Chapter 24: How am I small? I’ll grow up, won’t I!

The tall woman’s cold demeanor toward Gu Chen and her warning to Ye Linglong stemmed from a lingering sense of aversion she felt toward him. Moreover, she possessed the Six-Winged Angel martial soul, which granted her exceptionally sharp vision; her eyes, glowing like sapphires, allowed her to perceive things invisible to others.

Just moments ago, during the brief exchange between Ye Linglong and Gu Chen, she had clearly sensed Gu Chen scanning Ye Linglong’s body at least a hundred times, while also stealing dozens of glances at her. If he wasn't a lecherous scoundrel, she would be damned. He simply masked it too well for the naive Ye Linglong to notice.

In truth, the tall woman had misunderstood him. Gu Chen’s gaze drifted over Ye Linglong only because he had detected a trace of sinister, malevolent energy clinging to her—a presence hidden with extreme subtlety. Had he not activated the first layer of his Heaven-Net Umbrella domain, he would never have discovered it. He observed the tall woman for the same reason; unlike Ye Linglong, while she was also surrounded by this malevolent aura, it could not penetrate her body, as if blocked by an invisible film of light.

His request to speak with Ye Linglong privately was not entirely for the sake of cleansing her of this evil. Gu Chen had studied Taoist arts and could divine fortune. During his meditation earlier, he had calculated that he would face grave danger upon returning to Shrek Academy. Through his spiritual senses, he felt an unseen presence watching him, one too powerful for him to pinpoint. Furthermore, unable to reveal his identity as the young master of the Gu family or leave the academy on his own, he was deeply worried for his mother’s safety. He hoped to enlist Ye Linglong’s help to check on her while he found a way to escape.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, Gu Chen closed the door, and Ye Linglong immediately wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her chest against his back. As both were Spirit Masters with sturdy constitutions, they wore light clothing even in autumn. He could feel the softness and warmth of her youthful bosom and the frantic beating of her heart.

"Brother Gu Chen, I know why you brought me here. Go ahead; as long as we don't go 'all the way,' I’ll agree to whatever you want."

Gu Chen offered a bitter smile, thinking to himself that young girls today were far too precocious. What had he done to make her jump to such a conclusion? He turned around slowly, facing her, and looked at her with clear eyes.

"Fairy Linglong, I didn't bring you here to indulge in improper thoughts, but to ask for your help with a matter."

"Oh... how embarrassing! I'm sorry, Brother Gu Chen. I misunderstood. Sister Qian Renxue warned me to protect myself, so I thought you wanted to..."

"Thought what? That I wanted to engage in 'duo exercises' with you? You are still too young. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't ruin you."

"Where am I small?" Ye Linglong protested, puffing out her chest. "Even if I am now, I’ll grow up eventually!"

Gu Chen felt a headache coming on; the conversation had veered off course. He coughed awkwardly. "Fairy Linglong, you misunderstood. I brought you here to inform you of something, not because I lust after your beauty."

"Oh... it’s my fault for misunderstanding. But Brother, your embrace is so warm. Can I hold you for a moment longer?"

Seeing her pitiful expression, Gu Chen had no choice. *Fine, let her hold me,* he thought, keeping his mind as clear as a mirror.

*It’s actually a heart demon; no wonder it was hidden so deeply,* Gu Chen muttered to himself.

"Brother Gu Chen, what did you say?"

"It’s nothing. Fairy Linglong, have you been to any strange places lately?"

"Let me think." Ye Linglong pondered, though her eyes drifted toward Gu Chen’s crotch, and she couldn't help but swallow.

This movement did not escape Gu Chen’s notice. Frowning slightly, he grabbed her shoulders and turned her around so she was facing away from him. He called out internally, "Master Zhaoran, are you there?"

"Not now... I'm busy."

"Don't be like that, Master Zhaoran. You’re beautiful, kind, and have a great figure—could you do me a favor?"

"Stop with the flattery. No."

"Master Zhaoran, how can it be flattery when you’re so beautiful? If anything, it’s 'immortal flattery'!"

"You... fine. Speak, what is it?"

"Is there any way to help her calm down?"

"Why do you want her to calm down? She has the Ghost Spirit Saint Body; sleeping with her once would gain you at least ten years of cultivation..."

Gu Chen was speechless; a flock of crows seemed to fly over his head. "Master, something’s wrong with you! Why do you always want me to sleep with this person or that person?"

"Because you’re lazy! You possess the Chameleon constitution and a heart as resilient as a sage, yet you haven't even reached the Great Spirit Master realm. If a pig had your talent and worked as hard as you have for a month, it would already be a Spirit Grandmaster!"

Lu Zhaoran almost let it slip that Gu Chen possessed the Saint Emperor Body. If he only applied himself, what were geniuses like Dai Mubai or monsters like Tang San in comparison? But she couldn't tell him—at least not yet. She realized he was practicing a profound technique of heart cultivation, and she feared interfering with his progress. She could only indirectly remind him of women with special constitutions to urge him to cultivate. However, he seemed to reject that method entirely, and she was helpless until her own strength recovered.

Gu Chen remained unmoved by her words. If he were so easily swayed, his month of training would have been for nothing.

"Master Zhaoran, are you unable to make her calm down?" Gu Chen tried to provoke her.

"How could that be? I have a hundred ways to make her calm down!" She paused. "Wait... you brat, are you trying to goad me?"

"Master, you wrong me! I’m not goading you; I’m just curious, given your vast and mysterious powers."

"Hmph... you do have a silver tongue. But I’m curious, can’t you use talismans?"

"Talismans damage the body."

"Heh... how chivalrous of you."

"Master, you misunderstand. It’s not about chivalry; I have other plans."

"Oh? Tell me."

Gu Chen explained his plan, and Lu Zhaoran burst into laughter. Inside the space of the Heaven-Net Umbrella, she, dressed in black lace, wore a gratified and charming smile.

"Holy Light Domain. My spirit power is still weak; I can only maintain it for a quarter of an hour. Manage your time well."

"Understood. Thank you, Master!"