After coming to her senses, Xue Wu scratched her head and said, "Uh… Bing'er's brother being able to participate with us is a good thing, but Director, doesn't our academy not accept male students? Back then, Shui Bing'er begged you for a long time, and you still didn't agree."
"Ahem~"
Hearing this, Shui Yue Ruo's face immediately flushed red, and she said awkwardly, "Times change. If you all had been a bit more outstanding, and had a Soul King among you, I wouldn't have thought of letting Wuhen join as a backup."
Back then, she really hadn't agreed to let Shui Wuhen join Tienshui Academy. One reason was the academy's rule of only admitting beautiful girls.
The other reason was concern that a boy like Shui Wuhen—especially one with both looks and talent—being in the academy would stir trouble among the girls there.
If it was just jealousy, that would be fine. But if something like night attacks, secret affairs, or even suicides happened, the reputation of Tienshui Academy would be ruined.
Even Shui Wuhen's right to enter Tienshui Academy just to see Shui Bing'er had been granted only after Shui Yue Ruo observed him for a long time.
Upon hearing Shui Yue Ruo's words, Xue Wu and the others pouted. They were already at Soul Sect level—what more could they possibly "prove themselves" with?
Did she really expect them to break through to Soul King level in their early twenties?
If that were so easy, Soul Kings would appear much more often in previous elite tournaments.
Seeing this, Shui Yue Ruo realized her demand had been high, so she quickly changed the subject: "Alright, now that Wuhen has arrived, it's time for us to depart."
She then looked at Shui Wuhen, tentatively asking, "Wuhen, um…"
"No, Articuno wouldn't agree."
Before Shui Yue Ruo could finish, Shui Wuhen shook his head.
He had spent a long time convincing Articuno to carry Shui Bing'er once before—there was no way it would agree to carry so many people.
With Articuno's proud personality, Shui Wuhen didn't even need to think—she simply wouldn't agree.
"Ugh!!!"
Hearing that someone actually wanted to use her as transportation, the Articuno on Shui Wuhen's shoulder gave Shui Yue Ruo a sharp glare.
Shui Yue Ruo immediately felt a cold chill behind her and awkwardly smiled, not daring to bring up the idea of riding Articuno again.
Inside, she felt a twinge of disappointment: What a pity… I thought I could finally experience riding Articuno.
Shui Wuhen rode this beautiful Articuno everywhere, which naturally made her very envious. But every time she suggested it, she ended up failing.
Shaking her head to dispel the disappointment, Shui Yue Ruo said to everyone present, "Then we'll take my carriage. My horses are faster!"
Although running at full speed would be faster than the carriage, the soul power and stamina of a Soul Master are limited—they couldn't maintain full power constantly.
Moreover, Tienshui City was over a thousand kilometers from their destination, Tiandou City. Walking that distance would consume too much energy, which would be bad for the upcoming battles.
Compared to that, specially selected horses were more reliable.
Half an hour later, several ornate carriages marked with Tienshui Academy's emblem drove off amid the cheers of the students and teachers, heading toward Tiandou City.
"Bing'er's brother, what level are you at now? You should have broken through to Soul King, right?"
On the carriage, Xue Wu asked Shui Wuhen curiously.
A Soul Master's level cannot be seen from appearance. Only when they fight at full power, revealing all their spirit rings, can others judge their level based on soul power fluctuations.
Shui Wuhen had long secluded himself to train and rarely showed his power in front of others, so his exact level had always been a mystery.
However, Xue Wu had heard from Shui Bing'er that Shui Wuhen had broken through Soul Sect a long time ago. Even if he hadn't reached Soul King yet, he couldn't be far from it.
Shui Wuhen looked at Xue Wu's curious gaze, nodded lightly, and said calmly, "I have broken through."
"I knew it!"
Xue Wu rejoiced at his confirmation. "That's great! Tienshui Academy now has a Soul King guarding us."
Sitting beside Shui Wuhen, Shui Bing'er inwardly felt proud: You're amazed just because he recently broke through Soul King. If Xue Wu knew, her brother had already reached Soul King two years ago—she'd be completely shocked!
As Shui Wuhen's sister, Shui Bing'er naturally knew his progress best. It was truly terrifying.
His speed of improvement even frustrated Shui Bing'er herself.
Could innate full soul power really be this strong? I'm also at innate 9.5 level, just half a level short…
She muttered to herself. Over the years, she had worked hard to catch up with Shui Wuhen. While other sisters shopped and played, she either meditated or trained her soul skills, which allowed her to reach level 46 at sixteen.
Yet no matter how hard she tried, the gap with Shui Wuhen only grew. She had just reached Soul Sect while he had already broken through Soul King. It made her occasionally doubt whether she really was the genius the teachers spoke of.
"Brother, how exactly do you train…"
Shui Bing'er wanted to ask, but she saw Shui Wuhen had entered meditation, so she swallowed the words.
Now she understood how he trained.
She then mimicked his posture and began meditating as well, leaving only Xue Wu and another female student exchanging glances.
The carriage kept moving, and in the blink of an eye, four days passed. They had traveled a thousand kilometers, covering two-thirds of the journey.
During this time, the carriage with Shui Wuhen had all its occupants meditating, forming a sharp contrast with the lively carriages around them.
Boom——
Just when everyone thought they would safely reach the capital, Tiandou City, a violent roar suddenly echoed, followed by a sand-filled gale sweeping toward the Tienshui Academy convoy.
At this moment, Shui Wuhen awoke from meditation, grabbed Shui Bing'er, and leapt out of the carriage.
Whoosh~ whoosh~ whoosh~
Following him, Articuno appeared, its talons carrying Xue Wu and another female student from Tienshui Academy.
Soon, figures from the other carriages also jumped out with their passengers. The very next second, the gale hit, instantly overturning all the carriages.
Shui Yue Ruo, as the director, looked toward the distance, her face filled with shock:
"What… what exactly is happening? How can such a strong energy fluctuation appear?"