Her long red hair fell loose down her back, her skin was snow-white, and her figure was full. She wore a pair of black stockings that reached above her knees.
A thin veil covered half her face, revealing a pair of peach-pink eyes.
The newcomer was none other than Ma Xiaotao.
"Xiaotao, what brings you here? Is something wrong?" Bei Bei asked when he saw her.
"What, I can't come see you unless something's wrong?" Ma Xiaotao raised a brow, her tone laced with displeasure.
"Heh heh, may I ask the name of this beautiful lady?" Xu Sanshi's eyes lit up when he saw her.
Xu Sanshi smoothed his hair and put on what he thought was his most handsome smile as he tried to chat her up.
"If you don't want to end up a roast chicken, stay away from me." A ball of searing golden-red flame erupted from Ma Xiaotao's fingertip, warping the very air around it.
Sensing her terrifying aura, Xu Sanshi instantly quieted down.
"This is Ma Xiaotao, an upperclassman from the Inner Court. We're friends," Bei Bei introduced her to Xu Sanshi, then turned to Ma Xiaotao. "This is my roommate, Xu Sanshi."
"Hmph." Ma Xiaotao gave a cold snort, which served as her greeting.
"Xu Sanshi, I have something to take care of today, so I can't keep you company." Bei Bei spoke to Xu Sanshi, then left with Ma Xiaotao.
Watching them leave, Xu Sanshi smacked his lips, unable to help feeling a little envious.
He was also curious about her identity. She knew so many people at Shrek Academy—could she be the younger generation of one of the academy's senior leaders?
"What's wrong? Has your Evil Fire flared up again?" Bei Bei looked at Ma Xiaotao in confusion.
The evil energy in her Martial Soul Origin had been almost completely purified. This shouldn't be happening again!
He could tell just by looking at the flames she released. At first, they had been dark red. As Bei Bei continued purifying them, they had gradually turned red, then begun to show hints of gold. Now, they had become golden red.
"No. I'm not far from breaking through to Soul Emperor. I'm going to devote myself to cultivation and try to reach level seventy and become a Soul Saint before the next Soul Master Tournament!"
There were still three years until the next Soul Master Tournament. Advancing from a high-level Soul King to a seven-ring Soul Saint in three years would be a tight schedule, even for Ma Xiaotao, given her talent.
What was more, once her Martial Soul was completely purified, she would possess a Phoenix Martial Soul with Ultimate Fire, and her cultivation speed would slow accordingly.
Ma Xiaotao raised her brows slightly and gave a faint smile. "So I want to resolve the problem with my Martial Soul completely as soon as possible. That way, I can devote myself entirely to cultivation."
"That makes sense. This time, we'll do it in one go and completely rid your Martial Soul of its evil energy." Bei Bei nodded.
If he hadn't been weaker than Ma Xiaotao, he would have purified all the evil energy in her Martial Soul long ago, and they wouldn't have needed so many sessions.
"Mm." Ma Xiaotao nodded, took Bei Bei by the hand, and led him to the Underground Magma Lake where he cultivated.
A clear, resonant phoenix cry rang out, its notes ethereal and sweet.
A golden-red Phoenix Martial Soul appeared behind her. Its graceful, noble form was long and slender, its colors dazzling as the rosy clouds of sunset.
Its brilliant, multicolored wings and tail feathers dazzled the eye, radiating the unique aura of a divine phoenix.
Golden-red flames swirled and burned around her, lending her a stately, imposing air. They were no longer as scorching and explosive as before.
Two yellow, two purple, and one black Soul Rings drifted around her.
Bei Bei summoned his own Martial Soul as well. The overbearing, majestic light of the Radiant Dragon King rippled around him, forming rings of golden light.
A high-pitched dragon roar rang out as a white-gold dragon appeared behind him. Its thick, ancient body, sharp claws, sky-piercing horns, and wings that blotted out the sky all radiated its immense might.
It seemed to embody light itself: gentle yet dazzling, exuding supreme majesty. Light gathered above the dragon's head like a crown of radiance, and just one look was enough to inspire awe.
Four pitch-black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings rose from beneath Bei Bei's feet and settled around him.
Bei Bei stepped forward and, with practiced ease, pulled Ma Xiaotao into his arms. Pure light streamed from where they touched and poured into her body.
After so many purifications, Ma Xiaotao's Soul Power no longer contained any evil energy. It had become an exceptionally pure force of fire.
Bei Bei's power was like a clear spring, washing over her body in an instant.
Rather than extinguishing the flames within her, it became fuel, making them burn more fiercely—and more purely.
The power of light passed through her meridians and went straight into the Martial Soul Origin within Ma Xiaotao.
The method was so forceful that Ma Xiaotao was caught off guard. She let out a soft, pleasurable moan.
Who knew how much time had passed before the Phoenix Martial Soul behind Ma Xiaotao grew even larger, its radiance more dazzling than ever, like a colossal ball of fire.
The Phoenix Martial Soul was like a spirit dancing in the flames, spreading its brilliant wings. Every gorgeous feather shimmered like a seven-colored diamond.
The Phoenix Martial Soul became even more noble, radiating an霸气 that stood above all things—the terrifying aura of the King of Birds.
"I... I finally did it!"
Feeling the power within her, Ma Xiaotao was overwhelmed with joy.
Golden-red Phoenix Fire surged from her body like golden-red armor. With the Phoenix Martial Soul behind her, every gesture she made seemed even more noble and imposing.
Even Bei Bei could hardly withstand the scorching heat. He was enveloped in Ultimate Light, his arms transforming into dragon claws as golden scales spread from his arms all the way to his back. Two pairs of broad Dragon Wings unfurled behind him.
Bei Bei hurriedly retreated. Only then did the heat ease, dropping at least to a level he could bear.
A powerful suction came from Ma Xiaotao. She absorbed the dense fire-elemental energy around her, drawing it in as streams of crimson that flowed into her body.
The five Soul Rings around her were enveloped by the dense fire-elemental energy and gradually began to change.
Her Hundred-Year Soul Ring and Thousand-Year Soul Ring grew deeper in color, gradually turning black.
Only when all her Soul Rings had reached the limit her body could bear did the changes slowly come to a halt.
Five pitch-black Soul Rings pulsed around her, shimmering with a faint glow.
At that moment, Bei Bei had completely purged the evil energy from her Martial Soul. It was no longer an Evil Fire Phoenix.
It was a true Pure-Blood Phoenix Martial Soul, a terrifying existence that possessed Ultimate Fire.
"Bei Bei, thank you so much." Ma Xiaotao spoke excitedly, her beautiful eyes narrowing into crescents, her expression tender and alluring.
With her Martial Soul fully evolved, even her appearance had become more beautiful and alluring.
An air of nobility surrounded her, and her brows and eyes carried an imposing dignity. Her crimson hair streamed down her back, dancing like flames.