But Jiang Qingtong Was No Ordinary Person

Ma Xiaotao looked at Jiang Qingtong and asked again, "Since you possess the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, you should also be affected by the evil fire, right?"

Hearing this, Jiang Qingtong looked at Ma Xiaotao, then at Yan Shaozhe beside her. After pondering for a moment, she feigned contemplation and said, "A little, but I try to avoid using this Martial Soul, so it has affected me very little."

After hearing Jiang Qingtong's answer, Yan Shaozhe revealed an expression of just as I thought. He said, "Qingtong, this is precisely why I came today."

"Hm?" Jiang Qingtong blinked. Yan Shaozhe had come because of the evil fire?

What is he plotting?

As Jiang Qingtong pondered, Yan Shaozhe continued, "Although the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul is an Ultimate Fire-Attribute Martial Soul, the mixed and impure evil fire within it causes Soul Masters with this type of Martial Soul to suffer terribly whenever they use it. Xiaotao and her ancestors have all been in this situation."

Ma Xiaotao, standing to the side, nodded in agreement. "For Evil Fire Phoenix Soul Masters, the influence of the evil fire is extremely terrifying."

Yan Shaozhe gave a hum and continued, "Although you possess Twin Martial Souls and usually minimize your use of the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul to resist the evil fire's influence, that only treats the symptoms, not the root cause."

Hearing this, Jiang Qingtong cooperatively asked, "Then what can treat the root cause?"

"Ultimate Ice!" Yan Shaozhe said to Jiang Qingtong. Seeing the surprise and yearning in Jiang Qingtong's eyes after she heard those words, he secretly rejoiced, though his expression remained calm.

Naturally, he had no idea that Jiang Qingtong had long known how to resolve the problem of the evil fire.

Yan Shaozhe continued, "Only an Ice-Attribute Martial Soul like Ultimate Ice, which is likewise an Ultimate Martial Soul, can counteract the evil fire's influence. It may even be able to purge the evil fire from the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, allowing it to completely evolve into a true Ultimate Fire Phoenix Martial Soul!"

"Then where can we find an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul?" Jiang Qingtong promptly played along and asked the question Yan Shaozhe wanted.

Yan Shaozhe laughed upon hearing Jiang Qingtong's question. "The academy will certainly find an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul to resolve the evil fire troubles of both you and Xiaotao! Have faith in the academy! After all, across the entire Douluo Continent, only we are qualified to nurture Ultimate Martial Souls!"

Ma Xiaotao also said at the right moment, "That's right. The academy and the teachers will definitely find a way, Qingtong."

"But I'm from the Sun Moon Empire. Will the academy still help me purge the evil fire?" Jiang Qingtong suddenly asked in return.

Yan Shaozhe nodded. "Of course! The academy will never hold any prejudice because of your origins. Trust us."

Jiang Qingtong looked at Yan Shaozhe, clenched her fists, and put on an extremely excited expression. She bowed to him and said, "Thank you, Dean Yan!"

The smile on Yan Shaozhe's face grew even brighter. In his view, she was merely a little girl. Even if she was from the Sun Moon Empire, after hearing his words, her favorable impression of Shrek Academy would surely increase considerably. With further patient guidance in the future, bringing her over to Shrek Academy's side would not be a problem.

"I'll leave the rest of the time to you and Xiaotao. You both have the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, so you should have plenty to talk about. I won't disturb you any longer." Yan Shaozhe gently patted Ma Xiaotao on the shoulder before leaving.

The pat on Ma Xiaotao's shoulder before he left was clearly meant to tell her to continue caring for Jiang Qingtong and do her best to win her over.

An ordinary little girl would probably have fallen completely under such a sustained sugar-coated offensive.

But Jiang Qingtong was no ordinary person.

The Freshmen gradually left the academy, and Jiang Qingtong also prepared to set out for the Sun Moon Empire. When she departed, Yan Shaozhe, Cai Meier, and Ma Xiaotao personally came to see her off.

Ma Xiaotao said, "Qingtong, how about I escort you back to the Sun Moon Empire?"

"No. Making a trip to the Sun Moon Empire is rather troublesome, and Senior Xiaotao isn't suited for long journeys. I'll be fine on my own." Jiang Qingtong shook her head, politely declining Ma Xiaotao's kindness.

Jiang Qingtong had refused Ma Xiaotao's request to accompany her, so Ma Xiaotao did not insist. Instead, she said, "Then I'll wait for you at the academy! A snack shop with Dou Ling Empire specialties recently opened in the city. Once you return, let's go eat there together!"

"Senior Xiaotao, are you treating?" Jiang Qingtong asked, blinking at Ma Xiaotao.

Ma Xiaotao nodded. "I'm treating! I'll make sure to fatten you up nice and plump!"

"Alright! I'll remember that!" Jiang Qingtong smiled and nodded. After bidding the three farewell, she set off on her journey back to the Sun Moon Empire.

Watching Jiang Qingtong leave, Cai Meier muttered, "She'll come back, right?"

"Of course! Qingtong promised to go to that Dou Ling Empire snack shop with me. She'll definitely come back!" Ma Xiaotao said to Cai Meier with a nod.

Yan Shaozhe nodded as well. "Have faith in her. She'll return."

Unlike the worries and anxious speculation the three had after Jiang Qingtong departed, Jiang Qingtong herself felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. However, to guard against Mu En secretly watching her, she traveled for many days. Only after reaching a place sufficiently far from Shrek City did she take out a Soul Tool and notify a nearby Soul Hall branch.

Before long, a Soul Hall Venerable One from the local branch arrived before Jiang Qingtong.

"Soul Hall's Gu Yuan greets Miss!" The handsome Soul Saint before her gave Jiang Qingtong a slight bow and reported his codename in a lowered voice.

"This name... did you choose it yourself?" Jiang Qingtong froze for a moment. After a brief silence, she asked Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan nodded and said quietly, "Yes. Didn't the Hall Master recommend several surnames for us back then? Things like Hun, Xiao, Gu, Yao, Nalan, and so on. We all thought people from the Soul Hall having the surname Hun would be too conspicuous, so most of us chose one of the other surnames. I chose Gu."

Seeing Gu Yuan lower his voice while speaking to her, Jiang Qingtong said helplessly, "There's no one else here. You don't need to lower your voice. Our Soul Hall is one of the good guys."

Gu Yuan blinked, scratched his head awkwardly, and said, "Sorry, Miss... I'm used to it."

Seeing him like this, Jiang Qingtong fell silent. After a while, she finally asked, "You don't do that 'jie jie jie' laugh, do you?"

Upon hearing Jiang Qingtong's question, Gu Yuan swiftly shook his head and assured her, "Please rest assured, Miss. The Hall Master repeatedly emphasized that it was forbidden. How could we possibly disobey the Hall Master's orders?"

"That's good..." Jiang Qingtong nodded in relief.

Gu Yuan gave a chuckle and added, "Oh, right. The Hall Master previously instructed us to pay special attention to people surnamed Ye, Lin, and Han. The branch I oversee has recently found quite a few children with those surnames and awakened their Martial Souls."