Ye Chen, however, was unaware of Ling Luochen's little thoughts and was just a bit speechless.
Good heavens, he just wanted to have lunch with Ma Xiaotao, so how did he end up being pulled into doing free labor???
He didn't even agree...
However, this mission should be taking him along as a bonus, just to broaden his horizons, so there shouldn't be any danger.
In the original work, the reason the Shrek Seven Devils encountered a fatal crisis was partly due to Xuan Zi's carelessness, and partly due to Huo Yuhao.
While the Son of Destiny's luck was heaven-defying, it also came with crises.
That crisis was actually aimed at Huo Yuhao, but he was lucky enough to perfectly avoid it.
The others weren't so lucky; some died, some were crippled, and some were half-dead.
Ye Chen didn't consider himself a Son of Destiny; he was just a cheater.
It was just a casual mission, so it was naturally unlikely to encounter any life-or-death danger...
"What, are you scared? If you're scared, you can refuse~" Ling Luochen narrowed her eyes and laughed.
She was clearly using a provocation.
"Who's scared? If I have to go, I'll go." Ye Chen readily agreed.
Well, of course, his main reason for going was to see who was leading the team this time.
If it was the old chicken leg Xuan Zi, then he would run without a second thought.
If it was someone else, then he could go and have some fun.
...
...
...
Soon.
Ling Luochen led Ye Chen to a beautiful courtyard deep within Sea God Island.
Upon entering the courtyard, two women seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
The one on the left was naturally Ma Xiaotao.
Ye Chen looked at Ma Xiaotao, and Ma Xiaotao also looked at Ye Chen.
She seemed to recall what happened in the morning, her face flushed slightly, and she instinctively averted her gaze, not daring to meet Ye Chen's eyes lest she give herself away.
Ye Chen then shifted his gaze to the other woman.
She had long, raven-black hair, flowing like silk down to her waist.
Below her smooth forehead were two gracefully arched willow-leaf eyebrows, a straight but not sharp nose bridge, and naturally moist, light pink lips with a slight upward curve at the corners, like pear blossoms blooming in the spring breeze.
The woman was not wearing the Inner Courtyard uniform, but rather a more advanced purple uniform.
The uniform jacket was neatly tailored, with a dark gold Shrek emblem pinned to the collar.
The first crystal button on the collar was unbuttoned, revealing a hint of white curve, but it did not appear frivolous due to her dignified sitting posture.
The hem of her dark short skirt reached only to mid-thigh, and over-the-knee black stockings wrapped around her well-proportioned calves, revealing her absolute territory.
The top of the stockings was embedded with delicate metal buckles, exuding an inexplicable sense of nobility.
Finally, paired with a pair of black long boots, it added a unique touch of heroism to her.
What interested Ye Chen the most was her steady temperament, completely different from Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen; she looked only in her twenties, but had an inexplicable maturity, far more mature than a maiden, but still a step away from being a married woman.
Clearly, this was related to her experiences.
Coupled with her unfathomable cultivation, if Ye Chen hadn't guessed wrong...
"Ah, Xiao Chen, let me introduce you; this is the strongest student in our Inner Courtyard, and also the senior sister of all our Inner Courtyard disciples—Zhang Lexuan."
Although Ling Luochen didn't know why Ma Xiaotao wasn't speaking, she quickly introduced Ye Chen.
"Hello, Senior Sister~"
Ye Chen feigned restraint, giving Zhang Lexuan a brilliant smile, and then respectfully bowed.
After all, the other party was a Spirit Douluo, and it was their first meeting, so Ye Chen didn't dare to be too presumptuous.
Being a little more honest could earn him some goodwill.
At the same time, Ye Chen also guessed that Zhang Lexuan might be the one escorting him this time.
Although Zhang Lexuan was far inferior to Xuan Zi, Zhang Lexuan made Ye Chen a hundred times more at ease than Xuan Zi.
Moreover, Zhang Lexuan was so beautiful that just looking at her could make one happy.
That messy old chicken leg Xuan Zi was useless.
"Hmm, a very polite junior, indeed. I heard Dean Yan mention you; you truly live up to your reputation as the Outer Courtyard's number one genius~" Zhang Lexuan smiled slightly at Ye Chen, her eyes filled with undeniable admiration.
Ye Chen was simply too outstanding, and his talent even surpassed hers.
If such a genius were properly cultivated, his future achievements would be stronger than hers, perhaps even reaching the level of Elder Mu.
Moreover, Ye Chen was also so handsome and very pleasing to the eye; she felt an instant liking for him the moment she saw him, an indescribable fondness.
"If only I had a younger brother like this..." Zhang Lexuan thought to herself.
Her Bei Bei was taken by Tang Ya; although her heart was still with Bei Bei, her inner self had always been empty these past years.
Now, she seemed to have found someone who could replace Bei Bei...
"Senior Sister, I heard Senior Sister Ling say that I was called here to participate in a mission. May I know the specific mission content?"
Ye Chen looked at Zhang Lexuan and asked about the main reason for his visit.
"Let me explain."
Ma Xiaotao was the first to interject: "This mission was given to you by the teacher, because you can't really improve in the Outer Courtyard, so the teacher wants you to gain some experience with us."
"This was originally a mission for our Shrek Monitoring Group, and Outer Courtyard disciples are not qualified to know about it, but you are special, so you can participate."
"Our mission this time is to encircle and annihilate a den of evil Spirit Masters. This was originally a normal mission for Ling Luochen and me, but bringing you along is fine."
"As for Senior Sister, she's naturally here to escort us..."
As Ma Xiaotao said this, her gaze towards Ye Chen contained a hint of resentment and envy.
For such a small mission, although a bit dangerous, the academy never sent anyone to supervise them, let alone have the Senior Sister personally escort them.
Clearly, Zhang Lexuan was there for Ye Chen, afraid that he would suffer even the slightest harm, and protecting her and Ling Luochen was just a bonus.
She had only enjoyed such treatment a few times when she first joined the Inner Courtyard...
But envy aside, this was also good for Ye Chen.
After all, she and Ling Luochen were only two people. Although there was only one Spirit King among the evil Spirit Masters, an evil Spirit Master's Spirit King-level combat power could usually approach the Spirit Saint level.
The other small fries would be handled by Ling Luochen and Ye Chen.
Normally, the mission would be fine, but if an accident occurred, Ling Luochen might not be able to protect Ye Chen well.
Although Ye Chen was strong, he had no experience in this area, so Zhang Lexuan's presence could ensure Ye Chen's safety.
After Ye Chen completed a few more missions, he probably wouldn't need protection anymore.
...
"I see, then I'll trouble Senior Sister~" Ye Chen's gaze towards Zhang Lexuan was filled with gratitude.
"No trouble."
Zhang Lexuan smiled calmly, and then her dark purple eyes, looking at Ye Chen, were filled with admiration.
As Zhang Lexuan spoke, she stood up and came to Ye Chen's side, her gaze gentle as she said, "Your talent far surpasses mine; you will surely become a pillar of Shrek in the future. If you need anything, just tell me."
She came this time not only to protect Ye Chen but also to assess him.
If Ye Chen performed well, he could join the Inner Courtyard early and enjoy the treatment of an Inner Courtyard disciple.
"Yes, okay, thank you, Senior Sister~" Ye Chen nodded very obediently.
He appeared very honest and naive.
"He's obedient, but also a bit lewd..." Ma Xiaotao thought to herself, looking at Ye Chen's obedient appearance.
However, despite saying that, she actually preferred this side of Ye Chen.