"Thanks to His Excellency's blessing, I'm at level 90 now~"
Shui Xinrou covered her mouth and let out a delicate laugh, exuding the bold and irresistible charm unique to a married woman.
After receiving His Excellency's affirmation, the Shui sisters turned to look at the two remaining orbs of light in Yu Keke's hands. They couldn't help but gulp.
According to Keke, these orbs could strengthen the body—but who would've thought they'd work this well…
Once absorbed, the results were instant. These casually conjured orbs from His Excellency were far superior to any so-called immortal herbs recorded in ancient texts!
"Sisters, these are for you. Go on, take them."
Yu Keke held out the two orbs with both hands, offering them to the sisters.
Shui Xinrou was already on the verge of breaking through. Faced with these two orbs, the sisters didn't even have the courage to refuse.
They mimicked Shui Xinrou and gently touched the orbs with their fingers. Instantly, the same phenomenon occurred again.
Only this time, the sky didn't raise a barrier.
Their soul power levels weren't high, and everyone present—including the lowest-ranked Yu Keke—could withstand the pressure on their own.
"Level forty-six…"
Shui Bing'er murmured in disbelief.
She had just reached level forty-one not long ago and was preparing to acquire her fourth soul ring. Now, after absorbing the orb, she had shot up five levels like a rocket!
"I'm at level thirty-eight! Oh my god!"
Shui Yue'er exclaimed. She had only just absorbed her third soul ring recently—now she was nearly ready for the fourth!
But the orbs weren't just about raising soul power. The hidden intricacies that could enhance one's innate talent and martial spirit would only reveal themselves slowly as they trained further.
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
The two bowed deeply toward Aether, expressing their heartfelt gratitude in unison.
"No need to be so formal. Consider it a fair exchange," Aether replied with a smile and a wave of his hand.
"Your Excellency, you truly flatter us…"
Shui Xinrou said somewhat awkwardly.
A fair exchange? They had traded a single storage soul tool for three divine orbs that could break the laws of cultivation?
No matter how you looked at it, this wasn't equal—it was a massive gain for them!
Especially for her personally. Since the founding of Skywater Academy, their strongest fighter had only ever reached Soul Douluo.
But starting today, Skywater would become the only advanced soul master academy with a titled Douluo in residence!
From now on, whenever people mentioned the five great elemental academies, Skywater would surely rank first!
All of this honor and glory came from the mysterious figure before her. Shui Xinrou's admiration for Aether surged like the endless waters of the Yellow River.
At the same time, her respect for him deepened even further.
To be able to help soul masters break through regardless of their level with such ease—this was something His Excellency did as casually as breathing.
From this one glimpse, it was easy to imagine the true scale of His Excellency's power. It likely had already…
"Well then, thank you for your hospitality these past few days. It's time for us to go."
Aether cupped his hands in farewell to the people of Skywater.
"Your Excellency, if you ever need anything from Skywater, we will gladly offer what humble strength we can."
Shui Xinrou wasn't the type to cling unnecessarily. She knew well that all banquets must come to an end, so she bowed deeply and expressed her respect.
"Keke, Zhuqing, you have to miss us, okay…"
The Shui sisters clung to Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing. After spending so much time together, they had formed a deep and genuine bond.
After a round of goodbyes, Aether, Paimon, and the others finally disappeared down the official road leading out of Skywater City. Naturally, Shui Xinrou and the Shui sisters had come to see them off.
"Eh? Sis, I feel like… we forgot something! What a waste…"
Shui Yue'er reluctantly looked away, then suddenly seemed to remember something and sighed.
"Hm? What did you forget?"
Shui Xinrou asked, puzzled.
"Wuwuwu~ Director, never mind. I'm going back to cry my eyes out and mourn my lost youth…"
Shui Yue'er turned away in sorrow and began walking back alone.
"…What's gotten into her?"
Shui Xinrou turned to Shui Bing'er. What was this about crying and youth? Did the girl catch a case of spring fever?
"Director, you've never had a white moonlight. You wouldn't understand…"
Shui Bing'er replied with mock wisdom, her tone oddly aged, before also walking off in disappointment.
"???"
"You two little brats! Get back here!"
…
"Yahoo~!"
"Rooaaar~!"
A massive figure dashed through a forest trail. Paimon was gripping the fur atop Fire Meow Meow's head, shouting excitedly.
Beneath her, Fire Meow Meow was running at full speed, letting out a bestial roar that sent birds and beasts fleeing in all directions.
"Eh? Keke, what's wrong?"
Setting off on a journey always brought a rush of excitement. After letting out her joy, Paimon turned back—only to see Yu Keke's flushed little face, as if she were holding something in.
"I… I want to shout too…"
"…"
At the rear, Aether blinked and glanced forward with a puzzled but amused expression, barely stifling a laugh.
"Eh-heh? Then just shout~"
"B-but I'm scared…"
"…Follow me. Like this: YAAAHOOO!"
Paimon turned around and let out another spirited shout, her cuteness making Zhu Zhuqing—who was holding Yu Keke from behind—momentarily dazed.
"Y-yaaahoo…"
Yu Keke mustered her courage and let out a tiny cry, then quickly lowered her head in embarrassment. She felt like she might die from the shame.
"Aiya, no, no! It has to be super loud!"
"I-I don't dare…"
Yu Keke buried her face even deeper. In truth, she longed to have a heart like Paimon and her brother.
But ever since childhood, due to her martial spirit, she had grown up surrounded by malicious stares. On top of that, her stepmother was cruel and vile.
As a result, she had unconsciously closed herself off for years.
Spring winds, warm sunlight—these things had always felt so distant.
But now, she could feel them every moment she spent with her brother and Paimon. She longed to live like them—happy and free.
"I love the mountains! I love the rivers! I love freedom! OH-HO~!"
A loud shout came from behind. Yu Keke turned around and saw Aether cupping his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, his eyes filled with warm encouragement.
"Pfft~"
Who would've thought His Excellency had this side to him?
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but burst into laughter at Aether's ridiculous yell, almost falling off Fire Meow Meow in the process.
Then, she felt a large, warm hand gently wrap around her waist, and her face instantly turned crimson.
"Keke, be bold. You're amazing!"
Aether steadied Zhu Zhuqing and shouted encouragingly at Yu Keke in front.
"Mm-hmm~ YAAHOOO~!"
Fueled by Aether's support, Yu Keke closed her eyes, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted with all her might.
As if bidding farewell to the fear and inferiority that had haunted her since childhood.
"HAHAHA~ That's more like it!"
Aether burst into hearty laughter behind her.
"I love the mountains, the rivers, and freedom! OH-HO~!"
Feeling the faint warmth of the hand around her waist, Zhu Zhuqing also couldn't resist shouting out the same line Aether had earlier.
"Zhuqing, you're amazing too!"
Standing atop Fire Meow Meow, Paimon gave Zhu Zhuqing a big thumbs-up and a bright smile.
"Hehe~"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled sweetly, then quietly glanced at the hand around her waist, her thoughts drifting away with the breeze.
_
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