Chapter 2: Ice Heart Technique

Pain…

A searing agony burned through Lin Xiao's body, as though his very organs were being incinerated from within. His fair skin had turned an alarming shade of red, reminiscent of a boiled shrimp. The evil fire had reached a critical level. If this continued, he would either spontaneously combust into ashes or succumb to the fire poison raging inside him, causing him to explode from within.

"I don't want to die…"

His mind wavered, consciousness slipping, but his will to live forced him to bite down hard on the tip of his tongue. The sharp pain momentarily grounded him, keeping him from passing out. He had principles, but that did not mean he was resigned to death.

Through the haze of suffering, a distant memory surfaced—a technique he had memorized in his previous life: Bing Xin Jue.

"If the heart is as clear as ice, even the collapse of the sky will not cause alarm." "No matter how the world shifts, remain calm. Let the mind be tranquil and at peace…"

Desperate, he began to recite the chant silently. At first, nothing changed, but after a few moments, a cool sensation arose from deep within his heart. The relief was faint but unmistakable—the technique was working!

Yet, the respite was short-lived.

The evil fire retaliated violently, flaring up with even greater intensity. Lin Xiao gasped for breath, staggering to his feet. He grabbed a large bucket from the water tank and poured its contents down his throat, gulping desperately. His body was severely dehydrated, and if he didn't replenish his fluids, exhaustion would claim him before the flames could.

He stumbled back to the straw mat, enduring the relentless pain, and assumed the Taoist meditation posture he recalled from his past life. Once more, he recited the Ice Heart Technique.

"The heart unburdened, the mind unshackled." "Let go of attachments, embrace stillness." "Flow like water, untouched by turmoil." "Free from desire, detached from the material world."

As his breathing steadied, exhaustion finally overtook him, and he drifted into unconsciousness.

The Next Morning

Outside the thatched house, voices broke the morning stillness.

"Teacher, why should we bother with Lin Xiao?" Ma Hongjun muttered in frustration. "He refuses to vent the fire, insists on dying 'with honor,' and acts as if I'm the dirty one. I didn't ask for this either…"

Flander glanced at his disciple.

He had taken Ma Hongjun to a brothel the previous night, believing it would help him manage the evil fire. Though he had not witnessed it himself, the sounds from the room had been enough to confirm that the method had worked.

Yet, Ma Hongjun was still reluctant to let go of the experience.

To be honest, Flander was disappointed.

Lin Xiao, despite his defiance, had left a strong impression. Though Flander had been furious with him the previous night, he couldn't deny his admiration. His goal was to build the greatest academy on the continent—Shrek Academy—and students like Lin Xiao would ensure its reputation.

With that thought, Flander pushed open the broken wooden door.

The moment he stepped inside, his eyes widened in shock.

Lin Xiao lay motionless on the straw mat, his face deathly pale. The faint scent of ashes lingered in the air, and scorch marks marred the mat beneath him. A terrifying thought struck Flander—had the evil fire erupted last night?!

Rushing forward, he reached out to check Lin Xiao's condition—

Boom!

A strange flame suddenly ignited and shot toward Flander. The heat was overwhelming, distorting the very air around it.

"Owl Possession!"

Seven soul rings manifested behind Flander as he unleashed his full power as a Soul Saint. He attempted to smother the fire with raw soul force, but instead of extinguishing it, the flame burned even fiercer, devouring the energy like dry tinder.

Flander's heart pounded.

This fire… it's completely different from Ma Hongjun's!

"Fourth Soul Skill—Wind Blade Slash!"

A dozen razor-sharp wind blades tore through the flame, finally extinguishing it. Flander exhaled sharply, his expression grim.

Ma Hongjun, standing by, was equally stunned.

"Why is Lin Xiao's fire… different from mine?" he whispered.

Just then, Lin Xiao stirred, his eyes fluttering open.

Flander's gaze sharpened.

"Did your evil fire break out last night?"

Lin Xiao nodded weakly.

Flander was utterly shaken. "The evil fire erupted, and yet… you're still alive?"

Rubbing his temples, Lin Xiao sighed. "I got lucky."

Flander's expression darkened. "Luck won't save you every time."

His voice grew heavy with warning. "You're only delaying the inevitable. Each time you suppress the evil fire, it will accumulate. It will grow stronger, fiercer. One day, it will be too much for you to handle!"

Lin Xiao remained silent.

He was not a fool—he was always searching for solutions.

The Ice Heart Technique had bought him time, but it was not a cure. He needed something stronger… perhaps a celestial herb.

After a moment, he spoke. "I'll be leaving in a few days."

Flander frowned. "Leave? Where would you go? You're just a newly awakened soul master!"

Lin Xiao did not answer directly. "I want to see the world."

Though he had read about Douluo Continent in his past life, he knew that living in this world was an entirely different experience. Words in a book could never compare to the weight of true life-and-death battles.

Flander was exasperated. "See the world before you die?" He sighed. "You're too young. You don't realize how vast and exciting this world truly is. And yet, you insist on throwing your life away. Is it really worth it?"

Lin Xiao smiled faintly.

Even with his exhaustion, there was a certain brightness to his expression. His long, maple-red hair was tousled, but his gaze was unwavering—far from that of a mere child.

Outside the house, beyond the moss-covered threshold, stood a small cluster of wild chrysanthemums, their yellow petals swaying gently in the wind.

Lin Xiao pointed to them.

"I would rather die with fragrance on the branch than be blown away by the north wind."

His voice was soft, but firm.

Flander fell silent.

With a long sigh, he turned away and left with Ma Hongjun.

As he walked, he muttered to himself, shaking his head.

"What a pity… What a pity…"