When the event ended, each theater had its own unique way of doing things.
Yu Leiting led his men away first. As he passed the Skywater Team, his gaze lingered on Shui Bing'er for a moment.
Shui Bing'er's strength had changed too much in this year's exchange competition, and Yu Leiting had already guessed it. Now that the pills had been announced, it would be easy to guess Shui Bing'er's changes.
Shui Bing'er simply nodded slightly as a farewell, saying nothing. Yu Leiting withdrew his gaze and strode out of the training ground. Before leaving, he turned his head and whispered a few words to the accompanying teacher, whose face was serious as he nodded repeatedly.
The Elephant Armor Academy left even faster. Several accompanying teachers and team members were among the first to leave the training ground, their steps hurried, as if afraid of falling behind others.
After most of the people dispersed, only the teachers and students from the three academies of the Godwind Academy, Skywater Academy, and Blazing Fire Academy remained in the arena. The restraint and composure they had displayed in public gradually dissipated, and the team members' expressions became more lively. Some began to talk in hushed tones, while others breathed a sigh of relief.
Huo Xiao stood up from the stands and glanced in Feng Qingxuan's direction. Feng Qingxuan was giving instructions to several teachers. As if sensing the gaze, he turned his head slightly and nodded to Huo Xiao.
That nod wasn't enthusiastic, but it wasn't indifferent either; it was more like saying, "Wait a minute, we'll talk later." Huo Xiao withdrew his gaze, and the icy surface in his heart finally didn't crack.
Shui Qinglan had already walked to the sidelines and stood with the members of the Skywater Team. Shui Bing'er whispered a few words to her, and Shui Qinglan nodded slightly, a faint smile on her lips.
Feng Xiaotian walked through the crowd and first bowed to Shui Qinglan. Shui Qinglan nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Feng Xiaotian for a moment, then glancing at Shui Bing'er beside her, and she understood.
" Bing'er, Feng Xiaotian seems to need to see you. You should go ahead." Shui Qinglan said with a smile, her tone carrying a hint of knowing but not saying anything from an elder.
Shui Bing'er blushed slightly, responded softly, and quickly walked to the side with Feng Xiaotian.
"What are your plans next? If you have time, I'd like to take you for a stroll around the city," Feng Xiaotian said.
Shui Bing'er thought for a moment and said softly, "I don't have any plans for now. I'm also quite curious about the local specialties, so I'll have to trouble you for the next few days."
As soon as she finished speaking, she caught a glimpse of Huo Wushuang walking towards them. He stood not far away for a moment, as if waiting for something, or perhaps hesitating whether to go forward.
Shui Bing'er withdrew her gaze and said softly to Feng Xiaotian, " Huo Wushuang probably needs to see you. You should go ahead."
Feng Xiaotian glanced at Shui Bing'er, nodded, and turned to walk towards Huo Wushuang. Shui Bing'er didn't linger and went straight back to Shui Qinglan's side.
When Huo Wushuang saw Feng Xiaotian approaching, his lips moved, but his gaze unconsciously shifted to the side. He wasn't usually a shy person, but today he genuinely found it difficult to speak.
After mentally preparing himself for a while, Huo Wushuang finally spoke.
" Xiaotian, there's something I've been wanting to tell you." Huo Wushuang lowered his voice, "That girl Huo Wu was immature before, bumping into your shoulder, and what she said when Shi Yan was questioned... I know she was wrong. As her brother, I apologize to you on her behalf."
Feng Xiaotian waved his hand. "Don't I know what kind of person she is? I didn't take it to heart."
Seeing that his expression wasn't just polite, Huo Wushuang breathed a sigh of relief. He paused, then lowered his voice even further. "About the pills..."
The meaning was conveyed even though only half of the sentence was said.
Feng Xiaotian glanced at him and lowered his voice, "My father will discuss the pills with Huo Xiao. There's no need for this between us. Given our relationship, I believe you'll get what you want."
Huo Wushuang paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his lips. Feng Xiaotian hadn't said it explicitly, but the meaning was clear. He didn't ask any further questions, patted Feng Xiaotian's shoulder, and turned to leave. His steps were much lighter than when he arrived.
On the other side of the field, Feng Lingtian and Su Mei'er stood in an inconspicuous corner. In his hand, he held a piece of jade about half the size of his palm. The stone was dark blue, with faint Soul Power patterns flowing on its surface. This was Communication Stone that he had recently developed, capable of transmitting simple text messages over a certain distance.
Su Mei'er leaned closer for a look, then curiously reached out to touch it, but Feng Lingtian gently dodged her.
"I haven't tested it yet, so I don't know if there are any problems." Feng Lingtian held the Shitou in his palm, glanced at her, and said, "Once I've confirmed it's okay, I'll make one specially for you."
Su Mei'er blinked, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Then it's a deal, don't forget."
"I can't forget it." Feng Lingtian smiled and put the Communication Stone into his pocket. The moment he looked up, he met Feng Xiaotian's gaze. The two brothers were separated by half of the training ground, neither of them spoke, but they just smiled together.
Actually, that Communication Stone was specially designed to facilitate communication between the three academies. When it is delivered to the Skywater Academy in a couple of days, Shui Bing'er will receive it, and from then on, the three academies will no longer need to rely on people to travel back and forth to exchange messages. What is said in public is just for show; true cooperation is never put on the table.
At this moment, outside the Godwind Academy.
The accompanying teachers from the Elephant Armor Academy had already walked two streets before slowing their pace slightly. The leader took out the list of pills from inside his clothes, looked at it again, and his expression remained grim.
"High-end elixirs are discussed privately." He slapped the paper into the hand of another teacher in the same profession. "When we, the Elephant Armor, try to discuss it privately, they won't even let us in the door."
"But the sect leader instructed that the matter of the pills must be reported back immediately." Another teacher carefully put away the details and lowered his voice, "Let's go back first. As for the Spirit Hall... the sect leader has his own arrangements."
Without another word, the two quickened their pace and disappeared around the street corner.
Inside the training grounds, the crowd had mostly dispersed. Feng Xiaotian was about to go back to find Shui Bing'er when he suddenly heard Feng Qingxuan's voice behind him.
" Xiaotian, Lingtian, you two come with me for a moment."
Feng Xiaotian paused and turned around. Feng Qingxuan stood at the edge of the trial field, his face expressionless, but his tone carried an undeniable air of authority. Feng Lingtian heard him too. He tucked the Communication Stone into his pocket, waved to Su Mei'er, and strode over.
The two brothers followed Feng Qingxuan into a quiet room next to the training ground. The door closed, shutting out the noise outside, and the room became quiet.
Feng Qingxuan sat down in a chair, glanced at his two sons, and got straight to the point. "I'm going to see Shui Qinglan and Huo Xiao later to discuss the elixirs. Before that, I'd like to hear your opinions."
Feng Xiaotian Feng Lingtian exchanged a glance.
Feng Qingxuan continued, " Skywater Academy was the first to ally with us, and Shui Qinglan has always been very stable, so there's nothing to worry about. But I'd like to hear your opinion on how much and which pills to give." His gaze fell on Feng Xiaotian.
Feng Xiaotian was silent for a moment, then spoke calmly, "I think we can give Skywater Academy more."
Feng Lingtian coughed lightly beside him, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Brother, wouldn't you call this using your position for personal gain?"
Feng Xiaotian remained expressionless, but the tips of his ears subtly turned red. "I'm talking about the needs of the alliance. Everyone saw Shui Bing'er's performance in the exchange matches. If Skywater Academy's overall strength improves, it will only benefit the Three Academy Alliance."
Feng Qingxuan noticed his younger son's teasing and his elder son's reaction, a faint smile flashing in his eyes. However, he didn't respond, but simply nodded slightly and said, "What about the Blazing Fire Academy? Huo Xiao and I have been friends for many years, but I can't pretend I don't know about what Huo Wu has done this time."
Feng Xiaotian composed himself and said, " Huo Wushuang came to see me earlier and apologized on behalf of his sister. I trust Huo Wushuang. But Huo Wu..." Feng Xiaotian paused, " Huo Wu's personality, and what she did before, does make me uneasy. If we want to forge an alliance with the Blazing Fire Academy, giving the pills to Huo Wushuang is a safer bet than giving them to Huo Wu."
Feng Lingtian nodded in agreement, "I agree with your opinion, brother. We've all seen Huo Wushuang's attitude, but we need to observe Huo Wu's situation further."
After listening, Feng Qingxuan remained silent for a moment, then stood up.
"Okay, I understand. You guys go ahead."
Feng Xiaotian Feng Lingtian exchanged a glance, said nothing more, and turned to leave the quiet room together.
Outside the door, the sun shone brightly. Feng Xiaotian looked up and immediately saw Shui Bing'er still standing not far away, waiting. Shui Qinglan was no longer by her side; she had probably gone to the courtyard first.
Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but smile and walked towards her. Shui Bing'er heard the footsteps and turned around.
"Are you done with your work?" she asked.
"I'm done with work." Feng Xiaotian stopped in front of her. "Let's go, I'll show you around."
Shui Bing'er nodded, and the two walked side by side towards the exit.