Ma Xiaotao

At the mention of Xiaotao's name, a flicker of realization passed through Mu En's eyes.

Naturally, Mu En knew of this grand-disciple—Ma Xiaotao, a descendant of Ma Hongjun, one of First Generation Shrek's Seven Devils.

She had inherited the top-tier Beast Martial Soul, the Evil Fire Phoenix, and had studied under Yan Shaozhe since childhood. Her talent was extraordinary.

"Xiaotao should be close to becoming a Soul Ancestor by now, shouldn't she?"

Recalling Ma Xiaotao's circumstances, Mu En spoke up.

Mentioning his own disciple, Yan Shaozhe could not help showing a trace of pride. "Yes. That girl has always cultivated diligently. She's only thirteen, but her Soul Power has already reached rank thirty-seven."

Yet Mu En showed no pleasure at those words. With a Martial Soul like the Evil Fire Phoenix, the stronger one's Soul Power became, the more powerful the Evil Fire would grow. It could even affect one's mind.

Frankly speaking, if not for the halo of being a descendant of First Generation Shrek's Seven Devils, as well as Yan Shaozhe—a Light Attribute Super Douluo—vouching for her, the inherent characteristics of the Evil Fire Phoenix alone would not make it unfair to classify it as an evil Martial Soul.

"Have you found a way to alleviate or suppress the Evil Fire?"

Yan Shaozhe froze. "Not yet..."

Mu En's expression changed at once, and he rebuked him sharply. "You haven't, yet you still dare let her cultivate so desperately? Aren't you afraid your disciple will fall into corruption and become an Evil Soul Master?!"

Yan Shaozhe gave a bitter smile. "Teacher, Xiaotao is my only disciple. How could I disregard her safety? It's just that the girl is too competitive. No matter how I try to persuade her, she refuses to listen and instead cultivates even more desperately..."

Mu En's face darkened. "Nonsense!"

Yan Shaozhe could only smile apologetically.

After a long while, he finally asked tentatively, "Teacher, you know Xiaotao's temperament and talent. They are both exceptional. It's only this flaw in her Martial Soul..."

Mu En frowned at his eldest disciple. "What are you trying to say?"

Yan Shaozhe hurriedly said, "Teacher, perhaps Junior Brother's Extreme Light can purify the Evil Fire within Xiaotao. Before this, we had only thought of finding a soul master with the Extreme Ice attribute to suppress the Evil Fire in her body. But perhaps the Extreme Light attribute can also purify the evil aura within Xiaotao's flames."

Mu En looked at his eldest disciple with an unreadable expression. He had thought Yan Shaozhe had understood something, but apparently it was still not enough. He still lacked a certain breadth of spirit.

He waved a hand. "Enough. This old man understands."

"Teacher..." Yan Shaozhe wanted to say more, but Mu En raised a hand and cut him off.

Seeing the disappointment on Yan Shaozhe's face, Xuan Zi felt somewhat reluctant to watch. After all, he had watched Yan Shaozhe grow up.

However, Xuan Zi had previously been placed under House Arrest by Mu En, so he did not dare speak up so casually. His gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Elder Zhuang. Though Old Zhuang was not familiar with Lin Yi, he knew Lin Yi's father well.

Elder Zhuang understood Xuan Zi's meaningful look. He had not wanted to interfere in such matters, but this was a request from an old companion of many years. Besides, Yan Shaozhe was acting for the sake of his disciple, so it was not truly a fault.

Sighing inwardly, Elder Zhuang said, "Elder Mu, why not first speak to Lin Yi and Qingxuan and ask for their opinions? We certainly won't let Lin Yi suffer a loss. If it truly succeeds, it would be a good thing for the academy as well. Of course, the most important thing is still their opinion."

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what Elder Zhuang means. Whether it's Soul Bones or Heavenly Treasures, I can provide them. Teacher, Mei'er and I have no children. Xiaotao is my only disciple. If it's inconvenient for you to ask, I can go beg Junior Brother myself."

Seeing Yan Shaozhe's earnest words and how his eyes nearly brimmed with tears at the end, Mu En relented. He had taught him for decades. If he did not love him deeply, why would he reprimand him so harshly?

With a long sigh, Mu En finally gave in. "Fine. This old man will speak with Xiao Yi myself. If he agrees, then everyone will be happy. But if it cannot be done, you are not allowed to harbor resentment. Do you understand?!"

His expression turned stern on that final sentence. Yan Shaozhe felt as though he had returned to the days when he had first become Mu En's disciple. Distant memories surfaced, and he quickly replied, "Of course. Helping is a kindness; refusing is one's right. This disciple is not so unreasonable."

Only then did Mu En nod in satisfaction and declare the Sea God Pavilion Meeting adjourned.

At that moment, Lin Yi was painstakingly breaking ground before the Golden Ancient Tree. His tiny body wielded a huge hoe taller than he was, making for a sight both comical and pitiful.

By sunset, Lin Yi had finally cleared half a mu of land—just over three hundred square meters. For a seven-year-old child, that was already quite impressive.

He stretched his limbs, and the aches throughout his body told Lin Yi that without the nourishment of Soul Power, this amount of labor would have left him bedridden for three to five days. The life of a beast of burden was not easy...

With a sigh, Lin Yi prepared to return to his room. As for what to plant, he still needed to think about it.

The moment he entered Sea God Pavilion, Lin Yi was summoned by Mu En.

"Master, why have you summoned me?"

"Not calling me old man anymore?"

Faced with Mu En's teasing, Lin Yi remained calm. "Master listens to reason, so naturally this disciple would not address you that way."

Lin Yi was completely serious, and Mu En immediately found it rather boring. He then told him about Yan Shaozhe's request at the earlier Sea God Pavilion Meeting.

"Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, Evil Fire, a thirteen-year-old Soul Elder..." Listening to the information Mu En gave him, Lin Yi secretly marveled at the talent of this woman who was, by seniority, his martial niece.

Though Lin Yi's own talent was even more outrageous, the humility instilled by his Otherworld Memories made him instinctively exclude himself from the comparison. Compared to her peers, Ma Xiaotao was indeed remarkable.

"Senior Disciple Brother means that I can purify this martial niece's Evil Fire?"

"There has never been a record of such a method. We can only say that it is possible."

"Then in Master's view, is this method feasible?"

"It is."

"Then what is there left to discuss? If it can work, then let's try it."

Surprised by Lin Yi's straightforwardness, Mu En asked, "No one has ever tried this before. Aren't you afraid something might go wrong? Your Soul Power is far below Xiaotao's, and you have no attribute advantage to suppress her. You can only forcefully purify it through the difference in quality. One misstep, and the Evil Fire may affect your mind."

"It's fine."

"You don't need to tell your parents?"

"With Master here, I trust you can keep me safe. If even Master cannot, there would be little use in calling them here."

"You certainly take things in stride."

"Of course."

Mu En looked at Lin Yi for a long time before slowly saying, "Good. Since you agree, Xiaotao will come tomorrow, and we'll give it a try."

Thus, early the next morning, Lin Yi arrived at Mu En's room on the third floor of Sea God Pavilion.

Inside were Mu En, reclining in his lounge chair; Yan Shaozhe, sitting respectfully on the edge of a stool; and a girl who appeared to be in her teens.

Upon seeing that girl, even Lin Yi, with his vast Otherworld Memories, had to admit that she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her long red hair fell to her waist. Her small oval face held exquisitely delicate features, perfectly arranged. Though the contours of her face carried a touch of coldness, her stunning beauty made it easy to overlook that. Her pale pink eyes contained a faint, elusive charm, and although she was still young, her figure had already begun to take shape.

Lin Yi could not help giving her several looks.

Perhaps his gaze made the girl uncomfortable. Her cherry lips parted. "What are you looking at?"

Her voice was lovely too. That was Lin Yi's first thought upon hearing it. Though it held a trace of chilliness, that only made the contrast more striking.

Facing the girl's question, Lin Yi answered honestly, "I'm looking because you're pretty."

Ignoring the change in the girl's expression, Lin Yi bowed to Mu En and Yan Shaozhe in turn.

"Master. Senior Brother Yan."

Mu En nodded with a smile, while Yan Shaozhe's reaction was far more animated.

He strode over to Lin Yi, patted him on the shoulder, and said emotionally, "Junior Brother, I truly have to thank you this time. Your senior brother owes you one. If you ever need help in the future, just say the word. I will not refuse."

Without further ceremony, Lin Yi replied, "Rest assured, Senior Brother. When the time comes, I certainly won't stand on ceremony with you."

He then turned to the girl. "You're Ma Xiaotao?"

Still reeling from his earlier remark that she was pretty, she now heard the little child's rather impolite tone and answered irritably, "So what if I am!"

Quite a fiery temper. As expected of a Fire Attribute soul master. But that was no reason for her to be rude to him.

A strange glint flashed through Lin Yi's eyes as he lightly said three words, "Call me Martial Uncle."

Ma Xiaotao immediately glared at Lin Yi.

The corner of Lin Yi's mouth curled into a teasing smile. "What? Is there a problem? By seniority, shouldn't you be calling me Martial Uncle?"

Ma Xiaotao stared at Lin Yi, her eyes nearly spitting fire. She had always been proud by nature; otherwise, she would never have preferred death over using that method to vent her Evil Fire. What Lin Yi said was naturally correct, but that tone... Ma Xiaotao swore that she had never met anyone so deserving of a beating in her entire life!

But with Mu En and Yan Shaozhe present, Ma Xiaotao did not dare act recklessly.

As though squeezing the words from between clenched teeth, Ma Xiaotao said with hatred, "Greetings, Martial Uncle!"

"Mhm. No need for such formality."

That calm response pushed Ma Xiaotao over the edge again. She truly wanted to fully unleash her Evil Fire and burn this obnoxious little brat to ashes!

Mu En and Yan Shaozhe merely watched the farce with smiles. To them, it was only children fooling around, and it might even make it easier for the two to grow closer.

However, seeing his disciple nearly grind her teeth to pieces, Yan Shaozhe did not dare let Lin Yi provoke her further. He hurriedly smoothed things over. "All right, all right. You can get to know each other later. Let's deal with the important matter first."

He still had to give this senior brother some face, so Lin Yi followed the lead and changed the subject.

"There isn't enough room in here. Let's go outside."

Mu En and Yan Shaozhe knew he was referring to his First Soul Skill. It was the key to Lin Yi's endurance: as long as he was Rooting in the earth, Lin Yi could sustain himself almost indefinitely.

This Soul Skill was also the crucial reason Mu En had agreed and Yan Shaozhe believed Lin Yi could help Ma Xiaotao.

The group came before the Golden Ancient Tree. Lin Yi looked to Mu En, wanting to know what he needed to do.

"Release your Soul Power and send it into Xiaotao's body. Help her purify the Evil Fire within her Martial Soul."

Lin Yi nodded to indicate that he understood. Without another word, he directly released his Golden Tree Spirit.

Ma Xiaotao looked at the Soul Rings of this Martial Uncle she had just met. Her lips parted slightly, and her pale pink eyes widened unconsciously in shock.

What had she just seen?

Two Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings?!