Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

After Qin Jian finished setting up the equipment, he returned to the Skywater Battle Team's quarters, only to find the lights already out.

Treading lightly, he ascended the stairs and located Shui Bing'er's room. With a faint click, he opened the door.

His eyes lit up immediately.

Inside, the two single beds in the bedroom had been pushed together.

He chuckled softly and began looking for Shui Bing'er, but a quick glance around the room revealed no sign of her.

"Where could she have gone…?"

The room was small, with only a wardrobe and a bathroom.

Qin Jian knocked gently on the bathroom door but received no response.

After a moment of hesitation, he casually opened the door.

With a soft creak, the door swung open, and Qin Jian stepped inside.

His eyes widened instantly.

Before him was a jade-white bathtub—and a jade-white figure reclining within!

The indescribable beauty overwhelmed his senses, rendering him utterly captivated.

Shui Bing'er was leaning against a soft leather cushion at the back of the bathtub, fast asleep as she soaked in the warm water.

"Phew…"

Qin Jian exhaled slowly before crouching beside the tub.

With one arm resting on the edge of the bathtub, he propped his chin on his hand, silently admiring the stunning figure before him.

Whenever the water's temperature dipped, Qin Jian would quietly add more hot water to maintain its warmth.

Time passed unnoticed.

At some point, Shui Bing'er's head tilted slightly, bumping against the cushion. Gradually, she opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Qin Jian's smiling face.

Her gaze was momentarily dazed, but then she noticed Qin Jian waving at her. "Hey, good evening."

Blinking, her vision slowly focused, and her senses returned—along with the realization of her current situation.

"I fell asleep… I think I was… bathing… AH!"

Her scream pierced the air, shaking the small bathroom.

Qin Jian swiftly covered his ears.

With a splash, Shui Bing'er spun around, presenting only her back to Qin Jian.

"You're too much!" she murmured in a soft but annoyed tone.

Qin Jian blinked, then placed a hand on her smooth, jade-like shoulder. "Bing'er, I think I've been pretty restrained, actually…"

"Faced with such an enticing scene, and yet I've done nothing. Isn't that proof of my restraint?" he said with a teasing smile.

Still facing away, Shui Bing'er retorted, "Then what more do you want to do?"

Qin Jian's hand slid down slightly. "Well, for instance… this."

"Ah!"

Shui Bing'er yelped, leaping out of the bathtub with a burst of her Soul Master's strength.

In an instant, she grabbed a towel and her nightgown, darting out of the bathroom like a fleeting shadow.

By the time Qin Jian emerged, Shui Bing'er had already dried herself off and changed into a pale blue nightgown.

Leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, Qin Jian observed Shui Bing'er's flushed cheeks and smiled. "Bing'er, I've been wondering about something…"

"What is it?"

Her attention wavered slightly.

Looking her up and down, Qin Jian asked, "You're still so young, yet your development is remarkable. Could it be due to the effects of your soul power? After all, you're already… wait, 36th rank now?"

Blushing even more, Shui Bing'er nodded. "My teacher said soul power levels can indeed promote physical development…"

"And you're at rank 29, aren't you?"

Qin Jian chuckled softly. "You're a true prodigy. Me? I just have a cheat that balances gains and losses."

Shui Bing'er didn't understand his cryptic comment but decided to let it slide.

"Alright, let's get some rest. We have a big battle tomorrow!"

Qin Jian walked over and hugged her, guiding her toward the bed.

"I've already seen you countless times, yet you still get shy after something like this. I really don't get it…" he muttered.

Naturally, Shui Bing'er heard his complaint. She suddenly pushed him away, pointing toward the bathroom. "Go take a bath. Now!"

"And tonight, we're sleeping in separate beds!"

Watching Shui Bing'er drag her bed back to its original position, Qin Jian scratched his head helplessly.

"Looks like I overdid it…"

Whether they ended up sleeping separately that night was a mystery. Only the room's cleaners would later notice that Qin Jian's bed remained pristine, as if untouched.

The next morning.

When Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er finally descended to the main hall, Yan Zhining and the other six members were already waiting for them.

"You two finally woke up?" Yan Zhining teased with a playful grin.

Unfazed, Qin Jian greeted her with a straight face, "Good morning, Instructor Zhining. And good morning to all the beautiful ladies."

The other six giggled, their smiles brightening the atmosphere. Even Yan Zhining couldn't help but laugh. "With such a thick-skinned attitude, I can rest assured about you."

"Alright, children. Whether we claim first place in the tournament depends entirely on you!"

Wasting no time, Yan Zhining led the group toward the Thunderclap Academy's battle arena.

On their way, a growing crowd of Skywater Academy students gathered to cheer them on.

"Wait, the Thunderclap Academy's battle arena is at the mountaintop?" Qiu Ruoshui suddenly asked, surprised.

Yan Zhining nodded. "As I mentioned yesterday, the competition will culminate at the summit. The final battle takes place in the arena there."

"By the way, Instructor Zhining…"

Qin Jian inquired, "How will the final showdown be conducted? A series of one-on-one matches?"

"No," Yan Zhining replied. "It's an all-out brawl, regardless of how many contestants remain."

"An all-out brawl?"

The group exclaimed in unison.

Yan Zhining nodded again. "Correct. The last contestant standing determines the winning academy."

Rubbing his temples, Qin Jian muttered, "Why does it feel like we're being targeted? Is it just my imagination?"

By then, they had reached the mountain's summit and the battle arena's entrance.

"No more talking. Get ready to showcase the strength of the Heavenly Water Battle Team," Yan Zhining urged.

Unaware of Qin Jian's hidden strategies, she simply assumed they would perform as usual.

The team exchanged knowing smiles, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Inside the battle arena, the lighting dimmed, evoking the atmosphere of a grand concert. Each contestant was even handed a glowstick.

Taking their seats in the Skywater Academy section, they waited as a spotlight illuminated the stage. A young man in a white suit appeared under the beam of light.

"Hello, everyone! I am Lei Jun, the host for this Five Element Academies Ranking Tournament."

Clearly a member of the Thunderclap Academy, Lei Jun's youthful demeanor promised a more professional hosting compared to the guest presenters from Godwind Academy.

After explaining the tournament's origins and introducing the five academies' deans, Lei Jun finally announced, "And now, let's welcome today's stars to the stage!"

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