Returning to the Far North

"Of course not, you..."

Shui Yue'er spoke instinctively, but as soon as she turned her head, she saw a cold and handsome face so close to hers that they could almost smell each other's breath. Her cute little face flushed red instantly, and she shyly lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

"How are you? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Looking at the girl's shy appearance, Yu Tianshuang found her exceptionally beautiful and couldn't resist teasing her.

Shui Yue'er stood up somewhat awkwardly, took a few steps back, then glanced around worriedly before regaining her composure. She kept her head down, hands behind her back, one hand gripping her other arm, her feet unconsciously kicking the ground, and said casually:

"You, you idiot, five years have passed and you've all gone astray! I'm going to tell my sister and have her beat you up..."

Yu Tianshuang looked at Shui Yue'er, who had grown even more beautiful and lovely, especially now that she was in the Skywater Academy. She recalled the New Year celebrations of the past, and all the memories of spending time together came flooding back to her. She couldn't help but raise her hand to her cheek, to the spot where she had lightly kissed her that night.

"Bing'er Sister Bing'er definitely wouldn't have the heart to hit me. Don't let her cold and aloof demeanor Bingbing you, she actually cares about me a lot. You heard what we said that day, she knows everything..."

"It seems like you and I have changed so much in these five years. You never used to talk to me like this. You used to be like a block of wood, so dull, but I liked that. My sister too, she used to always say one thing and mean another, but now, she seems kind of cool..."

Shui Yue'er recalled how, not long ago, after leaving the Far North, Shui Bing'er had so frankly admitted that she missed him. Even when they met later, this more cheerful girl couldn't resist her sister's charm. She truly thought her sister was so cool back then...

"Alright, no matter how time goes by or what changes we may experience, I will always be me, and Senior Sister Bing'er will always be her. Speaking of which, what do you think of how I've changed? Do you still stand by what you said five years ago?"

Hearing others' evaluations of him, he felt quite emotional. In the past, he was weak and burdened with too many things, always living in fear, afraid that he couldn't protect the people he cared about, afraid that he was powerless to help his parents. Now, as time passed, his strength had changed dramatically, and these thoughts naturally dissipated. His mindset had also become more clear-headed. He imagined that Senior Sister Bing'er was the same way. Perhaps he and Shui Bing'er were just hiding their true selves in the past; perhaps this was their true nature now.

Upon hearing this, Shui Yue'er looked up in surprise, her bright, deep blue eyes revealing complex emotions. But when she met Yu Tianshuang's unwavering gaze, she suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought this drastically changed simpleton had changed his mind...

"Of course, when have I, Shui Yue'er, ever failed to keep my word? Although, although you've changed quite a bit now, didn't you just say it yourself? No matter how we change, you... in my heart, will always be you, the Yu Tianshuang I love..."

Yu Tianshuang was also somewhat moved. To be honest, although he didn't want to admit it, in his heart, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er held a much higher position than Ye Lingling and Hu Liena. Sometimes he would unintentionally think of this, but he always avoided doing so, because it was truly unfair to Sister Na and the others. He was the only one in their hearts, the most important, but he...

He might be willing to give his life for Hu Liena and Ye Lingling without hesitation, but he also knew that if he were ever forced to choose, he might really...

"Yue'er..."

After a moment of silence, Yu Tianshuang put aside the thoughts that had surfaced in her mind, stepped forward, and gently pulled her hands from behind, cradling them in her own. She felt the soft, boneless whiteness of her hands in her own, staring at her long, slender fingers painted with blue nail polish, speechless for Jiujiu...

"You, you idiot, I was just praising you for improving and changing, how come you're back to your old wooden self..."

Shui Yue'er felt Yu Tianshuang's body leaning forward and subconsciously wanted to back away, but she hesitated for a moment and then held back. Then she found that he had grabbed her arm. She struggled a little and was then easily pulled into his hand.

Feeling her small hand being held in his exaggeratedly large hand, the long-lost, burning warmth made her heart race. But after a while, she realized he was just staring blankly at her hand, and she felt inexplicably annoyed.

"Oh, I..."

After a moment of emotional reflection, Yu Tianshuang thought of taking the opportunity to embrace the woman before him, but for some reason, he hesitated. It seemed that his feelings for her were truly different from his feelings for others; he wasn't as bold, and he felt a little afraid...

"You're stammering... really... I felt you were different from the blockhead you used to be, but it turns out you're just like when your sister was suppressing you not long ago—a giant in words..."

Shui Yue'er felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She was relieved that he was still her usual clueless, wooden-headed Yu Tianshuang. Yet, she was also troubled. The atmosphere was already so ambiguous; could she really expect the girl to take the initiative...?

"Fine, what can I do? He's my fool." After thinking it through, Shui Yue'er took a deep breath, looked up at his sharply defined and cold face, and then mustered her courage. With her hands, which he held in his palm, she pushed down slightly, stood on tiptoe, and gently pecked his cheek, just like that night five years ago.

"Oh my... So that's why Bing'er stopped us and made us wait. Turns out you two lovebirds were being all lovey-dovey. Not bad, Yue'er. I have high hopes for you. You need to be more proactive with someone as dense as Tianshuang..."

Before Yu Tianshuang could even feel the fleeting warmth on her cheek, she heard a cheerful voice from not far away, with a hint of playful teasing. It was Xue Wu, and behind her, Shui Bing'er, Yu Hairou, and Shui Xinrou all walked over.

Oh no... What's wrong with me? We're so close and I didn't even notice. I'm doomed! For some reason, Yu Tianshuang felt a sense of panic, especially when she saw the ambiguous smile on Shui Xinrou's gentle face. She quickly let go of Shui Yue'er's hand, took a few steps back, and stood up straight with a serious expression, looking at them.

"You..."

Shui Yue'er was initially a little scared after Xue Wu and the others discovered that she and Yu Tianshuang were in the room, but this feeling didn't last long before she was angered by Yu Tianshuang's actions. Looking at him standing as straight as a poplar tree, with a serious expression on his face and his eyes fixed straight ahead, she was furious. This idiot, this blockhead, what is he afraid of?

"What can I say to you? You're such a grown man, your strength is comparable to Titled Douluo, yet you act like a child. Alright, stop standing there. Your relationship with Yue'er was consensual, and I won't punish you..."

Shui Xinrou looked at him after five years apart; he was even more tall and his face had matured. Especially after hearing so many rumors about him lately, she felt incredibly proud. But seeing him now, exactly the same as he was back at the Skywater Academy, she couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia...

"Teacher..."

For some reason, Yu Tianshuang felt as if he had caused trouble back in the Skywater Academy when he was a child. Although Shui Xinrou would never punish him, her tone and eyes made him feel very guilty. Now it felt like he had returned to that feeling, which brought a sense of peace to his long-suffering heart.

"You, come here..."

Seeing the two of them, Shui Bing'er beckoned to Shui Yue'er with her finger. Looking at her hesitant sister, she emphasized with a "Hmm?" Shui Yue'er had no choice but to lower her head like a guilty wife and slowly walk over. "Ouch, ouch, ouch..." Shui Bing'er grabbed Shui Yue'er's ear and pulled it out. Shui Yue'er could only scream and look around with pleading eyes, but everyone else turned away. Shui Xinrou gave her a helpless look.

"And you, come here too. Do you really think you're invincible? Coming back so blatantly. We were praising you for being mature before, but now it seems you're still just a little kid, and you don't even know how to behave..."

"Why..."

Yu Tianshuang didn't know why, but she didn't seem to be this afraid of Shui Bing'er before. However, the undeniable aura emanating from Shui Bing'er now, coupled with her tall figure, now as tall as Qian Renxue after five years, and especially her already cold and aloof face, made Yu Tianshuang resign herself to her fate when those queen-like eyes looked over. She sighed and slowly walked over.

"Ugh..."

Looking at Shui Bing'er's outstretched, slender fingers, Yu Tianshuang seemed to have foreseen his impending fate. He couldn't help but close his eyes, thinking he was going to suffer the same end as Shui Yue'er. But then he suddenly felt a soft, jade-like hand press down slightly on the back of his head. A moment later, he felt a warm touch on his lips. This sudden change made him open his eyes, wanting to cry out in surprise, but the hand on the back of his head pressed down firmly on his head.

"Wow..."

Seeing this, Xue Wu, always eager for a good spectacle, screamed with excitement. Shui Xinrou and Yu Hairou shook their heads helplessly, one rubbing her forehead in resignation. Only Shui Yue'er, covering her reddened ears, stared blankly as her sister forcefully kissed Yu Tianshuang, two words suddenly popping into her mind. "So cool..."

"Senior sister..."

Shui Bing'er didn't know anything about kissing; it was just their lips touching, and they quickly separated. Yu Tianshuang was stunned by the sight, looking at Shui Bing'er who was only a head shorter than him, and suddenly understood what Yue'er meant by "so handsome."

"Wow, sister, that's so cool! But why didn't you use that trick when we came back? If you'd done that earlier, we wouldn't have needed to take a carriage or walk..."

Shui Yue'er sat on the back of the giant Ice Phoenix formed by Shui Bing'er, feeling the gentle breeze blowing on her cheeks, and couldn't help but excitedly stretch out her arms.

"This was inspired by the Soul Master of the Speed Clan not long ago, and it was only possible with the Ice God's affinity. You sit still, don't fall..."

Shui Bing'er looked at Shui Yue'er standing on the head of the Ice Phoenix. She actually doted on her lively and adorable younger sister.

"Senior sister, is the Ice God Trial you all went through a fixed process for everyone? Is it possible to change it?"

After catching up with Shui Xinrou and discussing family matters, Yu Tianshuang's current identity is very sensitive in the Heaven Dou Empire. Although Skywater Academy has two Titled Douluo, Shui Xinrou and Ice Empress, and Yu Tianshuang herself has strength comparable to Titled Douluo, so she is not afraid of Yu Yuanzhen, it is still possible to affect other ordinary students in the academy since they are on someone else's territory.

Yu Tianshuang didn't ask Shui Bing'er about the God Trial. Now, sitting on the Ice Phoenix that Shui Bing'er had condensed by imitating the giant Soul Power bird of the Speed Clan, Yu Tianshuang found an opportunity to ask.

"How could it be changed? Everyone's eligibility to undergo the God Trial is determined by the will of the gods. The God Trial itself is a way for the gods to choose their successors and reward their believers. I don't know about other gods, but as the successor of the Ice God, I can tell you with certainty that the content of the God Trial cannot be changed."

"Why are you suddenly asking about this? Speaking of which, you're also an ice-attribute Soul Master, so you can participate in the Ice God Trial. With your talent, you might be able to participate in the top-tier Nine Trials like me. In that case, I'm very curious about how the two of you who Ice God Nine Trials will..."

Seeing Yu Tianshuang deep in thought, Shui Bing'er answered directly, then, as if remembering something, a look of interest appeared on her beautiful, aloof face.

"Yu Tianshuang, how much do you really know about that Purple Seal inside you? Can you help Xue'er transform back into a human this time? I... I'm afraid it's a one-time use item, and then Xue'er... I..."

Suddenly, the Ice Empress, with her dark green twin ponytails, thought of something and asked Yu Tianshuang with some worry. As the Snow Empress's number one fan, the Ice Empress couldn't believe that Soul Beast that had survived the Ferocious Beast Heavenly Tribulation of Ferocious Beasts could transform into a human. Although she herself was a living example, who could guarantee that it would succeed next time?

"Um... to be honest, I can't give you a definite answer, because even now, I don't know much about this mysterious Big Ice Empress Big Dipper Seven Origins Purple Seal. I really don't know what principle it uses to transform you into a human, but I will try my best to find a way."

Yu Tianshuang recalled the scene from that time with some hesitation and uncertainty. His understanding of the mysterious Purple Seal within his body was extremely limited. Apart from bringing him to this continent and increasing his total Soul Power, physical strength, and mental strength, he couldn't even communicate with it, let alone control it.

"It's alright. Since the Ice God's God Trial is to help Senior Snow Empress overcome the Ferocious Beast Heavenly Tribulation, it means that in the Ice God's eyes, Senior Snow Empress will successfully overcome the Ferocious Beast Heavenly Tribulation even if she cannot transform into a human. This is because the gods will not issue tests that we cannot fully overcome. Don't worry."

Shui Bing'er spoke with unwavering confidence, then affectionately reached out and stroked Ice Empress's soft hair. This scene left Yu Tianshuang, who didn't know much about her, somewhat bewildered. Ice Empress was a Ferocious Beast that had existed for 390,000 years. Although she had transformed into a cute young girl after turning into a human, for some reason, the way Shui Bing'er stroked her hair and comforted her didn't seem out of place at all.

"Stop touching my head, it'll... it'll stunt my growth..."

What happened next Yu Tianshuang even more speechless was that Ice Empress simply slapped Shui Bing'er's fair hand lightly with a somewhat fierce expression, then revealed a pair of cute little tiger teeth and said...