Ma Xiaotao's Suspicion, Elimination Round Begins

Did I mistake him for someone else? Ma Xiaotao lowered her head in contemplation.

Ever since Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Evil Fire was completely incinerated by Huo Yuhao's Amaterasu three months ago, leaving even the Soul Power within her body scorched dry, she had been in a state of recovery.

When Ma Xiaotao resumed her cultivation, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that the temperature of her phoenix flames had actually risen by a level.

After Yan Shaozhe examined Ma Xiaotao's body, he explained that it was because she had been exerting her full strength to resist the scorching of that strange Black Flame with her Soul Power, and the fire attribute within her Soul Power had been subtly purified by that very flame.

Having experienced such a brush with death, Ma Xiaotao had actually gained a benefit.

This meant that if she could find the Soul Master who possessed the Ultimate Fire attribute, Ma Xiaotao could use a fire-against-fire method to continuously purify her Phoenix Evil Fire.

She could thoroughly purge the impure aspects of her Martial Soul.

Thereby causing her Martial Soul to undergo a qualitative change and elevate to the level of Ultimate Fire.

In short, whether it was the possessor of Ultimate Ice or Ultimate Fire, as long as she found them and had them cooperate or cultivate alongside her, it would bring her immense benefits.

Ma Xiaotao was naturally overjoyed upon hearing this, but she had searched both the Inner Court and Outer Court for two months and simply could not find the figure from her memory.

After such a long time, Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire had accumulated to a point where it had to be vented, which was why she had once again sought out her "tool," Xu Sanshi.

She had tormented him severely.

"Senior Sister Xiaotao, can I go now?" Xu Sanshi asked from the side, his face twisted in a bitter smile.

Xu Sanshi had been tormented for several days; he had finally endured through the intense agony, but the toll on both his body and his Soul Power was far too severe.

All he wanted now was to return to his dormitory and sleep.

"You may go," Ma Xiaotao said indifferently.

Xu Sanshi felt as if he had been granted amnesty and turned to leave.

Before leaving, he cast a gloating look in Huo Yuhao's direction.

Anyone targeted by this madwoman was bound to have a bad time.

Heh heh, kid, you set me up, so this time it's my turn to set you up.

Huo Yuhao noticed Ma Xiaotao's scrutinizing gaze, but he remained fearless, striding forward with long, steady steps.

It's best if this madwoman doesn't provoke me, but if she does, the me of today is completely different from the one three months ago.

If she were to act unreasonably and start a fight, Huo Yuhao wouldn't mind showing his true strength.

Coincidentally, Huo Yuhao didn't even know what level of power he could reach if he went all out.

Ma Xiaotao stared intently at Huo Yuhao's eyes, attempting to discern even the slightest hint of anything amiss from his expression and demeanor.

The next second, the two brushed past each other.

"Wait!" Ma Xiaotao suddenly whirled around and called out to Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao said expressionlessly, "Senior Sister, is something the matter?"

"Your Martial Soul... is it eyes?" Ma Xiaotao seemed unsure of what to say, hesitating for a moment before asking the abrupt question.

Huo Yuhao nodded. "My Martial Soul is indeed eyes. If there is nothing else, I will be taking my leave."

With that, he turned and walked away.

The only reason he had answered Ma Xiaotao was out of basic politeness.

Huo Yuhao didn't feel he had any obligation to prove anything to anyone.

Ma Xiaotao watched Huo Yuhao's retreating back, unable to stop herself from frowning.

Could it really be that I was mistaken? How could a Martial Soul that is eyes have anything to do with Ultimate Ice or Ultimate Fire, unless he has a second Martial Soul?

Hm? A second Martial Soul? At this thought, Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up.

That's right, if he has a second Martial Soul, wouldn't that explain it?

But, his cultivation is only at the first ring; how could he unleash such a powerful attack?

The next second, Ma Xiaotao was filled with doubt once again.

The more she thought about it, the more baffled she became.

Ma Xiaotao's already low-powered brain was nearly overheating.

"Huo Yuhao, I've remembered you."

Huo Yuhao didn't give this small interlude a second thought; by now, he had already returned to his hotel room.

He habitually sat cross-legged to cultivate, and the God Forging Technique in his mind began to circulate automatically.

The next morning, as the soft sunlight shone upon the earth, the once-quiet Shrek Academy became restless once again.

Perhaps because the freshman assessment had reached the elimination stage, the Shrek assessment area suddenly became bustling with noise and excitement.

Vibrant Shrek students poured out from every corner of the academy, all heading toward the freshman assessment area.

The annual freshman assessment tournament, once it reached the elimination stage, was considered a major event for Shrek Academy, and almost all the teachers and students would come to watch.

Of course, watching the matches required payment, which was one of the ways Shrek Academy raked in wealth.

After finishing breakfast, Huo Yuhao met up with Ouyang Junyi and Chen Junfeng once again and headed toward the new assessment area.

Their assessment area for the knockout stage was Area 8. When they arrived at the field, they were surprised to find that their opponents had already reached the center.

In the northern part of the assessment area, there was a metal platform elevated twenty meters above the ground.

The instructors for the freshman classes had gathered there. Wang Yan stood at the very front, gazing down quietly at the assessment area below.

In the round-robin tournament, only a handful of teams had achieved a perfect record, and today, Huo Yuhao and his team were facing one of those undefeated squads.

"Teacher Wang, how about it? Do you have confidence in your class's team today?" a young, beautiful female instructor walked up to Wang Yan and asked.

The person speaking was none other than Mu Jin, the head instructor of Freshman Class 9, who would be facing Huo Yuhao's team today.

"Hehe, Teacher Mu, what a coincidence to run into your class's team today. Naturally, I have confidence in my own students, though it seems you are quite full of confidence yourself, Teacher Mu."

Wang Yan responded with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare say we're guaranteed to beat your team, Teacher Wang, but I'd say we have a decent chance."

Mu Jin smiled charmingly.

"Hmph, hypocrite." A harsh, raspy voice came from the side.

Zhou Yi was unexpectedly on the platform as well, letting out a snort of disdain.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi, Mu Jin didn't get angry; instead, she retorted with sarcasm: "Oh, isn't this the great Spirit Emperor who couldn't even handle a new student with only one spirit ring?"

"How do you even have the face to show up here today? Truly shameless."

Zhou Yi's face flushed red and then turned pale as she snapped, "Mu Jin, are you looking to die?"

"The two of you, let's just watch the match. I wonder which side you both favor?"

Wang Yan stepped between them to mediate, shifting the topic.

"Teacher Zhou, based on your experience, who do you think has the higher probability of winning?"

Zhou Yi looked down at Huo Yuhao below; she was so infuriated that she gritted her teeth, yet she remained silent.

Although she detested Huo Yuhao, Zhou Yi also felt that he would win.

However, she was unwilling to mention him, so she chose to stay quiet.

Seeing this, Mu Jin was delighted. She spoke to Zhou Yi in a mocking, sarcastic tone: "Hmph, just a kid with one ring, yet he managed to make our great instructor Zhou look so disgraced. Just stay on the platform and watch honestly; my students will make up for your failures."

"You!" Zhou Yi was left speechless again, but she had no choice but to endure it.

After all, what the woman said was the truth.