Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

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Several days later, the group finally returned to Skywater Academy.

News from Godwind Academy had been tightly sealed, so no one at Skywater Academy had any clue about what had transpired.

However, when Yan Zhining brazenly announced Qin Jian's near one-against-five victory, the entire Skywater Academy erupted into cheers.

Skywater Academy, which had never ranked higher than Godwind Academy, finally vented its long-held frustrations this time.

Though the Godwind Academy's headmaster had intervened before Qin Jian could officially defeat Feng Xiaotian, in the eyes of Skywater Academy's students, the victory was as good as confirmed.

In an instant, Qin Jian's reputation soared like a rocket. His fame now surpassed even that of the academy's headmaster.

Of course, the upcoming Five Element Academies Ranking Tournament brought a touch of realism to the otherwise fervent atmosphere.

Historically, Skywater Academy had always hovered in the lower ranks of the tournament. First or second place had never even been a consideration, so there wasn't much excitement surrounding the event.

That was, until Qin Jian spoke up. The very next day, the entire academy was buzzing with anticipation.

Because Qin Jian had declared:

"This time, Skywater Academy will claim first place!"

These words ignited the passion of all the students. Even the academy's higher-ups began to feel a glimmer of hope.

"Captain, are we really aiming for first place this time?"

In the grand hall, eight team members were gathered, and Qiu Ruoshui couldn't help but ask Qin Jian for confirmation.

"What's the matter? Do you lack confidence in yourself, or in the team?" Qin Jian asked with a light smile.

"Well... To be honest, I have great faith in everyone else, but not so much in myself…" Qiu Ruoshui stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

Everyone burst into laughter.

"How about this, Ruoshui? If you perform exceptionally in the tournament..."

Qin Jian's eyes gleamed with a playful light. "I'll switch your dorm room for you. How does that sound?"

The room fell silent.

Then Xue Wu cried out, "Captain! That's not fair!"

"Long live the Captain! I'll fight with everything I've got this time!" Qiu Ruoshui cheered, raising her hands enthusiastically.

"What about us, Captain?"

The others chimed in one after another. "If we do well, do we get rewards too?"

"I haven't even asked for a reward yet, and you're all clamoring for one?"

Shui Bing'er folded her arms and stepped protectively in front of Qin Jian.

Her faintly commanding smile made everyone pause for a moment.

Qin Jian simply stood there, quietly watching her back. This was the side of her he adored the most.

"Ah, the Captain's wife is upset now. Looks like our rewards are off the table..." Gu Qingbo muttered with a forlorn expression.

"The Captain belongs to Bing'er alone, not to the rest of us," Yu Hairou remarked bluntly as usual.

"Such a letdown…" Shui Yue'er murmured softly.

Seeing their dejected expressions, Shui Bing'er felt a headache coming on. "When did your acting skills get this good?"

"It's because the Captain is just that amazing..."

Shen Liuyu twirled a strand of her light green hair and added teasingly, "Everyone's dying to fight over him!"

"Well then, feel free to try. I won't stop you."

Shui Bing'er smiled generously, though her hands were quietly forming crystalline shards of ice.

"Ahh! Bing'er's going to hit us!"

"Run for it! Bing'er's getting territorial!"

"..."

Amidst the chaos, everyone scrambled back to their rooms.

Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er exchanged a knowing smile.

"All right. The match against Thunderclap Academy is coming up soon. Let's take this time to rest and prepare," Qin Jian said as he gently embraced Shui Bing'er from behind. Together, like inseparable twins, they ascended the stairs and disappeared into their room.

Time flowed quickly amidst their orderly training routines, and before long, more than half a month had passed.

During this time, Huo Wu continued to visit Qin Jian daily, as though she had become an honorary member of the Skywater Battle Team.

Finally, the departure day arrived, and the entire Skywater Academy was in an uproar.

Since the Five Element Academies Ranking Tournament allowed spectators, most of the students were preparing to join the journey.

Everyone gathered at the plaza, eagerly awaiting the academy's leadership and the full lineup of the Skywater Battle Team.

However, while the leadership had already arrived, the Skywater Battle Team was nowhere to be seen.

Unbeknownst to them, just before departure, Qin Jian had stopped the seven girls of the Skywater Battle Team.

"Captain, is something the matter? Everyone's waiting for us," Yu Hairou asked curiously.

Facing seven pairs of inquisitive eyes, Qin Jian smiled and said, "You all wanted rewards earlier, didn't you? I'm giving them to you now."

"Rewards? What kind?"

Their eyes lit up with anticipation.

"I think you'll like these. I had them custom-made just for you..."

With a hum, Qin Jian activated his soul tool, and one by one, azure garments materialized in front of them.

"Skywater Battle Team uniforms!" he announced with a smile.

For a moment, the girls were stunned. But in the next instant, they erupted into cheers.

"Wow! These are so beautiful!"

As the others picked up their dresses, Shui Bing'er hesitated. "Qin Jian, where's mine?"

"Yours…"

Qin Jian's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I'll help you put it on later."

At this, six pairs of eyes immediately turned to him, twinkling with mischief. "Captain, you're incredible!"

Shui Bing'er: "..."

"Go on, hurry and change. Don't keep everyone waiting," Qin Jian said, shooing the others toward their rooms before pulling Shui Bing'er into their shared room.

"Qin Jian… What kind of outfit is it?" Shui Bing'er asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

With a flick of his wrists, a dress of translucent aquamarine material appeared before her.

"This is something I designed especially for you…"

He spoke softly. "The Ice Phoenix Imperial Gown."

"The Ice Phoenix… Imperial Gown…"

Shui Bing'er stared at the stunningly elegant gown, her eyes shimmering with light.

No girl could resist the allure of such a beautiful outfit.

"Shall I help you put it on?"

When Qin Jian tentatively asked this, Shui Bing'er instinctively nodded before realizing what she had just agreed to.

By the time she tried to protest, Qin Jian was already standing behind her, his hands deftly lowering the zipper of her dress.

"Qin… Qin Jian…"

Shui Bing'er stammered, flustered as she tried to cover herself. "I… I can dress myself… Okay?"

"Of course... not."

This time, Qin Jian didn't back down. Resolutely, he slipped her dress off.

Shui Bing'er could only stand by the bed in helpless disarray, letting his gaze linger over her.

"There are so many people waiting… Just hurry up…"

Finally resigning herself, Shui Bing'er closed her eyes and slowly raised her arms.

Little did she realize how mesmerizing she looked at that moment.

It took all of Qin Jian's willpower to restrain himself.

With gentle care, he unfolded the Ice Phoenix Imperial Gown and draped it over her, smoothing every fold and fastening a waist sash made of icy jade around her slender figure.