Douluo Continent: The Twin Sons of the Styx River, Shaking the World and Destroying the Heavens

Chapter 202 Sold

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Nan Shuishui took Nan Qiuqiu straight to the rest area of ​​St. Freya Academy. Since the two schools were not in the same hotel, the mother and daughter had gotten up very early, their expressions quite different—Nan Shuishui's face was solemn, her steps carrying an unquestionable aura, while Nan Qiuqiu followed behind with her head down, looking completely submissive.

When the door to the rest area was pushed open, both people stopped what they were doing and looked at the two people with puzzled expressions upon their sudden arrival.

"Everyone, may I ask who is in charge of the Body Sect?" The middle-aged woman put on a deliberate smile, her gaze sweeping across the rest area, but her tone carried a hint of probing.

Wang Dong'er sat to the side, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Nan Qiuqiu, who was following behind Nan Shuishui with her head bowed even lower. She thought to herself, "This girl really knows how to 'give away freebies.' She did that to Yu Hao in the previous life, and now she's doing it to A Die's apprentice." She raised an eyebrow, subtly observing Nan Shuishui's intentions.

Upon hearing the sound, Xia Die gracefully approached, lifted her skirt and gave a slight bow, her movements elegant and poised. She calmly looked at Nan Shuishui and said, "Your Excellency Nan Shuishui, what brings you here? May I ask what brings you here?"

Her tone was calm, neither overly enthusiastic nor impolite, clearly indicating that she had already recognized the other person's identity, but she did not show much emotion on her face.

Nan Shuishui looked at Xia Die in front of her, her smile faltered slightly, and a clear look of surprise flashed across her eyes.

Given her cultivation level, she should have been able to roughly judge the other party's strength with just a glance, but she couldn't see through this woman at all—she couldn't sense any soul power fluctuations from her body, as if she were just an ordinary person without any cultivation.

But it was clearly impossible for her to abandon this idea.

"Excuse me... may I know your name?" Nan Shuishui hesitated for a moment, her tone unconsciously becoming cautious, and she pronounced the word "you" with particular clarity.

Upon hearing this, Nan Qiuqiu, who was standing next to him, suddenly widened her eyes, her face filled with disbelief.

You must know, as the sect leader of the Earth Dragon Gate, Nan Shuishui, her mother, held an extremely high position in the Soul Master world. Ordinary people were simply beneath her notice, let alone someone she would address with the honorific "you." Just who was this woman before her that made her mother so respectful? Nan Qiuqiu was shocked, and her gaze towards Xia Die became more inquisitive.

You may call me Xiaodie.

This single response sent a jolt through Nan Shuishui and her daughter Nan Qiuqiu, their expressions freezing instantly.

The name "Xia Die" is known to almost everyone on the continent. No one knows her true strength now. The only clue that has been passed down is that she once successfully killed a Title Douluo with a cultivation level of 60. The story of the Clear Sky Sect intercepting the Sun Moon Empire's team back then has long been known throughout the Soul Master world, and Xia Die was the most shocking figure in that incident.

Faced with such a legendary figure, Nan Shuishui's previous caution suddenly became reasonable. Even Nan Qiuqiu was so surprised that she forgot to lower her head and stared blankly at the seemingly ordinary woman in front of her, finally understanding why her mother had used such a solemn tone.

“I…” Nan Shuishui’s eyes closed slightly, her fingers unconsciously tightening, as if she were making a difficult decision. After a moment, she clenched her fists tightly, as if she had made up her mind, and looked up at Xia Die, her tone earnest: “I’ve heard that St. Freya Academy is inclusive and accepts all kinds of people. Do you think my daughter Qiuqiu… could she also join your academy?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Die smiled gently and said frankly, "Of course, no problem. Our St. Freya Academy never cares about background or status. As long as you have the desire to learn and are willing to put in the effort, I will teach you everything I know."

Her gaze shifted to Nan Qiuqiu beside her, her eyes filled with encouragement: "If you'd like to stay, we'd certainly welcome you."

The simple words conveyed the inclusiveness and magnanimity of St. Freya Academy, which eased Nan Shuishui's tense expression slightly.

Nan Qiuqiu: ? ? ?

Nan Qiuqiu's eyes widened, her mind filled with questions: How could you just give away your own daughter like that? This is too sudden... You really are my mother...

She couldn't help but retort in a low voice, "Mom, they're not merchandise, you can't just give them away like that..."

Before she could finish speaking, Nan Shuishui glared at her coldly. The authority in her eyes made Nan Qiuqiu's heart skip a beat, and the rest of her words got stuck in her throat. She didn't dare to say anything more, but just pursed her lips in grievance, secretly glancing at Xia Die, and her cheeks flushed with unease.

Xia Die changed the subject slightly, her gaze falling on Nan Shuishui, her tone calm yet tinged with inquiry: "However, Sect Master Nan Shuishui, are you sure you want to send a genius with an ultimate martial soul to our academy?"

Her tone was calm, yet she pointed out the key point—the ultimate annihilation attribute of the Rouge Dragon Emperor is extremely rare. Such talent would have been an excellent inheritance for the Earth Dragon Gate, so Nan Shui Shui's decision was indeed intriguing.

Nan Shuishui nodded firmly, her tone solemn: "Although our Earth Dragon Sect may not be considered a top-tier sect renowned throughout the continent, it is still quite prominent in the Douling Empire. Since we made a bet with you beforehand, we naturally cannot go back on our word. However, I have two conditions." "Please speak," Xia Die nodded in response.

Nan Shuishui spoke slowly and clearly: "First, my daughter can join St. Freya Academy, but there must be a time limit. Once the time limit is up, if she wants to stay, that's her choice; if she wants to return to Earth Dragon Gate, please do not stop her."

"Secondly, Qiuqiu is a girl after all, and you can't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do."

She paused, then added, "Let's set the term at three years. If you can raise her cultivation level by eight or more within three years, the term can be extended by two years. But after five years, she will be twenty-five years old, the age for marriage, and this contract will automatically be terminated. What do you think of this arrangement?"

“Of course you can.” Xia Die’s tone was calm but carried an undeniable certainty. “Our St. Freya Academy is ultimately just a place to impart knowledge and skills. Unlike some forces, we do not demand permanent dependence. If you want to leave, you can leave at any time. We will never stop you.”

Shrek Academy: Just name me.

She looked at Nan Qiuqiu, her gaze softening slightly: "As for improving one's cultivation level, it depends entirely on personal effort and opportunity. We will only provide the best teaching and environment, and will never use coercive means to exert pressure."

His words were frank and open, addressing Nan Shuishui's concerns while also demonstrating the academy's magnanimity.

Nan Shuishui's gaze suddenly fell on Xia Die, and she looked at him deeply, as if confirming something, before turning back and nodding to Xia Die: "Okay, then I'll leave Qiuqiu in your care."

Her tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of advice: "As long as you don't deliberately bully her, it's okay to be stricter with her on a regular basis. I've spoiled this girl since she was little, and she's arrogant. This time, losing the competition and making the bet is a way for her to pay the price for her mistakes. She needs to learn a lesson and temper her temper."

After saying that, she glared at Nan Qiuqiu again, but in that look, there was a hint of concern that was not easily noticed, compared to her previous sternness.

“By the way,” Nan Shuishui asked as if she suddenly remembered something, “Where is your academy located? I’d like to pay you a visit after this competition.”

“It’s in the Eternal Holy City, not far from here,” Xia Die replied. “If it’s convenient, I can personally take you there after this competition ends.”

"This continent is likely to be in turmoil." Nan Shuishui looked out the window, her tone somewhat melancholy, as if she had foreseen something.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Nan Qiuqiu: "Alright, these days are a good opportunity for you to settle down at the academy. After the competition, I will go to Eternal Holy City for a visit. Qiuqiu, from now on you will stay at St. Freya Academy, and decide whether to return to Earth Dragon Gate in five years."

After saying this, Nan Shuishui turned and left without any hesitation or lingering.

Nan Qiuqiu was "handed over" by her mother like that, and a surge of grievance welled up inside her. Tears streamed down her face, and she quickly caught up with her mother, sniffling, and asked in a choked voice, "Mom, why is this happening...?"

Nan Shuishui paused slightly, reached out and gently touched her daughter's head, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. As she walked forward, she explained in a low voice, "Silly girl, that woman named Xia Die is definitely not simple. Trust me, letting you stay there is absolutely the best decision I've ever made in my life."

Nan Shuishui returned to the rest area of ​​the Earth Dragon Gate. Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the direction of St. Freya Academy. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes. She then murmured to herself, "St. Freya Academy... the atmosphere and foundation there are indeed suitable for Qiuqiu's cultivation."

She tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, as if savoring her meeting with Xia Die. To outsiders, her decision to "send" her daughter away might seem hasty, but only she knew that it was both to keep her bet and to find a path for her daughter that might lead her further.

Xia Die glanced around at everyone in the rest area and said calmly, "You guys keep chatting, I'm going out for a bit."

Before she finished speaking, she turned and walked out, her steps light yet carrying an indescribable composure. As everyone watched her figure disappear through the doorway, their gazes involuntarily fell upon Nan Qiuqiu, who remained standing there, bewildered. The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Wang Dong'er stepped forward with a sincere smile and said to the still somewhat reserved Nan Qiuqiu, "Qiuqiu, don't worry. Our St. Freya Academy isn't some den of dragons or tigers. Coming here will only benefit your future development and will definitely not waste your talent." As she spoke, she generously extended her hand to Nan Qiuqiu, "Welcome to join us."

Nan Qiuqiu looked at the outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally gently took it.

As Wang Dong'er held her hand, other thoughts quietly swirled in her mind—her feelings for Xia Die seemed no different from those in her previous life, always carrying a subtle sense of "yuri" romance from novels, both intriguing and irresistibly drawing her closer. However, right now, it was more important to appease this new companion.

(End of this chapter)