Chapter 54: Ma Xiaotao's Out-of-Control Evil Fire
Huo Yutong instinctively reached out to block the attack, but before she could react, she felt her hand being gently held by a warm, large hand.
Then, she found herself enveloped in Lin Qinghan's arms.
Lin Qinghan's reaction was lightning fast. The moment he sensed something was wrong, his mental stance was already deployed, and he pulled Huo Yutong into his arms to ensure her safety.
The person approaching them was engulfed in dark red flames, moving at an incredible speed—at least as fast as an agile attacking soul emperor. Lin Qinghan's mental stance detected that this person had already accumulated their soul skills.
Lin Qinghan quickly realized that the person was Ma Xiaotao, the fire demon who had attacked Huo Yutong in the original novel. She was now in a state of out-of-control evil fire.
As Ma Xiaotao closed in, ready to launch an attack, Lin Qinghan immediately suppressed her with his mental power. Under the force of his mental stance, Ma Xiaotao's body became immobilized, and the surrounding flames were quelled.
Though Ma Xiaotao still struggled, Lin Qinghan, in his frustration, delivered a sharp mental shock, sinking her consciousness.
With her consciousness fading, Ma Xiaotao's martial spirit was also released, and her control over the fire was lost. She collapsed into the Sea God Lake, sinking quickly beneath the surface.
Lin Qinghan didn't use his Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion martial spirit. He didn't want Ma Xiaotao to sense his extreme ice powers just yet, although it was inevitable that it would be discovered later.
As for Ma Xiaotao's safety after falling into the lake, Lin Qinghan didn't feel obligated to help her. After all, she had been the one to attack them first.
Feeling the danger pass, Huo Yutong lifted her head from Lin Qinghan's arms, still dazed. The events had unfolded in mere seconds, leaving her confused.
She had only felt a powerful heat wave and a faint trace of flames under her spiritual detection before Lin Qinghan protected her. By the time she opened her eyes again, everything had already been resolved.
Before she could ask Lin Qinghan what had just happened, several figures in white robes soared into the sky. Some of them hurried toward the lake where Ma Xiaotao had fallen.
"Xiaotao's evil fire is out of control again. Thankfully, no one was hurt this time. It seems Xiaotao is still somewhat conscious," the leading old man said, addressing the group.
With a swift motion, he used his soul power to pull Ma Xiaotao out of the lake. He muttered to himself, clearly concerned about her, suggesting a special bond with her.
"Go and calm the students who were attacked. Tell them not to make a fuss," the old man instructed a middle-aged man beside him. The man, dressed in white, channeled white light through his hands, injecting soul power into Ma Xiaotao before flying off toward the center of the Sea God Lake with her.
"What happened just now? How did we get attacked?" Lin Qinghan asked, turning to the middle-aged man in white flying toward them.
"It seems you're all fine. Forget what you saw today, or you'll be expelled from the academy. Here are two things for you as compensation. I trust you're smart enough to understand," the middle-aged man responded coldly, tossing a blue box to both Huo Yutong and Lin Qinghan before leaving without offering an explanation.
"How unreasonable," Huo Yutong muttered angrily. Based on her mental detection, the figure who attacked them was stronger than any sixth-grade senior she had ever encountered.
"If Lin Qinghan hadn't acted so quickly to protect me, I would've died from the attack," she thought to herself, frustration bubbling up.
"Don't be upset about it for now. Every organization has its dark side, and we can't afford to cross those people just yet. When we have enough strength, we'll settle the score," Lin Qinghan said, trying to comfort Huo Yutong. Though he wasn't injured, he too felt upset about being attacked for no reason.
"Let's open the box and see the compensation first. After all, one of those people was the Dean of the Martial Spirit Department at Shrek Academy. We won't be able to reach him now," he added.
Lin Qinghan gently rubbed Huo Yutong's head. Over the past few days, their bond had grown, and small, intimate gestures like this had become part of their routine. Huo Yutong now often called him "Brother Qinghan," seeing him as a close figure in her life.
Huo Yutong nodded and opened the box. As soon as she did, a pleasant scent filled the air, and inside, she found a small, water-blue pill.
"It's Xuanshui Pills. Looks like Shrek is being generous this time," she remarked.
Lin Qinghan was surprised. He had expected compensation in the form of Soul-Raising Pills, but instead, they received the Xuanshui Pills, which were similarly valuable.
The Xuanshui Pills were particularly beneficial for soul masters with low innate soul power, making them hard to find in regular markets. They could even fetch up to 20,000 gold soul coins on the black market. While the value of Xuanshui Pills was similar to that of Soul-Raising Pills, they were a perfect match for Huo Yutong's needs.
Lin Qinghan knew that although Huo Yutong had absorbed her first soul ring earlier than before, her current soul power was only at level 13. If she kept progressing at this rate, she wouldn't be able to pass the freshman assessment in two months.
The Xuanshui Pills came at the perfect time. Not only would they help her increase her soul power, but they would also enhance her cultivation potential.
Without hesitation, Lin Qinghan handed the Xuanshui Pills to Huo Yutong. Since they wouldn't benefit him, and he wasn't lacking in money, he felt it was better for her to have it.
"Brother Qinghan, what exactly is this Xuanshui Pill?" Huo Yutong asked curiously. She had never seen such a pill used by soul masters before.
"To put it simply, it's a pill that improves cultivation potential and can also raise your soul power a little. It's perfect for you," Lin Qinghan explained briefly.
He didn't mention the pill's market value, knowing it might make her hesitant. When he saw that Huo Yutong was reluctant to accept it, he simply pressed the pill into her hands.
"Then, Brother Qinghan, this pill must be very precious, right? You've already helped me so much. I can't accept such a valuable thing from you," she said, flustered.
Huo Yutong wasn't greedy, and she couldn't bring herself to accept such an expensive gift when Lin Qinghan had already done so much for her.
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(End of Chapter)