Chapter 177: Soul Sage Ma Xiaotao, Catching Ling Luochen in the Act
The next morning.
Ling Luochen woke up early to make breakfast for Ye Chen.
Of course, she was also escaping Ye Chen's "clutches."
Ye Chen, meanwhile, was still sprawled lazily on Ling Luochen's small bed, lying down leisurely while drawing in the soul essence of the Ice Dragon King to strengthen his spirit power. He looked perfectly relaxed.
As for him and Ling Luochen, they still hadn't taken that final step.
Mainly because Ling Luochen cared about her reputation.
If Ma Xiaotao found out that she had been taken by Ye Chen in just two or three days, she'd never live it down.
Ye Chen wasn't in a hurry either. He wasn't the type to pressure or rush things, and honestly, his slow-burning relationship with Ling Luochen had become quite amusing to him.
It's the kind of affection built step by step that lasts the longest and leads to true happiness in the future.
Besides, in every other regard, Ling Luochen already fulfilled Ye Chen's expectations—gentle, obedient, and tender.
He glanced toward the trash bin beside the bed, where a pair of torn stockings lay. Evidently, the memories of last night were still fresh in his mind…
But just then.
Ye Chen felt the ring on his finger suddenly heat up.
"Hm, what's going on with Ma Xiaotao? Missing me already? Or has she returned?"
"Crap, don't tell me she's coming here…"
A thought flashed through his mind, and his heart jolted. He quickly got up and began dressing.
Just as he rose, he sensed through his spiritual perception a blazing aura rapidly approaching.
A swish of air later—
Ma Xiaotao landed directly at the door of Ling Luochen's small house.
"Ling Luochen, open up for inspection!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She slammed on the door without restraint.
"Ma Xiaotao, what are you doing!?"
Ling Luochen threw open the door, glaring furiously at the intruder.
She had been planning to enjoy breakfast with Ye Chen in peace, only for Ma Xiaotao to storm in and ruin everything. Naturally, she was annoyed.
"Hmph, what I'm doing? You seriously don't know?"
Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly. Her powerful Soul Sage pressure exploded outward, crashing down on Ling Luochen.
"You… just because you're stronger doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! This is my dorm! You can't just barge in!"
Ling Luochen's voice wavered under the oppressive force. Remembering that Ye Chen was still inside the room, her confidence faltered even more. Her momentum collapsed completely.
"Well, well, Ling Luochen, you've got some nerve—trying to seduce my little Ye Chen while I was away!"
Ma Xiaotao smirked triumphantly and pushed her way into the room, her aura forcing Ling Luochen to stumble backward.
"Ma Xiaotao, stop it! I just invited Ye Chen for breakfast—there's nothing between us! I'm warning you, don't overreact!"
Her voice trembled. The difference in strength between the two was vast—two major realms apart. She wasn't Ma Xiaotao's match at all.
Being able to withstand her aura without kneeling was already impressive.
It was the first time Ma Xiaotao had ever seen Ling Luochen so flustered, and she grew even more pleased.
Just as she was about to press further, Ye Chen stepped out, unable to watch any longer.
"Alright, alright, Xiao Tao-jie, stop bullying Luochen-jie."
He walked over, pulling Ling Luochen behind him and effortlessly dispersing Ma Xiaotao's oppressive aura with his spirit power.
"Hmph, brat, you're really defending her? I wasn't even using my full strength." Ma Xiaotao pouted and mumbled under her breath, clearly jealous.
Though she didn't mind if Ye Chen got close to Ling Luochen, seeing him defend her so earnestly made her a little sour.
"Xiao Tao-jie, you're a Soul Sage now; can't you be more mature?" Ye Chen sighed as he stepped forward, pinching her cheek and planting a firm kiss on it.
"Hmph, and what if I'm a Soul Sage? Soul Sages are still human."
Ma Xiaotao grinned triumphantly.
Then she turned to Ling Luochen, patting her shoulder lightly and teasing, "Oh, Little Sister Ling, looks like you've had a taste of Ye Chen's power, huh? So? Was he amazing? Couldn't get out of bed yesterday, right~?"
Clearly, Ma Xiaotao assumed Ye Chen and Ling Luochen had already done everything.
"Ma Xiaotao! What nonsense are you spouting!? I told you, Ye Chen and I are innocent! Don't be so vulgar!" Ling Luochen's cheeks flushed crimson with anger and embarrassment.
She had seen Ye Chen's body… but she hadn't gone that far.
Ma Xiaotao was absolutely shameless! Talking like that—so crude, so indecent, so scandalous!
"Wait, what? You mean… Ye Chen, you haven't taken her yet? Seriously? What a weakling!"
Ma Xiaotao blinked, completely baffled. She'd expected to return and find herself with a new sister-in-arms—apparently not.
"Ma Xiaotao! I'm not like you! I, Ling Luochen, am not that kind of casual woman!" Ling Luochen blurted, fuming at Ma Xiaotao's teasing look.
"Oh? So you're saying I am that kind of woman?" Ma Xiaotao's brow arched, and her Soul Sage pressure started to rise again.
"I—"
Ling Luochen panicked and quickly hid behind Ye Chen.
After training with him, she had learned that Ye Chen's cultivation had already reached Soul Emperor level, far exceeding hers in strength.
Though she was his senior sister, now it was Ye Chen protecting her. Otherwise, she'd be completely at Ma Xiaotao's mercy.
"Alright, Xiao Tao-jie, enough now."
Ye Chen soothed her with a smile, then changed the subject. "Since you've broken through to Soul Sage, we should celebrate. Let's go out—all three of us. My treat!"
"Hmph, not bad, my little Ye Chen's becoming more thoughtful~" Ma Xiaotao said proudly.
Her tone clearly carried the possessiveness of someone staking a claim on "her Ye Chen."
Of course, that was exactly what she intended—no way she was letting Ling Luochen steal her spot.
"Sure. I'm hungry anyway," Ling Luochen said, relieved. She had no objections.
And to Ma Xiaotao's obvious posturing, she simply turned a blind eye.
She knew perfectly well that she wasn't at Ma Xiaotao's level.
Rather than scheming, better to focus on what mattered—cultivating, growing stronger, and cherishing her time with Ye Chen.
The three of them left the academy together.
Ye Chen went on ahead to the Seven Treasure Hotel to arrange a private room and order their meal.
Meanwhile, Ling Luochen and Ma Xiaotao went shopping, hand in hand like best friends, whispering to each other as they walked.
But if one looked closely, it was clear that Ling Luochen was being "coerced."
Ma Xiaotao wore a sly grin, while Ling Luochen's face blushed deep red from the things Ma Xiaotao was whispering—strange, outrageous ideas and "techniques" she was being forced to listen to…
(END CHAPTER)
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