After listening to Yu Xiaogang's explanation, Qin Ming remained skeptical. Although the theory sounded reasonable and well-founded, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
"Teacher, I have been cultivating day and night for this moment. I will definitely not let you down!" Ma Hongjun said excitedly.
The thought of becoming a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master filled him with adrenaline.
As long as he completed his Martial Soul mutation, even Dai Mubai, whose Soul Power level was several ranks higher, might not be his match.
Yu Xiaogang smiled slightly, a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "Hongjun, after you absorb your third Soul Ring, your Martial Soul will undergo a transformation or even an evolution. Your aptitude will improve significantly, potentially even surpassing those with Innate Full Soul Power."
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun became even more excited. If his cultivation speed could surpass Innate Full Soul Power, he would be the most outstanding genius on the entire continent.
Only Flender felt a lingering sense of unease, thinking to himself, 'I hope nothing goes wrong.'
After all, the group had five Soul Saint-level experts protecting them, so they hadn't encountered any real danger along the way. After a long journey, they finally entered the habitat of the Frost Ice Phoenix.
Based on Yu Xiaogang's description, Flender and Liu Erlong quickly located a suitable target.
Its entire body was ice-blue, resembling a giant eagle but possessing extremely long and beautiful tail feathers. It looked incredibly noble and was estimated to be around 1,700 years old.
With their combined efforts, they quickly brought the Frost Ice Phoenix down from the sky.
Looking at the heavily injured bird on the ground, a hint of hesitation flashed in Flender's eyes. He advised, "Xiaogang, are you really confident about this?"
"Boss Flender, you have to believe in Hongjun. As long as he has enough determination, he will definitely succeed in his transformation. My judgment won't be wrong!"
Yu Xiaogang spoke calmly, then looked at Ma Hongjun beside him and asked, "Hongjun, do you have confidence?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun's expression faltered slightly.
To be honest, he was a little unsure. But seeing his teacher's confident demeanor, he was immediately inspired. He nodded emphatically, saying, "Teacher, Dean, I'm confident I can expel the Evil Fire!"
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Flender didn't try to dissuade him further but simply patted his shoulder gently.
Immediately, Ma Hongjun stepped forward and delivered the final blow to the Frost Ice Phoenix.
The next moment, a deep purple spirit ring slowly condensed over the corpse.
Ma Hongjun took a deep breath, sat cross-legged beside the bird, and prepared to absorb this thousand-year spirit ring.
"Hongjun, guard your mind. Guide the power of ice and cold to merge with the Evil Fire within your body, slowly removing the impurities. Remember, try to maintain balance!" Yu Xiaogang instructed.
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun nodded solemnly, then closed his eyes and focused on absorbing the energy of the spirit ring.
At first, the absorption process went smoothly, and everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction.
However, only Ma Hongjun himself knew the truth. After the extremely cold energy surged into his body, it did not gradually remove the impurities of his flames as Yu Xiaogang had predicted.
Ice and Fire are inherently two opposing energies. The moment they came into contact, they clashed violently within Ma Hongjun's body like sworn enemies!
The two energies simply could not blend; it was more like pouring cold water into boiling oil, instantly triggering a violent, explosive reaction!
"Pfft!"
Ma Hongjun's body shuddered violently, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Within his blood, there were traces of both ice and fire energies, half condensed into frost, and half emitting billowing heat.
At the same time, chaotic energies emanated from his body. Some parts of his skin turned crimson and scalding hot, while other parts were covered with a layer of icy blue frost. It looked as if his body would collapse at any moment.
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed drastically; his previous certainty and confidence shattered instantly. He took two steps back in disbelief, muttering to himself, "How could this be? The ice and fire energies didn't maintain a balance... Could it be that I should have chosen a ring with a lower age?"
Flender and the others were completely dumbfounded. They had thought at most the spirit ring would be destroyed, but judging from the current situation, Ma Hongjun could explode and die at any moment.
Seeing Ma Hongjun in unbearable pain, Flender could no longer suppress his anger.
Ma Hongjun had once been his direct disciple, and he had given him to Yu Xiaogang out of brotherhood. He never expected that Ma Hongjun would be so cruelly harmed.
He looked at Yu Xiaogang with shock and rage, demanding, "Xiaogang, what exactly is happening?!"
He had trusted Yu Xiaogang's theories, which was why he agreed to this absurd method. He never expected it would endanger Ma Hongjun's life.
Although the Evil Fire was indeed dangerous, as long as Ma Hongjun visited a brothel to release it in time, it was never fatal.
Yu Xiaogang forced himself to steady his mind, cold sweat beading on his forehead. His voice trembled as he said, "There must have been an error during the absorption... Now, I'm afraid we can only rely on external force."
He then turned sharply to Liu Erlong, urgently shouting, "Erlong! Quickly stabilize the energy within him and remove the impurities!"
Without hesitation, Liu Erlong flashed behind Ma Hongjun, placing her hand on his back. She continuously poured her Soul Power into him, attempting to forcibly stabilize the warring energies.
With Liu Erlong's help, Ma Hongjun's condition gradually improved; the Ice-attribute energy that had been clashing with the Evil Fire was momentarily suppressed.
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang's eyes gleamed with wild joy. He almost maniacally shouted, "My martial soul theory is correct! I, Yu Xiaogang, have cultivated a Fire Phoenix Soul Master!"
However, Liu Erlong was only a Soul Saint; she could not fully control two opposing energies of such volatility. Under Yu Xiaogang's premature roar of victory, the barely maintained balance collapsed.
"Ugh... hot... so hot!"
Ma Hongjun's consciousness was beginning to blur. Stimulated by the external pressure, the Evil Fire within him erupted even more fiercely, like a bonfire doused with gasoline!
The deep red Evil Fire almost burst through his skin, making his entire body radiate heat like a red-hot iron.
"This is bad! This is a sign of the Evil Fire going out of control!" Flender's face was extremely grim. He said with a heavy heart, "We must let this Evil Fire out, otherwise he will surely die!"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's smile instantly froze. If Ma Hongjun died, no one could prove his martial soul theory.
He looked up sharply at Flender and hurriedly asked, "How do we let it out?"
Flender opened his mouth but found it difficult to speak. They were in a remote frozen wasteland; how could they possibly find a brothel?
There were only two females in the group: Liu Erlong and Ning Rongrong. Obviously, neither of them could help Ma Hongjun release his fire in 'that' way.
Seeing that Flender remained silent, Dai Mubai frowned, somewhat annoyed. "There are no brothels here. How can we help Fatty relieve his pent-up desire?"
Hearing the implication of "relieving desire," Yu Xiaogang instantly reacted. His gaze immediately fell on Ning Rongrong, the only female student in the group.
"Ning Rongrong!"
Yu Xiaogang didn't take time to think. He spoke with an undeniable air of authority, "Only you can save him now. Quickly, help my disciple!"
Ning Rongrong was stunned at first, then instantly flew into a rage. Her pretty face turned red with anger. She pointed a finger right at Yu Xiaogang's nose and cursed:
"Yu Xiaogang! Are you crazy?! What do I care about your disciple's life or death? Even if he dies, it's your fault! You stupid teacher, you chose that damn Ice-attribute soul ring for him!"
"Hmph! Does he really think a wild chicken can become a phoenix? Having a useless teacher like you, he deserves to die! Since you want to help him relieve his pent-up desire, why don't you do it yourself?!"