CHAPTER 102: Rise of the Black Fire Phoenix

Chapter 102: Rise of the Black Fire Phoenix

After Meng Hongchen withdrew from the field for the Sun-Moon Empire, Dai Yuheng also reached his limit. Despite his victory over Meng Hongchen, he had no choice but to forfeit the next round to preserve his strength for the final match.

Following that, Lin Xi from the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy stepped onto the field. In response, Shrek Academy sent out Ning Tian—not to fight, but to buy time. As soon as the referee announced the match's start, Lin Xi launched an opening attack. However, Ning Tian simply raised both hands in surrender. With that, Shrek conceded the one-on-one round.

Thus, the decisive stage of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament would proceed with the two-two-three battle format.

Preparation Before the Final Clash

"Xiaotao, how are you holding up?" Yan Shaozhe asked with deep concern as he observed Ma Xiaotao's condition. It was well-known that after fusing a spirit ring, most soul masters would be left nearly powerless for at least a day or two. Fortunately, Shrek had the equivalent of an eight-ring food-type soul master to provide assistance. While this allowed Ma Xiaotao to barely recover, her pale face told a different story—her condition was still far from optimal.

"It's nothing serious. My soul power has recovered to about 80%. I'm still feeling a bit drained, but I can manage. Don't worry, Teacher—I won't lose, no matter what."

Yan Shaozhe nodded and smiled faintly. "Good. I trust you. But take this—just in case."

He handed Ma Xiaotao a small piece of chocolate. Accepting it with a grateful nod, Ma Xiaotao turned and left with Ning Tian for the competition grounds.

Sun-Moon's Secret Weapon

On the other side, the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy prepared for their final battle. Ma Rulong and Lin Xi—their two strongest soul powerholders—took the field.

After both teams exchanged names, Lin Xi activated the Soul Guide Turret Tactics to support Ma Rulong from a distance.

At the same time, Ma Rulong drew his Sword of Judgment, a powerful eighth-level soul tool. As he did so, his right leg and head lit up—he was equipped with two soul bones.

In the Douluo Continent, due to traditional biases, most soul engineers had never considered incorporating soul bones into their combat strategy. Even top talents like Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had avoided soul bone techniques. However, Xiao Qiang had advised Jing Hongchen otherwise. Drawing inspiration from how Huo Yuhao convinced the Sea God Pavilion to accept soul tools, Xiao Qiang easily persuaded Jing Hongchen to equip his team with soul bones, fusing soul engineering and soul mastery for an edge in battle.

As a result, before this match, Ma Rulong had successfully obtained two soul bones:

Right Leg Soul Bone Skill – Energy Storage

Effect: Stores 1% of soul power daily (max 50%) and releases it all at once when needed.

Head Soul Bone Skill – Berserk

Effect: Boosts all attributes by 30% temporarily and significantly enhances the Sword of Judgment's charging speed.

With Lin Xi facing little resistance, Ma Rulong took his time charging up the Sword of Judgment using the combined power of both soul bones.

The Duel Begins

"Lin Xi! She's mine!" Ma Rulong shouted.

Lin Xi understood immediately and retreated, leaving Ma Xiaotao to Ma Rulong.

"This match will mark our victory! The Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy will win today!"

Holding the Sword of Judgment aloft, Ma Rulong radiated confidence and anticipation. Victory was within reach, and he had never felt so exhilarated.

"No! This victory belongs to Shrek—and only to Shrek!"

Ma Xiaotao's black fifth soul ring glowed fiercely.

"Phoenix Piercing Clouds!"

A small flaming phoenix with a one-meter wingspan shot forward, soaring toward Ma Rulong's Sword of Judgment.

The attack was powerful. But Ma Rulong had already activated the sword's darkness mode. A surge of black light erupted from the blade, absorbing and engulfing the phoenix's flame.

"I'll return your flame to you!"

With a mighty swing, Ma Rulong sent the absorbed flames—now infused with dark energy—hurtling back at Ma Xiaotao.

Flames Turned Against Her

"My flames? You dare turn them against me? Disperse!"

Ma Xiaotao attempted to reclaim control over the fiery phoenix, but something was wrong. The flames now pulsed with a sinister dark energy—no longer hers to command.

As her original fire met the corrupted dark flames, Ma Xiaotao felt a surge of violent energy tear through her senses. The feeling was eerily familiar—like the uncontrollable rage of her Evil Fire Phoenix when it went berserk.

Will this darkness make me lose control? Will I go completely berserk?

A chill ran down her spine. She tried to separate the dark energy from her flame—but failed. She could barely suppress her own berserk tendencies on normal days; how could she strip away this unfamiliar darkness so easily?

The darkness from the Sword of Judgment crept into her core like a virus. And just as despair began to take hold, Ma Rulong shifted the Sword of Judgment from dark to light mode.

"You are darkness—be judged by the light!"

The blade erupted in radiant light, and Ma Rulong prepared to deal a finishing blow.

The Rebirth of the Phoenix

At that critical moment, Ma Xiaotao took out the chocolate Yan Shaozhe had given her—a compressed eighth soul skill from Shrek's food-type support system.

Berserk!

Effect: Boosts all attributes by 70%

Unlocks all restricted soul skills

Duration: 3 minutes

With no time to lose, she swallowed it in one bite.

A surge of power burst within her body. Her weakened state from ring fusion was instantly overcome. Her suppressed Evil Fire Phoenix roared to life, feeding on the darkness and absorbing it instead of resisting.

The result? A successful martial soul mutation.

Her soul power surged to level 70. The reborn phoenix was no longer red, but black.

"W-What?! Black Fire Phoenix?!"

In the audience, an eight-ring Evil Soul Master gasped in shock.

He hadn't planned to attend today. He came only after one of his disciples—who claimed to have killed several Shrek students and escaped a Titled Douluo—begged him to believe his story. Thinking the brat was bluffing, he beat him mercilessly for two days. But the disciple never changed his story.

To expose his lie, the Evil Soul Master came here personally to gather evidence—and instead witnessed something far more incredible.

The rebirth of a Black Fire Phoenix.

"Our Holy Church… Our Saintess has returned!"

He trembled, eyes wide in awe.

"The Holy Church will finally rise again!"

The Black Fire Phoenix soared above the arena, her wings cloaked in hellish flames. From the ashes of despair, Ma Xiaotao had awakened into a new legend.

The Saintess had arrived.