Chapter 205: Sleeping with the Little Ice Empress
"Soul rings… can transform into spirits…?"
Tang Ya felt her worldview collapse. As someone with a plant-type martial soul, she found this beast-type mutation absolutely fascinating.
"Ye Chen, this… this is incredible!" Jiang Nannan covered her mouth, eyes wide with amazement and awe.
A soul ring turning into a sentient being?
Unheard of!
Ye Yunxi, however, was more interested in the Ice Empress herself. Looking at the delicate, doll-like girl, she smiled gently. "What a lovely little one! So you're Ye Chen's soul spirit, huh? Come here and let Auntie take a look."
"A real spirit! I've never seen one before—let me touch her~"
"Me too, me too~"
Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan rushed forward, crowding around.
The three women practically pushed Ye Chen aside, surrounding the Ice Empress curiously as they inspected her from every angle.
The Ice Empress—once the mighty Ice Jade Scorpion Empress of the Far North—was now trying hard to suppress her discomfort, standing there like a shy little human girl.
At that moment, she thoroughly regretted coming out…
She should've just stayed quietly within Ye Chen's spiritual sea, unseen and unbothered.
"Alright, alright, she's a little shy, don't tease her too much."
Ye Chen smiled helplessly, gently pushing the three women away before taking the Ice Empress by the hand and leading her into the inner room.
Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan, and Ye Yunxi now had a vague guess of what might be going on, though no one said it aloud.
In the end, they would all be family. They didn't really mind adding one more adorable girl to the group.
Still… the Ice Empress looked so small.
And Ye Chen was so big…
Wouldn't that be a bit… much?
The same thought flashed through both Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan's minds.
Ye Yunxi, too, silently agreed—the little Ice Empress really was tiny.
When dinnertime came, Ye Yunxi kept piling food into the girl's bowl, saying things like "Eat more, it's good for growing!" or "Don't starve the child; she's still developing!" which left the Ice Empress blushing furiously, wishing she could hide away back in Ye Chen's spiritual sea.
But Ye Chen gently refused every attempt she made to retreat.
Eventually, she would have to face them, and since both Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan treated her kindly, spending more time together might help her adjust.
After a couple of days, the group had grown quite familiar with one another.
Ye Chen also gave the Ice Empress her own small room.
Although she couldn't stray too far from him, their soul bond allowed a range of about ten kilometers—ample enough.
The only downside was that if she drifted too far, Ye Chen's soul abilities would suffer severe delay, since they were channeled directly through her.
After all, a soul spirit's power worked best when its will perfectly synchronized with its master's.
…
On the third night, after a lively dinner, Ye Yunxi finished cleaning up and went to rest.
Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan returned to their rooms.
Ye Chen, for once, didn't go visiting either of them—after all, doing so every night might be a bit much.
His room, located on the east side of the inner courtyard, was simply but comfortably furnished.
Late at night, the garden was quiet except for the chirping of summer insects. Moonlight spilled softly through the window screen, painting faint patterns across the floor.
Fresh out of a bath, Ye Chen stepped out in a towel—and froze. Someone else was inside.
"Ice Empress? Why aren't you asleep? What are you doing in here?"
He raised a brow in mild surprise.
Most of the time, Ye Chen kept his divine sense sealed. Seeing everything, knowing everything—it made life dull. By closing off his perception, he could still enjoy small surprises.
He'd sensed someone approach earlier but assumed it was Tang Ya or Jiang Nannan.
Instead, it was the Ice Empress—dressed completely differently from her usual attire.
Gone was her daytime dress. Now she was wearing a simple, pale green silk nightgown.
The loose fabric draped softly over her small frame, the thin straps hanging from her rounded shoulders. The neckline dipped slightly, revealing a faint hint of delicate, undeveloped curves.
The hem barely reached her knees, showing two slender, snow-white legs, tender and smooth as jade.
"I… I just thought you might be lonely sleeping alone, so… I came to keep you company…"
The Ice Empress turned her face away shyly, unable to meet his eyes. Her voice carried nervousness and hesitation, tinged with a soft, prideful edge.
As she spoke, her cheeks turned crimson, the blush spreading to her rounded ears and even down her slender neck.
Barefoot, she stood hesitantly on the cool floor, small toes curling slightly, fingers gripping her dress hem with awkward tension.
"Alright, alright~ Come on up then."
Ye Chen sat by the bed and patted the soft blanket.
"Really~?"
Her eyes lit up instantly. With a delighted sparkle, she half-scampered, half-crawled to the bedside.
Without hesitation, she lifted the blanket and slid under it like a playful little fish.
Beneath the thin ice-silk sheet, her small, cool body pressed close.
Ye Chen naturally extended an arm, gently resting it around her tiny waist and pulling her closer.
"W-what are you doing…"
She bumped into his chest, her forehead against his warm skin, breathing in the faint masculine scent that made her head spin slightly.
"It's more comfortable to sleep while holding someone," Ye Chen said, voice lazy and playful.
His hand traveled softly along her back.
"I-I'm not Tang Ya or Jiang Nannan! We're just sleeping! Don't do anything weird!"
The Ice Empress's body tensed, voice trembling slightly.
She had only come to sleep beside him—not for what those other girls always did.
For the past few nights, whenever Ye Chen stayed in Tang Ya or Jiang Nannan's rooms, she'd sneak close to listen… only to flee blushing within minutes, unable to bear the noises.
Ye Chen really was too much—he didn't even spare his soul spirit! Outrageous!
"Alright, alright, I won't do anything."
Ye Chen chuckled softly, withdrawing his hand but continuing to lightly trace slow, comforting circles along her smooth back.
His movements were gentle and steady, soothing like a lullaby.
Through the thin, cool silk fabric, the warmth of his palm seeped into her skin, leaving a soft shiver in its wake.
Feeling that he truly wasn't making any improper move, the Ice Empress gradually relaxed.
With a tiny sigh, she rested against his chest like a sleepy kitten, letting out faint, content hums.
"Feels nice?" Ye Chen murmured near her ear, his low voice brushing warm air against her shell-like ear.
"…Mm… a little…" she whispered back, voice soft and nasal, barely audible but sweet as melted snow.
(END CHAPTER)
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