The beam of extreme flame surged upward and pierced the heavens—then detonated. An ocean of fire exploded in every direction, blanketing the sky!
Blazing infernos fell from above. Even before reaching the ground, the terrifying heat waves caused the snow and frost covering the Shui family estate to melt instantly.
Everyone outside stared at the sky in horror, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and dread.
What the hell is happening?!
Was the Shui family under attack? Who dared unleash such destructive flames within Tianshui City?
Just stepping out from the backyard, Shui Shengxiao froze in place. The searing heat radiating from above was far beyond what he had imagined—almost soul master level five.
"Who dares cause chaos at my Shui residence?!"
A burst of powerful soul force erupted from his body as seven soul rings lit up behind him. His heart pounded with a mix of fury and alarm. He prepared to block the fiery deluge—but the fire sea was far too vast.
At best, he could shield one-third of the estate. The rest would be left to fate—or the abilities of the Shui family's other experts.
But the damage… would be significant.
Who had the audacity to go this far?
Yet before Shui Shengxiao could act, the endless flames suddenly began to retract—as if drawn by a powerful force—flowing toward a single point. The raging fire sea condensed into a small, elegant Fire Phoenix, which then flew straight into a distant figure.
Shui Shengxiao frowned and squinted into the distance. The figure appeared almost ethereal.
Long crimson hair. A presence as deep as an abyss. Handsome, seated atop a throne of flame, his expression calm, dignified, and regal.
Wait…
The more he looked, the more that silhouette resembled Lin Xiao!
And the direction—it was coming straight from the Shui family's backyard, where Lin Xiao and Bing'er had been training!
Shui Shengxiao racked his brain and finally recalled—
Didn't Lin Xiao say earlier he wanted to test out a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?
"No way. I don't believe it!"
"That brat and my daughter—a perfect match?! Impossible! No way their first attempt could result in this level of power!"
Still reeling with disbelief, he rushed toward the courtyard.
By the time he arrived, the illusion of the handsome youth and his flaming throne had faded.
"Phew…"
Lin Xiao exhaled deeply, sweat dripping from his forehead. His face was as pale as paper, and his body felt completely drained—like he'd been hollowed out from the inside.
His soul power was exhausted. His mind was sluggish. Fatigue overwhelmed him.
Shui Bing'er, thankfully, fared a bit better.
Because Lin Xiao had taken the lead in this fusion, the burden on him had been much greater.
"Brother Lin Xiao… that was really scary…"
Bing'er clutched her chest, still shaken. But seeing Lin Xiao's pale face, her concern overpowered her fear.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Lin Xiao replied with a shaky smile.
To be honest, he was scared too.
The fusion skill had activated so smoothly and so suddenly, he and Bing'er hadn't even realized what was happening before their soul power was being siphoned at an alarming rate.
And the effect was absurd.
First, an ultra-condensed flame beam pierced the sky—then it spread, forming a vast sea of fire across the heavens.
It had almost turned the entire sky red…
And nearly incinerated the Shui residence.
Luckily, Lin Xiao's mastery over the Evil Fire allowed him to retract the flames in time.
"...So it really was you two."
A voice laced with disbelief rang out.
Shui Shengxiao stood at the courtyard gate, his face a mix of awe, confusion, and a storm of emotions.
Lin Xiao stiffened.
For some reason, he suddenly felt guilty.
Shui Bing'er instinctively lowered her head, fingers tugging nervously at the hem of Lin Xiao's sleeve—as if admitting she was part of the crime.
Shui Shengxiao: "…"
He suddenly felt like he was the outsider… while those two were the real family.
His heart clenched.
Then he sighed, marveling silently at the fated connection between them.
"Do you two realize the panic you just caused?! The whole Shui estate is in chaos! I need to go handle the aftermath—you two, stay out of it!"
With a grumble, he turned and left, muttering to himself:
"This makes no damn sense… My wife and I trained for six months to barely pull off a fusion skill—and these kids just accidentally do it on day one?"
"Is it because their Martial Souls are too perfectly matched?"
"Or are they just… naturally synchronized?"
And the power…
Was ridiculous.
It never even crossed his mind that extreme compatibility could lead to instantaneous resonance.
After all, opposites attract.
Two tigers can't share a mountain—but a male and female? Fire and ice? Yin and yang?
They were born to unite.
Both Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er had consumed immortal herbs, causing their Martial Souls to evolve.
There might not be another pair in the entire world with such compatibility.
Back in the courtyard, Shui Bing'er still held onto Lin Xiao's sleeve.
He patted her hand gently and smiled.
"It's alright, Bing'er. Uncle Shui's already gone. No need to worry."
"O-oh." She blushed and let go.
"But Lin Xiao… my father really does love me. If I'm with you, he won't be mad."
Lin Xiao chuckled.
He wasn't afraid of Shui Shengxiao's temper—but her words were sweet all the same.
"This fusion skill was… a little more than we expected. But strong is good. With more practice, maybe we can control the power better—and reduce soul power consumption."
"Also, I led the fusion this time. Next time, Bing'er, you lead. I want to see how incredible it looks when you take charge."
Would he ever see her grown-up self?
Would she be gentle and serene like water?
Or majestic and commanding like an Ice Empress?
Lin Xiao was eager to find out.
"Hmm… this fusion skill needs a name."
"How about: Imperial Flame: Scorching Heaven, Boiling Sea!"
Meanwhile, outside the courtyard…
Shui Shengxiao walked with a quickened pace. As he stepped into the central compound, facing dozens of anxious guards and servants, he inhaled deeply—
And couldn't help but brag a little:
"What are you all panicking for?!"
"With me here, you think the sky would dare fall?!"
"When will you learn to face crisis with calm—like your esteemed clan head?"
Someone finally asked,
"Clan Head, what was that massive attack just now?"
Shui Shengxiao waved it off, putting on an air of casual indifference.
"Hmph. Overreacting again."
"That was just Bing'er… practicing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
"The power? Eh—barely Soul King level. Nothing too special."
He emphasized the words Soul King with extra weight—but his face remained cool and composed.
The gathered crowd gasped.
"Soul King–level?! From a fusion skill? From Miss Bing'er?!"
The words made sense individually—but hearing them all together left everyone stunned.
Shui Shengxiao didn't answer.
He just stood there—
Savoring the moment.