"Brother Lu Yuan, come, have a taste!"
"My family's treasured brew."
"My father hardly ever lets anyone drink it…"
Feng Xiaotian arrived grinning, holding two heavy jars of wine in his arms.
"Hmm… good stuff."
Lu Yuan casually picked up a cup and drained it in one gulp.
[Ding! Detected: Host's body is in optimal condition. Right Arm Soul Bone age +100 years.]
"Ha… now that's good wine!"
"Smelly brat, you really know fine liquor!" Lu Yuan laughed heartily, savoring the warmth spreading through his body. "Alright then, tell me—who's offended you this time?"
The wine hit him like a surge of vitality, crisp and strong. Feng Xiaotian hadn't lied—the brew was extraordinary. Just a single cup had added a hundred years to the age of his right arm soul bone. Even some royal tribute wines couldn't compare.
"Brother Lu Yuan," Feng Xiaotian whispered carefully, "I came this time… it's about Huo Wu."
"Beat Huo Wu?" Lu Yuan blinked, scratching his head.
That wouldn't do. He never raised his hand against women, no matter who they were.
"No, no, no—you've misunderstood!" Feng Xiaotian flapped his hands in panic, breaking into a cold sweat. If Lu Yuan had taken him the wrong way, he and Huo Wu's relationship would be doomed before it even began.
"Brother Lu Yuan, what I mean is…"
Dragging out his words, Feng Xiaotian forced each syllable carefully, afraid Lu Yuan would misinterpret again.
"Ohhh, I get it now." Lu Yuan suddenly grinned. "You mean you're chasing Huo Wu. Well, in that case, I'm the right guy to ask!"
Feng Xiaotian: "…"
This big brother really loved to tease.
"Please, Dage, spare me! Don't mess around, I'm serious."
Sweat streamed down his forehead. He knew far too well about Lu Yuan's "methods." If Lu Yuan decided to play a trick, Huo Wu might end up exploding on him.
"Relax, I know it's you." Lu Yuan chuckled. "You want to win her over? Easy. Just invite her for a drink."
"Drink… wine?" Feng Xiaotian blinked.
Could that actually work? A memory flashed to him—Lu Yuan's infamous "wine tactic." Judging by the results back then… maybe this really was the move to make.
Clapping his hands together, Feng Xiaotian made up his mind. "Alright, I'll do it!"
The Tournament Heats Up
After more than a dozen rounds of the Continental Soul Master Competition, the rankings had already pulled far apart. The major Five Element Academies were still going strong, but one name shocked nearly everyone—
Shrek Academy.
A ragtag bunch, hurriedly pieced together under Yu Xiaogang's guidance, had somehow clawed their way to the front. With Tang San's strategies and Dai Mubai's raw power, plus the temporary reinforcements, they'd achieved remarkable victories. Few had expected that outcome.
As one spectator muttered, "Since when can a wild fox turn into a dragon?"
In Shrek's resting area, Zao Wou-ki threw back his head and roared, "Take it down! Another victory! Hahaha, this is awesome!"
He had expected their patched-together lineup to fall apart early. But incredibly, not only had they held their ground, they were climbing up the ranks. A tiny flicker of hope ignited in his heart—they might actually make the finals.
Yu Xiaogang adjusted his spectacles, folding his arms. "With Tang San's strength alone, he stands at the very top tier of this competition. Add in my tactical arrangements… reaching the finals should not be difficult."
But as he spoke, his confident expression froze. His smile stiffened unnaturally.
Because the name "Lu Yuan" once again emerged in his mind.
A sharp pang squeezed his chest, stabbing straight into his heart. His face went pale.
"Teacher, take this first." Tang San rushed forward, pressing a pill into his hand.
Ever since the incident between Liu Erlong and Lu Yuan, Yu Xiaogang had been suffering from regular heart spasms. Tang San wanted to heal him, but he knew—it wasn't a physical illness. It was a wound rooted deep in his heart, one that no medicine could purge.
"Xiaogang, what more can you do now?" Flender sighed quietly at the sight.
Yu Xiaogang pushed himself up, voice still trembling. "Little San, help me. The next rounds will be tougher. Tianshui, Kamikaze, Thunder Academy… each one requires careful countermeasures."
He spoke passionately, determined to arrange Shrek's next few matches. But hidden beneath his calm calculation was a stubborn obsession.
He wanted Tang San to defeat Lu Yuan during this tournament. To crush him, to make him vent his anger.
But reality was cruel. He knew deep down—even Flender and Zao Wou-ki together weren't Lu Yuan's match anymore. Forget Tang San. The title of champion was already out of their reach.
Still, Yu Xiaogang refused to give up. If he couldn't topple Lu Yuan, he would at least guide his students to a high ranking. Let the world see and respect his theory.
At least then, his name would matter.
Shui Bing'er's Fading Patience
At Tianshui Academy, within her private chamber, Shui Bing'er sat quietly by the window. That night had already passed long ago, yet its shadow lingered.
She had long since regained her composure, leading Tianshui Academy through an unbroken winning streak of nearly twenty matches. Their morale had never been higher.
Yet…
"Why hasn't he come to me again?"
Her crystal-blue eyes dimmed with disappointment. Lu Yuan had asked for her back then, had looked at her… but since then, silence. No letter, no visit. If he truly cared for her, would he have ignored her this long?
The thought ached like frost biting into her chest.
"Sister, you're daydreaming again!" Shui Yue'er bounced in, holding a cup of water.
"Tell me honestly—what exactly happened between you and Lu Yuan?"
Her younger sister couldn't hold back anymore. Ever since that night, Shui Bing'er had been abnormal—distracted, listless. The always-steady Big Sister suddenly seemed fragile and preoccupied. Something was definitely wrong.
"What could I possibly have with him?" Shui Bing'er deflected, looking away.
"Sis…" Shui Yue'er leaned in, lowering her voice into a whisper. "Could it be that you two already—"
"Smelly girl, what nonsense are you spouting!" Shui Bing'er's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing crimson as she snapped at her.
"Ha! Caught you." Shui Yue'er gave a sly smirk. "That reaction says it all."
"Enough!" Shui Binger huffed, standing to her full height as the elder sister once again. "Have you finished your training for today? Finished preparing our tactical arrangements? Studied the opponents? If not, then get back to work!"
"Oh come on!" Shui Yue'er groaned. "We've already locked in our spot for the next round. Can't we take a break? Even a donkey would collapse under training this constant!"
"No!" Shui Bing'er's eyes sharpened. "If you don't get going, I'll deal with you myself."
Shui Yue'er shrugged with a pout. "Fine, fine. I'll leave already."
Once the door shut, Shui Bing'er let out a heavy sigh, pressing her hand to her chest.
Lu Yuan's Visit
"Gulp… gulp… gulp…"
The sound of someone drinking echoed from behind her.
"Bing'er, feeling troubled again?"
The deep, familiar voice jolted her. Turning sharply, Shui Bing'er froze—
Lu Yuan was lying casually on her bed, holding a jar of wine, taking slow swigs.
"You… why are you here?"
She had hoped he would come. Prayed for it in silence. But now that he was here, she was caught completely off guard, not knowing what to say.
"I came to drink with you." He pushed himself up and swayed toward her.
"Absolutely not!" Shui Bing'er rejected instantly, voice crisp. "Before the competition's over, I won't touch a drop. Especially not with you! Don't even think about it."
He only chuckled, and instead reached inside his robe. "Then how about this little thing instead?"
He held out a snow-white flower, its petals shimmering like ice crystals, faint frost radiating into the air.
"For me?"
The moment the flower appeared, Shui Bing'er could feel it resonate with her Martial Soul, the Ice Phoenix. Its energy was perfectly aligned with her, as though calling to her directly.
"Of course. Who else would I give it to? Do you like it?"
Her heart fluttered. She was already at the cusp of breaking through to the forty-seventh rank. Absorbing this flower could push her past that barrier, strengthening her chances of reaching the finals.
She bit her lip. "Mm… I like it."
Her lips curled into an unintentional smile.
But at that precise moment—
"Big Sister!"
The door burst open, and Xue Wu froze on the spot.
Her eyes nearly popped out—Lu Yuan's hand was sliding ever so slowly down Bing'er's delicate cheek.
And the most shocking thing—Bing'er wasn't resisting!
Xue Wu slammed the door shut at once, her face burning. "You two… you just get busy then!"
She staggered back out, gasping for breath. What had she just seen? The icy, composed Shui Bing'er allowing a man to touch her like that? Truly, the world was full of surprises.
Inside the room, Bing'er's cheeks flamed red. Snapping out of her daze, she smacked Lu Yuan's wandering hand away with a sharp slap.
"You…" Her voice trembled between anger and shame. "Taking advantage of me again… you're such a bastard!"
But her heart—the heart that had long yearned for him—was pounding wildly, like an untamed drum.
--
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