Blazing Fire Burns

Following the directions, Zhang Bufan easily found the approximate location of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. It was a sprawling complex of garden-like buildings, shrouded in a faint, visible Soul Power barrier that made it seem mysterious and noble. The academy gates were imposing, with guards in exquisite armor standing watch. Those entering and leaving were either wealthy and influential or possessed formidable auras.

"Hmm, not bad. The Spiritual Energy... no, the Soul Power concentration is much higher than outside too. This is a good place to cultivate." Zhang Bufan observed it from afar but did not approach immediately. He planned to stroll around the city first, get familiar with the surroundings, and see if there was any fun to be had.

As he wandered about, he heard many people by the roadside excitedly discussing something.

"Have you heard? The Preliminary Match of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament begins today at the Great Soul Arena in the west of the city!"

"Really? I wonder which academy will stand out this year?"

"Definitely the Imperial Fighting Team, directly admitted by Heaven Dou Royal Academy! They're the pride of our Heaven Dou Empire!"

"Not necessarily. The Elephant Armor Sect, Thunder Academy, and Blazing Fire Academy aren't weak either..."

"Come on, let's buy tickets and watch! I heard Blazing Fire Academy is competing today, and their captain, Huo Wu, is a real beauty!"

Blazing Fire Academy? Huo Wu?

Zhang Bufan's ears twitched. That name... sounded familiar. She seemed to be a rather distinctive supporting female character in the original story. Her Martial Soul was Fire Shadow? Or Fire Dance? Anyway, it had something to do with fire.

"Since I've got nothing better to do, I might as well go watch the excitement." With the mindset that there was no such thing as too much fun, Zhang Bufan followed the crowd to the Great Soul Arena in the west of the city, a grand structure no less imposing than the city gates.

After buying a ticket to enter—using the Gold Soul Coins he had taken from the bandit leader—the enormous circular venue was already packed to the brim, roaring with voices. Stirring music, the audience's cheers, and the massive arena platform at the center, reinforced with special materials, all heightened the fervent atmosphere of the match.

Zhang Bufan found a seat near the front and turned his gaze toward the arena. The match currently underway was between Blazing Fire Academy and an obscure academy.

"Now, please welcome the captain of Blazing Fire Academy's team, Huo Wu!" The host's voice echoed throughout the venue through an amplifying Soul Tool.

In an instant, the atmosphere surged to a new peak. The male spectators in particular erupted into enthusiastic whistles and cheers.

Zhang Bufan looked in the direction of the voice as well.

From among Blazing Fire Academy's team, a graceful crimson figure stepped forward. She wore the academy's tight-fitting uniform, which outlined her proud curves to perfection—full where she should be full, rounded where she should be rounded. Her long, straight legs appeared and disappeared beneath the hem of her skirt, brimming with youthful vitality and allure.

Her face was stunningly beautiful. Unlike the gentleness of ordinary women, she possessed an aggressive heroism and confidence. Her skin was fair, her features exquisitely sculpted, and especially those bright, sharp eyes, as though two clusters of eternal flames danced within them. Her chestnut-red hair was tied into a neat ponytail that swayed behind her with every step.

Merely standing there, she was like a source of light, drawing every eye in the venue.

"Holy shit..."

Even Zhang Bufan, who considered himself well-traveled—what beautiful women's photos and videos had he not seen on the internet in his previous life?—could not help blurting out a curse in his heart.

This girl... that figure, that face, that fiery yet proud temperament! Incredible!

Unlike every woman he had seen before—though he had not actually seen that many—the girl called Huo Wu before him was like a truly burning, scorching, uninhibited blaze! Dazzling and searing, carrying the sense of danger that could easily reduce someone to ashes, yet radiating an ultimate charm that made people want to draw near like moths to a flame!

Just then, the match began.

Huo Wu's opponent was an Assault Department Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul was a massive rhinoceros. He charged at her fiercely, making the arena platform tremble beneath his feet.

Faced with such a savage offensive, Huo Wu showed no trace of fear. Instead, a confident curve rose at the corner of her lips. Her Soul Rings lit up—two yellow and one purple, the optimal configuration for a Soul Elder!

"Third Soul Skill, Fire Dance Sun!"

She gave a crisp shout and brought her hands together before her chest. An extremely condensed white fireball radiating terrifying heat instantly formed! The fireball was not large, but the energy contained within it warped even the air around the arena!

Rather than meeting him head-on, she moved with nimble footwork, easily evading her opponent's charge like a Flame Sprite. At the same time, she lightly pushed with her jade-like hand, and the white fireball seemed to possess a life of its own, tracing a strange arc before striking precisely at the weakest point in her opponent's defense—his side waist!

Boom—!

A violent explosion rang out as flames shot into the sky! The rhinoceros Soul Ancestor screamed, his massive body blasted directly into the air. His body was blackened and scorched as he crashed heavily outside the arena, losing all ability to fight.

One strike! Just one strike! She had instantly defeated an Assault Department Soul Ancestor of the same rank!

The entire process was clean and decisive. Her posture was graceful, her attack precise and ruthless! She had perfectly combined fire's violent fury with its power of control!

Whoosh—!

The entire venue fell silent for a moment before erupting into even more frenzied cheers!

"Huo Wu! Huo Wu! Huo Wu!"

The spectators shouted her name, going wild over her stunning performance.

Huo Wu stood at the center of the arena, breathing slightly heavily, fine beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. Yet her eyes remained bright and proud. She savored her victory, as well as the cheers of the entire audience. Like a Goddess of flames, receiving the worship of her followers.

Zhang Bufan's gaze had not left Huo Wu from the moment she stepped onto the stage.

He watched her heroic bearing in the arena, her confident and radiant expression, her vitality burning like fire... and something deep in his heart seemed to be struck hard.

An unprecedentedly intense possessiveness and stirring of his heart began to grow wildly like weeds.

He had crossed into this world to live freely and do as he pleased. Before this, he had not had any clear goal. He had thought that since he was invincible, he could simply fool around as he wished.

But now, he had found one!

He looked at the crimson figure in the center of the arena. His eyes grew brighter and brighter until a smile of absolute determination, carrying a hint of roguishness, curled across his lips.

His inner monologue flooded through his mind like a barrage of comments:

Holy shit! This girl... that figure, that face, that fiery temperament! She's like a blazing fire that could burn me to ash! Perfect! She's so damn my type!

Look at those long legs! Look at that slender waist! Look at that proud little expression! Damn, my heart's racing!

I've decided! It's her! To hell with the original plot, to hell with Tang San and Xiao Wu! Starting today, she's my female lead!

I, Zhang Bufan, am throwing myself at this flame no matter what! Not even Jesus can stop me! I said it!

Hehe, Huo Wu, huh? What a lovely name. And the person herself is even more beautiful!

At that moment, Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the situation across the continent were all thrown to the back of his mind. His head was filled with nothing but that crimson figure and one firm thought—win her over! Make her his woman!

As for how to pursue her? Zhang Bufan stroked his chin and revealed a confident—or perhaps narcissistic—smile.

With his invincible strength, handsome looks—at least in his own opinion—vast knowledge—the otherworld version—and... after giving it some thought, his shameless persistence, was he really afraid he could not win over a little girl?

Mm, the plan was flawless!