Ma Xiaotao: I'm Willing to Do Anything

Ma Xiaotao wept pitifully, her long lashes trembling constantly as tears slid down her delicate yet valiant cheeks, dampening the collar of her black dress and leaving a small trail of water across the valley.

"I really know I was wrong, sob... I never meant to hurt anyone..."

The sight made Ling Tianchen waver slightly. No wonder they said a woman's greatest weapon was her tears.

Especially a woman like Ma Xiaotao, who normally held herself so high above others. Once she revealed such vulnerability, it was enough to stir most men's desire to conquer and cherish her, making them want to pull her tightly into their arms and comfort her.

However, he quickly shook his head, restraining himself for the moment as his tone remained cold. "You don't know you were wrong. You only know that I can solve your evil fire."

"No, I truly regret what I did before..."

Ma Xiaotao's eyes were blurred with tears. Over the years, she had indeed tried all sorts of ways to suppress her evil fire, but her impatience had repeatedly led to disaster.

"Ling Tianchen..."

Her voice trembled. The next moment, she actually dropped to her knees before him, tightly clasping Ling Tianchen's hand with both of hers as her entire body nearly fell against his leg.

"Ling Tianchen, please give me a chance to atone to those I've hurt. As long as it's something I can do, I'm willing to... do anything..."

Her voice was already softened by tears, carrying an almost coquettish note that kindled a strange flame within Ling Tianchen.

"Anything? How much resolve did it take for you to say that?"

"I don't know... but I really don't want to go on like this anymore."

Her gaze gradually became firm.

Ling Tianchen looked straight into her eyes and did not sense the slightest lie. Perhaps he really could trust her this time?

"Ah, what a troublesome woman. What can you do for me? Name a few things that satisfy me, and I'll consider it."

Ma Xiaotao knelt beside his leg, her tear tracks not yet dry as she answered instinctively, "I'm strong. I can protect you."

Ling Tianchen let out a quiet laugh. "Do you believe that yourself? Other Soul Emperors with top-tier martial souls might still be able to fight me, but your Evil Fire Phoenix is nothing but an inferior substitute for mine. What are you going to use to protect me?"

"Then, then I can..."

She had been about to say that she could introduce him to her teacher, but suddenly realized that it was her teacher who had brought him here. With his talent, he would naturally receive every advantage at Shrek.

And her teacher had clearly arranged for the two of them to be alone in the same room to bring them together.

Thinking of how her teacher had once mentioned finding her a suitable match with an ultimate ice attribute, she remembered how firmly she had refused at the time. Looking back now, she regretted her childish thoughts beyond measure.

But Teacher, I seem to have ruined everything. He doesn't seem to care much for me at all, and he keeps scolding me. What am I supposed to do?

She was momentarily speechless as Ling Tianchen's expression grew increasingly unfriendly.

Never good at humbling herself to beg others, her mind was in complete chaos. In her desperation, an indecent sentence slipped out.

"I can serve you and make you feel good."

The moment the words left her mouth, Ma Xiaotao froze.

Stupid mouth, what did you just say? Why did you say what I was thinking out loud?

Her cheeks instantly burned crimson. Shame surged over her like a tide, making her wish she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Ling Tianchen was stunned. He had not expected her to be so direct. It was not quite to the point of doing it five seconds after meeting, but it still shocked him greatly.

Had he gone too far and made her misunderstand what he meant?

What he had actually wanted was simply some resources to feed himself with—preferably soul beasts with pure bloodlines from the beast arena.

The Treasure Beast had just told him that he could directly extract the bloodline of soul beasts and convert it into Phoenix bloodline. Of course, it would be the most ordinary kind, but even so, it was far better than directly absorbing them through his appetite, since there would be no energy loss.

Moreover, according to the Treasure Beast, this ability was not limited to Phoenix bloodlines. He could even refine the bloodline power of other powerful races.

For example... dragon bloodlines or Golden Behemoth bloodlines. The conversion rate was terrifyingly low, though.

If he were to teach this bloodline-tempering method to others in the future, it could likewise help them improve their natural talent.

As for Ma Xiaotao throwing herself at him, he had originally planned to refuse. Like hell he would.

The inherited cultivation method did mention Phoenix Harmony. It could both feel good and improve him, so why not?

Of course, the partner either needed a pure bloodline or a cultivation level stronger than his. Otherwise, his gains would be minimal.

Just as he was considering how to wrap this up, Ma Xiaotao crawled closer to him on her knees and reached out to help remove his clothes.

Did she think his silence meant he had agreed?

"What are you doing? What are you doing?"

Ling Tianchen hurriedly stopped her, forcefully swatting away the hand that had already ventured to a dangerous place.

When she had pressed her whole body against him earlier, even with a layer of fabric between them, the instant that soft, warm body pressed close, his Supreme Bone had reacted faintly.

He cursed inwardly and subtly shifted back half an inch to keep her from noticing.

This woman's allure was truly the complete opposite of Xiao Xiao's.

When he held Xiao Xiao, he had no stray thoughts at all. So why was it that with Ma Xiaotao, merely touching her had nearly set something off?

But this was not the time to think about that.

Before he had even spoken, she dared to act on her own initiative. He could not indulge that habit.

Ma Xiaotao did not lose heart after having her hand slapped. Instead, she felt a little excited.

Her test had actually made this boy, who had kept a cold face the entire time, reveal a flustered expression.

So he was still a virgin after all. When it came down to the real thing, he became nervous. She would use her charm to take him down in one stroke.

However, she clearly had not realized that the two of them were not thinking on the same wavelength at all.

Ling Tianchen naturally cared about her reckless behavior. If she took the initiative, wouldn't that make him passive? Wouldn't that make him seem impotent?

Besides, he had no intention of giving his first time to this roast chicken. Using his hand to deal with it was acceptable, but he could not overindulge.

"You have overstepped!"

Ling Tianchen spoke in a low voice, carrying an authority that could not be defied.

Ma Xiaotao's body visibly trembled. Kneeling beside him with her head lowered, she softly replied, "Yes, I'm sorry, Tianchen."

Ling Tianchen looked down at her from above. "Who allowed you to call me Tianchen? Do you think you're worthy? You lowly roast chicken!"

His words were like a blade, striking precisely at Ma Xiaotao's greatest pride.

This was too much. Even if she needed his help, he could not humiliate her like this!

Ma Xiaotao knelt there, lightly clutching her skirt with both hands until her knuckles turned pale from the force. Intense humiliation and embarrassment made tears well up constantly in her eyes.

"What? Do you have an objection?"

Ling Tianchen reached out and grabbed a lock of her hair, pulling her whole head back with considerable force while roughly lifting her chin with his other hand.

To deal with a proud woman like this, he had to be even harsher with her. Otherwise, she would think she was something special. He did not lack women. If she could not stand it, she could get lost. If she would not do it, plenty of others would.