As expected, the same scene unfolded once again—something that happened nearly every time the student body was assembled. Wang Wan was already used to it, so she said nothing in reprimand and simply let the agenda move forward.
"Next, let's have the Headmistress announce the team that will represent Skywater Academy in the upcoming tournament!"
After speaking, Wang Wan gave a slight bow toward Shui Xinrou and then sat down.
"Students," Shui Xinrou's voice rang out clear and authoritative, "the internal Soul Battle Tournament concluded yesterday. After careful deliberation and evaluation by our instructors, the list of students who will represent our academy in the Inter-Soul Master Tournament has been finalized. I will now announce the team roster."
"Shui Bing'er…"
The moment her name was spoken, a wave of applause surged through the student body below.
Clearly, in their eyes, Shui Bing'er held an extraordinary status.
"Xue Wu, Shui Yue'er, Yu Hairou…"
One name after another was called, each met with murmurs of approval.
But once the full list of eight members had been announced, a tide of whispering swept through the crowd.
"Wait, why aren't Zhu Zhuqing and Yu Keke on the list? That one girl they picked doesn't even come close to them!"
"Yeah, why aren't our academy's top fighters being sent out?"
"Something's fishy—don't tell me they went through the back door to get on the team?"
"Headmistress, are you blind? If Yu Keke were competing, forget just the Inter-Academy Tournament—we'd have a real shot at winning the entire Continental Soul Master Championship!"
"Huh? What makes you say that?"
"Have you gone dumb from overcultivating? Didn't you see what Keke's holding?"
"That little fire cat? Ow! Why'd you hit me?!"
"You dare refer to Lord Fire Meow Meow so casually? Who else should I hit?"
"Alright, fine! But… what does that have to do with winning the championship?"
The student shrank back instinctively, afraid of drawing the attention of the tiny feline in Yu Keke's arms.
Fire Meow Meow had made a name for itself across Skywater Academy. Everyone knew that beneath the exterior of a fluffy, adorable pet lay a hundred-thousand-year soul beast king.
Thanks to that terrifying revelation, Fire Meow Meow now walked the halls like an emperor patrolling its territory—deterring would-be troublemakers wherever it went.
"Who does Lord Fire Meow Meow follow?"
"Yu Keke, obviously."
"So if Keke joins the tournament, she's bringing the Lord along with her…"
"…Hiss~ Now that you put it that way, I think I get it!"
"You guys are getting ahead of yourselves. You think soul beasts are allowed to enter the tournament field?"
A bespectacled student adjusted her glasses and flashed a knowing smile.
"Good point…"
Those involved in the discussion begrudgingly nodded in agreement.
"Not only that, but there'll be Title Douluo in the audience. If they see a hundred-thousand-year soul beast walking around freely…"
The girl pushed her glasses up again.
"Holy crap, that's a disaster waiting to happen."
"Exactly. Who wouldn't be tempted by a hundred-thousand-year soul ring or a soul bone?"
"Wait, don't you all remember Keke's older brother? I heard he's—"
"SILENCE!"
Wang Wan's voice boomed through the courtyard, silencing the crowd instantly. Shui Xinrou's calm voice followed.
"It seems some students are dissatisfied with the selection list? Very well. If anyone has alternative suggestions, feel free to speak up."
She scanned the students.
The team roster had been finalized after rigorous selection trials. By all accounts—both talent and combat prowess—there should have been no room for doubt. Yet the murmuring hadn't stopped.
She was curious: what exactly did these students think?
"Reporting!"
A student from the front row raised her hand, locking eyes with Shui Xinrou. Upon receiving her nod, she began.
"Headmistress, why wasn't Zhu Zhuqing chosen? From what I've seen, she's second only to Shui Bing'er in strength."
She was a powerhouse in the academy's internal tournament—until she got matched against Zhu Zhuqing.
Despite breezing through her earlier matches, she couldn't even last ten rounds against Zhu Zhuqing.
To her, strength was everything.
If someone like Zhu Zhuqing couldn't make the cut, then this list was definitely flawed.
"Headmistress, I share the same confusion. Why isn't Zhu Zhuqing on the team?"
"Headmistress, I know I aged out of eligibility, but Keke beat me fair and square. Why isn't she on the list either?"
"Exactly! We've all seen Keke's strength with our own eyes—how is she not part of the team?"
One voice led to another, and soon the courtyard was as loud as a marketplace.
"Enough~"
Shui Xinrou raised her hand and pressed it downward, her voice infused with soul power that rippled across the courtyard, instantly quieting the crowd.
"So everyone's questioning why Zhuqing and Keke aren't on the roster, correct?"
"Yes!" the students responded in unison.
If one listened carefully, there were a few stray voices muttering things like "What about me?"—but those were quickly drowned out by the majority.
"Heh~"
Shui Xinrou chuckled softly. She had thought the complaints were against the instructors' decisions. Turns out these students were all speaking up on behalf of those two girls.
"Zhuqing and Keke aren't on the list… because they chose not to participate."
The moment those words left her mouth, the crowd exploded once more.
"No way! This is the Soul Master Tournament and they don't want to join?"
"As soul masters, turning down the biggest stage—what kind of alternate universe are we living in?"
"Seriously? When you're that talented, you can just do whatever you want?"
"Enough. Does anyone else have a suggestion?"
Shui Xinrou brought the crowd under control again with a few firm words.
This time, no one else spoke. The usual rebel types one might expect in stories like these had already been thoroughly defeated in the internal tournament. No one dared stir up drama anymore.
With a wave of her hand, Shui Xinrou ended the assembly. The students dispersed—some to training, others to their own business.
Under the shade of a grove within the academy, the official team members were gathered together by Shui Xinrou. She had also summoned Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Are you two really not joining the tournament?"
"Sorry, Headmistress… I want to go with my brother," Keke said, head lowered in guilt.
She had learned so much during her time at the academy—about martial souls, about cultivation, about what this tournament meant to both individual soul masters and the academy as a whole.
But even so, she had made her choice. And it was clear where her heart lay.
Still, she felt bad for the sisters who had supported her.
"Heh~ Don't blame yourself, Keke. No matter what, you'll always be one of ours. When you become a Title Douluo, we'll wear that pride like a badge."
Shui Xinrou smiled tenderly, holding Keke's hand, then turned to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Headmistress, I'm with Keke."
Zhu Zhuqing bowed respectfully.
"I see. Being able to follow that one is a blessing. You two are—"
She stopped mid-sentence. Two figures were approaching from the distance.
It was Aether and little Paimon.
"Your Excellency!"
Shui Yue'er couldn't help but cry out. Even Shui Bing'er beside her looked like she was about to leap forward.
"Paimon, are you getting a weird vibe here?"
Still a ways off, Aether could already see the sparkle in the girls' eyes.
"Huh? What vibe?"
"Like they're about to eat me alive…"
_
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