Before long, Mu En finished reading the ancient text in his hand.
"Ziyang, bring it out," Mu En said to Zhu Ziyang.
"Alright." Zhu Ziyang, of course, knew what Mu En was referring to, and immediately took out the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower, which he had put away not long ago, displaying it before everyone else.
"Is this the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower?" Yan Shaozhe's eyes were filled with excitement as he looked at the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower in Zhu Ziyang's hand, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.
"This..." Xian Lin'er and Ma Xiaotao were also filled with shock and disbelief. Ma Xiaotao's eyes, in particular, were brimming with an indescribable excitement, she finally understood why Mu En had sought her out.
"The Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower, I'm sure none of you are strangers to it," Mu En said with a smile. "This 'Biography of Phoenix Douluo' records the story of Phoenix Douluo Ma Hongjun consuming the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower. According to the book, the younger the age and lower the spirit power level when consuming an Immortal Herb, the better the absorption of its medicinal properties.
When Ancestor Ma Hongjun absorbed the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower, he was only thirteen years old, which allowed him to not only mend his Spirit's defects and complete its evolution, but also increase his spirit power by nearly five ranks. If I'm not mistaken, Sister Xiaotao should be eighteen, right?"
"Yes, Elder Mu," Ma Xiaotao replied, her face flushed and her voice excited.
"Hmm, you are now eighteen years old, and your spirit power has surpassed rank sixty. Therefore, when you use this Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower, you should prioritize mending your Spirit's defects before enhancing your spirit power," Mu En said. "However, I imagine the medicinal properties of this Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower might only be enough to mend your Spirit's defects, and won't significantly increase your spirit power. But, as long as the Spirit's defects can be resolved, whether your spirit power increases or not is secondary, am I right?"
"That's right, Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe strongly agreed with Mu En. Being able to completely resolve Ma Xiaotao's Spirit's defects was already the greatest gain. As for spirit power enhancement, as his disciple, she didn't need to worry about it at all.
"Very well, Sister Xiaotao, go prepare yourself, then begin absorbing the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower. Shao Zhe, go protect Sister Xiaotao while she does so," Mu En instructed.
"Yes, Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe excitedly agreed.
"Sister Xiaotao, good luck!" Zhu Ziyang handed the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower to Ma Xiaotao, encouraging her with a smile.
"Thank you, Ziyang!" Ma Xiaotao was deeply moved. She knew that this Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower must have been found by Zhu Ziyang for her. Her heart trembled like never before, and she excitedly gave Zhu Ziyang a hug before taking the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower from him.
Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao, master and disciple, quickly left the Sea God Pavilion.
Xian Lin'er was happy for Ma Xiaotao, even though she couldn't stand Yan Shaozhe. She finally had a chance to talk to Mu En about her own matters. She said, "Teacher, Duo Duo, Fan Yu, and I have discussed it. We plan to use Fan Yu's disciple, He Caitou, as a temporary candidate to begin the Extreme Solo Plan."
"Hmm! Just make your own plans," Mu En said, nodding in agreement without further comment. "Your character is steady, and you are diligent in your work, I trust you."
"I understand, Teacher!" Xian Lin'er said, very happy after receiving Mu En's affirmation.
"Alright, all of you may leave now, I want to take a short nap," Mu En said, then closed his eyes.
Seeing this, Zhu Ziyang and Xian Lin'er immediately exited the Sea God Pavilion.
"Junior Brother, where did you find the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower?" Xian Lin'er asked curiously after leaving the Sea God Pavilion.
"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!" Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "Actually, it's all thanks to Jiang Nannan. If it weren't for her, we might not have been able to leave the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well smoothly, let alone pick a Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower."
"So that's how it is!" Xian Lin'er was a bit surprised. She knew about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but she never expected Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan to be so bold as to actually dare to seek it out. She said, "Junior Brother, you two are far too daring. You absolutely must not do such dangerous things again!"
"Hehe, I understand, Senior Sister," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, scratching the back of his head. "Teacher has already reprimanded me."
"Hmm!" Xian Lin'er nodded, a hint of admiration on her face.
As the two walked and chatted, they suddenly saw Yan Shaozhe, who had earlier accompanied Ma Xiaotao to absorb the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower, walking towards them with an anxious expression. Yan Shaozhe's unusual demeanor puzzled Zhu Ziyang and Xian Lin'er.
"Ziyang, quick, come with me, Sister Xiaotao needs you!" Yan Shaozhe's anxious expression immediately eased when he saw Zhu Ziyang. He rushed forward, grabbed Zhu Ziyang's hand, and said.
"What's wrong, Senior Brother?" Zhu Ziyang asked, puzzled and confused.
However, Yan Shaozhe did not explain, pulling Zhu Ziyang away quickly. Seeing this, Xian Lin'er couldn't help but feel worried, so she followed them.
The two quickly arrived at Ma Xiaotao's room and saw Ma Xiaotao, who was completely engulfed in flames, with only her head still exposed. Ma Xiaotao's face was extremely pale, and she was letting out painful groans.
"This... Sister Xiaotao!" Zhu Ziyang's face showed surprise, and a deep worry welled up in his heart as he cried out.
"Ziyang, only your Ultimate Ice can help Sister Xiaotao alleviate her pain and allow her to successfully absorb the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower now," Yan Shaozhe said earnestly, with a hint of pleading in his voice, but a strange glint in the depths of his eyes.
"What should I do?" Zhu Ziyang didn't notice Yan Shaozhe's unusual behavior. He was only concerned with how to help Ma Xiaotao overcome this difficulty.
"You just grab Sister Xiaotao's hand and then release the Ultimate Ice's cold aura, that's all," Yan Shaozhe said. "I'll be outside, protecting you both."
After Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, he walked out of Ma Xiaotao's room without hesitation.
Although Zhu Ziyang was somewhat puzzled by Yan Shaozhe's actions, seeing Ma Xiaotao's pained expression, he cast his doubts aside and immediately approached Ma Xiaotao, reaching out to grasp the jade-like hand enveloped in the crimson-black flames. However, just as Zhu Ziyang touched Ma Xiaotao's hand, a sudden change occurred.
The crimson-black flames erupted violently, instantly engulfing Zhu Ziyang as well, his clothes instantly burning to nothingness. In his panic, Zhu Ziyang immediately unleashed his Ultimate Ice with all his might, barely suppressing the rampant flames. Within the scorching flames, Zhu Ziyang tried to steady himself and moved his hand slightly, only to touch a soft, smooth, warm jade.
His mind couldn't help but waver, and he immediately realized what that warm jade was. He quickly reined in his thoughts, focusing on releasing his Ultimate Ice to contend with the crimson-black flames. He consciously tried to avoid it, but the space within the flames was only so large, and his evasion was ultimately futile.
Soon, large swathes of warm jade, exuding a delicate fragrance and softness, pressed against him. Zhu Ziyang's face was already flushed. At this moment, a beautiful face slowly appeared before his eyes, a face filled with confusion and pain—it was Ma Xiaotao.
Seeing Ma Xiaotao's expression, Zhu Ziyang knew he couldn't afford to be confused anymore. He retreated a bit, pressed his palms against Ma Xiaotao's hands, then fully unleashed his Ultimate Ice, simultaneously assisting her in absorbing the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower with all her might, and also diverting some mental energy to resist the invasion of desire, striving to maintain a clear mind.
"Ziyang..." Ma Xiaotao's eyes cleared somewhat, and she seemed a bit lost when she saw Zhu Ziyang.
"Sister Xiaotao, don't get distracted, focus all your energy on refining the medicinal power of the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower!" Zhu Ziyang reprimanded in a low voice.
Ma Xiaotao's mind jolted, and she dared not be distracted again, concentrating on mobilizing the spirit power within her body to absorb the violent medicinal properties. Zhu Ziyang's Ultimate Ice, meanwhile, tried its best from the outside to alleviate the pain and scorching heat brought by these violent medicinal properties.
Within the flames, a tense game quietly unfolded, and the phoenix bathed in fire was about to be reborn.
Outside the room, Xian Lin'er arrived. After seeing Yan Shaozhe outside and sensing the stabilizing energy fluctuations inside the room, she immediately understood Yan Shaozhe's intentions. Her heart first let out a sigh of relief, then she rushed to Yan Shaozhe without hesitation.
"Yan Shaozhe, I never thought you'd be so despicable, to even plot against Junior Brother and Sister Xiaotao!" Xian Lin'er yelled furiously.
"Lin'er, why are you here?" Yan Shaozhe was surprised to see Xian Lin'er. After hearing Xian Lin'er's angry scolding, he didn't get angry, but just smiled bitterly and said, "I know I'm despicable, but everything I do is for the academy! Sister Xiaotao and Ziyang being together, this is the best outcome!"
"Bah!" Xian Lin'er scoffed, full of disdain. "For the academy? You really can talk nonsense. Don't you know Ziyang and Jiang Nannan are a couple? You should be grateful that Ziyang and Sister Xiaotao didn't cross any forbidden lines, otherwise, how would you even face Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and Sister Xiaotao!"
"I know!" Yan Shaozhe's face showed a strange expression as he said, "But for Ziyang, as a peerless genius, isn't it normal to have a few confidantes?"
"Confidantes?" Xian Lin'er's eyes widened in fury, filled with shock and mockery. "Yan Shaozhe, I can't believe that after decades, you're still dreaming your pipe dream of having multiple women? Bah, you're not worthy!"
Xian Lin'er shot Yan Shaozhe a contemptuous glance, then turned around furiously and left.
Yan Shaozhe watched Xian Lin'er's retreating back, his expression extremely complex, with nostalgia, infatuation, resentment, and guilt intertwined, causing him to hang his head in dejection.