Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Holding Xue Di Tight, Qian Renxue’s Tenderness
"Brother Tianyu, what level have you reached now? Can you tell me?"
Xue Tianyu was lost in thoughts about his revenge, so he didn't react immediately to Shui Bing'er's question.
For him, even if he encountered Tang San and the others, he had no time to bother with them. His only goal was revenge—nothing else mattered.
"Brother Tianyu?"
Seeing no response, Shui Bing'er immediately clung to his arm and shook it.
"Hmm?"
Xue Tianyu finally looked down at her.
He had to admit, the now-matured Shui Bing'er had quite an attractive appearance.
The soft sensation pressing against his arm was also quite pleasant.
"I just want to know how strong Brother Tianyu has become..." Shui Bing'er repeated obediently.
Xue Tianyu smiled.
He didn't mind showing his strength.
In an instant, a terrifying aura erupted from within him.
Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er widened their eyes.
In their view, Xue Tianyu's soul power felt like an unfathomable abyss, but they couldn't fully grasp what it meant.
They just instinctively knew that he was far stronger than them.
However, they only truly understood the magnitude of his strength when they heard their academy's dean gasp in shock.
"Ti... Titled?"
Huh?
Titled Douluo??
Nearly all the girls who had gathered at the academy gate to welcome Xue Tianyu were stunned by their dean's reaction.
Had Xue Tianyu really reached the level of a Titled Douluo?
If anyone else had said this, they might not have believed it.
But this was their dean speaking.
"Then... doesn't that mean we'll win the championship effortlessly?"
One of the girls quickly realized that the Soul Master Tournament was merely a competition for top students from various academies.
But aside from Xue Tianyu, could another twenty-year-old Titled Douluo even exist?
Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er were even more shocked.
They had been training hard just to have the right to stand beside Xue Tianyu.
Although they weren't as obsessed with training as he was, they had already sacrificed much of their free time.
Yet despite all their efforts, the gap between them and Xue Tianyu only seemed to widen.
If natural talent could take a human form, it would undoubtedly be Xue Tianyu.
At this moment, the dean of Tianshui Academy also realized that with Xue Tianyu competing, the championship was practically secured.
It had been a long time since Tianshui Academy had achieved such a high ranking in a major tournament.
"Shh... We need to keep this low-key," the dean quickly instructed the surrounding students. "Before the tournament begins, we can't let our opponents know how strong Tianyu is."
Shui Yue'er covered her mouth and giggled. "Are you afraid our opponents will forfeit?"
"Haha..."
Her words made all the girls burst into laughter.
...
Nightfall.
Bing Di had gone to bed early.
Since Xue Tianyu's dorm was originally meant for a single occupant, the academy's dean had specially added two extra beds for Xue Di and Bing Di.
That way, their presence wouldn't disturb anyone else.
"Can't sleep?"
Xue Di noticed Xue Tianyu standing by the window, gazing at the moonlight. She sat up from the bed.
"Mm... Just thinking about some things." Xue Tianyu didn't turn around.
Xue Di could sense the hidden worries he had about the future. She got up slowly, walked to his side, and took his hand, placing it against her chest.
Xue Tianyu knew she was comforting him in her own way, so he turned toward her and embraced her directly.
Besides the gratitude he felt for her saving his life as a baby and raising him for twenty years, his feelings for her had also begun to change as he matured.
Whenever his mind was in turmoil, only being beside Xue Di could bring him a moment of peace.
Perhaps, he truly depended on her.
Just holding Xue Di like this made him feel at ease. No matter how turbulent his emotions had been before, he could always find tranquility in her embrace.
Xue Di wrapped her arms around him in return, gently patting his back.
"Tianyu, don't worry."
"You have me and Bing Di by your side."
Xue Di smiled tenderly. "If anyone here dares to threaten you, I will take action."
As one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, Xue Di's power was comparable to that of an Ultimate Douluo. If she intervened, it would cause a massive upheaval.
"Mm..."
Xue Tianyu knew that she and Bing Di were his strongest support.
This sense of security filled his heart.
Taking a deep breath, he held Xue Di even tighter.
...
Time passed, and the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament was about to begin.
Xue Tianyu led the Tianshui Academy team to Heaven Dou City.
With a few days left before the competition, he arranged for the girls to stay in a hotel. Then, he told them not to wander around unnecessarily.
They needed to use this time to train and prepare for the matches ahead.
As the vice-captain, Shui Bing'er naturally followed his orders completely. She immediately gathered the team and began their training.
Meanwhile, Xue Tianyu strolled leisurely to an old tavern he had frequented for years.
Sure enough, Qian Renxue—dressed as a woman—was there.
"Hm? You're here earlier than usual today," Qian Renxue remarked curiously.
She had invited Xue Tianyu many times before, but normally, he arrived quite late.
After all, it took time for messages to reach Tianshui Academy.
"The Soul Master Tournament is about to start," Xue Tianyu replied as he sat down, gesturing to the bartender. "I'm representing Tianshui Academy this time, so I'll be staying in the city for a few days."
Over the years, he had become quite familiar with the bartender, so there was no need to order—his usual drink was prepared without a word.
"This one's on me, as a toast to your inevitable victory." The bartender chuckled and poured him an extra glass.
"Thanks." Xue Tianyu didn't refuse. After all, they were old acquaintances.
Once the bartender left, Qian Renxue nodded knowingly and teased, "With your strength, winning the championship is a sure thing."
She had once accompanied Xue Tianyu to the Star Dou Forest to hunt soul beasts and was well aware of his true capabilities.
She still vividly remembered that day.
The terrifying pressure he exuded and the soul skills that froze everything in sight made Qian Renxue certain—no one in the ice attribute could surpass him.
Compared to him, the other competitors were like infants in swaddling clothes.
Seeing the warm smile in her eyes, Xue Tianyu felt a strong urge to protect her happiness.
She was his sister, after all.
At this moment, Qian Renxue, slightly tipsy, had a few stray strands of hair falling messily over her face, and her collar was slightly disheveled.
Xue Tianyu reached out directly, tucking her hair behind her ear and adjusting her collar.
She merely smiled and did not resist his intimate gesture.