Ma Xiaotao was Yan Shaozhe's personal disciple and the leading candidate to become the next master of the Sea God Pavilion.
In a sense, there were no other candidates. Her succession was nailed firmly in place; no one could take it from her.
In the original story, Huo Yuhao had encountered her during an Evil Fire flare-up shortly after enrolling and nearly died at her hands. Fortunately, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's million-year spiritual power had saved him, forging a connection between the two.
After gaining the Ice Empress Martial Soul and the Ultimate Ice attribute in his second school year, Huo Yuhao had been personally selected by Yan Shaozhe to enter the Inner Court and help Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire.
If Xiao Zi remembered correctly, that would only happen after the Treasure Appraisal Fair, and it would also require Dai Huabin to send assassins, forcing Ma Xiaotao to unleash her full strength and trigger her Evil Fire. But after all Xiao Zi's maneuvering, that clearly could no longer happen.
Qian Renxue asked in confusion, "You're going to help her?"
Xiao Zi admitted, "That's right. Although I don't want to get too deeply involved with Shrek Academy, I can only use this woman as a bridge to negotiate for the Golden Tree's essence. Otherwise, how could I possibly get it?"
Qian Renxue raised a concern. "Bringing it up directly probably wouldn't be appropriate. How will you earn Shrek's trust?"
Xiao Zi nodded. "That's my concern too. So I'll first help Ma Xiaotao purge her Evil Fire and earn Shrek's initial trust, then proceed slowly from there. Angel divine power does have a purifying effect, but Ma Xiaotao herself isn't valuable enough to justify using it. I'll use my Golden Horned Beast instead. His devouring ability is enough."
She had seen this first Martial Soul in action; he was adept at devouring both metal and Soul Beasts. It was no exaggeration to say that his purging ability was far better than Ultimate Ice.
Qian Renxue was reassured and silently watched a certain someone's performance from the Sea of Consciousness.
On the shore, Xiao Zi pretended to greet her, waving across the water and effectively providing his coordinates.
Tormented by her Evil Fire, Ma Xiaotao was seething. She had only come out for some fresh air, yet someone who didn't know how high the heavens were or how deep the earth was had greeted her, leaving her inexplicably irritated.
In short... she was burning with frustration right now!
Whoosh-
Her Phoenix Wings spread, and she hurtled toward him like a sweeping wildfire. Having lost her reason, she had no attention to spare for the consequences or what she might do to the young man. Otherwise, she would never have attacked Huo Yuhao back then.
Seeing his target take the bait, Xiao Zi stepped forward to wait at the water's edge as a roaring rush of spray struck his face.
As she drew close, their faces were almost touching. A fiery crimson tail streamed behind Ma Xiaotao as she shot toward him like a meteor chasing the moon. Around twenty, she was at the most beautiful age of a woman's life, and she was already exceptionally lovely. Her flushed cheeks made her look all the more radiant, like peach and plum blossoms.
When she spoke, what should have been a cold question sounded instead like a soft, coquettish moan. "Who are you?"
Xiao Zi officially began his performance. Feigning panic, he leaned forward and spread his arms, channeling the Golden Horned Beast's power to protect himself as he collided with her and caught her squarely in his embrace.
Ma Xiaotao wore no perfume. A fresh scent filled his nose, like a quilt baked beneath the sun-warm and scorching.
The moment her exquisite body entered a strange young man's arms, Ma Xiaotao herself froze in bewilderment. Then the world spun around her, the surrounding scenery shifting ceaselessly, and her confusion only deepened.
Splash...
Both of them plunged into the lake. Assailed by the intense chill, Ma Xiaotao regained a measure of clarity in the crisp lake water, a hint of surprise appearing in her pale pink eyes.
While preparing for the Soul Master tournament lately, her Evil Fire had accumulated more and more. She had begun to miss Huo Yuhao's Ultimate Ice, but he was busy with the Upgrade Assessment and had no time to spare, leaving her to endure it alone.
When they surfaced, Ma Xiaotao discovered that her hands rested on his shoulders and their faces were pressed extremely close together.
Looking at the handsome young man with his cool demeanor, she blinked. "You still haven't answered my question. What's your name?"
Xiao Zi feigned youthful shyness and moved a little farther away. "Senior, my name is Li Lezi. You don't seem to be in a good state. Something must be troubling you, right?"
Hearing that, Ma Xiaotao explained listlessly, "My name is Ma Xiaotao. I'm an Inner Court disciple. My Martial Soul, the Evil Fire Phoenix, has a slight defect..."
He wasn't the person she was looking for, but she forgave him on account of his handsome face. She was about to swim back when she heard him say, "Perhaps... I have a way to solve your Evil Fire problem."
Ma Xiaotao stopped short, her puzzlement turning to wild joy. "What did you say? You can really resolve my Evil Fire!"
Playing hard to get, Xiao Zi pretended to be frightened and moved farther away again, but answered, "Yes."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Ma Xiaotao scooped him up, her Phoenix Wings soaring skyward once more. "You're coming with me right now!"
He was dragged straight into the Black Room. Things progressed so unexpectedly smoothly that even Xiao Zi found it unbelievable. He had expected all manner of questions, perhaps even a beating from the worked-up woman. Yet this was all?
After that trip back and forth, Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire showed signs of rising again. She had no time to worry about propriety between men and women, much less the fact that they had only just met. She urged him, "Come on!"
If she doesn't mind, what do I, a grown man, have to worry about?
Xiao Zi nodded and reached out to clasp Ma Xiaotao's soft hand. Golden secret patterns flickered in his eyes and along his right arm. The Golden Horned Beast roared silently, ravenously drawing in the abundant Evil Fire.
Feeling the flames drain away, Ma Xiaotao was overjoyed. Her Evil Fire had tormented her for far too long; otherwise, her talent could have brought her much greater achievements. Having finally seized this opportunity, she refused to let go, like someone clutching a life-saving straw.
The effect grew stronger and stronger. As his power permeated her, the Soul Power was swiftly expelled, and the evil, scorching heat was pressed down, leaving her incomparably comfortable.
The Golden Horned Beast devoured the Evil Fire completely, suppressing all of it deep within her bloodline. It would pose no threat for a long time, meaning she could give her all, whether cultivating or fighting.
Immersed in that blissful relief, Ma Xiaotao grew a little dazed again. It was even stronger than Huo Yuhao's last cleansing. For the first time, she experienced the sensation of soaring straight into the clouds.
Her delicate hands unconsciously kneaded her clothes. Even her sweat was fiery red, trickling down to gather in a puddle on the floor.
Gradually, Ma Xiaotao's clothes loosened, leaving her soft breasts half exposed. Following an unconscious pull, she fell into the young man's arms, as though seeking a trace of coolness and someone to lean on.
All these years, her Evil Fire had plagued her without respite. At her most unbearable moments, she had even considered her master Yan Shaozhe's suggestion of resolving the problem that way. After all, her ancestor Ma Hongjun had done exactly that.
Fortunately, "Li Lezi" had arrived at just the right time. Immersed in his slightly cool embrace, Ma Xiaotao unconsciously wrapped her legs around his waist while her arms clasped tightly around his neck.
As a God King who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, Xiao Zi naturally understood what this meant. In his previous life, he had only shared physical intimacy with the Goddess of Life. This would be his first time in this life.
Whether out of anger or something else, Qian Renxue had long since sealed off the Sea of Consciousness, shutting out everything happening outside.
With warm jade and fragrant softness in his arms, Xiao Zi's heart remained as still as water as he calmly weighed the gains and losses.
Following Ma Xiaotao's movements, he slowly leaned back, allowing her warm, soft body to settle over him.
The whole room burned with heat...