The turmoil over the Holy Body gradually subsided.
Shen Ziling brought Chen Ye and Xiao Qingluan back to Jade Bamboo Peak.
As soon as they returned, Shen Ziling couldn't help but let out a rare, delighted laugh. "Excellent, excellent! Our Jade Bamboo Peak has finally made a name for itself."
"With a Holy Body disciple, I'll have more leverage when I ask the Sect Master for spirit stones in the future. Moreover, even if Xiao Qingluan doesn't join another peak, when resources are allocated, the Sect Master will definitely have to consider this Holy Body and give our Jade Bamboo Peak a bigger share!"
Watching the smiling Shen Ziling, Chen Ye couldn't help but twitch his lips. She had acted so aloof and uncaring in front of everyone else, but back home, she was practically gloating. Furthermore, he suspected that any spirit stones she acquired would likely be spent on rare wines and delicacies, with very little trickling down to her two disciples.
This woman is incorrigible!
Shen Ziling looked at Xiao Qingluan with increasing satisfaction. "Very good. You may find a place and continue your cultivation."
Then, her gaze fell upon Chen Ye, a hint of amusement in her silver eyes. She said lightly, "Chen Ye, come with me to my cave."
Go to Master's cave?
Chen Ye was stunned for a moment.
This was a first.
He couldn't help but wonder what his master's private residence looked like.
Following Shen Ziling, Chen Ye arrived at her cave. It wasn't quite what he had imagined. The space wasn't large, and the furnishings were spartan. There was only a simple wardrobe, a table, and a few hanging calligraphy scrolls. The most conspicuous item was...
A massive, plush, pink bed.
Perhaps because Shen Ziling spent so much time here, the air was saturated with her unique scent—a light, elegant fragrance that was very pleasant.
As soon as she entered, Shen Ziling sprawled out on the bed and stretched, her graceful curves on full display before Chen Ye.
What made Chen Ye most nervous were her slender, straight legs... Tsk, those might be longer than his lifespan.
Shen Ziling patted the empty space beside her, a sweet smile on her face.
"Care to come up and sit for a while?"
Hiss...
Was she trying to seduce him?!
Oh, heavens!
Who could possibly resist this?
Chen Ye almost couldn't hold back, but then he remembered that Shen Ziling's behavior today was completely out of character. Something was definitely wrong. He didn't dare to act rashly.
"Master, you jest. I'll just stand."
"No, standing is so tiring."
As Shen Ziling spoke, she waved her sleeve. A length of silk shot out, wrapped around Chen Ye's waist, and with a sharp tug, he was pulled uncontrollably towards the pink bed. The sudden "attack" left him no time to react.
Subconsciously, he reached out to brace himself.
And then...
Softness. Bounciness.
Chen Ye froze, looking down at Shen Ziling pinned beneath him.
What was even more bewildering was that his hands were currently grasping her chest.
Shen Ziling's expression was indifferent. "Have you had your fill?"
Chen Ye scrambled up. "My apologies, Master!"
But in his heart, he was screaming, You're the one who started it! How can you blame me for this?
Of course, if he actually said that... he probably wouldn't be leaving this cave tonight.
"Judging by your reaction, you're hardly a Divine Sea master," Shen Ziling said coolly.
This single sentence exposed Chen Ye's true cultivation level.
Chen Ye was shocked. As expected of his master, she had seen through him instantly. It turned out she really had been testing him just now.
"Master has a discerning eye. Nothing can be hidden from you," Chen Ye sighed.
"Tell me. How did you cultivate to the Divine Sea realm?"
When Shen Ziling first discovered Chen Ye's cultivation, her initial suspicion was that he had been possessed. However, a scan with her spiritual sense revealed no signs of possession; his soul was the same as it had always been. As for him hiding his true nature through some secret art...
Humph.
The person who could possess her disciple right under her nose and conceal their soul fluctuations had yet to be born. Not even an Emperor could manage that.
"Everything was practiced according to Master's teachings."
"When did I ever teach you?" Shen Ziling blinked.
The corner of Chen Ye's mouth twitched. So you do remember you never taught me!
Shen Ziling also realized she had been derelict in her duties as a master. She coughed twice and beckoned to Chen Ye. "Come here."
Chen Ye obediently walked over.
Seeing his compliance, Shen Ziling expressed her satisfaction. Then, she reached out and began to pat and probe all over Chen Ye's body.
Even some... private areas were not spared.
Chen Ye sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.
Master's hands... were so soft.
After a thorough examination, Shen Ziling touched her chin, her expression puzzled. "It's still a mortal physique. Then how did you cultivate to the Divine Sea realm?"
"Strange, truly strange..."
"No, this is definitely no ordinary physique. It must be some constitution I've never seen before. The 'mortal physique' is merely a disguise!"
"Interesting, very interesting..."
Shen Ziling was knowledgeable beyond measure and had seen all manner of strange constitutions. She had even personally beaten down cultivators with Holy Bodies in her time. But this was the first time she had ever encountered a 'mortal physique' like Chen Ye's, and she was intensely interested. "No, I need to check again. Take off your clothes."
Chen Ye hugged himself. "Master, Master, please don't..."
"What's a grown man being so coy about?" Shen Ziling looked impatient.
An unknown amount of time passed.
It was midnight before Chen Ye finally emerged from Shen Ziling's cave, holding his back and shuffling along the wall.
She had spent the entire day examining him. Only after finding no clues did she finally let him go.
Throughout the process, Chen Ye had suffered immensely. A peerless beauty, his nominal master, was touching him all over. The stimulation was something few men could endure. The most damnable part was... he could only look but not touch, forced to endure it all.
"Fine, fine, fine. So this is how we're playing, is it? Just you wait. When I become stronger, I will definitely press you onto that bed and give you a good spanking," Chen Ye thought fiercely to himself.
Inside the cave, Shen Ziling watched his departing back, a thoughtful look on her face. "A miraculous physique I've never seen before? How interesting... I wonder what other strange changes will occur in the future. Little Ye'er, your master is suddenly looking forward to watching you grow."
Chen Ye left the cave and returned to his hut.
He suddenly saw Xiao Qingluan, who had just finished her own cultivation session. When she saw him returning, she stepped forward to greet him.
But then, she caught a faint, fragrant scent wafting from him.
That was... Shen Ziling's scent.
What was Senior Brother doing in Master's cave? Why is Master's scent clinging to him?
Xiao Qingluan blinked, a little curious.
But for some reason, smelling another woman's scent on Chen Ye made her feel a little uncomfortable.
"Junior Sister, have you eaten? Would you like me to make you a midnight snack?"
Chen Ye looked at Xiao Qingluan, feeling a pang of sympathy. She had just competed today and probably hadn't eaten all day since returning.
A warmth spread through Xiao Qingluan's heart. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry. By the way, Senior Brother, why did Master ask you to go to her cave?"
"Ahem, nothing much. Just giving me some pointers on my cultivation," Chen Ye coughed twice.
"Oh... is that so?"
Xiao Qingluan gave him a deep look but didn't press the matter further.
In the end, Chen Ye still cooked two bowls of noodles, one for each of them.
The next day.
While Chen Ye was sleeping soundly, Xiao Qingluan was already up and cultivating. She glanced at his hut and encouraged herself, "Only ten days left until the competition. I must surpass my Senior Brother!"
"I must win the reward from the Yin-Yang Celestial Ruler!"