Blazing Fire Academy

Biodata

Background

Blazing Fire Academy is built into the mountainside of an extinct volcano. Its defining cultivation site, Fire Spring, is a ten-meter-wide circular pit where flames burn continuously without fuel. The academy renovated the site into Fire Spring Plaza, its most sought-after cultivation ground; positions closest to the flames are claimed first by students and teachers arriving each afternoon. 25

The surrounding landscape consists of extensive red rocky mountains, including Red Rock Mountain. These ancient formations are also the origin of Red Rock City’s name. 100

Huo Feng serves as the academy’s dean and oversees its competitive selection process. Before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, he opened an internal trial for students of at least Level 30, initially offering seven tournament places while reserving the possibility of adjustment. 29 30

Huo Feng brought the seriously injured Jin Shan to the academy after finding him unconscious in the Star Dou Great Forest. The academy treated him, and Jin Shan subsequently offered three favors in repayment. Huo Lei proposed securing his support through an honorary academy position and a master-disciple relationship, but Jin Shan initially rejected both requests. He later became Huo Lei’s teacher and an external supporter of the academy rather than accepting the proposed honorary position. 2 4 5

Despite its standing among the elemental academies, Blazing Fire was not considered one of the continent’s foremost powers. Huo Feng therefore concealed Huo Lei’s Twin Martial Souls to protect him from recruitment pressure or retaliation by stronger factions. The secret became public during the tournament’s Preliminary Round. 46

Facilities

Fire Spring Plaza

Fire Spring Plaza is the academy’s primary cultivation area.

• Built around the naturally burning Fire Spring, located in a shallow pit at the volcano’s base. 25
• The flames burn year-round without firewood or other fuel. 25
• Cultivation spots nearest the spring are considered the most effective and are allocated by arrival order. 25
• Access does not depend on status or strength. Loud disturbances and private fighting over cultivation spots are prohibited, with violations subject to warnings and disciplinary action. 25
• The plaza also serves as a gathering point for the tournament team and academy announcements. 36

Treatment Room

The academy’s treatment room contains two single beds, each accompanied by a bedside table and chair. Jin Shan recovered there after Huo Feng rescued him, with Miao Tian treating his injuries. 2

Front Plaza

The front plaza serves as a venue for public gatherings and competitive events.

• Huo Lei and Huo Zheng moved their confrontation there to avoid fighting at Fire Spring Plaza. 26
• The academy held its tournament selection trials in the square, with teachers supervising and students watching from a safe distance. 30
• Teachers, students, and tournament team members gathered there to welcome Emperor Xue Ye’s envoys after the championship. 103

Back Mountain

The academy’s Back Mountain provides space for private ability demonstrations. Huo Lei demonstrated the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud’s protective, concealment, immobilizing, and offensive abilities there to Jin Shan. 113

Personnel

• Huo Feng — Dean and headmaster; organized the academy’s tournament selection and later saw the Promotion Round team off from the academy. He continued to lead the academy during Huo Lei’s four-year training absence and handled Spirit Hall’s recurring inquiries. 30 61 126
• Xie Chong — Teacher, selection-trial organizer, and leader of the academy’s tournament team. He handles registration, tactical instruction, lineups, and profit distribution from the team’s merchandise. He is a Soul Sage who attained that rank before forty and is later identified as vice dean. 30 36 49 125
• Miao Tian — Treated Jin Shan after Huo Feng brought him back from the Star Dou Great Forest. 2
• Jin Shan — Huo Lei’s teacher and an outside supporter of the academy. He promised to assist the academy if it encountered difficulties and later supplied merchandise for its tournament campaign. His concealed warning also helped stop Huo Zheng from harming academy members during the Fire Spring dispute. 5 27 47
• Lin Yin — Associate of Huo Lei and Jin Shan who assisted the team during its Heaven Dou City merchandise sales. He later fought alongside the academy’s members against four Soul Sage bandits on their return from the tournament. 47 48 96 97

Tournament Team

Initial Elite Tournament Selection

Twenty-three students entered the academy’s selection trials. The format used free one-on-one challenges: a defeated challenger was eliminated, while an unchallenged student advanced automatically. 30

After selection, the eight candidates trained at Fire Spring in the mornings and practiced team coordination in the afternoons. Unselected upperclassmen could still challenge a selected member for a place before the tournament. 33

Two months into their preparation, the team’s reported levels were Huo Wushuang at Level 42, Huo Wu at Level 46, Huo Lei at Level 53, Huo Yun and Huo Yu at Level 39, Huo Lie at Level 38, and Huo Chui and Huo Jun at Level 35. Xie Chong subsequently led more than a dozen days of tactical drills before taking the team to Heaven Dou City. 33 37

Grand Finals Roster

For the Grand Finals, Feng Xiaotian joined Blazing Fire Academy’s lineup. Huo Chui and Huo Lie voluntarily withdrew so the strongest seven could compete; Huo Lei promised that non-competing members would still share in any rewards. 81 82

The championship lineup consisted of one Soul King, five Soul Ancestors, and one Soul Elder. Huo Lei was the Soul King, while Huo Jun remained the sole three-ring support member. 82 91

Tournament History

Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament

Preliminary Round Victory over Shrek Academy

Blazing Fire Academy’s eleventh preliminary-round match against Shrek Academy established Huo Lei as its concealed decisive weapon. Huo Chui withdrew from the active lineup so Huo Lei could enter, while Huo Jun remained to provide support. 43

The team’s fire-focused formation pressured Shrek through Huo Wushuang, Huo Yun, Huo Yu, Huo Lie, Huo Wu, and Huo Jun. Huo Wu’s Repelling Flame Ring repeatedly disrupted Shrek’s formations, while the team combined its power into her Flame Dance Blazing Sun. 44 45

After Tang San revealed fire immunity, Huo Lei answered with his Lightning Martial Soul. His lightning attack struck Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan simultaneously, forcing Shrek’s remaining members to surrender. 45 46

Following the Preliminary Round, the academy held a grand welcoming ceremony and celebration for the returning team. 58

Promotion Round Dominance

In its opening Promotion Round match, Blazing Fire used only Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu against Fabia Academy. Huo Wushuang defeated three opponents before exhaustion defeated him; Huo Wu then eliminated the remaining four. 63

Against Shrek Academy, Huo Lei entered first and defeated all seven opposing contestants alone. His fifth Soul Skill, Mental Control, immobilized Tang San through eye contact before Huo Lei’s final assault forced Shrek to surrender. 66 69

After that victory, Huo Lei publicly promised that he would not enter future matches unless Blazing Fire’s first six contestants had already been defeated, allowing the academy’s other members to continue competing. 69 72

Huo Yun, Huo Yu, and Huo Lie consequently received frequent opportunities to compete, while Huo Chui and Huo Jun alternated in sixth position ahead of Huo Lei. Huo Wu also achieved seven consecutive individual victories. Of the academy’s opponents during this stretch, only Thunderclap Academy reached Huo Lei; even Godwind Academy lost before he needed to enter. 72

The final match against Skywater Academy ended in a draw after Shui Bing’er conceded and Huo Lei persuaded the referee and judges to record a shared result. Blazing Fire finished first among the fifteen participating academies with thirteen victories and one draw. 80

Grand Finals

Blazing Fire Academy opened the Grand Finals against Nightshade Academy of the Star Luo Empire. Its displayed lineup included one Soul King, five Soul Ancestors, and one support-type Soul Elder; Nightshade Academy immediately surrendered after seeing Huo Lei’s five Soul Rings. 82

Feng Xiaotian’s inclusion prompted protests from Flender and other Heaven Dou academy leaders. Spirit Hall upheld his participation because the transfer complied with the rules. Blazing Fire subsequently received a third-round bye after the field narrowed to ten academies. 82

By the decisive stage, Blazing Fire Academy stood among the final three teams with Spirit Hall Academy and Shrek Academy. In its rematch against Shrek, the academy used a formation centered on Huo Lei and Feng Xiaotian, with Huo Jun supporting from the rear. 84 87

The final-three stage initially offered an individual elimination round to determine which team would advance directly to the final. After Shrek withdrew, Xie Chong also withdrew Blazing Fire, leaving the academy to face Shrek in the afternoon team match. Huo Lei’s plan emphasized separating Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, attacking Shrek’s support members, and personally confronting Tang San. 86

During the rematch, Huo Lei’s lightning attack broke through Shrek’s Blue Silver Grass defenses, leaving six opponents unable to continue fighting. Tang San nevertheless manifested an incomplete Clear Sky Hammer Tool Soul True Body. Blazing Fire’s members combined their strength through Huo Lei, who used Lava Armor to withstand the hammer. The collision injured both sides, but Huo Lei stood again while Shrek lost the match, which lasted less than a minute. 87 88

Championship Victory over Spirit Hall Academy

For the championship match, Huo Lei assigned Feng Xiaotian to delay Yan, Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu to engage Xie Yue, and Huo Yun and Huo Yu to harass the remaining opponents. Huo Jun supported Huo Lei, whose priority was interrupting Hu Liena before Spirit Hall could establish control or execute its Martial Soul Fusion Skill. 90

Huo Lei activated Mental Control faster than Hu Liena could complete Fox Charm, interrupting her and opening the way for his teammates’ attacks. His subsequent Five-Thunder Strike left Hu Liena, Yan, and two other Spirit Hall competitors unconscious. Bibi Dong stopped the match and conceded Spirit Hall Academy’s defeat. 91

Bibi Dong officially proclaimed Blazing Fire Academy the tournament champion and called its representative forward to receive the three Soul Bones offered as the championship prize. 91

Later History

Return Journey and Imperial Recognition

On the return journey, four Soul Sage bandits confronted the academy’s group and imposed a rigged combat challenge. Huo Lei accepted while concealing a counterattack plan. He and Lin Yin quickly killed one opponent, and Lin Yin’s surprise attack eliminated another before the academy’s fighters engaged the two remaining Martial Soul Avatars. 95 96

Huo Lei and Lin Yin defeated the White Giant Wolf opponent, while Xie Chong and Lin Yin finished the last bandit. With the carriage drivers missing, the academy members took turns driving their three carriages. They reached Blazing Fire Academy on the eighth morning, where Huo Feng welcomed them; Feng Xiaotian then returned to Godwind Academy. 97

Emperor Xue Ye later sent envoys to confer honors on the tournament team. The academy assembled its teachers and students in the front square, and Feng Xiaotian returned for the occasion. Shi Hai praised Huo Feng’s administration and the academy’s cultivation of outstanding talent. 103

Joint Training and Reunion

Huo Lei used Blazing Fire Academy as the meeting point for a training expedition to Death Grand Canyon. He recruited Huo Wushuang and asked Xie Chong to contact Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing’er, and Xue Wu. Xie Chong subsequently returned to the academy with the two Skywater Academy representatives before the group’s departure. 105 114

After the extended training period, the eight-member training party returned to the academy. Huo Feng and Vice Dean Xie Chong were delighted by their reunion and surprised by the participants’ rapid advancement. Huo Wu had obtained her sixth Soul Ring before returning. Feng Xiaotian departed for Godwind that afternoon, while Shui Bing’er, Shui Yue’er, and Xue Wu accepted Huo Lei’s invitation to stay for three days. 125

Following their stay, Huo Lei and Jin Shan accompanied the Skywater representatives home. They were received at Skywater Academy as honored guests from Blazing Fire Academy. 127

Spirit Hall Pressure

During the four years of Huo Lei’s absence, Spirit Hall sent representatives to Blazing Fire Academy every year, primarily to inquire about him. Huo Feng repeatedly explained that he was away training, but Spirit Hall’s attitude toward the academy steadily deteriorated. 126

Huo Feng nevertheless considered Blazing Fire’s situation better than that of Godwind, Skywater, and Thunderclap Academies, which faced suppression after refusing Spirit Hall’s recruitment efforts. Elephant Armored Academy and the Elephant Armor Sect had already entered Spirit Hall’s camp. 126

Public Image and Merchandise

Following the Preliminary Round victory over Shrek Academy, the team became a major attraction in Heaven Dou City. Jin Shan proposed turning that popularity into an academy merchandise campaign, supplying academy-themed clothing and Unicorn Dragon dolls. 46 47

• Team clothing and dolls were sold as limited merchandise during the tournament. 48
• Huo Lei set prices at five Gold Soul Coins per Unicorn Dragon doll and two Gold Soul Coins per item of clothing. 48
• The merchandise sold out twice in one day, with the second batch gone in under ninety minutes. 49
• The campaign earned 46,000 Gold Soul Coins; half was reserved for the academy, and the remainder was divided among the ten contributors, with 3,000 Gold Soul Coins set aside for Jin Shan. 49

Uniform

The academy’s tournament uniform uses gold, red, and black.

• Gold-and-red tops embroidered with golden flame patterns. 37
• Black trousers and gold accessories. 37
• Huo Wu’s uniform includes a short gold-and-red skirt. 37
• The team’s registered tournament slogan is: “Passion burns like fire, and the championship belongs to Blazing Fire.” 38

Relationships

• Heaven Dou Empire — Blazing Fire represents the empire’s division in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament and received imperial rewards after advancing from the Preliminary Round. Emperor Xue Ye later dispatched envoys to honor the championship team at the academy. 53 54 103
• Spirit Hall — A powerful political and tournament authority; its organization allowed Feng Xiaotian’s transfer to Blazing Fire Academy for the Grand Finals despite rival protests. Blazing Fire defeated Spirit Hall Academy to claim the championship. Spirit Hall later made annual inquiries about Huo Lei, with its attitude toward the academy worsening during his absence. 82 91 126
• Godwind Academy — Feng Xiaotian joined Blazing Fire’s Grand Finals roster after Godwind’s Promotion Round campaign. He returned to Godwind after the tournament journey and again after the later joint training expedition. 81 82 97 125
• Shrek Academy — A principal tournament rival. Blazing Fire defeated Shrek in both the Preliminary and Promotion Rounds before facing it again in the Grand Finals, where Blazing Fire won despite Tang San’s use of an incomplete Clear Sky Hammer Tool Soul True Body. 46 69 87 88
• Skywater Academy — Fellow elemental academy and Promotion Round opponent; its match with Blazing Fire ended in a draw. Its representatives later joined Huo Lei’s training group and visited Blazing Fire, while Huo Lei and Jin Shan were welcomed at Skywater as honored guests. 77 80 114 125 127
• Flame Leopard Sect — Maintained a cooperative relationship with the academy, and Huo Lie studied there. Huo Zheng strained that relationship by seizing Huo Lei’s cultivation spot and disregarding academy rules, prompting intervention from Huo Feng and a concealed warning from Jin Shan. 25 26 27
• Jin Shan — External supporter whose merchandise initiative generated substantial funds and publicity for the academy. His relationship with the academy originated in Huo Feng saving his life. 2 4 47 49

Trivia

• Blazing Fire Academy’s students are characterized as passionate, battle-seeking fire-attribute Soul Masters. 37
• Huo Lei, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang were so highly regarded in the academy’s selection trials that no participant challenged any of them. 30 32
• Huo Lei’s status as the only Soul King in the Preliminary Round earned him the noble title of Earl, while the academy’s other competitors received lower titles. 53
• Huo Wushuang felt obligated to succeed his father as the academy’s headmaster, although Huo Feng remained in office. 61
• Both Huo Lei and Huo Wu achieved seven consecutive individual victories during the Promotion Round. 69 72
• The academy fulfilled its registered championship slogan by defeating Spirit Hall Academy in the tournament final. 38 91