Chapter 217: Shui Bing’er — My Teacher Is Actually a Little Girl?
The next day.
The morning sunlight spilled over the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, bathing the newly constructed estate in a golden halo.
The mist lingering within the bamboo grove gradually dissipated, revealing lush, vibrant green bamboo leaves.
Dewdrops rolled along the leaf tips—crystal clear and translucent—refracting a spectrum of colorful light under the sun’s rays. In the distance, rolling mountains rose and fell, wreathed in clouds and mist, resembling a celestial fairyland.
The crisp, melodious chirping of birds drifted in from the woods.
A new day had begun.
Shui Bing’er had risen early.
She changed into a lightweight training outfit—water-blue fabric, tailored to fit her figure closely, giving her an air of refreshing crispness and efficiency.
The material was made of top-grade Ice Silkworm Silk: thin, breathable, yet remarkably durable. The cuffs were tapered and snug, allowing for unrestricted movement.
Her long, water-blue hair was gathered high atop her head and tied into a neat ponytail, revealing a smooth, unblemished forehead and delicate facial features.
A few stray wisps of hair fell softly against her ears, swaying gently with her every motion.
She stood before a bronze mirror, scrutinizing her reflection with care.
She took a deep breath.
Today marked the first day of her formal cultivation training.
Jiang Bai had told her that, starting today, a Title Douluo would arrive to serve as her mentor and guide her in her practice.
Shui Bing’er felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
Her mentor... who could it be?
The number of Title Douluo openly known to exist on the Douluo Continent—those affiliated with the Spirit Hall—could be counted on one’s fingers.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, Ghost Leopard Douluo, Spirit Kite Douluo... yet the Spirit Attribute of each of these individuals was incompatible with her own.
As far as she knew, there didn’t seem to be any Title Douluo who possessed the Ice Attribute.
Could it be a hidden powerhouse from within the Spirit Hall?
She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on the matter any longer.
Stepping out of her courtyard, she followed the bluestone path leading toward the back mountain.
...
The back mountain—within the bamboo grove.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the bamboo leaves, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow across the ground.
A small path paved with bluestone wound through the landscape, leading deep into the bamboo forest.
Shui Bing’er followed the path forward.
The bamboo leaves rustled softly, accompanied by the chirping of birds—a sound as melodious as music from the heavens.
The air was permeated with the fresh scent of bamboo, uplifting the spirit and soothing the mind.
At that moment, the pavilion ahead was already occupied.
Shui Bing’er halted her steps and looked toward the pavilion.
Jiang Bai sat beside a stone table, clad—as always—in simple white robes; his black hair was tied back loosely, and his demeanor was one of utter leisure.
Standing beside him was... a little girl?
Shui Bing’er blinked, assuring herself that her eyes were not deceiving her.
It was, indeed, a little girl who appeared to be no older than twelve or thirteen.
Her figure was petite and delicate, clad in a short, jade-green skirt that revealed a pair of fair, slender legs.
The hem of the skirt fell just above her knees, making her legs appear even longer and more graceful.
Her long, jade-green hair was tied into twin ponytails that cascaded down her back.
She had a round face, large eyes, and exquisite, adorable features—resembling a porcelain doll.
Her skin was as fair as snow, tinged with a faint rosy glow, and appeared so delicate that it seemed it might break at the slightest touch.
Flanking her captivatingly fair face were four jade-green magical markings on each side, lending her an air of cold allure and mystery.
She stood with her arms crossed over her chest, sizing Shui Bing’er up.
Her eyes—a crystalline yellow akin to gemstones—held a blend of scrutiny and curiosity.
Shui Bing’er stood frozen in astonishment.
A little girl?
Was this... a new disciple of the sect?
Surely... she couldn’t be my mentor?
She instinctively turned her gaze toward Jiang Bai, her eyes filled with bewilderment.
Jiang Bai smiled faintly and offered an introduction: "Bing’er, this is the Ice Empress. Starting today, she will be the one guiding your cultivation."
Shui Bing’er parted her lips, intending to speak, but found that she could not utter a single word.
The Ice Empress?
The Emperor of Ice? What audacity!
Guiding her?
She stared at the little girl standing before her, her heart brimming with disbelief.
This little lass looked several years younger than she did; what on earth could she possibly teach her?
Even if one had begun cultivating while still in the womb, surely they couldn’t possibly know more than she did?
Shui Bing’er’s expression betrayed her inner thoughts.
Observing her face, the Ice Empress narrowed her crystalline yellow eyes ever so slightly.
"What is it?"
Her voice was crisp—like a clear mountain spring—yet it carried an air of innate haughtiness.
"Do you think I’m too young? That I’m not qualified?"
Shui Bing’er hurriedly shook her head. "No... it’s not that..."
Yet, her expression clearly screamed "Yes."
Although she denied it with her words, that was precisely what she was thinking deep down.
Just a little brat—what kind of ability could she possibly possess?
The Ice Empress smiled.
That smile was innocent and pure, like that of a little sister from next door.
Then, she unleashed her aura.
A terrifying pressure erupted from her body in an instant!
The intensity of that pressure was so palpable that it seemed to physically shroud the entire pavilion!
The surrounding bamboo grove suffered the immediate consequences!
Bamboo leaves came fluttering down, only to freeze into ice crystals mid-air before clattering onto the ground!
A thin layer of frost crystallized upon the surface of the bamboo stalks!
The very air seemed to solidify!
The temperature plummeted!
Shui Bing’er’s pupils constricted instantly!
Her body began to tremble uncontrollably!
That crushing pressure bore down upon her like a towering mountain, rendering her unable to even lift a single finger!
A tempest of shock raged within Shui Bing’er’s heart!
She stared at the petite girl standing before her, her eyes wide with sheer terror!
How could this possibly be just some little brat?!
This was a true, supreme powerhouse!
"Your Excellency... this student realizes her error!"
She stammered out, her voice trembling with fear.
Observing her reaction, the Ice Empress nodded with satisfaction.
Then, she withdrew her pressure.
The terrifying aura receded like a retreating tide.
Tranquility returned to the pavilion.
The morning breeze continued to whisper softly, and the bamboo leaves resumed their gentle rustling.
It was as if everything that had just transpired had never happened at all.
Shui Bing’er gasped for breath, cold sweat beading upon her forehead.
She felt as though her entire back had been drenched in perspiration. She gazed at the little loli standing before her, her eyes filled with awe.
Indeed—one truly cannot judge a book by its cover!
Who could have imagined that this petite, adorable-looking little girl possessed such terrifying power?!
The Ice Empress crossed her arms over her chest and observed her.
On that cute little face, a hint of playful amusement flickered: "Well? Do you still think I’m not qualified?"
Shui Bing’er took a deep breath, striving to calm the turbulent waves of shock raging within her heart.
Then, she bowed deeply and solemnly, her demeanor radiating utmost respect: "Your humble student, Shui Bing’er, pays her respects to Senior Ice Empress!"
"I was blind to the truth earlier; I beg for your forgiveness, Senior!"
Observing her respectful bearing, the Ice Empress nodded with satisfaction: "Mm, a good attitude."
She paused, then added: "However, I do not take disciples. I’m merely going to guide you for a while; don’t get any other ideas."
Shui Bing’er nodded hurriedly: "Yes! This student understands!"
The Ice Empress walked up to her and scrutinized her from head to toe.
Those crystalline-yellow eyes swept over her body, as if she were examining an inanimate object.
From her hair to her eyes, nose, mouth, neck, shoulders, chest, waist, legs, and feet...
Every single part of her was subjected to a meticulous inspection.
Shui Bing’er felt utterly uncomfortable under that gaze, yet she dared not move a muscle.
She could only stand there stiffly, allowing herself to be appraised.
After a long moment...
The Ice Empress nodded: "An Ice Phoenix Martial Soul... it is indeed excellent."
Standing with her hands clasped behind her back, she spoke slowly: "Among avian Soul Beasts, the Ice Phoenix ranks among the very top tier. While it may not be the absolute pinnacle, it is more than sufficient."
"It is perfectly suited for cultivating the Ice Attribute."
She paused, then shifted the topic: "However, your problem is this... you have taken the wrong path."
Shui Bing’er lowered her head, feeling a touch of shame: "This junior... I was raised as a Control-type Soul Master since childhood; I simply grew accustomed to it..."
The Ice Empress waved her hand dismissively: "Habits can be changed. You are only at Rank 40 right now; there is still time."
She raised her hand and gave Shui Bing’er’s shoulder a light pat. The gesture was akin to comforting a lost kitten.
"The Ice Phoenix is naturally meant to be an Assault-type Spirit. Yet, you’ve been training it as a Control-type—isn’t that a complete waste of its innate talent?"
Her voice carried a hint of exasperation—the frustration of seeing great potential go unfulfilled: "For an Ice-attribute Spirit, its greatest strength lies in its offensive power. Extreme cold can freeze anything; it can destroy anything. Yet you choose to use it merely to trap your enemies? That’s like taking a dragon-slaying blade and using it to chop vegetables!"
Shui Bing’er listened intently, nodding occasionally.
The Ice Empress continued: "Starting today, I will teach you what true Ice-attribute offense really looks like."
A sharp glint flashed in her eyes: "I’ll show you just how powerful the force of ice can truly be."
Shui Bing’er looked up, her eyes brimming with anticipation: "Thank you, Senior!"
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere within the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Clan...
A secluded, tranquil garden.
The garden was not large, yet it was filled with a vibrant array of flora. Multicolored blossoms vied for attention, a riot of crimson and violet hues that created a scene of breathtaking beauty.
A small stream meandered through the garden; its waters were crystal-clear—transparent to the very bottom—and flowed with a gentle, murmuring rhythm.
A small wooden pavilion stood beside the stream.
Inside the pavilion, two figures sat facing one another.
Bi Ji was clad, as always, in her long emerald-green gown—an embodiment of gentle elegance. Sunlight filtered down, casting a faint halo of light around her form, making her appear like a celestial maiden stepped right out of a painting.
Ye Lingling sat opposite her, dressed in her customary long black gown and black veil.
She sat there in perfect stillness, appearing utterly detached—as if completely cut off from the outside world.
Bi Ji gazed at the taciturn young girl before her, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"Lingling, there is no need to be nervous."
Her voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze caressing one’s face: "We’ll take things slowly."
Ye Lingling nodded.
Within those otherwise vacant eyes, a faint flicker of warmth—subtle enough to go almost unnoticed—briefly came to life. Bi Ji continued, "The greatest characteristic of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul is its capacity for pure healing."
She paused, then spoke slowly, "It possesses absolutely no offensive power, nor does it offer any defensive capabilities—only healing. It is a lineage passed down through a single heir; in each generation, there is but one successor, and never can there be more than two living Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters at any given time."
"With a Martial Soul such as this, reaching the pinnacle of cultivation requires far greater effort than that of an ordinary person."
Ye Lingling remained silent.
Of course, she was well aware of all this.
From childhood to adulthood, she had heard her mother speak of it countless times.
The power of the Nine Heart Begonia; the limitations of the Nine Heart Begonia; and the tragedy of the Nine Heart Begonia.
Being the sole heir meant solitude.
Being capable only of healing meant powerlessness.
Countless times, she had imagined how wonderful it would be if the Nine Heart Begonia possessed the ability to attack as well.
But the reality was—it could not.
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