A few minutes later, the girl returned—but she wasn't alone.
Behind her came two older women in flowing blue robes, both with strong spirit power. Their steps were calm but firm, and their expressions serious.
The younger girl bowed and stepped aside. "Elders, these are the travelers I mentioned."
One of the older women looked at Dave's group and spoke kindly but firmly. "I am Elder Shui Mei, senior instructor of Tianshui Academy. We heard powerful energy from your group. May we ask who you truly are?"
Dave stood up and gave a polite bow. "I'm Dave, just a traveler. These are my companions. We don't mean any harm—we're simply exploring the cities."
The other elder's eyes lingered on Signora. "And her?"
Signora met her gaze without blinking. "I'm Signora. Just here to relax."
The two elders exchanged a look. They could clearly feel her strength.
"…You're not ordinary cultivators," Elder Shui Mei said. "She is at least a Titled Douluo—maybe even stronger."
Dave smiled calmly. "You're right. She's an Titled Douluo. But again, we're not here for trouble."
The younger elder looked shocked. "So, she really is an Titled Douluo?! And she's just walking around like a tourist?"
"She is my… protector," Dave said simply. "That's all."
Elder Shui Mei thought for a moment. Then she gave a soft sigh. "Very well. You may stay. But we must ask that you don't enter the inner sections of the academy without permission."
"Understood," Dave said.
The other elder nodded. "In fact, the Headmistress would like to meet you. She rarely leaves her tower, but she's interested in people with power. Would you accept her invitation?"
Dave exchanged a glance with Signora, who gave a small nod.
"Sure," he said. "Lead the way."
And with that, the group was guided deeper into the academy—toward the heart of Tianshui, where the Headmistress waited.
The group followed the two elders through winding stone paths, past shimmering lakes and training courtyards filled with graceful young women practicing water-based techniques. The air was cool and damp, perfumed with the scent of lotus flowers. Tianshui Academy lived up to its reputation as one of the Four Elemental Cities—refined, calm, and elegant.
At the end of a long bridge stood a tall crystal tower surrounded by a circular pool. Mist gently floated across its surface. At the tower's peak was a balcony veiled by flowing curtains. The two elders stopped at the entrance and bowed.
"The Headmistress will see you now," Elder Shui Mei said.
Dave stepped forward with Signora at his side, followed by Meilin and Dugu Yan. They entered through the ornate glass doors into a grand, circular hall that glowed with soft blue light. At its center stood a woman—tall, regal, and utterly mesmerizing.
She wore a flowing silk robe that sparkled like frozen rain, and her long silver-blue hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her eyes, cool and sharp as ice, swept over them with practiced calm. She looked no older than thirty, but the sheer power radiating from her proved she had lived far longer.
"Welcome," she said, her voice like the soft ripple of a lake. "I am Shui Xinyue, Headmistress of Tianshui Academy."
Dave gave a polite nod. "Thank you for the invitation. I'm Dave, and this is Signora, Meilin, and Dugu Yan."
Shui Xinyue's gaze lingered on Signora. "You… I felt your pressure the moment you arrived. Are you an Ultimate Douluo?"
"I am," Signora answered plainly, her tone neither proud nor humble.
A flicker of respect crossed the Headmistress's expression. "And yet you carry yourself with restraint. That is rare."
She turned to Dave next. "And you… You're not ordinary either. There's something deep in your soul. What brings a group like yours to our academy?"
"Vacation," Dave replied with a small grin. "Honestly. We're just wandering, exploring the elemental cities. No schemes. No trouble."
Shui Xinyue studied him for a moment… then gave a graceful smile. "That's refreshing. Most powerful visitors either seek recruitment or conquest. You ask for neither."
"We've had enough battles for now," Dave added.
"Well then," she said softly, "I'll allow you to stay as honored guests. You may explore the outer grounds freely. However, I must ask you to respect our rules. This is an all-women academy, and some traditions here are old and sacred."
"We understand," Signora said smoothly, her eyes locking briefly with the Headmistress's.
"Good," Shui Xinyue said with a nod. Then, with a small wave of her hand, a servant girl approached.
"Please show them to the Azure Lotus Guest House. Let them rest. Tonight, we'll hold a small welcome banquet."
As they turned to leave, the Headmistress added, "One more thing, Dave."
He paused and looked back.
"If you're ever tired of wandering… I could use someone like you here."
There was no flirtation in her tone—just a simple, quiet truth.
Dave smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."
And with that, they followed the servant out of the tower, the soft mist curling behind them like a veil as the doors gently closed.
As the group walked along the misty pathway leading to the Azure Lotus Guest House, the mood quickly shifted from formal to playful. The moment the tower doors shut behind them, Meilin gave Dave a teasing nudge.
"Sooo… that Headmistress was definitely eyeing you."
Dave raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Was she?"
"Oh please," Dugu Yan said, laughing. "She didn't even try to hide it. That woman looked like she wanted to pull you into her meditation chamber and never let you out."
Meilin giggled. "That 'If you're ever tired of wandering' line? Come on. That was basically her subtle way of saying, 'There's room in my bed.'"
Signora walked calmly beside them, arms crossed, expression unbothered. "It's not surprising," she said coolly. "Dave's water-element affinity is incredibly pure. For a woman whose martial spirit revolves around water, he's practically irresistible."
Dave turned toward her with a mock-hurt expression. "You make it sound like I'm a magical sponge or something."
"You are," Signora said without missing a beat. "A dangerously attractive magical sponge."
Dugu Yan burst out laughing. "Well, sponge or not, if he keeps attracting powerful women like this, we'll need a bigger house."
*******
if you like my fanfic, and want to support me and read advance chaps, checkout my fanfic on Patreon :-
There are regular updates too.
patreon.com/FantasyLi
***