Chapter 92: What's Your First Soul Skill?

Beside the campfire, the already warm and ambiguous atmosphere between the two of them grew even more complex.

"…What's that?"

Shui Yue'er looked curiously at the powder Aether was sprinkling on the skewers of meat.

It was as if she had thrown all caution to the wind. Ever since she'd decided to sit next to him, she'd become uncharacteristically bold.

"It's seasoning… for grilling," Aether answered casually.

"Ohh, it smells really good!"

"Yeah, it does."

Shui Yue'er didn't even know what she was saying at this point—it was just an excuse to keep talking to him.

"You…"

"These are done. Take them over to the others and eat with them," Aether interrupted, handing over a batch of freshly grilled skewers.

The strange gaze from beside him made him feel seriously uncomfortable.

"Alright…"

Shui Yue'er took the skewers. As she turned to leave, her long black hair floated in the air. A few strands brushed across Aether's face and nose, leaving behind a delicate fragrance that lingered in the air.

Aether sniffed subtly, thinking the grilled skewers seemed to smell even better after she left.

…

"Skewers are here!"

Shui Yue'er announced loudly, placing the skewers on the table.

She grabbed one casually, then turned to glance back at the figure still tending the grill. Her bright blue eyes squinted slightly, and a faint, unconscious smile curled her lips.

"What did you talk about with that Lord just now?"

Shui Bing'er nudged her sister in the arm, whispering curiously.

Everyone had noticed Shui Yue'er sitting next to Aether, but no one knew what they had said to each other.

And with his mysterious strength, none of them had dared to approach him without good reason.

"Huh? N-Nothing…"

Shui Yue'er replied absentmindedly, her gaze still fixed on that distant figure.

"…"

Seeing her like this, Teacher Xu and Wang Wan exchanged a knowing glance and shared a meaningful smile.

They were both seasoned women. Shui Yue'er's current behavior clearly hinted that her feelings for that Lord weren't just gratitude.

"Falling flowers have feelings, but the flowing water is heartless~"

Wang Wan muttered under her breath.

Hearing that, the mature Shui Bing'er instantly realized what was going on with her little sister.

She leaned closer and whispered into Shui Yue'er's ear:

"Sis… do you like that Lord?"

As she spoke, she closely observed her sister's expression.

Shui Yue'er had a little secret—whenever she lied, her eyes would always drift slightly. Shui Bing'er had noticed it since they were kids.

"N-No way~ Don't say stuff like that, sis."

Shui Yue'er immediately denied it, sounding unusually firm.

"He's not someone we can allow ourselves to like…"

But Shui Bing'er could see her gaze drifting again—clearly lying.

She didn't call her out on it though. Instead, she simply followed her sister's gaze toward that figure and let out a soft sigh.

That boy really was attractive. Even she secretly hoped to have more chances to interact with him.

But Shui Bing'er knew very well—putting everything else aside, his sheer strength alone made her feel inferior. Someone like that… was far beyond her reach.

"I don't know what you're talking about… I don't even like him…"

Shui Yue'er mumbled a half-hearted denial when she heard her sister speak.

While the group was chatting, a ripple of soul power suddenly surged from Yu Keke, drawing everyone's attention toward her.

"She's already finished absorbing the soul ring?"

Wang Wan murmured softly.

"That fluctuation… she's broken through to Rank 28."

"She's even younger than Yue'er, no wonder that Lord favors her…"

"Keke, over here!"

Paimon waved cheerfully. Yu Keke responded with a warm smile and ran over to the fire pit.

"Big Brother, I finished absorbing the soul ring!"

"Well done! Keke is getting stronger again~"

Aether ruffled her hair with a smile. "Go get some food. I'll be right there."

"Okay!"

…

"Keke's even stronger now~"

At the table, Paimon passed a skewer to Yu Keke, teasing her with a grin.

"Just a little bit stronger… I still don't know when I'll be able to catch up to Paimon…"

Keke spoke between bites. With each leap in her strength, she could feel more and more how powerful Paimon and her brother truly were.

"Ehehe~ I'm not that strong, you know~"

Paimon scratched her head, clearly pleased—finally, someone thought she was amazing!

"Paimon, are you a Soul Master too?"

Shui Bing'er asked curiously.

After spending some time together, everyone had started to warm up to each other.

Like that mysterious Lord, Paimon didn't emit any trace of soul power, and she looked too cute to be a fighter.

Shui Bing'er had assumed she wasn't capable in battle. But judging by Yu Keke's words, was Paimon another hidden powerhouse, just like him?

"Nope! I don't think I can awaken a spirit like you guys~"

Paimon shook her head.

"Huh? But doesn't everyone have a spirit to awaken?" Shui Bing'er was surprised.

No matter the spirit's quality, everyone should have one inside them, right?

"So that means… Paimon doesn't have a spirit either."

Shui Yue'er said thoughtfully.

"Huh? Besides Paimon, who else doesn't have a spirit?"

Shui Bing'er picked up on her sister's deeper meaning.

"No spirit…"

Wang Wan froze for a moment. That vague sense of familiarity struck her again. This combination around that boy… where had she heard of it before?

"Alright, that should be enough for everyone."

While the others were murmuring among themselves, Aether brought over the rest of the skewers.

"Yay! I'm going to eat till I drop today!"

Paimon's eyes sparkled at the sight of the sizzling, oil-dripping skewers. She was determined to stuff herself.

"Everyone, help yourselves—don't be shy."

Aether called out to the students from Skywater Academy. Shui Yue'er seemed relaxed, but the others grew visibly stiff when he approached.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Aether. Not only did you save us, but you even personally—"

"No need for more thanks. Keke's soul ring selection was thanks to your advice too."

Aether cut Wang Wan off. These people were alright, but they really needed to stop thanking him all the time.

"Keke was already a naturally gifted child. I just gave some suggestions based on my limited experience."

Wang Wan waved her hands quickly. If she had known there was a Title Douluo by that girl's side, she wouldn't have meddled so much in the first place.

"Oh, right—Keke, what soul skill did you get?"

Aether chuckled, then asked Yu Keke as if remembering something.

He was particularly interested in her first soul skill.

He had chosen the Soft Bone Rabbit soul ring for her based on his assessment, hoping it would result in one of several powerful options.

According to his memory, that rabbit had quite a few top-tier soul skills. As long as Keke got one of them, her ability to protect herself would improve dramatically.

Everyone turned to look at Yu Keke, who was still chomping away happily with Paimon.

_

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