Chapter 251: Xiao Xiao – If It's You, Ye Chen, Then I Could
"Thank you, Ye Chen!"
Wang Dong put away the jade box, then threw herself into Ye Chen's arms, hugging him tightly. Her voice trembled with excitement and overwhelming joy.
"How about that? I always keep my word~"
Ye Chen smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, whispering softly in her ear, "But this time I really bled dry for you. Consider it an advance dowry, alright? You'll have to count it later~"
He deliberately said it playfully, teasing her lightly.
Wang Dong's body stiffened, and her pretty face immediately turned crimson.
She quickly lifted her head from Ye Chen's chest and pounded on his chest with her small fists, pouting, "Pah! What dowry! Who... who said I was going to marry you! You shameless man!"
Though she was shy and flustered, her eyes shimmered with affection she couldn't hide.
"Pfft~ Wang Dong, you're so dishonest~"
Standing nearby, Xiao Xiao couldn't help laughing as she watched the scene.
But then Ye Chen turned his head toward her, smiling mischievously. "Xiao Xiao, how about you? Do you need a dowry too? What kind of betrothal gifts does your family require?"
"Ah?"
Xiao Xiao hadn't expected the "battlefield" to suddenly expand to her. Caught off guard by Ye Chen's direct question, her cheeks instantly turned crimson—redder even than Wang Dong's.
She twisted her fingers nervously, lowering her head, unable to meet Ye Chen's burning gaze. Her voice trembled like a mosquito's hum. "I... if it's you, Ye Chen... I... I could do without a dowry…"
Even though Xiao Xiao's voice was soft, both Wang Dong and Ye Chen heard her loud and clear.
"What?!"
Still flushed in Ye Chen's arms, Wang Dong jumped up like a startled cat and glared at Xiao Xiao angrily. "Hey! Xiao Xiao! Stop competing! That's going too far!"
She shouted the word "competing"—a new term she had picked up from Ye Chen—then put her hands on her hips and reached over to pinch Xiao Xiao's equally flushed cheeks.
For a while, the luxurious VIP hall echoed with the giggles and playful shouts of the two girls.
The steward standing nearby could only keep his eyes down, pretending to be a wooden statue.
After a bit of playful teasing, Ye Chen turned his attention to checking other items.
He went through various rare Soul Beast organs with the ability to nourish yang energy.
There were also rare heavenly treasures and exotic metals.
Of course, Ye Chen had also bought a gift for Xiao Xiao.
It was a soul device similar to a "posture corrector," said to accelerate growth and increase height with frequent use.
It cost a staggering 10,000 gold soul coins.
Ye Chen knew it was probably a scam, but since Xiao Xiao liked it, he bought it for her anyway.
For Ye Chen, it wasn't a big deal. Spending 10,000 gold soul coins to make Xiao Xiao happy was well worth it.
An hour later, the three of them, satisfied with their haul, didn't stay any longer.
Under the reverent and complex gazes of the steward and the attending maids, they left the Treasure Pavilion.
Outside, the heavy doors of the Treasure Pavilion closed behind them, and the city was already glowing under the evening lights.
The cool night breeze brushed against their cheeks, making Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao instinctively hold onto Ye Chen's arms.
"Let's go. It's getting late. We'll rest at the Tang Sect headquarters tonight. Wang Dong, you can take the chance to absorb your soul bone." Ye Chen spoke calmly.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao had already taken leave. With Ye Chen's influence, taking ten days off was nothing at all.
Rules were meant to be broken. Even Shrek couldn't escape worldly practicality.
Of course, that was also because Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were both exceptionally talented.
Most people their age were only Soul Masters, while they had already reached the rank of Soul King. Ordinary training offered them little improvement; only simulated cultivation had any effect.
So skipping classes didn't really matter.
In fact, following Ye Chen allowed them to achieve exponential growth every time.
"Click~"
At the Tang Sect residence, the massive gate slowly opened.
Ye Chen led Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao into the familiar courtyard.
Inside, trees swayed gently, and the evening breeze carried the scent of flowers, isolating the bustle of the day outside.
"You're back?"
A gentle voice came from beneath the veranda of the main house.
Ye Yunxi, dressed in a simple, elegant gown, stepped out upon hearing the sound.
The soft, golden light outlined her beautiful features, and her eyes glistened with warmth. "It's so late already. You must be hungry. I'll make you something to eat~"
"Aunt Ye, you haven't gone to bed yet?"
Xiao Xiao's face lit up with a sweet smile. Her voice was soft and musical, sweeping away the awkwardness and shyness from earlier at the Treasure Pavilion, leaving only joy and a hint of care.
Clearly, Xiao Xiao thought that Aunt Ye must be tired from managing all the Tang Sect affairs and should rest early.
"I may not be a soul master, but I'm still young and strong. I should do more~"
Ye Yunxi gently rubbed Xiao Xiao's head, obviously fond of her.
Saying that, she turned toward the kitchen, clearly planning to make supper.
"Aunt Ye, let me help you!"
Xiao Xiao quickly chased after her.
"Oh no, no. You've all been running around all day—sit and rest," Ye Yunxi said, waving her hand with a gentle smile.
"It's fine, Aunt Ye. I'm not tired!" Xiao Xiao beamed and nimbly followed her into the fragrant kitchen.
Of course, helping might only have been a pretext.
Sneaking bites was her real motive.
Watching Xiao Xiao's cheerful figure disappear, Ye Chen smiled and turned toward Wang Dong beside him.
Wang Dong was carefully holding the jade box containing the soul bone, cherishing it dearly.
"Come on, let's hurry and get it absorbed," Ye Chen said as he naturally took her small hand and led her to the east wing they stayed in.
"Mm."
Wang Dong lowered her head and hummed softly. Her fingers subtly tightened around his hand as she let him lead her forward.
Holding the precious soul bone, she felt her heart overflowing with excitement and anticipation for the power it would grant her. Her steps felt lighter.
Pushing open the door, the room inside was neat and elegantly simple.
Ye Chen casually lit the soul-powered lamp on the desk, filling the room with a warm, golden glow that pushed away the darkness.
"On the bed—it's softer there." Ye Chen gestured toward the tidy wooden bed in the center of the room.
Wang Dong nodded, sat down by the bedside, and took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart. Her expression turned serious.
Carefully placing the jade box worth 5.7 million gold soul coins on her lap, she held her breath and gently lifted the lid.
In an instant, dazzling golden light burst forth like a miniature sun, flooding the entire room and outshining the lamp's glow.
The left arm bone lay quietly on a piece of dark purple velvet. No longer the distant treasure locked in the Treasure Pavilion's glass display, it now rested tangibly on her lap.
Its molten-gold sheen was purer than any real gold ornament.
The bone's sleek and perfect shape carried explosive energy within each joint, and faint dragon-scale patterns shimmered across its surface under the radiant glow.
A pure yet overwhelming aura of light spread with the pressure of a dragon's might, making the very air in the room heavy and hot.
Feeling that intense, perfectly fitting energy, Wang Dong's soul power surged uncontrollably.
At the moment the box was opened, the Goddess of Light Butterfly martial soul manifested behind her without restraint!
The massive spectral wings glimmered with divine brilliance, unfolding lightly behind her, as though eager to absorb the soul bone's essence.
(END CHAPTER)
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