Douluo Dalu: Path of Power

"There really is a way to remove it!" Upon hearing the principal's words, even Beixuan was a little surprised.

Originally, he had only expected Huoran to come up with a method to suppress Ma Hongjun's evil fire for a few years, preventing it from erupting. As for a complete cure, he had pinned his hopes on the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.

His plan was to fully master Yulin's art of medicine and detoxification, then wait for Ma Hongjun's body to mature enough to withstand the power of the immortal herb before retrieving it.

But now, according to the principal, there was a way to completely remove the evil fire.

This was an unexpected delight. In the original story, although Ma Hongjun had consumed the immortal herb, his Fire Phoenix martial soul still resulted in the least growth among the Shrek Seven Devils.

Beixuan speculated that this was due to the evil fire. A portion of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's medicinal effects must have been used to purify the evil fire, weakening its full benefits. This caused Ma Hongjun's foundation to be weaker than his companions, who had fully absorbed the medicinal power of their respective immortal herbs.

This might also be one of the key reasons why, despite his immense potential, he ultimately failed to inherit a first-rank god's position due to his flawed foundation.

But if the evil fire were removed before taking the immortal herb, then its full medicinal power might be unleashed.

"Principal, what method are you referring to?" Beixuan asked.

"By using a force that is both similar to and completely opposite of the evil fire, allowing them to suppress and refine each other," Huoran explained. "Our academy once had a student with an evil fire martial soul. At that time, we used a similar method to suppress it. Unfortunately, there was no ice-type power of the same nature available, so we could only limit its eruption. But suppression has its limits. In the end, that student couldn't withstand the backlash of the evil fire. He didn't want to turn into a monster, nor did he want to hurt others. So, he chose to abolish his martial soul and became a cripple."

Huoran sighed at this point, clearly lamenting the loss. After all, a martial soul capable of producing evil fire was bound to be extraordinary. Seeing it go to waste was truly unfortunate.

"When you say 'same type,' do you mean Ultimate Ice?" Yulin speculated. Ultimate Ice was considered the most powerful form of ice, after all.

"No!" Huoran denied. "Ultimate Ice corresponds to Ultimate Fire. While it is indeed powerful and can greatly suppress evil fire, Ultimate Ice itself has no inherent issues. It is a normal martial soul, even if its strength surpasses the evil fire—it doesn't qualify as 'same type.'"

"Not the same type..." Beixuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Principal, are you referring to Shui Bing'er from Tianshui Academy, the girl with the Ice Phoenix martial soul? I've heard about her."

Huoran nodded. "That's right. It's her. Coincidentally, just like Hongjun, she also has a Phoenix martial soul—one fire, one ice. And both of their martial souls are problematic."

"Bing'er has an extraordinary innate talent, just like this kid. However, her Ice Phoenix martial soul is not just ice—it's Absolute Ice!"

"Absolute Ice?" Ma Hongjun looked at Huoran in confusion. Could this be the counterpart to his evil fire?

Huoran gently patted Ma Hongjun's head. "Exactly. Absolute Ice, like evil fire, is an uncontrollable force. The difference is that while the evil fire harms its own host, Absolute Ice doesn't. But once unleashed, it is impossible to stop until the opponent is completely frozen into an ice crystal."

"Bing'er is a kind-hearted girl. She doesn't wish to take lives. That's why she never uses more than seventy percent of her strength in any of her soul battles—it's the limit of her control. Even so, she has lost control before, and she's deeply troubled by it."

"Your martial souls are of the same level but with opposing attributes. If you can cultivate together, using the evil fire to neutralize Absolute Ice and vice versa, both of you might find balance. As for the special cultivation technique needed, our Blazing Fire Academy has one. I believe that girl would be willing to try."

"That's great! I'll bring Shui Bing'er here right now!" Yulin was always quick to act and immediately prepared to rush to Tianshui Academy, which was just across the way.

Huoran quickly stopped him. "Calm down, Your Eminence. Bing'er is not at the academy right now. She just reached Rank 20 and has gone with her elders to the Sunset Forest to hunt for a spirit beast. She won't be back for at least ten to fifteen days. Besides, dual cultivation isn't that simple—there's a major obstacle we need to overcome first."

"What kind of obstacle?"

"A mediator is needed. Both Shui Bing'er and this boy have Phoenix martial souls. That's an advantage, but also a disadvantage. As the saying goes, water and fire are incompatible. Their martial souls are identical yet opposite in attribute. There's a high chance that when they come into contact, they'll reject or even attack each other. If that happens, forget about cultivating together—they might end up in a soul power clash until one of them perishes." Huoran frowned.

"That's why we need a mediator—someone who can stand between them and transfer their energies between each other. However, this person will have to endure the combined impact of both Absolute Ice and Evil Fire. The pain will be unimaginable. This individual must have an exceptionally strong willpower and body. But at the same time, they can't be too powerful—if their soul power is too high, it will naturally shield them, blocking the energy transfer instead of facilitating it."

This was Huoran's biggest concern. Finding someone at a similar level to two children but with extraordinary endurance and mental resilience was nearly impossible.

However, the moment he finished speaking, both Yulin and Beixuan's eyes lit up.

Yulin grabbed Beixuan by the collar and lifted him. "You should have said so earlier! This is an easy problem—just use this kid! He's perfect for the job!"

Beixuan pointed at himself. "Exactly! Let me do it—nobody else is taking this chance!"

Huoran, Huowu, and Huowushuang were all stunned. Were these two even listening? This was going to be extremely painful!

"Ahem... Your Eminence, as I just explained, this process is very dangerous—"

"No need to say more. If you don't trust my little Xuan, do you at least trust me, a Titled Douluo? I'm telling you, he can handle it. If anything goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility." Yulin interrupted firmly.

Hearing this, Huoran stopped trying to dissuade them. There was no arguing with a Titled Douluo once his mind was made up.

Besides, this was their choice.

Huoran couldn't understand why, though. If it were purely for the sake of brotherhood, he could understand why Beixuan would volunteer. But why would Yulin be willing to risk one nephew for the sake of another?

In reality, Beixuan had his own agenda. This was a perfect opportunity. He had been worried about not having a strong enough combination of ice and fire to temper his Sun-Moon Golden Body. He originally planned to wait until he could train at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but this was a golden opportunity to do it sooner. Of course, he wouldn't let it slip away.

With his Bixie King Bone protecting him, the pain might be intense, but it wouldn't actually harm him.

As for his willpower?

If he couldn't endure even this level of suffering, what right did he have to reclaim his Bixie King's throne in the future?

Huoran remained silent for a moment, carefully observing Beixuan. The boy's determination was unwavering, his gaze firm and unwavering. Even after hearing about the excruciating pain he would endure, he showed no hesitation—only eagerness.

With a sigh, Huoran finally relented. "Very well. If you are truly prepared for this, then I won't stop you. But be warned—once the process begins, there is no turning back."

Beixuan smirked. "That's exactly what I'm counting on."

Huowu, who had been quiet all this time, couldn't help but frown. "Are you seriously planning to go through with this? You may be strong, but facing the combined forces of Absolute Ice and Evil Fire… even you might not endure it."

"Endurance isn't the issue. I have my own methods." Beixuan's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Rather than worrying about me, let's focus on getting Shui Bing'er back as soon as possible."

Yulin clapped Beixuan's shoulder and grinned. "That's my nephew! If you can pull this off, your strength will soar to an entirely new level."

Huoran, though still skeptical, could no longer argue against it. "Fine. We'll wait for Shui Bing'er to return from the Sunset Forest. Until then, prepare yourself. Once this begins, there's no stopping halfway."

Beixuan nodded. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

As the group dispersed, Beixuan clenched his fists, excitement surging through his veins. This wasn't just about helping Ma Hongjun—it was about seizing an opportunity to refine himself, to push his limits further than ever before.

The clash of Absolute Ice and Evil Fire would be brutal, but for Beixuan, it was merely another step toward his ultimate goal.

And he had no intention of failing.

(To be continued...)