Chapter 281: Revealing the Soul Core, Zhang Lexuan's Shock
The small toes, wrapped in sheer black stockings, lightly pressed twice against Ye Chen's abdomen—adjusting position, yet carrying a faint hint of teasing and playful insistence.
The warmth and silky texture beneath the stocking were unmistakable against his skin.
Her meaning couldn't have been clearer.
Zhang Lexuan wanted Ye Chen to massage her feet while giving a thorough explanation of his recent adventures—he wouldn't get away with a vague account this time.
"Alright, alright~"
Ye Chen immediately understood.
Without hesitation, he gently lifted her stocking-clad feet into his lap.
His fingers moved with practiced ease—kneading, pressing, and tracing over her arches, soles, ankles, and insteps.
The touch of the warm, delicate foot through the smooth silk sent subtle friction across his fingertips, the soft curve and slight dip of the arch perfectly fitting his thumb as he massaged.
He worked slowly—starting from the sole, pressing and circling around the heel, then moving to her five delicate toes, before gliding over the smooth top of the foot and her gently curved ankle.
As his fingers moved, Ye Chen began leisurely weaving a tale of his "recent experiences."
"Jiejie, didn't I tell you before? I've reached level seventy, so of course I had to prepare for my seventh soul ring…"
"Hmph, even if you were hunting for a new soul ring, that doesn't explain disappearing for two months without visiting me."
Zhang Lexuan's toes pressed more firmly into his abdomen, clearly dissatisfied with the excuse.
His cultivation speed didn't surprise her—she knew about his "Resonance" secret art and had experienced it herself. If anything, it would be strange if Ye Chen hadn't hit level seventy after so long.
But suddenly, she paused, curiosity lighting her eyes. "By the way, how many years is your seventh soul ring? Don't tell me—it's another hundred-thousand-year ring?"
"Mhm, you guessed it right. When I reached the Far North, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast offered itself to me through sacrifice, so I graciously accepted…"
"Stop—stop right there! You used that excuse last time! That's the same story you told me for your sixth ring!"
Zhang Lexuan interrupted sharply, her voice tinged with exasperation.
She didn't demand he reveal his secrets, but using the same flimsy line twice was pushing it. He could at least be creative in his lies!
"That's not the point," Ye Chen replied confidently. "The point is my power."
He smiled faintly. "You should know that after an Ultimate Ice Soul Master breaks into the Soul Sage rank, they can unleash strength comparable to a Title Douluo, right?"
"Yes," Zhang Lexuan nodded but frowned slightly. "Comparable at best. Even an Ultimate Martial Soul user can't truly match a Title Douluo—our soul power levels are entirely different. Without a soul core, no Soul Sage can hold that level of output for more than a few minutes."
Title Douluos were on an entirely different tier—their soul power was like an endless ocean.
Even with an Ultimate Martial Soul, a Soul Sage could never truly last against them head-on.
She remembered Ye Chen once telling her he didn't want to inform Elder Xuan about their plan to secretly go to the Star Dou Forest for her ninth ring hunt.
Her target was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—creatures even stronger than most Title Douluos.
If it was just her and Ye Chen, they would be throwing their lives away.
"That's true for ordinary Ultimate Martial Souls," Ye Chen said, smiling meaningfully. "But my Ultimate Ice Martial Soul is anything but ordinary."
Before Zhang Lexuan could ask, Ye Chen activated the first soul core in his dantian.
Buzz—
A wave of unique resonance pulsed from his body, brushing through Zhang Lexuan like a ripple through still water.
The moment the vibration reached her, her own soul core thrummed in response.
"Wait… this resonance… is that a soul core?!?"
Her expression froze in total disbelief. "That's impossible!!!"
She could recognize that energy anywhere—it was exactly the same as the soul core aura she had just condensed half a month ago under Elder Mu's guidance, deep within the Golden Tree.
She had nearly lost her life during the process; even with her talent and the Golden Tree's aid, forging a soul core had been unimaginably perilous.
Only then did she truly understand why so few ever reached the rank of Title Douluo despite the countless geniuses of their world. The risk was too great—one misstep, and death was instant.
And yet here she was, sensing the same energy within Ye Chen—who was only a Soul Sage!
How could that even be possible?!
In all of Shrek's history—no, the entire history of the Douluo Continent—no one had ever condensed a soul core at the Soul Sage level.
"Jiejie, you're not mistaken—I've indeed formed a soul core," Ye Chen said plainly.
"What?! You actually condensed a soul core? But you're still a Soul Sage—how could you possibly achieve it?!"
Zhang Lexuan's composure finally cracked.
Ye Chen's talent, cultivation speed, and overwhelming strength were already impressive—but this was beyond comprehension, shattering the limits of reason itself!
A soul core…
Even with years of preparation and guidance, she had barely survived hers.
Yet Ye Chen had gone out wandering for a bit, returned with a seventh soul ring... and a formed soul core.
It was outrageous.
Her mind was reeling—not out of jealousy, but sheer disbelief.
She had always thought her strength enough to protect Ye Chen for a long time, confident that he could grow safely under her care.
Never had she imagined that he would surpass her so soon.
In just this short time...
"Jiejie, before I had the soul core, I indeed lagged far behind a Title Douluo," Ye Chen said calmly. "But now? Ordinary Title Douluos are no threat to me. Even a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—I can suppress with ease."
"Xiao Chen… are you really that powerful?"
Zhang Lexuan finally found her voice, gazing at him, eyes shimmering with admiration.
The initial shock faded, replaced by joy.
After all, this was her man—the stronger he became, the prouder she felt.
Her earlier irritation vanished completely.
She had assumed he'd been spending his time flirting and wasting days away.
But now she knew—he had been pushing himself relentlessly, enduring unknown hardships to achieve this.
And knowing Ye Chen, who never exaggerated his achievements, if he said he could defeat a Title Douluo… then it had to be true.
Perhaps he was even stronger.
(END CHAPTER)
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