Ma Hongjun Earns a C- Rating, Wins a Phoenix Pill, and Reaches the Pinnacle of Life as His Martial Soul Evolves and His Soul Power Soars

The two of them had actually gotten the chance to take on the Star Official Challenge.

It was enough to make everyone else green with envy.

The teacher maintaining order was at his wit's end.

No matter how many times he scolded them, he still couldn't keep the situation under control.

In the end, he could only give up helplessly.

He shook his head at Dean Flender.

Flender pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and gestured that it was fine.

With all eyes on them, Liu Erlong nudged Yu Xiaogang on the arm.

She said excitedly:

"Xiao Gang, Senior called for you and Ma Hongjun."

"Hurry up and go take on the Star Official Challenge!"

Ma Hongjun could barely contain himself, looking eager to give it a try.

Yu Xiaogang frowned as he glanced at the Silver-Haired Man on the arena.

Then he looked at Ma Hongjun and patted him on the shoulder.

"Ma Hongjun, you're a student of Shrek Academy."

"I can't steal your thunder."

"You should go up and take on the Star Official Challenge first."

Ma Hongjun nodded and said excitedly:

"Thank you, Grandmaster. I'll go up first, then!"

With that, he hiked up his pants and strutted toward the arena.

He cautiously reached out to touch the Arena Formation.

When his right hand passed straight through, he strode onto the arena.

Thousands of people watched, their breathing quickening.

They had only ever heard about the Star Official Challenge.

At last, the moment to witness a miracle had arrived.

Ma Hongjun came to the cushion and turned to face the crowd.

He raised both hands high in the air, flashing peace signs and striking a pose he thought looked incredibly cool.

Who could have guessed that he'd be met with a wave of jeers?

Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji all raised their hands to their foreheads in exasperation.

They really wanted to kick this disgraceful fellow out of the academy.

Ma Hongjun hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

He gave an awkward cough. His skin was thick; he wasn't afraid.

Only then did he turn around, bow, and call out respectfully:

"One of the Shrek Seven Devils, Ma Hongjun!"

"Greetings, Senior!"

"I've come to take on the Star Official Challenge!"

"I hope you'll give me some guidance!"

Lin Feng looked at the swaggering fellow before him.

Did he come here to show off, or to take on the Star Official Challenge?

He nodded and said:

"Take out the Lucky Star Feather you received."

"Then infuse it with Soul Power, and I'll open the Star Official Challenge for you."

Ma Hongjun replied, "Yes, Senior!"

He then pulled a feather radiating sacred golden light from his clothes and infused it with Soul Power.

In that instant, thousands of people in the crowd fixed their eyes on the Golden Feather.

This was a precious treasure that could let someone take on the Star Official Challenge.

The Lucky Star Feather flashed with golden light and rose into the air.

Two characters appeared on it: "Attack."

Lin Feng explained:

"Ma Hongjun, you've opened the 'Attack' challenge."

"Now all you have to do is use your strongest attack and hit the Star Feather."

Ma Hongjun gazed at the Lucky Star Feather hovering in the sky, his expression turning solemn.

He might usually be careless and easygoing, but this challenge and the reward waiting at the end were no joking matter.

He clenched both fists. Four Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, and purple—rose beneath his feet. His Soul Power was at level 49, making him a Soul Ancestor.

A piercing cry rang out from the Evil Fire Phoenix, and flames swept across the entire plaza.

He shouted, "Second Soul Skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix!"

"Third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring!"

"Fourth Soul Skill, Phoenix Sky-Screaming Strike!"

Chapter 19: Ma Hongjun Earns a C- Rating, Wins a Phoenix Pill, and Reaches the Pinnacle of Life as His Martial Soul Evolves and His Soul Power Soars

On the arena in Shrek Academy's plaza.

Ma Hongjun's second Soul Ring lit up.

A layer of scorching flames clung to his body.

It increased the power of his Body Martial Soul's Phoenix Flame by 30%.

This was his second Soul Skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix.

His third Soul Ring lit up.

A pair of flaming wings formed behind him, briefly granting him the ability to fly.

The power of his Phoenix Flame increased by 100%, and its range expanded by 50%.

This was his third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring.

His fourth Soul Ring lit up.

Ma Hongjun circled the Lucky Star Feather in the air.

Scorching lava erupted from the ground and surged skyward.

It engulfed the Star Feather, inflicting continuous damage.

Then he transformed into a colossal Evil Fire Phoenix.

He plunged down from the sky and struck the Lucky Star Feather, dealing a second wave of damage.

In an instant, scorching winds swept across the entire arena.

The temperature rose considerably.

To prevent casualties and damage, the academy teachers stepped in and dispelled the lingering force of the Soul Skills.

Once everything had settled, the Star Feather remained completely unharmed.

Ma Hongjun landed on the arena and dropped to one knee.

He had expended a great deal of Soul Power, and his breathing was weak.

He had thrown caution to the wind, desperate to earn a higher rating and a better reward.

Before long, Ma Hongjun felt his Soul Power rapidly recovering.

Color gradually returned to his face, and he slowly rose to his feet.

Thousands of people beneath the arena wore excited expressions.

They wondered what sort of rating and reward Ma Hongjun, one of the Shrek Seven Devils, would earn.

On the arena, Ma Hongjun came to the cushion.

He took a deep breath, bowed, and said:

"Senior, I've finished my attack!"

"What rating did I get for it?"

Lin Feng looked up at Ma Hongjun. A string of red text appeared in his mind:

[Character: Ma Hongjun]

[Attack Damage: 25631]

[Rating: C-]

[Reward: One Phoenix Pill]

Note: After consuming this pill, a Soul Master with a fire-attribute Martial Soul will have the impurities in their Martial Soul removed, allowing it to evolve and greatly increasing their Soul Power.

Lin Feng said:

"Ma Hongjun, congratulations on dealing 25631 points of damage."

"You've earned a C- rating. Your reward is one Phoenix Pill."

As he spoke, a pale-blue ball of light took shape in his hand.

It flew before Ma Hongjun and turned into a red pill.

When thousands of people in the crowd heard the C- rating, their faces filled with shock and envy.

They hadn't expected Ma Hongjun to earn the same rating as Hu Liena, the Saintess of Spirit Hall.

The disdainful look in Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's eyes from a moment ago had vanished.

Excitement flickered in his eyes, and he looked eager to give it a try.

After learning his rating, Ma Hongjun didn't even have time to marvel or brag.

His gaze was drawn to the red pill before him, which radiated the aura of a phoenix.

His instincts told him that if he took the Phoenix Pill, his strength would surely improve by leaps and bounds.

"Th-thank you for the reward, Senior!"

Ma Hongjun's breathing quickened as he suddenly reached out.

He grabbed the Phoenix Pill, shoved it into his mouth, and swallowed it.

In that instant, a terrifying medicinal force erupted.

Ma Hongjun was engulfed in flames that blotted out the sky.

His Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul manifested on its own.