Chapter 29: Heavenly Water, Blazing Fire
Among the Tianshui College team, clad in ice-blue uniforms, a starry-eyed Shui Yue'er gazed at Mu Ci, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling.
Her teammates couldn't help but cringe at her infatuation.
An exasperated Shui Bing'er, unable to watch any longer, said, "Yue'er, can you stop being such a fangirl? You're practically drooling."
The other girls in the team burst into laughter at Shui Yue'er's display.
Xuewu, slightly older, chuckled and said to Shui Bing'er, "Bing'er, you know Yue'er's like this. She can't walk straight when she sees a handsome guy."
Shui Bing'er sighed, spreading her hands. "Yue'er's always like this. I'm worried she'll get scammed someday and end up counting money for her swindler."
Snapping out of her daze, Shui Yue'er blushed and retorted, "I'm not that gullible! Besides, the Botanical College captain is handsome, don't you think?"
Her eyes drifted back to Mu Ci—his tall figure, striking white hair, red eyes, and chiseled features perfectly hitting her weak spot.
The Tianshui team stole a few more glances at Mu Ci and nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Shui Yue'er's eyes lit up as if recalling something. She grabbed Shui Bing'er's arm excitedly. "Bing'er, remember when Aunt Li Qin from the Botanical College visited Tianshui for an exchange a few years ago?"
Puzzled, Shui Bing'er replied, "Why bring that up? I remember it. I'd just awakened my martial soul, and seniors from the Botanical College came to exchange ideas. Uncle Mu Sheng and Aunt Li Qin talked with Mom and Dad for ages."
Shui Yue'er's excitement grew, her face flushing. "Do you remember what Dad and Uncle Mu Sheng said during that dinner?"
"What did they say? Let me think… Yue'er, you!" Shui Bing'er's face reddened as she recalled, raising her hand to swat Shui Yue'er.
The unusual reaction drew the team's attention, and the girls eagerly asked, "What's going on, Bing'er? Spill the tea!"
Shui Bing'er, blushing harder, turned away and mumbled, "It's nothing, stop asking."
Curiosity piqued, Xuewu, Chen Liuyu, and the others turned to Shui Yue'er, who proudly raised her chin. "Ahem, it all started at that dinner. Dad and Uncle Mu Sheng were drunk, and the conversation turned to Bing'er and Uncle Mu Sheng's son."
"Bing'er's martial soul, the Ice Phoenix, is a mutation of the family's Condensed Water Flying Luan, with innate level nine soul power. Uncle Mu Sheng's son, Mu Ci, has a mutated martial soul too—Abundant Jianmu, also with innate level nine soul power."
"Dad said it was such a coincidence, two kids so alike in this generation. He suggested we become family!"
"The adults from both families agreed, but Uncle Mu Sheng said it wouldn't be fair to the kids unless they met and got along first."
Before Shui Yue'er could continue, Shui Bing'er, mortified, covered her mouth. But it was too late—the team understood and erupted into teasing, surrounding Shui Bing'er.
Xuewu, calmer, pointed out, "Look, they're wrapping up their talk. Let's go meet Bing'er's fiancé!"
---
In the square, Xue Qinghe, Mu Changsheng, and Mu Ci conversed at length.
Suddenly, Xue Qinghe tapped his forehead and smiled apologetically. "It's rude to keep Your Majesty in the square. Please, move to the reception room where the other deans await."
He bowed to Mu Changsheng, then turned to Mu Ci with a smile. "Brother Mu Ci, would you…?"
Mu Ci quickly cut in, "I'll pass. I need to take my teammates to meet the other teams."
Joking, right? That room's full of deans, some of whom are family friends. Why would I go just to get teased?
Mu Changsheng nodded to Xue Qinghe, then smiled at his old friends. "I'll trouble the education committee and His Highness to lead the way."
Meng Shenji and the others, looking displeased at Mu Changsheng's newfound arrogance as a Titled Douluo, reluctantly led the way.
As Xue Qinghe and Mu Changsheng headed to the reception room, nearby teams approached, eager to meet Mu Ci. Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang from Blazing Academy were the fastest.
Huo Wu strode over with her long legs, smiling. "Little brother, it's been a while. Do you remember our promise?"
She studied Mu Ci, noting how the handsome boy from their childhood encounter had grown into a tall, striking young man.
Mu Ci, observing Huo Wu's slender legs, waist-length hair, and heroic beauty, felt a flash of surprise. The Douluo Continent sure knows how to produce stunners.
Recalling their chance meeting outside the Star Dou Great Forest and their childhood wager, he smiled. "Of course, I remember. But our deal was to compete in the Continental High-Level Soul Master Elite Competition. We're early this time, with years until the next one. What, Miss Huo Wu, want to settle it now?"
Huo Wu raised an eyebrow, her eyes blazing with competitive spirit. "Why wait for a better day? Since we're here at the exchange, let's settle it now and close that chapter."
"And me," Huo Wushuang added, stepping beside her and patting his chest. "If you want to fight my sister, you'll have to get through me first."
Mu Ci grinned at the siblings. Huo Wu had grown stunning, and Huo Wushuang carried his father's charisma. "No problem. Isn't the point of this exchange to spar and get to know each other?"
As they chatted, the atmosphere grew lively.
[end of the chapter]