"Eh-heh?"
Paimon blinked, clearly intrigued by the mention of food—though not quite as much if she was the one on the menu.
"Traveler…"
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you go over there? I'll just… stay here~"
Paimon clasped her hands behind her back, adopting an innocent look like she wasn't exactly fit for the situation.
"What's wrong now?"
Aether looked puzzled. What kind of nonsense was she up to this time?
"Didn't you just say they looked like they were about to eat you? What if they eat me too?!"
"…"
"Hey~! Don't drag me! You jerk!"
Aether ignored her protests, picked her up, and marched straight toward the group.
"Your Excellency!"
"Your Excellency…"
One by one, they greeted him respectfully. Shui Xinrou gestured for the rest of the team to leave, leaving only her and the Shui sisters behind.
Yu Keke ran over with Fire Meow Meow clutched in her arms. Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing blushed and quietly moved to stand behind Aether.
"Headmistress, everyone… thank you for taking such good care of Keke during this time."
Aether cupped his fists toward the women of Skywater Academy. Today, he had come to say goodbye—it was time to leave Skywater City.
Keke had been studying here for over a month. After undergoing elemental baptism, her soul power had risen to rank 34.
A nine-year-old at Soul Elder level—this was practically unheard of across the entire continent.
"Your Excellency flatters us~"
Shui Xinrou flicked her jade-like wrist and smiled gracefully.
"Keke's talent is astonishing. It was our honor to have her spend even a short time with us. And as for your act of saving Bing'er and Yue'er… we truly have no way to repay that."
Back then, they had first met this man in the forest, when Bing'er and Yue'er had encountered danger and he had appeared in the nick of time to save them.
Aether waved off her words with a smile. Truthfully, the soul beast tide they'd run into had been indirectly caused by him and his companions—but he wasn't about to admit that.
Just then, Shui Bing'er stepped forward and approached Keke. She opened her palm to reveal a silver ring that looked somewhat ancient, its intricate carvings crafted with masterful detail. It resembled a rare and beautiful piece of jewelry.
"Wow! That ring is so pretty~"
Keke's eyes lit up with awe at the sight.
"Hehe, it's a storage-type soul tool ring. It's a token of our academy's appreciation—this is for you."
Shui Bing'er extended the ring toward Keke.
A few days ago, Shui Xinrou had entrusted it to her. They knew Aether's promised departure was drawing near, and they'd wanted to prepare a gift to express their gratitude for his help.
But with Aether's terrifying strength, no one could figure out what might be worthy enough. Instructors and elders alike racked their brains, but everything they came up with felt lacking.
Finally, it was Bing'er who proposed this: rather than risk insulting him with something too trivial, why not offer the gift to Keke instead, as a keepsake?
Everyone agreed. After narrowing down the options, they selected this storage soul tool ring. Shui Xinrou handed it to Bing'er and let her present it on their behalf.
"Huh? For… me?"
Keke was stunned, her little face frozen in surprise.
"Yup! It's a gift from the academy to you," Shui Bing'er nodded firmly.
"But I didn't even prepare anything for Headmistress or you sisters… I can't accept this…"
Keke waved her hands frantically. It was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen, clearly something valuable. She didn't dare accept it—not when she had received so much care here.
If anything, she should be the one giving gifts…
"Aiya, we've already taken you as our little sister. Just accept it."
Shui Bing'er grabbed Keke's hand, placed the ring into her palm, and closed her fingers around it with a firm, no-nonsense smile.
A spatial soul tool…?
Aether's gaze flickered with interest.
This was likely one of those long-lost forging arts—a true storage-type soul guide. Rare and powerful, its internal space resembled that of his Serenitea Pot in function.
He chuckled to himself. Clearly, Skywater Academy really liked Keke.
Whatever the case, it was a kind and thoughtful gesture.
Noticing Keke and Bing'er still caught up in polite refusal, he finally spoke up:
"It's a token from the academy. Go ahead and take it, Keke."
"B-But…"
With her brother having spoken, Keke didn't argue further. Instead, she began fumbling around, clearly flustered—looking for something she could give in return.
Then her gaze landed on Fire Meow Meow, curled up on the ground nearby. Her expression shifted.
"…"
Fire Meow Meow was happily grooming its paws, when it suddenly felt a chill run down its spine. It looked up, glancing around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Weird… why's it suddenly cold in here?
It shivered involuntarily.
"Alright then~ Since the sisters gave you a gift, we should return the gesture. You'll represent us."
Aether chuckled, guessing exactly what Keke was thinking.
This little one had always hated owing anyone anything.
He raised a hand and conjured three shimmering green orbs of light, handing them to Keke along with a meaningful look.
She nodded instantly. Slipping the ring onto her finger, she carefully cradled the three light spheres, then turned and presented them to Shui Xinrou and the Skywater sisters.
"Headmistress, Sister Bing'er, Sister Yue'er—these are for you!"
"…What are these?" Shui Xinrou asked softly, her eyes drawn to the vibrant, life-filled glow.
Since they came from His Excellency, they were clearly no ordinary objects. Yet even as a Soul Douluo, she couldn't discern their nature.
"These can make your body feel better! My brother gave me one before."
Keke beamed as she explained.
The women glanced at each other before Shui Xinrou cautiously extended a hand toward one orb.
The moment her finger touched it, the energy surged into her meridians. Her curvaceous body trembled uncontrollably, her martial soul activating on its own as a torrent of soul power burst forth.
Seeing this, Aether waved his hand, conjuring a barrier to shield them.
Shui Xinrou's soul power became increasingly unstable and intense. With no other choice, she immediately sat cross-legged and began meditating on the spot to suppress the raging force.
Moments later, with a breathless moan escaping her lips, her soul power retracted completely.
"Thank you, Your Excellency… for this gift of rebirth!"
Shui Xinrou's eyes sparkled as she looked at Aether, her expression practically glowing.
"Headmistress… your soul power…!"
The Shui sisters stared at her with wide eyes. From the sheer pressure that had erupted moments ago, they could feel it—an overwhelming, godlike presence.
It could only mean one thing.
The Headmistress… had broken through.
She was now a Title Douluo.
_
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