Chapter 120: Training Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao
After leaving the Soul Tool Department, evening had already fallen.
Using his Heaven and Earth Infinite Eye, Ye Chen quickly located Wang Dong's position.
She was training diligently in one of the practice arenas.
The freshman assessment was approaching, and teams had already been assigned. Now was the stage for group coordination and preparation.
Since the teams were formed freely, Wang Dong had teamed up with Xiao Xiao and another girl Ye Chen didn't recognize.
Through his vision, he also spotted Huo Yuhao training with his own teammates.
It seemed some friction had developed between him and Wang Dong—Huo Yuhao hadn't joined her team this time. Instead, he was paired with two intermediate Soul Masters.
Undoubtedly, this was Zhou Yi's special arrangement.
Given Huo Yuhao's soul power was among the lowest in his class, placing him with weaker teammates made sense. With the two level-23 Soul Masters assisting, he could easily pass the exam but had little hope of ranking high.
"The freshman assessments this year should be interesting," Ye Chen mused, smirking to himself.
He had originally intended to join the competition. Back when he was still a level-41 Soul Master, it would've made sense. But now, as a Soul King, it would be flat-out bullying.
Besides, since entering the inner court, it wouldn't be right to meddle in the outer court's affairs. So he decided to sit this one out.
As for who might win—hard to say.
Before the tournament began, Ye Chen planned to raise Wang Dong and Wu Feng's cultivations to the Soul Elder level. If possible, he'd give Xiao Xiao a boost too.
The final rounds would likely come down to teams of Soul Elders clashing for the championship.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu were the biggest dark horses—their Martial Soul Fusion skill was ridiculously strong. He wasn't sure whether Wang Dong's or Ning Tian's teams could withstand it.
Even if they lost, it didn't matter.
Titles were just titles.
In Ye Chen's opinion, victories in these school tournaments weren't worth stressing over. With his help, both Wang Dong and Ning Tian would grow quickly enough to pass the inner court's exam within two years.
Falling behind a little now might even give them the motivation they needed to train harder.
...
With a flash of blue light, Ye Chen teleported to the training grounds.
There were both open and private training rooms—the latter being enclosed for privacy, ideal for keeping one's techniques secret before big events.
A room like that was small for someone of Ye Chen's level, but for Soul Grandmasters like them, it was perfect.
The door was closed; from the outside, no one could tell who was inside.
Using his perception, Ye Chen could easily see through the walls—or teleport straight in—but instead of barging, he politely pressed the doorbell.
Click—
The heavy door opened, and a somewhat annoyed voice chimed, "Who is it? We're in the middle of training!"
A pink-blue head peeked out—it was Wang Dong.
"Ye Chen! What are you doing here?"
Her face lit up instantly with surprise and delight.
He hadn't visited in quite some time, and she missed him dearly…
Not just his presence—but the cultivation sessions they shared together.
"Came to check on your training. Thought I'd offer some free sparring practice," Ye Chen replied with a grin.
"How'd you even find us?" Wang Dong asked curiously.
Private rooms like this cost ten gold soul coins an hour—pricey but worth it for discretion. She was curious how he'd tracked her down.
"Would you believe me if I said I could see through walls?" Ye Chen teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Pervert. As if!"
Wang Dong pouted, clearly not believing a word.
True "x-ray" soul abilities were exceedingly rare and heavily limited. The idea of someone seeing through anything they wanted—like in those fantasy novels—was absurd.
Perhaps a strong spiritual-type soul master could use mental detection, like Huo Yuhao, but it was nowhere near actual sight.
And Ye Chen wasn't a spiritual-type to begin with.
"Wang Dong, who's that?"
Two curious female voices sounded from inside.
"My roommate," Wang Dong answered quickly before pulling Ye Chen in.
"This is Ye Chen, my roommate," she explained.
Then she introduced her teammates. "Ye Chen, this is Mu He, a healing-type soul master."
"Nice to meet you," Ye Chen greeted with a friendly smile.
Mu He looked like an ordinary girl—not unattractive, but far from stunning. With Ye Chen's discerning taste, she barely made an impression.
On the other hand, she had clearly heard of Ye Chen's reputation. His sunny smile and overwhelming charm left her briefly stunned before stammering a reply, face flushing red. "H-hello…"
"Ye Chen! It's really you!"
Xiao Xiao hurried over excitedly, unable to hide her joy.
No matter his reason for coming, just seeing his face made her happy.
If only he had stayed in their class—they could've seen each other every day.
Since the day he helped her with acupuncture, Ye Chen had left an unforgettable mark on her mind. She often caught herself daydreaming—or worse, dreaming about him in ways that made her blush to recall.
"You three training for the assessment? I've joined the inner court now, so I don't need to participate. If you'd like, I can act as a sparring partner," Ye Chen offered cheerfully.
"Really?!" Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up immediately.
"Yes, yes! That'd be great!"
Then, unexpectedly, Mu He spoke softly, "You guys go ahead. I'll… I'll take a break outside."
She was painfully reserved—borderline socially anxious.
Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Ye Chen clearly knew each other well, while she was just a small supporting healer. Staying would only make her feel out of place.
Besides, Mu He suspected Teacher Zhou Yi had placed her on this team purely so she could "coast" through the exam.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were strong enough that even if she did nothing, they'd breeze through the assessment.
"Mu He—hey—!"
Xiao Xiao tried calling after her, but the girl had already left before she could stop her.
"Ugh, Ye Chen, that's your fault."
Wang Dong glared at him playfully.
"What? That's not on me—she's just shy!" Ye Chen shrugged helplessly.
"Alright, alright. Let's start training, then finish early and head back," Xiao Xiao interjected, diffusing the situation.
"Sounds good."
Wang Dong nodded eagerly—clearly looking forward to sparring.
She knew she wouldn't beat Ye Chen, but she wanted to see how far she still had to go.
"Alright," Ye Chen said with a cheeky smile. "I'll stand here and let you two attack me with everything you've got. If you can make me take even half a step back, dinner's on me tonight—and I'll throw in a brand-new soul tool I just made as a prize."
"Really!?" Xiao Xiao's face beamed with excitement.
"No take-backs!" Wang Dong exclaimed, clenching her fists in determination.
Even if they couldn't defeat him, making him move even an inch shouldn't be that impossible—right?
Dinner and a new soul tool—she wanted both!
"Alright then," Ye Chen said, teleporting to the center of the training arena. He hooked a finger toward them with a confident grin. "Come at me whenever you're ready."
(END CHAPTER)
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