"Hey, your Ultimate martial soul—did you get it the same way?" Ma Xiaotao poked Qian Ran in the chest, her curiosity written all over her face.
Even Cai Meier perked up at the question. Could Qian Ran's terrifying Ultimate martial soul be a result of refining one of these Hearts of Ice and Snow?
"Of course not," Qian Ran chuckled. "I have my own methods. This Heart of Ice and Snow is something I got recently."
"Look at you, acting all smug. When are you going to help me upgrade to Ultimate Fire?" Ma Xiaotao huffed and pinched Qian Ran's waist hard. Despite her fiery temperament, her tone carried a hint of playful expectation.
"After the Soul Master Tournament is over, we'll head back, and I'll figure something out for you," Qian Ran replied. His plan to visit the Icefire Yin Yang Well after the tournament was already set. However, compared to ice-type Soul Masters, fire-type practitioners like Ma Xiaotao were in much greater supply around him.
If the resources there weren't enough to cater to everyone, things could get tricky.
"That's more like it."
"If you can really manage it, well… I wouldn't say no."
Ma Xiaotao's excitement gave way to a flush of embarrassment. Qian Ran treated her so well that it sometimes left her feeling unworthy.
With every treasure and advantage Qian Ran bestowed upon her, she felt both grateful and increasingly aware of the growing gap between them. And deep down, she knew what Qian Ran wanted from her—the one thing she had yet to fully surrender.
If she couldn't catch up to him in power, then perhaps the only way to truly repay him… was to give him that.
"Don't mind if I do," Qian Ran quipped with a sly grin, his eyes drifting toward Ma Xiaotao's toned figure. Her body, already stunning, seemed to have grown even more alluring under his teasing ministrations over the past few days.
Even her academy uniform pants, snugly hugging her curvaceous hips, couldn't hide the sensuality of her form.
Ma Xiaotao had always guarded herself against Qian Ran's more mischievous advances. But now, her uncharacteristic openness came as a delightful surprise.
"Xiaotao, today's match against Dou Ling Academy is yours to handle. With your strength, it should be an easy win. I'm taking Ling Luochen away for a bit," Cai Meier said, patting Ma Xiaotao on the shoulder.
She could no longer contain her eagerness to witness Qian Ran's process for creating an Ultimate Ice Soul Master.
No matter how rare or precious the Heart of Ice and Snow was, Cai Meier needed to see the transformation with her own eyes to truly believe it.
"Alright." Ma Xiaotao nodded at Cai Meier, then glanced briefly at Qian Ran.
She wasn't overly curious; after all, she would soon have her own chance to evolve into an Ultimate Fire Soul Master. The experience would be hers to savor.
Standing to the side, Wang Yan cast a wistful look at Cai Meier. He, too, was curious about the process, but since he hadn't been invited, he held his tongue.
"Thank you," Ling Luochen murmured as they walked back to the hotel. She had moved closer to Qian Ran, her voice soft but sincere.
She understood the significance of the gift Qian Ran was offering her. A treasure like the Heart of Ice and Snow could fetch astronomical sums at auction, yet he had chosen to give it to her.
"I thought you might have forgotten about me," Ling Luochen added, her voice tinged with emotion. "But then you… you gave me this. I'm truly grateful."
"And how do you plan to repay me?" Qian Ran teased, flashing a playful smirk at the normally icy goddess of the Shrek Academy. Before him, she seemed anything but cold.
"You brat. Can't you be serious for once?" Cai Meier interjected, her tone exasperated. She knew Qian Ran was blatantly flirting with Ling Luochen, but that wasn't what bothered her the most—it was the fact that most of Shrek Academy's finest young women had already fallen for him.
This boy's ability to charm women was even more astonishing than his talent as a Soul Master.
While Qian Ran remained unbothered, Ling Luochen turned bright red, staring at the ground and fidgeting with her hands.
"Cai Meier, don't scare her off," Qian Ran said with a chuckle. "Last I checked, Shrek Academy doesn't prohibit relationships between students, does it?"
His gaze shifted subtly to Cai Meier herself, admiring her mature, alluring figure.
Clad in a form-fitting pencil skirt, her curves were accentuated by the tailored fabric. Beneath the hemline, sheer, gossamer-thin stockings hugged her long legs, which ended in pristine white heels. While not overtly provocative, her outfit exuded a sophisticated elegance unique to an experienced beauty like her.
Every move she made—whether it was the soft purse of her lips or the graceful sway of her legs—seemed to emanate a quiet, irresistible allure.
"Hmph. Relationships may be allowed, but I've got my eye on you," Cai Meier retorted, though a faint smile graced her lips as she noticed Qian Ran's subtle admiration.
These past few days, his lack of attention had made her wonder if her charm had waned.
"And why's that? Are you playing favorites?"
"Hmph. If I don't keep you in check, you'll charm all the pretty girls in the academy!"
"Sigh… What have I done wrong? All I want is to give them a warm and loving home."
Ling Luochen's heart raced as she listened to their banter. Stealing a glance at Qian Ran's handsome face, she clenched her fists, determination lighting up her eyes.
Qian Ran… I won't let go.
She wasn't about to lose him to anyone else. If others could be with him, so could she. Whatever it took, she was willing.
Clever rascal. How many more girls will you win over? Cai Meier mused silently, her emotions complicated. Qian Ran's charisma was undeniable—even she had felt her heart waver once or twice.
If they had been born in the same era, she might have done everything in her power to claim him for herself.
Arriving at the hotel, Cai Meier immediately activated a powerful soul barrier to secure the room.
"Alright, let's see it."
Her intense gaze bore into Qian Ran, brimming with anticipation.
Without hesitation, Qian Ran retrieved the Heart of Ice and Snow from his storage soul tool. The crystal-like gem shimmered with a translucent white glow, exuding a faint mist that carried a bone-chilling cold.
The temperature in the room plummeted, and frost began to form on every surface.
"What an intense cold!" Cai Meier exclaimed, involuntarily shivering.
Even without Qian Ran's prior explanation, the Heart of Ice and Snow's extraordinary nature was evident.
It was a solid embodiment of extreme ice energy, and Cai Meier could sense the overwhelming power contained within.
For Ling Luochen, refining this treasure wouldn't just grant her Ultimate Ice—it could propel her cultivation straight to Rank 60, an incredible leap forward.
(End of Chapter)