On the morning of the sixth day of the exchange competition, Skywater Academy faced off against the Thunder Academy.
The outcome of the match was not particularly suspenseful. Since the start of the tournament, Thunder Academy had only lost once, against the Godwind Academy. Lightning Attribute Soul Skill are known for their domineering nature. Although Skywater Academy had defeated Elephant Armor and Blazing Fire Academy, they were not superior in strength on paper against a well-rounded team like Thunder Academy. Most of the spectators in the stands believed that Thunder Academy would win, Yu Leiting himself thought so.
But the moment the match began, everyone's predictions were overturned.
The referee announced that both sides had released their Martial Soul. The moment Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix spread its wings behind her, the temperature of the entire arena plummeted. The icy blue light was purer than in any previous match, and the edges of the phoenix's feathers were tinged with a very faint frost-white.
Fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky, and even the Thunder Academy players standing opposite them unconsciously took a half-step back. Lei Zhen's expression changed visibly for a moment.
On the stands, Yu Leiting paused, his hand holding the teacup still. Huo Xiao straightened up slightly. Shui Lingyuan sat in his seat at the Skywater Academy, his hands folded on his knees, his expression calm, but his gaze was fixed on the Ice Phoenix behind Shui Bing'er, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.
Feng Xiaotian sat in the stands of the Godwind Academy, his gaze fixed on Shui Bing'er, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Shui Bing'er's attribute had only recently evolved into Ultimate Ice, and she hadn't fully mastered it yet. When she released her Martial Soul, the surrounding ice crystals spread outwards somewhat uncontrollably, but the pure chill she exuded made everyone present feel something different.
The match began. Thunder Academy launched the first attack, with Lei Zhen's Thunder Fist striking Skywater Academy's front row head-on, while Vice Captain Lei Ming's Thunder Blade simultaneously slashed at Shui Qing's Ice Butterfly from the flank.
At the same time, Lei Yan's lightning net descended from above, Control System the movement of the Skywater Academy's back row. Thunder Academy's style of play was as fierce as ever—applying pressure from multiple points simultaneously, giving the opponent no chance to breathe.
But this time was different. When Shui Rou's Ice Shield was struck by Lei Quan, a shower of Ice Shield itself did not break. The instant Lei Zhen's lightning struck the Ice Shield, the frosty white light on the Ice Shield's surface blocked the lightning, and the arc of electricity slid away along the shield's surface without penetrating even a fraction.
Lei Zhen's expression tightened slightly. Shui Qing dodged the lightning blade, and the Ice Butterfly drew a tricky arc in the air, then clung to Lei Ming's wrist. Lei Ming's movements faltered, and Xue Wu's Slender Dancing Snow Satin had already wrapped around Lei Yan's lightning net, pulling the lightning bolts off course.
Shui Bing'er launched a counterattack. The Ice Ring landed precisely at Lei Zhen's feet in an instant. This time, the Ice Ring was faster and colder than ever before. Lei Zhen had no time to dodge, and his feet were frozen by the Ice Ring. The ice spread up his calves at a speed at least twice as fast as before.
Lei Zhen roared, and lightning erupted from beneath his feet, shattering the ice. But in that moment when he was frozen in place, Shui Qing and Shui Ling had already cut in from both sides.
Shui Qing's Ice Butterfly stuck Agility Attack System Thunder Academy Lei Shan's wrist, while Shui Ling's Ice Spear thrust straight at Lei Zhen. Thunder Academy's reinforcements were held back by Xue Wu's Slender Dancing Snow Satin, Lei Yan's Thunder Net was blocked by Shui Rou's Ice Shield, and Lei Ming's Thunder Blade was entangled by Shui Qing's Ice Butterfly and unable to return to the rescue.
In the following matches, Skywater Academy played more and more steadily.
Shui Bing'er's Ultimate Ice attribute gradually stabilized as she continuously released it. From the initial scattering of ice crystals to the later precise locking of Ice Ring onto enemies, she was consolidating this new power through actual combat.
Thunder Academy's Lightning Attribute Soul Skill lost their former suppressive power in the face of Ultimate Ice. Although lightning is domineering, the low temperature of ice significantly reduced the conduction speed of the electric arc. The lightning of Lei Zhen, Lei Ming, and Lei Yan was constantly interrupted by the Ice Ring, the amplification chain broke, and they were eventually suppressed by the Skywater Academy until the defense line collapsed.
The referee blew the whistle, and Skywater Academy won.
Lei Zhen walked up to Shui Bing'er, paused for two seconds, and then said, "You've become stronger." Shui Bing'er didn't explain, but simply nodded, said thank you, and turned to walk back to her team.
Yu Leiting put down his teacup and looked thoughtfully at the Skywater Academy team members leaving the field, especially Shui Bing'er.
After the match, Shui Bing'er found Feng Xiaotian in the rest area. Traces of condensed ice crystals still remained on her fingers, indicating that the power of the Ultimate Ice had not yet been fully subdued.
"Thank you." Shui Bing'er got straight to the point. "Because of that pill, my Martial Soul has truly evolved. You saw it in the match just now; it's much stronger than before. But I can't fully control it yet; sometimes the ice crystals will disperse on their own."
She glanced down at her palm; frosty white ice crystals condensed and dissipated within it. "I don't know what level of power this is, but it feels colder than any ice I've ever seen before. And after taking the pill, not only did my Martial Soul Evolution, but its level also increased by two levels."
"Congratulations," Feng Xiaotian said. "The level increase is an additional effect of the pill. You can probably feel it now; your foundation is more solid than before. As for the power you're feeling now—"
He paused, recalling his younger brother's explanation of the Ultimate Attribute: "This is Ultimate Ice. The ultimate in ice attribute, not just ordinary cold, but the pinnacle of all ice-type Martial Soul. Your Ice Phoenix is no longer just Ice Phoenix; it's the purest form of Ice Phoenix."
Shui Bing'er listened quietly, looking down at the ice crystals that had reformed in her palm. The frosty white light shimmered with a very faint blue hue in the sunlight, and it was indeed purer than ever before.
" The Ultimate Ice." Shui Bing'er repeated the four words, as if savoring the name, then nodded slightly. "A good name. The ultimate in ice—very accurate."
She raised her head and looked at Feng Xiaotian solemnly. "I will remember this favor."
The two stared at each other for a moment. Shui Bing'er was the first to look away, her ears turning slightly red, before she turned and left.
Feng Xiaotian stood still, watching her figure disappear into the rest area. Shui Bing'er's pace was a little slower than usual. She paused slightly at the door, without turning around, her profile mostly obscured by her long, icy blue hair.
As the wind blew by, she resumed her steps and continued walking towards the rest area of the Skywater Academy.
That afternoon, Shui Lingyuan knocked on Feng Qingxuan's study door.
The two deans didn't talk for long. Shui Lingyuan didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the changes in Shui Bing'er's Martial Soul and the origin of that pill.
Feng Qingxuan didn't hide anything and briefly told Shui Lingyuan the truth about the pill. After listening, Shui Lingyuan remained silent for a moment, and then said something.
"If Godwind Academy is willing, Skywater Academy is willing to form an alliance with the Godwind Academy."
Feng Qingxuan looked at Shui Lingyuan, remained silent for a moment, and then extended his hand. " Skywater Academy is a trustworthy partner."
Shui Lingyuan grasped his hand and nodded solemnly.
After Shui Lingyuan left, Feng Qingxuan stood by the window, looking at the academy in the night. A map showing the geographical distribution of the Five Elements Academy was spread out on the table, and his gaze lingered briefly on the locations of the Thunder Academy and Elephant Armor Academy.
The Five Elements Academy has been independent for so many years. Now that Tianshui is shaking hands with Kamikaze and Chihuo is also watching, the pattern has begun to loosen. No one can say where the future will go.