It has been nearly a month since I acquired my fourth soul ring and Baixue obtained her first. She's been remarkably energetic, constantly employing her soul skills for various purposes. I've had to discipline her through combat training numerous times to refine her battle skills. Fortunately, I don't need to worry about her second soul ring, as her current soul ring beast possesses the ability to produce another ring with the appropriate skills, essentially guaranteeing her a readily available 10,000-year soul ring.
Xiao Wu, Tian Meng, and Bing Bing could theoretically produce additional soul rings as well, but two of them lack suitable soul ring skills compatible with my martial soul. Because of this compatibility issue, I haven't requested them to generate soul rings for me. They understand that their contributions would be ineffective and might even derail my strategic plan to acquire multiple elemental attributes.
We have finally returned to Heaven Dou city and are preparing for admission to Tianshui Academy. Throughout this past month, I've educated Baixue extensively on soul beast theory. Her learning capacity has genuinely surprised me, though I suppose it's to be expected in this realm where growth rates are accelerated—physical and mental development progresses much faster than what I was accustomed to previously. My martial spirit's ability to transmit understanding through spiritual sharing has also been invaluable. The potential applications of spiritual sharing are vast and largely unexplored.
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the academy grounds as we walked along the stone-paved path lined with azure willows. Their branches swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soothing melody that complemented the distant sounds of training soul masters.
I turned to Baixue, noting how her snow-white hair shimmered in the sunlight. Her azure eyes held a combination of nervous anticipation and determination that reminded me of my own first time entering Heaven Dou City.
"Baixue," I said, my voice soft yet serious, "soon we will join Tianshui Academy. While I've taught you many things, I want you to understand that my teachings aren't absolute truths. We still have much to explore and discover. Remember—there is no such thing as absolute knowledge. There will be times when you must listen carefully, reason critically, observe meticulously, and reach your own conclusions about what is possible and what isn't."
I paused, watching her expression carefully as I continued, "This approach will serve you well beyond theory—it will help you understand countless other aspects of life. And one more important thing," I emphasized, placing my hand gently on her shoulder, "I don't want you to reveal that I am your master. Once we join Tianshui Academy, please address me as 'sister' or 'Sister Qingxue.'"
Baixue's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she processed my request. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded resolutely. "Fine, Mast—" she caught herself mid-word, her cheeks coloring slightly, "Sister Qingxue."
"Good, I'm glad you understand," I replied, a faint smile playing on my lips. "Though I would be even happier if you were a little more disobedient sometimes."
What I truly meant was that I wished she would express her emotions more freely, but I understood her restraint. She had diligently controlled her desires out of fear that I might abandon her if she displeased me. I wanted her to develop greater independence, but I had to remind myself that despite her remarkable abilities, she was still just a child. Otherwise, I would have already departed to explore the far reaches of the Douluo continent.
The towering gates of Tianshui Academy loomed ahead of us, their intricate carvings depicting scenes of legendary water-attribute soul masters. The academy's walls gleamed with a subtle blue-green hue, enchanted with water-element energy that created a perpetual atmosphere of tranquility and focus. Water features dotted the visible courtyard beyond, from elegant fountains to complex training pools designed for specialized soul skill development.
As we approached the entrance, I noticed the area was predominantly populated by female soul masters, each possessing beauty that ranged from pleasant to striking. The academy's reputation for accepting primarily female students with water-element martial spirits was clearly evident. Before we could reach the main gate, two female soul masters approached us with measured steps.
The taller of the two, a woman with flowing azure hair cascading down to her waist and eyes the color of deep ocean waters, spoke first. Her voice carried the fluid cadence characteristic of water-attribute soul masters.
"You two little sisters," she inquired with genuine curiosity in her tone, "are you here to register at our academy?"
I stepped forward slightly, naturally taking the lead. "Hello, esteemed senior sisters," I replied with a respectful bow that Baixue immediately mirrored. "I am Xiao Qingxue, and this is my little sister, Qing Baixue. We've heard that Tianshui Academy welcomes female soul masters, particularly those with water-element martial spirits. We've come seeking admission."
The woman's expression softened at my polite address. The sunlight caught on the delicate water-droplet ornament pinned to her collar, identifying her as a faculty member rather than a student.
"What a polite young lady," she remarked with an approving nod. "My name is Gu Xinxia. Please follow me, and I'll escort both of you to meet the Dean." She gestured gracefully toward the main building, a magnificent structure that resembled a palace crafted from blue crystal and white marble.
As we followed Gu Xinxia into the academy grounds, I was immediately impressed by the extensive facilities. Training arenas with specialized water environments, meditation pavilions floating atop serene pools, libraries—all meticulously designed to enhance water and ice-attribute cultivation. The Shrek Academy, despite being the academy protagonist studied in, it was inadequate in comparison. I couldn't help but mentally scoff at the notoriously avaricious Flender and his miserly resource allocation.
Our presence attracted considerable attention from the students we passed. Some paused their activities to observe us openly, while others whispered behind delicate hands, speculating about our identity and purpose. I caught fragments of their conversations—discussions about our apparent youth, our potential abilities, and whether we could possibly meet the academy's stringent entrance requirements.
Gu Xinxia led us through a series of elegantly arched corridors, each more impressive than the last. Eventually, we arrived at an imposing door carved from what appeared to be blue-tinted jade. A silver plaque with "Dean" engraved in flowing script hung prominently.
Gu Xinxia paused before the entrance. "Wait here momentarily," she instructed before knocking softly and entering. Within moments, she reappeared. "The Dean will see you now. Please enter."
We stepped into a spacious office dominated by a half-moon desk of polished blue stone. Behind it sat a strikingly beautiful woman with an air of unmistakable authority. Though her appearance suggested she was in her thirties, her smooth, unlined face and the depth of wisdom in her eyes hinted at a much greater age. Her posture was perfect—back straight, shoulders relaxed, hands folded gracefully atop a stack of documents. The nameplate on her desk identified her as "Dean Shui Caihong."
I stepped forward, offering a respectful bow. "Greetings, honorable Dean. I am Xiao Qingxue, and this is my sister, Qing Baixue. We've come seeking admission to your esteemed Tianshui Academy."
Dean Shui Caihong regarded us with penetrating azure eyes that seemed to evaluate not just our appearances but our very souls. When she spoke, her voice was melodious yet carried unmistakable authority.
"You both appear exceptionally young for Tianshui Academy," she observed, her fingers tapping lightly on the surface of her desk. "Surely you're aware that our institution typically admits only soul masters who have achieved at least a two-ring status?"
I maintained my composed demeanor. "Respected Dean, even if my sister Qing Baixue doesn't fully meet the standard requirements, she is already a level 19 soul master at the tender age of eight."
The Dean's eyes widened almost imperceptibly—a reaction that would have been missed by most observers but was clearly visible to me. Such rapid advancement typically required an innate soul power of at least 10, coupled with extraordinary cultivation resources but for normies. Baixue on other hand gained her innate soul power at age 8 and it wasn't even 2 months she has increased her soul power by 9, thanks to hunting higher soul ring and Nine Breaths Convince qi which helped in stronger foundation and faster growth.
"Her foundation is remarkably solid and entirely stable," I continued, careful to project confidence without arrogance. "And her martial spirit is the Heavenly Ice Fox." I deliberately didn't mention mention about ultimate ice, uncertain whether such advanced knowledge was widespread within the academy.
I paused momentarily, considering my next words carefully. "Before I share details about myself, might I request a private audience with you, Dean? My sister can remain here, as she's already familiar with what I'm about to disclose."
After a brief assessment, the Dean exchanged a meaningful glance with Gu Xinxia, who nodded in understanding and gracefully exited the office, closing the door silently behind her.
Once we were alone, I activated my martial spirit—the Herrscher's Eye of Truth. Three soul rings materialized around me, glowing with yellow, yellow, and purple light respectively. The air in the room seemed to grow denser with the sudden surge of soul power.
"My martial spirit is the Spirit Eye," I stated calmly, allowing the Dean to fully process the implications. "I am a level 37 soul master, and I am only nine years old."
My declaration was met with stunned silence. The Dean's composed exterior briefly faltered as she processed this extraordinary claim.
"You're not attempting to deceive me, are you?" she finally asked, her voice containing a hint of scepticism despite the evidence before her eyes. "Even at twelve or thirteen years of age, reaching level 37 would represent the most exceptional talent I've encountered."
"You're welcome to verify my bone age, Dean," I offered confidently. "That should confirm my true age."
The Dean rose from her seat and approached me. With a gentle motion of her hand, she activated her own soul power—a soft blue glow enveloping her fingers as she carefully examined my bone development. Her expression shifted from doubt to astonishment as she confirmed the truth of my claims.
I had chosen to reveal my actual age despite my ability to disguise myself for several strategic reasons. Primarily, I wanted to establish trust with the Dean—a foundation upon which I could build a beneficial relationship. Additionally, demonstrating my exceptional talent might grant me greater authority within the academy structure, potentially affording me access to resources and information that would otherwise remain restricted.
"In truth," I continued, "I've officially registered as a thirteen-year-old soul master with an Ice Blade martial spirit. This was a deliberate measure to conceal my abilities from major factions who might seek to exploit or control such talent. My martial spirit grants me powerful disguising capabilities and ice manipulation, which has facilitated this deception. I've chosen to reveal my true nature to you specifically because I seek the safety and growth opportunities your academy can provide. I offer my sincerity in exchange for your protection during our development here."
The Dean returned to her seat, visibly processing this unprecedented situation. After several moments of contemplation, she sighed deeply.
"I had intended to offer both of you positions as my personal disciples," she admitted, "but it's evident that you're already connected to influential hidden families." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "While I can acknowledge your extraordinary talent, I require something in return. I want you to prepare our next team for the continental tournament scheduled in five to six years. Secure at least a top-three position."
She leaned forward, her gaze intensifying. "I'm not adding you to this year's team because we both understand that you need more time to develop, and your exceptional abilities would be best showcased in the next continental competition. And you would be the best trump card of our team. Are these terms acceptable?"
"Please rest assured, Dean," I replied with unwavering confidence, "I will personally oversee the next team's development. I guarantee their placement among the top competitors." The promise came easily, as I was already mentally formulating training strategies based on what I'd observed of the academy's resources.
The Dean's expression softened slightly with satisfaction. "Excellent. Any resources you require will be made available to you. Regarding your team members, three candidates have already been selected: my daughters, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, plus an auxiliary soul master named Xue Wu. You may select the remaining members at your discretion."
"Thank you for your generosity, Dean," I responded with genuine appreciation. "I'll seek your guidance whenever necessary."
The Dean summoned Gu Xinxia back into the office with a gentle tap on her desk. "Escort these two to the dormitory they'll share with Shui Bing'er," she instructed.
Surprise flickered across Gu Xinxia's features at this unusual arrangement, but she quickly composed herself. Having witnessed Qing Baixue's remarkable talent firsthand, she likely assumed that mine was comparable or even superior.
"Please follow me," she invited with a respectful nod.
As we traversed the academy grounds once more, Gu Xinxia provided a detailed orientation. "I should familiarize you with some essential regulations," she began, gesturing to various buildings as we passed. "Meals are served three times daily in the central dining pavilion. The grand bathhouse is available for use twice daily. Should you need to leave the academy grounds for any reason—including soul ring acquisition—you must submit a formal request. Above all, proper discipline must be maintained at all times."
She led us to a charming two-story building surrounded by a moat filled with crystal-clear water. Small spirit fish with glowing scales darted beneath the surface, creating patterns that I recognized as a subtle defensive formation.
"Your dormitory accommodates seven residents," Gu Xinxia continued as we crossed an elegant arched bridge. "Each person is assigned a bed and a storage cabinet containing your academy uniforms."
"Thank you for your thorough guidance, Senior Sister," I replied sincerely.
She smiled warmly. "It's no trouble at all. Should any senior students attempt to bully you, please don't hesitate to contact me directly." With that, she departed, leaving us at the dormitory entrance.
The dormitory interior was spacious and tastefully decorated in shades of blue and silver. Three of the seven beds showed signs of occupancy, indicating that our future roommates were currently attending classes. Baixue and I selected adjacent beds, quickly settled our minimal belongings, and began meditation sessions. While Baixue focused on stabilizing her soul power, I worked on creating dense accumulations of mental energy in preparation for a breakthrough in the spiritual realm.
Time passed in peaceful silence until the dormitory door swung open, revealing three young women who entered with the easy familiarity of returning home. Baixue and I immediately ended our meditation and rose to greet them.
The two who entered first bore such striking resemblance that their sisterhood was unmistakable—both possessed extraordinary beauty, with features that seemed almost sculpted from the finest jade. The elder sister's presence commanded immediate attention. Her long azure hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her waist, and her eyes, the exact shade of deep glacial ice, reminded me of the vast ice fields I had recently traversed. She carried herself with innate grace and quiet confidence.
The younger sister, while nearly identical in appearance, differed subtly in her demeanor. Her blue eyes held a more playful light, and her movements were more animated. Though equally beautiful, her presence was slightly less commanding—not due to any physical difference, but rather a less developed sense of poise.
The third girl provided a striking contrast to the sisters. Her silver hair was cropped short in a practical style that framed an intelligent face dominated by thoughtful gray eyes that seemed to analyze everything they observed.
"Hello," I greeted them with a warm smile. "I'm Xiao Qingxue. I'll be your new dormmate starting today. And this," I gestured toward Baixue, who stood slightly behind me, "is my sister."
Baixue stepped forward with a small bow. "Um, I'm Qing Baixue. It's nice to meet you all." Her voice was soft but clear, betraying only a hint of nervousness.
The eldest of the three stepped forward, her movements fluid and graceful. "Welcome. I am Shui Bing'er," she introduced herself, her voice melodious and controlled. She gestured to the girls beside her. "This is my younger sister, Shui Yue'er, and our friend, Xue Wu."
The younger sister immediately brightened, her reserved demeanor giving way to enthusiastic curiosity. "It's wonderful to meet you both! We rarely get new students mid-term," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Please, call me Yue'er and my sister Bing'er. We don't stand on formality here."
She approached us with open friendliness, examining us with undisguised curiosity. "Are you water-attribute soul masters too? What level are you? How did you convince the Dean to admit you mid-term?"
"Yue'er," Bing'er admonished gently, "give them space to settle in before overwhelming them with questions."
Xue Wu, who had been observing us thoughtfully from a slight distance, finally spoke. Her voice was surprisingly melodious despite her practical appearance. "Have you both also been selected for the team?" she inquired, her gray eyes sharp with intelligence.
I nodded, appreciating her direct approach. "Yes, the Dean will inform all of you about the arrangements tomorrow," I replied, carefully measuring how much information to reveal. "She has specific plans that involve all of us."
"That's interesting," Xue Wu mused, exchanging a quick glance with Bing'er. "The composition of teams isn't usually altered once established."
"We'll be relying on all of you to help us become familiar with the academy," I said, skillfully redirecting the conversation. "Everything here is quite new to us."
Yue'er immediately brightened. "We'd be delighted to show you around! Wouldn't we, Bing'er?" She turned to her sister with expectant eyes.
Bing'er nodded with a small smile. "Of course. Perhaps we could begin after dinner this evening? That would give you time to rest and allow us to complete today's training exercises."
"That would be perfect," I agreed. "We'd be grateful for your guidance."
"Speaking of dinner," Xue Wu interjected, glancing at the ornate water clock on the wall, "it will be served soon. Would you like to join us in the dining pavilion? It would provide an excellent opportunity to introduce you to some of the academy's customs."
"We'd be honored," I replied, nodding to Baixue who stood attentively at my side.
(A/n- As you know, I am not good with writing conversation. I am introvert with only 2 friends with whom I could talk freely. Secret fact, I was dragged into being their friend. So anyway, I don't have better understanding of conversation, so you could guess that I used AI HOSHINO (if you truly think I am saying Ai Hoshino, then you are an idiot) to write this chapter up. If this seems little off, you could just suggest me how to improve it instead of scolding me like my mom. And make sure to comment and provide power stones. That's all.)