The afternoon sun remained bright, and the road back to Sea God Island seemed longer than it had on the way there.
Sunlight danced through the gaps between the leaves and across Ma Xiaotao's fiery red hair, but it couldn't dispel the faint gloom surrounding her.
"...Kid, tell me, why... didn't I meet you sooner?"
Ma Xiaotao suddenly spoke, her voice a little hoarse.
Long Jinyu turned his head. Seeing her tightly pressed lips and lowered lashes, he understood what was troubling her and moved a little closer.
"Senior, don't dwell on it. We can't change the past, but we can shape the future. At least we've met now, and it's not too late, is it?"
He paused. Seeing Ma Xiaotao's expression soften, he deftly changed the subject. "Come to think of it, Senior, you seem especially familiar with Phoenix Perch Pavilion. And Senior Wu Ming's reaction, too... Was that place originally your home?"
Mention of Phoenix Perch Pavilion successfully drew Ma Xiaotao's attention away.
She let out a soft breath, as if expelling the knot of frustration she'd just felt, and explained, "Phoenix Perch Pavilion... That area was originally reserved for the academy's elders and instructors who'd rendered great service. It had the best surroundings, and was the quietest."
"When I was little, not long after my teacher brought me back to the academy, my Evil Fire problem surfaced after my Martial Soul Awakening. It was extremely unstable."
"The outer court dormitories were too crowded, with too many prying eyes. I couldn't live there at all. To give me a place where my Evil Fire could be suppressed as much as possible and I could cultivate in peace, my teacher made an exception and arranged for me to stay there temporarily."
"That was when the villa got the name 'Phoenix Perch Pavilion.'"
A trace of wistful reminiscence crept into her voice. "You could say I practically grew up there."
"Later, when I was a little older and had better control over my Soul Power, I moved into the inner court girls' dormitory. I thought I should learn to get along with people... But..."
She gave a self-mocking laugh and didn't elaborate, but Long Jinyu could guess what had happened: her Evil Fire must have gone out of control and burned down the dormitory.
"After that, I had no choice but to move back there for a while."
"I didn't leave for good until I officially entered the inner court through my own strength and got my own place on Sea God Island."
"According to the academy's rules, to live permanently in a residence like Phoenix Perch Pavilion, you need to have Soul Power above level seventy and complete an important task assigned jointly by the elders of Sea God Pavilion. You have to prove that you're valuable to the academy and have contributed enough."
She glanced at Long Jinyu, her tone complicated. "So, do you understand now? I can move back only thanks to you. My teacher and the others... They've placed you above even a Soul Saint."
Long Jinyu listened quietly, but inside, his thoughts surged like a stormy sea.
He hadn't expected there to be such a story behind this villa—
It was a glimpse of Ma Xiaotao's childhood and youth, spent fighting her Evil Fire in isolation from the world.
Shrek had made exceptions out of concern for Ma Xiaotao, but it had also imposed rules and standards that were almost harsh.
They really take the cake.
He grumbled silently to himself.
Ma Xiaotao's a top-tier genius. Instead of giving her the best care and training to solve the root of her problem, they're so strict about where she's allowed to live?
Over level seventy and a task, too? What kind of special treatment is that? It's more like squeezing her dry! No wonder, in the original story...
His opinion of Shrek's upper echelons darkened further, but he didn't dwell on it. He simply followed the thread of the conversation and said:
"So that's the story behind it."
"Thank you for telling me, Senior. I'm glad I could help you return to a place you knew."
Then, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him, he smiled and suggested, "By the way, Senior, I've always thought the title 'Flame Fiend' was a real mood-killer. It doesn't suit you at all. What do you think of 'Fire Phoenix Heavenly Maiden'? It sounds powerful and celestial—just like you."
Ma Xiaotao was drawn in by the new topic. "'Fire Phoenix Heavenly Maiden'? You called me that this morning, didn't you?"
Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, curious. "Come to think of it, you seemed to know me from the start?"
Long Jinyu's heart jumped, but his expression remained calm. He cleared his throat. "Your reputation... Er, I mean, your fame, is well-known throughout the academy. Naturally, I'd heard of you."
He quickly steered the conversation back. "Ahem, what do you think of the title? It sounds better than 'Fiend,' doesn't it?"
Ma Xiaotao gave a soft snort, accepting his explanation for the moment. "Is that so? I'm that famous? But... Wu Ming is called the 'Golden Crow Saintess.' Why shouldn't I be the 'Fire Phoenix Saintess'? Doesn't that sound more imposing?"
"Absolutely not!!!"
The words burst from Long Jinyu before he could stop himself. His voice carried an unusual urgency and resolve!
The blood and darkness behind the title "Fire Phoenix Saintess" in the original story—that was a mark imposed on her by the Holy Spirit Cult, a future he absolutely refused to see!
His excessive reaction startled Ma Xiaotao. She stared at him blankly. "...What's wrong? Is there a problem with that name?"
He immediately realized he'd lost control and hurried to compose himself, forcing down the turmoil stirred by that ill-omened title and quickly reaching for an excuse.
"Ahem, sorry, Senior. That was rude of me. I meant... Since Senior Wu Ming is already the 'Saintess,' calling you another 'Saintess' wouldn't be very original. It might make it seem like you were copying her."
"'Heavenly Maiden' sounds more transcendent and refined than 'Saintess.' It has a more lofty meaning, and suits your status as the inner court's top genius better, don't you think?"
Ma Xiaotao tilted her head and thought it over. That did seem to make some sense.
Why should she, Ma Xiaotao, share a title with that silly bird, Wu Ming?
"Heavenly Maiden" did sound a little more special, and besides... he'd come up with it.
She pursed her lips. "Fine. 'Fire Phoenix Heavenly Maiden,' then. At least you know how to flatter me."
As they talked along the way, they arrived at the elegant courtyard gate of Phoenix Perch Pavilion before they knew it.
"Finally." Ma Xiaotao let out a breath of relief and pushed open the courtyard gate. The familiar, warm Soul Power, carrying the aura of the Golden Tree, eased some of the tension in her nerves.
Long Jinyu followed her into the living room, his eyes once again sweeping over the house that had become his temporary home.
He'd arrived in a hurry that morning and had been through so much that he hadn't even decided which room to stay in.
Remembering Ma Xiaotao's firm "second-floor ban," he looked at her as she prepared to go upstairs and asked, "Senior, um... There are so many rooms on the first floor. Which one should I stay in? You know the place better than I do. Could you recommend one?"
Ma Xiaotao stopped and turned around.
At the question, a hint of smugness appeared on her face, as if to say, You've come to the right person. The wistfulness brought on by her memories seemed to have faded, too.
"Sure. Come with me."
She sounded quite cheerful, with a hint of eagerness to show off her territory.
"I lived here for so many years that I know every corner, right down to which bricks are loose."
She led Long Jinyu through the living room and down a hallway, introducing the rooms like a proud local guide.
"This one faces north. It's cool in summer, but a bit chilly in winter."
"This one has a window overlooking the bamboo grove at the back. The view's nice, but the birds can wake you up in the morning."
"The one at the very end..."
She stopped in front of a carved wooden door, her tone certain.
"It gets the best sunlight. The sun fills the whole room in the morning, so it's warm and dry. If you open the window, you can see the flower beds in the courtyard, and the view's nice and open. Back when... when I felt especially unwell, I liked to stay in this room."
As she spoke, she reached out and pushed the door open.
The room was indeed spacious and bright. Sunlight poured through the clean glass windows, casting large, warm patches of light across the floor. The furniture was simple and elegant, and not a speck of dust lay anywhere.
Suddenly.
Long Jinyu's gaze was drawn to the wall directly opposite the bed—
Hanging there was something he absolutely should not have seen in this world!
It was a neat rectangle, with a smooth black screen and metal edging. Below it were several obvious buttons and controls...
Holy crap. A television?!
Long Jinyu's pupils contracted sharply. The jarring mismatch and sense of temporal dislocation made him step back instinctively. His foot caught on the edge of the soft carpet, and he immediately lost his balance!
"Ow!"
He yelped and landed hard on his backside, staring as if he'd seen a ghost. Pointing at the thing on the wall, he stammered, "Wh-what is that?!"
Ma Xiaotao froze at his sudden, dramatic reaction. She followed his finger and looked at the Soul Tool mounted on the wall, its crystal screen set into it. After a moment of confusion—
"Pfft—hahahaha!!"
She burst into loud, unrestrained laughter, bending over at the waist. Tears welled in her phoenix eyes.
"Y-you're supposed to be so impressive, with your Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Life, and this is what scares you?! Oh, you poor kid... You really are such a bumpkin! Hahaha!"
Long Jinyu sat on the floor. "..."
He'd just been shocked to see something so far ahead of its time. It wasn't as if he didn't know what it was!
According to the original story, Soul Tools in this era were advanced, but their development was mainly focused on combat, communications, and household assistance. There was no way they should have developed an entire "television" entertainment and media technology tree!
Ma Xiaotao kept laughing as she slapped the doorframe...
It took her a good while to calm down. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and explained with a teasing smile and a touch of superiority, like a city dweller looking down on a country bumpkin.
"It's a Soul Guidance Television! It's a high-level Soul Tool that's been spreading here from the Sun Moon Empire in recent years. It's pretty interesting. You can use it to watch recorded footage or distant broadcasts of things like the Soul Master Tournament. You're from an isolated place, so it's normal that you've never seen one!"
After that, she waved a hand, clearly uninterested in the technology behind it and regarding it as little more than a novel toy.
Listening to Ma Xiaotao explain, Long Jinyu felt an intense sense of disorientation—
He came from the Information Age, and yet a "paper person" was laughing at him for not recognizing a television?!
"Ahem... I've made a fool of myself, Senior."
He suppressed the absurdity he felt, doing his best to make his expression look as if he'd suddenly understood.
Using his hands and feet, he scrambled up from the floor and brushed the dust off his clothes, trying to salvage a little dignity.
"S-so that's how it is... The Soul Guidance Technology of the Sun Moon Empire has advanced to this extent? That's... astonishing."
Ma Xiaotao looked at his "I see" expression with satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder. "If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me! Don't scare yourself."
As she spoke, she gave him a casual shove, sending him tumbling backward onto the soft bed.
"All right, kid. Take a bath and get a good night's sleep."
"You're free this afternoon, so sleep without worrying."
"There's a Soul Guidance Washing Machine on the first-floor balcony. It's easy to use, and there's a manual beside it. Read it yourself. There's also a Soul Guidance Hair Dryer in the bathroom for drying your hair."
Long Jinyu sank into the soft bed. A wave of exhaustion swept over him, body and soul. He let out a long breath.
"A washing machine? A hair dryer?"
"Got it, Senior. I really do need... a good night's sleep. Good afternoon, Senior."
"Good afternoon."
Ma Xiaotao replied with rare gentleness, drew the curtains for him, and closed the door, shutting out the sunlight and sounds of the world outside.
The room immediately fell into a quiet stillness, perfect for sleep.
Before you continue