When Cleia's group stepped into the martial academy with Shui, everyone except the two of them was frowning. After all, how could any of them like how casual Shui was acting around her and how much she seemed to enjoy it? While it would be hard to tell based on how she was acting, Cleia was normally a very proper and dignified young lady. However, that image was quickly destroyed when she was near Shui as she seemed to become the perfect example of a lovestruck girl.
As she wondered how to get her out of this state, Jade spotted a small commotion on the campus.
'This could be it.'
Jade tapped Cleia's shoulder and directed her towards it.
"Senior Sister, look over there."
"Hmm?"
Jade was a bit frightened when she saw the displeasure in Cleia's eyes when she tapped her, but that was gone once she saw what Jade was pointing at.
"That, isn't that the disciple of the Mountain Lord from Reich? What's going on with that group? Shui, what do you think? Shui?"
Before any of them had noticed, Shui had already interfered in the matter. Shui wasn't sure about what had happened, but since he saw Matt he assumed that he was up to no good, and Sia was hiding behind a barrier so that seemed to confirm his guess. However, the gaze that the man from Reich had on Ross made him uncertain.
"Shui!"
Once they noticed him, the siblings' expressions immediately brightened. Sia even deactivated her barrier and rushed to his side.
"What happened?" Shui asked her.
"I don't know. Out of nowhere we got attacked and then he started talking about recruiting Ross after touching his body. I think it might be like what's in some of those books I've read."
'What sort of books are you reading?'
The situation was still unclear, but at the very least it was certain that Matt and the man he faintly recognized couldn't be trusted. While Shui sized them up, Matt and the Reich man did the same. Matt looked down on him since he couldn't recognize him and he didn't seen threatening, but the Reich man had sharper senses. In addition to the strange feeling he got from Shui, he also noticed the incoming group led by Cleia. He was familiar with the Blue Waves Sect that Cleia led, but this young man was an enigma. He could barely tell that he was in the Soul Realm, but the pressure he exuded made him doubt himself.
"Friend, have we met before?" the Reich man asked.
Matt was shocked by his cordiality, but Shui thought nothing of it.
"Not really, but we might have crossed paths at that party that happened when the leaders were having their meeting."
"I see, I remember now. You must have been the one that defeated Trin."
Matt balked at the mention of that name since he knew that Trin was a genius on the same level as this man that had bested him.
"It was just a little game. More importantly, these three are my people. I hope you haven't caused them too much trouble."
"No, I just wanted to get a better look at their muscles but this fellow with me was a little overzealous."
Matt panicked at being thrown out like a dog, but as he couldn't afford to be careless with his mouth, he nervously accepted the blame. The Reich man had already released Ross, so he along with the other siblings nodded when Shui glanced at them.
"I see."
"Shui, is anything wrong?"
After finally catching up, Cleia first asked Shui about the situation. She knew that the muscular man he faced was Bastor, a genius well-known for his strong body, so she was worried about whether he had gotten into any trouble. On the other hand, Jade and her fellow sect disciples wished that whatever trouble he was in, he could leave Cleia out of it.
Before Shui responded, Bastor answered with a boisterous laugh.
"It's nothing, Little Miss Cleia. Just some talk between men."
"Bastor, I don't think we're in any sort of relationship for you to be calling me that."
"What need is there for a special relationship when the truth is so clear. You might be a little strong for a woman, but as far as I see it you're just a naive little girl."
"You!"
Cleia glared at him with an indignant look in her eyes, but she was still conscious of Shui and chose to restrain herself. However, her eyes went wide as she discovered Shui's hand on her tightly clenched fist.
'Don't worry.'
Cleia's anger quickly melted away as joy came to take its place. When the siblings saw their interactions, they couldn't help shaking their hands at how skillful Shui was. Seeing how easily Shui placated Cleia, an evil grin appeared on Bastor's face.
"Heh, I guess I was wrong. I see you've finally accepted your place as a woman, Miss Cleia."
Bastor's taunt almost made Cleia flare up again, but this time Shui stepped forward.
"Stop with the boring provactions. If you want a fight then just say so. I can't believe a man built so tough would act so sketchy."
Finally, it was time for Bastor to suffer from Shui's tongue. Bastor nearly went red from anger, but he quickly resolved it with a loud laugh.
"You're right! Since you offered, I'll gladly take the chance to test my fists."
Though giddy due to Shui's help, Cleia still remembered to quietly warn him.
"Be careful, his cultivation isn't as high as Trin's, but he practices a body tempering art. I appreciate your concern but I wouldn't want you to get hurt for my sake."
"You don't have to worry. Someone on his level can't hurt me."
Shui's words seemed arrogant since Bastor was still in the late Soul Realm while he was merely at early Soul Realm. Even geniuses like them would find it hard to jump such a gap, but for some reason Cleia couldn't doubt his words.
Shui let go of Cleia's hand and stepped towards Bastor while everyone else moved away. Shui didn't have the slightest bit of fear since he was certain Bastor couldn't harm him, while Bastor's hairs tingled at the thought of battling this mysterious opponent.