Chapter 170: Ling Luochen—I'm Ready, Come On!
The next morning.
Ma Xiaotao woke up early and left with Yan Shaozhe for the Star Dou Forest.
Given her constitution, her seventh spirit ring would easily need to be at least seventy or eighty thousand years old.
As for the eighth one—nothing less than a hundred thousand years would suffice.
Her talent wasn't inferior to Zhang Lexuan's, and after consuming an immortal herb, absorbing a hundred‑thousand‑year spirit ring would be no challenge at all.
However, after the poison master Dugu Bo had poached several hundred‑thousand‑year‑old spirit beasts decades ago, such creatures had become even scarcer in the Star Dou Forest.
Finding one now would be nearly impossible.
Still, if that failed, they could always try their luck elsewhere—perhaps even sneaking into the Sun and Moon Empire to hunt.
There were plenty of fire‑type beasts in Star Dou, but high‑aged ones were few and far between.
Ye Chen figured Ma Xiaotao would be gone at least three or four days—maybe longer.
After resting for a day himself, he decided it was time to visit Zhang Lexuan.
Last time, she had come to see him clearly out of jealousy.
He had given Ma Xiaotao such a valuable gift but nothing to her—it was only natural she'd feel a little sour.
Thankfully, Ye Chen had already prepared an immortal herb for Zhang Lexuan too.
Her martial spirit wasn't related to ice or fire, so he couldn't make it reach an "extreme" state, but it would still enhance her greatly.
Just as he was about to leave, there came a knock at the courtyard door.
"Junior Ye Chen, are you there?"
The voice outside was calm but familiar.
It was Ling Luochen.
Apparently, she'd seen Ma Xiaotao leave—and had come to "visit" while the coast was clear.
"Senior Sister Ling? You're here again?" Ye Chen asked curiously as he opened the door.
"Hmph, what's with that tone? Not happy to see me?" she said with a soft pout.
"How could that be? A visit from Senior Sister is always welcome," Ye Chen said smoothly, smiling as he poured her some tea.
For a moment, silence lingered between them. Then she looked up and asked directly, "Ye Chen… do you really have the ability to help someone's martial spirit evolve—to turn it into Extreme Ice?"
Her big eyes watched him expectantly, searching his expression for an answer.
They were filled with anxiety… but also unmistakable longing.
Though he'd already told her before that it wasn't possible, she could sense he'd been hiding something back then.
Maybe because Ma Xiaotao had been around—or maybe for some other reason.
Now, with Ma Xiaotao gone, she was back for the truth.
Ye Chen paused for a moment before speaking slowly. "Senior Sister, you should understand—the thing that helped Xiao Tao evolve was incredible. Extremely rare, unimaginably precious. It's not an exaggeration to call it one of the greatest treasures under heaven."
"I know it must be rare, but… I can pay! I've saved up a lot over the years—whatever it costs, I'll do it!"
Her eyes brightened with sudden excitement.
He hadn't said no—that meant there was hope!
If she could really evolve her martial spirit into Extreme Ice, she would give up anything for it.
"It's not about money," Ye Chen said, shaking his head. His tone turned serious. "Something that rare isn't just about resources. I would only give it to someone close to me—a person I consider one of my own."
"One of… your own?"
Ling Luochen froze, then turned bright red as realization struck her. Her hands instinctively flew to her mouth.
Wait—did he mean that?
She looked at him in shock… and a flutter of strange warmth spread through her chest.
So Ye Chen was actually that kind of man…
How terrible—how shameless—how irresistible!
Suddenly, everything made sense. Ma Xiaotao's evolution, their relationship—it all clicked.
She had thought Ma Xiaotao was the one taking advantage of him, but apparently, the younger boy was the one truly in control!
Still… how exactly? Given his age and physique, could he really handle someone like Ma Xiaotao?
Yet here he stood, perfectly healthy and radiating vigor.
That was… suspicious.
Ye Chen could practically read the misunderstanding in her eyes. He coughed lightly and said quickly, "Senior Sister, don't misunderstand. Xiao Tao‑jie and I are in a proper relationship—there's nothing else involved. I simply gave her a gift to help her cultivation."
"Ah?"
Ling Luochen blinked, her thoughts scattering. Then her face turned even redder.
"Then why are you telling me all this? If I agreed… wouldn't Ma Xiaotao get angry?"
"Well," Ye Chen said with an innocent shrug, "actually, this was her idea."
"She suggested it? That's impossible—what… what does that even mean?"
Ling Luochen was completely dumbfounded.
If Ye Chen had secretly approached her, she could've understood—boys could be like that.
But this—Ma Xiaotao volunteering to share? That made no sense at all.
If she had a guy like Ye Chen, she'd guard him night and day, not hand him over on a silver platter!
Just what was Ma Xiaotao thinking?!
"So, Senior Sister Ling," Ye Chen asked with a teasing smile, "have you decided?"
"I… I suppose… alright then… I'm ready," she stammered softly, lowering her head. Her hands fidgeted nervously as her legs pressed together. "Whenever you want to start… I… I won't resist…"
Her voice grew smaller with each word, face crimson, heart pounding.
Nervous or not, she still nodded—how could she turn down the chance to evolve her martial spirit?
After all, power always came with a price.
And if that price was Ye Chen… well, that didn't sound half bad.
He was handsome, talented, and incredibly strong—really, who could refuse him?
Convincing herself bit by bit, Ling Luochen felt her blush deepen until she thought her heart might burst. She'd already steeled herself for whatever came next.
"Good. Since you've decided," Ye Chen said with a grin, "then sign this Tang Sect initiates' contract."
"Huh?"
She blinked, staring blankly as he slid a sheet of parchment across the table.
"I've restored the Tang Sect—the same one from ten thousand years ago, the one famous for hidden weapons. I'm one of its vice leaders. If Senior Sister joins, you'll become part of our Tang Sect family—one of our own."
He spoke earnestly, almost proudly.
"Wait… what? By 'one of your own,' this is what you meant?!"
She stood there, utterly speechless.
Her hand had already been fumbling with the edge of her belt—and now he handed her a form?
"Uh‑huh. Or… were you thinking of something else?"
Ye Chen arched a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Ma Xiaotao might've told him it was fine to take Ling Luochen if he wanted, but Ye Chen preferred things to develop naturally.
Skipping ahead would feel like a transaction—and he wasn't interested in that.
(END CHAPTER)
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