Morning. Light snow drifted through the air.
Lin Xiao climbed into the carriage.
Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er had come running to see him off.
"Big Brother Lin Xiao, remember to write to us often!"
"Big Brother Lin Xiao, Sister Bing'er and I will miss you so much!"
Lin Xiao smiled and waved.
"Do you remember what I told you?"
"Parting is just preparation for a better reunion."
"Next time we meet, I hope to see even better versions of both of you."
Uncle Li, holding the reins, clicked his tongue inwardly.
This kid Lin Xiao really is something… Spouting that kind of emotional nonsense even at a farewell. And the girls are eating it up. They'll probably train like mad just so they don't disappoint him.
Tsk tsk… not a good man!
Shui Shengxiao and his wife Bai Xiuyun (Shui Bing'er's mother) also came out.
"Lin Xiao, be careful on the road," Bai Xiuyun said warmly.
"Don't worry, Aunt Bai," Lin Xiao replied politely.
Shui Shengxiao, however, had a complex expression.
To be honest, he'd always felt a bit uneasy about Lin Xiao. Even though the boy had gifted the Shui family a priceless treasure, every time he saw how Bing'er completely lit up around him—putting all her attention on Lin Xiao, even ignoring her own father—it made his heart sour.
What father wouldn't feel that way?
And yet…
There was something about Lin Xiao.
An undeniable charm. A warmth that made it hard not to like him.
Even Shui Shengxiao, though jealous, couldn't help but feel reluctant now that Lin Xiao was leaving. Part of him even thought it wouldn't be so bad if Lin Xiao stayed with their family forever.
Was it just because of the immortal herb he'd gifted them?
No.
Benefits could bring false courtesy.
But sincerity… that was the real killer move.
Lin Xiao had many admirable traits—but in how he interacted with people, it was his genuine sincerity that won hearts.
"Lin Xiao," Shui Shengxiao said at last, "I hope your friendship with Bing'er lasts forever and grows stronger with time."
Then, he took out a soul bone from his storage-type soul tool.
"This is a soul bone passed down in our Shui family, taken from a powerful ice-type soul beast. It's roughly ten thousand years old. Please, take it."
Lin Xiao was stunned.
He quickly shook his head and declined.
"Uncle Shui, since this is an ice-type soul bone, it would suit Bing'er or Yue'er far better. Giving it to me would be a waste."
Besides, it wasn't compatible with his martial spirit.
If he forced the absorption, it would only take up a valuable soul bone slot without real benefit.
Shui Shengxiao sighed.
"Just take it."
"I know you gave that rare gift to Bing'er out of pure friendship. But as a father, how could I not be happy about my daughter's improvement?"
"If I pretended not to see your sincerity, that would make me a fool."
"This soul bone may be valuable, but compared to what you've done for Bing'er—it's nothing. If you don't use it yourself, gift it or sell it later. I won't mind."
His voice grew firm, almost pained.
But he didn't back down.
He was determined to give it to Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao, however, remained steadfast.
"Uncle Shui, I understand your kindness. This soul bone might be one of your most precious treasures."
"But in my eyes, I've already received something far more valuable—Bing'er's honest and heartfelt friendship."
"If you truly respect my wishes, then keep the soul bone… and give it to Bing'er instead."
Then he turned to Shui Yue'er and waved her over.
"Yue'er, I have a gift for you before I leave."
Yue'er blinked in surprise and pointed to herself.
She looked to Bing'er, who gave her an encouraging nod. Then she ran over—but halfway there, remembered to be ladylike and slowed to a walk.
"Big Brother Lin Xiao…"
"Here. This can't be stored in a soul tool. It's very rare—don't give it away."
He handed her a jade box and gave her a few reminders.
Then he looked at Shui Shengxiao again and asked:
"By the way, Uncle Shui… What kind of soul bone is it?"
"Oh, it's the right arm bone of a ten-thousand-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion. This type of soul beast is incredibly rare, with far stronger ice attributes than ordinary ones. The bone even contains a soul skill that lets you detonate ice blocks—"
Lin Xiao: "…"
He went silent.
Shui Shengxiao didn't realize the Ice Jade Scorpion was an Extreme Ice beast.
He didn't know that soul skill was likely Ice Explosion, and only members of that beast's lineage—or those with the Extreme Ice martial spirit—could use it.
But Lin Xiao knew.
He and Bing'er had spent days trying to develop Ice Explosion—never realizing it was already within reach.
"Searching far and wide, only to find it by chance."
Bing'er was also stunned.
"Big Brother Lin Xiao! That skill—it's the one you've been trying to help me master, right? We've been practicing for so long and couldn't figure it out!"
Shui Shengxiao still looked confused.
He didn't understand what the two of them were talking about.
Lin Xiao sighed and said:
"Bing'er, just absorb the soul bone when you have time. Train with it—it can be your trump card."
Ice Explosion, when used by a normal ice-type Soul Master, was decent.
But in the hands of someone with Extreme Ice, like Shui Bing'er?
It became terrifying.
That soul bone belonged only to her.
Bing'er nodded earnestly.
"Next time, I'll set off fireworks for you, Big Brother Lin Xiao!"
Lin Xiao's smile twitched slightly.
The other night, when he'd created that magical firework moment, his goal was to get Bing'er interested in explosions—so she'd be more patient while researching Ice Explosion.
But now… had he accidentally steered her wrong?
He imagined her sweet smile as she turned enemies into ice statues—
"Let Bing'er turn you into fireworks~"
And he shivered.
That innocent face doing such devilish things… she might grow into a true villainess someday!
Shaking his head, Lin Xiao waved goodbye.
"I'm off!"
Uncle Li snapped the reins, and the carriage rolled into the snowy distance.
Shui Bing'er stood in place, watching it fade from view.
The sound of wheels on snow grew fainter and fainter.
"If love can last forever, why worry about morning and night apart?"
She murmured softly, a smile forming on her lips.
"Big Brother Lin Xiao… may our friendship be everlasting."
Shui Shengxiao stood beside her, feeling a strange bitterness in his heart.
Why does it seem like Bing'er has already moved on, while I'm still stuck?
Damn it, this Lin Xiao really is a walking charm spell!
He still remembered that afternoon, when he questioned Lin Xiao—
"What do you take me for?"
And Lin Xiao had answered so naturally:
"A good father."
That moment had burned itself into his memory.
Back inside the house.
As he closed the door, Shui Shengxiao turned to Yue'er with anticipation.
"Let's see what Lin Xiao gave you."
Shui Yue'er opened the jade box—
Inside was a pristine, snow-white Cold Jade Ganoderma, radiating a chill aura, along with two thousand-year Earth Dragon Fruits, and a folded note.
The note read:
"Yue'er—
Take the Cold Jade Ganoderma and the Earth Dragon Fruits together. They'll benefit your martial spirit greatly. No need to worry about me."
Shui Yue'er stood frozen.
She looked up, dazed.
Then turned to her sister.
Sis… you'd better hold onto Big Brother Lin Xiao.
He's too good to let go.