Inner Court Mission, Senior Disciple Sister Zhang Lexuan

Ye Chen had no idea what Ling Luochen was thinking and could only feel speechless.

Good heavens, he had only wanted to have lunch with Ma Xiaotao. How had he ended up being dragged off to do unpaid labor???

He hadn't even agreed to it...

Still, bringing him along for this mission was probably incidental, just to broaden his horizons. There shouldn't be any danger.

In the original story, the reason the Shrek Seven Devils encountered a life-threatening crisis was partly because that old bastard Xuan Zi had been careless, and partly because of Huo Yuhao.

While a Child of Destiny possessed heaven-defying luck, they were also accompanied by danger.

That crisis had actually been aimed at Huo Yuhao, but Huo Yuhao had been lucky enough to avoid it perfectly.

The others had not been so fortunate. Some died, some were crippled, and some were left barely alive.

Ye Chen didn't think he was some Child of Destiny. He was just someone with cheats.

It was only a random mission. There was naturally no way he would run into any life-or-death danger...

"What, are you scared? If you are, you can refuse~" Ling Luochen narrowed her eyes and smiled.

She was clearly trying to provoke him.

"Who's scared? I'll go." Ye Chen agreed at once.

Well, he mainly wanted to see who would be leading the team this time.

If it was that drumstick-gobbling old man Xuan Zi, he would turn around and run without a second word.

If it was someone else, then he could go have some fun.

Very soon.

Ling Luochen brought Ye Chen to a scenic courtyard deep within Sea God Island.

Upon entering the courtyard, he found that two women seemed to have been waiting there for quite some time.

The woman on the left was naturally Ma Xiaotao.

Ye Chen looked at Ma Xiaotao, and Ma Xiaotao looked back at Ye Chen.

She seemed to recall what had happened that morning. Her face flushed slightly, and she instinctively looked away, not daring to meet Ye Chen's gaze for fear of giving herself away.

Ye Chen then shifted his gaze to the other woman.

She had long black hair that fell to her waist like silk.

Beneath her smooth forehead were gently arched willow-leaf brows. Her nose was straight without being sharp, while her pale pink lips bore a naturally moist sheen. The slight upward curve at their corners resembled pear blossoms opening beneath a spring breeze.

She was not wearing the Inner Court uniform, but a more prestigious purple uniform instead.

The jacket was sharply tailored, with a Shrek Academy badge patterned in dark gold pinned at the collar.

The first crystal button at her collar was undone, revealing a hint of snowy-white curves. Yet because of her dignified posture, she did not appear the least bit frivolous.

Her dark skirt ended midway down her thighs, while black thigh-high stockings wrapped around her well-proportioned calves, exposing an absolute territory.

Delicate metal clasps were set into the tops of her stockings, lending her an indescribable air of nobility.

Paired with black boots, the ensemble added a touch of distinct heroic elegance.

What interested Ye Chen most, however, was her composed temperament. It was entirely different from Ma Xiaotao's and Ling Luochen's. She clearly looked only to be in her twenties, yet she carried an inexplicable maturity—far more mature than a young girl, though still just short of a mature woman.

Clearly, this was related to her experiences.

Combined with her unfathomable cultivation, if Ye Chen was not mistaken...

"Ah, Xiao Chen, let me introduce you. This is the strongest student in our Inner Court, as well as the Senior Disciple Sister of all Inner Court disciples—Zhang Lexuan."

Although Ling Luochen did not know why Ma Xiaotao was staying silent, she hurriedly introduced Ye Chen.

"Hello, Senior Disciple Sister~"

Pretending to be reserved, Ye Chen flashed Zhang Lexuan a brilliant smile before properly bowing to her.

She was a Soul Douluo, after all, and since this was their first meeting, Ye Chen did not dare act too presumptuously.

Being a little more honest could also earn him some goodwill.

At the same time, Ye Chen guessed that the one escorting him this time was likely Zhang Lexuan.

Although Zhang Lexuan was far inferior to Xuan Zi, she made Ye Chen feel a hundred times safer than Xuan Zi did.

Besides, Zhang Lexuan was so beautiful that simply looking at her put one in a good mood.

That drumstick-eating old man Xuan Zi was filthy and slovenly. What use was he?

"Mm, what a polite junior. I heard Dean Yan mention you before. You truly are worthy of being the number one genius of the Outer Court~" Zhang Lexuan smiled faintly at Ye Chen, though the admiration in her eyes could not be concealed.

Ye Chen was simply too outstanding, and his talent even surpassed hers.

If such a genius were properly nurtured, his future achievements would surpass her own. He might even reach Mu En's level.

Moreover, Ye Chen was so handsome and pleasing to the eye. The instant she saw him, she felt favorably toward him, with an inexplicable fondness.

It would be wonderful if I had a little brother like him... Zhang Lexuan thought to herself.

Her Bei Bei had been taken away by Tang Ya. Though her heart still belonged to Bei Bei, she had always felt empty inside over these years.

Now, she seemed to have found someone who could replace Bei Bei...

"Senior Disciple Sister, I heard from Senior Sister Ling that I was called here to participate in a mission. May I know the specific details of the mission?"

Ye Chen looked at Zhang Lexuan and asked about the reason he had come.

"I'll explain."

Ma Xiaotao immediately seized the conversation. "This mission was assigned to you by Teacher. After all, you can't really improve in the Outer Court anymore, so Teacher wants you to gain some experience with us."

"This was originally a mission for our Shrek Academy Inspection Team. Outer Court disciples aren't qualified to know about it, but you're special, so you're allowed to participate."

"Our mission this time is to wipe out an evil Soul Master hideout. This was originally an ordinary mission for Ling Luochen and me, but it's fine to bring you along."

"As for Senior Disciple Sister, she's naturally here to escort us..."

As Ma Xiaotao spoke, her gaze toward Ye Chen carried a trace of resentment and envy.

Although this sort of minor mission was somewhat dangerous, the academy had never assigned anyone to look after them, much less had Senior Disciple Sister personally escort them.

Zhang Lexuan had clearly come for Ye Chen, afraid that he might suffer even the slightest injury. Protecting her and Ling Luochen was merely incidental.

She had only received this sort of treatment a few times when she had first entered the Inner Court...

Still, envy aside, this was a good thing for Ye Chen.

After all, there were only two of them, Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen. Though there was only one Soul King among the evil Soul Masters, an evil Soul Master at the Soul King level could usually approach the combat power of a Soul Sage.

The other minor riffraff would be left to Ling Luochen and Ye Chen.

Under normal circumstances, the mission would not be a problem. But if anything unexpected happened, Ling Luochen might not be able to protect Ye Chen properly.

Although Ye Chen was strong, he had absolutely no experience in this regard. Only with Zhang Lexuan accompanying them could his safety be ensured.

After Ye Chen completed a few more missions, he probably would not need protection anymore.

"So that's how it is. Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Disciple Sister~" Ye Chen looked at Zhang Lexuan with gratitude in his eyes.

"It's no trouble."

Zhang Lexuan smiled calmly, her dark purple eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Ye Chen.

As she spoke, Zhang Lexuan stood and walked to Ye Chen's side. Her gaze was gentle as she said, "Your talent far surpasses mine. In the future, you will surely become a pillar of Shrek Academy. If you need anything, just tell me."

She had come this time not only to protect Ye Chen, but also to assess him.

If Ye Chen performed well, he could be allowed to enter the Inner Court early and enjoy the treatment of an Inner Court disciple.

"Okay, thank you, Senior Disciple Sister~" Ye Chen nodded obediently.

He looked thoroughly honest and well-behaved.

He's obedient enough, but he's also so lewd... Ma Xiaotao inwardly grumbled as she watched Ye Chen's obedient appearance.

Even so, she liked this version of Ye Chen even more.