Chapter 75

What's wrong? Xieyue, are you feeling regret now?

Too late! I still have to settle the score with Jun Wuchen—I'll do it sooner or later!

Xiao Yuan gripped the Fuyu sword in his hand tightly, swung it downward, and the sharp Fuyu sword let out a tearing-through-air sound, with the sword tip forming a forty-five-degree angle with the carpet.

Xiao Yuan is now a different person; he has obtained a new martial soul, the Fuyu sword, and the true sword name from the Phoenix Cocoon. His first soul ring was also able to condense thanks to the inheritance from the Phoenix Cocoon.

His soul rings differ from ordinary hunted soul rings; their year limit can keep increasing with his physical fitness! After fully obtaining the nine inheritances, his nine soul rings can truly reach the million-year level! Because the soul rings are entirely transformed from the sword dao inheritance, they can continually evolve and transform, which is also why Xiao Yuan decided to first cultivate the Fuyu sword.

His badger martial soul also gained enough benefits in the Phoenix Cocoon; even though the big head was absorbed by the Fuyu sword, the remaining bloodline allowed his martial soul to evolve into his father's Diamond Bear martial soul.

Xieyue frowned slightly dissatisfied; he only felt that Xiao Yuan was hopeless, treating Nana as what? Is he just his personal plaything?

What do I have to regret? Even if you have a twin martial soul, Nana already likes someone else; your unreasonable fussing is useless.

Le Zhengying is an existence that can even rival Jun Wuchen, let alone Xiao Yuan; whether it's Le Zhengying or Jun Wuchen, Xieyue agrees—everything depends on Nana's own choice.

Hulena looked at Xiao Yuan with some hurt, saying, "Sorry, Xiao Yuan brother, Nana already has someone she likes now; it's just that my former self was immature, didn't understand true love, and mistook sibling affection for love."

"Xiao Yuan brother, have you forgotten what we experienced together in the orphanage? No matter what difficulties arise, we will face them together; don't cause trouble anymore!"

"Cause trouble! Am I the one causing trouble? Hulena! Have you forgotten the oath we once swore?"

"Xiao Yuan brother! That was just childhood talk!"

Yan has a very explosive temper; mentioning this agreement makes him angry! Moreover, just now Xiao Yuan said he wanted to settle accounts with Jun Wuchen, so he can't tolerate it even more.

"Hmph! Xiao Yuan, stop clinging here; Nana doesn't like you at all! Even if you have a twin martial soul, Jun Wuchen's strength is beyond your imagination! You're not even worthy of causing trouble for Jun Wuchen! Get past me first!"

Little fanboy Yan still keeps boasting about Jun Wuchen; in his view, Jun Wuchen, whose martial soul possesses a second form, is incomparable to Xiao Yuan; twin martial soul only has strong future potential, not present strength! Jun Wuchen's Holy Light Qilin is absolutely not comparable to Xiao Yuan's ordinary sword.

"Xiao Yuan, after obtaining your soul ring, your big talk has increased too; I think this new martial soul has addled your brain! Let me take you on!"

Only saw Yan's eyes widen as he let out a loud roar, and a scorching aura suddenly burst forth from his body.

In an instant, the surrounding temperature surged sharply, and the air became distorted.

Only saw a raging flame gush forth from within his body; within the flames, a huge and imposing figure gradually appeared.

That is his martial soul, the strongest martial soul of the Golden Generation—the Flame Lord! The Flame Lord stands several zhang tall, its body composed of rolling flames, like a demon god from hell.

Its eyes blaze with raging fire, emitting light that makes one dare not look directly.

The Flame Lord's flame patterns are clearly visible; each pattern flows with scorching soul power, as if it could erupt at any moment.

Yan merged with the Flame Lord; his skin turned crimson, his hair ignited, and his whole being seemed like a war god born from flames.

A ring of deep yellow soul rings floated beneath his feet.

"Hmph! Xiao Yuan, just watch how I'll deal with you today!"

"Oh dear, how did it catch fire?"

The carpet in the dormitory hall quickly caught fire from under Yan's feet under the high-temperature scorching; the carpet was laid across the entire hall floor, causing the whole hall to blaze.

Holy shit, it's on fire!

Help! Teacher, Yan that brainless idiot set the dorm on fire!

That damn stupid Yan is going to get us all killed!

Who has a water-attributed martial soul? Help! Help!

Most first-year students, and even some second-years, still lack soul rings, so their martial souls cannot manifest.

Even those who possess soul rings lack water-attributed martial soul masters whose martial soul level can match Yan's; moreover, the Flame Lord is fire-earth dual-element, so ordinary water-system soul masters cannot extinguish a flame containing earth elements—instead, they only make it burn hotter.

Qian Renxue stared dumbfounded; is something wrong with Yan's brain? How is he still manifesting his martial soul in the dorm hall? Doesn't he see that huge carpet on the floor? Setting fire to the school—what on earth is he thinking? Just as Qian Renxue was about to act to absorb these flames, she noticed Xiao Yuan making a move.

Xiao Yuan snorted contemptuously; truly a fool who is inadequate for success but excessive for failure!

On the back of his hand originally lay a faint white light sword-shaped mark; now, like a ignited spark, crimson light wove through the mark, tracing a phoenix-like pattern, and a phoenix wreathed in blazing flames burst forth from the pattern on his hand's back.

The phoenix circled and danced around Xiao Yuan; the flames originally in the hall were directly sucked into its beak, the phoenix lingered a moment, then exhaled a splendid blaze that instantly enveloped Xiao Yuan's Fuyu sword in his hand.

The Fuyu sword immediately let out a joyful sword hum, its body greedily absorbing the phoenix's power.

The flames on the phoenix's body poured into the Fuyu sword like a continuous stream.

Gradually, the Fuyu sword's form changed: phoenix wing patterns appeared on the hilt, and the blade shimmered with a phoenix-flame-like crimson-gold light, magnificently extraordinary.

Holy shit, Xiao Yuan's sword martial soul actually transformed—so cool!

Terrifying indeed, this kid is awesome.

Even the originally confident Yan fell silent a bit—how could Xiao Yuan, like Jun Wuchen, also have a second form? How am I supposed to fight the market? Can this world still be okay? He's a bit slow-witted, but that doesn't mean he's an idiot.

When Xiao Yuan was in his first form, he thought he could win, but in his second form Yan lost confidence—just now that phoenix could absorb flames, so the Flame Lord would surely be restrained by Xiao Yuan.

Although his first soul skill, Hell Magma Surge, is a bursting magma spray attack caused by the fusion of fire and earth attributes, it is not purely fire-attributed.

But he worries that if he accidentally burns down the dorm, he has no gold soul coins to pay; after becoming a soul master, the Spirit Hall's subsidy is only one gold soul coin, just enough for his personal living expenses—quite carefree—but if he has to pay damages, he couldn't afford it even if he sold himself.

On the other hand, he was truly subdued by Xiao Yuan's martial soul's second form; only Jun Wuchen could probably handle it.

Yan shook his head; we won't know who's stronger until after the fight! Yan is naturally proud; unless he's truly beaten, he won't admit defeat before battle.

The expensive carpet had been completely burned away, revealing somewhat blackened marble flooring; Yan's entire body was engulfed in roaring flames, the mighty aura of his Flame Lord martial soul spreading out, his eyes blazing with anger as he stared dead at Xiao Yuan opposite.

Xiao Yuan, meanwhile, wielded the Fuyu sword imbued with phoenix power; a phoenix phantom flickered faintly on the blade, emitting a heart-pounding heat and pressure.

Yan launched the first attack, waving both hands to send a scorching sea of fire surging toward Xiao Yuan—this is the innate ability of a top-tier attribute martial soul, allowing such immense elemental power to be used without invoking a soul skill; wherever the fire sea passed, the air crackled with 'popping' sounds.

Xiao Yuan snorted coldly, brandishing his Fuyu sword, and a phoenix-shaped flame sword qi howled forth, directly cleaving the fire sea and rushing toward Yan.

Holy shit, sword qi?

Yan stared at Xiao Yuan in astonishment; on the Douluo Continent there is a renowned Sword Douluo whose name shakes the heavens, an idol to all sword martial soul masters; since his appearance, sword qi—such a handsome and powerful technique—has become the dream ability of every sword martial soul master.

Yan flickered his body, quickly dodging the sword qi, then immediately flung several fire fists from his hand, accompanied by a 'crackling' air-scorching sound as they bombarded Xiao Yuan.

Saying more brings tears; Yan usually loses in close combat when sparring with Jun Wuchen, getting beaten down each time, causing this most orthodox close-combat beast martial soul master to now instinctively first try a long-range probe in every battle.

Xiao Yuan wielded the Fuyu sword, sword shadows flying, shattering each incoming fire fist one by one; sparks scattered, illuminating the entire dorm hall.

Both sides, clumsy as they were, traded blows back and forth, with flames and sword qi intertwining.

What's wrong, Yan? Why don't you come over and give me a punch? Aren't you a close-combat soul master? Why are you starting to fight at a distance?

"Hmph! Since you love shooting sword qi so much, I want to see how long your soul power can hold out."

"Xiao Yuan's sword, after evolving, looks incredibly sharp—he certainly wouldn't go up there to take a loss! Nana is watching him from behind now!"

"Yan thought his soul power level was higher than Xiao Yuan's; at worst, just compare total soul power! He is a fifteenth-level soul power! Under Jun martial soul's training, he is one level higher than Hu Liena and Xie Yue! Xiao Yuan outwardly laughed and mocked Yan, but inwardly he was secretly shocked—Yan's strength somewhat exceeded his imagination. He was just a native; he had thought that with his current inheritance and numerical bonuses, a single encounter would easily defeat Yan."

"But he didn't expect that he would now be in a bit of a bind—Yan didn't directly clash head-on with him; it felt as if he had fought many times against an opponent much stronger than him, experienced, using various tactical maneuvers, simply refusing to clash head-on with Xiao Yuan! Clearly Xiao Yuan's frontal strength is much greater than Yan's, yet now he is being restrained by Yan, unable to even handle a lackey, and yet he talks about defeating Jun martial soul and making Hu Liena change her heart! Damn it, his Fu Yu sword only awakened this morning; his proficiency with his martial soul is insufficient, and he doesn't know any sword techniques—he hasn't even had time to learn the inherited sword technique."

"Xiao Yuan felt a slight regret in his heart; if he had known, he would have settled down for a month first, but hearing that Hu Liena went on a date with Jun martial soul today, he simply couldn't bear it!"

"Who would have thought that with such a huge cheat activated, he would still be blocked by a background character from the original work! Xiao Yuan on the spot got a bit flushed."

"You like to run! Then I'll let you have nowhere to escape! Only see him tightly gripping the Fu Yu sword with both hands, continuously pouring his soul power into it, and he loudly shouted: 'First soul skill, Phoenix Flame Domain!'"

"In an instant, a tremendously powerful phoenix flame force erupted from the Fu Yu sword."

"This force rapidly spread outward from Xiao Yuan as the center, forming a huge flame domain that enclosed both of them."

"Within the domain, phoenix-shaped flames blazed fiercely, as if they would reduce everything to ashes."

"The flames constantly rose and leapt; the intense heat made the air scorching hot, the ground within fifty meters of Xiao Yuan was scorched to a blackened wasteland, even the marble began to melt under the high temperature."

"Fortunately, the Martial Soul Academy is spacious, with the dormitory hall being three hundred meters across; otherwise, they really couldn't have unleashed it. The onlookers felt the temperature change, and they all retreated warily, someone muttering:"

"\"These two are both fire-players; today they won't really burn down the academy dormitory, will they? \""

"It's actually a domain-type soul skill! Qian Renxue's eyes lit up involuntarily; domains are exclusive to the top-tier Titled Douluo, and only when absorbing a perfectly matched ninth soul ring does one have a certain probability of gaining a domain."

"A domain can be said to symbolize the utmost powerhouse! Moreover, there is another way to obtain a domain: through a domain-type soul skill!"

"Abandoning soul ring skills to gain a powerful domain, Qian Renxue personally feels it's a sure win; although the domain skill from soul rings cannot evolve, the master of a domain can truly do as they please within it, completely able to play with self-created soul skills using the domain, with far more variety than an ordinary first soul skill."

"After the Phoenix Flame Domain unfolded, the entire area was enveloped in scorching phoenix flames; Yan inside felt unbearable heat, as if he were in a furnace, his bodily moisture rapidly evaporating, his skin burned to excruciating pain."

"His martial soul is the Flame Lord! He possesses extremely strong fire resistance! Yet he can't stay long in this fire-attribute domain."

"The flames contain powerful phoenix force, with strong burning and purifying effects. Yan's soul power is also suppressed and weakened, his movements becoming sluggish, as if bound by an invisible force."

"The key is that the flames in the Phoenix Flame Domain also have a confusing and interfering effect; staying inside for a long time, the rising flames and shifting light gradually affect Yan's vision and judgment, making it hard for him to accurately determine Xiao Yuan's direction and position!"

"No, we must settle this quickly! This soul skill can continuously inflict damage on soul masters within its range; the longer it lasts, the greater the harm."

"Even if Yan's Flame Lord possesses extremely strong fire resistance or earth-attribute defensive measures, given enough time it's still difficult to withdraw unscathed from the Phoenix Flame Domain."

"He couldn't care less about anything else! If he didn't gamble, he would surely lose; Yan inside the Phoenix Flame Domain roared and decided to use his blood and qi power."

"His eyes instantly turned blood-red, his muscles bulged all over, as if countless flames were wandering within him."

"As the blood and qi circuit operated, the flames on Yan's body burned ever more fiercely; the originally orange-red flames gradually turned into a domineering crimson, the temperature sharply rose, and the surrounding air was scorched, emitting a 'hissing' sound."

"The ground beneath his feet began to melt, forming a pool of scorching magma."

"His body below the head turned completely black like earth, and red fissures resembling volcanic magma gradually appeared on his skin, the cracks at his neck being the most numerous, making it look as if his skin were about to split open."

"\"martial soul! I succeeded! My blood and qi circulation actually succeeded! \""

"Yan exclaimed in delight, 'Is this blood and qi power? It's indeed incredibly strong! Is this the power martial soul usually controls? Truly worthy of him! Yan now feels himself terrifyingly strong—defeating a two-ring soul master is no problem! He excitedly looked at the red fissures on his black body, thinking it's so cool! He never imagined he also had a second form.'"

"\"Xiao Yuan! Don't think only you have a second form! I can transform now too! \""

"The originally powerful suppressive force of the Phoenix Flame Domain suddenly diminished; although the domain is strong, that also means it's a war of attrition!"

"Xiao Yuan currently has only one ring; aside from the domain, his attack methods are truly too lacking—one can only say Xiao Yuan has potential for the future."

"The deep yellow first soul ring beneath Yan's feet flickered; he clenched his fists and slammed them together, and a powerful soul power surge burst from his body."

"First soul skill—Hell Magma Rush!"

"Instantly, the marble began to violently tremble, and huge cracks rapidly spread."

"From these cracks, scorching magma surged forth like a flood, splashing up to five meters high."

"The magma carried a suffocating heat and destructive momentum, forming several huge fire pillars; the surrounding air was instantly ignited, turning into a sea of fire."

"The fire pillars intertwined, forming a magma vortex about half a body's size; the deep yellow soul ring covered Yan's right fist, and he fiercely smashed his right fist into the magma vortex."

"Instantly, a crimson magma torrent erupted from the vortex and roared toward Xiao Yuan; the rolling, scorching magma surged like a roaring beast, rushing at Xiao Yuan."

"Wherever the magma passed, the marble floor turned red-hot from the heat, and the air was distorted."

"Xiao Yuan's expression changed; he quickly directed the Fu Yu sword to guide the flames of the Phoenix Flame Domain to block Yan's soul skill, tightly gripping the Fu Yu sword with both hands and continuously pouring his soul power into it, letting the phoenix power flow over the blade, its brilliance flaring."

"Xiao Yuan shouted loudly, brandishing the Fu Yu sword, and drew a huge crimson-gold sword qi before him, with a phoenix apparition faintly visible within."

"The two powerful forces collided in the middle, bursting forth with blinding light and a deafening roar."

"Magma and flame tangled and squeezed each other; at the point of collision they formed a huge energy ball."

"Xiao Yuan's forehead veins bulged; he gripped the Fu Yu sword tightly with both hands, his first soul ring flaring bright, and he used the Phoenix Flame Domain once more, continually replenishing the phoenix fire in the domain, which in turn bolstered the strength of the phoenix sword qi."

"Damn it, what the hell did that bastard Jun martial soul do! Did they feed him immortal grass? How did Yan become so strong!"

"Yan's face also turned ferocious; his blood and qi power surged wildly, and he relentlessly pounded the magma vortex before him with his right fist, which bore the soul ring, driving the magma's impact force."

"Yet the two remained locked in a stalemate, neither willing to yield an inch, both sides continually exerting force."

"However, as time passed, Yan gradually showed signs of fatigue."

"His blood and qi power began to wane; after all, this was his first successful use of blood and qi, he is young, just stepped into the gate of blood and qi, the magma he propelled gradually lost its earlier ferocity, while Xiao Yuan's phoenix flames grew ever stronger, their light becoming more dazzling."

"Finally, Yan could no longer hold on—with a 'boom,' his soul skill was cleanly split in two by Xiao Yuan's phoenix sword qi, the tremendous impact directly hurling Yan backward."

"Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan stood firm in his original spot, the Fu Yu sword in his hand still flashing with the light of phoenix flames."

"Yan crashed heavily to the ground, a huge slash mark carved across his chest, his clothes stained red with blood, his face pallid, he gasped heavily, a strong sense of hunger surging."

"His eyes filled with disbelief—martial soul's taught blood and qi power actually lost! Damn it! It's all because my skills are inadequate! 'Yan!'"

"Hu Liena and Xie Yue hurried to Yan's side to check his injuries."

"Yan coughed up a mouthful of blood, waved his hand at Hu Liena and Xie Yue to indicate he was fine, just a minor injury from the spirit battle, afraid to even call himself a spirit master if injured."

"Yan's competitive spirit was also aroused; he declared war on Xiao Yuan."

"\"Xiao Yuan, today you won! But don't get cocky—I will definitely defeat you in the future! \""

"Xiao Yuan also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then nonchalantly sheathed the Fu Yu sword behind his back, stood with hands behind his back, and spoke calmly:"

"\"You merely look down on my innate soul power being only level five, thinking my cultivation speed can't match your innate level-nine soul power. \""

But what about that innate level-five soul power?

Even if I bear a mutated waste martial soul, and my innate soul power is only level five, I, Xiao Yuan, remain invincible among peers!

Yan lay in Xie Yue's arms, somewhat dazed as he looked at Xiao Yuan; this unparalleled confidence and arrogance made him, for a moment, mistakenly think that Jun martial soul stood before him.

The crowd of onlookers erupted again, 'Wow, Xiao Yuan has such gall!' I never expected that this persistent pest Xiao Yuan would be so arrogant! One shouldn't judge by appearance! From now on we can't call him a soft‑rice‑eating guy—Yan got knocked senseless by Xiao Yuan.

The male trainees secretly thought, 'This dead simp's words are still pretty cool,' having been taken in by his act; the female trainees in the dormitory hallway all had their eyes light up, their gazes glued to Xiao Yuan, unable to look away.

Qian Renxue: '?'

What the hell? This isn't An Lan's line! He's pretending to be tough, you little Deng, why are you stealing my lines! Do I, Qian Renxue, have no face? After letting you pretend, what am I supposed to do? 'Who's claiming invincibility, who dares say undefeated! Not even the golden age!'

A cold voice suddenly rang out—this voice came from Jun martial soul, hailed as the strongest student of the Martial Soul Academy! The originally noisy scene fell silent instantly, everyone's gaze drawn to the black‑clad figure at the doorway: he wore a black tight outfit, his sleeves snapping in a wind from nowhere, his posture straight as a pine, exuding a chilling aura.

His face bore no expression, as if covered in a layer of frost; his stern brows and eyes made people dare not approach.

His eyes were deep and icy, like the water of a cold pool, inspiring awe; his straight nose bridge and tightly pressed thin lips added a touch of cruelty.

Jun martial soul stood there silently, his chilling aura spreading outward, as if freezing the surrounding air; he spoke not a word, yet one could clearly feel his immense pressure and inviolable dignity.

It's Jun martial soul who's come!

Wow—so handsome—

Ah—martial soul big brother—I want to bear your monkeys—

The female students all screamed, the atmosphere instantly peaking.

It has to be Jun martial soul—what a scene, I'm dying of envy.

Still jealous, hurry up and memorize your lines, you're so flashy!

Xiao Yuan and Jun martial soul are both pretender kings! They're still showing off, actually starting to boost each other's pretentiousness! Okay, okay, you guys are playing like that, huh? Pretending without me! You'd better wait for me!

No way! As Qian Renxue making an appearance, I must have pretentiousness too! I can't let them steal all the spotlight!

Today I wrote six thousand characters! Give me those votes, brothers()

(End of chapter)