Dugu Xianng was a domineering woman. She wanted Zhou Sichen to herself—but she also knew that wasn't realistic.
Even if Zhou Sichen was willing, the family behind him would never approve.
She understood this very well, coming from a clan with millennia of history.
Especially given how outstanding Zhou Sichen was—there was no way he'd be lacking admirers in the future.
Still, after the words they exchanged today, she was confident her position in his heart was the highest.
Without wasting ti, Dugu Xianng accepted the pill and happily returned to her room to cultivate.
She knew catching up to Zhou Sichen would be extrely difficult, but if she didn't at least try, she'd never have a chance.
At the very least, in terms of soul power level, she currently held the advantage.
With that Soul-Nourishing Pill, she was certain she could break through to rank 50 within a month.
As soon as she acquired her fifth spirit ring, her soul power level would surpass Zhou Sichen's by a wide margin. Even if her actual combat ability didn't compare, she'd still hold the upper hand in raw soul power.
Not long after Dugu Xianng left, just as Zhou Sichen was about to retreat to the villa's secret training room, there was another knock at the gate.
Zhou Sichen opened the door to see Ma Xiaotao's tall, stunning figure standing there, her bright eyes glaring at him.
Zhou Sichen hadn't expected her to be this persistent. She didn't get to see him earlier in the day, and now she'd shown up the mont Dugu Xianng left?
He even suspected she'd been hiding sowhere around the villa, watching through the windows until Dugu Xianng left.
"What brings you here, Senior Sister?" Zhou Sichen asked.
Ma Xiaotao smiled faintly, showing no trace of the fiery temper she had yesterday. "Aren't you going to invite in?"
Zhou Sichen chuckled, stepped aside, and gestured with his hand. "Please, co in."
Ma Xiaotao walked in gracefully, clearly familiar with the place. She sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.
As Zhou Sichen sat across from her, she couldn't help but say, "Didn't I tell you last night that I'd co see you this morning? Why did you leave without a word?"
Zhou Sichen poured her a cup of honey tea and replied, a little helplessly, "I thought you were just teasing , so I didn't take it seriously."
Hearing that, Ma Xiaotao wasn't sure whether she should be angry.
But why was she even upset? They barely knew each other. Sure, this guy was strong—strong enough that she couldn't beat him.
And he had helped her suppress her evil fire, giving her at least three months of stability.
But still... how did she end up caring this much about a guy?
Thinking back to all the advice her teacher had given her, Ma Xiaotao's cheeks flushed slightly.
She was eighteen—an age when a girl's emotions ran hot.
Yet until now, she'd never paid much attention to the opposite sex. No one at Shrek had ever caught her eye—not even Dai Yueheng, who wasn't that much older than her.
So her teachers never worried about that part of her life, and neither did she.
Sure, when the evil fire flared up, she'd had fleeting urges to let off steam. But for a girl, that fire was more of a punishnt than a release. She'd never even considered handling it in that way.
In fact, she resented her ancestor a little. If they had taken more precautions back then, she wouldn't be suffering now.
But everything has two sides. The evil fire caused her great pain, yes—but it also ca with a top-tier martial soul, unmatched talent, and powerful abilities.
Now, with Zhou Sichen's appearance, it felt like a turning point.
Her evil fire was growing stronger, and she was at the height of her youth.
Zhou Sichen didn't just have the looks and brains—he was monstrously talented, strong enough to suppress her with ease. Calling him a real monster wouldn't be an exaggeration.
And more importantly, he could help her suppress the evil fire at any ti.
Wasn't that exactly the kind of man she'd always hoped to et?
And best of all, he didn't have a girlfriend.
That little poison girl, Duguxianng, only liked him for his strength and looks.
Besides, Ma Xiaotao was definitely stronger than Duguxianng. If it ca to a competition, she was confident she wouldn't lose.
Add in everything her teacher said, and it was no wonder she'd started thinking about Zhou Sichen this way.
Looking at him now—gentle, warm, smiling—Ma Xiaotao knew she just couldn't pretend to be so delicate little girl.
That wasn't who she was. She was a fla demon. Sure, she could restrain herself now and then, but her core personality was hard to change.
That was why she'd clashed with Duguxianng last night. She couldn't fake being soone she wasn't.
Her approach to attracting Zhou Sichen was different from other girls'. She just didn't know if it was working.
But today, Ma Xiaotao had made a decision—she was going to go all in, no more pretending.
She sipped the honey tea Zhou Sichen gave her. "Zhou Sichen, since it's just the two of us right now, I'll be straightforward."
Zhou Sichen nodded. "Alright. I've been wondering what exactly it is you've been waiting to tell that could surprise ."
Ma Xiaotao hesitated for a second, then said, "After these past few days of watching and interacting with you, the teachers all agree—you're exceptional. So far, you're the only male around my age who can defeat ... and help suppress my evil fire."
Even before she finished, Zhou Sichen already knew what Yan Shaozhe and the others must have told her.
He gave a wry smile and cut in, "So Dean Yan asked you to get close to . Maybe even seduce a little. That way, if I fall for you, we can be together, and you'll get help with your evil fire. Two birds with one stone, right?"
Hearing that, Ma Xiaotao lowered her head. "That's right. And it's not just two birds—more like five."
Then she looked up, locking eyes with him. "But I can't do it. My personality just isn't suited for that. If we genuinely like each other, I'll be with you without hesitation. That would truly be a win-win."
"But asking to use cheap tricks like so back-alley girl? I can't do it."
Zhou Sichen smiled faintly. "I like your honesty, Senior Sister."
Ma Xiaotao froze when she heard the word like. She knew he ant her personality, but with everything Dean Yan said echoing in her mind, she couldn't help but overthink it.
Zhou Sichen chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds exactly like sothing Dean Yan would do. And you really are attractive—if you'd gone ahead with that plan, I might've actually fallen for it."
"But like you said, that wouldn't have been the real you. Eventually, your true self would co out. That kind of approach can't last."
Ma Xiaotao nodded. "You feel the sa way, huh? We're the sa age—wouldn't it be better to start off as friends? If you end up liking , it won't be because I used so seduction trick. And if you don't like , even if I crawled into your bed, your heart still wouldn't move, right?"
Hearing his agreent felt like a weight off her shoulders. In the Inner Court, she'd never had anyone to talk to like this.
"So let's just be honest from now on. I'm not cut out for fake smiles and phony charm. I'm . I won't change for anyone."
Zhou Sichen's expression shifted slightly. Honestly, if she did crawl into his bed, he probably wouldn't push her away...
He smiled. "That's perfectly fine. We're bound to see each other often. If Dean Yan starts pressuring you, let know. I'll help you put on an act and trick him together."
Ma Xiaotao felt her heart stir.
The reason she'd rushed to talk to Zhou Sichen today was because she knew her teacher was away from the academy.
She also had her own motives—if Zhou Sichen turned around and tattled to the dean, she'd just get scolded and would also get to see what kind of person he really was.
But after this honest conversation, she realized Zhou Sichen was truly different. He didn't mock her, didn't say anything to provoke her—instead, he offered to help?
No wonder Duguxianng had gotten so attached to him...
Truth was, ever since the day Zhou Sichen defeated her and helped suppress her evil fire, his image had quietly etched itself into her heart.
She had just assud her feelings were a side effect of her teacher's words. But clearly, there was more to it than that.
Ma Xiaotao reached out her hand. "Then we've got a deal, okay? When the teacher's around, you help pretend—make him think we've already got sothing going on."
Zhou Sichen raised his hand and tapped hers. "Deal. Our little secret."
****
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