Skywater Academy

"That's already very good. I actually think Prismatic Barrier Ice Wall might suit me better than the Ice Jade Scorpion's other offensive Soul Skill. After all, I don't lack ways to attack."

Only then did Shui Xinrou recall the ice-blue longsword Yu Tianshuang had used to kill the Ice Jade Scorpion, and that dazzling, peerless sword Qi.

She could not help turning to look at the Ice Jade Scorpion's corpse, which Yu Tianshuang had cleaved in two.

The cuts on the corpse were neat and smooth. More than an hour had passed, yet not a single drop of blood had fallen from either wound. A layer of ice covered both cut surfaces, freezing the blood that should have flowed out. A trench lay between the two halves of the corpse, with a cluster of ice flowers at its end.

"That sword should be your Second Martial Soul, right? If I saw correctly, you withdrew it straight into your body after using it, didn't you?"

Though Shui Xinrou's words were a question, her tone was one of certainty.

"Yes, Senior. That longsword is my second Martial Soul, 'Frost Cold Qi.' It's an ice-attribute Martial Soul."

Hearing the certainty in Shui Xinrou's question, Yu Tianshuang did not hide anything. A gentleman was open and candid, so he readily admitted it. After all, she had just seen him fight. Even taking ten thousand steps back, if she harbored ill intentions because she knew about his Second Martial Soul, why would she have taught him how to absorb a Soul Ring? She had even stood guard over him while he absorbed it. If he still refused to admit it, like someone putting up a sign saying 'there are no three hundred taels of silver buried here,' he would seem far too petty.

Hearing Yu Tianshuang's affirmative answer, Shui Xinrou could not help nodding.

This child really is candid. I like his temperament.

"By the way, little one, you only awakened your Martial Soul in Hagen-Dazs City a little while ago. How did you end up on the outskirts of the Frozen Forest?"

Remembering her question, Shui Xinrou asked it directly.

"Senior, after awakening my Martial Soul, I said goodbye to Grandpa and set out to study at Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou Imperial City. As for why I came here, I thought I only needed one Soul Ring to advance to Soul Master. I'd also killed several Soul Beasts close to a thousand years old on the outskirts of the Sunset Forest, so I wanted to come to the Frozen Forest and hunt a Soul Beast myself, get its Soul Ring and break through. I just didn't expect the first Soul Beast I encountered to nearly cost me my life."

After speaking, he scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

Hearing that Yu Tianshuang had crossed through the Sunset Forest, even Shui Xinrou's beautiful eyes widened.

"Dummy, you really are a fool! You actually crossed through the Sunset Forest? There are hardly any Soul Beasts over a thousand years old on its outskirts, but countless Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts live deep inside. They say there's even a legendary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast at the very heart of the Sunset Forest. You fool, you really aren't afraid of death."

Hearing Shui Yue'er's words, Yu Tianshuang felt a wave of fear after the fact. Fortunately, he had not encountered any Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts along the way. Otherwise, the first level of Ice Shadow Seven Star Steps might not have been enough to let him escape.

It was just like this time. He had intended to run, only to encounter an Ice Jade Scorpion that could cast ice walls. If not for that mysterious Chief Disciple Purple Seal, he would certainly have met his end here.

Thinking of the mysterious Chief Disciple Purple Seal, Yu Tianshuang focused his mind inward and saw it floating quietly in his dantian. From time to time, it sent out ripples of purple light that washed over his body.

I won't think about this for now. Once I reach a safe place, I'll examine it carefully.

"Blue Tyrant Academy? Little one, why do you want to study there? Blue Tyrant Academy isn't the only academy in the Heaven Dou Empire that accepts commoners. Our Skywater Academy accepts them too."

After saying this, Shui Xinrou's beautiful eyes shifted, and she watched Yu Tianshuang quietly.

After all, her words had already made her intention to recruit Yu Tianshuang quite plain.

Hearing the offer of recruitment hidden in Shui Xinrou's words, Yu Tianshuang felt a surge of joy.

"To be honest, Senior, Skywater Academy was my first choice. After all, both my Martial Souls have the ice attribute, and when it comes to the ice attribute, Skywater Academy is second to none in the Heaven Dou Empire. But doesn't your academy only accept female students? So I had to abandon the idea and seek admission to Blue Tyrant Academy instead."

"Little one, I can make an exception for you. Would you be willing to join my Skywater Academy and become my disciple?"

Hearing that Yu Tianshuang had wanted to go to Skywater Academy in the first place, Shui Xinrou no longer hesitated or sounded him out. She spoke directly.

"Your disciple Yu Tianshuang greets you, Teacher."

After hearing Shui Xinrou's words, Yu Tianshuang immediately bowed and cupped his fists to her in salute.

"Good, good. My name is Shui Xinrou. I'm the vice dean of Skywater Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, and a level 82 Control System Battle Soul Douluo. My Martial Soul is the Diamond Ice Bird."

With that, Shui Xinrou summoned her Martial Soul and activated Martial Soul Possession. A white bird with mirrorlike feathers appeared behind her, reflecting the winter sunlight as it spread its wings and took flight.

Feeling the oppressive force of a level 82 Soul Douluo releasing her Martial Soul before him, Yu Tianshuang released both of his own Martial Souls as well.

"Sit upon the frost heavens."

"One sword chills fourteen provinces-sword, come!"

Yu Tianshuang raised his left hand toward the sky, his fingers closing around empty air. An enormous ice dragon appeared in the sky, then swooped down with a roar to take its place behind him.

Then Yu Tianshuang stretched out his right arm and closed his hand around empty air. The outline of an ice-blue longsword slowly appeared in his hand. He clenched his right hand, and an ice-blue longsword wreathed in a frosty chill appeared in it.

"Your disciple Yu Tianshuang, level 14 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Martial Souls: 'Frost Dragon' and 'Heavenly Frost Cold Qi.'"