Chapter 140: Yan Shaozhe's Rare Moment of Wisdom

To be honest, Lin Yun had never truly experienced the bitter cold of the Extreme North Ice Plains before.

Back when he had visited the Extreme North, Di Tian had always been by his side, ensuring not a single wisp of cold penetrated the protective soul power barrier around him.

But today, he finally felt the full fury and beauty of the Extreme North's frost.

The pristine, flawless snowflakes... The most striking touch of pink amidst the frozen wasteland... The undulating ice hills of the Extreme North... Or the seemingly bottomless, dark crevasses that scarred the glacial plains...

All awaited Lin Yun's exploration.

Fortunately, he wasn't alone. The Ice Empress was there with him, guiding him through the wonders of her homeland.

The Next Morning

The first light of dawn filtered through the translucent curtains, casting a gentle glow over Lin Yun. He opened his eyes, acutely aware of the warm, soft body pressed against him and the full, firm curves currently cupped in his hand.

He gave a light slap.

Slap~

Ripples spread across the flawless white skin before it bounced back with elastic resilience.

"Mmm~ My Lord... Let me sleep a little longer..." The Ice Empress murmured drowsily, her long, slender legs still tightly wrapped around Lin Yun's waist while her arms clung to his neck.

Her twin ponytails had come undone during last night's... activities, and now her waterfall of emerald-green hair cascaded haphazardly over her body, veiling large portions of her snow-white skin. This half-covered state only made her beauty more tantalizing.

"I need to return to Shrek, Bing'er. Why don't you revert to your true form if you want to keep sleeping?" Lin Yun stroked her hair gently.

"Fine... I wanted to hold you a while longer." The Ice Empress opened her sleepy eyes, puffing her cheeks cutely.

As she sat up, Lin Yun caught sight of the marks littering her body—and the unmistakable crimson stain beneath her.

Proof of last night's passion.

Seeing this, something in Lin Yun's heart softened. Across two lifetimes, the Ice Empress was the first to help him transition into manhood. Even if she wasn't entirely human, in his eyes, she was his partner—his first woman.

"Actually... Returning to Shrek isn't that urgent. Let's sleep a little longer. I want to stay with you." He captured her lips in a deep kiss, smiling into her eyes.

The Ice Empress blinked, then a radiant smile bloomed across her stunning face.

"Mmm~"

Lin Yun lay back down, and she immediately curled into his embrace, wrapping around him like an octopus as she breathed in his scent.

No further words were needed. The two simply basked in each other's warmth, drifting back to sleep.

Meanwhile...

While Lin Yun was enjoying the bliss of having a beauty in his arms, Yan Shaozhe was undergoing mental torment.

After yesterday's conversation with Lin Yun, he hadn't slept a wink. Meditation was impossible—every time he closed his eyes, he saw Lin Yun casually demanding *six 100,000-year soul bones* in exchange for a single spirit herb.

*Six 100,000-year soul bones!*

Old Man Yan had never even touched that many in his entire life! Asking him to trade six just for a fire-attribute spirit herb that only benefited Ma Xiaotao?

Was that even possible?

Deep down, Yan Shaozhe knew it wasn't impossible. Ma Xiaotao was, after all, Shrek Academy's direct descendant. She would undoubtedly join the Sea God Pavilion in the future, becoming one of its pillars.

But the problem was—Shrek Academy wasn't a united front. Ever since Mu En sensed his impending death and began gradually delegating his authority as Sea God Pavilion Master to the other elders, factions had formed within Shrek.

At the very least, the Spirit Master Department led by Yan Shaozhe and Cai Mei'er had always been at odds with the Soul Tool Department under Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo. Open clashes were frequent.

Yan Shaozhe himself had suppressed the Soul Tool Department countless times, both overtly and covertly.

"Shrek only needs one Spirit Master Department. What use is that trash Soul Tool Department anyway?"

He couldn't care less.

Now, the tables had turned. When Yan Shaozhe made his request, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo would likely be the first to oppose it.

"Should I... consult Teacher?" Yan Shaozhe wrestled with the dilemma.

Would Teacher even agree?

Before long, his eyes hardened with resolve.

"No matter what—for Xiaotao's sake, even if Teacher scolds me until I'm drenched in blood, I must go!"

This wasn't just for Ma Xiaotao—it was for Shrek!

In these turbulent times, Shrek desperately needed an Ultimate Attribute soul master to secure its standing!

For once, Yan Shaozhe's limited intellect worked in his favor—saving not just himself, but Ma Xiaotao and Shrek as well. His decision to consult Mu恩 rather than act recklessly was perhaps the pinnacle of his wisdom.

Originally, Yan Shaozhe had planned for Ma Xiaotao to get close to Lin Yun, hoping to manipulate his feelings and obtain the spirit herb for free.

But reality presented a harsh truth:

Ma Xiaotao was running out of time.

Her evil flames were on the verge of spiraling out of control. In her current state, maintaining rationality was difficult enough—how could she possibly build a relationship with Lin Yun, let alone earn his goodwill to the point of willingly gifting the spirit herb?

With her current frenzied behavior?

Impossible.

The only one who could make this decision was his teacher—the current Sea God Pavilion Master, Mu En.

"Teacher!"

Outside the freshman dormitory, Yan Shaozhe bowed deeply to the old man who looked like nothing more than a gatekeeper.

Had it not been class hours with few students around, the sight of Shrek Academy's dean paying respects to the "janitor" would have shattered many young minds.

Mu En's eyelids lifted slightly, his dim golden eyes resting on Yan Shaozhe. "Oh? Shaozhe? What brings you here?"

It was rare for Yan Shaozhe to seek him out—per Mu En's own request. He preferred to keep his identity hidden, quietly sunbathing while reminiscing about his youth. It made him feel alive, perhaps even prolonging his days.

"Teacher, there's a matter your disciple cannot decide alone. I need your judgment..."

(End of Chapter)

────────────────────────────────────

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension]."

"If you want early access to nearly 35+ chapters, join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"