Chapter 269: Oscar, Ma Hongjun

While in the Bingfeng Forest, Shi Quan had already noticed the chaotic life force within Ma Hongjun. Because of Yu Xiaogang, his life force had already been significantly overdrawn, and with his martial soul still unresolved, the influence of the malignant Mutated Spirit Evil Fire was gradually growing. Under the influence of these various factors, the condition inside Ma Hongjun's body had reached a very dire level.

It was precisely for this reason that Shi Quan was certain Oscar would come to find him. They must have sought out many people to help resolve Ma Hongjun's situation, but if the problems brought about by a martial soul were truly that easy to solve, that trash Yu Xiaogang would not be called Master.

To save Ma Hongjun, Oscar's only hope could only rest on the "Master" Shi Quan.

Oscar, who treated Ma Hongjun as a brother, would certainly not let this opportunity slip by.

On the way, Shi Quan's true body transformed into the appearance of Zhuang Zhou.

"Little Ao." Shi Quan's voice came from outside the room.

Oscar stood up in pleasant surprise and whispered to Ma Hongjun beside him, "Pangzi, hold on a little longer, Zhuang Zhou is here."

"Okay." Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth and nodded.

Oscar walked quickly toward Shi Quan's direction and greeted him excitedly, "Zhuang Zhou!"

Shi Quan raised his hand and punched Oscar in the chest; Oscar immediately gasped in pain.

Shi Quan waved his hand and wrapped an arm around Oscar's shoulder, "If I hadn't run into you earlier, were you planning to never come see me again, you brat?"

Seeing Shi Quan walk in, Ma Hongjun immediately stood up somewhat hurriedly, looking at Oscar with eyes full of anticipation.

"You brat, aren't you being a bit too distant? I said back then that you and I are brothers; of course I would help if I could. I'm just angry that you're being so distant with me."

Hearing this, Oscar sighed, "Zhuang Zhou, I actually came this time because I wanted you to help Pangzi."

Stepping forward, Shi Quan raised his hand and placed it on Ma Hongjun's shoulder, his Mental Power surging in. Shi Quan had long been clear about the state of Ma Hongjun's body, but he still had to put on a show.

"How is it, Zhuang Zhou?" Oscar stared at Shi Quan nervously, especially after seeing Shi Quan's furrowed brows, his heart grew even more tense to the extreme.

"Your source is severely depleted. Given your martial soul, it shouldn't have deteriorated this quickly. It must be because of your training back then. In your current state, within a month, I fear you will be burned to death by the Evil Fire, Pangzi. Fortunately, you came; if you had come any later, it truly would have been beyond medical help." Shi Quan let out a long breath.

"Alright, alright, let's go inside and check on Pangzi's condition first." Shi Quan patted Oscar's shoulder lightly and led him inside.

After a look from Oscar, Ma Hongjun let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward to greet him, "Zhuang Zhou."

"You mean I can still be saved?" Ma Hongjun's fat body trembled continuously from excitement.

Shi Quan frowned, wearing a grave expression as he said, "Let me see."

Ma Hongjun sighed and said bitterly, "Zhuang Zhou, you also know my martial soul is a Mutated Spirit and has drawbacks. Ever since the tournament ended, I've found my Evil Fire growing more and more vigorous, and it's becoming harder and harder to suppress. My body is getting worse by the day. If the problem of the Evil Fire cannot be alleviated, I fear my days are numbered."

Shi Quan put on an annoyed look and scolded, "You brat, you never come to see me for a chat on normal days; do you only come to find me when you need something?"

"Hmm." Shi Quan nodded and feigned confusion, "Pangzi, Little Ao said you ran into some trouble, what happened?"

The two men's expressions stiffened, and Ma Hongjun looked at Oscar as if for help.

"What's there to worry about? We're all brothers, and you were victims in the matter back then too. It's just a matter of wasting a few words." Shi Quan patted Oscar's shoulder, "Didn't you say Ma Hongjun came with you? Why don't I see him?"

Oscar gave a bitter smile, "Zhuang Zhou, you know that because of the tournament, we were all implicated to no small degree. And since you are on good terms with Shi Quan, I was also worried about affecting you."

"Hmm." Shi Quan nodded and said, "But I can't do it; Shi Quan has to be the one to do it."

Oscar lowered his head, his voice somewhat dejected, "Zhuang Zhou, if it's too much trouble, then forget it."

"Zhuang Zhou, Pangzi is also my brother. Could you ask Shi Quan to help save Pangzi?" Oscar patted Ma Hongjun and looked at Shi Quan.

Shi Quan smiled and said meaningfully, "I am him, and he is me. It's just a matter of a single word."

"Thanks, Zhuang Zhou." Ma Hongjun's face was exceptionally red, though it was unclear if it was from excitement or the Evil Fire within him.

"It's nothing. You wait a moment, I'll go call him." Shi Quan patted Oscar, "Don't let Pangzi's emotions get too agitated; you soothe him first."

"Thanks, brother." Oscar said in a low voice.

"Small matter." Shi Quan waved his hand and turned to walk out of the room.

Arriving at an empty corner, Shi Quan split his figure. The true body remained in the appearance of Zhuang Zhou, while the avatar took on the appearance of the true body.

A moment later.

The figures of Shi Quan and Zhuang Zhou walked in from outside.

"Master Shi." Oscar and Ma Hongjun both showed respectful expressions upon seeing Shi Quan.

"No need to be so formal." Shi Quan smiled and waved his hand, "We are all friends, just call me by my name. Zhuang Zhou has already told me about your situation; it's just a small effort, a minor problem."

Shi Quan smiled and said, "Zhuang Zhou is my brother; I will address you however he addresses you."

"Pangzi, come over here, let me check you first." Shi Quan beckoned to Ma Hongjun. Hearing Shi Quan address him this way, Ma Hongjun felt a sense of intimacy and quickly walked to stand before Shi Quan.

After Shi Quan raised his hand and made a show of checking him, his expression became somewhat grave. Only after a long while did he say, "Although it is a bit troublesome, it is fortunately manageable."

Hearing this, the taut string in Ma Hongjun's heart finally relaxed.

Oscar also asked excitedly, "Shi Quan, can you help treat Pangzi then?"

"I can." Shi Quan nodded, "Follow me."

Shi Quan led the three of them out of the main hall and into a forest area of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

"Pangzi, sit cross-legged, calm your mind and spirit, and just cooperate with me."

"Okay." Ma Hongjun immediately sat cross-legged, constantly smoothing out his restless heart.

Shi Quan slowly raised his right hand, and blue-gold light bloomed. The Blue Silver Emperor Tree appeared in Shi Quan's hand, and seven Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath him.

The external Soul Ring configuration of the Blue Silver Emperor Tree was Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black.

When Oscar saw the seven Soul Rings circling beneath Shi Quan, he was instantly stunned on the spot.

If he was shocked to this extent by just seven rings, it was hard to imagine how shocked he would be if he saw the true Soul Ring configuration of the Blue Silver Emperor and the hidden Eighth Soul Ring.

Blue-gold light bloomed from Shi Quan's body, and the Seventh Soul Ring beneath him suddenly lit up. A majestic life force erupted, accompanied by surging soul power.

Both Oscar and Ma Hongjun immediately felt the powerful energy fluctuations radiating from Shi Quan.

Both of them were left stunned on the spot.

The Blue Silver Domain expanded, and rich life force permeated the air. The dense blue-gold light merged into Shi Quan's body, transforming into emerald-green light that slowly seeped into Ma Hongjun's body.

Ma Hongjun's figure trembled; he only felt a scorching aura, as if from magma, surging from his back into his body.

The meridians and flesh throughout his entire body felt as if they were burning, but strangely, after that scorching aura flowed through, it left behind a gentle, moistening aura, giving his body a sense of ease as if brushed by a spring breeze.

It could be said to be painful yet joyful, but for Ma Hongjun, this process was exceptionally agonizing.

In the span of just a few breaths, Ma Hongjun turned into something resembling a boiled shrimp, his entire body turning bright red, even his hair having transformed into a fiery red color.

In fact, for a situation like Ma Hongjun's, cultivating some pure yang internal arts would be enough to easily dissolve the influence brought about by the Evil Fire.

Shi Quan would naturally not teach internal cultivation methods to Ma Hongjun, but the Nine Yang Power within Shi Quan's body was the ultimate yang energy; using this ultimate yang energy to help him cleanse his marrow and refine his body, combined with the vitality of the Blue Silver Emperor Tree, was enough to resolve the flaws in Ma Hongjun's martial soul.

Oscar watched the scene before him nervously; he could see that Shi Quan's complexion was becoming increasingly pale during the process of treating Ma Hongjun, cold sweat was constantly breaking out on his forehead, and the soul power fluctuations around his body were becoming somewhat chaotic. Even so, he persisted in treating Ma Hongjun without pause; this sight moved him even more deeply in his heart.

After a full three hours had passed in this manner, the thick aura around Shi Quan finally dissipated, and he slowly stood up with a slightly pale complexion, his footsteps even appearing somewhat unsteady.

"I have fortunately fulfilled the mission," Shi Quan said weakly.

Zhuang Zhou and Oscar stepped forward quickly to support Shi Quan.

"Shi Quan, thank you. We two brothers have no way to repay the kindness of this day; both Pangzi and I will remember it," Oscar said with a sincere expression.

"It's nothing. I have already helped him resolve the problem with his martial soul, but his foundation was damaged before, so it will not be easy to restore it. His future achievements will certainly be affected to a certain extent, but there is no need to worry about his life anymore," Shi Quan waved his hand. "I will go back to recuperate for a while; he should still need to cultivate for some time before he wakes up."

Zhuang Zhou also spoke up at this time: "Xiao Ao, you watch over Pangzi first. This is Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, so you don't need to worry about safety. I will take Shi Quan back first."

"Alright," Oscar nodded.

Zhuang Zhou led Shi Quan as they walked toward the outside of the woods.

"The way you acted, if I weren't you, even I would have believed it," just after walking out of the forest, Zhuang Zhou let go of Shi Quan's arm.

"If I didn't pretend to be convincing, how would I fool them?" Shi Quan shrugged, his unsteady footsteps immediately returning to a vigorous and steady appearance.

Providing help in a time of need is indeed something that makes people remember it in their hearts.

As for the value of the charcoal, it is decided by the person who delivers it.

If the treatment were too simple, it would inevitably make the other party overlook the difficulty of this treatment; if, as mere acquaintances, one paid a heavy price to save them, the two would inevitably be filled with gratitude.