Chapter 210: Winning Over Ning Tian
The two of them embraced tightly, as if their very souls were merging into one.
Ye Chen's hand, still wrapped around Ning Tian's waist, began to wander—moving downward, hungry for more contact.
He gently pulled her closer.
"Mmm…"
Ning Tian whimpered softly, her body going completely limp, leaning her full weight against his solid frame.
Yet she didn't resist.
"Really… here of all places?" Ye Chen murmured, meeting her gaze.
"Hmph, it's going to happen sooner or later anyway. What, are you afraid?" Ning Tian teased, her voice laced with both challenge and invitation.
Ye Chen hesitated for half a breath. How could anyone resist that?
…
…
…
An hour later, Ye Chen lay back, holding the tender, exhausted girl close in his arms. Their bodies were still pressed together, warmth blending in the quiet aftermath.
Ye Chen kissed her damp forehead and temples lightly, arms draped protectively around her smooth back.
"Hmph, finally got you~"
Ning Tian's flushed face rested against his chest, one ear pressed to his heartbeat. A small, smug smile curved her lips.
"So you were planning this all along, huh?" Ye Chen said with a chuckle, pinching her cheek teasingly.
"Of course! Who told you to be so flirty—if I didn't act first, who knows when my turn would come?" she said slyly, eyes glimmering with pride.
Even before her martial soul's evolution, she had already decided to use this private time with Ye Chen to deepen their bond.
It was difficult before, with Wu Feng always around—she couldn't let loose without enduring the teasing.
But now… everything was perfect.
She was truly and completely Ye Chen's.
All hesitation, all restraint, had vanished—leaving only soft contentment and reliance.
Neither spoke for a long time. They simply lay entwined, soaking in the gentle calm after the storm.
Ye Chen idly traced her smooth skin and smiled. "Your cultivation's nearly at the Soul Sect level. I'll stay with you for a few days and help you stabilize it. Once you reach level forty, I'll take you to get your fourth soul ring—and then, accompany you home."
"Mhm~ Whatever you say," she murmured, curling up in his embrace like a kitten.
She could already imagine the looks on her father's and the two elders' faces when they met Ye Chen—shock first, of course.
After all, she hadn't told her family anything about their relationship.
But once they saw Ye Chen's talent and power, surely they would agree, maybe even celebrate.
He was the perfect candidate for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's future—and if anyone could match their heiress, it was him.
Of course, Ye Chen would never become a son-in-law.
That meant she'd simply have to marry into his home instead.
The thought filled her with warmth, and she soon drifted off to sleep, a blissful smile still on her lips.
…
…
Three days later.
Ye Chen remained with Ning Tian to help her cultivate, pushing her level smoothly to forty.
He hadn't seen Wu Feng these days—mostly because Ning Tian wasn't fond of interruptions.
Having Wu Feng around made certain things… inconvenient, and Ning Tian was shy by nature.
Besides, Ye Chen had other plans for Wu Feng. He still had the Fire Dragon Spirit, from which he intended to extract a fragment—perhaps one-millionth of its essence—to help evolve Wu Feng's martial soul.
He had also prepared fiery elixirs for her training, though he wasn't sure if her flame could evolve into ultimate fire like Ma Xiaotao's.
Either way, it would cause a significant disturbance—so proper preparation was key. Otherwise, the academy elders would inevitably come questioning again.
…
The Star Dou Forest was very close to Shrek City.
It took Ye Chen and Ning Tian only a few minutes to reach its outer region.
The vast woods looked exactly as he remembered—the same dense mist, the same primal scent.
They had come early in the morning.
Moist fog hung low, draping like a veil around the towering ancient trees.
Huge ferns glistened with dew that occasionally dripped with soft clicks upon the forest floor.
The air carried an earthy fragrance mixed with the subtle sweetness of wild blossoms.
Holding Ning Tian's hand, Ye Chen led her along the damp ground. The thick layer of fallen leaves beneath their feet made faint rustling sounds with every step.
Unlike most soul masters who ventured into these dangerous woods fully equipped in reinforced combat gear, Ning Tian's outfit was delightfully different.
She wore light casual clothes—an outfit Ye Chen had especially prepared for her.
A simple cream-white short-sleeved top that, under sunlight, revealed faint contours of what lay beneath.
Instead of combat pants, she wore a short white skirt ending just above her knees.
Beneath the skirt, her legs were sheathed in pure white silk stockings—soft as a second layer of skin—hugging every curve of her long, slender legs perfectly.
As they went deeper, tiny flecks of dirt and dew stained the silk slightly.
Ye Chen couldn't help understanding why, in his previous life, people had such a fascination with that particular contrast of purity and wilderness—it carried a strange, irresistible charm.
Ning Tian's cultivation had by now reached level forty, her Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda gleaming faintly in her hand. She only needed one suitable ring for another breakthrough.
"How are you feeling? What kind of skill do you want for your fourth? Your spirit is unique—different from others, right?" Ye Chen asked casually as they walked.
Ning Tian's eyes brightened as she smiled. "Mhm~ My Nine Treasures Pagoda's level of amplification mainly depends on my own soul power. The higher my level, the stronger the amplification. The ring's attribute determines extra effects, but higher rings carry more raw energy, letting me raise my reserves and fight longer."
After a moment of thought, she added, "I think my fourth ring should be defensive-type. So, maybe from a defensive beast—around five thousand years old."
Five thousand years was safe, the standard for a typical forty-level auxiliary master.
"Five thousand's too low. Go for at least eight thousand." Ye Chen said calmly.
"Huh? Won't that be dangerous? What if I can't absorb it…" she asked hesitantly.
"Remember the Qiluo Tulip I gave you? It enhanced not just your spirit, but your body too. Don't worry. Eight thousand years might be tough, but you can handle it. Just endure a bit."
He smiled confidently.
Ye Chen had more than enough experience judging her current physical strength.
After these past few days, he knew exactly how much stronger she'd become—her stamina had improved vastly.
In fact, she could surely withstand up to nine thousand years, though eight thousand would be safe and easy.
Either way, her future potential was limitless.
Her fourth soul ring didn't need to be perfect. Ye Chen was strong enough to shelter her—she didn't need to be the sharpest sword, only safe and happy at his side.
(END CHAPTER)
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