Chapter 1: Phoenix, Phoenix, You Will Not Rest Unless You Have a Wutong Tree

Soto City.

A run-down thatched hut.

The pale moonlight cast a dim glow over the weathered wooden door. The night wind howled, carrying a bone-chilling cold through the desolate surroundings. Inside, a young man lay curled up on a straw mat, his body trembling as he endured the excruciating agony of burning flames surging within him.

Sweat streamed down his forehead, soaking his tattered clothes and drenching the mat beneath him.

Creak—

The worn wooden door swung open with a groan.

A childish voice, tinged with disappointment, broke the silence.

"Brother Xiao, you're still so stubborn. If you refuse to find a woman, the evil fire will consume you. You'll burn to death!"

"When my teacher took me to the brothel, I felt completely relieved. The process wasn't painful at all—actually, it was quite enjoyable."

"We may be young, but the evil fire gives us the same needs as grown men. Sooner or later, we'll have to face it, won't we?"

"Why are you so insistent on suffering?"

Lin Xiao's hazy eyes fluttered open.

He turned toward the voice and saw a chubby boy with fair skin and a slightly wretched appearance, standing beside a tall, middle-aged man with a hooked nose.

It was Ma Hongjun and Flender.

Lin Xiao's voice was weak, his lips cracked from dehydration, yet his resolve was unshaken.

"Hongjun, everyone has their own path. Even if I die, I would rather die with dignity than succumb to the beastly nature of the evil fire."

Flender frowned.

"If you think brothel women are unclean, I can arrange something better for you."

"You have two options: First, I'll pay for a commoner girl's purity, and you won't even have to take responsibility. Second, I'll arrange an engagement with a proper young lady, and you'll fulfill your duties as her fiancé."

"Think carefully. You've been suppressing the evil fire for too long. You're reaching your limit."

"If you refuse to act, your fate will be either self-immolation or violent explosion."

Flender's gaze fell upon the boy curled up on the straw mat.

Even in his wretched state, Lin Xiao's features carried an innate handsomeness, his brows hinting at unyielding pride. Though weakened, his spirit remained unwavering.

A fine candidate to be a Soul Master...

Lin Xiao possessed the same Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul as Ma Hongjun. However, his talent far surpassed Hongjun's—he had been born with full innate soul power, a level of potential that even made Flender uneasy.

But he was simply too stubborn.

Despite his extraordinary talent, he refused to compromise.

Would he really rather die than bend his principles?

Lin Xiao's voice, though weak, remained resolute.

"I refuse both options."

He could not bring himself to buy a girl's innocence only to abandon her afterward.

Nor could he marry a girl he did not know, just to satisfy the fire within him.

Flender's voice darkened with anger.

"Then you might as well prepare to die!"

To Flender, Lin Xiao's refusal was nothing short of idiotic.

Was it so difficult to understand?

If he disdained brothel women, then he could simply choose a clean one.

A commoner girl—what was the harm in compensating her with money and walking away?

Did he not realize he was a noble Spirit Master?

What need did he have for such useless sentimentality?

To ordinary people, sharing a bed with a Spirit Master was an honor.

And yet, this boy clung to his self-righteousness like a fool.

Outside, the night wind whistled through the cracks in the windows. Rain drizzled lightly, pattering against the blue brick ground.

A faint smile crossed Lin Xiao's pale lips.

"Then let me die."

Despite the searing pain wracking his body, his expression was one of calm detachment.

Flender had exhausted every effort to persuade him, but Lin Xiao refused to yield.

The older man clenched his jaw.

"You're willing to throw your life away for some meaningless principle?!"

Lin Xiao's eyes remained indifferent.

"It is better to die with honor than to live in disgrace."

Flender's face darkened further, his hands trembling in frustration.

"Fine!"

Ma Hongjun, standing beside him, scowled in irritation.

"Brother Xiao, I went out of my way to ask my teacher to help you, and this is how you repay me? Spouting nonsense about honor and disgrace?"

"For the sake of some self-righteous ideal, you're willing to throw your life away?"

"I always thought you were smart, but now I see you're the most stubborn fool of all."

"Forget it! I won't waste my breath on you anymore!"

Secretly, Ma Hongjun felt relieved.

If Lin Xiao became Flender's disciple, he would undoubtedly outshine him.

Now that Lin Xiao had offended Flender beyond repair, there was no chance of that happening.

At least his position remained secure.

Even so, Flender couldn't help but hesitate.

The Evil Fire Phoenix was a rare and powerful martial soul. Even Ma Hongjun's talent had been remarkable—but Lin Xiao's potential was on an entirely different level.

It was just a shame.

A stubborn fool like him could never go far.

"Lin Xiao, this is your last chance."

"Will you release the evil fire, or will you die?"

Lin Xiao didn't respond.

He simply closed his eyes and whispered:

"A phoenix soars to great heights, yet it will not rest unless it finds its rightful home."

"It will not perch except upon the wutong tree. It will not eat except from bamboo fruits. It will not drink except from pure springs."

Lin Xiao would not allow himself to fall into depravity.

Flender's expression twisted in fury.

This boy is truly beyond saving!

"Forget it! Everyone chooses their own path—do as you wish!"

"Hongjun, we're leaving!"

Ma Hongjun let out a sigh, shaking his head as he looked at Lin Xiao with pity.

"What a waste."

"Brother Xiao, you always thought you were smarter than me."

"But in the end, you're the biggest fool of all."

With that, he turned and followed Flender out into the night.

Now, only Lin Xiao remained in the thatched hut.

He clenched his fists, his body convulsing from the unbearable heat.

It felt as though his internal organs were being incinerated, the pain far worse than death itself.

"I, Lin Xiao, have lived in this world for six years... Is this really the end?"

Unwilling.

He had been a college student on Blue Star, only to be reborn into the world of Douluo Dalu.

Raised as an orphan in Soto City, he had used his past-life knowledge to improve the lives of those around him.

Yet, when he awakened his martial soul—the Evil Fire Phoenix—his fate had been sealed.

Born with full soul power, yet burdened with a fire that could only be tamed through shameful means...

"If I had a choice, I would rather be talentless, just to live with a clear conscience."

Lin Xiao had always been raised with virtue and discipline.

Even now, he refused to surrender to the monster within.

He would not let himself be reduced to a slave of desire.

Even if it meant burning to ashes.