Chapter 164: Us? Catch a Phoenix? Are You Joking?
Why didn't this happen to me?!
How could there be something so good, yet I missed it?
After all, this special program of the Spirit Transferring Tower—created to handle soul masters with "Evil Soul Master potential"—had only been around for the past century.
What about a hundred years ago?
If that system had existed back then, would so many have fallen into darkness and become Evil Soul Masters?
So… that means…
Huo Yun'er quickly set down her forging hammer, instantly replacing her scowl with a sweet smile.
"Hello, Headmaster! What brings you to see Yun'er today?"
Talon descended gracefully from the sky.
"You know who I am?"
"The Headmaster's legend is known throughout the elders' circles. Of course Yun'er's heard of you."
Talon nodded, visibly pleased.
As a Limit Douluo who had literally "eaten his way" to power, he should have been looked down upon by his peers. After all, a soul master who rose by devouring others wasn't much different from the long-gone soul engineers who used drugs to forcefully boost their strength.
Yet in truth, it was far different—eating had no side effects.
Contrary to expectations, he wasn't scorned at all. In fact, many soul masters—especially those with Evil Soul potential—saw him as an inspiration.
This wasn't "Evil Soul potential." It was a gift from the heavens.
These days, to distinguish them from true Evil Soul Masters, the Tower referred to such individuals as "Heaven's Gifted Soul Masters."
Falling to evil, they said, was just the "dark test" of fate.
Overcome it, and one would ascend beyond mortal limits.
Take, for instance, the Haotian Pavilion Master and founder of the Spirit Transferring Tower ten thousand years ago—Gluttonous Douluo Xuanzhi.
Didn't he also eat his way to a Title rank? Even Super Douluo?
Ordinary soul masters struggled for centuries to reach Titled Douluo, yet the Heaven's Gifted used their divine endowment to soar like meteors.
Who wouldn't envy that?
Talon certainly was proud of it.
It felt good. The Huo family esteemed him that highly too?
"Not bad, little girl," he said approvingly.
He could see through her at a glance.
For her age, her power was impressive—but compared to a descendant of a million-year soul beast? Still far behind.
Well, she hadn't merged her million-year soul spirit yet, so she was fine—for now.
"I'm just passing by," he said casually.
In truth, these new students had caught his attention.
Finishing two missions so quickly had thrown the Federation into chaos. He wanted to witness with his own eyes what kind of monstrosities they were training here.
And besides, since there had been Evil Soul Master activity found in Phoenix Mountain—activity those same students supposedly resolved—he had a reason to investigate personally.
Evil always returned. He would see to it himself.
"Humph!"
The Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Soul Masters may have hated the Spirit Transferring Tower's Heaven's Gifted souls—but the feeling was entirely mutual.
If not for those damnable cultists spreading fear and destruction, people wouldn't have confused the Heaven's Gifted with true devils!
Even now, not everyone viewed them kindly. Despite the Federation and the Tower's efforts, the public still blurred the line between "Evil Soul Masters" and "Heaven's Chosen Masters."
As long as those filthy ones were eradicated, the world would see only the light—the pure, righteous image of the Heaven's Gifted.
An eternal clash of good and evil.
The Evil Soul Masters must die!
…Though to Huo Yun'er, the sight of a Limit Douluo wandering around like some curious old man seemed ridiculous.
Was the university headmaster really this idle?
"Ah, so it was the Headmaster."
Jiang Chen's voice interrupted from behind. He didn't mention Tang Wulin or anything about Tang God King—best not to tip his hand.
When he turned, he saw the unfamiliar middle-aged man standing beside Huo Yun'er.
But sensing no hostility, his frown eased.
"Greetings, Headmaster."
"Talon," the man said, eyes narrowing slightly. "Jiang Chen, isn't it?"
A descendant of a million-year soul beast.
Instantly, the air grew heavy with invisible pressure—a ripple of pure, evil energy spreading outward.
Yet Jiang Chen countered it effortlessly.
"Well done," Talon admitted. "Pity you never got to face the Plume Saint Douluo."
"Plume Saint Douluo" — that was Huo Shenyu's title. A Limit Douluo who possessed a million-year soul spirit, once hailed as the number one powerhouse on the continent before Yun Ming's rise.
By the time Talon and his peers grew into prominence, Huo Shenyu was nearing the end of his life. None of them ever got the chance to face him.
Like Jiang Chen, he bore "evil" power—but of a purer order.
The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's evil stemmed from the darkness attribute; theirs was intrinsic evil, detached from any element—
The difference between power and being.
Talon's martial soul, the Dark Blood Demon, could devour souls to strengthen itself.
He also possessed an absurd ability—to slay with a single drop of an opponent's blood, and even resurrect himself using that essence.
He had quite literally devoured his way to the Titled rank.
But stuck at a half-god level, he struggled to touch the threshold of true pseudo-divinity.
A duel with Huo Shenyu would have been his perfect opportunity to evolve.
"Shame," Jiang Chen replied simply. He understood Talon's frustration—but there was nothing to be done.
What, was he supposed to return to his beast form just to give him a spar?
"Headmaster?"
"It's fine," Talon said with a wave. "I came to see what kind of monsters you new students are. Do you realize what trouble your 'efficiency' has caused the Federation?"
Jiang Chen blinked innocently. "We were just completing our missions. What, is finishing them forbidden now?"
"You little rascal!" Talon chuckled, amused despite himself.
He could hardly blame them—they had ridiculous luck. First, they one-shotted a ten-thousand-year Poison Dragon with dragon blood. Then they "happened" to find traces of a phoenix.
No one could have predicted that.
"Well, I'm here to announce your third assessment."
"Since you completed the last two missions so quickly, the academy has decided to reward you handsomely. The prize will be issued upon enrollment."
He paused deliberately.
"As for the third mission—"
He smiled. "—you will capture the phoenix."
"Capture the phoenix?"
Huo Yun'er's jaw dropped.
What?!
Was the Federation insane?
They wanted freshmen to catch a phoenix?
Was this some kind of cruel joke?
Jiang Chen's expression instantly darkened.
He had assumed the Federation would take over Phoenix Mountain, tear it apart, and seize the bird themselves—leaving him to swoop in afterward and reap the rewards.
But now they wanted him to catch it?
If he had his full beast form, fine. But right now, he was only a Soul Ancestor!
A Soul Ancestor!
And they wanted him to capture a phoenix—a creature the Holy Spirit Cult had failed to seize even after sending Titled Douluo-level fighters?
Watching the headmaster's cheerful grin, Jiang Chen almost hurled his shoe at his face.
This wasn't a mission—it was a death sentence!
So this was their way to stall him, to keep him from finishing early and upsetting the balance at the academy.
But honestly—what did that have to do with him?!
(END CHAPTER)
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