Douluo Continent: The Ice Dragon King Martial Soul, Ma Xiaotao is Addicted

Chapter 202 The competition ends, and the immortal herb is consumed.

Time passed slowly, and the sunlight gradually slanted westward, lengthening the shadows along the pond.

Only the sound of rushing water and the slightly heavy breathing of the two girls remained in the courtyard.

"Nine hundred and ninety-eight...nine hundred and ninety-nine..." Tang Ya counted the last few times in her mind, gritted her teeth, and used the last bit of strength in her calves to leap forward!
Splash! Tang Ya pressed her hands firmly against the shore, broke the surface of the water, and gasped for breath.

Although 1000 trips are nothing to her, Jiang Nannan's pursuit from behind makes her dare not fall behind for even a moment.

"Wow--"

Jiang Nannan was a distance behind, but she arrived within a few seconds.

"Huff...huff...huff..." The two leaned against the edge of the pool, panting heavily, too exhausted to speak, their bodies trembling slightly in the cool water.

"I'm so...so tired..."

Tang Ya shook her wet hair, her chest heaving violently. "I feel like... I can't even lift my arms..."

Jiang Nannan simply rested her chin on the edge of the pool, panting, her long golden hair clinging to her cheeks and her back underwater, like a stranded mermaid.

"Alright, alright, take a break."

Ye Chen came between the two women, pulled them into his arms, and gently massaged their shoulders to help them relax.

"Hehe, I won this time~" Tang Ya breathed slightly, giggling with an indescribable sense of pride in her eyes.

"Hmph... If you hadn't cheated at the beginning, I definitely would have won."

Jiang Nannan was sulking, clearly a little bit unconvinced.

"Okay~"

Ye Chen waved his hand, his smile turning mischievous, "The competition is over, Sister Xiaoya won~ So, according to the rules..."

He deliberately slowed down his speech.

"Hehe, when are you going to give me my reward?"

Tang Ya wrapped her arms around Ye Chen's waist, pressing her entire body against him.

"Ugh... That wretched Xiao Chen... He's definitely going to do something bad again..." Jiang Nannan shrank her neck, blushed, and muttered softly, as if she had already guessed what the "punishment" would be.

Jiang Nannan bit her lower lip slightly, her watery blue eyes hiding a hint of disappointment and unease.

Ye Chen's heart softened, and he reached out to put his arm around her slender, cool shoulder, pulling her closer to his body.

"Alright, alright, Sister Nan Nan~"

Ye Chen's voice carried a reassuring smile, breaking the tension in the air, "Don't be discouraged, I was just joking, how could I really 'punish' you?"

Ye Chen gently brushed his fingers against her smooth shoulders and back, and said with a smile, "Actually, I had already prepared a gift for both of you, which I originally planned to give to you."

"real?!"

Almost simultaneously, Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan both looked up abruptly, their eyes gleaming with immense surprise.

"Of course, you are all my favorite older sisters~ How could I bear to punish you~"

Ye Chen chuckled.

"Xiao Chen! You're so great!"

Tang Ya reacted the fastest, cheering and ignoring the icy water on her body, she hugged Ye Chen's arm tightly like an octopus.

The full, soft flesh, squeezed by excitement, clung to Ye Chen's arm without reservation, even through the thin, soaked swimsuit; the elasticity and warmth of the flesh were exceptionally clear.

Jiang Nannan's reserve melted away in the face of such a huge surprise.

Although not as exaggerated as Tang Ya, her body subconsciously pressed closer to Ye Chen, gently hugging his arm, and her cheeks flushed again.

Feeling the soft touch from both arms, Ye Chen laughed with satisfaction: "That's more like it! Come on, let's not linger here, let's go to the training room."

Ye Chen led Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya, both soaking wet, ashore, their feet leaving distinct watermarks on the warm bluestone slabs.

Tang Ya, still excitedly clinging to Ye Chen's arm, kept asking what the gift was.

Jiang Nannan followed obediently to the side, her smile finally blooming brightly, like the sun after the rain, bright and warm. Her previous anxiety had vanished, leaving only anticipation and sweetness.

Soon, the three arrived at an adjacent training room.

The space here isn't large, but it's very clean.

Simple cushions were laid on the floor to insulate it from the coldness of the floor.

The air is filled with a faint, refreshing scent of herbs and trees, a calming fragrance that aids meditation and slightly increases the speed of practice.

Ye Chen had them sit on the prayer mats. Looking into their beautiful eyes, which were filled with curiosity and anticipation, he smiled slightly and offered no further explanation. He simply made a thought.

A soft white light flashed in his palm, and two strange objects appeared out of thin air.

What was handed to Tang Ya was a flower with an unusual shape.

The petals are round, about the size of a palm in diameter.

The petals are pure white and there are eight petals in total.

Each petal is as smooth and warm as jade, radiating a luster like fine jade.

An indescribable, unique fragrance emanates from the petals. It is not strong, but it invigorates the spirit and intoxicates the mind.

The whole flower gives people a sacred and pure feeling; it is indeed a divine medicinal herb—the eight-petaled fairy orchid.

What was handed to Jiang Nannan was a root-like plant, as if carved from white jade.

It is about a foot tall and crystal clear.

It resembles the finest mutton-fat jade, warm and understated.

At the top of the jade-like stem, a pure white flower blooms.

The flowers are small, shaped like miniature lilies, but even more delicate and exquisite.

Each petal is like a meticulously crafted work of art, pure white and without any blemishes.

A delicate, fresh, and slightly damp fragrance then spread, as if one were in a valley after a morning rain.

This is precisely the immortal herb—Narcissus Jade Skin and Bones.

These were the two immortal herbs that Ye Chen had specially prepared for Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya. Although they were not of the highest quality, they greatly improved the cultivation aptitude of the two of them.

"Wow! Xiao Chen, what kind of flower is this? It looks so amazing!"

Tang Ya couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, and took a closer sniff. The refreshing fragrance made her feel as if every pore on her body was relaxed.

Jiang Nannan carefully held the white jade-like herb, which felt cool and smooth to the touch, like holding a piece of the finest jade.

She didn't even dare to use force, for fear of damaging this incredibly delicate-looking thing.

She could count the rare and precious herbs she had ever used on one hand; they were all rewards from the academy.

But this was the first time she had ever seen such a treasure, and it was clear at a glance that it was far superior to the rare and precious materials awarded by the academy.

"This is a top-grade rare and precious natural treasure, which I specially prepared for you."

Ye Chen smiled but did not reveal the name of the "immortal herb," ​​only explaining it casually.

"It's so precious..."

The two were deeply moved and wanted to say something, but Ye Chen stopped them.

"Alright, alright, this herb loses its potency once it's taken out, so absorb it quickly and don't waste it."

Ye Chen quickly waved his hand, stopping the two from continuing their conversation.

He then told the two how to take it and urged them to take it quickly.

(End of this chapter)