Seeing Ma Xiaotao about to crash into him, Zhu Ziyang couldn't afford to hold back anymore. Flames engulfed her body — if she tackled him head-on, she'd probably burn his clothes clean off!
He immediately swung the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe in his hand while calmly retreating step by step. The scythe's blade blocked Ma Xiaotao's path, but she charged forward furiously. Even in her muddled state, she could still activate soul skills. Her first soul ring lit up, and from her slightly parted cherry lips, a stream of fire tinged with black shot out, striking the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe directly.
The scythe blade turned scorching hot, but remained firmly in place. Ma Xiaotao lunged at it, reaching out to grab the weapon. But Zhu Ziyang wouldn't let her succeed. With a smooth shift of the blade, he dodged her move. Undeterred, she used both hands — one grabbing the shaft, the other forming a fist to slam down onto the blade.
Zhu Ziyang expertly controlled the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe, easily evading her relentless attacks. As its wielder, he was far more agile than Ma Xiaotao. Yet she wouldn't give up. She locked her eyes on the scythe as if determined to capture it at any cost, forcing Zhu Ziyang to retreat while fending her off.
After several failed attempts, her expression turned increasingly feverish and flushed. Her mental state was close to collapse — if this continued, her brain might literally overheat.
"Stop playing around with her!" the blue-haired girl shouted anxiously. "Hurry and throw her into the lake — or something terrible will happen!"
Zhu Ziyang realized how dire Ma Xiaotao's condition was becoming. Without delay, he spun his scythe, then suddenly thrust it forward at an angle she couldn't defend against, slamming it into her slim waist and sending her flying.
Ma Xiaotao flailed in the air for a second or two before plunging into the lake with a splash. A few gurgles followed as she sank beneath the surface.
The blue-haired girl's eyes lit up with joy.
"Perfect! Stay here — I'll go get help!" she called to Zhu Ziyang.
Before he could respond, she was already sprinting away. Left alone, Zhu Ziyang sighed and stayed near the lake, watching the spot where Ma Xiaotao had fallen, just in case.
'She's a Soul Ancestor… she won't drown, right?' he muttered in his thoughts, unsure.
But as the minutes passed — three, maybe four — with no bubbles or ripples surfacing, concern began to creep in. He frowned and stepped closer to the edge, leaning over slightly to scan the water and see if he could spot her.
Suddenly, Ma Xiaotao burst from the lake and lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him before he could react and dragging him into the water.
"Help me… please…" her tearful, fragile voice rang beside his ear.
Zhu Ziyang was completely helpless. Ma Xiaotao clung to him like an octopus, arms and legs locking tightly around his body, immobilizing him entirely.
They were pressed so close that he couldn't even move his limbs to swim upward. With her boiling-hot body pressed against him, he could only sink toward the lake bottom, completely overwhelmed.
Now he finally understood why she had lost control.
'At such a high temperature, who wouldn't lose their mind?'
He sighed. "Fine… guess you're lucky."
His eyes flashed.
He released his second martial soul — the Heavenly Frost Holy Dragon. Instantly, a wave of extreme cold surged from his body. The surrounding lake water began to freeze visibly, quickly spreading outward and upward toward the surface.
Feeling the icy chill, Ma Xiaotao clung to him even tighter — as if grabbing onto her last hope. Her limbs loosened slightly, but her body kept twisting unconsciously.
Her arms stayed locked around his neck, her legs wrapped around his waist. She clung to him like a sloth hanging from a tree, pressing against him without restraint — as if trying to melt into his very soul.
Now that he could move again, Zhu Ziyang had to support her warm, soft body in his arms. It was awkward, but there was no time to hesitate. She had already lost consciousness, and if they didn't surface soon, she really might drown.
By the time Zhu Ziyang emerged from the lake with Ma Xiaotao in his arms, he found himself face-to-face with Yan Shaozhe, who had rushed over after being alerted by the blue-haired girl.
The elder and the youth locked eyes, both frozen in surprise.
"Ziyang, you…" Yan Shaozhe was stunned. His gaze drifted to the red soul ring floating behind Zhu Ziyang and the bone-chilling cold radiating from his body. He was so shocked he didn't even notice the unconscious Ma Xiaotao in Zhu Ziyang's arms.
"Uh… Senior Brother, we can talk later. Let's deal with the one in my arms first," Zhu Ziyang said with a wry smile. He knew there was no hiding his second martial soul and soul ring anymore.
"Right, right!" Yan Shaozhe finally snapped out of it and quickly helped pull him ashore.
Once back on land, Zhu Ziyang withdrew his martial soul and looked down at Ma Xiaotao.
Her body had cooled, the blazing furnace now a warm pillow. The contrast left Zhu Ziyang in an awkward state.
"Senior Brother… what should I do with her?" he asked helplessly.
Yan Shaozhe touched her forehead and smiled in relief. "She's fine. The evil fire in her body has been suppressed."
"That's great," Zhu Ziyang said, then asked curiously, "Senior Brother, what exactly is going on with her?"
"Ma Xiaotao is my disciple," Yan Shaozhe said.
"I figured as much." Zhu Ziyang wasn't surprised. Both of them had Phoenix martial souls, and Ma Xiaotao's talent was exceptional. It would have been more surprising if she weren't his disciple.
"She's also a descendant of Ma Hongjun — the Phoenix Douluo and one of the original Seven Shrek Monsters." Yan Shaozhe continued walking, showing no sign of taking Ma Xiaotao from Zhu Ziyang's arms.
Zhu Ziyang had no choice but to carry her like a kangaroo pouch as he followed behind.
Ma Xiaotao had already fallen asleep. A faint blush lingered on her delicate face, and the slight smile at her lips hinted at a happy dream.
"Xiaotao awakened her ancestor's Fire Phoenix martial soul. She had full innate soul power and reached Rank 47 at just fifteen years old — a genius seen once in a century. Of course, she's still not quite as freakish as you are," Yan Shaozhe added with a smile.
"However, her bloodline also carries the inherited flaw — the Evil Fire. As her strength increases, the fire grows stronger. Ordinary ice-type treasures are no longer effective."
Zhu Ziyang recalled stories about Ma Hongjun. His martial soul was a mutated Fire Phoenix, evolved from a trashy Blue Phoenix. Though it was a positive mutation, it came with the drawback of Evil Fire. In his youth, Ma Hongjun had to vent the fire through intimate acts until Tang San gave him an immortal herb that cured it.
He hadn't expected that flaw to be passed down. Zhu Ziyang was shocked and deeply impressed by Ma Xiaotao. For a man, there was at least a crude method of venting. But for a proud and talented woman like her, there was no outlet — she had to endure it with sheer willpower.
'What astonishing mental strength…'
"We're here. This is Xiaotao's room. Junior Brother, help me bring her inside," Yan Shaozhe said.
"...Alright." Zhu Ziyang hesitated. He couldn't shake the feeling that Yan Shaozhe had ulterior motives, but he couldn't refuse.
Ma Xiaotao's room was simple. Zhu Ziyang walked over to the bed and gently laid her down. It took considerable effort to pry her arms from his neck. After tucking her in, he turned and left.
Outside, Yan Shaozhe waited quietly. When he saw Zhu Ziyang exit, a flicker of emotion crossed his face before he returned to normal.
"Junior Brother… you have twin martial souls?!"
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang admitted.
"Your second martial soul — it can suppress Xiaotao's flames. Is it the Ultimate Ice?" Yan Shaozhe had quickly pieced the situation together, and his voice trembled with excitement.
"Yes." Zhu Ziyang eyed him warily. Yan Shaozhe's enthusiasm felt… suspicious.
"Excellent! Come, let's find Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe said immediately.
"Huh? Why?" Zhu Ziyang was confused.
"Because for what I'm planning… I'll need his permission." A strange gleam shone in Yan Shaozhe's eyes, and his thoughts grew bolder.
"...Alright then." Zhu Ziyang could only agree.
—
Inside the Sea God Pavilion.
"Teacher, do you know about Junior Brother's twin martial souls?" Yan Shaozhe asked respectfully.
Mu En didn't even open his eyes. He simply nodded. "Yes. But keep it quiet."
"Do you also know that his second martial soul is Ultimate Ice — and that he possesses a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?" Yan Shaozhe pressed on.
Mu En's hand trembled, but he remained composed and nodded again.
"Then…" Yan Shaozhe's voice rose with excitement. "What do you think of my proposal from the other day—"
"Focus on your own duties. Some things should not be forced." Mu En finally opened his eyes, a trace of disappointment flickering within them.
Yan Shaozhe froze. He immediately realized that Mu En was displeased and quietly left the pavilion, frustrated.
Outside, his heart simmered with discontent. In his eyes, if Junior Brother with Ultimate Light and Ultimate Ice united with Xiaotao, not only could it resolve her martial soul flaw — it might even evolve her martial soul into Ultimate Fire. Then Shrek Academy would have two Ultimate Attribute Title Douluo. Who could challenge them?
Why wouldn't Teacher agree? Yan Shaozhe couldn't understand.
Back in the pavilion, Mu En turned to Zhu Ziyang and said, "Release your hundred-thousand-year soul ring. I want to take a look."
"Alright." Zhu Ziyang summoned the Heavenly Frost Holy Dragon. His right arm transformed into a powerful dragon claw, and a crimson soul ring with golden patterns floated behind him — proof of the terrifying beast it once was.
"...That's enough. Put it away," Mu En said after observing carefully.
Zhu Ziyang obeyed.
"Now tell me how you obtained this soul ring," Mu En asked, his aged face curious.
"Well…" Zhu Ziyang explained the story of the Silver Dragon Wolf, emphasizing the oath he made.
"A stroke of destiny… A Silver Sacred Beast offering itself…" Mu En muttered, shocked and moved. His gaze toward Zhu Ziyang turned gentle. "Ziyang, you've truly surprised this old man. Don't worry about that oath. A mere hundred-thousand-year Ice Demon Snow Soul King — once you're strong enough, I'll personally deal with it for you!"
"Yes, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang replied with pride. Having a powerful backer felt great!
(End of Chapter)
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