"Miss? Miss Bing'er!"
From outside came the anxious voice of Granny Shuiyuehua.
She had noticed frost creeping out from Shui Bing'er's room—an extreme cold that had already frozen the stone steps of the courtyard. Even she, an experienced Soul Douluo, felt her heart tremble at the chill.
There was no time to hesitate.
She called out loudly from beyond the door.
Creak—
The door opened.
Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er stepped out together, both neatly dressed and visibly healthy.
Granny Shuiyuehua finally let out a breath of relief. Her eyes scanned the traces of deep frost around the doorway before she asked, a little uncertainly:
"…Miss Bing'er, this ice…"
Lin Xiao quickly stepped forward.
"Granny Shuiyuehua, I obtained a treasure from one of my elders—a special item that can help a soul master's martial soul evolve. I already had Bing'er take it."
He deliberately avoided mentioning anything about immortal herbs.
Instead, he pulled out two soul master tokens from his storage tool.
One was engraved with the character "Ye", and the other with "Poison".
"My teachers," he said calmly, "are Ye Qingxian, current heir of the Nine-Heart Begonia, and Poison Douluo Dugu Bo."
In truth, Lin Xiao had never formally taken them as masters.
But before he left, Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo had given him their tokens and told him to use their names outside—so people wouldn't underestimate him.
Lin Xiao didn't bother to explain further. He simply claimed to be their disciple.
Granny Shuiyuehua's eyes widened—so much that her facial wrinkles bunched together. Her gaze shifted from Lin Xiao to Bing'er, filled with shock and a bit of bewilderment.
What's going on here?
This little sparrow really turned into a phoenix?
She nearly collapsed on the spot from surprise.
Granny Shuiyuehua quickly turned to leave.
"Eh? Granny Shuiyuehua, where are you going?"
"Something this big? I have to inform the clan leader immediately!"
Ah… she was off to report the "incident."
Not long after—
A middle-aged man arrived, wearing a richly embroidered robe. His demeanor was elegant and composed.
His gaze lingered briefly on Lin Xiao.
"What a refined and handsome young man," Shui Shengxiao thought to himself.
Then he turned to Shui Bing'er.
"Bing'er, let your father see your martial soul."
Shui Bing'er nodded and released her Ice Phoenix.
A wave of powerful aura burst forth, and even Shui Shengxiao's own martial soul—Flowing Water Flying Luan—trembled in response. His eyes widened in astonishment.
Despite his calm exterior, he visibly shivered. His mouth opened and closed several times, his breath unsteady and ragged. But his eyes gleamed like never before.
After a few deep breaths, he calmed down.
He looked at Lin Xiao—then, quite suddenly, bowed deeply.
"Even if you helped Bing'er out of friendship, the Shui Clan of Tianshui City owes you a great debt."
"Please extend my thanks to Poison Douluo and the Head of the Ye Clan on our behalf."
Shui Bing'er's martial soul had now evolved to a level approaching the pinnacle. In time, she would become one of the most brilliant names in the Shui family's history.
How could he not be overwhelmed?
Then, Shui Bing'er softly said,
"Father, my martial soul has reached level 20. I can still feel the potential to rise further—but I'll need to obtain my next spirit ring first."
Shui Shengxiao swayed on his feet, nearly dizzy.
"Level 20?!"
Beyond the joy, there was… something else.
A sense of unease.
He gave Lin Xiao a strange look.
This boy… brought out such a valuable gift?
If you told me you were here to propose marriage, I'd believe you.
But Bing'er's still so young—my little girl hasn't even grown up properly yet, and already someone's after her?
He wasn't exactly thrilled.
But Lin Xiao's gesture was too generous—a gift no one could refuse. It made him feel delighted… and uncomfortable at the same time.
Conflicted, he finally said in a hesitant tone:
"Bing'er is still very young…"
Shui Bing'er's face flushed red.
Lin Xiao blinked, utterly confused.
What is this uncle talking about?
"Sir, my name is Lin Xiao. I'm a friend of Shui Bing'er. I believe Granny Shuiyuehua has already explained things."
"I helped her evolve her martial soul only because of our friendship."
"And because of her kindness. I think someone like Bing'er—with such a pure heart—deserves to go far on the path of a soul master. I simply wanted to see the Ice Phoenix soar across the highest skies."
Shui Shengxiao was stunned.
He hesitated, then asked tentatively:
"…So it's just because you're friends?"
Lin Xiao nodded.
"Just friends."
There are many shallow friends in this world.
But if you can find one or two sincere companions who truly share your heart—that is a blessing.
Shui Shengxiao looked at the calm, steady expression on Lin Xiao's face and felt a twinge in his heart.
Once, long ago, he too had pure friendships like this.
But over time, people drifted apart…
He gently patted Shui Bing'er on the head.
"Bing'er, treasure this friend of yours."
"He may be the only true friend you ever have."
Shui Bing'er nodded vigorously, her expression serious and bright.
"Father, I'll listen to everything Brother Lin Xiao says!"
Shui Shengxiao's face froze.
A giant question mark popped into his mind.
I said treasure him—not obey him like a loyal servant!
His expression shifted a few times before he finally sighed.
"…Fine. Do what he says. He won't lead you astray."
Then he turned to Lin Xiao.
"I'll prepare a grand banquet to welcome you as our guest in the Shui Clan. The younger generation will serve you tea—the full honors of hospitality."
Even if they couldn't repay him materially, they had to show their utmost gratitude through courtesy.
"No need," Lin Xiao replied with a gentle smile.
"Uncle, I came to Tianshui City… only for Bing'er."
"There's no need to meet anyone else."
Shui Shengxiao now fully understood Lin Xiao's nature.
This young man was sincere. He truly sought nothing else—he came only for Bing'er.
…Well, probably.
"You truly are a worthy disciple of the Ye Clan and Poison Douluo," Shui Shengxiao praised.
After asking a few more questions and confirming there were no side effects from the martial soul evolution, he left.
He wasn't stupid.
He knew better than to be a third wheel.
He walked away briskly.
Partly because of excitement.
But also because he couldn't wait to tell his wife the news!
Shui Bing'er looked up, her eyes sparkling.
"Brother Lin Xiao, from now on, whatever you tell me to do—I'll do it!"
Lin Xiao sighed in exasperation.
"…What could I possibly need you to do?"
"Just be yourself. That's more than enough."
Still…
There was something he had in mind.
Ever since their very first meeting—when they released their martial souls at the same time—Lin Xiao had noticed it.
Their Ice Phoenix and Evil Fire Phoenix resonated with each other.
They synchronized.
They shared emotion.
The compatibility was… off the charts.
Now, with both of them having consumed immortal herbs and having undergone martial soul evolutions, Lin Xiao couldn't help but wonder:
If they tried to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Technique together…
What would the success rate be?
How powerful could it become?