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

"And a Soul Saint? Who is that?"

Meng Hongchen quickly asked.

"I can't tell you that; it's a secret of our academy," Ye Chen said seriously.

"Well……"

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen's eyes immediately welled up with tears. She gently grabbed Ye Chen's arm, shaking it as she pleaded in an incredibly soft and sweet voice, "Please, Brother Ye Chen, just tell me..."

Ye Chen: ...

Ye Chen is easily swayed by gentle persuasion but not by force, and he especially loves soft foods.

Seeing Meng Hongchen in such a state, how could he bear it?

"Fine, fine, I'll tell you, okay?"

Ye Chen shrugged and said, "Her name is Ma Xiaotao. You should know her. She led Shrek Academy to victory last year, so she'll naturally be even stronger this year."

"It's no use knowing. Your generation doesn't even have a Soul Emperor, so you can't possibly deal with this."

Ye Chen's words were cruel and very realistic.

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen fell silent...

Ma Xiaotao naturally knew the other party's information.

They were brutally beaten by Ma Xiaotao in the previous competition. At that time, Ma Xiaotao was still at the peak of the Soul King realm, but not the strongest.

To my utter surprise, this year's opponent has already reached the terrifying Soul Saint realm. How are we supposed to compete with this...?

Shrek Academy truly lives up to its reputation as a monster academy.

"Alright, alright, don't worry. After all, you're not participating this year, so you won't get beaten up."

Ye Chen pinched Meng Hongchen's cheek and comforted her with a smile.

“The difference is huge, how did you cultivate…” Meng Hongchen pouted, looking dejected.

She thought her talent was already extraordinary, and that there were few people her age who were better than her.

Of course, Ye Chen is an exception.

I never expected that Shrek would have so many monsters, and that they would be so strong.

"Yes, I do have a special cultivation technique that can greatly accelerate cultivation speed. Would you like to try it?"

Ye Chen's lips curled up as he coaxed him gently.

"A special cultivation method to accelerate cultivation? Really?" Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing this.

"Of course it's true, otherwise why do you think I could cultivate so quickly? I can show you tonight."

Ye Chen said with a smile.

"Hehe, that's great!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen was overjoyed and filled with anticipation.

……

After finishing their meal, Ye Chen and Meng Hongchen returned to the laboratory.

However, it seems that Ju Zi took the day off today, and Ye Chen couldn't find her.

Ye Chen quickly located the orange using the Eye of Boundless Heaven and Earth.

Unexpectedly, Ju Zi was still called away by Xu Tianran.

As for whether Xu Tianran would do anything to Ju Zi, Ye Chen wasn't too worried.

After all, Xu Tianran's lower body was gone.

What can he do?

At most, after ascending the throne, he would bestow upon Ju Zi the title of Empress, and that would be all.

Since Ju Zi was busy, Ye Chen decided not to bother her.

Ye Chen may appear carefree, but in reality, he checks the empire's situation every day.

At this rate, the situation should be mostly resolved by the end of this month, and Xu Tianran should then begin preparations for his coronation ceremony...

……

……

Dusk falls.

Deep within the palace, at the highest observatory.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill, caressing the dazzling night scene created by the convergence of millions of soul-guided lamps lit up in Mingdu.

Even at night, Mingdu Street was still bustling with traffic and shimmering with light and shadow. The sounds of clamor could be faintly heard, but they could not penetrate the invisible, imposing walls of the imperial palace.

Xu Tianran, in his wheelchair, stood tall and straight.

Even without a lower body, it still possesses an imposing presence.

His deep gaze pierced the night, overlooking the heart of his empire at his feet.

Orange stood quietly half a step behind him, also gazing at this bustling scene.

She wore a well-tailored uniform from the Royal Soul Master Academy, her long black hair gently swaying in the night breeze.

The dazzling lights of Mingdu danced in her clear eyes, but could not dispel the pressure in her heart.

She lowered her eyelids, concealing the turmoil in her heart.

She knew that Xu Tianran had brought her here not just to see the scenery.

"tangerine."

Soon, Xu Tianran's voice came through, his tone carrying a hint of contentment.

Orange felt a chill run down her spine and immediately composed herself, replying respectfully, "Your Highness, I am here."

"This vast land, these hundreds of millions of people, will all belong to me... But to govern this enormous empire, I need the sharpest sword, the strongest shield, and the most capable arms."

As Xu Tianran spoke, he slowly turned his wheelchair and focused his gaze on Ju Zi.

His gaze was filled with deep appreciation and satisfaction as he spoke in a deep voice, "Ju Zi, I need you. From now on, you no longer need to go to the academy. You can stay by my side."

Upon hearing this, Ju Zi was slightly taken aback, her face showing astonishment: "Your Highness, but... but I haven't finished my studies yet..."

She instinctively wanted to push him away.

After all, she wasn't very confident in herself, and there was still a lot she hadn't learned.

The other dean was Ye Chen, the person she most wanted to see at that moment.

Leaving the academy meant that it would be even harder for her to see Ye Chen, which made her very hesitant.

"What the academy can teach you is only the surface. The real battlefield and the real political intrigue can only be learned by my side. Theoretical discussions are ultimately futile."

Xu Tianran seemed to have anticipated her reaction, and said in a calm tone, "I will gradually hand over military power to you, so that you can conquer all directions and expand our territory for me!"

"military power?"

Orange exclaimed in surprise.

This sudden and heavy responsibility far exceeded her imagination and preparation.

She had considered that Xu Tianran would value her, but to directly give her command of the military?
This is practically putting her on the hot seat!
She was only a teenager, and might be considered outstanding in the college.

But directly assuming military power is too frivolous and too dangerous.

"Your Highness!"

Upon thinking of this, Ju Zi did not hesitate at all and almost instinctively knelt down, saying in fear, "Your Highness's favor is too great. Ju Zi is extremely apprehensive. What virtue or ability does Ju Zi have to deserve such an important task?"

Her words were sincere and filled with fear and unease.

This fear is three parts real and seven parts fake.

On the one hand, she did realize that she was still inadequate and not good enough to make Xu Tianran value her so much.

On the other hand, it was also because of Ye Chen.

She seemed somewhat reluctant to part with Ye Chen.

The latter is actually more important.

If she hadn't met Ye Chen, she would have been all alone, burdened by hatred, and even if Xu Tianran had asked her to go through fire and water, she wouldn't have hesitated.

But now, she wants to cherish the good times even more.

Even though she knew that a relationship between her and Ye Chen was impossible, she still wanted to spend more time with him...

Every day we can spend together is a day more.

Xu Tianran looked at the kneeling orange and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Far from being annoyed by her rejection, his admiration for her only deepened.

In his eyes, Ju Zi's fear proved her clarity and self-awareness, unlike those mediocre people who were blinded by power.

Orange knows how to respect and how to measure itself, which are precisely the qualities it needs.

A capable and ambitious assistant who knows how to conduct himself is far more useful than an arrogant and foolish one.

(End of this chapter)