Comparable to a Soul Douluo? Bibi Dong's Helplessness: Nana, do you want Huang Yan in the secret room?

Accompanied by their low shouts in unison.

A massive phantom of a divine phoenix, its left wing burning with dark red Evil Fire and its right wing radiating extreme frigidity, coalesced into form.

Carrying a violent and peerless momentum, it lunged straight at Spirit Kite Douluo.

Spirit Kite Douluo's expression shifted slightly; having originally intended to use only forty percent of her soul power, she lit up her sixth soul ring without hesitation.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Explosive Flame Heaven Armor!"

"BOOM--!"

A violent explosion echoed through the training grounds, and the wild energy of intertwined ice and fire instantly swept across the entire arena.

As the dust settled, Spirit Kite Douluo had actually been forced back half a step, and a thin layer of frost had even formed on the flame armor before her.

To think they could force me back half a step...

Spirit Kite Douluo dispersed her soul power, looking at the two before her with complex eyes.

"One of you is a five-ring, the other a four-ring.

For a first attempt, the explosive power of this Martial Soul Fusion Skill has actually managed to brush against the threshold of a Soul Douluo.

It is truly incredible."

Spirit Kite Douluo knew very well what this meant.

A first attempt at a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

To have such a degree of compatibility.

One five-ring, one four-ring.

Yet the power of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill was already comparable to a Soul Douluo.

If the two of them were to coordinate with greater tacit understanding, become more proficient in executing the skill, and grow stronger in the future, what then?

Spirit Kite Douluo found it hard to imagine.

Once both of them reached the Title Douluo realm, how terrifying would the power of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill they unleashed be!

"Many thanks for your guidance, Senior Spirit Kite."

Shui Bing'er panted slightly, her face somewhat pale, but her icy blue eyes were filled with excitement.

"Sister Spirit Kite, you weren't hurt, were you?"

Huang Yan stepped forward with a smile to ask.

"What could possibly happen to a Title Douluo like me?"

Spirit Kite Douluo rolled her eyes at him, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the surging disappointment and bitterness in her heart.

"Alright, the power of your Martial Soul Fusion Skill is very strong; just keep honing it in the future.

There is still some official business at the Pope Palace that requires my attention, so I won't disturb you two lovebirds any further."

Having said that, Spirit Kite Douluo turned around and walked quickly toward the exit of the training grounds, her back revealing a hint of unconcealable loneliness.

Watching the direction in which she hurried away, Shui Bing'er withdrew her gaze, tugged lightly on Huang Yan's sleeve, and whispered thoughtfully:

"Huang Yan, Senior Spirit Kite... does she like you?"

Hearing this, Huang Yan looked down at Shui Bing'er in his arms, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

"You noticed?"

"As a woman, how could I not sense that kind of look?"

Shui Bing'er cast a light glare at Huang Yan, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible coquettishness.

"And you?

What do you think?"

"What could I think?"

Huang Yan reached out and pinched her pert nose, teasing her.

"Sister Spirit Kite has indeed taken good care of me, but in my heart, the most important person right now is you, the 'Captain's Wife' who just joined the fold."

Note that Huang Yan did not explicitly refuse.

Hearing this title, Shui Bing'er's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lightly swatted Huang Yan's hand away.

"Stop with the glib tongue.

Senior Spirit Kite is a Title Douluo after all; if she truly has feelings for you, I... I have no right to stop you.

As long as you always have me in your heart, that is enough."

Huang Yan restrained his playful expression and pulled her closer.

"Rest assured, didn't you experience my feelings enough last night?"

Shui Bing'er glared at him in shy annoyance, the blush on her cheeks instantly spreading to her earlobes, and she hurriedly changed the subject:

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Let us continue practicing our Martial Soul Fusion Skill."

"Although that last strike was powerful, it consumed nearly half of our soul power. We still need to improve our proficiency and control."

Huang Yan nodded, his expression turning serious:

"Agreed.

The potential of this 'Ice Flame Divine Phoenix' is immense. If we can master it to the point of effortless control and reduce the soul power consumption, it will be the greatest trump card for our Martial Soul Hall team in the Elite Tournament two years from now."

"Mm, let us try again. This time, I will lead the output rhythm of the ice attribute."

Shui Bing'er took a deep breath, her eyes turning resolute once more as she began to circulate the Ice Phoenix soul power within her.

On the spectator stand far from the training grounds.

Hu Liena stared fixedly at the Ice and Fire Phoenixes in the arena, her face filled with bitterness and jealousy.

Her slender fingers gripped the railing so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"Nana, stop watching."

Yan, standing to the side, watched Hu Liena's state and leaned in with a fawning expression, trying to comfort her with a pained heart.

"That girl from Skywater Academy is just lucky.

You are the Saintess of our Martial Soul Hall; how could she possibly compare to you in talent or beauty?

Huang Yan will surely realize your worth in the future..."

"Shut your mouth!"

Hu Liena whipped her head around, casting a cold, impatient glare at Yan.

"My affairs are none of your concern. Stay away from me!"

Yan shrank back, scolded, and retreated to the side with a bitter expression.

After driving Yan away, the sense of grievance in Hu Liena's heart surged even more violently.

She turned to her own brother, Xie Yue, her eyes reddening as she bit her lip and said:

"Brother, look at them... Why is it that Shui Bing'er is the one who can perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him?"

As she spoke, her tone carried a hint of petulance and resentment:

"Brother, wouldn't it be better if you were replaced by Huang Yan?

If I could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Huang Yan, the power would definitely be greater than theirs. How wonderful that would be..."

Xie Yue's mouth twitched violently at these words, and he sighed helplessly:

"Nana, what nonsense are you spouting?

We are biological siblings; our martial souls must share the same origin to perform Demon Charm.

How could a Martial Soul Fusion Skill be changed just like that?

Besides, Huang Yan only has eyes for that Shui Bing'er right now. Why must you seek out your own misery?"

"I don't care!

I cannot swallow this insult!"

Hu Liena stomped her foot and turned to run out of the training grounds.

"I am going to find Teacher!"

Pope Palace, inner sanctum.

"Teacher!

You must stand up for me!"

The moment Hu Liena saw Bibi Dong, tears began to fall, and she threw herself beside her mentor, full of grievances.

"Not only did Huang Yan bring that Shui Bing'er back from Skywater Academy, but the two of them have actually developed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!

Does he even have any regard for me, the Saintess?"

Watching her beloved disciple crying like a rain-drenched flower, a look of deep headache and helplessness appeared on Bibi Dong's exquisite face.

Bibi Dong reached out to rub her throbbing temples and sighed:

"Nana, matters of the heart require mutual consent.

Martial soul compatibility is a stroke of fate that is hard to come by.

Huang Yan likes that Shui Bing'er, and she is willing to follow him to Martial Soul Hall. How do you expect me to stand up for you?"

"But Teacher, I like him too!

Where am I inferior to that Shui Bing'er?"

Hu Liena tugged at Bibi Dong's sleeve, refusing to let the matter drop.

Bibi Dong felt an even greater headache coming on. Looking at Hu Liena's stubborn, deluded state, her tone carried a hint of exasperated helplessness:

"If you like him, then go and win his heart back yourself.

You surely don't expect Me, the dignified Pope, to issue an order forcing him to love you, do you?"

Having said this, Bibi Dong paused, cast a strange glance at Hu Liena, and uttered in a ghostly tone:

"Or could it be that you want Me to teach you how to knock Huang Yan unconscious when he isn't looking, drag him into the secret chamber of the Pope Palace, and force the issue until the deed is done?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Liena's sobbing came to an abrupt halt. Her fair cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she stammered:

"T-Teacher... what are you saying!

I... I would never use such methods..."