Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Charcoal Servant, Crimson Lotus Azure Flame!

Thinking of this, a deeper and more genuine smile appeared on Chi Ye Kui's graceful face, a smile that contained unparalleled satisfaction and boundless expectations for the future.

"Xia!"

Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable air of importance.

"You and Tan Xiaoshi have done exceptionally well. Your potential is astonishing. Remember, the academy will do everything in its power to support your growth!"

Lin Xia snapped out of her excitement and met Chi Ye Kui's all-knowing eyes, nodding solemnly.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

Two months later, in the Firestone Desert.

The scorching sun relentlessly baked the large, undulating sand dunes, which resembled solidified golden waves. The air was distorted by the high temperature, and everything in sight was a dazzling yellow and white.

The scorching sand beneath my feet still sent an uncomfortable heat through the thick soles of my boots.

The dry wind whipped up fine sand, which stung my face with a rough pain.

The group of five trudged through the sand dunes, their steps uneven.

Leading the way was Huo Wushuang, a muscular man with short, red hair standing on end. Sweat soaked through his fiery red outfit as he scanned the surroundings.

Beside him was Huo Wu, who was also covered in sweat and whose face was flushed from the sun.

The proud little phoenix was completely devoid of her usual arrogance. Her chestnut hair was stuck to her cheeks and neck with sweat, and her exquisite red dress was covered with dust. She kept fanning herself with her hand and muttering complaints.

"It's so hot! This awful place is baking me!"

Huo Wu's voice carried a hint of impatience and irritation. She suddenly stopped and turned to Lin Xia at the back of the group.

"Hey, junior! Are you sure that... Netherfire Beast's lair is still ahead? How much longer do we have to walk?!"

Lin Xia's condition wasn't much better; the temperature in the Firestone Desert was simply too high, making Blazing Fire Academy a much better place to escape the heat.

Although Lin Xia was also sweating a lot, he remained focused, his sharp eyes scanning the shape of the sand dunes and the subtle marks on the sand surface.

However, Tan Xiaoshi, who was beside him, seemed to be quite comfortable with the environment and even somewhat enjoying it.

The flame at the top of the helmet burned remarkably steadily under the high temperature, and the little guy curiously observed this unfamiliar sea of ​​sand.

Hearing Huo Wu's complaint, Lin Xia stopped and took out a detailed drawing from her storage soul tool, the edges of which were somewhat worn.

Lin Xia carefully compared the outlines of several iconic sand dunes around her with an inconspicuous, heavily weathered rock mark on the sand.

"Almost there, Sister Huowu."

Lin Xia raised her head and pointed to a huge, black rocky ridge in the southeast direction, resembling a reclining beast.

"Once we cross that black stone beam, according to the map and the information broker's intelligence, there are signs of Netherfire Beast activity nearby. The entrance to the largest lair should be in the shady sand valley. At most, another hour."

"An hour?!"

Huo Wu let out a wail, her beautiful brows furrowing into a knot.

"Junior! I really don't understand! There's a Soul Hunting Forest not far from the academy, full of hundred-year-old soul beasts, fire-attribute, strength-type, and defense-type, you can choose whatever you want. It's close and safe, and the academy's guard team can help you."

"Why did you have to travel all that way to this ghostly place that can dry people out like jerky, just to hunt that eerie-sounding Netherfire Beast? What's so special about it?"

Huo Wu's large amber eyes were filled with confusion and curiosity as her gaze swept back and forth between Lin Xia and Tan Xiaoshi.

Lin Xia carefully put away the picture, a calm yet meaningful smile appearing on her face.

"Sister Huowu, there are definitely enough soul beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest."

Lin Xia's voice was very calm and steady.

"But they...aren't special enough. The Netherfire Beast, the flames it controls are unique, not pure heat, but possessing a unique nether attribute, somewhere between scorching heat and chilling cold. Its energy is extremely condensed, even having the effect of interfering with the mind. This characteristic..."

Lin Xia gently stroked Tan Xiaoshi's cold helmet, her eyes becoming unusually bright.

"It's a perfect match for Tan Xiaoshi. I think its spirit rings will bring Tan Xiaoshi unexpected power, and may even unlock its deeper potential."

Huo Wu wanted to ask more questions, but Huo Wushuang spoke up instead.

"Alright, Huowu. Since Junior Brother Lin Xia chose this place and the Netherfire Beast, he must have his reasons."

"Our mission is to assist him in successfully hunting for the spirit ring and ensure his safety. Complaining won't solve the heat; it will only deplete our energy. Conserve your spirit power and prepare for battle."

Huo Wushuang's tone carried the authority of an elder brother and the sense of responsibility of a Soul Master leader.

His eyes were full of trust when he looked at Lin Xia.

Over the past two months, Lin Xia's talent, temperament, and methods that defied common sense have earned Huo Wushuang's respect.

He believed that Lin Xia's choice was not without reason.

Huo Wu pursed her lips, but ultimately said nothing more. She just glared fiercely at the scorching sun in the sky, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and resignedly continued walking.

Huo Lie followed at the back, grinned at the backs of the people in front of him, but didn't say anything.

In his view, this was not only to help Lin Xia obtain a spirit ring, but also a trial and a training opportunity for him!

Following behind, Chi Ye Kui shook her head helplessly after hearing her daughter Huo Wu's question, which was filled with obvious impatience and complaint, and sighed inwardly.

"This child still needs more experience. His talent is top-notch, but his temperament... this can't go on!"

After all, as the vice dean of Blazing Academy and Huo Wu's mother, Chi Ye Kui knows that the path of a Soul Master is long and arduous. While strong strength is important, a resilient mind, calm judgment, and persistent pursuit of goals are the keys to enabling the strong to go further.

Huo Wu's performance at this moment is clearly still far from her expectations.

At this moment, Lin Xia paid no attention to Huo Wu's complaints. His mind was focused on quickly organizing the crazy gains he had made over the past two months.

For the past two months, Lin Xia's life has been almost entirely filled with three things.

fighting!

Practice!

Attend class!

Since verifying the rule that combat leads to growth in the martial arts arena, Lin Xia has become a regular at the arena.

With his endless stream of self-created soul skills with bizarre effects, as well as his precise on-the-spot command and keen grasp of timing, Tan Xiaoshi created one miracle after another of defeating the strong with the weak.

From their initial stunning victory over the level 17 Huo Lie to their later encounters with opponents of higher levels and more soul skills, Lin Xia and Tan Xiaoshi grew rapidly in actual combat.

The warm energy flow brought by each victory not only repairs injuries and depletes energy, but also truly promotes the growth of soul power and skill proficiency.

Tanjiro even mastered a new skill during the intense battle – Strange Light!

It releases a strange light, disrupting the opponent and throwing their mind into chaos!