Chapter 24: Yan Shaozhe’s Subtle Intentions

The appearance of the demonic rune mark on her lower abdomen seemed to provide an outlet for the malevolent energy within Ma Xiaotao’s Phoenix Flame. This evil energy swiftly separated from her soul force and, using the mark as a conduit, continuously flowed into Ye Xixuan’s body.

However, the violent stirring of the dark energy within the martial soul’s origin also dealt a tremendous shock to her spirit.

Over the years, as she grew older and suffered the backlash caused by the evil fire, Ma Xiaotao had been suppressing herself. This not only hindered her cultivation but also posed a constant threat to her life. If her willpower hadn’t been strong enough, she likely would have lost control long ago.

Even Yan Shaozhe had more than once suggested that she try another method to dispel the negative effects brought on by the evil Phoenix martial soul, but she had always refused.

Prolonged suppression inevitably leads to a fierce rebound.

At this moment, Ma Xiaotao was utterly unable to control her body’s instinctive responses. Her mind was filled only with the intoxicating relief of releasing the evil energy. Under this relaxation, her body became extraordinarily sensitive, causing her spirit to completely lose its hold.

Instinctively, she clutched the unconscious Ye Xixuan to her chest, her delicate body trembling, lips slightly parted.

“Ugh—”

Bathed in the crimson glow of Ma Xiaotao’s soul energy, the fierce black demonic runes covering Ye Xixuan’s body seemed to acquire an even more sinister and bewitching aura. Viewed from above, only the entwined black and red lights flickering beneath the lake’s surface could be seen.

After a shudder, Ma Xiaotao managed to partially suppress the evil fire within her, and her consciousness gradually cleared. Yet, having endured the torment of the evil fire for so long, her instinct was to prolong the pleasurable sensation as much as possible.

In terms of talent, Ma Xiaotao even surpassed the inner courtyard senior sister Zhang Lexuan and was on par with the revered Elder Mu in his prime. Were it not for the flaw of the evil Phoenix martial soul, her achievements would have been far greater.

Having finally grasped such an opportunity, she clung to it like a lifeline.

Her eyes fluttered open slightly, the wild, blood-red fury fading into a hauntingly beautiful pale pink. Through her blurred vision, she finally made out Ye Xixuan’s face and slowly recalled what had transpired.

“Isn’t this the little guy who always follows senior sister around? This is bad; I’ve really caused trouble now!”

Though fierce in nature, Ma Xiaotao understood how much her ancestral master, Elder Mu, valued Ye Xixuan, seeing him as the future of Shrek Academy. If anything were to happen to Ye Xixuan, what face would she have left to stay there?

At this moment, she could no longer focus on dispelling the evil fire and hurriedly checked Ye Xixuan’s condition.

Fortunately, Ye Xixuan’s body was not seriously harmed.

Even so, Ma Xiaotao dared not be careless. After all, most of the evil fire had been transferred into Ye Xixuan’s body. She prepared to surface with him, but as she moved her legs, her delicate face instantly flushed with embarrassment.

“What on earth did I just do?!”

Since the day she awakened her martial soul, she had suffered under the evil fire’s torment. Many times she considered giving up or, as Yan Shaozhe had suggested, finding another way to vent the energy. Yet, she had persevered all these years.

With such strong spirit, how could she have done such a thing?

“Ahhhh—” Ma Xiaotao was not as mature now as Ye Xixuan had been in his past life. Her heart burned with shame and anger, made worse by an unsettling aftertaste of the previous sensation.

“It must be this kid’s martial soul that’s the problem!”

Ma Xiaotao couldn’t help but spit lightly, blaming Ye Xixuan with righteous indignation, as if doing so would ease her guilt. As they surfaced, she began to ponder another matter.

If Ye Xixuan’s martial soul could truly help dispel the evil fire without side effects, then her cultivation would no longer be hindered. At that point, she might truly soar, restoring the glory of her pure Phoenix ancestral martial soul.

Breaking the surface, Ma Xiaotao exhaled deeply, then released her martial soul and embraced Ye Xixuan as they rose into the air. Their water-soaked clothes quickly dried under the heat of the Phoenix flames, though she still felt somewhat strange.

Just then, a white-robed elder stepped forth from the depths of Sea God Lake, as if traversing space itself, and appeared before Ma Xiaotao in an instant. His gaze lingered briefly on her before fixing on the unconscious Ye Xixuan.

“Xiaotao, you lost control again? What exactly happened?”

“Teacher?” Ma Xiaotao jumped in surprise, nervously drawing her long legs together, pressing Ye Xixuan’s cheek closer to her ample chest, her face betraying an awkward unease.

“I don’t know. When I regained consciousness, I found myself falling into the lake with this little guy. But his martial soul seems to be helping me dissipate the evil fire within the Phoenix flames. I feel much better now.”

“Let’s return to Sea God Island and have the teacher examine you both first.” The elder made a decisive suggestion after assessing their condition.

“Xixuan’s martial soul has an ultimate darkness attribute. The teacher has only shared this information with the senior elders of the Sea God Pavilion. Your evil fire originates from another impure aspect of the dark attribute. There may be some connection between the two.”

“Ultimate darkness attribute?! He’s an ultimate attribute soul master?” Ma Xiaotao’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Teacher, hearing this makes me feel like I was drawn here by the power of bloodline and the origin of my martial soul.”

During their conversation, Ma Xiaotao and the white-robed elder quickly arrived at the Sea God Pavilion.

Elder Mu seemed to have sensed the situation at Sea God Lake. Rarely leaving his reclining chair, he now stooped forward, watching the approaching elder.

The white-robed elder saluted respectfully.

“Teacher.”

“Shaozhe, I already know the situation,” Elder Mu waved his hand and then gestured toward Ma Xiaotao. “Xiaotao, bring that child Xixuan over here.”

“Yes, ancestral master.” Ma Xiaotao hurried forward, cradling Ye Xixuan, her expression anxious. After all, all these troubles stemmed from her.

Elder Mu first placed his withered right hand on Ye Xixuan’s chest, then slowly closed his eyes. After a moment of contemplation under the watchful eyes of Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao, he finally spoke.

“Xixuan’s body is largely unharmed. Xiaotao, the evil energy in your soul force has likely been absorbed by Xixuan’s martial soul.”

“Teacher, does this mean Xiaotao can cultivate normally from now on?” Yan Shaozhe’s eyes brightened. His personality lacked some magnanimity, often thinking in purely pragmatic terms.

Elder Mu glanced at Yan Shaozhe and sighed deeply, his tone earnest.

“Shaozhe, when will you change your mindset? I understand your intentions, but have you considered Xixuan’s wishes?”

“Teacher, I accept your rebuke.” Yan Shaozhe’s signature attitude was to admit mistakes without changing his ways, though he was sincere in his manner.

Ma Xiaotao looked between Elder Mu and Yan Shaozhe, puzzled.

‘What riddle are the ancestral master and teacher playing at?’