Ling Luochen Led the Way, Zhang Lexuan Was Slightly Tipsy

At dusk, Sea God Lake at Shrek.

Su Ling walked along the path leading directly to the Inner Court. Looking around, he saw the evening glow dye the lake crimson, its rippling surface sparkling.

The Inner Court disciples passing by curiously sized up this Outer Court disciple wearing a freshman uniform. They first marveled at Su Ling's appearance and temperament, then realized who he was and became confused.

Why would an Outer Court freshman be heading to the Inner Court?

"Junior, how did you get here? Didn't anyone tell you that Outer Court disciples are not allowed to enter the Inner Court without permission?"

A delicate-looking girl with shoulder-length ice-blue hair stopped and frowned at Su Ling.

"Senior, I'm here to see someone, and I have my teacher's permission." Su Ling gave a polite bow.

At that, Ling Luochen's brows relaxed. Her fair fingers pinched her chin as she narrowed her eyes and studied Su Ling, wearing the same expression as the cat hairpin atop her head.

This junior was handsome and polite. He did not seem like the sort to spin lies.

Still, she had to be cautious!

After several breaths, Ling Luochen finally spoke.

"Fine. I happen to be free. Who are you looking for? I'll take you there."

"Thank you, Senior. My name is Su Ling. I'm a freshman from Class One in the Outer Court, and I came to the Inner Court to see Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan." Su Ling nodded repeatedly.

He had originally planned to find an Inner Court disciple to ask for directions anyway. Xuan Zi had not told him where Zhang Lexuan lived, and now that someone had offered to guide him, it saved him the trouble.

"Hm? You came to see Senior Sister?"

Ling Luochen froze, suspicion immediately filling her beautiful eyes.

An Outer Court freshman? Coming to the Inner Court to see Senior Sister?

They were all Chinese words, so why could she not quite understand them?

Still, since this Junior Su Ling knew Senior Sister's name, he must know her.

"I'm not entirely sure where Senior Sister is at the moment, but I can take you to her residence."

"My name is Ling Luochen. Come on, Junior."

Ling Luochen gestured for him to follow.

Su Ling nodded and followed close behind, while carefully observing this cool, mature beauty.

Ling Luochen was an Inner Court disciple and one of the current Shrek Seven Devils. Her martial soul was the ice-attributed Ice Staff.

After spending some time with her, Su Ling found that Ling Luochen was just like her martial soul. She did not speak much, and her temperament carried an aloof chill that kept others at arm's length.

With her leading the way, the senior brothers and sisters they passed all kept their distance, only daring to watch from afar.

After all, Ling Luochen and the Flame Maniac, Ma Xiaotao, were complete opposites in the Inner Court. Ling Luochen never socialized, and her only friends were the other members of the Shrek Seven Devils.

There were fewer and fewer pedestrians on the road, and the surroundings grew increasingly quiet.

Before long, under Ling Luochen's guidance, Su Ling arrived at Zhang Lexuan's residence, an exquisitely furnished wooden cottage.

The two stepped into the courtyard.

With a soft creak.

The door slowly opened.

Zhang Lexuan leaned against the doorway, dressed in a black gauze gown that made her skin seem dazzlingly pale.

"Little Brother Su Ling, you're here! Hm, Luochen?"

Hearing that, Ling Luochen's icy, pretty face finally showed a reaction. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Zhang Lexuan and Su Ling.

This Outer Court junior really did know Senior Sister?

Judging by the way they addressed each other, they seemed rather close!

In an instant, a girl's instinctive love of gossip surged within her. She quietly stepped aside and spoke softly.

"Oh, this junior said he was looking for you. I ran into him on the way, so I brought him over."

"I see. Then thank you, Luochen. I'll treat you to a meal another day." Zhang Lexuan smiled faintly.

At that moment, the aroma of food drifted out. Ling Luochen had a keen sense of smell and immediately guessed that delicious dishes were waiting inside.

Actually, this would work too...

The smile on Zhang Lexuan's face instantly became a little awkward.

But Ling Luochen was no fool. The feast Zhang Lexuan had prepared was clearly meant to entertain Junior Su Ling.

"Mhm, it was nothing. Senior Sister, you two talk. I'll be leaving first." Ling Luochen smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

Only after her figure disappeared from sight did the two withdraw their gazes.

"Little Brother Su Ling, don't just stand there. Come in."

Su Ling looked toward the doorway.

At that moment, an evening breeze swept past. The orange-red glow of sunset spilled before the wooden cottage, and Zhang Lexuan's skirt clung to her thighs, revealing every graceful curve.

Su Ling walked forward. His phoenix eyes rarely became so focused, but for a moment, they did. He had seen Zhang Lexuan's imposing authority when she gave orders, yet he had never seen her looking so languid and alluring.

For a moment, the scene of their passionate kiss in the quiet room of Sea God Pavilion rose in his mind, and his throat bobbed unconsciously.

At the same time, Zhang Lexuan was watching him as well. The young man's features were strikingly handsome, and the aggression hidden beneath his eyes could be felt even from several steps away.

Little Brother Su Ling was staring at her legs...

"Have you seen enough? Come in." Zhang Lexuan gave him a coy reproach, then turned and entered the house, her gauze skirt sweeping into a lovely arc.

Seeing the hint of smugness at the corner of her eyes, Su Ling laughed helplessly and followed her inside.

He thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

Su Ling turned around, and the fragrance of food filled the room.

The furnishings inside matched the style of her quiet room in Sea God Pavilion: simple and tidy.

Su Ling followed her to the dining table, where several delicacies had been laid out. The braised pork was so tender it seemed translucent, the shrimp had been carefully peeled, and a thick seafood soup steamed beside them.

"Little Brother Su Ling, sit down. Your sister made all of this herself, so don't be shy."

Zhang Lexuan pulled out the chair in front of Su Ling, then walked to a cabinet. After choosing for a few seconds, she took out a bottle of wine.

The two sat facing each other.

Su Ling picked up a piece of shrimp and placed it in his mouth. It was springy without being tough, fresh, tender, and juicy.

"Is it good?"

"Mm, Sister Lexuan, your cooking is amazing!"

Su Ling's eyes lit up as he nodded in praise.

The shrimp tasted exactly like what his grandparents had made in his previous life, and it unexpectedly filled him with nostalgia.

"What a sweet talker~ Eat more if you like it."

Zhang Lexuan smiled beautifully. She opened the wine she had just brought out, poured herself a glass, then looked at Su Ling.

"Want some? It's a specialty grape wine from the Heaven Dou Empire. It isn't very strong."

"Yes."

Su Ling nodded while holding his bowl, curious to taste the wine of Douluo Continent.

Seeing this, the smile on Zhang Lexuan's face deepened imperceptibly. Her movements were elegant as she filled Su Ling's glass.

"Cheers!"

As the wine went down his throat, the lingering aftertaste first carried a fragrant grape aroma, followed by the sharpness of alcohol. Still, Su Ling could tell that it was not particularly strong.

The two chatted as they ate. Zhang Lexuan occasionally served Su Ling more food. She herself did not eat much, but kept drinking instead.

At first, she merely took small sips. After who knew how long, Su Ling looked over again and found that two flushes of red had already appeared on her cheeks, while her gaze had begun to grow hazy.

It seems she didn't use Soul Power to dispel the alcohol, but it isn't very strong. How did she get this tipsy?

Su Ling was somewhat puzzled, but he did not think much of it. He simply assumed Zhang Lexuan was happy, which was why she had been drinking so much.

"Little Brother Su Ling... do you know? That year, I watched my father and mother die right before my eyes. The whole house was covered in blood..."

Zhang Lexuan gripped her wineglass and spoke hoarsely, as though tears flashed in her eyes.

Listening to her recount her past, Su Ling also stopped eating. He moved his seat beside her and listened attentively, offering words of comfort at just the right moments.