Chapter 119: Seven Days with Xian Lin'er...
Ye Chen entered Xian Lin'er's laboratory—and sure enough, she was there today.
As always, Xian Lin'er had no shortage of focus. After finishing her academy duties, she buried herself in her lab, crafting advanced soul tools and striving toward the realm of a ninth-tier Soul Engineer.
When she saw Ye Chen walking in, her eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. "Xiao Chen, you're back~"
"Of course, I missed you, Teacher~"
Ye Chen stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, taking a deep breath of the familiar, soft fragrance clinging to her.
Mmm. She smelled like a ripe peach—sweet and addictive.
"Such a shameless brat."
Xian Lin'er rolled her eyes, then gestured to the sofa. "Come here and give your teacher a foot massage."
Without hesitation, she sat down gracefully, slipped off her high heels, and lifted her legs onto the cushions. Her feet, encased in ultra-thin black silk stockings, gleamed faintly in the light.
"Alright, alright."
Ye Chen pretended to look reluctant—but of course, he wasn't.
He sat obediently, gently took her feet into his hands, and began to knead them softly.
Her skin was warm to the touch, delicate and smooth. The stockings glistened under the light, shimmering like stars.
Pearlescent silk stockings. The legendary kind.
"Hmph, your technique's improving," Xian Lin'er murmured with a satisfied sigh.
After a few moments of comfort, she spoke again, her tone turning slightly businesslike.
"That blueprint you gave me last time—the one for the image capture device? Production has begun. It may not be a combat soul tool, but it's a hit among nobles. The first few prototypes sold at auction for an astonishing price."
Smiling elegantly, she reached into her robe, pulled out a shiny purple-gold card, and tossed it into his lap. "Here—a stored-value card. One million gold soul coins. Spend it however you like~"
She looked every bit the wealthy patron spoiling her precious disciple.
Though they had agreed on a seventy-thirty profit split, the devices' prices had skyrocketed far beyond expectations. Xian Lin'er only took her share of the basic production cost and gave Ye Chen nearly all the profit after tax—ninety percent.
She wasn't lacking money, nor was the Soul Tool Department. Investing in Ye Chen's growth was the smarter choice.
The stronger he became, the more it benefited her department—and truthfully, Ye Chen was her favorite disciple, her only disciple. Naturally, she intended to treat him well.
Stored-value cards were accredited by the three great empires; they could be used in any reputable merchant guild, even directly swiped inside institutions like Shrek Academy.
However, each card was one-of-a-kind, not connected to any network. All data was stored inside the card itself—and once lost or stolen, it could never be recovered.
"Thank you, Teacher~ You're the best!"
Ye Chen grinned as he pocketed the card, then redoubled his effort, his thumbs massaging more diligently than before.
Ah, yes—soft rice tasted especially sweet.
"Good boy. You'd better keep treating your teacher nicely~"
Xian Lin'er smirked and nudged his cheek playfully with the sole of her foot, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Teacher, come on… don't tease me like that," Ye Chen said awkwardly, twitching a smile.
He was trying to behave, yet she was the one making it impossible.
"What, you're complaining about me now?" she said with mock indignation and gently pressed her foot against his face.
Her heart, however, fluttered with excitement—teasing her little apprentice was far too entertaining.
"Teacher, if you act like this, you'll have to take responsibility."
Ye Chen grabbed her ankle, feigning a serious expression.
"Wh-what are you saying?! Don't talk nonsense…"
Her gaze flicked downward, and her face turned red.
This kid… such a handful.
"I mean it, Teacher—you'll have to take responsibility!"
Ye Chen lunged, fingers darting to her sides where he tickled her mercilessly.
"Stop, haha—enough! Fine, fine, I'll take responsibility, alright!"
Laughing uncontrollably, Xian Lin'er gave in, trying to push him away.
"Then I'll count on you, Teacher~" Ye Chen chuckled victoriously.
"You little rascal."
Her cheeks flushed deeper when she caught sight of… well, his "reaction," and her face burned brighter.
"I swear, whoever ends up with you someday, poor girl…" she muttered softly before lightly stepping on him in retaliation.
"Why can't that girl be you, Teacher~?"
Ye Chen grinned roguishly.
"Hmph! Keep dreaming."
She huffed, glaring at him—but her heart beat faster, the thought she denied echoing softly in her mind.
...
Half an hour later, Xian Lin'er went to take another bath, and Ye Chen, at last, returned to serious work—soul tool crafting.
There really was no denying it: the soul tool business was insanely profitable.
Monopoly items were pure goldmines.
A single ten-thousand-year soul bone was worth only a few million gold soul coins—he could easily make that much in half a year at this rate.
Of course, soul bones were rare treasures, often priceless even if you had the money.
Setting distractions aside, Ye Chen delved into his craft.
Consulting the All-Phenomena Codex, he spent half an hour creating a crystal pendant.
A small silver-white bead hung from it, containing a sealed shard of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Essence.
The bead, carved from fine jade, was inscribed with minute runes that kept it insulated—preventing the ice essence's power from leaking.
When infused with soul power, the pendant would release the essence's chilling energy instantly.
He made two of them—one for Ma Xiaotao to suppress her evil flame, and one for Ling Luochen.
Ling Luochen wasn't an ultimate-ice user, so she couldn't absorb the essence directly. But with Ye Chen's specialized soul tool, it became easy and safe to integrate its energy.
While the Profound Ice Essence offered little improvement for Ye Chen, for Ling Luochen it would greatly refine her soul power.
After finishing the necklaces, he crafted more gifts. Everyone in his circle would get something; he never played favorites.
...
A full seven days passed before Ye Chen finally left the Soul Tool Department.
Though he'd spent quite some time "occupied" with Xian Lin'er, he still managed to complete everyone's orders.
For Wang Dong, he made a dagger—Butterfly Blade, a fourth-tier soul tool built for explosive close combat. Wang Dong's soul power wasn't yet sufficient to use it fully, but it was the perfect gift for later.
For Wu Feng, he forged a pair of arm guards—Crimson Dragon Bracers, boosting raw strength temporarily.
For Ning Tian, a bracelet that activated a defensive barrier automatically.
For Jiang Nannan, a pair of boots—Cloudstride Boots—enhancing leg strength and speed.
Tang Ya's item was defensive as well.
Ye Chen had promised all of them a full soul tool set eventually—but since their cultivation was advancing quickly, he decided to wait.
Once they reached Contra or Titled Douluo level, he would craft the complete sets. Combined with that level of strength, the gear would unleash staggering power.
After bidding farewell to Xian Lin'er, Ye Chen finally stepped out of the Soul Tool Department.
Still, as he walked away, he couldn't help feeling a little reluctant.
After all… Xian Lin'er was truly something else.
(END CHAPTER)
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