Blue Comes From Indigo, Yet Surpasses It

Inside the ice cave created by Lin Feng, the pure phoenix fire burned without cease.

Amidst the leaping flames, Ma Xiaotao had taken on a new appearance; her bright eyes opened, their gaze sharp as torches.

Her flame-red hair complemented a peerless face that seemed divine, while the Red Phoenix Mark between her brows heralded a noble and extraordinary status.

Beneath her snow-white swan-like neck was a slender, moving figure with graceful curves; she was like jade formed by nature—no, even more flawless and fair than jade.

She was like a goddess descended to the mortal world, causing the very heavens and earth to lose their luster.

"Xiao Feng..."

Ma Xiaotao's ethereal voice was like a spring breeze brushing against willow branches, or the soft chant of a fairy phoenix, bringing a measure of comfort to Lin Feng, who was still relying on the Ice Silkworm's life force to heal himself.

She gently stroked Lin Feng's scarred cheeks, tears welling in her eyes, her brows furrowed in heartache.

"I am fine. Congratulations, Sister Xiaotao, for completely shedding the evil fire, evolving into a Fire Phoenix, and successfully advancing to a Soul Saint!"

Ma Xiaotao did not speak, but instead pulled Lin Feng into a tight embrace, burying her face into the crook of his shoulder.

Where their skin touched, warm and peaceful soul power flowed slowly from her body like a trickling stream, strand by strand, soaking into Lin Feng's battered frame.

The sensation was like withered wood meeting spring, or a long drought meeting sweet rain.

Nourished by this gentle soul power, the ghastly wounds all over Lin Feng's body actually stopped bleeding, closed, and sprouted new granulation tissue at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A sense of relief and restoration that reached deep into his marrow replaced the previous tearing agony...

After a long while, Lin Feng moved slightly and whispered, "My injuries are mostly healed. Teacher has been waiting outside for a long time; we should head out."

"...Mm." Ma Xiaotao gave a low response, her arms still wrapped around him, and only after lingering for a moment did she reluctantly let go.

Lin Feng stood up, took a neatly folded set of clothes from his Storage Soul Tool, and handed them to her.

"It looks beautiful," Ma Xiaotao said as she took them, her fingertips brushing over the exquisite patterns on the sleeves before she looked up at him. "Did you prepare this specifically for me?"

"Mm," Lin Feng nodded. "I intended to give it to you on your birthday. I didn't expect... that you would need it today."

Ma Xiaotao shyly lowered her lashes and changed into the garments.

It was a magnificent flame-red outfit paired with a light, snow-white gauze skirt, the hem dyed with several pale pink lotus flowers that looked as if they had just bloomed upon autumn waters, vivid and lifelike.

The most eye-catching detail was the Red Phoenix pattern embroidered in gold thread on the front of the bodice, crafted with such delicacy that it seemed as if it might spread its wings and take flight at any moment.

Ma Xiaotao raised her hands to smooth her cuffs, turned around, and tilted her head slightly to look at Lin Feng: "Does it look good?"

Lin Feng, having also put on new clothes, turned his gaze to Ma Xiaotao, a smile gradually rising in his eyes: "It looks good. It suits you perfectly."

"Let's go, Teacher must be getting anxious."

Lin Feng said, extending his hand. Ma Xiaotao placed her hand in his palm, and he gently gripped her fingertips.

The ceiling of the ice cave and the mental barrier were immediately dispelled by Lin Feng, and the two flew out side by side.

"Thank goodness, you have finally come out."

Yan Shaozhe, who had been waiting for a long time, flickered and arrived before them.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping quickly over their bodies. After confirming they were unharmed, his relief was quickly replaced by even deeper astonishment.

"I was nearly at the point of begging Elder Mu to intervene... You two seem to be completely unscathed?"

"Rest assured, Teacher, there was no danger," Lin Feng said with a slight nod, his tone steady.

"That is good, that is good," Yan Shaozhe repeated twice, his eyes sharp. "Your soul power... has increased by more than just a little. Come, let me examine your martial souls and Soul Rings."

"As you wish, Teacher."

Ma Xiaotao and Lin Feng exchanged a glance and took a light step forward.

She did not say much, merely shifting her thoughts, and her aura surged upward with a boom.

Scorching, pure...

It was completely different from the manic evil fire of the past.

A pair of magnificent, peerless flame phoenix wings unfurled behind her, every feather appearing lifelike.

"This is..." Yan Shaozhe's pupils contracted sharply. "A pure, flawless... Fire Phoenix?! Lin Feng, did you truly help her complete the... purification?!"

Before his question could be answered, an even more shocking scene unfolded.

One by one, Soul Rings rose from beneath Ma Xiaotao's feet, their light deepening, her aura climbing step by step.

Purple, purple, purple...

Black, black, black...

The seventh Soul Ring rose slowly...

The moment it appeared, the surrounding light seemed to be swallowed, leaving only that pure aura containing infinite power and the fluctuations of natural laws.

A Soul Saint!

"Three purple, three black... one red!"

Yan Shaozhe enunciated each word, nearly losing his voice.

He stared blankly at the red hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring floating beneath Ma Xiaotao's feet, his eyes filled with nothing but shock.

A twenty-year-old Soul Saint, an Ultimate Fire Martial Soul, and a hundred-thousand-year seventh Soul Ring...

"Good, good, good! Truly, the student has surpassed the master."

Yan Shaozhe repeated the word "good" three times. The shock in his eyes had yet to fade, but it was already overflowing with gratification and excitement.

Originally, Ma Xiaotao reaching the rank of Soul Emperor at twenty was enough to leave her mark in the history of the Douluo Continent and be mentioned alongside the original Shrek Seven Devils.

Now, having achieved the rank of Soul Saint at twenty, she was even more outstanding than her ancestor Ma Hongjun had been at this age.

He looked at Lin Feng, his tone filled with incredulous inquiry, "Lin Feng, how on earth did you manage this?"

"Replying to Teacher," Lin Feng pondered for a moment before answering in a plain tone, "Sister Xiaotao auctioned a massive piece of black Whale Rubber at the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion, suspected to be of hundred-thousand-year quality. We... attempted to consume a portion of it. Perhaps the Whale Rubber greatly enhanced our physiques, allowing me to barely devour the source of the out-of-control evil fire within her body. As for her Soul Ring... I suspect it might be the Whale Rubber's doing, but I am not entirely sure."

His words were seven parts truth and three parts omission, quietly concealing the most critical Flame Mantra.

"Hundred-thousand-year Whale Rubber?!" Yan Shaozhe drew a sharp breath, his gaze then shifting meaningfully between the two of them, revealing a look of sudden realization, "So that's how it is... consuming such a supreme, yang-dominant tonic... does that not mean you two have already..."

"Teacher! You, what are you thinking about!" Ma Xiaotao's cheeks turned crimson instantly, so embarrassed she nearly buried her head in her chest, her ears turning bright red.

"Teacher, that is not the case at all..." Lin Feng hurriedly explained with a serious expression.

"It is only human nature. It is fine, Teacher is a man of experience; I understand, I understand it all." Yan Shaozhe waved his hand, the "I know everything" smile still plastered on his face.

He turned to look at Lin Feng, asking with anticipation, "And what about you, Lin Feng? Having devoured that source of evil fire, your gains must be significant as well, right?"

"This disciple's soul power has risen to level thirty-seven because of this," Lin Feng said candidly, then added, "Also, my control over flames has improved significantly."

Lin Feng's expression remained normal, omitting any mention of the new evil fire Soul Ring he had obtained for his Body Martial Soul.

"Good! Very good!" Yan Shaozhe's eyes were filled with satisfaction, "Both of you have obtained a heaven-sent opportunity this time. Go back and rest well to stabilize your cultivation. Tomorrow, I will convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting to formally commend you for your... outstanding performance!"

The two respectfully acknowledged, watching as Yan Shaozhe's figure transformed into a streak of light, disappearing in the direction of the Golden Ancient Tree.