Twin Martial Souls

In a quaint little courtyard on Sea God Island, flowers were in full bloom and birds sang, making the place feel like a sanctuary for phoenixes.

"Devouring Evil Fire leading to a spirit ring mutation... hmm, it is not impossible, but this Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Silkworm?"

Inside the courtyard, an old man with white hair was watching Lin Feng with a thoughtful expression. He was the person Ma Xiaotao referred to as her teacher—the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, Bright Phoenix Douluo Yan Shaozhe.

"As far as I know, this type of low-level ice-attribute spirit beast usually only haunts the Far North, and it is extremely difficult for them to cultivate to the ten-thousand-year level. How could it appear in the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Yan Shaozhe's tone was calm, but his questions came one after another; he was clearly skeptical of Lin Feng's experience.

Lin Feng felt a tightness in his chest, but he maintained his composure, following the other's lead to speculate, "Perhaps the Scarlet King captured it as a supplement and it accidentally escaped."

"Hmm, that does make sense," Yan Shaozhe nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. "It seems the Scarlet King's sudden appearance on the outskirts of the forest wasn't targeting Xiaotao, but this Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Silkworm."

Hearing Yan Shaozhe reach his own conclusion, Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. His half-truthful story, combined with his simulation spirit skill, had finally managed to muddle through.

But just then, Yan Shaozhe suddenly changed the subject, his gaze sharpening as he threw out a bombshell: "Xiaofeng, are you aware that you possess Twin Martial Souls?"

"Twin Martial Souls?!" Lin Feng and Ma Xiaotao exclaimed in unison.

"Based on my observations when I released my martial soul on you just now, your second martial soul must be a rare body-type martial soul—that is, your own body. Otherwise, there is no way to explain how you could absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring beyond your level. Without a sufficiently formidable physique, it would be absolutely impossible to withstand that kind of energy."

"Dean, is that true? Don't lie to me, I haven't read much, and the acquisition of both spirit rings was just a stroke of luck." Lin Feng took the opportunity to play dumb.

"I am basically certain." Yan Shaozhe's tone was firm, then his expression shifted, his eyes filled with appreciation. "Xiaotao is already my personal disciple. Xiaofeng, would you be willing to take me as your master and become my second personal disciple?"

The more he looked at Lin Feng, the more satisfied he became. Lin Feng was gifted and possessed a steady temperament. Coupled with the indescribable relationship between him and his eldest disciple, Ma Xiaotao, perhaps they could be cultivated into a "peerless pair" in the future.

"Dean, this...? I am honored by your regard, Master. Disciple Lin Feng is willing." Lin Feng quickly changed his address, his tone steady and his gaze firm.

He would have regretted it had he hesitated for even a second; after all, the resources this teacher could provide were extraordinary.

"Good, then let us perform the apprenticeship," Yan Shaozhe said with a genuine smile. "I am not a fan of kneeling, so just use tea in place of wine. Once you drink this cup, you are a disciple of Yan Shaozhe."

Lin Feng bowed three times with sincerity before lifting the teacup with both hands and draining it in one gulp. Yan Shaozhe nodded in satisfaction.

"Heehee, that's great!"

Ma Xiaotao, standing to the side, couldn't help but clap and laugh, her face full of joy—happier than she had been when she herself became his disciple.

She leaned close to Lin Feng and whispered, "From now on, if anyone bullies you at the academy, just use my name!"

Yan Shaozhe looked at his impulsive disciple with a helpless expression, then turned to Lin Feng with a serious face. "Since you have entered my tutelage, you must hold fast to your original intent and practice diligently. The academy's resources will be tilted in your favor, but how far you go ultimately depends on yourself."

"This disciple understands and will not fail your high expectations, Master." Yan Shaozhe nodded and took out a white jade token from his robes that looked ordinary but contained a unique fluctuation of spirit power, handing it to Lin Feng.

"This is my token. Holding it, you may freely enter most areas of Sea God Island, including my library and cultivation rooms. If you encounter any difficulties in your practice, you may come here to find me at any time."

"Thank you, Master." Lin Feng accepted it solemnly.

"Your spirit master rank is too low right now. In the future, you might truly be able to completely devour Xiaotao's Evil Fire and help her achieve the Ultimate Fire."

"Yes, Master, Sister Xiaotao, I will work hard." Lin Feng replied with a vow; he was quite confident in his ability to resolve Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire problem using the Flame Mantra.

"If there is nothing else, you two may go." Yan Shaozhe picked up his teacup, his tone returning to normal.

"Yes, goodbye, Master." Lin Feng and Ma Xiaotao replied in unison and turned to leave.

"Wait," Yan Shaozhe said, as if suddenly remembering something. "Xiaotao, stay for a moment; I have something to discuss. Xiaofeng, wait for her outside for a moment."

Ma Xiaotao walked back to her teacher's side in confusion, only to see a hint of undisguised amusement in Yan Shaozhe's eyes, his tone carrying a touch of teasing: "Xiaotao, I must remind you: Xiaofeng is only twelve years old. Some things... should not be rushed. Even if you must wait, wait until he is at least fourteen, otherwise, I fear his constitution won't be able to handle it."

"Master! You—what do you take me for!" Ma Xiaotao's cheeks burned instantly, both embarrassed and flustered.

Yan Shaozhe chuckled, lowering his voice. "I have been through this. If you can truly become cultivation partners with Xiaofeng in the future, within ten years, you will surely... haha, never mind, I won't say more. This rare opportunity is yours to grasp."

"Goodbye, Master!" Ma Xiaotao's ears were bright red. Not daring to look Yan Shaozhe in the eye, she turned and rushed out the door.

Lin Feng stood outside the door, having heard the conversation inside clearly. It was obvious that Yan Shaozhe had intentionally not set up a spirit power barrier to block the sound, wanting him to hear it.

Seeing Ma Xiaotao emerge, he immediately put on an oblivious expression and asked with concern, "Sister Xiaotao, why is your face so red?"

"N-nothing!" Ma Xiaotao's eyes darted around as she forced herself to stay calm. "It's just the teacher being a meddlesome matchmaker, nonsense!"

A smile flickered in the depths of Lin Feng's eyes, but he feigned surprise and pressed, "Oh? Which genius is it that caught our teacher's eye enough for him to play matchmaker himself?"

"Someone with the surname Mu—as in 'blockhead' Mu. Guess for yourself?"

"I just arrived at the academy, how could I possibly guess?"

"Hmph, forget it if you can't guess!"

Ma Xiaotao snorted and turned her head away, though her hand still gripped Lin Feng's small hand tightly. As a young maiden, she couldn't handle such teasing; she usually buried herself in cultivation and rarely gave matters of the heart a second thought.

Lin Feng's arrival was like charcoal in the snow—no, to be precise, it was like snow in the charcoal.

The effect of Lin Feng dealing with the Phoenix Evil Fire was so surprising that it was nearly a thousand times more effective than Xu Sanshi.

Xu Sanshi's "Turtle Power" was no different from splashing cold water on the Phoenix Evil Fire, and every time, he ended up beaten black and blue by her.

Ma Xiaotao's mind wandered, and she even forgot to control her flight direction, unknowingly circling a large loop over Sea God Lake.

It wasn't until the sun set and the lake was covered in shattered gold that she suddenly snapped back to reality.

"Oh no, it's almost dark!" she cried out, a flash of panic crossing her face—it was unclear whether she was afraid of missing her duties or afraid of her inner thoughts being seen through.

"We have to hurry to register," she turned to Lin Feng, her tone feigning composure. "If we're any later, the Academic Affairs Office will be closed."

Lin Feng strongly suspected that Ma Xiaotao had gotten lost on purpose. The two soon arrived at the Academic Affairs Office and finally completed their registration just before the staff left.

"There's no time to arrange a dormitory, so just sleep at my place for the night."

"Ah? Sister Xiaotao, is that really appropriate..."

"Don't talk nonsense, follow me!"

Lin Feng confirmed that she had definitely gotten lost on purpose.