Chapter 121: Xiao Xiao's Gift
"Damn it!"
"Take this!"
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were both fired up by Ye Chen's provocation.
The two released their martial souls and soul rings simultaneously, surrounding him from both sides.
Ye Chen, seeing their eager determination, simply smiled and unleashed his own martial soul.
A deep hum filled the air.
In an instant, a wave of overwhelming chill spread outward, freezing the air and covering the entire training field.
Five soul rings glowed brilliantly, their terrifying aura pressing down on the two young girls until their movements stalled entirely.
"F-Five rings…"
"Soul King?! That's impossible!"
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao exclaimed together, eyes wide in disbelief.
It hadn't even been that long since they'd last seen him—and now Ye Chen had already advanced to the Soul King realm!?
Was he even human anymore?
They were considered top-tier talents in their class, yet they were still hovering around the Grandmaster level. Becoming Soul Elders would take at least another year.
Ye Chen had been a Soul Sect just last month, and now this??
Facing a Soul King as Grandmasters was pure humiliation.
The bitter cold emitted from Ye Chen's martial soul nearly froze them in place—their internal soul power flow dropped by half, making it nearly impossible to fight.
"Ye Chen, how could you bully us like this!" Wang Dong hissed through gritted teeth. "This isn't sparring—it's massacre!"
"Yeah… my soul skills won't even trigger anymore…" said Xiao Xiao, shivering as the zither and cauldron floating beside her dimmed, struggling to manifest under the freezing pressure.
"Haha, fine, fine. I'll seal my martial soul and rings. You can go all out now."
Realizing just how wide the gap had grown between them, Ye Chen retracted his aura and martial soul.
Even without releasing them, his power still far exceeded theirs—his soul skills didn't require full activation to work.
He summoned a thin layer of Frost Dragon scales over his body, forming a light icy armor for minimal defense. "Alright, I'm ready."
"Hmph! Bring it!"
Feeling the suffocating cold vanish, Wang Dong's fighting spirit reignited instantly.
"Wing Guillotine!"
Wang Dong launched her attack first, twin blue wings slashing forward like crescent-shaped blades.
"Earthquake of the Cauldron!"
Xiao Xiao followed up, summoning her massive bronze cauldron, sending it crashing down with a shockwave loud enough to shatter stone.
Ordinary Grandmasters—or even Soul Elders—would be stunned by that kind of impact.
But Ye Chen's cultivation and physique rendered him completely immune.
Swoosh—
Wang Dong's attack struck next.
Ye Chen lazily raised a hand.
Clang!
The double-winged strike hit his palm with explosive force—yet he caught it effortlessly.
"What?!"
Wang Dong stared in disbelief. His strength and defense were monstrous!
With a casual flick of his wrist, Ye Chen sent her flying backward across the training room.
"Next."
He watched calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
"Ye Chen, you're a total monster…" Xiao Xiao muttered as she cycled through every skill she knew—even playing her flute mid-fight—but none of it fazed him.
Even when her massive cauldron came crashing down, Ye Chen merely lifted a hand and swatted it aside like an insect.
Nothing they threw at him even grazed his defenses.
After more than ten exhausting minutes of futile battling, both girls collapsed to the floor, completely drained.
"No more! You're impossible!" Wang Dong groaned, lying sprawled out, not even pretending to act ladylike anymore.
"Right? Totally unfair…" Xiao Xiao sighed, sitting beside her, shoulders slumped.
They had fought with everything they had, yet couldn't even break through Ye Chen's ice armor.
"How ruthless can you be…"
Ye Chen chuckled lightly. "Your teamwork isn't bad though. Xiao Xiao's control is solid, and Wang Dong's offense is sharp. If you combine your strength and catch your opponent off-guard—eliminate their strongest fighter before they execute their big moves—you'll stand a real chance at victory."
Though they couldn't touch him, their potential was clear.
Wang Dong's speed and power were exceptional—even most Soul Elders would hesitate to take those hits head-on.
Xiao Xiao's control, while not hard crowd control, was sustained and difficult to counter, plus she had balanced defense and support capabilities—an extremely versatile style.
Against Dai Huabin's team, their best chance would be a swift, decisive fight that left no room for the opponent to unleash their Martial Soul Fusion.
"Hmmph, what's the point, you're still invincible," Wang Dong pouted irritably.
"Haha, don't pout. To make it up to you, dinner's on me."
Ye Chen crouched down, flicked her cheek teasingly, and smiled.
"Really?"
Wang Dong bounced up immediately, eyes shining.
"Wait, didn't you say we had to make you move a step to earn that dinner?" Xiao Xiao blinked, confused.
"Win or lose, you still get it. After all, you two worked pretty hard. Leaving you hungry just wouldn't sit right with me."
He smiled kindly.
"Ye Chen, you're the best~" Xiao Xiao beamed happily, her grin so pure it made her look even cuter.
They weren't short on money—but being treated and praised by Ye Chen felt far better than any reward.
...
Later — Seven Treasures Hotel, Private Luxury Room.
Ye Chen sat in the middle, with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao on either side.
"Ye Chen, what's this gift you mentioned?" Xiao Xiao asked curiously.
It wasn't that she was hoping for one—she was simply… curious. Yes, that was all.
Ye Chen turned his head, studying her slightly flushed face from the wine, her cheeks rosy and adorable.
Suppressing the urge to lean over and kiss her, he pulled a small jade pendant from his spatial ring.
"You both know I'm a Soul Engineer. This pendant's a second-tier soul tool I crafted. When infused with soul power, it generates a defensive barrier that can absorb one attack."
"Wow~ that's amazing!"
Xiao Xiao's eyes sparkled. Her gaze toward Ye Chen was filled with pure admiration.
He wasn't just handsome and strong—he was also a gifted Soul Engineer. The total package!
Before she could say another word, Ye Chen slipped the pendant gently into her hands.
"Ah—Ye Chen, you…"
Xiao Xiao froze, surprised.
"It's for you," he said, smiling warmly. "Not too valuable, but perfect for defense. It could save your life one day."
A second-tier soul tool wasn't anything special to him, but to Xiao Xiao, it was a treasure—and her first gift from him.
"R-really? Ye Chen, you're so kind!"
Her voice trembled with excitement as she clutched the pendant carefully.
She'd treasure it forever.
"What about me?"
Wang Dong, sounding a little jealous, leaned closer. "Where's my gift?"
Her tone carried a mix of sourness and expectation.
If Xiao Xiao got one, she had to get one too—and it ought to be even better!
After all, she was Ye Chen's girlfriend… unofficially, maybe, but both of them knew what they felt.
She truly liked Ye Chen—otherwise, she wouldn't have done that for him last time…
(END CHAPTER)
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