Chapter 113: Winning Over Ma Xiaotao (Part 2)
Kitchen, bathroom, balcony, bedroom, sofa, staircase…
Under Ye Chen's guidance, Ma Xiaotao's demonic flame was finally subdued.
It took him only ten minutes to disperse the phoenix's evil fire that had built up in her body for weeks.
The remaining time… was for her body to endure.
They didn't stop until sunrise.
"Ugh… you're awful…"
Ma Xiaotao pinched Ye Chen in protest, still dazed by disbelief that she had actually lost to him in that way.
"Sister Xiaotao, a bet is a bet. From now on, you'll have to listen to me~" Ye Chen said cheerfully, eyes full of satisfaction.
"What bet…? I don't remember anything…" she muttered, trying to take it back.
"Hm?"
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes, flipping her over again, his stare full of playful threat.
Ma Xiaotao froze.
"Ugh… fine, I get it already…" she mumbled weakly, shivering as she surrendered.
If only she hadn't agreed to that ridiculous wager—she'd lost miserably this time.
That schemer Ye Chen had feigned weakness at the start just to fool her.
So devious!
So infuriating!
"Mhm~ Sister Xiaotao is the best," Ye Chen grinned, kissing her on the cheek happily as he began fantasizing about their "wonderful future."
Completely exhausted, Ma Xiaotao bit his hand in mock revenge before immediately falling asleep, drained but strangely content.
...
Ye Chen got up quietly.
He cooked breakfast for her himself.
Knowing how drained she was, she likely wouldn't wake up until noon.
He cleaned up the mess in the room, making sure everything looked tidy before slipping out.
Returning to the inner courtyard, he planned his next move—to pay a visit to Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
Winning Zhang Lexuan's heart would be risky, but increasing her affection was still worth it.
He could play the role of her "younger brother" for now—stabilize that relationship first. When the time came, a single spark could ignite something far more serious.
After all, Zhang Lexuan was one of the biggest "legs" to hold onto in the inner courtyard—just like Xian Lin'er was outside.
White, soft—uh, never mind, the point was, she had influence.
With Xian Lin'er backing him in the outer courtyard and Zhang Lexuan in the inner, Ye Chen could walk through the academy freely, almost ignoring the school rules entirely.
People despised privilege—yet everyone desired it.
Take Ye Chen for instance: skipping classes whenever he pleased. No one batted an eye, because Zhang Lexuan organized the inner courtyard schedules herself.
He had long stopped attending the outer department, and in the Soul Tool Division, he went only when he felt like it. Compared to the poor students slogging through daily training, Ye Chen's life was paradise.
With leisurely steps, Ye Chen strolled toward Zhang Lexuan's residence.
Out of habit, he activated the Heaven and Earth Infinite Eye—but she wasn't home.
"Huh… not in the dorm?"
He arched a brow and expanded his vision, scanning across the entire Sea God Island.
The Heaven and Earth Infinite Eye was practically a divine technique—even Mu En himself hadn't detected it before. So Ye Chen searched freely, without restraint.
Soon, he located her.
In the Sea God Pavilion's training field stood Zhang Lexuan—guiding a group of students.
As Shrek's Senior Sister, her duties went beyond title and privilege. She also carried the responsibility of teaching and assisting other disciples.
Most inner courtyard instructors were Shrek graduates who stayed after completing their studies, though teaching wasn't their real focus—cultivation was.
They taught only when required, or when assigned temporary guidance duties.
As for the elders… they couldn't be bothered.
Ninety-nine percent of a soul master's cultivation depended on personal effort. Teachers merely supervised, occasionally helping students obtain soul rings.
So much of the routine instruction fell on Zhang Lexuan's shoulders—like daily combat drills or sparring sessions.
The inner courtyard wasn't large. Including the Shrek Seven and every advanced student, barely fifty remained—and half of them were constantly away on missions… or more accurately, risking death "purging evil." Whether they returned was another matter.
The rest trained, studied, or… indulged in romance—clearly understanding that "enjoying life" was another kind of enlightenment.
After a few quick teleports, Ye Chen reached the training ground.
Rather than a simple field, it resembled a vast open-air arena—essentially a giant dueling platform.
The moment he approached, thunderous explosions echoed through the area.
What unfolded next made Ye Chen's eyes gleam with curiosity.
Zhang Lexuan floated midair, her skirt armor fluttering, encircled by soft violet moonlight—an ethereal goddess descending from the heavens.
About a dozen inner courtyard students surrounded her, attacking in unison. But no matter how they tried, not one could break through her defense.
Gracefully flicking her wrist, Zhang Lexuan unleashed crescent-shaped blades of moonlight that forced her opponents back again and again.
Those who failed to react quickly were thrown to the ground, groaning in pain.
Of course, she was holding back. She was facing Soul Sects and perhaps one Soul King at best. They could never truly challenge her.
Even outnumbered, Zhang Lexuan completely dominated them.
"Impressive~ fits perfectly with Shrek Academy's training style," Ye Chen mused, amused as he watched.
Shrek's philosophy was simple: "Grow through pain."
From the Martial Soul Arena's first stage to the fifth, every student endured endless suffering. Regardless of talent, everyone was pushed to their physical and mental limits. If you survived, you were elite. If you couldn't—then you were worthless.
Ye Chen had to admit, the method built iron willpower.
But that kind of unbreakable will… 99% of people would never actually need it.
Only "chosen ones," blessed by fate, needed such fortitude—because they were destined to face endless trials and blessings in equal measure.
Take Huo Yuhao, for example—his entire life was one long nightmare of training, tragedy, and pain.
Raised in hatred, enduring inhuman torment, his growth was forged through suffering at every stage.
Even obtaining the Ice Empress martial soul nearly killed him, the pain so intense that the Ice Empress herself was surprised he survived.
Later, emotional devastation birthed his ultimate techniques—the Haodong Three Absolutes:
Thinking Winter Fist – thoughts overflowing,
Recalling Winter Sword – memories unending,
Haodong Palm – through lifetimes enduring,
and the Shaking Winter Staff…
Yeah, a lifetime of pain.
Ye Chen wasn't convinced. In his mind, talent and resources mattered most.
Those Shrek Titled Douluo weren't strong because of suffering—they were born extraordinary, blessed with god-tier martial souls and dragon-phoenix bloodlines.
Brilliance came from birthright, not endurance.
Huo Yuhao had only succeeded because he'd devoured every ounce of luck and opportunity fate threw his way.
As for anyone else dreaming of rising from nothing? Forget it.
Boom!
A massive explosion shook the air.
Ten-plus inner courtyard students collapsed one by one, battered and bruised, completely out of strength.
Zhang Lexuan descended gracefully, her tone calm but firm:
"That's enough combat training for today. Take two days to rest or pick up a simple mission and complete it in teams."
With that said, she turned—and flew directly toward Ye Chen, landing elegantly right beside him.
(END CHAPTER)
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