Chapter 57: Ma Xiaotao: Next Time I Won't Wear Anything to Bed...
Very soon, Xian Lin'er brought Ye Chen back to the Sea God Pavilion.
Ye Chen had long since gotten down from her embrace to avoid being seen by the others.
As they entered, every gaze turned toward him.
"Ye Chen, are you willing to cultivate both the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments at the same time?"
One of the elders, clearly aware that Xian Lin'er had already spoken to Ye Chen on the way, got straight to the point.
"Mm, I'm willing."
Ye Chen nodded sincerely.
"Xiao Chen, I know you're interested in the Soul Tool Department and that you have some talent, but soul tools aren't easy to learn. Dual cultivation will divide your focus, so think carefully!"
Yan Shaozhe immediately couldn't sit still and quickly reminded him.
"Teacher, I know what I'm doing. I'll manage my time well and won't neglect my martial soul cultivation," Ye Chen replied confidently with a smile.
"Everyone, please take a look."
At this moment, Xian Lin'er brought out the soul tool core Ye Chen had crafted earlier and infused it with soul power.
Instantly, the core formation lit up, radiating light and faint energy fluctuations.
All those present were high-level experts. They immediately recognized it as a Level 1 soul tool core, but found the emitted energy unusual—none of them could identify what kind of soul tool it belonged to.
"Lin'er, what's the purpose of showing us a Level 1 soul tool core?" an elder asked with curiosity.
"Would you believe me if I said this was made by a soul master who had never touched soul tools before—completely from scratch in less than one hour?" Xian Lin'er said calmly.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"Lin'er, you must be joking!"
"Even a genius from the Sun Moon Empire couldn't do that…"
Suddenly, one elder's eyes widened as a shocking thought struck him. "Wait... Lin'er, don't tell me this core was crafted by Ye Chen?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of gasps swept through the room. Every elder turned to stare at Ye Chen with eyes filled with disbelief and awe.
"That's right," Xian Lin'er said proudly. "Earlier today, I took Ye Chen to test his talent in soul engineering. Then I came straight here. In the short time I debated with you, Ye Chen, with no guidance from any teacher, taught himself and managed to craft this Level 1 core formation."
"In other words, Ye Chen—within the span of a single hour—went from a complete novice to a certified Level 1 Soul Engineer."
She spoke slowly but her voice carried unconcealable pride.
"Now you understand why I insisted he cultivate in the Soul Tool Department as well?"
Xian Lin'er continued, "With Ye Chen's talent, he will one day become a Level 9 Soul Engineer, or even reach the mythical Level 10! That would mark the true rise of Shrek's Soul Tool Department!"
"He could even lead Shrek ahead of the Sun Moon Empire—by a thousand years, or even ten thousand years!"
Though her tone wasn't loud, her words left everyone silent.
Even Yan Shaozhe had nothing to say now.
Because what Xian Lin'er said... was true.
No, more accurately, Ye Chen's talent in soul engineering was simply heaven-defying.
In some aspects, it might even surpass his martial soul talent…
If Ye Chen became an Ultimate Douluo, he could protect Shrek for a few hundred years.
But if Ye Chen became a Level 10 Soul Engineer and created a Level 10 soul tool for Shrek…
That artifact could protect Shrek for thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of years!
All of that was possible.
With such reasoning, Xian Lin'er had sufficient justification to let Ye Chen focus primarily on soul tools, while his martial studies could take a backseat.
"Alright then, since Ye Chen himself has no objection, we'll proceed as such."
"Since he's apprenticed to both of you, you can arrange his training schedule among yourselves. But he mustn't skip inner court classes," Xuanzi finally said, thus finalizing the matter.
"Yes."
"Understood, Elder Xuan~"
Both Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er bowed slightly in response.
Yan Shaozhe's face was gloomy and reluctant, but there was nothing more he could do.
Xian Lin'er, on the other hand, was overjoyed. It was the best possible outcome—and she was deeply satisfied.
Especially after the surprise Ye Chen had given her—her fondness for him only grew stronger.
"Let's go, Xiao Chen. Time to head back."
Xian Lin'er gently took Ye Chen's hand and led him out.
As they walked, she added, "Our Soul Tool Department isn't as stingy as your Martial Soul Department. Ye Chen is our treasured prodigy. I will pour every resource from the department into supporting him—no mere doubling or tripling!"
The elders in the Sea God Pavilion gasped upon hearing that.
Many even felt a wave of envy in their hearts.
Ye Chen had truly latched onto the richest woman in the academy.
The Martial Soul Department's funds were limited—much of their development relied on the Soul Tool Department's financial support. After lengthy deliberation, the Martial Soul side had only decided to allocate Ye Chen five times the standard resources.
Meanwhile, Xian Lin'er had instantly promised to spare no expense at all costs.
No wonder Ye Chen had agreed so quickly to take her as a master.
The offers were in completely different leagues!
Xian Lin'er was simply too generous.
If the roles were reversed, any of the elders in this room would probably have made the same choice—forget Martial Souls, they'd have defected to the Soul Tool Department in a heartbeat.
A rich woman's charm... irresistible.
Even they couldn't have refused.
"Sigh…"
Feeling the strange gazes of the elders, Yan Shaozhe sighed again, ashamed, and quickly lowered his head as he left.
In the end, it was his old romantic debts coming back to haunt him…
Who would've thought Xian Lin'er's revenge would come this many years later?
And it was all Ma Xiaotao's fault!
He'd personally brought Ye Chen to her and still couldn't keep him safe. Useless!
...
...
"Achoo!"
"Who's cursing me…"
Inside her cultivation room, Ma Xiaotao's body glowed with fiery red energy as she suddenly woke up, feeling a burst of unease.
"Hmph, my evil fire's flaring up again. I wonder if my junior brother will come back tonight..." she mumbled softly.
The evil fire was like an impurity—it grew stronger the more she cultivated, igniting more often with higher ranks.
It had to be purged; otherwise, it would cloud her mind and lead to madness.
Right now, sleeping beside Ye Chen every two or three days was enough to stabilize her.
But once she advanced to Soul Sage, if she didn't solve the problem completely, she might have to sleep with him every single day.
Although—just sleeping together wasn't always enough to suppress it…
If she and Ye Chen could "deepen their exchange," she felt it would work several times better.
"Ugh... what am I even thinking? He's my junior brother… still, my junior brother sure is wonderful…"
As Ma Xiaotao imagined Ye Chen's appearance—his body, his expressions, his warmth—
"Junior brother, hurry up and grow up. Senior sister can't wait any longer..." she muttered, wiping a hint of drool from the corner of her lips.
She really wanted to devour Ye Chen whole—to savor him completely.
And honestly, she'd had plenty of chances…
But she'd always been a little shy. Otherwise...
Still, with the evil fire growing stronger day by day, her shyness was fading fast—replaced by the urge to pounce on him herself.
Ma Xiaotao decided that next time she slept beside Ye Chen, she'd dress even lighter.
Yes. She'd made up her mind.
Next time she slept with Ye Chen—she wouldn't wear anything underneath.
(END CHAPTER)
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