Central Arena.
When Ma Xiaotao said, "No matter the outcome, you will all advance and win," the entire arena fell into deathly silence.
Immediately afterward, thunderous uproar erupted.
"What do you mean?
This is a guaranteed advancement?!"
"An Inner Court Soul Emperor personally coming down to be a whetstone?
What the hell kind of treatment is this?!"
"Crazy, crazy!
What exactly is Dai Yu's background?!"
On the Viewing Stand, Dean Yan Shaozhe's face turned livid. He abruptly rose to his feet:
"Outrageous!"
"Xiaotao! You're violating the academy rules!"
Ma Xiaotao did not even turn her head. She merely glanced at him indifferently:
"Uncle Yan, I never said I was going to kill him."
"It's just a spar."
"Besides..."
She paused, the corners of her lips curling into a meaningful smile:
"Mu En hasn't said anything. What are you so anxious about?"
Yan Shaozhe froze and instinctively looked toward the corner.
Mu En was still reclining in his chair with his eyes closed, as if he had fallen asleep.
Yet his withered fingers tapped twice lightly against the armrest.
Yan Shaozhe's pupils narrowed. After a moment of silence, he slowly sat back down.
Old Man Mu... had tacitly allowed it?
On the arena.
Dai Yu looked at the woman before him whose red hair was like fire, and his heart stirred slightly.
Ma Xiaotao.
Evil Fire Phoenix.
At the Soul Emperor level.
In the original story, she was a time bomb. Once her Evil Fire could no longer be suppressed, it would burn even her own allies.
But regardless, Ma Xiaotao was a Soul Emperor fighting him, a Soul Grandmaster.
Dai Yu really disliked that.
However...
The corners of Dai Yu's lips lifted slightly.
He had Extreme Fire, the Blazing Art, and Old Man Yao.
Others feared Evil Fire, but he did not.
"It is my honor to have Senior Sister Ma personally come down to instruct me."
Dai Yu took a step forward, his expression calm:
"However..."
Dai Yu paused, his gaze settling on Ma Xiaotao as his tone remained flat:
"Are you sure you want to fight here, Senior Sister?"
"I'm afraid... I won't be able to control my strength and will destroy the arena."
As soon as he said this, the entire arena erupted into uproar once more.
"Holy crap?
He dares to provoke her?!"
"That's a Soul Emperor!
Ma Xiaotao!"
"Is this kid insane?!"
Ma Xiaotao was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Her laughter was full of uninhibitedness and appreciation.
"Good! Good, kid!"
"Now that's arrogant!
I like it!"
Ma Xiaotao extended her right hand, palm facing upward. A mass of dark red flames suddenly ignited:
"Then let me see just how arrogant your Extreme Fire really is!"
"Bang—"
The bronze gong rang.
The sixth round officially began!
"Spiritual Detection Share, activate!"
Huo Yuhao released his Soul Skill at the first opportunity, golden spiritual fluctuations instantly blanketing the entire arena.
However, in the next second—
"Too slow."
Ma Xiaotao's voice rang out.
In the next instant, her figure had already vanished from where she stood.
"What?!"
Huo Yuhao's pupils contracted sharply.
His Spiritual Detection had actually failed to capture Ma Xiaotao's movements?!
"Yuhao, be careful!"
Wang Dong cried out in alarm. His Wings spread, and he was about to rush over.
However—
"Don't move."
Dai Yu's voice rang out.
Wang Dong froze, only to see that Dai Yu had already stepped in front of Huo Yuhao.
In the next second, a dark red figure appeared before him.
A fair hand, wrapped in dark red flames hot enough to melt metal, struck straight toward Dai Yu's face!
"Extreme Fire?"
"Let me see whether it's pure enough!"
Ma Xiaotao's voice held a hint of mockery.
However—
Dai Yu smiled.
He did not dodge or retreat.
He merely raised his right hand, palm facing upward.
In the next instant, the Red Mark between his brows suddenly split open!
Flame Pupil, manifest!
His golden-red Vertical Pupil seemed to contain a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"Extreme Fire, burn!"
Boom—!!!
Golden-red flames erupted from his palm and collided violently with the dark red Evil Fire!
"Rumble—!!!"
The clash between the two Extreme Fires exploded with a deafening boom.
The Defense Soul Tool Array around the arena flashed wildly, and fine cracks even appeared across it!
A wave of heat swept across the entire arena. The students watching below felt scorching air rush toward their faces and hurriedly retreated.
The smoke dissipated.
Ma Xiaotao stood where she was. The mockery in her eyes had vanished, replaced by unprecedented seriousness.
Her Evil Fire... had been blocked?!
And...
She could sense that Dai Yu's flames contained an aura purer and more domineering than her Evil Fire.
That was true Extreme Fire!
Not a Pseudo Extreme like her impure Evil Fire!
"Good!"
A flash of excitement crossed Ma Xiaotao's eyes:
"Now this is interesting!"
She moved and charged forward again.
This time, she no longer held back.
Seven Soul Rings rose beneath her feet—two yellow, two purple, and three black!
The terrifying aura of a Soul Emperor instantly swept across the entire arena!
"Sixth Soul Skill: Phoenix Meteor Shower!"
Boom—!!!
A gigantic phantom of a Dark Red Phoenix appeared behind Ma Xiaotao, blotting out the sky and sun!
The Phoenix threw back its head and let out a long cry, spreading its Wings as terrifying Evil Fire poured down like a torrential rain!
"Holy crap! The sixth Soul Skill!"
"Ma Xiaotao is getting serious!"
"Dai Yu is finished!"
Exclamations erupted from below.
However—
Dai Yu continued standing where he was, unmoving.
He watched the torrential rain of Evil Fire rushing toward him, the corners of his lips curving upward slightly.
"Old Man Yao."
"Hmm."
Within the Sea of Consciousness, Old Man Yao's illusory figure appeared. Stroking his beard, he smiled:
"This girl's flames are domineering, but they contain too many impurities. They're just right for you to practice with."
"Operate the Blazing Art and devour them!"
Dai Yu took a deep breath, and the Blazing Art within his body began circulating madly!
In the next instant—
The light in his Flame Pupil flared brilliantly!
A gigantic vortex seemed to appear within the golden-red Vertical Pupil.
The vortex spun furiously, generating terrifying suction!
"What?!"
Ma Xiaotao's pupils contracted sharply.
She was horrified to discover that the Evil Fire she had released was actually being devoured uncontrollably by the eye between Dai Yu's brows!
"How is this possible?!"
She frantically circulated her Soul Power, attempting to withdraw her flames.
However—it would not come back!
Dai Yu's Flame Pupil was like a bottomless pit, madly devouring her Evil Fire!
"Not enough... still not enough..."
Dai Yu muttered to himself.
He could feel that after devouring Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire, the Extreme Fire within his body was rapidly expanding!
The power of his Flame Pupil was increasing at a visible rate!
"More!"
Dai Yu let out a low shout and actively circulated the Blazing Art, increasing the force of the devouring!
Ma Xiaotao's expression changed drastically.
She could feel her Soul Power rapidly draining away!
If this continued, she would be sucked dry!
"Enough!"
An aged voice rang out.
In the next instant, a gray figure appeared in the center of the arena.
Mu En.
He raised his withered palm and waved it lightly.
A gentle yet irresistible force instantly separated Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yu.
Dai Yu's devouring was interrupted, and his Flame Pupil slowly closed.
Ma Xiaotao staggered backward, her face pale as she gasped for breath.
Before you continue