Dawn broke.
"Mmm~…"
The soft sunlight spilled across Shui Bing'er's delicate face. Her lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Ah!"
She sat up with a start, her heart racing.
Today! Today was the match between Tianshui Academy and Blazing Academy. She had promised her sisters that she would come back right after finishing her business yesterday.
But somehow… she ended up spending the whole night here with Lu Yuan?!
And on top of that—
She lost her innocence?
Her cheeks flushed red. No matter how she tried, she couldn't bring herself to believe it.
She turned her head and hurriedly glanced at the bed. Lu Yuan was still asleep, his arm draped possessively around Zhu Zhuqing's slender waist… and his hand was firmly clutching her fluffy cat tail.
Flustered, Shui Bing'er tiptoed out and carefully closed the door behind her.
"It's over…" she muttered weakly.
The sun was already high in the sky. The match was probably starting soon.
Her legs trembled as she leaned against the wall faintly.
…
At the tournament grounds, the crowd was buzzing.
Feng Xiaotian stared blankly. "Did Tianshui Academy still have hidden cards? Was yesterday's performance deliberate?"
…
"Damn you, Huo Wushuang!"
Yu Tianxin's face twisted with anger. Even though Shui Bing'er had never shown him any affection, he still couldn't help obsessing over her. Seeing Huo Wushuang unleash such a ruthless attack toward her filled him with rage.
If Shui Bing'er was seriously hurt, Yu Tianxin swore he'd never forgive that bastard!
"Come on, Bing'er!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, cupping his hands like a trumpet. "You have to win! As long as you're happy, I'm happy—anything you want, I'll give it to you!"
…
"Fourth Soul Skill—Fire Dance Sun!"
On the stage, Huo Wu pressed her palms together. A fierce swirl of flames erupted from her body, condensing into a massive white fireball above her head. Her blazing aura instantly locked onto Xue Wu at the rear of Tianshui's formation.
"The first soul skill—Freeze!"
Shui Bing'er raised her palm. A flash of chilling frost encased Xue Wu in an instant, shielding her from harm.
"Drink!"
Huo Wu thrust her palms forward, releasing her fiery group attack. A wave of searing heat swept toward Tianshui Academy with overwhelming force.
An icy mist spread out and froze Huo Wu herself into a shimmering ice sculpture. But the blazing Fire Dance Sun full of destructive energy had already slipped past the restraints.
…
Yu Tianheng's pupils constricted sharply.
Why didn't she interrupt it?!
That wasn't Shui Bing'er's style at all. Normally, her precision timing was incredible—just a moment's delay could mean everything. With her instantaneous ice seal, she could have completely cut off Huo Wu's ultimate skill.
But this time… she looked like she was sleepwalking.
The core strategy of Tianshui revolved around Shui Bing'er. And if she was off her game, the team was bound to fall apart.
"Rumble—!!"
Huo Wu's strongest move detonated in the middle of Tianshui's camp. Flames roared, the ground scorched black, and the referee's whistle echoed through the field.
"The victor—Blazing Academy!"
Gasps rippled across the arena as the announcement shook the air.
The members of Tianshui froze in disbelief. Their ever-reliable Big Sister, the rock of their formation, had completely fallen apart this match.
"Sister, what happened to you? Are you distracted?" Shui Yue'er rushed over and hugged her older sister's shoulders tightly.
"No worries, Big Sis! Everyone has off days. Don't blame yourself!"
"Yea, cheer up! It's fine, really!" The rest of the team gathered around, voices full of support.
Shui Bing'er simply shook her head, her tone faint. "I… I just need some time alone."
She lowered her head and walked away. Her heart was a storm, entirely consumed by one person—Lu Yuan.
She could no longer deny her feelings. That night had made everything clear to herself: she really did like him.
But the chaos in her heart left her utterly unsettled.
…
Not far away, Feng Xiaotian's eyes lit up the moment Blazing Academy arrived. They won, so Huo Wu should be in a good mood… right?
If she was happy, maybe she'd at least talk to him. If she would agree to a meal together… then after that, who knew? Just thinking about it made him grin uncontrollably.
"Fire—"
"Get lost!"
Before he could even get the word out, Huo Wu brushed past him coldly without a single glance.
Feng Xiaotian froze like a statue.
Wasn't this supposed to be the perfect chance to talk? Why was it still so impossible to reach her heart?
"…No way!" he clenched his fists, determination flaring in his eyes. "I have to ask that old senior again. I'll definitely learn how to win her over!"
--
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