Chapter 59: Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Xiaotao
"Rank forty?!"
Du Weiren exclaimed, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise.
"Good, very good." After a brief moment of surprise, a signature gentle smile reappeared on Yan Shaozhe's face.
"Breaking through to rank forty in less than four months after enrollment... If I remember correctly, you're still half a month away from turning twelve, right?"
"Yes."
"An eleven-year-old Spirit Ancestor..." Du Weiren couldn't help but mutter under his breath. He could no longer think of words to describe Lin Xuan's talent.
If things continued like this, there was no telling if Lin Xuan might become a Limit Douluo in the future.
Yan Shaozhe pondered for a moment, staring at Lin Xuan from head to toe during the interval. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he smiled.
"Student Lin Xuan, let me ask one more thing. Do you have a girlfriend right now?"
Hearing Yan Shaozhe ask this, Lin Xuan felt puzzled. Why was this old guy suddenly asking about this? What, was he going to play matchmaker for him?
"No, at this stage, I am only focused on cultivation."
"Very good, very good. Talking about such things at your age is indeed not conducive to cultivation."
Yan Shaozhe laughed. Then, he seemed to have a bit of a headache as he frowned and said,
"However, it's quite unfortunate. Just yesterday, a group of Inner Court disciples whose cultivation had reached a bottleneck went to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Soul Beasts for Soul Rings..."
He continued, his tone solemn,
"Student Lin Xuan, you have already been in danger once due to the academy's negligence. No matter what, this cannot happen again. Naturally, we cannot let you set off alone to catch up with the previous group of Inner Court disciples."
Yan Shaozhe paused and suggested,
"How about this: I'll call another Inner Court disciple to accompany you to the Star Dou Great Forest. It would be best if you can meet up with the previous group, but if not, with her strength, she can also help you obtain a Soul Ring."
Hmm? Call another person?
Lin Xuan became a bit interested. After thinking for a moment, he agreed to Yan Shaozhe's proposal.
"Then I thank Dean Yan."
Yan Shaozhe waved his hand. "No need for formalities. You are a student that my Shrek Academy is focusing on cultivating. If Elder Xuan hadn't been busy these past two days, I would have definitely asked him to personally help you."
Hearing this, the corner of Lin Xuan's eye couldn't help but twitch.
Forget it then. What right do I have to have the Supreme Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult personally take action against me?
With that said, Yan Shaozhe took out a voice-transmitting spirit tool. After pressing a button, he injected his Soul Power into it.
Before long, a clear and slightly lazy female voice came from the spirit tool.
"Teacher? Are you looking for me?"
Hearing the way she addressed Yan Shaozhe, Lin Xuan immediately guessed her identity.
Yan Shaozhe's direct disciple, the genius of the Inner Court, the one who possessed the top-tier Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul: Ma Xiaotao.
This old fox... he really is planning to play matchmaker... Lin Xuan understood instantly.
Combined with that abrupt "Do you have a girlfriend" question earlier, Yan Shaozhe's arrangement was likely more than just finding someone to help with the hunt.
Perhaps thinking this way was a bit narcissistic, but given Yan Shaozhe's reputation, anyone would have to think twice.
"Yes, I need you to go to the Star Dou Great Forest with Student Lin Xuan from the Outer Academy to help him hunt for a Soul Ring. Come directly to the dean of students' office in the Outer Academy now; we'll be waiting for you here."
Yan Shaozhe finished speaking and hung up the spirit tool.
Meanwhile, on the other side, inside the Soul Dueling Arena on Sea God Island.
Ma Xiaotao put down the voice-transmitting spirit tool, her face full of questions.
"Help an Outer Academy student, Lin Xuan, hunt for a Soul Ring? Lin Xuan... who is that?"
She wondered to herself, feeling that the name Lin Xuan was somewhat unfamiliar, yet she vaguely remembered hearing it somewhere.
"Sister Xiaotao... Does Dean Yan have something for you? Then this little brother will take his leave first. You go ahead and be busy..."
To the side, Xu Sanshi, who was about to "voluntarily" act as an evil fire suppressor, felt like he had been granted a grand pardon. With a fawning smile, he spoke while tiptoeing backward, attempting to escape the place that caused him pain every time he visited.
"Stop right there!"
A cold shout rang out. Xu Sanshi's body stiffened, and he froze on the spot. Cold sweat poured down his back, but he still turned around with a bitter face.
Ma Xiaotao stared at Xu Sanshi and asked coldly,
"Xu Sanshi, do you know an Outer Academy student named Lin Xuan?"
"Ah?" Xu Sanshi was stunned, his mind failing to react for a moment.
Lin Xuan? Why was Sister Xiaotao suddenly asking about him? Could it be that Dean Yan's message just now was because of Lin Xuan?
Thinking of this possibility, a surge of gratitude toward Lin Xuan immediately rose in Xu Sanshi's heart.
"I know him! Of course I do! That's Junior Lin Xuan. We have a pretty good relationship! Sister Xiaotao, why are you suddenly asking about him?" Xu Sanshi asked tentatively.
Ma Xiaotao didn't answer his question but continued to press him, her tone somewhat impatient.
"Cut the crap. I'm just asking you, how is this Lin Xuan's strength?"
"How is his strength?" Xu Sanshi thought for a bit.
Since Lin Xuan had helped him out just now, shouldn't he help back? No matter what, he had to make Lin Xuan's strength seem impressive!
Then he sneered. "He's just so-so. His punches aren't heavy, and his feet aren't fast. If you hadn't asked, Sister Xiaotao, I wouldn't even bother mentioning him."
"Really?" Ma Xiaotao frowned. She didn't believe a student with mediocre strength could get such special care from her teacher.
Xu Sanshi replied without hesitation, "Lin Xuan built up his strength for ages, and he still couldn't kill me with a single punch. How powerful could he possibly be?"
Ma Xiaotao was stunned for a moment, then rolled her eyes speechlessly. However, she could tell from these words that this Lin Xuan was very strong... After a while, there was a knock on the door of the Outer Academy's Martial Soul Department dean of students' office.
"Come in," Du Weiren's voice called out.
The door was pushed open, and a tall, athletic figure dressed in fiery red walked in. It was Ma Xiaotao.
After entering the room, she first respectfully addressed Yan Shaozhe, who was standing by the window with his hands behind his back. "Teacher."
Then, her gaze quickly swept across the room, finally landing on Lin Xuan, who was sitting quietly on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting.
Lin Xuan seemed to sense her gaze. He slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the door.
Their eyes met.
Ma Xiaotao saw an extremely handsome young face with eyes that were exceptionally calm, even somewhat indifferent. There was still a faint, lingering scent of blood on him.
Lin Xuan, on the other hand, just gave her a calm glance and naturally looked away before even a second had passed.
Ma Xiaotao's well-defined eyebrows couldn't help but knit together.
This guy... such a flat reaction.
Ordinary Outer Academy students would feel some curiosity, nervousness, or even admiration upon meeting an Inner Court senior, especially her, Ma Xiaotao. But in Lin Xuan's eyes, there was almost nothing but calmness.
"Xiaotao is here."
Yan Shaozhe turned around, a gentle smile on his face as he broke the brief silence.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is the Outer Academy's core disciple, Lin Xuan. He is exceptionally talented and has just returned from a difficult mission. His Soul Power has also reached rank forty, and he needs to obtain a fourth soul ring."
He then looked at Lin Xuan. "Lin Xuan, this is Ma Xiaotao, an Inner Court disciple and your senior. She will be responsible for accompanying you to the Star Dou Great Forest this time and assisting you in finding the previous group of Inner Court disciples."
Lin Xuan then looked up again and gave Ma Xiaotao a slight nod as a greeting, his tone flat.
"Senior, sorry for the trouble."
Ma Xiaotao was a bit unaccustomed to Lin Xuan's overly concise attitude. Her personality was naturally straightforward and fiery, so seeing this, she spoke directly,
"Teacher, since everyone is here and I understand the mission, let's not delay. Let's leave now. The sooner we go, the sooner we return."
Yan Shaozhe coughed lightly, feeling slightly awkward. Then his expression turned serious as he solemnly instructed Ma Xiaotao,
"Xiaotao, this mission is of great importance. After entering the forest, the primary task is to try to find the previous Inner Court team, and safety is the priority. If the search is fruitless, the secondary goal is to assist Lin Xuan in obtaining his Soul Ring."
"Remember, safety first! Both you and Lin Xuan must come back to me in one piece!"
"I understand, Teacher." Ma Xiaotao nodded, becoming a bit more serious.
Yan Shaozhe looked at Lin Xuan again. "Lin Xuan, although Xiaotao is strong, her personality is a bit impulsive. You are meticulous, so you can handle the decisions regarding the general direction of this trip. Xiaotao, you should listen to Lin Xuan's opinions more."
Lin Xuan did not decline. He simply nodded calmly once more.
"Understood, Dean Yan."
To him, as long as no unexpected major developments occurred, with his and Ma Xiaotao's strength, obtaining a fourth soul ring was not a difficult task.
Ma Xiaotao glanced at Lin Xuan, a bit dissatisfied with her teacher's decision to let an Outer Academy student lead the way, but she didn't say anything more.
"Then let's head out."