Chapter 22 – The Night Before It Begins

"Each of the Five Elemental Academies possesses unique Martial Souls and specializes in different domains.

We're both competitors and learning partners.

Through these gatherings, we gain firsthand understanding of the other academies' strengths and specialties—which holds immense value for our growth."

"Every such gathering begins with an opening ceremony."

"And pretty much every time, that opening ceremony is hosted by Tianshui Academy."

...

Ming Lang gave the two newcomers a general rundown of what the so-called exchange event was all about.

"You arrived just in time—the event hasn't officially started yet."

To Ming Lang, the fact that they didn't show up late already counted as "perfect timing."

"You two haven't seen Tianshui Academy before, have you?"

He said, his face shifting into an... indecent expression. Or lecherous. No—just a very obvious smirk.

"You know, Tianshui Academy is something of a legend among the Five Elemental Academies.

It has the strictest entrance requirements—not only do you need a water-attribute Martial Soul, but you also need to meet a few other conditions.

First, girls only.

Second, only beautiful girls.

That said, they do have a soft side—they're the only elemental academy that's open to civilian applicants."

"To this day, male students from the other Four Elemental Academies consider it an honor to even be friends with a Tianshui girl."

"So don't miss the opening ceremony—no matter what."

"Right. Ming Lang nailed it."

"Tianxin, this is your first time too, isn't it? You're just in time!"

A day passed, and the once-in-a-decade Five Elemental Academy Gathering of the Heaven Dou Empire was about to begin.

That evening, Tianshui Academy hosted a grand banquet, inviting all official team members from the other four academies to attend.

Everyone came in formal dress.

"Ugh… this outfit is seriously uncomfortable."

Yun Yibai muttered in a low voice, tugging slightly at his tie.

"You were born to wear clothes, Yibai," Yu Tianheng said with a grin.

"Honestly, I think you'd even look good in a girl's—"

"Don't even think about it.

And if you keep looking at me like that, I'll make you wear it first."

Yun Yibai shot him a cool side glance.

"Alright, enough nonsense.

We're already late thanks to you two taking forever to pick outfits—let's go!"

Yu Tianxin cut in.

To be honest, if he had a choice, he wouldn't have taken on the task of hosting these two cousins.

Maybe it was because they were too close—but they had no sense of propriety.

By the time they entered the banquet hall, a sizable crowd had already gathered.

Yu Tianheng was surprised to see that the students from Elephant Armored Academy didn't seem nearly as aggressive or arrogant as they had on the streets.

They were acting surprisingly… normal.

While the students mingled politely, the five academy instructors—one from each academy—were gathered in a corner, talking quite casually.

Each of them was a Soul Saint-level expert.

"Been what—three years since we all met up?"

"Yeah, I think the last time was at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

"Haha, watching these kids now… reminds me we were once like them, huh?"

"But hey, Liu Wanxian—looks like you broke through recently?"

"Hahaha, just got lucky, that's all!"

...

After some pleasantries, Chen Yan, the instructor from Tianshui Academy, narrowed her eyes.

"Hu Yanxiang, don't you think it's time you explained yourself?"

The moment she spoke, Liu Wanxian from Divine Wind Academy and He Hao from Blazing Fire Academy both turned to glare at Hu Yanxiang, instructor of Elephant Armored Academy.

Xiong Kuohai from Thunderclap Academy just sat back and watched, looking like he was enjoying the drama.

"Chen Yan, what are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean!"

Hu Yanxiang said, feigning innocence.

"Cut the act!"

Chen Yan snapped.

"Your students have been harassing locals and causing public disturbances all over Shuiyue City."

"Some of them even had the nerve to target our Tianshui girls.

You'd better give me an explanation—because Tianshui Academy is not to be trifled with."

"Oh? Is that so? Dear Miss Chen, don't be so hasty. I'll look into it when I get back.

You know, I've barely left my room these past few days. I wasn't aware of any of this…"

Hu Yanxiang played dumb, acting like this was the first he'd heard of it.

Chen Yan ground her teeth in frustration.

If this weren't a formal banquet, she would've already gone over and started a fight.

"Hmph!

Let me say this clearly—if I catch anything like this happening again, I'll break their third leg myself.

Let's see how they go around causing trouble after that."

She threw down the threat and stormed off.

She hadn't wanted to speak to Hu Yanxiang in the first place. Elephant Armored Academy had been a constant disgrace since arriving in Shuiyue City.

The instructors from Divine Wind and Blazing Fire didn't say anything, but their glares said it all.

They stared down Hu Yanxiang for a long moment, then followed Chen Yan out.

"Hahaha… how entertaining!"

Xiong Kuohai from Thunderclap Academy laughed heartily as he left.

"Hmph."

Hu Yanxiang snorted coldly. In all his years, he'd never been insulted like this.

Not long after, he too left.

With the instructors gone, the students in the hall relaxed and fully let loose.

"Tianxin! Tianheng! Yibai! Finally!"

Ming Lang greeted them excitedly, quickly pulling them over.

He introduced the three to the captains of the other elemental academies one by one.

Then he went on to introduce some of the next-generation prodigies from each school—including:

Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy

Feng Xiaotian from Divine Wind Academy

Xue Wu from Tianshui Academy

Hu Yanli from Elephant Armored Academy

Feng Xiaotian was already trying to court Huo Wu—his eyes followed her around like he was in a trance.

Unless someone called his name, he was completely lost in his world.

All of them—Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian, Xue Wu, and Hu Yanli—were around Yu Tianxin's age, with Feng Xiaotian being the oldest at sixteen.

As for Shui Bing'er, she was still only eleven years old and had just reached the Grandmaster level.