Star Dou Great Forest, inner region.
In front of the corpse of a gigantic Blazing Azure Luan.
"After all that blood, sweat, and tears, I've finally finished absorbing it."
Huang Yan opened his eyes. A flash of crimson flickered and vanished.
"CAW!!!"
Huang Yan rose to his feet. Behind him, an Evil Fire Phoenix wrapped in Evil Fire soared into the sky.
Beneath him, five Soul Rings rose into the air: yellow, yellow, purple, black, black!
"Level 52!"
Azure Luan Douluo stood before him, his face beaming with delight.
"Xiao Yan, you really haven't let me down!"
"Never mind that your fourth ring was a ten-thousand-year one."
"You actually managed to absorb a forty-thousand-year Soul Ring as your fifth!"
Huang Yan smiled faintly.
"Teacher, this Evil Fire is both a torment and a trial."
"For twelve years, the unceasing Evil Fire has continually strengthened my resolve and Mental Power as I resisted it."
"So it's no surprise that I could absorb a forty-thousand-year Soul Ring beyond my level!"
"Hahaha!"
Azure Luan Douluo threw his head back and roared with laughter, patting Huang Yan on the shoulder.
"I knew it! My disciple could never let me down!"
Huang Yan's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes held a complicated look.
I'm actually a transmigrator!
Just moments ago, at the instant Huang Yan successfully absorbed the Soul Ring,
memories of his eighteen years in his previous life had surged through his mind.
He'd realized that he was a transmigrator.
More precisely, he'd been reborn in Douluo Continent!
In his previous life, Huang Yan had died suddenly after staying up all night reading novels.
He'd reincarnated in Douluo Continent and been born in Poultry Village.
It was near Suotuo City—the same place Ma Hongjun was from!
However, Huang Yan was six years older than Ma Hongjun.
When he was six, Huang Yan had awakened the Evil Fire Phoenix and Dark Sacred Dragon as Twin Martial Souls.
(Note: Huang Yan is set to have a pure Fire Phoenix bloodline, merely held back by the Evil Fire. It's the same principle as Tang San having Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer as Twin Martial Souls.)
Innate Full Soul Power.
Flender had been overjoyed and wanted to take Huang Yan as his disciple.
But though Huang Yan hadn't awakened his memories back then, he wasn't stupid.
He had Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power.
And one of those Martial Souls came with the side effect of Evil Fire.
Why would he avoid the greatest power on Douluo Continent, Spirit Hall, and take you, Flender, as his teacher—going from this village to another village where your Shrek was?
Could those resources and that power even compare?
After recovering his memories, Huang Yan was all the more relieved that he'd made that decision.
If he'd taken Flender as his master and joined Shrek Academy,
he would've ended up with the same Dai Yu as Ma Hongjun.
He'd have been chewing steamed buns in the morning, then sent to Suotuo City at noon to go chasing women like a lecher and vent his Evil Fire.
Later, Huang Yan's talent had shaken the upper ranks of Spirit Hall.
One Titled Douluo after another had thrown him an offer.
In the end, the Third Offering, Azure Luan, a level 97 Super Douluo, had stepped forward.
Huang Yan had chosen to become Azure Luan's disciple.
Under Azure Luan's guidance, Huang Yan had decided to cultivate his flawed Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul first.
Though the Evil Fire Phoenix had its flaws, he only had to overcome them.
Even if that hindered his combat strength,
all he had to do was endure until he became a Titled Douluo.
Then he could cultivate the Dark Sacred Dragon Martial Soul and give it Soul Rings.
By then, his starting point would be most Soul Masters' finish line!
This was clear from Bibi Dong, who at the time had been only a Saintess.
And afterward...
With Azure Luan treating him like his own son and guiding him with painstaking care,
Huang Yan had resisted the Evil Fire's corruption and used it to temper his body.
Though it had slowed his cultivation somewhat, Huang Yan's rate of advancement still left every young Soul Master on Douluo Continent in the dust!
Now, at eighteen years old, his Soul Power had already reached level 52: Soul King!
Azure Luan Douluo's eyes were filled with pride. He was just about to ask:
"Xiao Yan, what's the name of your forty-thousand-year fifth Soul Skill?
What exactly does it do?"
Before he could finish speaking, Huang Yan suddenly went rigid, his face flushing bright red.
"Ugh—!"
Huang Yan let out a pained groan as violent spasms seized his body beyond his control.
A raging, scorching, dark-red Evil Fire burst from within him.
It engulfed his entire body and burned fiercely!
Azure Luan Douluo's expression changed drastically. He lunged forward.
"Evil Fire backlash?!
How could it come so soon—and hit so hard?"
Azure Luan Douluo could tell at a glance.
Though Huang Yan had just broken through to level 52 Soul King, he was utterly powerless against this sudden, terrifying Evil Fire.
He was even in danger of bursting apart at any moment.
"Steady your mind!"
Azure Luan Douluo barked, then without hesitation pressed both hands against Huang Yan's back.
The immense Soul Power of a level 97 Super Douluo poured into Huang Yan without reservation, forcibly suppressing the raging Evil Fire within him.
A full incense stick's worth of time passed before the violent dark-red flames were finally forced back inside Huang Yan.
"Haah... haah..."
Huang Yan slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.
Cold sweat soaked him from head to toe. He looked as if he'd just been hauled out of the water.
Azure Luan Douluo withdrew his hands. Seeing his beloved disciple in such a wretched state, he clenched his teeth and said gravely:
"Xiao Yan, a year ago I told you about something.
You refused to agree no matter what, but now you have to listen to me, whatever it takes!
This is an order. You have to obey!"
At that, a bitter smile crept onto Huang Yan's lips. He nodded weakly.
"Teacher, you mean...the girl named Shui Bing'er from Skywater Academy?"
"Exactly!"
Azure Luan Douluo's face was solemn, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"A year ago, I discovered that Shui Bing'er possesses an Ice Phoenix Martial Soul of the highest grade. Her ice attribute should greatly ease the pain caused by your Evil Fire."
Azure Luan Douluo paused and sighed as he looked at Huang Yan.
"Before, you could still suppress it, and even use the Evil Fire to temper your resolve and body, so I let you be.
"But not anymore!
"After you broke through to Soul King, the Evil Fire's power surpassed your limits completely. If we wait any longer, you'll die!"
Huang Yan took a deep breath, feeling the Evil Fire still stirring restlessly inside him despite being suppressed. In the end, he nodded helplessly.
"I understand, Teacher.
"I...I agree."
Seeing that Huang Yan had finally relented, a glint flashed in Azure Luan Douluo's eyes. He made the decision at once.
"Good!
"There's no time to waste. Rest and regulate your breathing, then we'll set off for Skywater Academy immediately!"
Huang Yan took a fresh set of clothes from his Storage Soul Tool and changed. After regulating his breathing for a short while, he stood up.
"Teacher, I'm ready."
"Let's go!"
Azure Luan Douluo swept out his sleeve, enveloped Huang Yan in Soul Power, and transformed into a streak of azure light, heading straight for Skywater City.
In front of Skywater Academy.
As an advanced Soul Master Academy that only admitted civilian beauties and water-attribute Soul Masters, men were normally forbidden from setting foot here.
But today, Azure Luan Douluo brought Huang Yan and landed right in the center of the academy square.
BOOM—!
The terrifying pressure of a level 97 Super Douluo poured out without restraint, instantly blanketing all of Skywater Academy!
"Skywater Academy's dean, come out and meet me!"
Azure Luan Douluo's voice carried his powerful Soul Power, crashing across the academy like rolling thunder.
Before you continue