Early morning, the snow had stopped, and the wind was gentle.
Today, Lin Xiao was leaving with Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.
But before leaving, he had one more thing to do.
After the Soul Master Competition, Spirit Hall completely changed its usual gentle demeanor, showing its fangs and forcing various large and small Sects and Academies to pick sides.
Skywater Academy, as one of the Five Great Element Academies, was naturally within the scope of their special attention.
No matter how monstrously gifted Lin Xiao was, he couldn't stop Spirit Hall's ambition, but within his capabilities, protecting Skywater Academy and the Shui Family was possible.
...
Outside the Shui Family home.
Shui Shengxiao and Bai Xiuyun came out to see them off.
Shui Shengxiao hesitated several times, wanting to say something but stopping, before finally asking:
"Lin Xiao, Spirit Hall is powerful after all. In fact, the current predicament isn't just faced by my Shui Family and Skywater Academy. Why bother being the one to stick your neck out?"
"Sometimes, being too prominent isn't necessarily a good thing."
Shui Shengxiao knew how unfathomable Spirit Hall was.
Even if Lin Xiao was a genius, he was still just a young man. How could he make Spirit Hall back down?
Perhaps...
After learning of Lin Xiao's monstrous talent, Spirit Hall, out of apprehension, might plot against or assassinate Lin Xiao.
Neither of these situations was something Shui Shengxiao wanted to see.
It was a shame.
Lin Xiao, with the spirit of youth, hadn't listened to him despite his repeated attempts to persuade him.
"Uncle Shui, I know your concerns, but I also have my own considerations. Don't worry, nothing will go wrong."
Lin Xiao smiled and waved to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er's parents:
"Uncle and Aunt, you don't need to see us off."
"I will take good care of Bing'er and Yue'er, you don't need to worry."
Seeing him say this, Shui Shengxiao could only give up.
Together with his wife, Bai Xiuyun, he watched as Lin Xiao led their two daughters, gradually walking away.
After Lin Xiao left, Shui Shengxiao was still frowning with worry.
Instead, Bai Xiuyun comforted him.
"Don't worry anymore."
"You know Lin Xiao. Although he's young, he's very steady. And a young hero like him naturally has his own methods and connections."
"I think you're still underestimating him because of his age!"
Shui Shengxiao snorted:
"What do you know? This is concern!"
"But you're right too. Lin Xiao has a steady personality and plans before acting. Besides, they've already left. No matter how much I worry, it's just me troubling myself."
...
Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er walked along, their fingers intertwined.
Behind them, Shui Yue'er pouted, her eyes full of resentment. Although she had known from a long time ago that these two would become a couple sooner or later, when this day truly arrived, she still felt like she was choking on dog food.
However, Shui Yue'er was very satisfied with this brother-in-law.
So satisfied that she was a little envious of her sister...
The three of them walked and enjoyed the scenery. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination - the Skywater City branch of Spirit Hall.
Lin Xiao stepped into the branch hall, went directly to a staff member, revealed his identity, and requested to see the branch hall master.
Skywater City was also a major city, so the person serving as the branch hall master was Cardinal Sony, a Soul Saint expert at over level seventy. It was possible he could break through to Soul Douluo and, after accumulating enough seniority, aspire to the position of Platinum Bishop.
His purpose for coming here was simple.
It was to protect Skywater Academy and the Shui Family.
Perhaps Lin Xiao's reputation wasn't low, as after he revealed his identity, the staff members in the branch hall didn't make any difficulties or excuses, and quickly reported it to the Cardinal.
Lin Xiao was then invited to the VIP area for tea.
"Sir, please follow me."
The staff member's attitude was respectful as he invited Lin Xiao to walk towards the VIP area.
"Wait, I have two female companions here."
Even within the scope of the Spirit Hall branch hall, Lin Xiao still didn't let Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er leave his sight, and instead requested to bring them in together.
The staff member looked troubled:
"But, the Bishop only invited you..."
Instead of getting angry, Lin Xiao smiled slightly.
"Thank you for your trouble. I hope you can inform the Bishop again. I believe the Bishop is reasonable and will agree."
The staff member had no choice but to go back in and report.
Shui Bing'er leaned closer to Lin Xiao and whispered,
"Brother Lin Xiao, Bing'er and Yue'er can just wait for you outside the Hall. There's a resting area out there."
She was well-mannered, obedient, and sensible.
Of course, she didn't want Lin Xiao to have extra trouble because of her.
Lin Xiao's face straightened, and he said seriously,
"Bing'er, you're too selfish!"
Shui Bing'er looked bewildered, not knowing what she had said wrong.
But then she heard Lin Xiao's next words.
"You're only thinking about whether you'll bother me. Why don't you think about how I find it unbearable to not see you for even a moment? Can't you just spend more time with me?"
"Ah! Brother Lin Xiao!" Shui Bing'er finally understood that Lin Xiao was teasing her. She extended her slender jade hand and lightly patted Lin Xiao, scolding him,
"Don't tease Bing'er!"
Lin Xiao chuckled, clearly not listening.
He would tease and bully! Only he could tease and bully!
Shui Yue'er, who was standing nearby: "..."
She suddenly felt like she was bearing worries she shouldn't have at her age. Why did Brother Lin Xiao and Bing'er-jie, whom she originally liked, suddenly become a bit annoying after getting all lovey-dovey together?
She even felt like she wasn't eating rice every day, but dog food!
A hint of longing flashed in Shui Yue'er's eyes.
An hour away from home, it was time to miss Mom and Dad.
A few minutes later.
The staff member came out and bowed to Lin Xiao, saying,
"Sir, two young ladies, please come this way."
Entering the VIP room, they saw an elder wearing a red cardinal robe. His face was full of wrinkles, but he had kind eyes and a benevolent expression, with a smile on his face.
"Little brother Lin Xiao, two young ladies, good morning."
"May I ask why the esteemed disciple of the Poison Douluo, the champion of the Soul Master Competition, has come to my small Skywater City branch today?"
Cardinal Sony wanted Lin Xiao to join the Spirit Hall.
But the possibility was very low.
Lin Xiao got straight to the point:
"I naturally came with something to ask for."
"To be honest, the Shui Family in Skywater City has a close relationship with me, and Skywater Academy has a close relationship with the Shui Family. I know that the Spirit Hall has recently been trying to absorb the various Sects and Academies, so I want to ask for some leniency towards the Shui Family and Skywater Academy. Please don't be too aggressive."
Making a demand right from the start was quite excessive.
Cardinal Sony was about to get angry, but then he saw the seven Soul Rings light up behind Lin Xiao. They were all pure black!
Moreover, seven?!
Sony suddenly lost his voice.
"Soul Saint? All seven rings are ten thousand years?! What kind of joke is this!"
His mind was shaken, and he was incoherent for a moment.
"This, this..."
After a long while, he finally calmed down and said stubbornly,
"Little friend Lin Xiao, I admit that your talent is extraordinary, and you likely have considerable fortune, but that is not a reason for you to obstruct my Spirit Hall!"
Lin Xiao smiled slightly.
"You just need to go back and report. You can tell Bibi Dong or Qian Daoliu, it doesn't matter, and help me pass on a message."
"I am not a friend of the Spirit Hall, but I am not an enemy either; whether I am an enemy or a friend depends on the Spirit Hall, not me."
"But if you want to compete, I am ready to accompany you to the end at any time."
After speaking, Lin Xiao threw out a token.
Sony caught the token, looked closely, and was greatly shocked!
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