An excited Tang Ya

Electrolux's gray figure slowly emerged behind Tian Chen at that moment, and Tian Chen's movements mirrored his exactly.

Tian Chen slowly raised the Staff in his hand. The gem set into its tip shone with a gentle, holy light, and he waved the Staff once more.

It traced graceful arcs through the air, golden light flowing out with his movements like liquid as it outlined a complex Light Formation between him and Tang Ya.

The formation gradually lit up, every stroke radiating warm yet powerful energy, like a sturdy barrier shutting out the surrounding darkness and danger.

Then, with a thought from Tian Chen, a powerful aura of death surged from the Staff once again.

Just then, a streak of gray light shot from the tip of the Staff, heading straight for Tang Ya's forehead.

Tang Ya froze briefly. The gray light gently touched her forehead, then merged into her body.

"Don't resist. Imagine it as part of your body!" Tian Chen reminded her.

Tang Ya nodded at his words.

Under "Tian Chen's" deliberate control, all the sinister energy gathered toward her forehead.

"The sinister energy has gathered. I command it with Undead Control and cleanse it with Light Purification."

As Tian Chen's words fell, all the sinister energy dispersed from Tang Ya's body and flew toward the Mark on her forehead.

As the sinister energy kept flowing toward Tang Ya's Mark, she let out soft murmurs, one after another.

"Everything's settled!" Tian Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Tian Chen had developed this method through repeated consideration and refinement, using the means a certain fellow with impeccable timing had employed to control the woeful poison body in the original Battle Through the Heavens as his reference. This was also one of his main reasons for snatching Electrolux first.

As Tang Ya's martial soul awakened, her originally blue Blue Silver Grass turned dark blue, its potential and destructive power undergoing an astonishing transformation.

Her bearing had also become completely different. Before, she could have been described as a girl brimming with energy, but now she was gradually becoming a cool, aloof older beauty.

Looking at the utterly transformed Tang Ya before him, Tian Chen froze briefly, then unconsciously swallowed.

He thought to himself, This change is far too astonishing!

The transformation in Tang Ya's bearing made her seem more mature and more alluring, as though an invisible charm radiated from her, impossible to ignore.

But this was no time to think about that. With that thought, Tian Chen closed his eyes again and sensed the flow of soul power inside him.

Meanwhile, Tang Ya's soul power rose rapidly, powerful fluctuations pouring out like a surging tide.

Although Tian Chen had improved as well, his gains seemed insignificant by comparison. He only felt the soul power within him strengthen by a small amount.

That's hardly surprising. How could Blue Silver Grass compare to the Blood Emperor Body's devouring attribute? Tian Chen thought silently, a trace of helplessness flashing through his eyes.

After all, in the original Battle Through the Heavens, Hun Tiandi had directly devoured the living beings of more than half the Central Plains to break through to Dou Di. Extreme as that method was, it was more than enough to demonstrate his power.

Moreover, from the very beginning, it had been the Blood Emperor Body attracting Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass. Tang Ya had merely drawn out the Blood Emperor Body's devouring attribute, so overall, Tian Chen's Blood Emperor Body clearly benefited her Blue Silver Grass far more.

On top of that, Tian Chen had already broken through level 40. An ultimate martial soul's cultivation speed slowed after that breakthrough, which also limited his soul power gains to some extent.

Yet as he pondered this, he suddenly felt something press against his face, accompanied by a faint milky fragrance.

He opened his eyes in confusion and saw that Tang Ya had actually hugged him, the softness of her chest pressed against his face, sending ripples through his heart.

Blushing, he said awkwardly but politely, "Senior Tang Ya, you..."

Who would have thought that a slender, jade-like hand would suddenly cover his mouth? Tang Ya's face was flushed as she whispered with orchid-sweet breath, "Don't talk. Hold me!"

Her hands gripped Tian Chen's back tightly, pressing their bodies together.

The sensation of her soul power rising so rapidly felt so wonderful that she had unwittingly forgotten herself.

Tian Chen, on the other hand, grew increasingly helpless. Caught between advancing and retreating, he could neither push her away nor hold her.

Tang Ya cared nothing for that. She liked the aura coming from Tian Chen more and more, her awareness growing increasingly hazy, until she thrust her head forward and kissed his lips.

Now Tian Chen completely lost his composure. He feared he would lose control if this continued. He did not want to ruin a girl's chastity over a moment of impulse.

So he forcefully pushed Tang Ya away with both arms, then shook her vigorously.

"Tang Ya, snap out of it."

After being shaken so hard, Tang Ya abruptly came to her senses and recalled what she had just done.

Heavens! I actually forced a kiss on Tian Chen! This is far too crazy! Yet she could clearly feel that the experience just now had brought her a trace of pleasure and joy.

But ultimately, she was the one who had done all of it. Blushing, she said, "Chen, I'm sorry. The feeling of my soul power rising so quickly was just too wonderful. I got excited and..."

Tian Chen scratched his head awkwardly. "It's fine! If anything, I was probably the one who got the better end of that."

He touched his lips, seemingly savoring the lingering sensation.

Hearing that, Tang Ya feigned anger and smacked Tian Chen on the head.

"What are you saying? You've gotten bold! You even dare take advantage of your senior!"

Tian Chen rubbed his head where she had hit him. "I was only joking! Anyway, Senior Tang Ya, check what level your soul power has reached first!"

Only then did Tang Ya remember, and she hurriedly sensed her soul power.

She discovered that her soul power had actually reached the peak of level 36. In just this short span of time, it had surged by three whole levels.

With her normal cultivation, it would probably have taken her a year and a half to reach that point.

Taking it all in, she pinched herself in disbelief. When she realized this was no dream, tears of excitement spilled down her cheeks. She, Tang Ya... finally had a way to avenge her parents and the countless Tang Sect disciples from back then.

At that thought, she looked at Tian Chen. It was all because of him, because the man before her had given her all of this.

She could feel him gradually taking over the place held by the most important figure in her heart.

"Chen, I haven't asked you yet. Why are you helping me like this?" She and Tian Chen were neither relatives nor old friends. To her, there was no reason for him to risk exposing his second martial soul to help her.

Hearing her question, Tian Chen rubbed his head. "Well... it just happened before I knew it. Although I don't know why you're so determined to become stronger, I can tell that you must have gone through something painful to make that decision. I don't want to watch someone as kind and full of life as you keep suffering, Tang Ya."

At those words, Tang Ya instantly blushed. She thought of Bei Bei, the man who had pursued her all this time yet had hardly given anything for her. The person before her, however, seemed to have no ulterior motive at all. He simply cared about her.

In an instant, Tian Chen had almost completely filled Tang Ya's heart.

Yet Tian Chen had no idea that his words had thoroughly captured her affections.

He raised his head and said, "Senior Tang Ya, your soul power level rose too quickly, which might leave your foundation unstable. Make sure you consolidate it properly when you get back."

Before he could finish speaking...

Tang Ya pressed herself against him and gently touched her lips to his cheek.

Then she stepped back, covering her crimson face. "I... I just wanted to thank you!"

With that, she scrambled off the bed and fled the room in a flash.

Tian Chen touched his cheek and sighed inwardly. Ah, this damned charm of mine. I've attracted another one!

Then his lips curled into a grin, and he thought, Since she's already kissed me, she's mine now. Even to the ends of the earth, I won't let go.

Then Tian Chen remembered the matter at hand. His gaze instantly turned serious as he took a piece of metal emitting an emerald-green glow from inside his clothes.