Return to the Outer Court

"Do you want me to tell you about my past relationship with Bei Bei?"

Zhang Lexuan's voice was somewhat uneasy as she carefully watched his reaction. She feared that the identity of a child bride would make him despise her.

"Not interested. But from now on, you belong to me alone. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Zhang Lexuan froze for a moment, then her eyes gradually reddened.

"Thank you. When the time is right, I'll tell you about my childhood. But for now, we should save our time for more important things. You nearly did me in just now, so you need to compensate me properly..."

The trace of sorrow in her eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by naked aggression.

Before she had even finished speaking, she pressed a hand against his chest and pushed him back down.

She really was full of energy. Ling Tianchen fell onto the soft bed and could not help sighing inwardly.

Then again, Senior Sister had been single since birth and was nearly twenty-five by now.

She had originally harbored feelings for a child barely in his teens. The maternal instincts and emotions she had nowhere to place had likely long since overflowed, and now they had finally found an outlet.

Moreover, her first experience had been with him, someone with endurance maxed out. It must have been quite an exhilarating experience. It was understandable that she had become addicted so quickly—but wasn't he the same?

I'll make sure to fill you up properly.

After the third round ended, he had achieved rather impressive results in his battle with Zhang Lexuan.

With the energy drawn from her body and the newbie gift pack from their first union, he had successfully raised his Soul Power by one level. Combined with the level he had gained from meditating deeply for a month on the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Bed, he was now a level-thirty-eight Soul Elder.

At the pace of an ordinary genius soul master, he would likely break through to Soul Ancestor in another half year. However, Ling Tianchen had to remove one layer of his own seal every ten levels, which required a considerable amount of heavenly treasures.

This was part of what had impoverished the Ling family. Finding him the supreme treasure needed to break through to Soul Elder had already been the limit of what they could do. Otherwise, he might not have come to Shrek to seek opportunities.

Fortunately, he had now obtained Shrek's investment. If handled properly, even the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could become his support. Obtaining the heavenly treasures needed to break through to Soul Ancestor probably would not be much of a problem.

It was time to go back and take a look. Normal campus life and colorful daily routines were beckoning to him.

Thinking this, he struggled free from Zhang Lexuan's embrace, got out of bed, and dressed.

"You're leaving already? You could stay with me for ten days or half a month, you know, Doctor Ling."

Zhang Lexuan lay on her side on the bed, propping up her head with one hand as her lazy gaze followed him.

"I'd better not. Treatment has to be gradual; you can't be greedy."

Ten days or half a month? There was no field that could be plowed to ruin, only oxen worked to death. Besides, they were five realms apart in cultivation. If this continued, he would be the one unable to take it.

"All right, then. But my origin injury hasn't healed yet, so I'll come to the Outer Court to find you from time to time."

Ling Tianchen was speechless. Even after her injury healed, she probably would not admit it. Besides, after he had fed her so much, she should have recovered at least somewhat, right?

"Fine, but don't make too much of a spectacle. I just want to live quietly in the Outer Court."

"Quietly?" Zhang Lexuan raised a brow. "Although news of Zhou Yi's death has been heavily suppressed by the academy, the Outer Court students only know that you beat her half to death. They don't know about Ma Xiaotao. You've probably already made a name for yourself in the Outer Court. You might even have a title like Bei Bei's 'Outer Court Twin Stars.'"

"Since things have come to this, I can only hope they give me a title that's both cool and low-key. As long as it isn't something tacky like the 'Outer Court Demon King.'"

"I wouldn't know. I just got out of bed recently and haven't been to the Outer Court."

Her tone shifted as though she had suddenly recalled something, and she spoke with concern.

"However, both students you beat up in the Inner Court have influential backgrounds. Qian Shaoshao's adoptive father is Qian Duoduo, the Black Dragon Douluo and vice dean of the Soul Tool Department. Yao Haoxuan's family is influential as well, with a Titled Douluo backing them. They may not dare retaliate against you within the academy, but you'll have to go out to hunt soul beasts eventually. If they go mad outside, they may still take revenge on you."

"Nothing to worry about. No need for Senior Sister to concern herself. I have my own methods."

Ling Tianchen waved a hand dismissively.

"That's good. This is my soul tool contact number. You can contact me anytime—not just when you're in danger. You can also call me if you get lonely."

"Got it. Though I think you'll be the first one who can't hold back."

Ling Tianchen exchanged soul tool contact numbers with her and headed for the door without looking back.

Zhang Lexuan watched his departing figure thoughtfully.

His essence contained energy that she found unbelievable, hundreds or even thousands of times more potent than any spiritual medicine Shrek had ever given her.

Even after taking in only two rounds of it, she had already felt immense benefits. The origin injury that had troubled her for half a year was now seven or eight parts healed.

She could feel that she could finally cultivate as she had before.

Such a life-recreating favor could never be repaid. The only thing she could do was devote her entire self to him.

Come to think of it, she had spent the first half of her life repaying kindness with herself.

Back then, Mu En had avenged her great grievance, brought her back to Shrek, and allowed her to grow up safely.

The favor was too great, so she had intended to devote her entire life to Shrek. Even when Mu En arranged for her to become Bei Bei's child bride, she had not refused.

But she no longer thought that way.

Since Bei Bei was unwilling to accept her feelings, she had no need to keep guarding an agreement that had long existed in name only.

She would give this heart, this body personally healed by him, entirely to the person willing to accept her. Even if he seemed somewhat like a bastard and not particularly faithful.

But so what? At least he would not forever avoid her gaze like that heartless bastard Bei Bei.

He was no blockhead, his skills were excellent, and he could satisfy all her fantasies about a younger man. Who wouldn't love that?

Ling Tianchen spread his ice wings and skimmed across the surface of Sea God Lake, returning to the Outer Court before long.

From afar, he saw several classes having practical combat lessons on the field. He looked around carefully, but Class One was nowhere to be seen.

However, he spotted two familiar figures in Class Nine's formation: Ning Tian and Wu Feng.

Ning Tian saw him as well. Without the slightest hesitation, she quickly walked over to Mu Jin and whispered something to her. Then she left the formation and headed straight toward him.

As the only Soul Elder in the class, she clearly possessed considerable privileges, forming a stark contrast with what he had experienced in Class One.

Even with her professional training, Ning Tian could not suppress the excitement in her heart. Her steps were quick, and the wind made her skirt flutter slightly. Yet when she reached him, she became reserved instead, folding her hands before her with a slightly unnatural expression.

"Tianchen, you're back?"

"Yeah. Some things happened and delayed me."

"You stood me up that day, then disappeared for an entire month. Every afternoon after class, I went to the door of Class One to see whether you had returned. Now all the students in Class One know me, haha..."

As she spoke, she seemed to brush aside a lock of golden hair to conceal her embarrassment.

"Oh, that happened? I completely forgot."

Ling Tianchen raised a hand and patted his head, revealing just the right amount of remorse. Otherwise, it would have made her feel rather awkward.

But she was far too persistent. Though she only spent a little time each day going to Class One, she could assert her claim before the other girls. As long as she stirred even the slightest guilt in him, she had succeeded. That move was indeed clever.

Combined with the switch from urgency to restraint when they met, any inexperienced young boy would probably have been completely wrapped around her finger, even if someone told him it might all be an act.

Of course, he still could not be sure whether her feelings were genuine. That would have to be tested.