At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it's been a year since the last tournament ended, but many students are still basking in the joy and pride.
Indeed, not only are they not ashamed, they actually feel very honored. Even though they didn't win the championship, they managed to secure second place, suppressing Star Luo Royal Academy.
No one considers that all their achievements are entirely due to Shui Bing'er's efforts. Even the students they sent out, as long as they didn't drag her down by being instantly defeated, perhaps they stood a real chance at victory with her.
"A bunch of useless people—proud of what should be shameful!" Huo Wu gritted her teeth as she watched the group of decadent nobles.
"Little sister, don't speak recklessly!" Huo Wushuang hurriedly tried to stop her. This wasn't their original Blazing Academy; that campus had long since been taken over by a branch of the Spirit Hall Academy. Now, they were under someone else's roof, surrounded by imperial nobles. Offending anyone here would be unwise.
"Hmph. Wushuang, Huo Wu isn't wrong. This time, we got screwed over by Jun Tianlin. If not for him, we wouldn't have thought so highly of this academy and come here. If we'd known, we'd have gone to that Shrek place instead." Feng Xiaotian firmly sided with Huo Wu. As vice-dean of the Elemental Academy, he was extremely frustrated with the students' lack of spirit, even blaming Tianlin for it.
"Where's Bing'er?" Xue Wu suddenly realized Shui Bing'er was missing. The few of them were a small group who still held onto their original intentions in this flamboyant academy, just like the original Emperor Battle Team.
"Sis has been constantly harassed by the Crown Prince and is hiding again," Shui Yue'er said helplessly.
Currently, Shui Bing'er was the number one goddess in the academy—stunningly beautiful, with a top-tier martial soul and extraordinary talent. She led the academy all the way to the finals of the Soul Master Tournament. The number of students pursuing her could line up from the Heaven Dou city gate to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The most aggressive pursuer was none other than the current Crown Prince, Xue Beng.
Tang San and Tang Hao had not been heard from for nearly three years. Anyone with sense could guess something must have happened to them. Even if Tang San was cultivating in seclusion, he'd have sent a letter. And Tang Hao, who only went to hunt soul beasts, hadn't returned even once in three years.
Both the imperial family and the Clear Sky Sect were anxious, sending out countless people to search. But, they had already been killed and disposed of by Tianlin. No matter how hard anyone searched, they'd never find them.
To Xue Beng, these two were vital—not just as a bridge between the Heaven Dou Empire and Clear Sky Sect, but as formidable fighters. Tang San had the potential for a Title Douluo, while Tang Hao was already one of the top Super Douluo.
Not to mention, Tang San's hidden weapons were the core of the Tang Army. Although he left basic blueprints like the Zhuge Crossbow and Silent Sleeve Dart with Tai Tan, the Tang Army equipped only with these could barely handle Soul Kings and below. Against higher-level enemies, their effectiveness was greatly reduced.
When the Grandmaster first suggested fighting against Spirit Hall's Soul Master Corps, the real hope was on Buddha Fury Tang Lotus and Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles.
Unless Spirit Hall's top fighting force was neutralized, nothing else would matter.
But only Tang San had the blueprints for these advanced hidden weapons. Even if Tai Tan was a divine craftsman, he couldn't make them without Tang San.
Xue Beng was never one to wait around. Since Tang San was likely in trouble, he sought other allies—the deans of the Elemental Academies, all at the Soul Douluo level, capable of fighting the new Five Sects' leaders from Spirit Hall.
The students were all extremely talented; the top few were not much weaker than the old Emperor Battle Team. Especially Shui Bing'er: beautiful, cool, and more gifted than Feng Xiaotian—she was destined to become a Title Douluo.
Xue Beng intended to win her over just as he had with Tang San. Since Tang San was male, brotherhood was ideal. For a beauty like Shui Bing'er, marriage was the most secure way.
In this, Xue Beng was somewhat like Tianlin—they both liked recruiting outside talents. The difference was Tianlin wanted them to join voluntarily, while Xue Beng was less scrupulous.
Shui Bing'er was sensible. Though she disliked Xue Beng, she never decisively rejected him—doing so would embarrass the Crown Prince, and since they were under the imperial family's protection, they couldn't afford to offend Heaven Dou royalty.
Otherwise, they'd be caught between Spirit Hall and the imperial family, with no place left for the Elemental Academy on the entire continent.
So the best she could do was hide, staying out of sight every day so Xue Beng couldn't find her.
"Hmph, toad lusting after a swan! Even if Xue Beng is a prince, he's not worthy of Bing'er," Huo Wu scoffed.
Xue Beng might look wise, but Huo Wu noticed the possessiveness in his gaze. If she weren't already engaged to Feng Xiaotian, Xue Beng might have pursued her as well.
"Where would Bing'er go?" Xue Wu asked worriedly.
"Where else? Somewhere even Xue Beng wouldn't dare bother her," Feng Xiaotian guessed immediately. As vice-dean, he was sharper than most.
…
Midway up Seven Treasure Mountain, Shui Bing'er sat alone at the edge of a cliff, cultivating. The scenery was beautiful and tranquil—she loved it here.
"Hey, Miss Shui, hiding out here again?" A hearty voice called from behind.
She turned to see Yang Wudi, carrying a basket of herbs.
Yang Wudi often gathered herbs on the mountain, so over time, the two became familiar. After two years, they'd become close friends despite the age gap.
Yang Wudi greatly admired Shui Bing'er; her gentle personality, kind heart, and potential far surpassed his granddaughter Bai Chenxiang—even Ma Hongjun, without immortal herbs, couldn't match her.
"Senior Yang, you're gathering herbs yourself again?" Shui Bing'er smiled.
"Of course. Gathering and refining herbs is my greatest passion. I won't leave it to others." Yang Wudi sat beside her and opened his basket. "By the way, Miss Shui, I have something good to show you."
He took out a snow-white, silkworm-shaped plant.
"Senior, what is this?" Shui Bing'er asked curiously.
"This is a Snow Silkworm, an herb I've cultivated with the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well over the last two years. Miss Shui, I remember your Ice Phoenix martial soul is hard to control, right? When you go all out, it's easy to hurt others. That's why, even in the finals, you only used about seventy percent of your strength. If not, even the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall Academy might not be able to handle your Ice Phoenix even if they ganged up on you." Yang Wudi praised without reservation.
Shui Bing'er was a bit embarrassed. "That's too much, Senior."
"No need to be modest. I'm telling the truth. Spirit Hall's people bullied you with numbers and took advantage of your kindness. I can't stand it, so I've decided to use this Snow Silkworm as the main ingredient to refine a Snow Spirit Pill for you. After taking it, your martial soul's strength might not change much, but I guarantee you'll be able to control it perfectly." Yang Wudi promised.
Shui Bing'er was overjoyed. "Senior, do you really mean it?"
Being able to control her Ice Phoenix martial soul was her long-held dream.
"Of course. It won't take long—just a month, and I'll have the pill ready for you."