"Zhu Qing, you're not thinking something crazy, are you?"
Xiao Wu seemed to sense what Zhu Zhuqing was thinking and looked surprised.
What truly surprised her was that someone as introverted as Zhu Zhuqing could even have such thoughts.
Everyone's eyes turned to Zhu Zhuqing.
Her face flushed red at first but quickly returned to normal.
She nodded slightly.
Even Dai Mubai was caught off guard.
"I don't want to be in that helpless situation again, like last time."
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip, a flicker of fear passing through her heart.
She couldn't imagine what she would do if something really happened to Brother Hongjun.
Everyone fell silent.
Ma Hongjun was speechless. After all, the last incident had been his fault, and it had left emotional scars on the girls.
"Zhu Qing, don't worry. Something like that will never happen again. I promise."
Ma Hongjun stretched out his pinky finger and spoke gently.
Looking at the boy's serious expression, Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, then let out a soft hum of acknowledgment.
By the time they returned to the academy, it was already late at night.
"So annoying! It's all that Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's fault. I was planning to confess my feelings tonight!"
Ning Rongrong grumbled with frustration as they walked.
"Rongrong, didn't you say you still needed some time?"
Xiao Wu looked puzzled. Had she misheard earlier?
Ning Rongrong quickly covered her mouth, a guilty smile creeping onto her face.
Oops. I just let that slip…
Seeing her like this, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing instantly understood.
The two exchanged a glance, then lunged toward Ning Rongrong and attacked her ticklish spots without mercy.
"Trying to lie to us? Keeping secrets, huh?!"
Xiao Wu moved swiftly and didn't hold back.
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't any gentler either.
Ning Rongrong couldn't fight them off and was soon laughing uncontrollably, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"Okay… okay… it's my fault! Please, have mercy!"
Oscar and Dai Mubai trailed behind, watching the girls' antics from a distance. Looking at the red-haired boy ahead, they sighed in envy.
Back in his room, the exhaustion from the past few days suddenly hit Ma Hongjun like a wave. For the first time in a while, he felt genuinely tired.
He shook his head, sat up on the bed, and opened his system panel.
[Name]: Ma Hongjun
[Age]: 12
[Soul Power]: Level 39 (Spirit Elder)
[Martial Soul]: Celestial Flame Phoenix (original Phoenix – half-soul state)
[Soul Rings]: Yellow (390 years), Yellow (670 years), Purple (3,300 years)
[Qi and Blood Soul Rings]: Blazing Gold, Blazing Gold
[Soul Skills]
Phoenix Flame Surge
Phoenix Rising from the Ashes
Divine Phoenix Descends — Summons the phantom of a divine phoenix to possess the body, continuously dealing high fire damage to the surroundings. During this time, flight speed increases by 100%, personal fire damage increases by 50%, and it inflicts an unavoidable, undispellable burning status. Enemies affected by the burn take 50% additional fire damage.
[Trait: Grace of the Ancestral Phoenix (Lv. 2)]
Enhances soul power through reproduction. Very small chance to plunder traits. Those favored by you also receive blessings. You can conduct a blessing ceremony — upon completion and absorption of essence, the target receives a high-level blessing that removes negative conditions, repairs damage, and restores vitality and stamina. If the target has creative power, the effect increases dramatically.
[Trait: Serpent's Favor (Lv. 1)]
Reduces damage taken from snakes by 30% and poison damage by 60%. Flames provide a minor detoxification effect. If the poison originates from the same type as a plundered trait, all purification effects increase to 100%.
[Fate Reversal Rate]: 22%
[Evolution Points]: 7,500
Over the past few days, Ma Hongjun had done a lot of small tasks. Though not part of any major plotline, the system still rewarded him with some evolution points — though not a large amount.
Staring at the data on his panel, Ma Hongjun began to consider how to use the points.
"Should I invest them in soul power?"
He shook his head.
"No… there's still some unabsorbed soul power left from my last training. That would be wasteful."
He muttered to himself.
His gaze turned to the Qi and Blood Soul Rings.
"Maybe these?"
He paused but shook his head again.
"Still no good. In just a few days, my physique has already undergone a huge leap. Too much is as bad as too little. Besides, these soul rings are already at their current stage limit. Upgrading them now wouldn't be wise."
He hesitated for a long time.
Then he suddenly remembered the one aspect he'd completely ignored — mental strength.
Unless a soul master had a particularly specialized martial soul, almost no one chose to focus on spiritual power.
And for Ma Hongjun, this was his current biggest weakness. If he came up against a soul master who specialized in mental attacks, things would get very complicated.
He had never used evolution points on mental power before — not because he didn't care, but because there hadn't been any urgent need.
Among lower-level soul masters, the difference in mental strength wasn't significant. Even if strengthened, it didn't provide much advantage.
And as one's soul power increased, spiritual strength would naturally rise.
In battles between soul masters of the same level, mental strength wasn't essential. In fights against stronger opponents, his mental power wasn't enough to make a difference anyway.
Strong enemies wouldn't even bother to use spiritual power on someone so far below them. As a result, he'd let it slide.
"But soon… the National Advanced Soul Master Tournament will begin. There will be a lot of strong opponents, many of them with terrifying mental power."
Ma Hongjun's mind started turning.
The tournament would be full of experts, and he couldn't afford to expose any weaknesses.
"7,500 evolution points should be enough to raise my spiritual power to a new level."
"But it's still not the right time. After I get my fourth soul ring, I'll raise my spiritual strength to make the most of the evolution points."
As he thought about this, he didn't notice the knock on his door.
Knock knock knock…
A clear sound echoed, followed by Gu Yuena's cold voice from outside.
"I'm coming in."
The girl's calm tone rang out, and then her figure appeared in the room.
Ma Hongjun slapped his forehead.
Gu Yuena's knock was never a request — it was always a notice.
Her indifferent gaze settled on him, and she spoke softly.
"It's time for the healing."
As she said those words, her eyes flickered slightly.
The moment seven days passed, he would show up at her door like clockwork.
Ma Hongjun suddenly remembered and gasped—he had almost forgotten again!