On Tianshui Academy's side, Teacher Xu was still seated in meditation, healing her injuries. With her severely wounded, only Shui Bing'er and Wang Wan remained to keep watch beside the fire.
"Looks like Yue'er is absorbing her spirit ring successfully."
Wang Wan glanced toward Shui Yue'er, who was still in the middle of her third ring absorption. The pained expression on her face had disappeared, indicating the process was nearing completion.
"Mm, I know she can do it!"
Shui Bing'er responded with conviction.
Compared to her own peaceful experience when absorbing her third ring, Yue'er's ordeal had been nothing short of life-threatening.
"But that spirit beast hasn't left. We must remain alert in case it lashes out again."
As soon as Wang Wan spoke, even Teacher Xu opened her eyes mid-meditation, her gaze wary as it landed on the massive figure ahead.
"Huh? That is…?"
Shui Bing'er looked over as well, only to spot a small figure appearing beside the soul beast.
Wasn't that the mysterious flying creature that always followed the boy?
"Stupid lion, be good, okay? Don't bite me, or I'll have the Traveler beat you up!"
Paimon floated next to the Blazing Mane Lion, chattering incessantly.
"Rrr…"
The lion let out a low growl, almost submissively burying its head in response.
"Mm-hmm, that's more like it."
Seeing no trace of hostility from the lion, Paimon visibly relaxed.
"Pai…mon?"
As Paimon floated over to them, Shui Bing'er was the first to call out.
She remembered this magical creature introducing itself by that name earlier.
"Hi there! I thought you all had already left."
Paimon waved cheerfully.
"No, my sister is still absorbing her spirit ring."
Shui Bing'er shook her head, glancing back.
"Eh? Keke is still absorbing hers too."
"What level spirit ring is she absorbing?"
Wang Wan couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know what year it is exactly, Traveler didn't say. Just that it's very suitable for her."
"Mm, as long as it's a good fit…"
Though curious, Wang Wan knew better than to pry—especially when dealing with a mysterious youth of such strength.
"Anyway, I came to ask if you wanted some food. The Traveler grilled a bunch of skewers!"
Paimon lifted the half-eaten skewer in her hand.
Gurgle~
The Tianshui girls hadn't eaten in nearly a full day. The aroma of grilled meat reached Shui Bing'er, and her stomach growled involuntarily, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.
"Thank you, but Yue'er is still absorbing her ring—we can't leave her side…"
Wang Wan shook her head in polite refusal after a quick glance at Shui Yue'er.
Buzz~
Just as Shui Bing'er was about to echo the sentiment, a familiar wave of spirit power rippled from behind them.
"She's finished!"
Shui Bing'er spun around in excitement, and the others followed her gaze.
There sat Shui Yue'er, her Dolphin martial soul shining vividly. Beneath her feet glowed a trio of soul rings: yellow, yellow, and purple—clearly marking her as a Soul Elder. Her aura surged with no attempt to conceal it.
"She did it!"
"Yue'er finally made it…"
Shui Bing'er and the teachers were visibly moved.
The trials Shui Yue'er had faced for this third ring had been nothing short of life-threatening.
Wang Wan even thought it might compare to a Titled Douluo hunting a hundred-thousand-year-old beast…
"Big sister, Teacher—thank you!"
Shui Yue'er retracted her soul rings and martial soul, stood up, and bowed with tears in her eyes.
"It's okay now, you were amazing!"
Shui Bing'er rushed forward and hugged her tightly, whispering comfort.
"Thank you… thank you all…"
Though she had been focused on absorbing the ring, Shui Yue'er had been somewhat aware of what transpired around her.
She couldn't see, but she had felt enough to know things hadn't been calm.
"It's alright. Don't cry—sometimes, blessings come in disguise. That's what this is!"
Shui Bing'er gently reassured her.
"You silly girl…"
Wang Wan affectionately patted Shui Yue'er's head. Then, as if recalling something, she added,
"If you really want to thank someone, thank that young lord. If he hadn't helped repel the beast tide, none of us would still be standing here."
"That young lord…"
Shui Yue'er glanced around. Besides the Tianshui members, she saw the tiny floating figure of Paimon.
"Th-thank you, my lord, for saving us. Yue'er is deeply grateful…"
So this is what a Titled Douluo looks like? They're so cute…
Despite the confusion swirling in her heart, Shui Yue'er bowed deeply to Paimon.
"Eh? No, no, that's not me—"
Paimon waved her hands frantically. She didn't know what "young lord" meant, but she could tell they were trying to thank the Traveler for defeating the lion.
"Huh? Big sister…"
Shui Yue'er looked questioningly at Shui Bing'er, puzzled by Paimon's reaction.
"She… she's the companion of that young lord."
"I thought he was still nearby…"
Shui Yue'er mumbled before turning back to Paimon.
"Hello, could you help me pass along my thanks to the young lord?"
"It's fine! No need to be so formal."
Paimon smiled.
"Right! I came to invite you over to eat. Traveler made lots of skewers."
She pointed toward the firelight in the distance.
"But they said they'd wait until you finished absorbing your ring. Now that you're done, wanna come with me?"
"Is the young lord still over there?"
The Tianshui girls exchanged glances, Shui Yue'er's eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"You mean the Traveler, right? Yeah, he's over there grilling meat."
Paimon nodded.
"Teacher, why don't we go over there? Yue'er can thank him in person."
A thought stirred in Shui Bing'er's heart. Ever since Aether had effortlessly crushed the beast tide, she had developed a strong interest in him.
Now that her sister was done absorbing her ring, why not use this as a chance to approach the mysterious youth?
"That… might not be appropriate?"
Wang Wan was tempted, but the overwhelming impression Aether left on her made her instinctively wary.
"Teacher, please? He invited us—turning him down would be rude."
Shui Yue'er exchanged a glance with her sister. The two girls, practically raised together, knew exactly what the other was thinking.
She immediately latched onto Wang Wan's arm and pleaded playfully.
"You little rascal… Alright, alright. You're right. Since it's an invitation from the young lord, it would be improper of us to refuse."
Wang Wan sighed with a helpless smile. Yue'er had made a solid case.
_
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