Chapter 207: Father Shui’s Thoughts
The night deepened.
In the hallway of the Spirit Hall Grand Hotel, Shui Bing’er’s figure gradually receded into the distance.
Jiang Bai stood by the window, watching her silhouette vanish around the corner, a faint smile playing upon his lips.
That smile carried with it a confidence that bespoke a determination to succeed.
"Well?"
Qian Renxue’s voice drifted in from behind him, tinged with a hint of languor. "Do you think she’ll come?"
Jiang Bai turned around to face her.
Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing Qian Renxue in its glow and softly outlining her contours. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a faint, gentle smile graced her exquisite features.
"She will."
His voice was soft, yet filled with absolute certainty.
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. "That confident?"
Jiang Bai smiled. "The Ice Phoenix Spirit—it possesses an innate pride, yet it also harbors an innate desire for strength. She won’t let this opportunity slip away."
Qian Renxue nodded, offering no further comment.
The two stood side by side for a while, gazing silently at the moonlit scene outside the window.
Outside, Spirit Hall City blazed with lights, resembling a radiant pearl embedded within the canvas of the night. In the distance, the silhouette of Pope’s Mountain loomed faintly, appearing particularly sacred beneath the moonlight.
Jiang Bai suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, right—there’s one more person I’d like to recruit."
Qian Renxue turned her head to look at him.
"Who?"
Jiang Bai’s gaze drifted toward the distance.
"The Nine-Heart Begonia user—Ye Lingling!"
Qian Renxue’s brows furrowed slightly.
She studied Jiang Bai, a flicker of suspicion flashing in her eyes.
"Don’t tell me... you’re not going to spare even her?"
Jiang Bai gave a light cough and replied with a perfectly straight face, "How could you think that? Am I really that kind of person?"
Qian Renxue fixed him with a stare—her violet eyes seeming capable of seeing right through him.
Feeling somewhat guilty under her intense scrutiny, Jiang Bai hurriedly added, "Well... unless she’s willing, of course. That would be a different story."
Qian Renxue’s eyes instantly narrowed into slits.
"Go to hell, you bastard!"
She raised her hand and delivered a sharp punch to Jiang Bai’s chest.
...
Meanwhile... The hotel where Tianshui Academy was staying.
Shui Bing’er returned to her room, closed the door, and leaned back against it.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Yet, in her mind, Jiang Bai’s words echoed over and over again.
"I intend to establish a sect and participate in the next Sect Hegemony Tournament."
"Their talent and aptitude—how could they possibly compare to yours?"
"I can personally guide your cultivation."
"I also happen to know two Title Douluo who possess the Ice attribute..."
Those words, like a magic spell, lingered in her mind and refused to fade away.
She walked over to the window and gazed out at the nightscape.
Outside the window, Spirit City was ablaze with lights and bustling with extraordinary activity. In the distance, the newly constructed Great Spirit Arena appeared particularly majestic against the backdrop of the night sky.
She thought back to herself standing in the arena earlier that day.
Facing an opponent of the Title Douluo rank, she hadn’t even had the chance to make a move.
Did she feel resentment?
Of course she did.
But more than that, she felt a profound sense of powerlessness.
The gap between a Title Douluo and a Spirit Sect was not something that could be bridged by mere courage and perseverance. It was an insurmountable chasm—a vast, unbridgeable gulf!
But what if... what if she had the guidance of a Title Douluo?
Could she then rapidly catch up?
Shui Bing’er’s heart gave a sudden, violent lurch.
She closed her eyes and took another deep breath.
Then, she lay down on her bed, tossing and turning, yet unable to find sleep no matter how hard she tried.
...
Early the next morning.
Shui Bing’er sought out the Vice Dean of Tianshui Academy and recounted the events of the previous night in painstaking detail.
Upon hearing her story, the Vice Dean was left completely dumbfounded.
Her eyes widened to their absolute limit, her mouth hung slightly ajar, and for a long moment, she was utterly speechless.
"The Adjudication Elder... invited you to join his sect?!"
Her voice was laced with sheer disbelief.
Shui Bing’er nodded.
The Vice Dean remained silent for a very long time. Then, she took a deep breath and spoke solemnly: "Bing’er, this may well be your great opportunity."
She gazed at Shui Bing’er, her eyes holding a profound depth: "Guidance from a Super Douluo—such an opportunity is a rare stroke of luck, not something one can simply seek out."
"Your talent is exceptional; however, if you remain at Tianshui Academy, the resources available here would, at best, only suffice to help you cultivate to the level of a Soul Saint or a Soul Douluo. To break through to the rank of a Titled Douluo would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens."
She paused briefly: "But if you were to have the guidance and resources of a Titled Douluo..."
She left the sentence unfinished.
Yet, the implication was already abundantly clear.
Shui Bing’er remained silent for a moment before nodding: "I understand. That is why I was thinking... I should go back and discuss this with my family."
The Vice Principal nodded in agreement: "That is only proper. However..."
She smiled gently: "I suspect your family will not object."
Shui Bing’er gave a wry smile: "I hope so."
...
Half a month later.
Tianshui City—the Shui Clan Estate.
Situated in the eastern district of Tianshui City, this estate spanned a vast area. Its architecture was both quaint and elegant, exuding the grandeur and prestige characteristic of a prominent aristocratic clan at every turn.
Upon returning home, Shui Bing’er recounted the entire matter to her parents.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was heavy with solemnity.
Shui Bing’er’s father sat in the seat of honor, remaining silent for a long time.
He finally raised his head to look at his daughter, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions: "Bing’er, have you truly thought this through?"
Shui Bing’er nodded, her gaze unwavering: "I have."
Her mother, standing nearby, sighed deeply, her eyes clouded with worry: "But... that is Spirit City we’re talking about—the very stronghold of the Spirit Hall..."
Shui Bing’er walked over, took her mother’s hands in her own, and spoke softly: "Mom, the Spirit Hall isn’t as terrifying as you think. Besides, I’m merely going there to study; I’m not going to engage in anything dangerous."
Her mother gazed back at her, appearing as though she wished to say more, but in the end, she simply let out another sigh.
Shui Bing’er’s father remained silent for a long while before finally giving a nod of assent: "Since you have made up your mind, then go."
He rose from his seat, walked over to stand before Shui Bing’er, and placed a hand on her shoulder: "Remember this: no matter where your path takes you, you remain a daughter of the Shui Clan. Should you ever face any trouble, simply come home."
Shui Bing’er nodded vigorously.
Her father gazed at her, his heart brimming with a multitude of unspoken thoughts.
The four elemental academies—Heavenly Water, Blazing Fire, Divine Wind, and Thunder—each stood as independent entities. Their attitude toward the Spirit Hall was a complex blend of dissatisfaction and awe.
Currently, the Spirit Hall was at the zenith of its power; it had become increasingly domineering in its handling of continental affairs, and no one dared to offend it lightly.
Although the Heavenly Water Academy was technically an institution of the Heaven Dou Empire, its true roots lay in Heavenly Water City—specifically with the Duke of Heavenly Water and several prominent clans, such as the Shui clan.
Now, a Judgment Elder from the Spirit Hall had extended an invitation to Shui Bing’er, seeking to recruit her into his sect...
Shui Bing’er’s father surmised that this was likely a covert initiative by the Spirit Hall to poach talented individuals from both of the great empires.
On the surface, it appeared to be an invitation to join a private "sect," but in reality, these recruits would undoubtedly be serving the interests of the Spirit Hall.
The great aristocratic clans never put all their eggs in one basket.
Since the Spirit Hall had extended an olive branch, they might as well go with the flow.
Shui Bing’er’s father mused silently to himself.
...
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