The Phoenix, also known as the Seven-Colored Bird.
A pure Phoenix flame should glow bright red with a spectrum of colors — the famed Seven‑Color Divine Flame. Thus, one born with the Fire Phoenix Martial Spirit should have soul energy of that same color.
But in Ma Hongjun's case, his aura was purplish-red, almost blackish, masking the red entirely.
The red represents the Phoenix flame, but the overwhelming purple meant evil fire was taking over.
By the looks of it, it's more like a 1:9 ratio — one part Phoenix flame, nine parts evil fire.
No wonder, in the original tale, Ma Hongjun turned into a brothel phoenix. With such impure flame, not even a couple of phoenix-blooded soul rings could cleanse it.
Though Lin Rong had expected impurity, the intensity of Ma Hongjun's evil fire still shocked him.
However, I recall that extremely intense training can burn away evil fire.
Since he couldn't get the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower just yet, that kind of exercise was the only viable solution, for now.
He could not afford to let Ma Hongjun regress into a tainted phoenix again.
So Lin Rong carefully designed a high-intensity training regimen to ensure the evil fire would be purged through effort.
Days of Training at the Estate
Over time, Ma Hongjun's turbulent soul energy began to stabilize. The deeply purple-red aura visibly lightened.
Although purple still dominated, the once-faint red was now clearly visible.
He had only just absorbed the soul ring; his assimilation of the Five‑Colored Pheasant's phoenix bloodline was still ongoing.
With more time, the purity of his Phoenix flame would further increase.
Externally, Ma Hongjun had undergone a noticeable transformation.
He grew several inches taller and shed much of his baby fat. Where a chubby child once stood, now only a slight fullness remained in his cheeks.
Since soul ring absorption doesn't cause weight loss, the truth was clear: evil fire caused his weight gain.
After months of purifying, the ring's energy had consumed the evil fire, returning Ma Hongjun's physique to normal.
Testing Soul Power
Time for a power test!
Ma Hongjun opened his eyes to see a yellow crystal orb thrown directly into his hands.
He channeled his soul power into the orb, which glowed with a faint yellow aura.
Level 12 peak — just shy of Level 13. Not bad!
Lin Rong offered praise.
After breaking through to Level 10, plus the 421-year soul ring and supplemental training, such growth was expected.
Now tell me — what is your first soul skill?
Lin Rong wondered if this skill might not be the usual Phoenix Flame Beam.
Ma Hongjun paused briefly, then responded:
My first soul skill is called Phoenix Descent. While active, Phoenix flames form a defense around me, growing stronger as my flame matures."
"Additionally: +50% flame strength, +50% speed. And for every soul ring I have, an extra +5% is added.
Ma Hongjun then activated this skill, allowing the Fire Phoenix spirit to possess him.
Unlike the original story — Mohawk hair and all — a spectral image of the Phoenix briefly appeared, and Ma Hongjun grew silky, purplish-red hair. No wings yet.
First Soul Skill: Phoenix Descent!
He called out as a fiery Phoenix silhouette took shape above his head, flame rippling with seven-color hues.
The Phoenix merged with him, and a pair of ethereal, fiery wings sprouted from his back.
"Whoa, I can fly! I can fly!"
Excitedly, Ma Hongjun flapped his wings and awkwardly soared upward.
Lin Rong chuckled inwardly:
"Heh — flight should come naturally with a Fire Phoenix spirit. But needing a skill to activate it? Still, it's progress."
He was pleased with the Phoenix Descent skill.
A Fire Phoenix hero trained as a cannon mage — relying on both defense and aerial DPS — and this skill provided exactly that.
Looking at how poorly the original story's cultivation path had been handled, Ma Hongjun also reassured him. From a single-target beam to poorly coordinated soul skills, that approach was weak.
"Under my guidance, he won't follow that path."
Trial by Fire
A few minutes later, Ma Hongjun had learned to fly with relative ease.
He gained confidence and climbed higher, forgetting that Phoenix Descent drained his soul power continuously.
After just over five minutes, his Level 12 soul power was fully depleted.
Instantly, the skill dropped — and the fiery wings disappeared.
"Ahhh—!"
A helpless scream followed as Ma Hongjun began to plummet.
Below, prepared guards released their martial skills, buffing themselves and catching him safely. The shock didn't break their arms.
Fortunately, Ma Hongjun hadn't climbed too high. If he had — like the mighty 98-level crocodile spirit crashing against 98-level Qian Renxue — no one at the estate could have caught him alive.
Lin Rong exhaled with relief and ordered:
"Take him down and calm him. A Fire Phoenix soul master shouldn't develop acrophobia."
"And bring that Five‑Colored Pheasant to the kitchen — have them cook it right away and serve it in his yard."
He had already confirmed the pheasant hadn't produced a soul bone. The meat was fresh, perfect for reinforcing his training.
"Also, don't throw away the feathers. Make a display specimen for the estate. A fitting tribute to its spirit."
Night had fallen. Lin Rong stretched and headed toward the estate's hot spring.
During their days in Sunset Forest, he had only washed with cold water — now he fully planned to relax in warm spring water.
Note on lore:
In Douluo Dalu I, natural flight from soul masters is rare — only some spirits grant it. Most titles, like Soul Sage, do not automatically fly.
The idea that "God-tier" spirit masters can all fly is a later addition in Douluo Dalu II.
The battle at Jialing Pass clearly shows how even rising Stars with no flight are normal.