(Ma Xiaotao fan art)
Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath and drained the Jasmine Milk Green Tea in her hand.
The cool liquid slid down her throat and into her stomach, but it couldn't quench the fire in her heart, which was burning ever more fiercely.
She raised her head and looked at Lin Ye. Her lips moved, but she hesitated to speak.
Her red dress fluttered gently in the wind, clinging to her body and outlining her voluptuous curves to perfection.
The aloofness in her pale pink eyes, which usually kept everyone at arm's length, gradually faded,
replaced by a bewitching, soul-stirring allure. With every glance, it seemed she could hook someone's very soul.
Lin Ye felt a little unnerved by the way she was looking at him. Just as he was about to say something, the system's crisp notification suddenly rang out in his mind:
[System binding successful. Remaining system points: 100]
Lin Ye's heart stirred as he quickly did the math.
Binding Xu Sanshi had cost him 100 points. Then the system had taken another 20 for issuing a mission, and now binding Ma Xiaotao had cost him 100 more...
So he had only 100 points left?
Looks like he'd have to earn some of that back from Ma Xiaotao.
His gaze drifted to her before he knew it.
Her graceful figure beneath that red dress, her alluring pale pink eyes, and that faint, enchanting aura all brought one word to mind: cauldron.
Based on his experience last time, using Ma Xiaotao as a cauldron would greatly enhance his Medium-Flavor Essence Fire.
Looks like tonight was another chance to give it a try.
Just then, the system displayed another notification:
[Binding system reward obtained!] [Treasure: Embroidered Ball!]
Lin Ye's pupils contracted.
Embroidered Ball! Another treasure!
He quickly scanned the information about the treasure that appeared in his mind:
[Embroidered Ball: An eight-petaled, spherical spirit weapon. It contains eight realms, with each petal forming a realm of its own!] [Can be unlocked with sufficient magic power: Contains sixteen Divine Generals and five thousand Plague Gods and Ghost Soldiers. Can summon demons and monsters to fight. When unleashed, it can trigger landslides and split the seas, then transform into countless weapons to attack.]
Lin Ye was completely stunned after reading it.
This was practically a divine weapon!
Electrolux had an Undead Demi-Plane. I had eight demiplanes!
And one day, I could even summon Divine Generals and demons!
It was countless times better than some Storage Soul Tool!
He forced down his elation and took a deep breath, making himself calm down.
No need to rush. He could study the treasure later. There was something more important to deal with right now.
With a thought, he assigned Ma Xiaotao a mission.
A system panel appeared in front of Ma Xiaotao.
[Ding—] [S-Rank Mission obtained: Go with Lin Ye to the place from last time and release the fire!] [Time limit: 12 hours!] [Mission reward: Soul Power increased by two levels!] [Mission failure penalty: Soul Power decreased by two levels!]
Ma Xiaotao stared at the mission panel before her, shock filling her pale pink eyes.
Mission reward... two levels of Soul Power?!
Two levels!
That was two levels between the sixth and seventh rings. Under normal circumstances, it would take at least a year of cultivation!
Whether this system was real or not, she had already planned to seek out Lin Ye and give it a try.
This mission gave her a perfectly legitimate excuse, as well as a little courage.
Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath. Her fingers, hidden beneath her red dress, clenched slightly. Only after summoning all her courage did she raise her head and ask in a quiet, embarrassed voice:
"Lin Ye, um... could we meet at the usual place later?"
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Her cheeks beneath the veil were already flushed, and a faint pink spread to her ears and neck.
Lin Ye looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a knowing smile. He nodded. "Sure."
With his answer, Ma Xiaotao couldn't bear to stay there another second.
She lowered her head and turned to run, her red dress flying in the wind.
Oh heavens, she'd actually taken the initiative to invite a boy—and for... that kind of thing...
As she ran, Ma Xiaotao screamed wildly inside her head. Her face beneath the veil was so red it looked ready to drip blood.
Xiao Xiao stood beside Lin Ye, watching Ma Xiaotao's retreating figure before glancing at Lin Ye, who was packing up his stall. Her big eyes brimmed with curiosity.
"The usual place? Lin Ye, did you two know each other before?"
Lin Ye put the Milk Tea Maker away in the Leopard Skin Pouch and answered casually, "You could say that."
"Oh," Xiao Xiao replied. She didn't press him for more details. Sensibly, she crouched down and helped him gather the odds and ends on the stall.
They were both quick on their feet, and before long, the stall was completely cleared.
Lin Ye straightened up and brushed the dust off his hands. Then he turned and waved for Xiao Xiao to follow him.
Xiao Xiao looked puzzled, but obediently followed.
They turned into a quiet alley with no passersby around.
Lin Ye stopped and took a small white porcelain bottle from the Leopard Skin Pouch. Turning around, he held it out to Xiao Xiao.
"Xiao Xiao, this is what I wanted to give you."
Xiao Xiao looked at the little white bottle and blinked. "Hm?"
"Mystic Water Pill." Lin Ye said it as casually as if he were saying, "That's great."
Xiao Xiao's pupils suddenly widened. She froze in place as if struck by lightning.
Mystic Water Pill?!
Of course she knew what a Mystic Water Pill was.
It was a precious pill worth ten thousand gold coins. It could cleanse and reshape one's body and improve Soul Power. For a Soul Master below level thirty, it could raise their Soul Power by at least one level!
How could Lin Ye give her something so valuable just like that?
Xiao Xiao quickly waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattle. "No, no! It's too precious. I can't accept it!"
Without giving her a chance to refuse, Lin Ye took her soft, fair hands and pressed the Little White Bottle into her palm. He held it there with some force to keep her from pushing it back.
"Just take it. Use it tonight."
He looked Xiao Xiao in the eyes, his voice turning more serious.
"You don't need to put yourself under so much pressure anymore. You're already very talented. With this Mystic Water Pill, you'll be even stronger. You'll definitely pass the Freshman Assessment."
Xiao Xiao's eyes reddened slightly. Her lips moved, and she tried to refuse again. "No, no..."
As she spoke, she pushed at the Little White Bottle, trying to return it.
But Lin Ye's hand held it firmly in place. She couldn't push it back at all.
Watching the two of them push the bottle back and forth, Lin Ye suddenly thought of how people in his previous life had taken turns refusing gifts when someone tried to give them one. He was immediately at a loss for words.
"What would it take for you to accept it?" He sighed. "How about you marry me?"
Xiao Xiao's face turned crimson in an instant, the flush spreading from her neck to her ears. She looked like a shrimp that had just been boiled.
She stopped refusing and clutched the Little White Bottle tightly, tucking it against her chest as if protecting some priceless treasure.
Seeing how flustered and embarrassed she looked, Lin Ye couldn't help laughing.
"Alright, go back and absorb it. But be prepared: after you take it, your pores will poop."
Xiao Xiao lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Okay..."
A moment later, outside Shrek City.
In a secluded little grove.
Before you continue