Flander was stunned. He thought he must have misheard.
"Wait, Hongjun… you're not joking, right? That's Soul Emperor-level poison we're talking about."
He took a deep breath and asked seriously,
"Are you sure?"
It wasn't that Flander didn't trust Ma Hongjun—it was just hard to believe. Even Food-type Soul Emperors couldn't deal with that poison. How could a Great Soul Master handle it?
And since when did the Phoenix have detoxifying abilities?
"Don't worry, teacher."
The red-haired boy nodded confidently.
If it were anyone else, they might doubt themselves. But for him, there was no uncertainty—especially since the poison seemed to be the same type as that from Meng Yiran's Snake Staff.
Ma Hongjun focused on the system panel that only he could see:
[Name]: Ma Hongjun
[Age]: 12
[Soul Power]: Level 30 (Eligible to break through to Soul Elder upon obtaining the next Soul Ring)
[Martial Soul]: Spirit Phoenix (Ancestral Phoenix – Residual Soul State)
[Soul Rings]: Yellow (390 years), Yellow (670 years)
[Soul Skills:
• Phoenix Flame Surge – An evolved form of Phoenix Fire. Greatly increases temperature and power. Converts into spiritual flame, capable of autonomous targeting, with additional piercing damage to earth-attribute enemies.
• Phoenix Rising from the Ashes**
[Trait – Grace of the Ancestral Phoenix]
Even though most of the Ancestral Phoenix's divine power is gone and only its beast instincts remain, its natural strength allows it to bestow blessings. Soul power can increase through reproduction, and there's a small chance of stealing others' traits. Those favored by you may also receive blessings. Level 1
[Trait – Favor of the Serpent]
• Reduces all damage received from snakes by 20%.
• Reduces poison damage by 40%.
• Your flames gain a slight purifying effect.
• If the poison source matches a plundered trait, all effects increase to 100%.
Level ?
[Current Fate Reversal Rate]: 7%
[Evolution Points]: 300
This was the result of what had happened last night with Meng Yiran… ahem.
Whatever benefit she got, Ma Hongjun also experienced a huge leap in strength—enough to break through a soul power bottleneck and gain 300 evolution points in one go.
But what shocked him most was the new trait.
There was no doubt about it: this made him the natural nemesis of snake-type soul masters. And since this trait came from Meng Yiran, whenever he faced a Snake Staff martial soul, the trait's effects reached 100%!
That meant:
– 100% reduction in snake damage.
– 100% purification of poison through flame.
Even if the Snake Woman used purely venom-based or serpent-based attacks, they would be completely ineffective against him!
Of course, the most surprising part was how he acquired the trait.
It wasn't through the system or some ancient inheritance—it came from… a physical relationship.
That revelation sparked a bold new idea in Ma Hongjun's mind.
If doing that could give him a trait...
Could it also evolve traits?
Or even affect soul skills, rings, or martial souls?
He might've just discovered a bug in the system.
The boy's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he reread the phrase added to his Phoenix trait:
"…with a very small chance of plundering."
It seemed there were elements of the system that wouldn't be explained directly—he'd have to figure them out on his own.
Whether this was a one-time coincidence or something more remained to be seen.
With those thoughts swirling in his mind, Ma Hongjun looked up to see Flander watching him silently.
After a moment, the four-eyed cat-owl exhaled deeply and patted the boy's shoulder.
"Don't feel pressured. This isn't your fault. It has nothing to do with you."
His tone was gentle and comforting. Then he turned toward the imposing figures of the Dragon and Snake duo.
"Go. I trust you."
Ma Hongjun nodded silently. A gentle flame ignited in his palm. He stepped forward, half-knelt beside Zhao Wuji's still body, and carefully placed the flame on his forehead.
Shao Xin's expression tightened, but he forced himself not to interfere.
As he looked at the boy's oddly familiar face, an impossible thought suddenly flashed across his mind.
No way… could it be?
"You're just as foolish as that four-eyed brat."
The Snake Woman sneered at the red-haired boy placing the flame on Zhao Wuji's forehead and shook her head in disdain.
"Leave him to us. We'll teach him properly."
But before she could finish, Chao Tianxiang froze. Her aged eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhao Wuji was sitting up.
"This… this is impossible!!!"
Her hoarse shriek filled the air, her face contorting in shock.
The venom from her Snake Staff—her most lethal technique—had just been neutralized by a Great Soul Master?
Everyone, including Shao Xin and Flander, stared wide-eyed as Zhao Wuji scratched his head, confused but clearly no longer in danger.
The poison of a Soul Emperor… just gone?
This kid is ridiculous!
Even Meng Shu's expression turned grim. He swept his gaze over the crowd and gripped his Dragon Staff tightly.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
He didn't understand how or why—but one thing was clear. That kid had to be controlled.
If not—
"Flander, this is the last time I'm asking."
The Dragon Duke took a deep breath. His soul power surged, gathering to a terrifying peak and flooding the area with pressure.
"Hand him over—or not?"
Flander and his companions felt the crushing force pressing down on them. Their faces turned ashen.
The old man was ready to go all-out.
"No way!"
Zhao Wuji stood up firmly, stepping beside Flander. He glared fiercely at Chao Tianxiang and spat on the ground with contempt.
"You shameless old hag. Bah!"
"So that's your decision, huh?"
Meng Shu's face darkened further, the glow of his Dragon Staff becoming nearly blinding.
"In that case—then all of you… die!"
Boom!!
A deafening sound echoed—but Meng Shu's face suddenly twisted in surprise.
He turned sharply.
An elegant old man in splendid robes was slowly withdrawing his hand. Eight soul rings glowed around him with dazzling brilliance.
A Soul Douluo.
And stronger than him.
What the hell was happening in Soto City?
First, the Four-Eyed Cat Owl. Then that brute Zhao Wuji. And now a Soul Douluo?
"Who are you?" Meng Shu narrowed his eyes, instantly alert. He subtly signaled the Snake Woman to prepare the soul fusion technique.
"If things go bad, use it."
"Who, me?"
The flamboyantly dressed old man gave a relaxed shrug.
"Just an old guy who married into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I'm old enough that Ning Fengzhi calls me 'Third Uncle.'"
"That's right."
He turned his half-smiling gaze toward the stunned Dragon and Snake couple.
"I heard someone's trying to compete with our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for a son-in-law. Would any of you happen to know who that is?"