"You—you should go a little easier... D-don't press there..."
"I'll be done in a moment, Senior Ling. Just bear with me! Wait, it might feel a little intense."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho—!!!"
Strange sounds rang out from the grove on the beach, inviting all sorts of wild imaginings.
A moment later, after dispelling the lingering chill inside his senior, Jiang Yi let go of her pair of fair, delicate feet.
"All done!"
He thoughtfully helped his senior put her white stockings back on, then slipped her small feet into her boots.
"Thank you..."
Ling Luochеn lowered her head, her little face flushed, but the tingling sensation in her body had yet to fade completely.
Ultimate Ice completely suppressed her. It was thanks to Jiang Yi that she had recovered so quickly.
But... when Jiang Yi's Soul Power entered her, the aura of superiority it carried stirred a strange feeling inside her.
I-I want more...
She bit her red lip and sneaked a glance at the young man in front of her.
As a pure ice-attribute Soul Master, she would definitely benefit enormously from cultivating alongside someone with Ultimate Ice.
"You're welcome."
Jiang Yi smiled, then apologized to Ling Luochеn.
"This was actually my fault. I didn't know this was your training ground, Senior, and I was a little too rash..."
To Soul Masters, Soul Skills were extremely private matters. Inner Academy students generally had training areas of their own.
"It's f-fine."
Ling Luochеn blinked and looked up at Jiang Yi. She hesitated, but finally spoke plainly.
"If you don't mind, Junior, you can keep training here from now on... I don't mind."
As soon as she finished, she lowered her head again and began to let her imagination run wild.
Aw... I hope he doesn't turn me down.
Or think I'm too easy... But if I don't make a move, that annoying Ma Xiaotao will definitely try to steal him from me.
"Of course! I'll be counting on your guidance from now on, Senior."
Jiang Yi looked at the girl before him and readily agreed.
A loli-like senior who seemed aloof and proud on the surface, but was actually shy around people and longed for friends—how could he pass that up?
This wasn't lechery. He just wanted to help his senior escape her lonely world.
"Really?"
Senior Ling sprang upright, her beautiful eyes filled with delight.
Junior had agreed!
And he had Ultimate Ice!
"Yeah! As it happens, I've run into a few problems controlling my ice attribute lately. I was hoping to ask you for advice, Senior."
Jiang Yi nodded with a smile.
Besides being eager to get close to his senior, he also had an excellent sparring partner—and one who didn't cost him a thing.
"No problem."
Ling Luochеn hugged her knees and nodded her little head emphatically.
Soon, their voices drifted through the grove as they discussed cultivation. Afterward, the two went down to the beach to spar.
As one of the Shrek Seven Devils, Ling Luochеn had abundant combat experience, while Jiang Yi possessed Ultimate Ice.
After a series of matches, both of them had gained a great deal.
They sparred until the sun slanted west and dusk spread across Sea God Lake, its surface rippling with golden waves. Only then did they part ways.
"Goodbye, Senior!"
Jiang Yi waved and turned to leave.
"Goodbye!"
Ling Luochеn rose onto her tiptoes. She watched until Jiang Yi's figure disappeared from sight, then slowly drew her gaze back.
"Nice!"
She clenched both fists and bounced on the spot a few times.
Once Jiang Yi was gone, the girl seemed like a different person. The aloofness she usually wore fell away, and she was suddenly full of energy.
"Ultimate Ice... Could this be heaven's will?"
The girl rested her chin in her hands and gazed at the sunset glow, her thoughts wandering.
"It doesn't sound so bad... That's how it goes in novels, after all... A prince charming and a princess of ice and snow..."
"Girls are pretty nice, like me. But if it's a boy, then he should be like Junior... Ahhh, this is so embarrassing~"
"..."
By the shore of Sea God Lake, the sun sank in the west.
The Inner Academy's ice goddess was crouched by the lake, staring at her reflection in the water. One moment she was grinning foolishly; the next, she was covering her face and wriggling like a worm.
In the days that followed, Jiang Yi didn't go to the Inner Academy every day. Instead, he returned to his normal school routine.
He attended classes as usual during the day, sometimes trained with Ling Luochеn in the evenings, and spent his nights discussing the origins of life on Douluo Continent with his dear Senior Xiao Ya.
One thing troubled him, though: for some reason, Jiang Nannan had been avoiding him lately.
He hadn't even had a chance to give her the Soft Bone Rabbit Soul Bone.
The Soul Skill contained in the Soul Bone was Explosive Kill Eight-Stage Throw, not Invincible Golden Body. Otherwise, he might have used it himself.
Freshman Class Nine.
"All right, that's it for today's lesson. Next class, we'll cover the different types of Soul Tools. Review the material beforehand."
"Class dismissed!"
Mu Jin stood at the lectern and assigned their homework.
"Goodbye, teacher!"
The students stood to bid her farewell, then left in pairs and groups.
Jiang Yi was about to leave as usual, but Mu Jin stayed behind and walked straight over to him.
"Jiang Yi, come with me for a moment."
Mu Jin smiled warmly.
Jiang Yi's presence had made her the undisputed star among the first-year teachers.
"Yes, teacher."
Jiang Yi nodded and followed Mu Jin.
By the time they entered the office, an old man dressed in white was already seated inside. His bearing was gentle.
"Dean, I've brought him."
Mu Jin bowed slightly to the old man in white. She also shot Jiang Yi a discreet look before leaving.
"Jiang Yi greets the dean!"
Jiang Yi clasped his hands and bowed to the old man in white.
"No need for formalities. I'm Yan Shaozhe, and I'm also the dean of the Martial Soul Academy."
Yan Shaozhe waved his hand.
Though he hadn't entirely agreed with it, his teacher had already made up his mind: the young man standing before him was to be his junior brother.
"Come with me. I asked you here today because the Pavilion Master wants to speak with you."
Yan Shaozhe explained, then gestured for Jiang Yi to follow him out.
They walked one behind the other toward the Inner Academy. Yan Shaozhe didn't fly with him; instead, he took his time.
Jiang Yi wasn't impatient. He followed quietly, wondering why Mu En had summoned him.
His recent efforts should have paid off. He had already gained an initial grasp of Reign Over the World.
The fish in Sea God Lake were nearly all blown up by him and Ling Luochеn.
Was Mu En planning to take him on as a disciple, or recruit him straight into the Inner Academy?
All sorts of guesses flashed through his mind. Half an hour later, they finally arrived at Sea God Pavilion.
Several Pavilion Elders were already inside. When they saw the two enter, they turned to look at them.
Jiang Yi followed Yan Shaozhe without looking around. He kept his head down, playing the part of a nervous student.
"Sit down first. The teacher will be here shortly."
Yan Shaozhe found a chair and sat down, then nodded for Jiang Yi to do the same.
But before Jiang Yi could say anything, Yan Shaozhe closed his eyes and began to rest.
"Uh..."
Jiang Yi glanced around. There were only a few chairs in Sea God Pavilion, arranged in a circle. Clearly, there were rules about who sat where.
He definitely couldn't just pick a seat.
Jiang Yi glanced at Yan Shaozhe, deep in thought. It seemed this Old Codger was a little hostile toward him.
Was he trying to embarrass him? Or was there something else behind it...
As he considered how to get out of this predicament, a kind voice suddenly came from ahead.
"Good boy, sit here!"
Jiang Yi turned toward the voice. An old woman with white hair, seated to the left of the main seat at the front, beckoned to him.
Beside the old woman sat a mature, beautiful woman who had retained her youthful charm. The two women bore some resemblance to each other.
Is that her?
Jiang Yi's heart stirred as he recognized her.
She was the senior from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion who had given him a piece of Whale Rubber back then.
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