Chapter 25: Soul Evolution—The Phoenix of Darkness and Destruction

Dark flames surged and twisted around Lin Xiao's body.

The once radiant red phoenix of his martial spirit had undergone a startling transformation—its feathers now shimmered with a sinister black gloss, shimmering between a crimson red and an ominous obsidian. The flames themselves were no longer just searing red; they were streaked with void-like black, as if destruction itself had crept into the heart of the fire.

Behind him, an ethereal shadow of the phoenix spread its wings, majestic yet terrifying.

Even Ye Qingxian, with all her knowledge and experience, found herself speechless. Her brows knitted together in a deep frown as she stared, unmoving. What on earth is this evolution?

A Different Lin Xiao Emerges

The young man's eyes slowly opened. His once dark pupils were now a piercing blood red, glowing faintly with a predatory gleam. His expression had shifted, too—gone was the calm, mature demeanor. Instead, an air of arrogance now radiated from him, layered with a devil-may-care charm.

His features hadn't changed dramatically, but the subtle shifts—the sharper angles of his jaw, the slight upward curl of his lips—carried a dangerous allure.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?" Lin Xiao's voice, once calm and reassuring, now carried a smooth, lazy undertone—one that sounded teasing and faintly mischievous. "Is there something dirty on my face?"

To Lin Xiao, his words were innocent enough, but Ye Qingxian and Ye Lingling exchanged uneasy glances.

That voice… Why does it sound like he's flirting with us?

His blood-red eyes were intense, the curve of his lips almost mocking. Combined with his languid tone, his words sounded less like a simple question and more like playful provocation.

Dugu Yan's cheeks flushed instantly. She swallowed hard, muttering under her breath:

"You look like a scoundrel now. Definitely not the good guy you were before… but damn, you're handsome."

Lin Xiao blinked in confusion. Scoundrel? When did I become a scoundrel?

Ye Qingxian, however, couldn't help but chuckle. The stoic, serious Lin Xiao had been replaced by a version that oozed rebellious charm.

"Lingling, go get a mirror."

Ye Lingling immediately darted off and returned moments later, panting, clutching a polished bronze mirror in her trembling hands.

"Here! Look for yourself!"

Lin Xiao took the mirror with some hesitation. The reflection that met his gaze was… not what he expected.

His blood-red pupils practically glowed, aggressive yet magnetic. His once soft features had sharpened, exuding confidence and danger in equal measure.

A sudden realization struck him.

"This looks familiar…" He raised his hand, summoning a flame between his fingers—red at the core, yet surrounded by an inky black that seemed to devour the surrounding light.

The flames were eerily similar to those of the Destruction Phoenix—the corrupted form of Ma Xiaotao from the original Douluo Dalu 2 stories.

No way… Could my Evil Fire Phoenix have truly evolved into the Darkness and Destruction Phoenix?

Panic mixed with fascination surged through Lin Xiao's mind.

I haven't been tainted by any dark or destructive elements… This transformation came from within.

Could it be that the Evil Fire Phoenix had always harbored these latent attributes? Was Ma Xiaotao's corruption merely a result of triggering this hidden evolution?

But unlike Ma Xiaotao, Lin Xiao's transformation hadn't driven him into madness or an uncontrollable rage.

His personality remained intact—if anything, he felt… clearer.

The difference lies in the process, he realized. I evolved naturally, while Ma Xiaotao's was a forced mutation caused by external corruption.

"You've been thinking for too long."

Ye Qingxian's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Any conclusions?"

Lin Xiao shook his head, offering a bitter smile. "Not really. I've changed, but I'm not sure if I'll ever return to how I was before."

Ye Lingling, cheeks still flushed, quickly offered some comfort:

"It's okay, Lin Xiao… You're still… um… really good-looking. You just look… bad now."

Dugu Yan nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "Yeah, you're bad—and dangerously handsome."

Lin Xiao: …Is that supposed to be a compliment?

Ye Qingxian finally spoke, her voice calm and thoughtful.

"Those who don't survive Nirvana are mutants. But those who endure and evolve—those are true phoenixes."

Her eyes met his, serious and steady. "Try releasing your martial spirit again. Let's see the full extent of your evolution."

Lin Xiao hesitated only for a moment.

Closing his eyes, he summoned his martial spirit once more.

Behind him, the shadow of the phoenix erupted in full force.

Its wings, vast and black as night, stretched wide, flames of red and black rippling along its feathers. The air thickened with heat and oppressive power.

Yet this time, there was no wild, destructive energy—no loss of control.

Instead, Lin Xiao felt every movement of the flames, every pulse of power. The darkness no longer consumed; it complemented the fire's intensity, creating a perfect balance between destruction and rebirth.

Ye Qingxian's breath caught in her throat.

This wasn't just an evolution.

This was the birth of a true Phoenix of Darkness and Destruction.

And for the first time, Lin Xiao's newfound power didn't feel like a curse.

It felt like destiny.