Xiao Wu Was Angry

In the days that followed, Xiao Yao was truly "a fish in water."

On the one hand, he bragged to Shui Bing'er about how wonderful and outstanding "Xiao Yao" was, and how failing to win him over would be a woman's lifelong regret.

On the other, he grew ever closer to Shui Bing'er as "sisters" under his identity as Shui Lingji.

With this two-pronged approach, his Intimacy with Shui Bing'er soared by the day.

[Intimacy +1]

[Intimacy +2]

[Intimacy +1]

Although each increase was small, they kept coming.

In less than a month, their Intimacy had reached 48. Xiao Yao felt that his Intimacy reward was just around the corner.

And that was with Shui Bing'er being warm on the outside but cold within, making her affection difficult to raise.

Aside from that, both of them made considerable progress in cultivation.

Xiao Yao's cultivation speed + Xiao Wu's cultivation speed + 40+% of Shui Bing'er's cultivation speed + the assistance of the Fallen Heart Flame was no joke. Even though most of the Soul Power he cultivated was devoured by the Heavenly Book, he still advanced one rank, reaching rank twenty-five.

Shui Bing'er also benefited from part of Xiao Yao's cultivation speed. Although she had no idea why her cultivation speed had suddenly increased, that did not stop her from enjoying the rise in her Soul Power.

In particular, her cultivation had broken through to rank thirty, allowing her to obtain her third Soul Ring.

Xiao Yao, Shui Bing'er, Shui Wuyang, and Qiu Wanxi gathered once more at the Crystal Palace.

Shui Wuyang said, "Director Qiu, you will take Bing'er to hunt for her third Soul Ring this time. Lingji will go too, to broaden her horizons."

Qiu Wanxi curtsied. "Yes. May I ask whether you have selected a third Soul Ring for Bing'er, Headmistress?"

"The Condensed Water Flying Kite. Like Bing'er's Martial Soul, it is a water-attribute avian Soul Beast. Moreover, this Soul Beast excels at hunting and control, making it just right for Bing'er, a control-type soul master."

Shui Wuyang's tone brooked no argument. Clearly, she had never imagined anyone would dare question her choice, and no one ever had.

But today, someone did.

Xiao Yao raised his hand and asked, "Teacher, there don't seem to be any Condensed Water Flying Kites near Heaven Dou City, do there?"

Shui Wuyang was quite tolerant of this new disciple of hers, and the question she asked was reasonable:

"Correct. That is why we will go to the Star Dou Great Forest. There should still be a flock of Condensed Water Flying Kites there."

"If we're going somewhere so far away anyway, why not head out to sea? There are plenty of seabird Soul Beasts there. Not only would we have a wider selection, but it would also be easier than searching the Star Dou Great Forest for a flock of Soul Beasts we might not even find."

Xiao Yao said this entirely for Shui Bing'er's sake.

If he remembered correctly, Shui Bing'er's first four Soul Skills were:

First Soul Skill: Ice Seal (when activated, the opponent would instantly be sealed inside a block of solid ice. Once locked onto mentally, they could not escape).

Second Soul Skill: Ice Ring Armor (an ice ring appeared upon activation. The ice ring could be applied to oneself or a teammate, covering the recipient in crystalline blue armor with powerful defensive capabilities. The opponent's attacks would be ineffective for five seconds).

Third Soul Skill: Resistance Light (a burst of watery-blue light spread outward from Shui Bing'er to form an ice ring, dealing damage while reflecting the opponent's Soul Skills, with an additional freezing effect).

Fourth Soul Skill: Absolute Ice Prison (upon use, it sealed the entire opposing team in ice. Those trapped whose Soul Power was within ten ranks of the user's could not break free within twenty seconds. If their Soul Power exceeded the user's by more than ten ranks, they would be trapped for at least ten seconds. It also lowered the surrounding temperature to freezing point without affecting allies, while draining the opponents' Soul Power until it was completely exhausted).

Such a combination of Soul Skills was undeniably powerful. In the original story, even Tang San had been so thoroughly restricted by her that he had no room to show his abilities.

But the problem was that this configuration was built entirely for team battles, without a single offensive skill.

Perhaps the Skywater Team needed a captain like that.

But to Xiao Yao, Shui Bing'er was his contracted partner, and he would not allow his contracted partner to lack the ability to protect herself alone.

And if they followed Shui Wuyang's plan, Shui Bing'er was clearly heading in that direction.

Besides, what he said was true. Finding a suitable seabird Soul Beast by the sea would be easier than searching for a particular flock of Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest like fishing a needle out of the ocean.

Even if they found the flock of Condensed Water Flying Kites, there might not be one of the right age.

Shui Wuyang was clearly tempted, but she still hesitated:

"The sea is unlike the inland regions. Danger lurks on every side..."

"Headmistress, please have faith in my abilities." Before Shui Wuyang could finish, Qiu Wanxi interrupted her.

Her attitude was firm. Clearly, she felt this was the most beneficial choice for Shui Bing'er, and she also had ample confidence in herself.

Shui Wuyang was finally persuaded. "Very well. Take this jade pendant. It carries my spiritual power. If anything unexpected happens, crush it, and I will come to your side as quickly as possible."

After leaving the Crystal Palace, Qiu Wanxi instructed the two of them, "This will be a long journey. If you have anything to tell your families, go home and tell them. We will gather at the academy gates and depart in two days."

"Yes."

That night, beneath a bright moon and sparse stars, Xiao Yao resumed his own appearance and returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

But when he opened the door, he discovered that Xiao Wu was not home.

Just as he was wondering where Xiao Wu had gone, he heard sounds coming from the training ground behind the courtyard.

He followed the sounds and, sure enough, found Xiao Wu drenched in sweat on the training ground.

Xiao Wu was practicing her kicks, freely displaying the lovely contours of her legs and waist.

She was also muttering curses under her breath. "Stupid Brother Xiao Yao, rotten Brother Xiao Yao. You promised you'd come back often. It's been over a month, so why haven't you come back yet?"

Guilt rose in Xiao Yao's heart. Indeed, he had focused all his attention on Shui Bing'er lately and neglected Xiao Wu's feelings.

And now he would be leaving for even longer.

He tiptoed up behind Xiao Wu and wrapped his arms around her.

Xiao Wu startled at first, but once she sensed it was him, her entire body relaxed and went limp. Her words, however, remained merciless:

"So you still remembered to come back? I thought you were having so much fun you'd forgotten all about Wu."

Xiao Yao could not help laughing. "Having so much fun I'd forgotten all about Wu? Who taught you that?"

"I was wrong before. I promised I'd come back to see you often, but I didn't keep my word. But Skywater Academy is a boarding school, and students can't leave whenever they want. I hadn't expected that. I hope you can forgive me."

Xiao Wu pouted. "Since you're such a sweet talker, I'll forgive you."

Xiao Yao was a little embarrassed. "But..."

"But what?"

"But I'm going to be leaving Heaven Dou City for a while. About two months."

"Oh, so that's how it is!" Xiao Wu wriggled free of Xiao Yao's embrace and looked at him with her large, watery eyes. "I know you've got other little rabbits outside, but does that mean you're going to neglect the rabbit at home?"

"Leaving for two whole months-how am I supposed to get through that?"