Shock the Entire Hall!

Under Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu's watchful eyes, Ji Bai sat cross-legged on the spot. An invisible ripple spread outward, and the phantom of a Fire Phoenix emerged behind him, suddenly letting out a piercing cry.

"What's going on with him? His Soul Power is in complete chaos—he's practically about to lose control!" Huo Wu followed the control-type Soul Master path and was exceptionally sensitive to Soul Power fluctuations. She instantly noticed that something was wrong with Ji Bai.

"We should listen to him. Don't touch him." Huo Wushuang frowned as he stared at Ji Bai, not daring to act rashly.

Ji Bai was completely engulfed by the pain of Evil Fire scorching him. It was not merely physical pain; it also tormented his mind. Yet each round of torment only made both his body and spirit tougher.

All this time, he had kept the Evil Fire within a controllable range, preventing it from erupting. Its sudden outbreak was probably related to the excessively dense energy in this place. His body had not yet adapted to it.

After a while.

Layers of invisible ripples spread across Ji Bai's body, and the surrounding temperature gradually rose. Although Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu sensed something unusual, they could not see anything.

As the effects of the Evil Fire gradually faded, Ji Bai slowly opened his eyes. His Soul Power fluctuations had also stabilized.

"Phew—"

Seeing this, Huo Wu knitted her delicate brows and immediately asked, "What exactly is going on with you?"

Huo Wushuang was also full of confusion and surprise.

Ji Bai had no intention of hiding it. It was not something shameful, so he said in a low voice:

"From the moment I awakened my Martial Soul, an invisible flame rose within my heart. This flame constantly affects my mind and scorches my muscles and bones. There was even a time when it made it impossible for me to cultivate calmly."

"Your Martial Soul actually has such a drawback... I really couldn't tell!" Huo Wushuang looked Ji Bai up and down.

"It may not necessarily be a drawback." Huo Wu stared at Ji Bai, lost in thought.

Ji Bai was surprised by her words.

Two days later, Blazing Academy officially began classes.

Although Ji Bai shared a dormitory with Huo Wushuang, they were in different classes.

He was only a freshman, so naturally he had to attend class with a group of other freshmen.

Freshman Class One.

Ji Bai sat among the crowd. Including him, the class had a little over twenty students in total.

Before long, a black-haired woman in a gold-and-red teacher's uniform walked onto the podium. Her features were refined and beautiful, and she held a teaching whip as she faced the class, radiating a distinctive charm.

"Students, my name is Xiao Ling. From now on, I'll be your homeroom teacher and will be responsible for all your courses in the junior division. You may call me Teacher Xiao or Director Xiao."

Xiao Ling turned around and wrote her name on the blackboard. Then she swept her gaze across the room and immediately noticed Ji Bai, who seemed utterly out of place among the crowd.

Compared to the others, Ji Bai was simply too young not to draw attention.

"Next, each of you will introduce yourselves so everyone can get acquainted."

"You first."

Xiao Ling pointed toward Ji Bai's seat.

At once, everyone turned to look at Ji Bai. He looked around as well and only stood up after realizing that everyone was staring at him.

"Don't be nervous."

"You should be the youngest among this batch of freshmen, but since you were admitted, it means your abilities meet the standard. Among this group of freshmen, you have the best talent. Be more confident."

Xiao Ling slowly walked up to Ji Bai and sat directly on the desk in front of him, smiling warmly.

Ji Bai avoided Xiao Ling's gaze. After looking around the room, he said, "Hello, everyone. My name is Ji Bai. I'm seven years old. My Martial Soul is the Fire Phoenix, and I currently have level fifteen Soul Power."

"Uh..."

Xiao Ling had already guessed that Ji Bai would be outstanding, but she had not expected him to be outstanding to this extent. For a moment, she froze and forgot to respond.

The twenty-odd students in the classroom also stared at Ji Bai in stunned disbelief. Their mouths fell open unconsciously, yet no sound came out.

"V-very good. You may sit down..."

After coming back to her senses, Xiao Ling patted Ji Bai on the shoulder and turned to return to the podium.

Even after Ji Bai sat down, he could still feel the attention of those around him.

But it did not matter.

Whatever those gazes contained, they were an acknowledgment of his ability.

"Next, you."

Xiao Ling looked at the first person seated in the front row.

"Hello, everyone. My name is..."

That person began their introduction. Everyone afterward gave much the same introduction. All of them had Soul Power above level fifteen and were over ten years old.

Before long, Ji Bai's first class at Blazing Academy officially began. An hour passed quickly, and just as Xiao Ling was preparing to leave, Ji Bai walked up to the podium and stopped in front of her.

Xiao Ling lowered her gaze toward Ji Bai, somewhat puzzled. "Ji Bai, was there something from today's lesson that you didn't understand?"

Ji Bai shook his head. "No. I just have a few questions I'd like to ask Teacher Xiao."

"Hmm... In that case, come talk in my office." Xiao Ling beckoned to him and turned toward the classroom door.

Ji Bai quickly followed.

Every teacher here had an independent office, which also served as a place for them to rest. It was very quiet.

After Xiao Ling sat behind her desk, she looked at Ji Bai with a smile and asked, "What would you like to ask?"

Ji Bai thought for a moment and said, "The teacher at my previous Soul Master Academy helped me hunt my first Soul Ring, but they didn't know the approximate age of that Soul Beast. I've always wanted to know, but that academy didn't teach this kind of knowledge, so I wanted to ask Teacher Xiao for guidance."

"What Soul Master Academy did you attend before? How unprofessional was it? They didn't even know the approximate age of the Soul Beast!" Xiao Ling found it rather speechless. After shaking her head, she asked, "Do you know the Soul Beast's name and characteristics?"

"It was a century-old Explosive Flame Falcon. When one of its wings spread out, it was about..." After Ji Bai described the characteristics of that Explosive Flame Falcon from back then one by one, he quietly waited for Xiao Ling's answer.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ling said:

"Based on the information you've given me, I can tell you responsibly that this Explosive Flame Falcon was over five hundred years old, but no more than six hundred."

"The fact that you were able to absorb its Soul Ring involved a great deal of luck. I don't even know whether I should be happy for you or mourn for you. If it had been someone else, or if you had been a little less lucky, the grass on your grave would probably be three feet tall by now."

Ji Bai's mouth twitched. Then he said, "I have one more question for you. After my Martial Soul awakened, I developed a kind of Heart Fire. As I cultivated, this Heart Fire grew stronger by the day. When it gets serious, it burns my meridians and affects my mind. I used to control it with ice water. Do you have any solution?"

Xiao Ling frowned slightly. "This is the first time I've heard of a case like yours, but based on what you've described, I can offer you a few suggestions."

"Control the rhythm of your breathing and keep your emotions calm. Since it is Heart Fire, you can also try controlling it the way you control ordinary flames."

Ji Bai said, "I used to learn how to control fire by grilling fish, roasting eggs, boiling water, and similar methods."

Xiao Ling smiled. "You're quite clever to have come up with that method. Tomorrow, I'll teach you all methods for controlling fire. Make sure you listen carefully then."

"Thank you. I'll be leaving now." Ji Bai gave a slight bow and slowly left, not forgetting to close the door behind him.