Chapter 85 Ma Xiaotao: This Is the Wild, Don't Get Any Ideas…
"Ahem, Sister Xiaotao, it's getting late. How about we get some rest~" Ye Chen said quickly, feeling her gaze on him start to make his heart race.
"Hmph, fine, fine…"
Ma Xiaotao decided not to press him further. She knew this cultivation secret was one of his trump cards, so she didn't pry—but she was already planning how to make the most of it.
From now on, she thought, she needed to take initiative—maybe insist he sleep with her every night. That way, she could "borrow" his secret technique to train daily.
"Hehe~"
Ye Chen chuckled and slipped an arm around her slender waist from behind.
Her face was flushed from the wine she'd drunk, and the mix of alcohol fragrance and her natural scent made Ye Chen inhale deeply without even meaning to.
"Mm… this is the wilderness, you know. Don't get any funny ideas," Ma Xiaotao warned softly, fully aware of what was running through his head.
This guy never behaved.
She also knew her words wouldn't really stop him, but she had to say them anyway—for her own peace of mind, if nothing else.
"Mm‑hm~"
Ye Chen nodded obediently and helped her into the tent.
Outside, the campfire's flames flickered gently.
Inside the tent, the two squeezed together into a single sleeping bag…
…
…
The next morning.
They woke early, shared a simple breakfast, and then headed back toward the academy.
After parting ways with Ma Xiaotao, Ye Chen made for the Soul Tool Department.
He was now level 44, and with Ma Xiaotao's help and that 100‑times cultivation speed, he figured he didn't even need Soul Enhancement Pills anymore. Training with her for half a month would push him straight to level 50 easily.
The remaining pills could go to Ning Tian and the others instead.
After all, for Soul Sects, the pills' efficiency wasn't very cost‑effective—but for Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Wang Dong, or Tang Ya, they would work wonders and help them reach level 40 in no time.
Once they broke through, they would all need to hunt soul beasts for new rings.
Ye Chen's fourth ring was already a 59,999‑year one.
A hundred‑thousand‑year ice‑attribute beast was hard to find, so he didn't expect that—but he refused to settle for anything below sixty thousand years, either.
To hunt something like that, Ma Xiaotao wouldn't be enough help—he'd need a Super Douluo.
Yan Shaozhe was his teacher, yes—but so was Xian Lin'er.
Given the choice, the elegant Xian Lin'er definitely occupied the higher priority.
Best to keep a strong connection with her now—hug those long black‑stockinged legs tight. It would come in handy later when seeking a soul ring.
Besides, the Soul Tool Department was crucial to him—it enriched his daily life in more ways than one.
…
Ye Chen made his way easily into Xian Lin'er's lab.
As a research‑type soul engineer, she practically lived there. The moment she sensed Ye Chen's aura, her eyes lit up. "Xiao Chen! You're here~"
"Good morning, teacher~" Ye Chen greeted with a bright smile.
Xian Lin'er wore her usual moon‑white lab coat, but it couldn't hide the curves of her figure. The coat reached only to her knees, revealing long thighs wrapped in sheer stockings.
On her feet were white high heels, the faintly exposed tops of her feet gleaming under the lab lights—enough to catch Ye Chen's eyes for a heartbeat.
Just one glance.
But that single glance didn't escape her notice.
"This little pervert… still has that weakness," she thought, lips curling slightly in knowing amusement.
Normally, she dressed simply and practically, but ever since discovering Ye Chen's little preference, she'd gone out of her way to look the part every day.
Compared with Yan Shaozhe, she didn't have many advantages—but if this could get Ye Chen to visit the Soul Tool Department more often, then so be it. Clearly, it worked.
…
"Teacher, is something wrong?"
Ye Chen tilted his head curiously as she drifted off for a moment.
"Ah… nothing~"
Xian Lin'er smiled warmly and said, "Come along. Since you're already a Level 1 Soul Engineer, today I'll teach you how to inscribe a Level 2 Soul Tool array."
With that, she gently took his hand and led him toward the engraving room.
"Thank you, teacher~"
Ye Chen nodded, following without protest.
Even with his incredible comprehension, guidance from a master saved him hours of study.
The lesson proceeded much like the previous time.
Ye Chen sat at the workbench, while Xian Lin'er leaned close behind him, teaching him personally, her hands guiding his movements over the delicate carvings.
"Focus. Slowly… that's it… good, keep this rhythm…"
Her voice was soft, her scented breath brushing against his cheek, and her chest lightly pressed against his shoulders—enough to make his neck stiffen from tension.
…
Half an hour later.
Feeling on the verge of sensory overload, Ye Chen finally said, "Teacher, I think I've got it. Let me practice on my own for a bit."
The "pressure" from his instructor was simply too intense.
Wonderful, yes—but impossible to focus under.
"Alright then. Practice by yourself. I'll be outside—just call if you need me~"
Xian Lin'er covered her mouth with a small chuckle.
Of course she noticed his unease, but instead of teasing him outright, she merely enjoyed the reaction. Young, flustered geniuses—so very adorable.
…
"Phew…"
Once she left, Ye Chen finally exhaled in relief and began assessing his plans.
Level 1 Soul Tools were basic—mostly simple attack or defense gear of limited usefulness. Practical living devices were far more common.
At Level 2, both offensive and defensive tools started to appear with real value, though still few in number.
But for someone of Ye Chen's cultivation, anything below Level 5 was effectively useless in battle.
A Level 5 offensive tool couldn't match his fists, and a Level 5 defensive tool couldn't withstand one of his punches.
So, his current focus was on life‑enhancing Soul Tools.
Things like the Image Mirror Box—devices that improved daily life and, of course, worked wonders for charming girls.
After some thought, he decided to try making a flight‑type Soul Tool.
Flying as a Soul Master was difficult. Without a flight‑capable martial soul, only Soul Sages could do it, and even then, it consumed tremendous energy.
With a flight‑type Soul Tool, however, even Soul Sects could soar freely—a huge reduction in requirements.
The problem was that the existing designs on the continent were bulky and inconvenient.
Shrek's most advanced model, created by Fan Yu, could be used with three rings, but it was still outdated compared to the Sun Moon Empire's technology, which incorporated energy gems and core arrays that even a one‑ring Soul Master could operate.
Consulting his "Universal Codex," Ye Chen soon found a blueprint for a lightweight Level 2 Flight Soul Tool.
While he could fly using his martial soul, it was inefficient for long distances—and carrying someone with him drained far too much power.
If he wanted to fly comfortably, especially with a girl in his arms, he'd need a Soul Tool designed exactly for that.
(END CHAPTER)
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