Yan Shaozhe led Chen Jie to a secluded recovery pavilion and pushed the door open.
The pavilion was a healing chamber reserved for the inner court, clean and tidy inside, with minimal furnishings.
Thick, soft mats covered the floor, and the surrounding walls had been fitted to insulate sound and stabilize pressure. The light was gentle rather than glaring. A specially made warm jade healing bed stood in the center of the room, capable of stabilizing a Soul Master's soul power and soothing agitated meridians.
A distinct air of restless, scorching heat lingered in the room, filling it with a fiery presence that refused to disperse.
Ma Xiaotao sat upright on the warm jade bed.
Her dazzling, flame-red hair lay loose, cascading down over her shoulders.
She wore a long red satin dress with a soft, supple texture. Its broad skirt flowed freely, and the slit revealed her long, shapely legs, clad in fine black stockings.
Usually vibrant and bold, she now had a flushed face and beads of sweat covering her temples. Her brows were tightly knitted, and her breathing was rapid and heavy.
The evil fire inside her rampaged uncontrollably, sending waves of savage, scorching heat radiating from her body as she suffered its backlash.
Yan Shaozhe turned to Chen Jie beside him, his expression solemn, and instructed him earnestly:
"I've just confirmed that your martial soul possesses top-tier ultimate ice. That unique ultimate aura of yours is exactly what we need to suppress the rampaging evil fire inside her."
"Next, release your martial soul and slowly channel your ultimate ice soul power into her meridians to help suppress the evil fire. Remember to keep it gentle. Suppression is all that's needed."
After giving his instructions and repeatedly reminding Chen Jie to control the intensity of his soul power, Yan Shaozhe left the chamber. The door closed softly, shutting out every sound from outside and leaving only Chen Jie and the ailing Ma Xiaotao in the quiet room.
Chen Jie walked slowly behind the warm jade bed and sat down. With a thought, he quietly activated his Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion martial soul, and a clear, translucent emerald chill wreathed his body.
He extended both hands and gently pressed them against Ma Xiaotao's back, slowly channeling pure, gentle ultimate ice soul power into her meridians to methodically suppress the restless evil fire.
At first, it worked reasonably well. The rampaging heat gradually receded, and Ma Xiaotao's hurried breathing steadied a little.
But only a few breaths later, the evil fire lurking inside Ma Xiaotao suddenly spiraled completely out of control!
A savage, scalding wave of heat erupted from her dantian, surging wildly through her meridians and crashing about in every direction.
The scorching heat in the room instantly intensified. She trembled violently, her face so red it almost seemed about to bleed. Fine beads of cold sweat soaked her dress in an instant. Her teeth clenched tight, stifled groans escaped her throat, and she teetered on the brink of losing control completely.
The evil fire swelled far faster than expected. Simply channeling ice through his palms could no longer suppress it!
The situation was urgent. There was no room for hesitation.
Chen Jie abruptly leaned forward and pulled Ma Xiaotao firmly into his arms from behind.
His solid chest pressed tightly against her warm, soft back. His arms wrapped firmly around her slender waist, his palms pressed flush against her burning skin.
Oh~ ho ho ho~
Their bodies pressed together without the slightest gap. Her scorching warmth passed straight through the thin fabric, forming a stark contrast with the refreshing chill surrounding Chen Jie.
Ma Xiaotao shuddered. Her body, already sensitive from the evil fire's scorching heat, was enveloped in his cool embrace. Instinctively, her tense body nestled deeper into his arms, her shoulders shifting slightly as her breathing immediately lost its rhythm.
Chen Jie focused his mind, suppressed his distracting thoughts, and drove his martial soul to its fullest.
No longer restrained, vast quantities of dense, supremely pure ultimate ice soul power poured ceaselessly into Ma Xiaotao through the close contact between their bodies.
Emerald frost traveled along her spine, spreading across her delicate skin, slowly washing through and soothing her rampaging meridians.
The girl in his arms was soft and slender, slightly feverish from the evil fire's burning heat. Tiny tremors kept passing through their closely pressed bodies.
Her long crimson hair spilled over her shoulders, fine strands brushing Chen Jie's neck with a warm breath of air.
The forces of ice and fire mingled and clashed between them as the domineering ultimate ice gradually enveloped and devoured the restless evil fire.
The scalding waves that had been ravaging her entire body were slowly forced back. Ma Xiaotao's tense body gradually relaxed, the heat in her flushed cheeks faded a little, and her stifled groans grew fainter. She rested limply in Chen Jie's arms, completely letting down her guard.
Before long, the evil fire rampaging inside her had been thoroughly suppressed, little by little, by the ultimate ice.
The searing heat throughout her body slowly dispersed, and the restless soul power in her meridians settled completely. Only a gentle, refreshing chill remained, slowly nourishing her entire body.
Ma Xiaotao's long lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes, finally emerging from her daze.
The moment her awareness returned, a reassuring coolness enveloped her entire body, replacing the agonizing heat that had felt as though it were tearing her heart and lungs apart.
She could clearly feel someone holding her tightly from behind, her whole body resting in the young man's warm, solid embrace.
Chen Jie's arms firmly encircled her slender waist and abdomen, holding her securely against him without any sign of letting go.
Their backs pressed together, their bodies wrapped around one another, and that seamless intimacy made her body soften slightly in an instant.
The lingering coolness continued to flow from Chen Jie. His chest pressed against her skin, and it felt so comfortable that she instinctively found herself reluctant to give up this rare sense of peace.
Ma Xiaotao first collected herself. Recalling how the evil fire had just run out of control and nearly driven her into cultivation deviation, she felt deep gratitude well up within her.
She turned her head toward Chen Jie behind her and spoke sincerely, though her voice still held a trace of weakness:
"Thank you so much, little brother. The evil fire went completely out of control just now, and I could barely hold on. If you hadn't stepped in to save me, I can't imagine what would have happened. I'll remember this kindness."
After speaking, she shifted gently in his arms, intending to find a more comfortable position. Her back leaned slightly farther against him, and her brows suddenly drew together.
Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of confusion and innocence as she asked quietly:
"By the way... are you carrying something? It's a little uncomfortable to lean against."
Chen Jie remained utterly composed. Neither blushing nor missing a heartbeat, he kept his expression perfectly calm and replied with complete nonchalance:
"It's nothing. Just a demon-slaying weapon of mine. I keep it close to ward off sinister forces and evil. I'm used to having it on me."
At first, Ma Xiaotao remained entirely oblivious and thought nothing more of it.
But two seconds later, something clicked in her mind, and she instantly understood the veiled double meaning in his words.
What demon-slaying weapon!
As realization belatedly dawned, a wave of scorching heat rushed into her cheeks. Her pale face turned scarlet in an instant, and even the tips of her delicate ears burned red.
She hurriedly pressed her lips together, not daring to move another inch. She huddled stiffly and bashfully in Chen Jie's arms, her heart pounding wildly.
His tone had clearly been frank and perfectly serious, yet she was too embarrassed to turn around or speak. All she could do was keep her head firmly lowered, her face burning, no longer daring to lean back carelessly.
Before you continue