Chapter 15: The Third Soul Ring
At the academy, public and private matters must be kept separate.
Xiao Han adapted quickly, which satisfied Lin Zhiruo. She continued:
"As you've seen, this year's team lineup is different from previous years—we've confirmed a substitute in advance: Xiao Han."
Shui Bing'er smiled and said:
"With Xiao Han's strength, making him a substitute is really a bit unfair."
"Indeed."
Shui Yue'er chimed in as well.
Lin Zhiruo interrupted them, glanced at Xiao Han, and joked:
"No need to feel sorry for him. The fact that he can stay at our girls' academy is already a big deal."
Xiao Han chuckled.
"I don't feel wronged at all. Being teammates with all of you sisters makes me very happy. Whether I'm a main or a substitute doesn't matter. As a substitute, I'll be your strongest support."
Everyone laughed at Xiao Han's words.
Lin Zhiruo continued:
"Some of you have trained together already and developed some chemistry. But others come from different classes and aren't familiar with one another yet. So, let's begin with introductions."
"Okay."
As the oldest member of the team, Yu Hairou stepped up first and introduced herself:
"Hello everyone, I'm Yu Hairou. Martial soul: Coral Barracuda. Level 26, power attack-type Battle Soul Master."
Gu Qingbo went next.
"Hello, I'm Gu Qingbo. Martial soul: Azure Sailfish. Level 24, agility attack-type Battle Soul Master."
Next was Xue Wu.
"Hello everyone, I'm Xue Wu. Martial soul: Silken Snow Ribbon. Level 27, support-type Battle Soul Master."
Xue Wu had long black hair and snow-white skin. She appeared calm and quiet.
She was a year older than Shui Bing'er.
Though she had been at the academy for five years, Xiao Han had rarely seen her.
Support-type soul masters have a harder time cultivating than regular soul masters.
Xiao Han assumed Xue Wu must have trained diligently to become outstanding among her peers.
He also knew that Xue Wu could not only manipulate weather, but in the future, she and Shui Bing'er could combine their martial souls into a powerful fusion technique—Ice and Snow Drift.
Another quiet girl stepped up.
"Hello everyone, I'm Shen Liuyu. Martial soul: Enamel Fanged Crocodile. Level 23, power attack-type Battle Soul Master."
Shen Liuyu had short, water-blue hair and neat bangs, giving her a sweet and well-behaved look.
Next was a tall girl with long, ice-blue hair tied high, with a few strands of bangs falling naturally on her cheeks, making her look sharp and capable.
"Hello everyone, I'm Qiu Ruoshui. Martial soul: Blue Lotus Sea Bass. Level 23, power attack-type Battle Soul Master."
Then Shui Bing'er stepped forward.
"Hello everyone, I'm Shui Bing'er. Martial soul: Ice Phoenix. Level 28, control-type Battle Soul Master."
She was followed by Shui Yue'er.
"Hello everyone, I'm Shui Yue'er. Martial soul: Glazed Jade Dolphin. Level 22, agility attack-type Battle Soul Master."
After all the girls had introduced themselves, Xiao Han was naturally the last.
Everyone's eyes fell on him.
As the only male in Tianshui Academy and the unofficial "security guard" at the girls' dorm entrance, Xiao Han was used to their stares.
He calmly stepped forward and said:
"Hello seniors, my name is Xiao Han. Martial soul: True Ice Bow and Arrow. Level 29, power attack-type Battle Soul Master."
Only Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er knew that Xiao Han had reached level 29.
The other girls were surprised.
They only knew he had innate full soul power and a second soul ring of thousand-year quality.
But they hadn't expected that the youngest one among them had the highest level.
Lin Zhiruo's eyes scanned the group and finally landed on Shui Bing'er.
"Our Tianshui Academy battle team always values strength. Although Bing'er is young, she's calm, composed, and able to see the bigger picture. She's the strongest among the seven main members, and undoubtedly the best choice for team captain. Bing'er, from now on, you are the captain."
Everyone turned to look at Shui Bing'er.
She glanced at Xiao Han—his prediction from two years ago had come true.
"Dean Lin, I will shoulder the responsibility of captain, work hard with everyone, and strive for the best results."
"Very good. Xue Wu, you will be the vice-captain and assist Bing'er."
"Okay."
Lin Zhiruo nodded in satisfaction.
"Next, I'll conduct systematic training to build your coordination. Then I'll take you into real combat to gain experience. From now on, you are one team. Help each other and grow together."
"Understood."
After that, Lin Zhiruo began training the team.
Three to four months passed in a flash.
During these months, everyone trained together daily, growing more in sync and improving significantly in strength.
One day, after finishing cultivation, Xiao Han's eyes lit up.
"I finally broke through to level 30. But this time, I might not be able to take Bing'er to the Icebound Forest."
Just a few days earlier, Shui Bing'er had reached level 29.
At her cultivation pace, it might take another four months to reach level 30.
Now that Lin Zhiruo was their coach, she couldn't afford the time and energy to accompany Bing'er to the forest.
Before departing, Xiao Han found Shui Bing'er.
"Bing'er, I'm heading to the Icebound Forest. You've accompanied me for both my previous soul beast hunts, and I'm not used to going without you."
"I want to go too, but I just hit level 29 and can't take up Dean Lin's time."
"Next time then. I'll go with you."
"Okay."
After saying goodbye, Xiao Han and Lin Zhiruo departed for the far north.
They traveled swiftly and reached the Icebound Forest in less than half a month.
"Xiao Han, this time we'll try to find a suitable soul beast as quickly as possible. Once you've obtained your soul ring, we'll return right away."
"Alright. Mom, my third soul ring should be at least 2,000 years old."
"Got it."
Although Xiao Han had taken whale glue to strengthen his body, Lin Zhiruo wouldn't let him take risks.
In her view, a soul beast with a cultivation age of up to 3,000 years was his limit.
They searched the forest for more than ten days but found nothing suitable.
The soul beasts were either too weak or too strong—over 3,000 years.
Lin Zhiruo's target was very specific: soul beasts between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.
One day, as they walked, Lin Zhiruo suddenly stopped.
"Xiao Han, there's a soul beast nearby."
"Where?"
"On that big tree."
Xiao Han followed her gaze.
On a towering tree a hundred meters ahead perched several ice-blue birds.
"Mom, are those Ice Rain Swifts?"
"Yes. Two of them are about 3,000 years old. We'll take one for your third soul ring. They're extremely fast and have strong attack power—we must strike quickly. You protect yourself."
Before she finished speaking, Lin Zhiruo shot out like a blue lightning bolt.
[Friends, during the trial phase, please come back to check the next chapter after the update tomorrow. Thank you!]
(End of Chapter)
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