Chapter 96 Ranking
Within the pillar of light lay not the gentle energy of Xue Ke, but extremely pure and violent fire-attribute energy!
"Hmm!"
Huo Wu groaned, but her eyes suddenly sharpened like knives. Instead of resisting, she actively opened her body and mind, fully absorbing this boundless energy that perfectly matched her attribute!
Rumble—!
The soul power that had been flowing smoothly within her body seemed to have been thrown into boiling magma, instantly boiling and surging!
The bottleneck of level 44 was easily torn apart like paper, and her soul power level climbed upwards at an astonishing speed:
Level 45!
Level 46!
Level 47!
Level 48!
Level 49!
Level 50!!!
The threshold of Soul King was crossed in one step! Moreover, her foundation was exceptionally solid and stable. The crimson-gold energy seemed to contain the imprint of some kind of fire law, raising her control over soul power and her understanding of the fire element to more than one level.
At the same time, the illusory martial soul behind her underwent a tremendous change.
The once agile and somewhat ethereal "fire shadow," infused with crimson-gold energy, rapidly solidified, expanded, and transformed!
The illusory fire shadow's outline became clear, transforming into a magnificent and noble firebird!
Resembling a phoenix, yet more slender and agile, its entire body covered in crimson-gold feathers, each feather seemingly sculpted from the purest fire crystals, its edges shimmering with a molten gold-like luster.
Seven long, flowing tail feathers trailed iridescent flames.
Its wings, spread wide, blotted out the sky, as if a gentle flap could ignite a city-destroying inferno.
A Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix!
The king of flames, the overlord of the sky!
Its high-pitched, clear phoenix cry resounded throughout the Blazing Fire Academy, even echoing throughout the entire city.
Accompanied by the cry of a phoenix, a noble, blazing, and seemingly all-consuming pressure spread out, causing all the fire-attribute soul masters in the academy to feel their martial souls tremble and worship!
Huo Wu felt the surging, magma-like soul power within her body, and the noble and powerful Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix martial soul behind her; her excitement was indescribable.
But the surprise was far from over.
The instant her martial soul's evolution was complete, something deep within her soul seemed to be ignited.
A profound and mysterious understanding surged into her heart, and her perception and control of the surrounding fire elements reached a new level.
With a thought, the air within a fifty-meter radius of her body suddenly became scorching, viscous, and heavy!
Crimson-gold light spread from beneath her feet, rapidly outlining a complex and profound fire rune array.
Within the array, the fire elements became exceptionally active and tamed, while her own aura surged wildly, as if resonating with the fire laws of this world.
The Burning Heaven Domain!
The embryonic form of the Fire God Domain!
Although the range was still small and its power was far from reaching the level of a true divine domain, the absolute control over the environment, the terrifying amplification of her own strength, and the natural suppression of her enemies made Huo Wu instantly understand the terrifying value of this reward.
"Domain...is this the power of a domain?"
Huo Wu stretched out her fair palm, a wisp of crimson-gold flame leaping in her palm, more agile, scorching, and condensed than ever before.
She felt that within this fifty-meter "Burning Heaven Domain," she was the master of flames!
Among those of the same level, probably no one was her match, and even challenging those of higher levels was not impossible!
"Wu'er!"
Several calls filled with surprise and shock came.
The dean of Blazing Fire Academy, an elderly man of about sixty years old with red hair and beard, rushed over with several high-ranking members of the academy and teachers, his face full of excitement and disbelief.
Huo Wu's father, the city lord of Blazing Fire City, a middle-aged man with a steady aura and piercing eyes, also followed closely behind, his eyes filled with pride and a hint of deep thought.
"Good! Good! Good!"
The old dean exclaimed three times, his beard trembling with excitement. "Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix! Soul King Realm! And a nascent Domain! Heaven bless my Blazing Fire Academy, heaven bless my Huo family!"
Huo Wu withdrew her Domain, turned to face the crowd, and although she was extremely excited, she still maintained her pride, only her eyes and brows were even more radiant.
"Dean, Father, I did it!"
The Fire City Lord strode forward, patted his daughter's shoulder forcefully, and said in a deep voice, "Wu'er, this is an immense opportunity, but fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Your brilliance is too great now, and you may become the target of everyone's attacks."
"From today onwards, you are not allowed to leave the academy grounds without my or the Dean's company!"
The old Dean also said solemnly, "The City Lord is absolutely right. Huo Wu, you will immediately come with me to the academy's secret realm, 'Earth Fire Melting Heart,' to cultivate in seclusion, consolidate your realm, and familiarize yourself with the power of your new Martial Soul and Domain."
"I will personally protect you and gather all the elders of the academy above the Fire Attribute Soul Saint level to jointly study how to maximize your potential, especially the application of this 'Burning Heaven Domain'!"
Although Huo Wu was proud, she understood the implications and nodded immediately, "Yes, Dean, Father."
Soon, the Blazing Fire Academy and even the entire Blazing Fire City were in an uproar. Celebratory flames were lit throughout the city, and the Blazing Fire Academy was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, announcing a three-day celebration.
Huo Wu's portrait and deeds spread rapidly, making her the most dazzling new star of the younger generation of Soul Masters in Blazing Fire Academy and even the entire Heaven Dou Empire.
However, unlike the jubilation among the common people, the atmosphere within the core of the top forces of various factions on the continent became more subtle, tense, and even bizarre due to Huo Wu's inclusion on the list.
Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace Council Hall.
Emperor Xue Ye had just finished making arrangements regarding Xue Ke's security and alliance when the news of Huo Wu's inclusion on the list was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples once again.
"Huo Wu... Blazing Fire Academy..."
Emperor Xue Ye tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable light.
"A level 44 Soul Master directly ascended to a level 50 Soul King, possessing the Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, and even a nascent Domain... This woman's talent is truly terrifying."
The Prime Minister frowned deeply: "Your Majesty, although Huo Wu belongs to the Blazing Fire Academy and is theoretically under the Empire's jurisdiction, Blazing Fire City enjoys considerable autonomy, and the Huo family has been a local power in the south for many years."
"Huo Wu is proud and independent. Having obtained such an astonishing opportunity, her personal prestige, and even the power of the Huo family and Blazing Fire Academy, will inevitably expand rapidly. I am worried..."
"Worried about her becoming too powerful to control?"
Emperor Xue Ye interjected, his tone calm yet tinged with coldness, "Blazing Fire Academy is, after all, one of the Empire's five elemental academies, and the Huo family has been loyal for generations... at least on the surface."
"Huo Wu's rise will greatly enhance the Empire's overall strength in the short term, especially in the fight against Martial Soul City and the Star Luo Empire. She, along with Liu Erlong and Xue Ke, can form a powerful firepower and support combination."
(End of Chapter)