Chapter 124: Divine-Grade Zhuque, The Fire Reaches the Emperor[Part 2]
"Do you really believe I can cure the side effects of your martial soul?"
The trust in Feng Wutong's eyes made Dai Yao feel almost unworthy of it.
"Of course."
Feng Wutong responded briefly, her phoenix eyes filled with unwavering trust. Even if Dai Yao were to deceive her, she would willingly accept it. After all, she had been tortured day and night by the side effects of her martial soul. Even if Dai Yao couldn't cure her, at least she would have had the chance to see him one last time.
In the history of Douluo Continent, there were very few successful cases of curing martial soul side effects.
Fatty Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire didn't pose a threat to a soul master's life. Moreover, using women to vent the Evil Fire might not even be considered a side effect for many male soul masters.
However, for others, the side effects caused by martial soul mutations could often endanger a soul master's life.
In fact, from the moment Feng Wutong began her journey toward the Tiandou Empire, she had already resigned herself to the fact that she might die.
"Alright."
Dai Yao's spirit jolted. His hand brushed over the Ruiyi Baobao bag at his waist, and a vibrant red medicinal herb appeared in his hand.
It was a soft, delicate herb, red as blood, with an unremarkable appearance. The leaves at the very top were crown-shaped. The veins in the leaves were a golden red, and as soon as it appeared, the temperature in the room soared.
"What is this?"
Looking at the red herb in Dai Yao's hand, Feng Wutong's phoenix eyes shone with an intense longing.
It was the longing of her martial soul. She had a premonition that this herb could cure the side effects caused by the mutation of her martial soul.
Dai Yao glanced at her face, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. He smiled and said:
"This is called the Chicken Comb Phoenix Tail Palm, a supreme yang herb that will greatly benefit you. Your martial soul is the Blaze Phoenix, and this herb is a perfect match."
"When you consume it, remember, do not chew it. Swallow it whole and use your soul power to guide it. No matter how painful it gets, you must endure, or it will all be for nothing."
Seeing Dai Yao's concerned look, Feng Wutong felt a warmth in her heart. Her eyes, shimmering like water, looked at him with deep gratitude.
"Thank you, Dai Yao. I don't know how I can repay you for this kindness."
She spoke softly.
"With our relationship, there's no need for thanks."
Dai Yao waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Go ahead and absorb it, I'll protect you while you do."
Feng Wutong nodded without hesitation, took the herb, and swallowed it.
Seeing this, Dai Yao exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuqing and they both stepped aside.
After Feng Wutong swallowed the Chicken Comb Phoenix Tail Palm, her transformation was enormous. Her clothes were burned, revealing her shapely body.
Having been tortured by her internal fire for so long, she had been soaking in hot springs for a long time, and her skin was as smooth as jade, so tender it seemed like it would drip with water if pinched.
However, the surface of her skin was quickly covered in red flames, and she seemed to be engulfed in fire, lighting up the entire room like daylight.
Feng Wutong tightly shut her eyes, occasionally furrowing her brows, clearly enduring immense pain.
Dai Yao immediately used his soul power to encapsulate the flames.
Since he was living in a wooden house, any contact with the flames would likely turn it to ashes.
The full moon rose to the highest point in the sky, then slowly descended.
Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing had been waiting the entire time.
Suddenly, the room flashed brightly. A loud, piercing screech echoed.
The orange-red flames shot up to the sky. Fortunately, Dai Yao reacted quickly and used his soul power to block them; otherwise, the little wooden house would have been set ablaze.
Feng Wutong opened her phoenix eyes, feeling the disappearance of the heartfire within her. Her emotions were so complex that tears welled up in her eyes as she choked out:
"After all these years... finally... I no longer have to suffer from the heartfire anymore."
Dai Yao, feeling heartbroken, pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back to comfort her.
"It's okay, what's in the past is over. A bright future is waiting for you."
Feng Wutong nodded vigorously, looking at him with immense gratitude. Suddenly, she stood on tiptoe, wrapped her slender arms around his neck, and pressed her red lips to his.
Dai Yao was, of course, no saint, but with Zhu Zhuqing still standing nearby, he could only turn his head. Feng Wutong's red lips landed on his cheek.
Zhu Zhuqing, watching from the side, looked at them with a strange expression. Feng Wutong choked up with emotion and said:
"Thank you, Dai Yao. Really, thank you. If it weren't for you, I would have already perished."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained cold as she crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. Although Feng Wutong was her good friend, and although she could understand why Feng Wutong, after solving a long-standing inner torment, would act so intimately in the heat of the moment, it still left a bitter feeling in her heart.
Her man was being kissed by another woman, and she had no reason to stop it.
Zhu Zhuqing had long anticipated Dai Yao's flirtatious nature. In the past days, the relationship between him and Dugu Yan had grown closer and more intimate, and in her heart, a sense of urgency was beginning to form.
She understood Dai Yao's attraction to her body, but since they had not yet reached adulthood, it was not the right time for those kinds of actions.
However, Dugu Yan was already seven years older than her and was now nineteen, in the prime of her youth. As their relationship grew closer, it seemed that Dai Yao was slipping away from her.
Raised with the standards of becoming an Empress, she had long been prepared for men having multiple wives, and she had been raised in a competitive environment where vying for attention was common.
Looking at the elegant and spirited Feng Wutong, a plan began to form in Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
Moreover, with the current strength of the Oaklan Academy, if they wanted to go further in the Soul Master Competition, they would need strong soul masters to join.
But those talented soul masters of the same age had either already joined other universities or had been taken by the Spirit Hall. They would never join a small academy like Oaklan.
Therefore, to strengthen Oaklan's battle team, there was only one solution.
That was to create a powerful soul master using the Scarlet Lotus.
Based on her experience with the Purple Lotus, it was believed that the Red Lotus could help a fire attribute martial soul evolve into a divine-grade martial soul.
The Red Lotus was so powerful that even a Title Douluo would covet it, so it had to be used by someone trusted and reliable.
Feng Wutong was a perfect candidate.
After consuming it, Feng Wutong would share Dai Yao's secret, and their relationship would grow even closer.
"A woman would risk her life and cross two great empires for a man's words. Isn't Feng Wutong's feelings obvious?"
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Dai Yao's back and thought helplessly.
"In that case, Wutong, I'll give you a little push."
Dai Yao cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness, then patted Feng Wutong's head and said:
"We're friends, no need to say such things! Now, let's see if there are any changes."
Feng Wutong, feeling the change in her body, was overjoyed:
"My soul power has reached level thirty! I was only at level twenty-seven before. After consuming the herb, I've gained three levels!"
Seeing Feng Wutong's happiness, Dai Yao couldn't help but share in her joy:
"It might not just be a three-level boost. The remaining power of the Chicken Comb Phoenix Tail Palm will manifest after you obtain your third spirit ring."
Feng Wutong nodded vigorously, then channeled her soul power. A cluster of orange-yellow flames appeared at her fingertips, and in the center of the flames, there was even a faint golden hue.
"What is this?"
As soon as the flame appeared, the temperature in the room skyrocketed. Feng Wutong stared at it for a moment, then said:
"After consuming the herb, I feel like the fire inside me has solidified. If I use my soul skills now, their power will be much stronger than before."
Dai Yao's gaze tightened as he thought about Ma Hongjun's flames. He was astonished and said,
"If all the flames turn gold, it might actually be the true Phoenix Fire!"
"True Phoenix Fire?"
Feng Wutong exclaimed in surprise.
True Phoenix Fire is a supreme yang fire with terrifying destructive power, representing the pinnacle of fire-type soul masters.
Dai Yao took a deep breath, his expression growing serious as his focus shifted to Feng Wutong.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Dai Yao's serious expression, Feng Wutong paused for a moment and asked.
"Helping you with the side effects of your martial soul is something I should do as your friend. But from here on, no matter whether you agree or not, I hope you won't speak of it to anyone."
Upon hearing this, Feng Wutong's face changed. She nodded firmly in agreement.
"I'm giving you a choice, a choice to evolve your martial soul."
Dai Yao said slowly, his expression heavy.
"Martial soul evolution? How is that possible? A martial soul is fixed once it's born and cannot change," Feng Wutong said, unable to believe what Dai Yao was suggesting. Martial soul evolution was simply too far-fetched.
But looking at Dai Yao's serious expression, Feng Wutong's heart trembled. She knew his personality and began to believe, even if just a little.
"Any gain comes at a cost. The price of evolving your martial soul is losing your freedom and becoming my servant."
"Of course, I will give you a chance to regain your freedom. Once your cultivation exceeds mine, or when I reach Title Douluo, you will be free to leave."
Dai Yao said earnestly.
For nobles, having a few serving maids to serve tea and run errands was common. And being a servant meant entrusting one's body and heart to the noble.
"Just a servant?"
Feng Wutong's expression darkened, and her voice was almost a whisper, so soft that even Dai Yao didn't catch it.
"I agree."
Her long, narrow eyes showed determination, and she said without hesitation.
Her speed in agreeing surprised even Dai Yao. "This is a big decision for your future. Aren't you going to think about it for a few days?"
"No need."
Feng Wutong gazed steadily at Dai Yao, and the meaning in her eyes was known only to her.
Of course, standing by the wall, Zhu Zhuqing, being a woman herself, seemed to sense something. She couldn't help but smile slightly.
Dai Yao stopped speaking and with a flick of his wrist, a red lotus appeared in his palm.
The red lotus slowly spun, and a white flame rose above it. Although just looking at that flame made Dai Yao's heart race, there was no heat when he held it in his hand.
"It's really strange."
Dai Yao sighed. But when his gaze moved up and landed on Feng Wutong, he found her greedily staring at the red lotus. If not for the remaining bit of rationality, she might have pounced on it by now.
"Sorry, Dai Yao, I lost control."
Realizing her mistake, Feng Wutong immediately apologized. Her earlier behavior didn't match her usual personality; it was driven by her martial soul.
Her fiery bird martial soul desperately wanted to devour the red lotus.
She was deeply shocked. She had never encountered such a strange object that could even make her martial soul feel greedy. She began to believe in the possibility of martial soul evolution.
Dai Yao glanced at the sky and urged, "It's almost dawn. Don't delay. Quickly take the red lotus."
Feng Wutong took the red lotus, lowered her eyes, and looked gently at the lotus before placing it into her mouth. The red lotus immediately turned into a sweet liquid that flowed down her throat.
An unexpected change occurred.
White flames rose from Feng Wutong's body, growing larger and larger until they enveloped her entire body. Her clothes instantly turned to ash, revealing her graceful, well-proportioned form.
Dai Yao coughed lightly, trying to avoid looking at Feng Wutong as Zhu Zhuqing watched from the side.
As time passed, Feng Wutong felt no pain. Instead, it felt as if she were in a pleasant dream.
Her fiery bird martial soul was undergoing a transformation.
Black liquid began to seep out of her skin, purging the impurities from her body. Her slightly flat stomach became slender, and her breasts grew fuller, her body becoming more seductive.
Her face also transformed. The dullness and blemishes on her skin disappeared, leaving her face flawless.
As the moon set in the west, and the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, a clear, melodious cry echoed from the small wooden house.
A white flame shot up into the sky, and a giant vermilion bird's phantom appeared above the city of Oaklan.
It soared through the sky, wings beating powerfully. Feng Wutong's eyes were filled with a majestic aura that was proud and untouchable.
In the Heaven Dou Imperial City, all fire-type soul masters felt a sudden tightness in their hearts. Even those sleeping were startled awake and looked up at the sky.
When the giant vermilion bird phantom appeared before their eyes, they were struck with immense shock. Their martial souls awakened uncontrollably. From their martial souls, they sensed one emotion—submission!
In the Five Elements City, at the Blaze Fire Academy,
Fire Dance, lying in bed, suddenly woke up, sensing something. She didn't even bother putting on shoes, hurriedly rushing to the window to look at the sky.
She felt a sense of submission from her martial soul and exclaimed, "What is that?"
But when her gaze moved away from the vermilion bird phantom and swept across the plaza of the Blaze Fire Academy, she was surprised to see both students and teachers staring at the phantom. All kinds of martial souls appeared in the plaza, submitting to the vermilion bird in the sky.
This scene felt as if all the flames were bowing to the emperor!
At Blue Tyrant Academy—no, it should now be called Shrek Academy—
Ma Hongjun suddenly opened his eyes, threw off the blanket, and ran outside. His weight, much heavier than normal, made the wooden floorboards groan under the strain.
As he got up, his Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul attached to his body, and the flames around him set his blanket on fire.
Oscar, his roommate, woke up to the sound of the fire and cursed,
"Ma Hongjun, are you crazy? You just released your Evil Fire last night, and now you're going out of control again?"
Ma Hongjun didn't reply. Oscar, somewhat confused, hurriedly extinguished the flames. He walked over to Ma Hongjun and found him staring blankly at the sky. He waved a hand in front of him, asking,
"Ma Hongjun? What's going on?"
Ma Hongjun, eyes full of excitement, looked up at the sky and said,
"I don't know what's happening, but I feel my Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul trembling, shivering!"
"What?"
Oscar's pupils contracted in shock.
"Your martial soul is a top-tier beast martial soul! Even though it has Evil Fire, it's on par with the top beast martial souls like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! What could make it afraid?"
Ma Hongjun pointed to where the vermilion bird phantom appeared and said,
"I have to go and see what's happening. Xiao Ao, do you know where that is?"
Oscar peered out at the distant horizon and said uncertainly,
"It should be in the direction of Oaklan Academy."
"Oaklan?"
"Yes, it's the academy where Dai Yao's younger brother is!"
Meanwhile, the entire Heaven Dou Imperial City had also awakened, especially the fire-type soul masters, who were particularly sensitive to the vermilion bird phantom in the sky.
If one looked down from the sky, they would see many red dots converging toward Oaklan Academy. These were the fire-type soul masters, gathering like a vast ocean, heading towards Oaklan together!
End of Chapter.
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