Chapter 166: Advancing to the Extreme Flame
"Xiao Tao‑jie, congratulations. You'll never have to worry about that demonic fire again, and your power has skyrocketed too."
Ye Chen crouched beside Ma Xiaotao and gently hugged her.
"Hmph, maybe my evil fire's gone, but from now on you're coming over at least once a week… no, three times!" Ma Xiaotao muttered softly.
"Xiao Tao‑jie, could you please be a little more serious…" Ye Chen sighed, twitching helplessly.
He hadn't expected that to be her first thought.
"Hmph, it's your fault anyway—you're the one who corrupted me!" she said with a blush, giving his arm a light pinch.
"Haha."
Ye Chen laughed and dropped the subject, smiling softly. "Alright, rest for now and recover your strength. I've got another gift for you later."
"Another one? What is it this time?" She perked up instantly—the earlier Phoenix Crest Aster had been so extraordinary that even hearing "gift" again made her heartbeat quicken.
Could it be something on that same terrifying level?
"You'll see soon enough. Now, rest a bit first," Ye Chen said, his smile full of mystery.
"Hmph, fine, don't tell me then…" she pouted quietly but obediently closed her eyes to recover.
…
Half an hour later.
Ye Chen handed Ma Xiaotao some water and a few pastries. Soon her strength was fully restored.
Her physique seemed noticeably improved after absorbing the Phoenix Crest Aster, her skin flushed with vigor and life.
Ye Chen couldn't help thinking about testing just how much stronger her stamina had become later that night…
"So? What's the gift?" Ma Xiaotao asked, eyes filled with anticipation.
"It's another heavenly treasure," Ye Chen said, smiling as he took out another jade box.
When he opened it, a dark‑red, gel‑like substance pulsed inside.
Instantly, a surge of unbearable heat radiated outward—far stronger and purer than the Phoenix Crest Aster's aura.
In mere seconds, the temperature of the entire courtyard spiked by dozens of degrees. The plants around them blackened and wilted under the intense heat.
"What incredible fire energy… Could this be an Extreme Fire elemental treasure?!" Ma Xiaotao gasped, covering her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.
Even without touching it, she could feel it—the power within that substance was far stronger than her own flames.
Her Phoenix Fire was already close to the peak beneath the level of extreme flames. Anything stronger could only be… true Extreme Fire!
"Yes," Ye Chen nodded. "This is a supreme fire‑attribute treasure—the Scorching Resin. The Phoenix Crest Aster purged the demonic taint from your spirit, but this will take your Fire Phoenix to the next realm, turning it into an Extreme Fire Phoenix—a true ultimate martial spirit."
His tone grew solemn. He couldn't hide his excitement.
Ma Xiaotao was already frighteningly powerful. If she advanced again—what heights would she reach?
Extreme Fire martial spirits could fight across levels—a Soul Saint could challenge a Title Douluo.
She was already on the verge of becoming one herself. Once she obtained her seventh spirit ring and manifested her Spirit Avatar, she'd soar past even Zhang Lexuan's strength.
"This is…"
Ma Xiaotao looked at the glowing resin and hesitated.
Ye Chen had already given her too much—these treasures were beyond priceless. She couldn't imagine how she could ever repay him.
"Come on, Xiao Tao‑jie," Ye Chen said warmly, placing the resin into her hands. "You'll protect me once you're stronger, right?"
"T‑thank you…"
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she accepted the fiery treasure.
Because Scorching Resin embodied pure Extreme Fire energy, Ye Chen used his spiritual power to encase it, slowly diffusing its essence so she could absorb it safely.
The moment Ma Xiaotao cupped it between her palms, she felt that terrifying wave of heat surge into her veins.
Without hesitation, she pressed her hands against her chest, focusing her soul power to refine and draw in the energy.
Compared to the Phoenix Crest Aster, this was overwhelmingly intense—unforgivingly fierce.
The burning entered her bloodstream like molten metal.
If she hadn't absorbed the pure‑yang herb earlier, this treasure might have killed her outright.
But now, as a true Fire Phoenix—closer than ever to a perfect spirit—she held on.
The pain was terrible, but she gritted her teeth and persisted, guiding the raging fire again and again through her meridians and spirit channels.
As the process continued, her spirit form reacted instinctively.
The Fire Phoenix manifested above her, circling in the sky with a triumphant cry.
"Raaa!"
Its crimson feathers shimmered and began shedding one by one, replaced by radiant golden plumage.
The aura it released intensified alarmingly, spreading across the entire academy.
The commotion was enormous—so overwhelming that Ye Chen's spiritual barrier could no longer contain it.
Before long, streaks of light approached swiftly from afar.
The powerful elders of the Sea God Pavilion arrived first, soon joined by Vice Dean Yan Shaozhe and several instructors from Seagod Island who had been in seclusion.
"What's happening?! Is that Xiao Tao? Her Phoenix aura—it's so pure!"
The astonished elders exchanged glances, their expressions filled with disbelief.
They had watched Ma Xiaotao grow up and cherished her dearly.
"Her martial spirit's demonic energy is completely gone! What's going on? Such pure flames… and the power—it's still rising!"
"She's evolving! Don't tell me… the Fire Phoenix is transforming into an Extreme Fire Phoenix?"
"That's impossible. Extreme Fire spirits are innate—you can't evolve into one later. Unless… unless she encountered an impossible opportunity…"
Whispers spread through the crowd, a mixture of shock and awe. No one dared interfere, fearing even a ripple might disturb her evolution.
Elder Xuan stood frozen in disbelief, his chicken drumstick halfway to his mouth.
"Shaozhe, you lucky bastard," one elder muttered with envy. "Both the Extreme Ice and now an Extreme Fire genius—both your disciples?"
Yan Shaozhe chuckled modestly. "Haha, it's just luck."
But inside, he was bursting with joy.
Two soul masters of dual extreme natures—Ice and Fire—both under his tutelage? It was an unparalleled honor in all of Shrek's history.
Still, as his gaze shifted to Ma Xiaotao's courtyard, he spotted Ye Chen standing quietly beside her.
A thought crossed his mind, and his expression turned thoughtful.
It couldn't be coincidence.
He had a strong feeling that this miracle—the evolution of Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix—had everything to do with Ye Chen.
(END CHAPTER)
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