Chu Tian was bewildered by the laughter from the Ma family.
Was it that funny? Were they mocking him for not being able to afford it, or what?
Seeing Chu Tian’s strange expression, Ma Deju knew he was overthinking.
He patted his shoulder and said with a half-smile, "Brother Tian, don’t overthink it."
"Our Ma family's ability isn't exactly a secret!"
"You know we all have Dragon Souls, right? Do you know where our Dragon Souls are stored?"
When he said this, Chu Tian frowned, then his expression relaxed, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that your space is for storing Dragon Souls? And a bit of miscellaneous stuff on the side?"
Chu Tian’s words made Ma Deju awkwardly rub his nose, thinking: Brother Tian’s wording is too harsh. What does he mean by ‘miscellaneous stuff’?
But he still nodded and said, "Yes!"
"We call it the Dragon Soul Space, a space that comes with the Ma family bloodline when the Dragon Soul awakens!"
Chu Tian finally understood, and his plan to buy one from them was completely shattered.
He was truly envious of the Ma family’s ability. Never mind whether it was strong or not.
It was just incredibly convenient.
No need for a backpack when going out; anything could be tossed in.
The best part was that things could be preserved inside.
Frozen items, when taken out, were still frozen.
Fresh meat and vegetables, when thrown in, came out still fresh.
It was a million times better than a refrigerator.
"Heh heh..."
Seeing Chu Tian’s disappointed expression, the Ma family’s eldest aunt chuckled.
"Child, don’t be discouraged. This ability isn’t exclusive to our Ma family."
"When your divine soul power increases, you communicate with your divine platform, and open the door of the divine platform..."
"You can also store things within your divine platform!"
Boom...
Chu Tian’s mind roared!
What was that?
Communicating with the divine platform, opening the door of the divine platform, and storing things inside?
I already blasted open the door of the divine platform ages ago!
How come I didn't know I could store things?
"Daotian, come out here!" Chu Tian roared in his mind.
However, his only response was silence.
Ma Lingling and Chu Tian were separated by Ma Deju. She took a sip of her porridge.
Looking up, she happened to see Chu Tian’s unnatural facial expression.
She thought that Chu Tian had become disheartened upon hearing that this ability was tied to strong divine soul power.
So she tried to comfort him, smiling and saying, "Little Tian, it’s alright! It’s not a big deal if you can’t become a supreme powerhouse!"
"If you become a man of our Ma family, we have secret methods to help you improve too!"
As she spoke, she winked at Chu Tian.
Secret methods? Ma family man?
Hearing this, Chu Tian’s eyes naturally drifted towards her ample chest.
Then his gaze slid down, sweeping over her proud long legs.
"Ahem..."
Ma Deju, sitting in the middle, couldn’t bear to watch any longer and coughed loudly.
"Uh..." Chu Tian felt awkward.
Looking at his brother's aunt like that in front of his brother was indeed disrespectful.
He quickly averted his gaze and looked up at Ma Lingling.
Their eyes met, and he saw her chiding gaze.
However, Chu Tian also detected shyness and excitement in her eyes.
Startled, Chu Tian quickly lowered his head to drink his porridge, swallowing back the questions he was about to ask.
He kept muttering to himself: Amitabha, form is emptiness, emptiness is form, one must not provoke a married woman…
Old Madam Ma naturally noticed Ma Lingling’s reaction.
She shook her head with a wry smile. Only the women of the Ma family understood the苦 (kǔ, suffering) of Ma family women!
Just then, Ma Ruolin came in with a few side dishes and placed them on the table.
Old Madam Ma, with a look of pity, pulled her hand and had her sit down.
This left Ma Ruolin confused as to why her great aunt was looking at her like that.
Ma Deju also saw this scene and sighed softly.
Old Madam Ma and Ma Lingling naturally noticed Ma Deju’s reaction.
However, a hint of unwillingness flashed in their eyes.
But in the next second, they became resolute again.
Ma Lingling raised her palm.
With a sharp slap, she hit the back of his head.
She directly dunked his head into the porridge bowl on the table, just like a slam dunk.
"So young, what are you sighing about!"
"Eat up quickly, and after eating, go stand guard at a position for me."
This action made Chu Tian wince.
The differential treatment was too much!
"Aunt, don't you have positions? On the high platform?"
Ma Deju scratched the back of his head, wiped the porridge from his face, and said dejectedly.
"Just go and do as you're told, stop talking so much nonsense!" This time, Old Madam Ma spoke.
However, she did explain the reason, saying, "Looking at that bunch of people makes me angry!"
She was naturally referring to the members of the other seven great families.
After breakfast, Chu Tian and the three Lin siblings, along with Ma Deju, arrived at the martial arts arena early.
Upon seeing the massive crowd, it was clear they were late.
At that moment, Ma Deju’s face fell, and he nervously wrung his hands.
He muttered, "What should we do... we'll get beaten up again without a good spot..."
"Brother Ma... Brother Tian... Here, here..."
Suddenly, someone called out to them!
Chu Tian and the others looked over and saw it was Qi Shushu and Song Zijing.
They were sitting there, with no one around them.
The seats were good.
Ma Deju’s eyes lit up, and he rushed over.
"Are these seats you reserved?"
He noticed that each unoccupied seat had a chess piece on it.
Qi Shushu nodded, his face full of pride, and said, "How about that, brothers? I'm being a good friend! I saved a seat for each of you."
Ma Deju nodded and praised, "Okay, okay, that’s very thoughtful. Come, everyone sit..."
He genuinely didn’t consider himself an outsider and gestured for the Lin siblings to take their seats.
Qi Shushu and the others had reserved a total of seven seats.
When the three Lin siblings sat down, Qi Shushu and Song Zijing grinned and shifted their positions.
Just as they were about to squeeze in, Ma Deju lifted his leg and kicked them in the backside twice.
His eyebrows furrowed, he said, "You two... go find seats somewhere else!"
"Brother Ma, what do you mean..." Qi Shushu looked wronged, rubbing his backside.
Ma Deju’s kick was not light.
It landed directly on his tailbone.
"What do I mean? Why learn to reserve seats..."
Ma Deju’s eyes narrowed, but a second later, he pushed the two of them aside.
His demeanor changed as fast as flipping a book. He smiled at three women slowly approaching behind them.
"Great Aunt, please sit here... See? This spot is quite good, isn't it?"
"Mm..." Old Madam Ma grunted.
Ma Deju’s warm greeting was met with a cold reception, but he was already content.
At least he wouldn’t get beaten.
If he were to be beaten here, the pain would be secondary.
With so many people around, losing face was the real issue.
Qi Shushu and Song Zijing saw this and immediately understood.
Their reserved seats were now occupied in vain; who dared to offend Old Madam Ma?
The two of them sheepishly stood behind Ma Deju.
With one seat remaining, Chu Tian glanced at it, unsure whether to sit or not.
Because the seat next to it was occupied by the married woman, Ma Lingling.