---------------3rd Pov------------------------
Ray took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked seriously at the phoenix duo."So, will you two introduce yourselves? I have a general idea, but nothing specific—and Xiao Tao doesn't know anything."
Both nodded, and we all sat at the table. They began explaining the nature of this place and the 'dark being' they mentioned earlier.
Once the explanation was finished, Ray received the same summary again, just to be sure. Then he brought up the symbol on Ma Xiao Tao's back, which caused her to blush in embarrassment. She glanced at Ray with determination."I don't know what happened to put me in this situation, but... I'll give it a try." She looked away. "And... from what I've seen, you helped me with a problem I've struggled with my whole life. So… thank you."
Ray smiled gently at her reaction and moved closer, wrapping his hands around hers."Don't worry. I won't force you into anything. Let's just take our time," he said, smiling as he kissed her forehead.
This made her freeze up, nearly steaming from the head.
Then, suddenly remembering something, she narrowed her eyes."You said this happened because of your imprint, right? Is there any chance someone else could receive one in the future?"
Ray gave a wary smile."I don't know. Honestly, this is all new to me," he admitted, tightening his hold on her hands. "But I promise I won't be unfair to you. If you don't want to be part of this bond, I'll find a way to break the link."
Hearing his words made her heart sting, but before she could say anything, the flame phoenix interrupted."Yeah, no chance of that happening. Unless you're willing to lose your life or your cultivation, that is."
Ray looked confused, so she clarified."That's not just any link—it's a fate bond. Like the little deer inside you, but on a whole different level."
Xiao Tao's expression turned horrified, and she gripped Ray's hand tightly."Don't! I know for sure I don't want to see you hurt—especially not after everything you've done for me."
Ray sighed and nodded."Alright. We don't know what the future holds, but let's take it easy. Just be yourself... and maybe think of me as a very close friend for now."
The twin phoenixes chuckled."Yeah... very, very close friend."
Ray glanced at them with amusement."I think it's time to go. If fate allows, we'll meet again."
The two phoenixes nodded with smiles, and in a flash of sparkling light, Ray and Xiao Tao disappeared.
Back in the physical world, Ray found himself sitting on the couch—with Xiao Tao in his lap. Strangely, even though both were clearly flustered, neither tried to move. On the contrary, Xiao Tao nestled deeper into his embrace.
The reason was simple: the connection they now shared. Though they agreed to take things slowly, their bond already surpassed that of a typical relationship. You could say they had great chemistry.
They began talking, getting to know each other better, unaware that their spiritual and soul energies were resonating and growing stronger—almost like they were cultivating under ideal conditions. Of course, the rate of growth varied between them.
As they were chatting, Elder Song and Du Auxin entered the room, surprised to find Ma Xiao Tao laughing and sitting in Ray's lap.
A brief observation told them that something significant had changed. Though Xiao Tao's soul rank had dropped by one level, her attitude had transformed—and they could feel the pressure she now gave off.
Seeing them, Xiao Tao jumped off Ray's lap like a startled deer, her red face amusing both her master and Du Auxin.
Ray chuckled and turned to the elders."So... how much time has passed?"
Elder Song sighed."Not much. About an hour. I just got back from Shrek with an expert in healing."
Ray and Xiao Tao exchanged a glance."I guess we need to explain," Ray said.
As everyone took their seats, Ray began to recount the events. However, he left out the fight and the dark being, only saying that his bloodline had caused him to mark Xiao Tao as his future wife—and that, in doing so, he had purified her martial soul.
The elders were excited, especially Du Auxin. As the top healer of Shrek, his knowledge of martial souls was unmatched. If he claimed second place, no one dared to claim first.
"The concept of marking," he said, standing up, "I've read about it in ancient texts. Is it like a soul marriage?"
Ray looked confused, and one of the elders spoke up."I don't know enough to confirm or deny. This is new to me, too."
Du Auxin nodded."I see. I just thought it might be the same as an old ceremony I once read about."
Elder Song, having just finished examining Xiao Tao, exclaimed,"Amazing!" He looked at her with admiration.
Xiao Tao blinked in confusion, but Elder Song patted her head."You're very lucky."
He turned to Ray."Do you know what happened to her?"
Ray nodded."Yes. The corrupted essence inside her was purified."
Xiao Tao tilted her head."What do you mean?"
Ray smiled, then looked at her."Can you show them?"
Xiao Tao guessed he meant her martial spirit, so she summoned her flame phoenix. Now, it had three pairs of fiery red wings, and the heat it radiated nearly matched Ray's.
Though her rank had dropped from 60 to 56, each of her soul rings had increased in age by nearly 1,000 years. Her soul power had also become more refined and easier to control.
Ray laughed."It's even stronger now—but that's not what I meant."
Xiao Tao gave him a puzzled look before suddenly remembering something. She closed her eyes and focused.
Her wings began to shift color, turning pitch-black. Her hair followed, and her soul rings vanished into thin air.
The elders' eyes widened in shock."A second martial soul!"
Ray nodded."That's where you misunderstood. There's no such thing as an evil martial soul—only ones that have been tainted. Dark-element martial souls are more sensitive to negative emotions, sometimes even the surrounding energy."
He looked at Xiao Tao again."You've had both souls from the beginning. But the fire essence tried to suppress the darker one. Now, they're both part of you."
Xiao Tao knew the real reason for the suppression but guessed that Ray didn't want to reveal it yet.Is he trying to hide it? But why? she wondered.
She looked at Ray—just as his voice echoed in her mind."They don't need to know yet. We need to do more research first."
Surprised, she replied with her thoughts."You can read my mind?"
"No," Ray answered. "But you can project your thoughts to me. You were probably thinking about asking me that, right? We'll talk more later."
She nodded slightly, confusing the others. But Ray changed the subject."Deactivate your martial spirit and channel some soul energy to your back."
She followed his instructions, and to her surprise, a pair of wings sprouted—not flame wings, but elegant black-and-red wings that looked physical and regal.
She flexed them, feeling as if she had possessed them all her life."What... what are these? They're beautiful. How do I have them?"
Ray scratched his head."All I know is that everyone with that mark will develop a special ability tied to it."
"Really...?" She looked at her wings again, then mischievously at Ray."You'll definitely be popular. If word about this mark gets out, I'm sure some people would kill to have you as their husband."
Ray sighed tiredly."Please. Do I look like someone who'd be popular?"
She snorted."Yeah, right—and the sun rises from the west."
As they started to bicker, the two elders beside them looked completely forgotten.
Elder Song cleared his throat loudly."Can we continue? You two can flirt all you want later."
Both blushed deeply. Ray coughed."Anyway—as I said—there are no negative side effects. So don't worry."
Then he remembered something."By the way, where are the others?"
Elder Song replied,"The other students are back in the dorms. The remaining elders are waiting outside—thanks to what Suzuque did."
Ray looked confused, and she sighed."He tried to attack you the moment things started happening."
Ray thought for a moment, then said,"Oh, so that heavy pressure was from him. Well... you said he tried, so I guess he didn't succeed."
Elder Song nodded. Ray turned to Xiao Tao."I get where he's coming from, though. I'd do the same if I had a beautiful daughter like you."
Xiao Tao blushed and punched his shoulder in embarrassment.