Yan Shaozhe: Xiaotao, He Could Be a Good Match for You

Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.

In stark contrast to the bustling, vibrant youthful atmosphere of the Outer Court, this small island in the lake is as tranquil as an ancient behemoth lost in a deep dream.

The towering ancient trees sifted the sunlight into fine, golden spots, which fell on the bluestone path, and every inch of the air was imbued with the solemnity and tranquility that had been accumulated over the years.

Deep within the island, in a specially designed Cultivation Room, the intense heat rose and fell like the tides.

A young woman sat cross-legged on a dark stone platform in the center of the room. She had a slender and graceful figure, and a tight-fitting scarlet outfit outlined her exquisite curves.

Her cascading red hair was loosely tied up with a plain-colored headband, a few stray strands damp with sweat, clinging to her smooth forehead and gracefully curved neck.

It was a delicate, almost sharp, oval face, with eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and thick, slightly upturned eyelashes that were tightly closed at the moment.

Her red lips parted slightly, her breathing rapid and unsteady, each breath carrying a scorching heat.

Her delicate brows were furrowed in pain, as if she were waging a desperate, unknown battle against some violent force within her with all her might.

Evil Fire!

That curse, which had gnawed at her bloodline and mind day and night since the day her Martial Soul Awakening, was like a malignant tumor clinging to her bones.

This was the scene that Yan Shaozhe saw when he pushed open the heavy stone door of the Cultivation Room.

He paused slightly, for he knew better than anyone the suffering his disciple had endured.

That was the thorn that had been hanging over his heart day and night for the past few years, a stubborn ailment that he had searched the world for and read countless books but had never been able to eradicate.

But today... a surge of barely suppressed excitement suddenly shone in his eyes.

"Xiaotao!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a sense of excitement.

The woman on the stone platform suddenly opened her eyes; her eyes were a beautiful pink.

With a slight thought, her body temperature rapidly increased, and the sweat that had soaked her clothes instantly turned into rising steam, disappearing without a trace.

In the blink of an eye, her face had regained its usual radiance.

"Teacher."

She spoke, her voice clear and melodious, carrying the affection and respect of a junior towards a teacher.

What's making you so happy?

She even smiled, a bright and open smile that showed absolutely no sign of anything amiss.

Yan Shaozhe laughed heartily, his laughter ringing out, the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes smoothing out like chrysanthemums, "Haha! Indeed, it's something to be happy about..."

He gazed intently at his disciple, emphasizing each word. "However, not for me, but for you."

"For me?"

Ma Xiaotao was slightly taken aback, her slender fingers unconsciously pointing to herself, her pink eyes filled with confusion.

"That's right."

Yan Shaozhe stopped being coy and, meeting her gaze, said, "Among this year's freshmen in the Outer Court, there is one who possesses the attribute of Ultimate Ice, enough to suppress your Phoenix Evil Fire!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up. If it weren't for the trouble caused by the Evil Fire, her cultivation speed would have been even faster, and she might already be Soul Saint.

Yan Shaozhe's voice continued, "His name is Huo Yuhao. You can get to know him better. He's good-looking, and his talent is unprecedented. He's definitely a good match for you."

Ma Xiaotao finally recovered from the huge shock, and a faint blush rose on her face.

"Teacher!"

Her voice rose uncontrollably, carrying a mix of embarrassment, helplessness, and a hint of panic she herself was unwilling to admit. "Please, please don't try to play matchmaker!"

She turned her face away, her pink eyes drooping unnaturally, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Not to mention I've never even met him..."

"And he's a freshman this year, eight or nine years younger than me!"

"What does age matter?"

Yan Shaozhe waved his hand. "Besides, eight or nine years isn't much. Looking across the mainland, there are countless couples with an age gap of ten or twenty years."

"When I was your age, I thought the older female students were the most..."

"Teacher."

Ma Xiaotao interrupted him, her voice not loud, but carrying an almost stubborn insistence.

She raised her pink eyes and said solemnly, "I don't want to marry someone I don't like just to suppress my Evil Fire."

Yan Shaozhe's smile froze for a moment.

"Xiaotao," his voice deepened, "Your Evil Fire are almost uncontrollable."

"If the Evil Fire completely backfires, affecting one's mind, or even... what will your teacher do?"

Ma Xiaotao lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing all her emotions.

"Teacher, I'm sure I can suppress this Evil Fire."

Yan Shaozhe a lump in his throat. He opened his mouth, about to say something more.

"Dean!"

A hurried voice came from Cultivation Room, abruptly cutting off the words he was about to speak.

Yan Shaozhe frowned, turned around, and pushed open the stone door.

Du Weilun stood outside the door, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Before Yan Shaozhe could even ask, he practically blurted out, "Dean, Huo Yuhao and Zhou Yi are fighting in the Soul Fighting Arena!"

Yan Shaozhe's voice held a hint of surprise. "So fast?!"

Du Weilun nodded, his usually composed face now filled with an expression that said, "I didn't expect this either."

"That's right, they started clashing right from the first lesson."

Yan Shaozhe thought for a moment, then suddenly turned around and stepped back into the stone chamber that still held some warmth.

"Xiaotao, come with me."

Whether you like it or not, at least... go and take a look.

Soul Fighting Arena, two figures stood ten feet apart.

Zhou Yi stood with his hands behind his back, the Red Dragon scales all over his body reflecting a dark metallic luster in the sunlight.

Although Zhou Yi's goal was to win, as a teacher, and with Soul Emperor facing off against Soul Ancestor, she naturally respected her status and would not make a move prematurely.

"You go first, don't say I'm bullying you."

After hearing Zhou Yi say those words, Huo Yuhao didn't say anything like "You'll regret this," but just thought to himself, "Then you're finished!"

Huo Yuhao's first Second Soul Ring flashed one after another. To outsiders, it looked like he was using a thousand-year Soul Skill, but in reality, under the cover of the Simulation, both of them were Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill!

Invisible Spiritual Tentacles silently extended, piercing through the scorching air, and reached out towards Zhou Yi.

Before she could even react, one of her Soul Skill was randomly sealed—it was her fifth Soul Skill.

Then, three "Soul Lash" struck Zhou Yi's Spirit Sea without warning, like invisible whips!

Huo Yuhao's Current Mental Power reached the Spirit Abyss Realm, while Zhou Yi's Divine Power, even in the terms of ten thousand years later, would only be at the High-Level Spirit Sea Realm.

"Ah!"

An uncontrollable cry of pain escaped from Zhou Yi's tightly pursed lips.

Her body swayed violently, and her red dragon eyes, which had just been burning with fierce fighting spirit, now showed a moment of confusion and bewilderment.

His hands, covered in hard scales, suddenly clutched his head, his fingers digging deep into his hair, his back arching in pain.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao moved.

No Soul Ring lit up, no Soul Power erupted, and there wasn't even the slightest unnecessary movement.

He simply... took a step.

The moment his feet lightly touched the ground, his entire body transformed into a pure white streak.

The speed was so fast that it exceeded the limits of most spectators' eyesight. By the time everyone finally came to their senses from the white light, Huo Yuhao was already standing in front of Zhou Yi.

A Soul Guidance Longsword had appeared in his hand without him even noticing.

The sword is long and slender, entirely black, without any fancy decorations, only the blade edge gleaming with a subtle yet sharp, cold light.

The sword tip, perfectly positioned, was pressed against Zhou Yi's throat.