Ignaz felt a bit awkward as he looked at Dugu yan and Ye Lingling. For some reason, just the thought of running into Shui Bing'er again with the two of them at his side made him uneasy.
From what he knew, Shui Bing'er and Dugu yan had once pulled off a Martial Spirit Fusion skill together, which meant their relationship must have grown pretty close. Yet ever since his return to Tian Dou Royal Academy, neither Dugu yan nor Ye Lingling had brought up Shui Bing'er even once. Knowing Dugu yan's temper, she'd normally be furious, like a wife catching her husband sneaking around. But now she acted as if nothing had happened. That could only mean one thing—there was a scheme brewing.
Still, this was the path Ignaz had chosen. Even if there was a pit full of venom ahead, he'd cross it without hesitation.
Looking from Dugu yan to Ye Lingling, then sweeping his gaze across the other four teammates, Ignaz's eyes hardened with determination.
"Alright. Tomorrow we head to Skywater Academy. We'll wipe out the stain of our previous loss with a decisive victory."
Of course, this trip wasn't just about the match. Ignaz also had both personal and official matters to handle. If he could use Shui Bing'er as a bridge to strengthen ties with the Shui family, it would be easier to pull them into his side later. That would expand the Breaking Clan's influence even further.
With the Shui family and the Breaking Clan looking out for each other, he'd be better prepared for whatever storms the future might bring during his journeys across the continent.
He wasn't sure if the Spirit Hall's hunting operations would begin early because of him, or whether the targets would expand, but one thing was clear: consolidating ties with the Shui family was critical. With their help, plus resources like Xuan Shui Pills, soul tools, and poisons, even if the Breaking Clan ended up on the Spirit Hall's hit list, they might still survive.
That was exactly why Ignaz only dared to pose as an alliance leader instead of openly establishing a sub-clan. The Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo weren't numbered in the single digits, after all.
Dugu yan and Ye Lingling's faces brightened with excitement. Linking hands, they tugged each other toward the academy dining hall.
"After a full day of training, I'm sure everyone's starving. Dinner's on me. Let's head up to the third floor of the dining hall and get something good."
"Thanks, Sister Yan, you're the best!"
"Then I won't hold back, Yan-chan. I'm definitely ordering the priciest Sea Dragon Rice Bowl they've got."
...
The four other teammates happily followed after them. As she left, Dugu yan even turned back to remind Ignaz, who was walking slowly behind with a thoughtful look.
"Iggy, you'll be handling all the logistics for our trip to Skywater Academy. Who told you to be our vice-captain and leader?"
"Fine, everything's up to you." Ignaz agreed casually.
But walking at the front, Dugu yan and Ye Lingling exchanged a smile, their expressions giving away that everything was going just as they had planned.
"Yan, what if Ignaz can't withstand you and Bing'er taking turns going after him?" Ye Lingling whispered.
"What's there to be afraid of? He's been holding back every time he fights. This time I'll force him to use his full strength, and while I'm at it, I'll give that bastard a good lesson. Let him see what happens to men who can't make up their minds."
"Besides, no matter how badly he gets hurt, could it ever compare to the pain Bing'er and I went through? Don't you want to teach him a lesson too?"
Ye Lingling hesitated. To her, Big Brother Ji had always been good. If she became the one to truly hurt him, what if he ignored her afterward? And if, under the combined pressure of Bing'er and Dugu yan, she failed to heal him in time and he was left with lasting injuries, that would be terrible.
Seeing her drifting gaze, Dugu yan quickly spoke up.
"Ling, don't worry. He's my man too. Bing'er and I will know when to stop. We won't let your Big Brother Ji get seriously hurt."
"…Alright. I'll leave it to you two."
...
Skywater City sat north of the Tian Dou Plains, just over 130 li from Tian Dou City. It took Ignaz's group only three days by carriage to arrive.
Usually, Dugu yan and Ye Lingling loved shopping around, but this time they looked unusually anxious.
"Iggy, hurry up! We're only two li away from Skywater Academy. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can rest. Look at me, Lingling, and Zhuqing—we're exhausted."
"You women are so delicate. We rode in a carriage the whole way, and I was the one driving the horses. If I'm not complaining, how come you're whining about being tired?"
Ignaz sighed helplessly at the two girls, who clearly had no idea how to tell convincing lies, and kept walking forward.
The closer they drew to Skywater Academy, the more striking beauties and noble young lords they saw along the way. The moment people laid eyes on Ignaz, countless gazes followed him, especially the women.
"White hair, sharp and cold eyes, and a face like something out of a dream. He's unreal. My heart can't take it."
"Who is that new student from Tian Dou Royal Academy? I need every bit of information on him right away."
"He's mine. Go tell my father to arrange a marriage proposal with Tian Dou Royal Academy. If I can't have him, no one can. Even if I have to break his legs, he'll still belong to me."
...
Countless noble ladies, even married women, looked at Ignaz with hungry eyes. Servants rushed off in every direction, doing everything they could to dig up information on him.
Dugu yan and Ye Lingling noticed those greedy stares from the women on both sides of the street. Instantly, their guard went up. They each hooked one of Ignaz's arms, as if to announce to the world: this man's already taken. Back off.
Not long after, a massive blue stone gate appeared ahead, revealing the full splendor of Skywater Academy.
"Yan-chan, Ling-chan, you're finally here!"
Shui Yue'er spotted them from three or four hundred meters away and waved excitedly. But when her eyes landed on the man flanked between them, she froze, gulping hard.
That… that had to be her brother-in-law she hadn't seen in seven years. He was way too good-looking. No wonder Bing'er always looked like she was lovesick. So this was the reason.
If only he weren't my brother-in-law… what a shame!
Beside her, Li Xianyue was equally stunned at first sight of Ignaz. But with her experience in dealing with men, she managed to steady herself quickly.
Stepping forward with a bright smile, she said,
"Welcome, students of Tian Dou Royal Academy. We're honored to have you visit Skywater Academy."