Evil Fire Phoenix! Innate Soul Power Level Nine and a Half!

Ma Hongjun took the Awakening Stone and closed his eyes.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

There was no reaction at all.

Village Chief Ma's expression dimmed once more.

Just when everyone thought this child would also awaken an ordinary martial soul.

BOOM!

A scorching aura erupted from within Ma Hongjun's body!

The Awakening Stone shattered instantly!

Flames rose from Ma Hongjun's body, burning fiercely!

"What is happening?!"

Flender's pupils constricted, and he instinctively took a step back.

Oscar was so startled he jumped into the air.

"It's... it's on fire?!"

Fu Wen stood where he was, staring at Ma Hongjun without blinking.

It was here.

The Evil Fire Phoenix.

Ma Hongjun's martial soul was a top-tier beast martial soul.

While it might not be in the absolute highest echelon, among beast martial souls, it was definitely a standout.

The flames burned brighter and brighter.

Ma Hongjun's body began to change.

His hair turned red, resembling burning flames.

Behind his back, a pair of wings condensed from fire slowly unfurled.

They were not physical, but the scorching aura they emitted made people afraid to approach.

"This is..."

Flender's eyes widened, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.

"This is... a phoenix?!"

That was right.

The phantom behind Ma Hongjun was a giant bird engulfed in flames.

Phoenix head, phoenix crest, phoenix tail...

Although it was not a complete phoenix form, the silhouette and the aura were unmistakably that of a phoenix!

"Grass Chicken Village... produced a phoenix?"

Flender muttered to himself, his expression a kaleidoscope of emotions.

In all his years, this was the first time he had ever seen such a thing.

Village Chief Ma was so excited he couldn't even speak.

A phoenix!

His nephew had awakened a phoenix martial soul!

That was a legendary divine beast!

"Good... good!"

Village Chief Ma stammered incoherently: "This is great! This is wonderful!"

Ma Hongjun opened his eyes, looked at the flames on his body, then at the phoenix phantom behind him, his face full of confusion.

"Uncle, what's happening to me?"

"You've awakened your martial soul!"

Village Chief Ma grabbed Ma Hongjun in a hug: "You've awakened a phoenix!"

"A phoenix?"

Ma Hongjun scratched his head: "Isn't that just a chicken?"

"..."

The smile on Village Chief Ma's face froze.

The corners of Flender's mouth twitched.

Oscar burst out laughing.

Only Fu Wen stood there, expressionless.

His gaze landed on Ma Hongjun, a flicker of sharp light flashing deep within his eyes.

Evil Fire Phoenix.

It was currently still in the form of a fire chicken, belonging only to the initial stage of evolution.

To complete the transformation into a true phoenix form, it would require subsequent increases in Soul Power Level and the addition of suitable soul rings to develop it.

Although the martial soul was strong, it also had a fatal flaw: the evil fire.

It meant that the flames contained impurities, making them impure.

If he could not control it, he would... well, do some rather unpleasant things.

In the original work, this guy had to go to brothels to find women to vent his urges from a young age.

Of course, none of that was important.

What was important was whether this person, Ma Hongjun, was worth befriending.

Fu Wen calculated silently in his heart.

If there were a better way to control the backlash of the evil fire.

Naturally, he could not let him go to brothels.

Because that place was too dirty.

"Dean Flender, this child... how is this child?"

Village Chief Ma came back to his senses and looked at Flender nervously.

Flender took a deep breath, calming his mood.

"This child's martial soul is a phoenix, which belongs to the top-tier beast martial souls."

"However, I sense a trace of unharmonious impurities within his flames..."

"And this flame reveals an evil nature..."

"According to the books I have read, this is very likely an Evil Fire Phoenix..."

"In other words, this martial soul carries an inherent defect..."

"As for his soul power..."

Flender observed Ma Hongjun carefully, his brows furrowing.

He immediately took a crystal ball out of his Soul Tool and handed it to Ma Hongjun.

"Little fatty, put your hand on it."

Ma Hongjun obediently placed his hand on it.

Hum!

The crystal ball lit up.

The light grew brighter and brighter, then dimmed slightly.

This was likely caused by the defect of the evil fire.

If not for the evil fire, it would definitely be Innate Full Soul Power.

But now, it was only Innate Soul Power of level nine and a half.

"Innate Soul Power of level nine and a half?!"

"What a pity. If it were a pure flame, it would certainly be Innate Full Soul Power."

"The defect caused a loss of half a level; it is not perfect."

"However, it is not a big problem. I will find a way to solve it later."

"At the very least, it is not a trash martial soul, but a top-tier beast martial soul. Moreover, it won't be long before he breaks through level ten and hunts his first soul ring."

Flender revealed a look of surprise.

Although Village Chief Ma did not understand what Innate Full Soul Power meant, he knew from Flender's expression that it must be something good.

"Dean Flender, this..."

"Village Chief Ma, I want this child."

Flender spoke directly: "Let him come to Shrek Academy to study. Tuition will be free, and room and board will be fully covered."

"This... how could I be so bold..."

Village Chief Ma was polite with his words, but the smile on his face could not be suppressed.

"It is settled."

"Village Chief Ma, I will be taking this child away."

Flender patted Village Chief Ma on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.

He seemed afraid that the other party might change his mind.

"Very well, very well. Dean Flender, I leave Xiao Pang in your hands!"

Village Chief Ma nodded repeatedly, his eyes turning slightly red.

Although he didn't understand anything about martial souls, he knew that following Flender would be better than staying in the village.

"Xiao Pang, come here."

Flender beckoned to Ma Hongjun.

Ma Hongjun trotted over eagerly, tilting his round face to look up at Flender.

"Dean Flender, is my phoenix... very powerful?"

"It is powerful, but..."

Flender crouched down, his expression turning serious.

"Xiao Pang, I need to tell you the truth."

"Your martial soul is called the Evil Fire Phoenix, a top-tier beast martial soul."

"But it has a flaw."

Ma Hongjun was stunned: "A flaw? What kind of flaw?"

"There is evil energy in your flames; it is not pure."

Flender carefully chose his words: "If this evil energy is not controlled, it will... well... it will affect your body and your behavior."

"When that time comes, you might do some things that aren't very good."

Ma Hongjun's face turned pale instantly.

"Then... then what should I do?"

His voice carried a hint of a sob: "Will I die?"

"You won't die, but it will be very troublesome."

Flender sighed.

Ma Hongjun's eyes turned red, tears swirling within them.

Although he was only six years old, he understood the word "flaw."

Didn't it just mean there was something wrong with him?

Seeing that the time was right, Flender shifted his tone.

"But don't be afraid."

"I, Flender, a seven-ring Soul Saint and Dean of Shrek Academy, am willing to take you as my personal disciple."

"From now on, you will follow me, and I will find a way to resolve the flaw in your martial soul."

"How about it?"