan nodded in agreement. He knew very well that Skywater Academy had no powerful backing and was merely an ordinary advanced soul master academy.
They wanted to invite Xiao Yun, and Ning Chuan likewise wanted to invite them to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Seeing Ning Chuan agree, Shui Bing'er immediately turned to Qian Renxue. "Your Highness, thank you for your hospitality. We'll accompany Ning Chuan to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then!"
"Please, go ahead!" Qian Renxue inclined her head slightly, then nodded to Ning Chuan before they each left the villa.
Shui Bing'er and her companions first went to their hotel to fetch Skywater Academy's supervising teacher, then left Heaven Dou City with Ning Chuan and headed for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Skywater Academy's supervising teacher was also astonished to learn that Xiao Yun's martial soul had resonated with Shui Bing'er's.
Normally, Skywater Academy only admitted soul masters with water or ice attributes.
Even when it encountered talented individuals with other attributes, the academy would recommend them to one of the other three elemental academies.
The Four Elements Academy had always enjoyed close relations, and their schools regularly referred students to one another.
But since Xiao Yun's martial soul could resonate with Shui Bing'er's, Skywater Academy naturally had to find a way to bring her into its ranks.
They asked for nothing more than for Xiao Yun to participate in the next Soul Master Tournament alongside Shui Bing'er.
With Ning Chuan leading them, the group soon returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Chuan waited with them in the reception hall for a short while before Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo arrived.
When Ning Chuan took Xiao Yun to Heaven Dou City, Bone Douluo had actually been following them in secret all along. Thus, he and Ning Fengzhi already knew why Skywater Academy had come.
Naturally, Bone Douluo could also see that Ning Chuan wanted to recruit Skywater Academy.
Both Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi had considerable faith in Ning Chuan's judgment.
Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had information on Skywater Academy and knew it had no sect backing. Ning Fengzhi was therefore quite confident that he could bring it into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Thunder Academy, for instance, had the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan supporting it from behind the scenes.
By appearing together, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo had shown Skywater Academy ample respect. Its supervising teacher immediately rose to greet them, while Shui Bing'er and the others also stood and paid their respects to Bone Douluo.
"There's no need for such formalities!"
Bone Douluo waved a hand and said with a faint smile, "This must be your first visit to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, young ladies. Xiao Chuan, hurry along and show them around!"
"All right!"
Ning Chuan answered, then raised a hand toward Shui Bing'er and her companions. "This way, please!"
Shui Bing'er and the others took the hint and immediately followed Ning Chuan out of the reception hall.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could be considered the wealthiest of the Upper Three Sects. Its grounds were magnificent, holding no small appeal for young women like Shui Bing'er and her companions.
Shui Bing'er was as clever as ice and snow were pure. As she watched Ning Chuan continually introduce the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resources and foundations, she immediately guessed his intentions.
She promptly moved to Ning Chuan's side and asked quietly, "Ning Chuan, Sect Master Ning isn't planning to recruit us, is he?"
Rather than answer, Ning Chuan asked in return, "If he is, would you join?"
"Of course we would!" Shui Bing'er said with a smile.
To her, the Soul Master Tournament was a stage on which to display her talent. Taking first place would certainly be wonderful, but even if she could not, she would still do her utmost to showcase her gifts. The ultimate goal was to join a major power.
With one of the Upper Three Sects extending a personal invitation, she naturally would not refuse. In any case, joining a sect would not prevent her from maintaining ties with her academy. The two did not conflict.
Before you continue