Ma Xiaotao: Jiang Chen, Let's Break Up!

Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy.

The academy stood where three great empires met. It was the continent's foremost academy in this unparalleled age, with Dragon God Douluo Mu En presiding over it. Its defenses were as solid as a fortress.

At that moment, beside Sea God Lake, Ma Xiaotao turned her face away and said slowly, "Jiang Chen, there's something I want to tell you. Let's break up. Maybe we're not right for each other."

"You've treated me well these past two months, and you've helped suppress my Evil Fire, but you have Martial Soul Obstruction Syndrome. You can't suppress it completely."

"You're a good person, and you've helped me suppress my Evil Fire, but I can't choose you. You can't keep up with me."

"Your Azure Bird Martial Soul has the Ice Phoenix bloodline, but that bloodline has never stabilized. You can't cultivate the legendary Ultimate Ice attribute, either. In the future, we're destined to walk different paths..."

As soon as she finished speaking, tears welled in Ma Xiaotao's beautiful eyes. She was reluctant to let go.

Truthfully, she did not want to be so heartless, but she had no choice. She and Jiang Chen were destined to walk different paths. She would treat this as a less-than-perfect memory.

Jiang Chen stood where he was, staring expressionlessly at the senior student from the inner court. He could not help letting out a derisive laugh.

She sure changed her tune quickly.

When he had first enrolled, Ma Xiaotao had discovered his phoenix bloodline and approached him of her own accord. She had even asked to be his girlfriend.

Jiang Chen had agreed out of respect for Mu En.

But before long, Ma Xiaotao had discovered that his phoenix bloodline could not be stabilized, and she had started acting shamelessly.

He had put up with it before.

Under the intimidating authority of the innately wicked Dean Yan Shaozhe, Jiang Chen had agreed to help Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire. He had even been called the senior student's boyfriend in public.

And this was the result: discarded as soon as he was no longer useful.

Ma Xiaotao's mentor, Yan Shaozhe, must have had a hand in it.

The more Jiang Chen thought about it, the angrier he grew. He turned and said evenly, "Think this through. You're not the only one for me. Once you pass this village, there won't be another shop. Even if I grow stronger someday, I'll never help you suppress your Evil Fire again."

"My freshman assessment is coming up. Even if you can't bear it, don't come looking for me. I wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea."

Ma Xiaotao wiped her tears and said softly, "My partner must possess Ultimate Ice. That's my teacher's requirement, and I can't defy him. He raised me from childhood. I'm sorry..."

"You're wonderful, but I..."

Jiang Chen raised a hand to stop Ma Xiaotao. He did not want to hear any more of her nonsense.

So you finally brought up that wicked teacher of yours. Yan Shaozhe was behind this after all.

Now that it's come to this, why waste any more time? Better to make a clean break.

Jiang Chen turned and walked away, leaving her with a few words:

"After today, even if you beg me, I won't help you. No one can change my mind."

"You can spend the rest of your life waiting for Xu Sanshi."

Ma Xiaotao watched Jiang Chen's retreating figure and gritted her teeth. Her chest rose and fell with anger, and her cheeks burned with indignation.

Did Jiang Chen really think having the Ice Phoenix bloodline made him so special?

He even had to humiliate me before leaving. That's going too far.

Who said I was waiting for Xu Sanshi?

I'd sooner smash my head against a block of tofu than have anything to do with you again. I'll never kneel and beg you.

Hmph!

Even without an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul, I can still become a Titled Douluo.

Ma Xiaotao wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Jiang Chen did not deserve them.

She had felt a little guilty before. Now she did not.

Then Ma Xiaotao left the lakeside and headed off to report to her teacher.

Outside the Sea God Pavilion, on the inner court's island in the middle of the lake.

Yan Shaozhe stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the towering statue of the Sea God. "Xiaotao, did it work?"

Ma Xiaotao cupped her hands. "Teacher, Jiang Chen didn't cling to me as you expected, nor did he ask me for pills. He just said we would have nothing to do with each other for the rest of our lives. From now on, we're completely separated."

"But was it really right for us to do this?"

Yan Shaozhe was somewhat surprised.

Jiang Chen had not clung to Xiaotao. That was beyond his expectations.

By rights, a freshman like Jiang Chen would have demanded cultivation resources as a breakup payment when faced with this situation, or at the very least some pills.

Yet Jiang Chen had not asked for a single pill. He had some backbone.

Yan Shaozhe sighed. "Xiaotao, don't blame me for heartlessly making you two break up. I truly had no other choice."

"On the day the freshmen arrived, I saw that Jiang Chen possessed the Ice Phoenix bloodline. I thought he might undergo a Second Awakening, become a true Ice Phoenix, and gain the Ultimate Ice attribute. Then he could cure your Evil Fire once and for all."

"So I personally brought the two of you together."

"But I didn't expect that, despite everything we tried, we still couldn't help him stabilize his bloodline. Jiang Chen is destined to have the Azure Bird Martial Soul all his life, stuck at the Titled Douluo level just like the Evil-Eyed White Tiger."

"That's why I had no choice but to tell you to cut ties decisively. Your partner must possess the Ultimate Ice attribute. Jiang Chen isn't a suitable match."

Ma Xiaotao nodded silently. After struggling with the decision for some time, she gave up.

Call me shameless, then.

Yan Shaozhe immediately smiled with satisfaction.

Just then, a stooped old man approached. It was Mu En, the current master of the Sea God Pavilion and the Dragon God Douluo.

Startled, Yan Shaozhe hastily cupped his hands. "Mu En."

Ma Xiaotao followed her teacher's example and bowed with cupped hands.

Mu En drew a deep breath, reluctant to face Yan Shaozhe.

He had happened to be fishing by the lake and had heard their entire conversation. It had nearly taken his breath away.

He had personally recruited Jiang Chen into the academy. He had never imagined Yan Shaozhe and Xiaotao would hurt the boy like this. It was infuriating.

Mu En demanded, "Yan Shaozhe, did you tell Xiaotao to break up with Jiang Chen?"

Yan Shaozhe froze, then replied, "Teacher, I did. Jiang Chen couldn't fully stabilize his Ice Phoenix bloodline, so I resorted to this. If you must punish someone, punish me."

"It was all my idea. Mu En, if you must punish someone, punish me. Teacher did nothing wrong. I'm the one who doesn't like Jiang Chen." Ma Xiaotao took the blame herself, unwilling to see her teacher punished.

Mu En ground his teeth, looking as miserable as if he had swallowed a piece of nine-turn large intestine. He cursed:

"Fool!"

"With such a shortsighted outlook, how will you ever shoulder Shrek's future? How can I entrust the academy to you?"

"The Azure Bird Martial Soul has a phoenix bloodline. That means it's bound to awaken one day. Did you give no thought to the future?"

"I personally persuaded Jiang Chen's parents to send him to Shrek Academy, all for Xiaotao's Evil Fire. And now look at you two! Master and disciple, making this decision without my consent. Are you trying to anger me to death?"

"And you, Ma Xiaotao! You're far too willful. Have you spared the academy a thought?"

"Without Ultimate Ice, you can never advance to Titled Douluo. Do you understand?"

Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao were scolded until they wanted the ground to swallow them, as though they had committed some enormous wrong. Both felt aggrieved.

Yan Shaozhe did not think he had done anything wrong.

He had always acted first and reported afterward. He simply had not expected Mu En to be so angry this time.

P.S. I'm back from the dead, everyone! I've gotten myself back on track recently. This time, I'll take back everything that belongs to me. It's a regret story combined with a plot-driven story, so if you like stories with a single female lead, don't miss it!