Nearly everything concerning Zhou Sicheng had now been classified as top secret. The exposure of his three purple spirit rings—each confirmed to be at the ten-thousand-year level—as well as his three contracted spirit beasts, had all been tightly contained by Shrek Academy.
Outside of Beibei, Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao, and the two Xiaos (Xiao Xiao and Xiao Hongchen), no outer court students were aware of the truth.
Beibei had even personally warned Huo Yuhao not to reveal any details about Zhou Sicheng's abilities to anyone.
Naturally, Huo Yuhao chose to keep the secret. Brother Zhou had treated him with such kindness—he wouldn't betray him.
The inner court had few students, and each one's background had been thoroughly vetted before admission. Normally, there wouldn't be any issues.
Zhou Sicheng's abilities hadn't been hidden from the inner court students for two main reasons. First, because the academy trusted them and wanted to utilize Zhou's talents to provide them with special training. Second, it was a strategic signal—using Zhou's unprecedented gifts to show friendly factions that Shrek was on the rise once more.
Most inner court students were either cultivated by the academy or hailed from major forces that respected or were allied with Shrek.
Unless some malicious spy had slipped through—which was highly unlikely—there was no real danger of Zhou's unique talents being exposed to the Sun Moon Empire or the Holy Spirit Cult.
Zhou himself wasn't foolish enough to expose everything either. Everything beyond his third spirit ring remained hidden. Even if others came to know something in the future, it would only be limited to his first three ten-thousand-year spirit rings.
As long as Shrek protected him during his growth, Zhou Sicheng's safety wasn't a major concern.
The academy had already spoken privately with the inner court students and made it clear: anyone who leaked information would be found out.
No one would be foolish enough to offend Shrek—let alone a genius like Zhou Sicheng.
No matter how much internal strife existed among the three great empires, when it came to external threats, they always stood united.
So people like Dai Yueheng didn't ask too many questions. It was enough to know Zhou was strong—how he was strong didn't matter.
Elder Xuan had called everyone together today to formally announce the upcoming team selection for the Shrek battle team and to confirm Zhou Sicheng as team captain. Beyond that, there were no tasks assigned.
In short, it was just another chance for everyone to see familiar faces, check in on each other's progress, and that was it—no sparring matches or test battles.
After delivering his message, Elder Xuan left directly, leaving the group a little speechless.
Originally, Elder Xuan had planned to let the eleven of them form teams and engage in some friendly duels. But once Zhou mentioned that he could solve Dugu Xianmeng's poison problem, Elder Xuan temporarily set that idea aside.
Previously, he had assumed Xianmeng wouldn't be able to participate in the tournament due to her uncontrollable poison, which could endanger allies.
But now, since the issue could be resolved, Elder Xuan was willing to give her a chance.
After all, there were still six months left for these little monsters to grow.
Soon after Elder Xuan left, the students dispersed in pairs or small groups.
Zhou Sicheng quietly said a few words to Ye Guyi and Xianmeng. The two girls gave him scrutinizing looks before reluctantly leaving.
Seeing that Zhou had sent the girls away and was now alone with her, Ma Xiaotao felt her heartbeat quicken.
Zhou, however, seemed completely calm. He simply smiled at her and said, "Let's go to your villa. I brought something for you."
When Ma Xiaotao heard this, her heart skipped a beat. Go to her villa? He brought her something?
No man had ever said that to her before—not because they didn't want to, but because they didn't dare.
The title "Flame Demon" wasn't just for show.
Now Zhou, having just returned, was asking to visit her villa? What was he planning? Could it be...?
Her heartbeat accelerated, but she didn't refuse. Instead, she gave a slight nod and, face slightly flushed, led the way.
That unfamiliar feeling—she had only ever experienced it with Zhou Sicheng. She had thought she'd buried it after opening up to him that day. Yet, just a few words from him and her emotions were all over the place again.
Normally, she wasn't exactly brilliant, but she wasn't stupid either. At the very least, she could think straight.
But right now? Her mind was blank, obsessing over how it would feel to be alone with him.
Had she cleaned the place? Were there clothes lying around? Was her room tidy?
All thoughts Zhou wouldn't have had, but which were now racing through Ma Xiaotao's mind. And she didn't even realize why she was thinking them.
Soon, they reached her villa. As they passed Ye Guyi's, its door was firmly shut.
Ye Guyi and Xianmeng were gone—sent off by Zhou.
Ma Xiaotao walked ahead while Zhou followed close behind. She was clearly nervous, as if this were the first time a man had entered her villa.
Zhou glanced around her courtyard—it wasn't particularly special. Unlike Ye Guyi's yard, which had sunflowers, Ma Xiaotao's was filled with fire-element items.
He didn't come to visit, though. Turning to her, he said, "Let's go to the cultivation room."
"Huh?" Ma Xiaotao was stunned. "Didn't you say last time that my Evil Fire was already under control? I haven't felt any backlash lately, so we don't need to rush…"
Zhou instantly realized what she was thinking. She didn't seem the brightest right now, so he cut to the point:
"Weren't you curious what treasure my sister used to improve so quickly?"
That one sentence cleared everything up.
She looked at him in disbelief. "You brought a treasure… for me?"
She had never expected Zhou to bring her anything—especially not after coming back from a life-threatening place. Their relationship was just... casual at best. Maybe she had some feelings for him, but that was all.
Zhou bringing something for Ye Guyi made sense—they were siblings. But for her?
Zhou nodded. "I found something that can purify the Evil Fire in your martial soul. With it, you won't need to worry about backlash anymore. It will also significantly help your cultivation."
For a moment, Ma Xiaotao was speechless.
Not only had he brought her a treasure, but it could also resolve the Evil Fire issue that had plagued her for over a decade?
She had already envied Ye Guyi's five-level overnight power-up. And now this?
Seeing her dazed expression, Zhou gently tapped her forehead with his finger. "What are you spacing out for? Go to the cultivation room—I'll teach you how to take it."
The gesture was a bit intimate, but they were face to face—what else was he supposed to do, grab her hand?
"Oh, right!" Ma Xiaotao snapped back to reality and turned away quickly, hiding her embarrassment.
She wasn't normally shy, but something about Zhou made her feel like a completely different person.
She led him into the villa and straight toward the cultivation room. All she could think about was that he'd brought her something from a perilous place…
She reached a conclusion—Zhou Sicheng must care about her. Otherwise, why risk death and still think to bring her something?
That "perilous journey" was actually something Zhou made up to avoid Elder Mu's suspicions. But in Ma Xiaotao's heart, it meant so much more.
Zhou noticed her mood but didn't react.
If this gesture could earn her gratitude and ensure her future support, all the better.
In the original timeline, Ma Xiaotao wasn't particularly likable—but that didn't stop Zhou from wanting to reframe her view of him.
If it worked, great. If not, no loss.
Solving her Evil Fire issue would ultimately benefit the three great empires of the Douluo Continent.
Besides, with his current growth rate, other young geniuses posed no real threat to him. There was nothing to lose—only gains.
And it was obvious Ma Xiaotao had feelings for him. Not leveraging that bond would be a waste of the treasure.
Inside the cultivation room, Zhou instructed her to sit cross-legged while he sat opposite.
Ma Xiaotao avoided his gaze, staring instead at his chest.
Zhou took out a small, intricately crafted jade box from his soul tool. Opening it before her, a wave of heat instantly surged forth.
As Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath, she felt an intense comfort, a resonance that came from the very depths of her martial soul.
Inside the box were three fiery-red sunflower seeds. They looked identical to ordinary seeds, but the energy within them made her want to devour them instantly.
These were, of course, the seeds of the Crest-Crowned Phoenix Sunflower.
Three seeds held nearly the same power as consuming an entire plant. With them, Ma Xiaotao no longer had to worry about the Evil Fire.
Zhou explained, "These are the essence of a celestial-grade herb. After consuming them, your Evil Fire Phoenix will be purified and evolve into a true Fire Phoenix. However, the Evil Fire component will be completely removed."
Ma Xiaotao nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "The power the Evil Fire gave me was uncontrollable. Every time I used it, I hurt myself more than the enemy. I've wanted to get rid of it for a long time."
Zhou handed her the box. "Swallow all three at once, then use your spirit power to wrap and refine the energy. Focus the transformation on purifying your martial soul."
She didn't hesitate. Her heart was already made up.
She wasn't going to pretend to be polite and refuse a treasure like this. She'd repay him later.
And since he had brought it back specifically for her, it must be safe and beneficial.
"Thank you," she said, taking the box. Her slender fingers lifted the three seeds.
Zhou smiled slightly. "Once you've refined them and purged the Evil Fire, your spirit power should increase by around three levels."
Ma Xiaotao's eyes twinkled. "Then can you guard me while I cultivate?"
Before he could answer, she tilted her head back and swallowed all three seeds. Closing her eyes, she sat cross-legged and began absorbing the medicinal energy.
Zhou rose and moved about five meters away, giving her space as she released her martial soul.
The Evil Fire Phoenix let out joyful cries, as if it had found a long-lost sacred medicine.
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