Not long after, Mu En finished flipping through the ancient book in his hands.
"Ziyang, take it out now," Mu En said to Zhu Ziyang.
"Alright." Zhu Ziyang naturally understood what Mu En meant. He directly took out the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower that he had just put away not long ago and revealed it before everyone.
"This is the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower?" Yan Shaozhe's eyes were filled with excitement as he stared at the immortal herb in Zhu Ziyang's hands. His voice even trembled as he spoke.
"This…" Xian Lin'er and Ma Xiaotao were equally shocked and full of disbelief. Ma Xiaotao's eyes were especially bright, brimming with excitement that could hardly be described with words. She finally understood why Mu En had called for her.
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower — I'm sure all of you aren't unfamiliar with it," Mu En said with a smile. "This book, The Biography of the Phoenix Douluo, records the event of Phoenix Douluo Ma Hongjun consuming the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. According to the contents, the younger the person and the lower their level when they take an immortal herb, the better their absorption of its medicinal properties."
"Ma Hongjun's ancestor was only thirteen years old when he absorbed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. So not only did he compensate for his martial soul's defect and complete its evolution, he also advanced nearly five levels in soul power. If I'm not mistaken, Xiaotao, you're eighteen this year?"
"Yes, Elder Mu." Ma Xiaotao responded, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Good. At eighteen years old and with soul power over level sixty, your use of this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower should first prioritize resolving the flaw in your martial soul. After that, boosting your soul power is secondary," Mu En said. "However, I suspect the medicinal effects of this particular Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower might only be enough to fix your martial soul defect and won't increase your soul power by much. But so long as your martial soul is perfected, the soul power increase is no longer important. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, teacher!" Yan Shaozhe agreed wholeheartedly. Being able to completely solve Ma Xiaotao's martial soul defect was already the greatest outcome. As for increasing soul power — as her teacher, he didn't care about that at all.
"Very well. Xiaotao, go prepare to absorb the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Shaozhe, you'll stand guard for her," Mu En said.
"Yes, teacher!" Yan Shaozhe replied eagerly.
"Sister Xiaotao, good luck!" Zhu Ziyang handed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to Ma Xiaotao with a smile, offering encouragement.
"Thank you, Ziyang!" Ma Xiaotao was deeply moved. She knew clearly that this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower must have been obtained for her by Zhu Ziyang. Her heart quivered in a way it never had before. She gave Zhu Ziyang a warm hug, then carefully took the immortal herb from his hands.
Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao quickly left Sea God's Pavilion.
Xian Lin'er was genuinely happy for Ma Xiaotao, despite her personal dislike for Yan Shaozhe. Now she finally had the opportunity to speak to Mu En about her own matter.
"Teacher, Duoduo, Fan Yu, and I have discussed and decided to use Fan Yu's disciple and Caitou as the temporary candidates to begin the Ultimate Solo Soldier Project," she said.
"Very well. As long as you've made the proper preparations," Mu En nodded approvingly. "Your personality is steady and your work meticulous. I trust you."
"I understand, teacher!" Xian Lin'er beamed, delighted to receive Mu En's affirmation.
"Alright then. You may all leave now. I need to take a little nap," Mu En said as he closed his eyes.
Zhu Ziyang and Xian Lin'er immediately exited the Sea God's Pavilion.
"Junior Brother, where did you find the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower?" Xian Lin'er asked with curiosity after they stepped outside.
"In the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!" Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. "Actually, all the credit should go to Nannan. If not for her, we might not have made it out of there in one piece — let alone plucked a Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower."
"So that's how it is." Xian Lin'er was surprised. She had heard about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well but hadn't expected Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan to actually venture into it. "Junior Brother, that was far too risky. Don't ever do anything so dangerous again!"
"Hehe, I get it, Senior Sister," Zhu Ziyang scratched the back of his head. "Teacher already scolded me for it."
"Mhm." Xian Lin'er nodded with a trace of admiration on her face.
The two of them chatted as they walked when suddenly, Yan Shaozhe, who had accompanied Ma Xiaotao earlier, came hurrying over with an anxious expression. His unusual demeanor puzzled both Zhu Ziyang and Xian Lin'er.
"Ziyang, quick, come with me! Xiaotao needs you!" Yan Shaozhe's anxious look eased slightly when he saw Zhu Ziyang. He rushed over and grabbed Zhu Ziyang's hand.
"What's wrong, Senior Brother?" Zhu Ziyang asked in confusion.
But Yan Shaozhe didn't explain. He simply pulled Zhu Ziyang along in haste, prompting Xian Lin'er to follow out of concern.
They quickly arrived at Ma Xiaotao's room, where they were shocked to find her almost completely engulfed in blazing flames, with only her head exposed. Her expression was one of agony, and she groaned in pain.
"Sister Xiaotao!" Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened in alarm. A wave of concern surged in his chest.
"Ziyang, only your ultimate ice can ease Xiaotao's pain now and help her absorb the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," Yan Shaozhe said earnestly, his voice tinged with a pleading tone — but deep within his eyes flickered a strange glint.
"What should I do?" Zhu Ziyang didn't notice Yan Shaozhe's oddity. All he cared about was how to help Ma Xiaotao through her crisis.
"Hold her hand and release your ultimate ice to cool the heat," Yan Shaozhe instructed. "I'll stand guard outside."
With that, Yan Shaozhe walked out of the room without hesitation.
Zhu Ziyang was slightly puzzled by Yan Shaozhe's departure, but upon seeing Ma Xiaotao's suffering, he set aside his doubts and immediately stepped forward. Reaching out, he attempted to grasp her hand through the scarlet-black flames — but just as he touched her jade-like hand, a sudden explosion erupted.
The flame surged violently, instantly engulfing him. His clothes were reduced to ashes, and panic struck his heart. He immediately unleashed his ultimate ice at full force, managing to suppress the raging blaze. Amid the searing heat, Zhu Ziyang struggled to stay upright. His hand brushed against something soft and warm — like smooth jade.
A ripple stirred within him. He instantly realized what he'd touched and quickly reined in his thoughts, focusing solely on releasing his ultimate ice to battle the flames. He tried to avoid further contact, but the cramped space made that impossible.
Soon, more areas of warm, fragrant skin pressed against him. Zhu Ziyang's face flushed. Then, a beautiful face slowly appeared before him — hazy and pained — Ma Xiaotao.
Seeing her like this, Zhu Ziyang knew he had to stay sharp. He stepped back slightly and pressed both palms to hers, channeling his ultimate ice with full force. At the same time, he worked to suppress his own rising desire and maintain clarity of mind.
"Ziyang…" Ma Xiaotao's gaze cleared a little, her voice dazed.
"Sister Xiaotao, don't get distracted. Focus on refining the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's medicinal power!" Zhu Ziyang shouted lowly.
Startled, Ma Xiaotao returned her focus and began circulating her soul power to absorb the violent energy. Zhu Ziyang's ultimate ice worked from the outside to ease her pain and the intense burning.
Inside the flames, a tense battle quietly unfolded. The phoenix bathing in fire was on the brink of rebirth.
Outside the room, Xian Lin'er had arrived. When she saw Yan Shaozhe and sensed the now-stabilizing energy from inside, she immediately understood his intention. She sighed in relief — then stormed up to him without hesitation.
"Yan Shaozhe, I can't believe how despicable you are! You even schemed against Junior Brother and Xiaotao!" Xian Lin'er shouted angrily.
"Lin'er? Why are you here?" Yan Shaozhe was startled. When he heard her accusations, he didn't get mad. Instead, he gave a bitter smile. "I know I'm despicable. But everything I did was for the academy! Ziyang and Xiaotao being together is the best outcome."
"Ha! For the academy? What a joke!" Xian Lin'er sneered. "Don't you know Ziyang and Nannan are together? You're lucky Ziyang and Xiaotao didn't cross a line. Otherwise, how would you face Ziyang, Nannan, or even Xiaotao herself?"
"I know…" Yan Shaozhe's expression turned strange. "But Ziyang is an unmatched genius. Having a few confidantes isn't that unusual, right?"
"Confidantes?" Xian Lin'er's eyes widened with disbelief and contempt. "Yan Shaozhe, even after all these years, you're still clinging to your fantasy of being surrounded by beauties? Tch! You wish!"
Casting him a scornful glance, Xian Lin'er turned and left angrily.
Yan Shaozhe stood there, watching her figure disappear, his face a complicated mess of emotions — longing, resentment, guilt — all blended together, leaving him silently bowing his head.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.