Only now did Shui Bing'er realize that Huo Wu was the daughter of the Blazing Academy's headmaster.
Though she appeared brash and outspoken on the surface, in truth she had a warm and genuine heart.
The four of them soon arrived at the main hall, where the girls of Tianshui Academy were already waiting.
All eyes turned to Yan in astonishment—none of them had expected that his blazing flame power could actually neutralize Bing Lan's overwhelming ice.
"Thank you both," Shui Bing'er said sincerely as she looked toward Yan and Huo Wu.
"You're welcome," Huo Wu smiled. "Tomorrow, I'll bring Yan-ge and my brother to see you."
"Alright. I'll see you at the academy tomorrow," Shui Bing'er replied with a gentle nod.
After saying that, she and Bing Lan turned and walked toward the group of waiting girls.
Meanwhile, Yan and Huo Wu went together to the service counter to collect their points and rewards.
After leaving the counter, Huo Wu gazed at the iron Soul Battle badge in her hand and sighed softly.
"What a pity. Teaming up with you, we only fought two matches and it's already over."
Yan smiled faintly. "There's nothing to regret. You wanted to test Shui Bing'er's strength, didn't you? You've achieved your goal—that's enough."
Huo Wu nodded slightly. "Mm. You saw it yourself—right now, my strength still isn't on par with hers. So there's no need to push it further. Besides, my brother and I should be heading back soon anyway."
Through tonight's battle, Huo Wu had come to understand the gap between herself and Shui Bing'er.
She had given everything she had, even resorting to the Fusion Ring technique, yet still couldn't win.
She also realized the immense difference between herself and Yan.
Fighting alongside him only made her aware of how far she still had to go—she wasn't helping him improve, only holding him back.
Someone as mysterious and powerful as Yan belonged on a higher stage, facing far stronger opponents.
Yan knew, deep down, that in two years' time at the Continental Soul Master Tournament, Blazing Academy would most likely still lose to Tianshui.
After all, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was nearly unstoppable.
"It's good that you're going back early," Yan said calmly. "Train hard. In the Soul Master Tournament, teamwork and coordination are just as important as strength. The better your synergy, the greater your power. Also, try not to use that Fusion Ring skill too often—it's powerful, but also dangerous."
"I understand," Huo Wu nodded. "By the way, can you tell me now which academy you're from?"
At her tentative question, Yan simply shook his head.
"Not yet. You don't need to be curious. You'll find out soon enough—at the tournament in two years."
Huo Wu sighed. "Alright. Your flame power is truly incredible. Whatever academy you're from, it's sure to be a dark horse—maybe even strong enough to challenge the Spirit Hall Academy team's position. Looks like we Blazing Academy have one more formidable rival next time."
Yan smiled without responding further.
The two of them arranged their meeting place for the next day, then went their separate ways.
After leaving the arena, Yan caught up with Yue Guan.
Yue Guan smiled. "Yan, you performed quite well tonight. It seems the two girls from Tianshui Academy hold you in high regard."
Yan nodded. "Yes, teacher. We've agreed that tomorrow, Huo Wu and I will visit Tianshui Academy together."
Yue Guan's smile deepened, clearly pleased.
"That's a good opportunity. It'll be useful for you to mingle with the younger generation of promising talents. Who knows—perhaps one day, they might even be drawn into the Spirit Hall's levels."
"Understood."
Shui Bing'er and Bing Lan walked quietly along the path back to their quarters.
The fierce battle against the Blazing Duo was still vivid in their minds—the tension and intensity of it lingered even now.
In her thoughts, Shui Bing'er kept replaying every one of Yan's movements on the stage—his calm composure, his overwhelming strength—they had left a deep impression on her heart.
Bing Lan suddenly broke the silence, leaning closer to whisper softly in Shui Bing'er's ear:
"Bing'er, I might've misjudged Yan before. Maybe he's not as cold and aloof as he seems. He's mysterious, yes—but I don't think he's a bad person."
Tonight, Bing Lan had been thoroughly convinced by Yan's power.
After the match, he'd even offered them an herbal remedy to restore their stamina. That gesture had changed her opinion of him completely.
Shui Bing'er turned to look at her and nodded gently.
"I think so too. He doesn't seem like a bad person."
Bing Lan smiled faintly. "Bing'er, you're too kind—too pure. In your eyes, it seems there's no such thing as a bad person. But perhaps we won't have much time to know him better. Huo Wu will be leaving soon, and Yan might be gone not long after."
Hearing that, Shui Bing'er's heart trembled slightly.
She gazed into the distance, as if she could already see Yan's departing figure.
A faint emptiness welled up within her.
She didn't understand why she felt this way toward someone she'd only just met.
But ever since that first moment she saw Yan on the arena stage, his image had quietly taken root in her heart.
Moonlight poured down like water, bathing the two girls in a soft silvery glow, lending a gentle serenity to the night.
Shui Bing'er took a deep breath, trying to calm the restless fluttering in her chest.
She knew this sudden emotion was probably just a part of youth—brief yet sincere, stirring her heart in ways she couldn't deny.
"Bing'er."
"Hmm?" Shui Bing'er blinked, pulled from her thoughts.
"Did you… fall for him?"
"N-no, of course not."
"Come now," Bing Lan teased lightly. "There's no need to hide it from me. I've been through all that myself. You're at that age when the first stirrings of affection bloom—it's a feeling you'll always look back on fondly one day."
Shui Bing'er's cheeks flushed pink. "Lan-jie, I really admire your courage—how you once sacrificed so much for love."
Bing Lan smiled wistfully. "For me, power and wealth were just illusions. If I could choose again, I'd still make the same decision. The greatest regret in life, perhaps, is to love but never obtain that love."
As she spoke, a gentle, almost blissful smile touched her lips.
In the continent of Douluo, though strength reigned supreme, the world was also filled with power and desire.
Tianshui Academy accepted only female students with water-type spirits—and unlike the Spirit Hall Academy, it was one of the few elite schools open to commoners.
Its existence had changed the fates of countless girls.
Many of its beautiful and talented students became the targets of admiration—and pursuit—by nobles and princes alike.
Those blessed with both beauty and strength were often sought after in secret by the powerful.
Most graduates ended up marrying into nobility, living lives of wealth and luxury.
But a few chose another path—living freely, true to themselves.
Bing Lan was one of them.
Though many noble suitors had courted her, she defied her family's wishes after graduation and married an ordinary soul master. Later, she took up work as a teaching assistant at the academy.
Her married life was simple, even plain—but being with the one she loved made her genuinely happy.
Shui Bing'er, the most gifted of the younger generation at Tianshui, cared little for power or fame.
That wasn't the life she wanted.
She longed to live as herself—
To one day have the courage, like Bing Lan, to break free from the invisible chains that bound her.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn touched the horizon, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and Yan met punctually at their agreed-upon spot.
Together, the three set out for Tianshui Academy.
Tianshui was located right next to Tokes City—close enough that the journey didn't take long.
Riding swift horses, they reached Tianshui City within an hour.
From afar, the city looked like a shining jewel cradled within a ring of mountains—its scenery breathtaking.
It was a city built upon the water.
At its center lay a vast lake, its surface shimmering and crystal-clear.
Around the lake were elegant clusters of buildings—some ancient and quaint, others grand and stately.
The Tianshui Academy complex stood out most of all. Built on an elevated slope by the lakeside, its white walls were carved with delicate patterns, and its roofs were tiled in glossy turquoise glazed tiles that sparkled under the morning sun.
The three of them passed through the city streets and arrived at the academy gates.
Shui Bing'er was already there waiting for them.
Today, she wore the light-blue school uniform of Tianshui Academy, looking especially pure and radiant.
When she saw them approaching, she smiled brightly.
"You're here! Come on, follow me inside.".
PS: Access advance chapters at