Chapter 172: Ice Emperor—Don't Think You Can Just Use One…
Ye Chen shifted his thoughts, and in the next instant—
Whoosh—
A streak of green light shot out from his mind, landing on the ground and taking the shape of a tiny loli. It was none other than the Ice Emperor.
"Damn you, Ye Chen!! You promised to let me out for a walk every day! It's been how long now, huh?! Ugh, you—woo…"
Before she could even finish complaining, her small mouth was abruptly filled—by an ice cream Ye Chen had stuffed into it.
"Hmph!"
She yanked out the ice cream, cheeks puffed in anger. "I'm furious right now! Don't think you can appease me with just one ice cream—mmph, mmph!"
Before she could finish the sentence, another one silenced her.
Then Ye Chen calmly pulled out an entire box full of ice cream, along with piles of snacks and drinks, setting them all into her arms.
He'd long learned her weakness and had stocked up in advance.
"Quiet down, I'm cultivating," he said casually, signaling for her to be good before refocusing on absorbing the Ice Dragon King's soul essence.
"Mmph… chomp chomp… Fine, since your apology seems sincere… chomp chomp… I'll forgive you this once… but don't do it again… slurp slurp…"
Satisfied, Ice Emperor plopped onto the floor and began happily devouring the treats.
She didn't need food to survive—but cravings were another matter.
And after being sealed away for several days, she was starving in spirit.
Ye Chen's foresight—and the mountain of desserts—had completely disarmed her anger.
For the sake of such delicacies, she decided to forgive him… temporarily.
By the time evening fell, Ye Chen's cultivation slowed. His spiritual power had grown significantly—he was getting close to the Spirit Domain Realm.
Meanwhile, Ice Emperor, stuffed and lazy, had curled up in his arms and fallen fast asleep.
Eat, sleep, repeat—that was how she spent most of her time.
There hadn't been much entertainment in the Extreme North, and after hundreds of thousands of years of solitude in that frozen wasteland, sleep had become her best pastime. Otherwise, she'd have gone mad from boredom.
Ye Chen stroked her soft jade‑green hair gently, then sent her back into his spiritual sea.
He would have plenty of chances later to build rapport with her properly.
Once everything at the academy was settled, he planned to take her to find the Snow Emperor—perhaps even persuade her to join them. That way, Ice Emperor wouldn't be lonely anymore.
Hmm, maybe he could even recruit the Three‑Eyed Golden Lion while he was at it.
As long as his spiritual power reached the Spirit Domain Realm, his reaction and perception speed would match that of a Super Douluo.
Combined with his teleportation ability, not even the mighty Ditian would be able to catch him.
And with the Heavenly Infinity Eye, capable of seeing through all things, Ye Chen would always have an escape route prepared.
One sign of danger, one flicker of Ditian's tail—and Ye Chen could vanish back to Shrek in an instant.
...
As night began to fall, Ye Chen opened his Heavenly Infinity Eye again, gazing toward Zhang Lexuan's courtyard.
There she was, sitting alone at a stone table under the dim glow of a lantern, sipping wine in silence.
She had been back for some time already. Her cheeks were flushed with the faint color of drink, her unfocused eyes gazing vaguely in Ye Chen's direction.
…Right at him.
Ye Chen almost jumped. For a split second, he thought she had somehow noticed his gaze.
Then he remembered—the sight of the Heavenly Infinity Eye was undetectable even to a Limit Douluo. Zhang Lexuan couldn't possibly sense it.
Still, the sight of her sitting there alone stirred a pang of guilt in his chest.
She looked… hurt.
Clearly, his recent avoidance hadn't gone unnoticed—and had left her a bit saddened.
...
The night deepened, and the starlight shimmered faintly overhead.
In a quiet blink of movement, Ye Chen teleported.
A heartbeat later, he stood just outside Zhang Lexuan's little garden fence.
The courtyard was silent, save for her soft breathing.
She had changed out of her formal uniform and now wore a simple black dress that hugged every curve of her graceful figure.
Under the warm lamplight, her long legs—wrapped in sheer black stockings—appeared endlessly alluring.
The translucent fabric shimmered faintly as it stretched over her immaculate skin. At the upper edge, delicate lace patterns peeked out from beneath the hem, an expensive design crafted with exquisite precision.
Her high heels dangled idly from her toes, one slipping halfway off as she absentmindedly swirled the wine glass in her hand.
The faint, rhythmic motion made the deep red liquid ripple softly, reflecting the moonlight like liquid ruby.
Her slim body rested against the table, chin propped on one small, pale hand. Eyes half‑closed, she seemed lost in thought, her lashes casting faint shadows over her cheeks.
A quiet melancholy lingered about her aura—a rarely seen depth behind her usually calm smile.
The sight made Ye Chen's heart tighten painfully.
"…Senior Sister Lexuan…" he murmured softly.
Her head turned slowly toward the sound. The dim light reflected in her pupils as she blinked in faint surprise.
"Xiao Chen…?"
Her tone was drowsy, her gaze heavy with the haze of wine.
She squinted a little—as if to make sure he was real and not just another figment of intoxication.
"Senior Sister, are you alright?"
Before she could reply, Ye Chen teleported again, appearing directly beside her with a face full of concern.
Spirit masters rarely fell ill—but emotional exhaustion was a different story.
He couldn't help but worry she was overburdened by stress.
"I'm fine…"
Zhang Lexuan smiled faintly as she came fully to her senses. Realizing he was truly there at last, her lips curved in a soft, charming smile.
Her head tilted slightly as she looked at him, voice sweet yet faintly reproachful.
"Xiao Chen, when did you get back? Why… didn't you come to see me?"
The low, tipsy lilt in her tone made Ye Chen's heart skip a beat.
Her gaze remained gentle—but he could feel the faint sting of jealousy in the air, as fine as smoke.
"…Yep," he thought nervously. "She's definitely jealous. And that tone… a little too possessive."
Cold sweat prickled beneath his collar.
Still, explaining would only make things worse—no matter how logical his reasons, they would all sound like excuses to her.
She was hurt. And when Zhang Lexuan was hurt, she didn't shout—she smiled.
That was the dangerous part.
Taking a quiet breath, Ye Chen reached out and gently took her soft hand, his fingers brushing against her warm skin.
"Senior Sister," he said softly, "let me tell you where I've been lately…"
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10