"So these are the core members for this Soul Master Tournament?" Hearing that, Chen Yi's interest was piqued. As an old and renowned academy of the Heaven Dou Empire, Skywater Academy had always represented the highest level of the empire's new generation. As core members of Skywater's team, they naturally counted among the empire's first echelon of youths.
Chen Yi scrutinized the girls in the Soul Arena, eyes narrowing. Although he was only a Soul Elder right now, in terms of true combat power, among the younger generation on the Douluo Continent—aside from that little golden-haired one—no one could compare. He was curious what level the other so-called geniuses had reached.
But soon, Chen Yi withdrew his gaze. Maybe because his own strength was far beyond the norm, the two girls gave him the feeling of an adult watching kids play house—utterly dull.
Just from a few glances, he had spotted plenty of flaws on both sides. Though both were optimally matched Soul Ancestors, Chen Yi dared to guarantee that if they faced those desperadoes of the same rank from the Yun Tian Mountains, they would only have one outcome—defeat and death.
"It's a pity I can't reveal my strength now. Otherwise, I'd really like to go to Heaven Dou City and have a bout with Qian Renxue."
Among the current younger generation who could light his battle spirit, only Qian Renxue remained; everyone else lagged far behind.
Still, Chen Yi knew that Qian Renxue had six more years of cultivation than he did. She should be a high-rank Soul Ancestor by now. He likely wasn't her match at the moment.
"My situation is really awkward!"
Shui Bing'er had been observing Chen Yi. Seeing the fighting intent in his eyes, she thought the match had gotten his blood up and said, "I just obtained my first spirit ring not long ago. If Senior Brother doesn't mind, why don't you spar with me?"
Hearing that, Chen Yi froze. You want to fight me?
He stared in surprise at the firm-faced Shui Bing'er. Girl, are you serious? What if I can't hold back and make you cry?
"Junior Sister, you just got your ring. You should spend more time getting familiar with your soul skills. Every skill is a treasure waiting to be developed—you might gain unexpected insight."
His refusal surprised Shui Bing'er. The fighting intent in his eyes earlier didn't seem fake, but he was refusing her challenge—how odd.
Still, what he said next was very similar to what her grandmaster had warned her: at her age, the best way to add techniques was to build new variations off her existing soul skills.
"What, Chen Yi, you want to give it a try? Want me to go with you? We can do a two-on-two soul fight."
Before Shui Bing'er could ask why, Shui Yue'er chimed in after overhearing.
Chen Yi didn't even have the interest to spar with Shui Bing'er, let alone Shui Yue'er. Though Yue'er's soul power was higher than Bing'er's, if they truly fought, Yue'er's Dolphin martial soul was definitely no match for Bing'er's Ice Phoenix potential.
After speaking, Shui Yue'er looked at Chen Yi expectantly, leaving him at a loss for words. As he was trying to come up with an excuse, a voice came that felt like it was granting him amnesty.
"Bing'er, Yue'er?" A twin-tailed girl hesitantly walked over, greeted the Shui sisters, but kept stealing glances at Chen Yi.
"Why did you bring a boy into the Soul Arena? Isn't this place supposed to be girls-only for our academy?"
As soon as she spoke, two other girls gathered around, curiosity written all over their faces. Skywater Academy was all female—teachers and students alike. Even relatives rarely set foot on campus, let alone the relatively private training grounds. Seeing an outsider male walk in with the famed Shui sisters naturally shocked them.
Noticing their puzzlement, Shui Yue'er laughed happily, hooked her arm through Chen Yi's, and shook it. "This is Chen Yi, and he's no outsider."
"No outsider?" The twin-tailed girl blinked, then seemed to realize something as her eyes lit up. "Could it be—he's an exchange student from one of the other elemental academies? But I haven't heard of any recent exchange…"
"And even if he were, he can't come in here without permission!"
Shui Bing'er spoke up gently, explaining, "Chen Yi is the Dean's junior sister's son—in other words, Aunt Mu Xi's child. He came with his mother to visit the academy. We met on the way and brought him to the arena to take a look."
"Teacher Mu Xi's son?!"
The twin-tailed girl cried out, and the two beside her were also surprised. Mu Xi, the dean's junior sister, had still been active nine years ago when they first entered Skywater. She taught practical combat to new soul masters—gentle in temperament but formidable in skill. Many girls at the academy had received her guidance. After she married, she never returned. None of them expected to see her son today.
The twin-tailed girl quickly composed herself, stepped forward, and offered her hand.
"Hello, hello! I'm Zhao Mengmeng. My martial soul is Ice Mist!"
Her palm had a thin layer of callus from combat training, but her handshake wasn't rough.
"Sorry I didn't recognize you earlier—boys are rare at our academy."
The bespectacled girl also stepped up, pushing her glasses with a smile. "I'm Zhou Ya, martial soul Ice Needle. I can't believe you're Teacher Mu Xi's son—she taught me soul power control back then. She was amazing!"
The petite girl was a bit shy and said softly, "I'm Wu Tong, martial soul Water Mirror."
Seeing her girlfriends all showing interest in Chen Yi, Shui Yue'er grew anxious and immediately declared, "Chen Yi's martial soul is lightning attribute. He just showed us."
Hearing Yue'er's slightly hurried tone, Zhao Mengmeng and the other two exchanged knowing looks and smiled. Everyone at Skywater knew Yue'er was a face-connoisseur. Judging by her behavior, she'd clearly taken a liking to the little junior.
Shui Bing'er covered her face at her sister's hasty claim of ownership. Too embarrassing.
Their commotion soon drew others' attention. The two who had just finished sparring, Meng and Ding, also walked over. On hearing that Chen Yi was Mu Xi's son, the girl surnamed Meng looked at him excitedly.
"You're Teacher Mu's son? How is she? I want to see her!"
Seeing her reaction, doubt flickered in Chen Yi's eyes. She seemed very familiar with his mother.
"Senior Sister Meng, are you close with my mother?"
Hearing his question, Senior Sister Meng blushed. She had gotten carried away by the news about Mu Xi and had forgotten to introduce herself.
"I'm Meng Jia, martial soul Frost Vine. I once learned plant-soul techniques from Teacher Mu."
Chen Yi understood. It probably wasn't just some casual instruction. Mu Xi's martial soul was Frost Thorn; Meng Jia's was Frost Vine. They were similar in attribute and application—perhaps she was half a disciple of his mother's.
"Senior Sister Meng, my mother is catching up with the old dean and dean right now. It'll be a while before she comes out. If you want to see her, you may have to wait."
"That—That's fine. Being able to see Teacher Mu Xi again—I'm already content." Hearing Mu Xi had returned, Meng Jia clearly became happy, her cheeks turning rosy.
…
At that moment, the atmosphere in Qingyun's room was anything but warm; it was suffocatingly tense.
Mu Xi stared solemnly at her teacher and senior sister across from her. Qingyun's face showed no joy or sorrow, but the chill between her brows betrayed the turmoil in her heart.
"Junior Sister!" Shui Qingmei looked at Mu Xi with a dark face, as if at a stranger.
"So this is why you came back to Skywater Academy? Trying to annex Skywater Academy?!"
As her words fell, a soaring chill spread. The room's temperature plummeted, and the nearby furnishings groaned under the strain.