"Xiao Yexuan, take off your shirt."
Liu Erlong's voice was clear, but her tone brooked no argument.
At her words, Xiao Yexuan froze on the spot, his mouth forming a round "O" as he asked in utter bewilderment, "Huh?"
The back hills were lush with green grass, and a breeze carried the fresh scent of it through the air.
Liu Erlong had just brought Xiao Yexuan to this secluded spot. The moment she set him down, she dropped that earth-shattering line on him.
Even with his sharp mind, Xiao Yexuan was thrown into disarray by those unexpectedly provocative words, his mind going completely blank.
Xiao Yexuan knew full well that Liu Erlong's affection for him had long since reached its peak. They were practically inseparable.
But even if her affection was overflowing, surely she didn't need to be this impatient?
He hadn't even had a moment to prepare himself!
Seeing Xiao Yexuan standing there like a wooden chicken, Liu Erlong's beautiful cheeks suddenly flushed crimson. She gave a few light coughs and hurriedly explained:
"Ahem! Xiao Yexuan, I just wanted to see how your body has been coming along with your training."
So she only wanted to examine his body.
Xiao Yexuan grumbled inwardly, but kept his face impassive. He didn't believe that nonsense for a second.
Still, he put on an obedient look and dutifully took off his shirt.
The slightly thin fabric slid away, revealing the lean, well-proportioned body beneath.
Xiao Yexuan wasn't particularly tall and burly, but the lines of muscle across his body were sharply defined and smooth, as if carved by a knife and chisel—just right.
His near-perfect physique made Liu Erlong's gaze flicker. Her throat bobbed involuntarily, and she nearly started drooling.
She quickly stepped in front of Xiao Yexuan and laid her delicate hand against the taut muscles of his abdomen. Her fingertips felt cool as they slowly stroked over them.
Xiao Yexuan felt a soft, cool sensation spread from his stomach to his limbs.
The strange sensation made a fine tingling ripple across his skin, and his heartbeat skipped a beat along with it.
After quite a while, Xiao Yexuan finally fought down the odd feeling and asked, somewhat awkwardly:
"Master, are you done examining me? Does my body need more intense training?"
At the sound of Xiao Yexuan's voice, Liu Erlong snapped out of her daze and quickly reined in the infatuation in her eyes.
Reluctantly, she drew her hand away from Xiao Yexuan's firm muscles, her fingertips seemingly still tingling with that heart-stirring sensation.
Liu Erlong raised a hand and gently fanned her burning cheeks, trying to dispel the heat.
She coughed lightly and steadied herself before saying, "Xiao Yexuan, your physical strength is actually quite good."
"But you still lack systematic, high-intensity training."
"Tonight, I'll prepare a tub of medicinal bathwater for you. After you finish training, soak in it."
At her words, Xiao Yexuan suddenly understood.
The muscles he had now were all built through hard knocks in his old world. They looked impressive, but were all show and no substance.
Beneath the muscles, his meridians were not only somewhat disordered, but also insufficiently robust. The Soul Power within him was even pitifully meager.
Now that he had come to this world of Martial Soul Awakening, he still needed to rely on the energy here to temper his body and improve his potential.
Liu Erlong truly doted on her little disciple. She had brought out such a precious medicinal bath on his very first day as her student.
Deeply moved, Xiao Yexuan quickly bowed to thank her.
The rest of Liu Erlong's training guidance was quite proper. She didn't pull any more strange stunts.
Xiao Yexuan summoned his Death Martial Soul, while Liu Erlong stood to the side, watching his every move without blinking and occasionally offering pointers.
In just a short while, her guidance had given Xiao Yexuan a sudden flash of insight.
He had a vague feeling that, in future battles, the power of his Soul Skills would be at least ten or twenty percent greater than before.
Time flew by. Training always seemed to pass especially quickly.
Before he knew it, the sun was setting, and it was time for the afternoon classes to end and dinner to begin.
Xiao Yexuan suddenly remembered his arrangement with Zhu Zhuqing. Not daring to waste a moment, he hurriedly told Liu Erlong, "Teacher, I'm going to the cafeteria for dinner."
"After I've eaten, I'll come back to finish the rest of my training and continue learning from you, Master."
Liu Erlong's brows knit slightly, her voice carrying an affectionate firmness that left no room for refusal:
"If you want dinner, why go to the cafeteria?"
"I've already arranged for the chef to make the most sumptuous, nutritious meal. It'll be brought over soon."
"You don't need to go back and forth across campus, either. Just stay by my side and quietly focus on improving your strength and conditioning your body."
Liu Erlong was so considerate toward Xiao Yexuan that she had every little thing arranged just right.
Even his food was carefully selected, several times better than what she usually had herself.
Seeing Liu Erlong's enthusiasm, Xiao Yexuan hurried forward, his face full of apology. "Master, I already have plans to have dinner with someone."
"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't want to be someone who breaks a promise."
"Next time, I'll definitely listen to you and enjoy the delicious food you prepare."
Xiao Yexuan's tone was utterly sincere, and his earnest expression was beyond reproach.
Liu Erlong had been standing right beside Xiao Yexuan and Zhu Zhuqing that day, so she naturally knew who he was having dinner with.
Her first instinct was to object. An inexplicable possessiveness welled up within her, and she wished she could keep Xiao Yexuan by her side forever.
But when she saw his clear, bright eyes and his innocent, pure expression, so intent on keeping his promise, she couldn't bear to make such an obedient disciple earn a reputation as someone who broke his word.
If Xiao Yexuan broke his appointment and didn't meet Zhu Zhuqing today, his reputation at school—and the way Zhu Zhuqing saw him—would surely suffer.
Even in her own eyes, she couldn't stand to see Xiao Yexuan make such a fundamental mistake.
After thinking it over for a moment, Liu Erlong finally relented. She gave a small nod and said helplessly:
"Xiao Yexuan, since you already made plans, go on. Don't keep that girl waiting too long."
"But remember to come straight back as soon as you're done."
"The medicinal bath I've prepared for you tonight is crucial for your body."
At her words, Xiao Yexuan was overjoyed. He quickly bowed to thank her, then took his leave and hurried toward the school cafeteria, light on his feet.
Before he even reached the cafeteria entrance, Xiao Yexuan spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly at the entrance, waiting for him with a charming air.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were there as well, the two girls chattering away about something.
The moment the three girls saw Xiao Yexuan, their eyes lit up and brilliant smiles bloomed across their faces.
Without a word, they set off at a run toward him.
They looked just like starving wolves that had gone hungry for a dozen days and finally spotted the sheep village of their dreams.
Xiao Yexuan felt a chill run through him, and his scalp prickled.
He instinctively hunched his shoulders. He couldn't shake the feeling that if he didn't run for it, those three girls would devour him alive and leave not a single scrap of bone behind.
How terrifying!
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