The change in the Phoenix of Lust surprised and delighted Ma Hongjun, but before he could celebrate for even a second, he realized something was terribly wrong. Why was it so hot? His skill was meant to burn others, so why was he feeling the heat himself?
"Ah!" A pained scream erupted from within the fireball. "I'm burning to death! I'm burning to death!" Ma Hongjun began flailing his limbs wildly inside his own inferno.
"Little Fatty," Ye Yin called out, tilting his head. "What's wrong? Are you offering yourself as a sacrifice to the sun? I've heard of ancient rituals where people self-immolate while singing and dancing, but this is my first time seeing one in person. What an eye-opener!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +20!]
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +21!]
You're the one self-immolating! Your whole family is self-immolating! Ma Hongjun screamed internally.
"After the scrawny chicken self-immolates, it turns into a roasted chicken," Ye Yin continued thoughtfully. "I wonder who will have the good fortune to taste it."
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +28!]
A faint smell of burning meat began to waft from Ma Hongjun's body.
"Fatty! Lessen the flames!" Ye Yin shouted, offering advice. "You can't barbecue like this! Too much fire will overcook the meat! You need to turn down the heat!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +30!]
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +31!]
It was infuriating. He had met annoying people before, but never anyone this infuriating.
Finally, Ma Hongjun's agonized screams attracted Dai Mubai, who was stunned when he saw the scene. "Fatty, what are you doing?"
Ma Hongjun's voice was extremely weak. "I don't know what's happening! My Spirit Ability suddenly started attacking me! Boss Dai, I'm about to be burned to death by my own fire! Please, save me! It's all that guy's fault!"
Dai Mubai looked from the flaming fatty to Ye Yin and understood instantly. He had been through this himself. Anyone who fought Ye Yin was bound to suffer.
"Ye Yin, think of a way to help him, quickly," Dai Mubai said urgently. "He'll really burn to death in a moment. He's the last student our academy has left."
Ye Yin looked at Dai Mubai, then at Ma Hongjun. "Are both of you out of your minds? If you're about to be burned to death by your own Spirit Ability, can't you just deactivate it?"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +15!]
[Resentment from Dai Mubai +15!]
Realization dawned on Ma Hongjun's face. He immediately stopped his second Spirit Ability, Phoenix of Lust. All the flames transformed back into spirit power and flowed back into his body.
When the fire subsided, Ma Hongjun was left standing there, completely bare. Not a stitch of clothing, not a single hair remained. He was bald, beardless, and utterly smooth. His skin was charred black, and with every movement, it made a crackling sound like crispy pork rind. Flakes of blackened skin fell away, revealing raw, red flesh underneath.
"Your barbecue technique is no good," Ye Yin critiqued. "It should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Yours is just burnt on the outside and raw on the inside."
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +25!]
"You really don't want me to live, do you?!" Ma Hongjun cried.
Ye Yin just pouted. "You tried to steal my companion. Did you really think I'd let you have a good time?"
Ma Hongjun was filled with regret. Why did he have to open his big mouth? Now he was in this miserable state.
"I'll try to treat you," Ye Yin offered. "But I can't guarantee it'll work."
His first spirit ring flashed, and three white lights landed on Ma Hongjun's body.
"First Spirit Ability, Blessing."
Effect: Appetite Greatly Increased (Strength: Level 2). Duration: Five hours.
Effect: Sensitivity Increased (Strength: Level 5). Duration: Twenty-four hours.
Effect: Spirit Power Increased (Strength: Level 3). Duration: Fifteen minutes.
With his sensitivity amplified, the pain from his burns intensified tenfold.
"Ah!" Ma Hongjun screamed. "What did you do to me?! I feel like you're trying to harm me!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +30!]
Ye Yin chuckled. "It's all a matter of luck. I'll try again." The first spirit ring flashed once more as another three white lights fell.
Effect: Speed Increased (Strength: Level 3). Duration: One hour.
Effect: Strength Increased (Strength: Level 1). Duration: Half an hour.
Effect: All Beneficial Effects Increased (Strength: Level 5). Duration: Twenty minutes.
Instantly, all the previous effects, including the heightened sensitivity, were enhanced. The pain became even more unbearable. "AHHH!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +30!]
"I'll try again," Ye Yin said cheerfully. "I'm sure I can get a recovery-type effect eventually. Let me give you a few more blessings!"
Ma Hongjun waved his hands frantically. "No more! Brother! I'm begging you! If you give me any more blessings, I'll be dead! Please, just one more from you and I'll really die! I'll go find Little Ao instead!"
With that, the charred figure turned and ran desperately towards Oscar's dorm.
Ye Yin sighed. "This luck is just too bad. You can't blame me."
Dai Mubai didn't know what to say. "Let's go. I'll take you guys to the cafeteria to eat."
When they arrived, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were already there. Zhu Zhuqing gave Ye Yin a slight nod, which counted as a greeting. Ning Rongrong, however, remained silent, looking like she'd been thoroughly cowed.
A short while later, Ma Hongjun returned with Oscar. He had recovered slightly after eating one of Oscar's Big Recovery Sausages, but he still looked like a charred ghost. When he opened his mouth, his white teeth stood out starkly against his blackened face. He shot a resentful glare at Ye Yin before picking up a steamed bun and eating.
"Boss Dai, I heard someone made Teacher Zhao miserable yesterday?" he asked between bites.
"You just fought him," Dai Mubai replied, gesturing with his hand toward Ye Yin. "However, you're lucky. You didn't suffer the same fate as Teacher Zhao."
Ma Hongjun fell silent. If he had known it was this guy earlier, he wouldn't have run his mouth for anything.
Dai Mubai patted Ma Hongjun's shoulder sympathetically.
"Ah!" Ma Hongjun howled in pain. "It hurts!"
Ding!
[Resentment from Ma Hongjun +20!]
"My apologies," Dai Mubai said. "I forgot you were covered in injuries. You should go ask Teacher Shao for two of her candy beans later." He then leaned in conspiratorially. "But Teacher Zhao... now he was truly miserable."
Ma Hongjun was curious. "How miserable was he? Could he be more miserable than me?"
Dai Mubai shook his head. "I wouldn't dare say for sure. I only know that Teacher Zhao had to change his bed last night."
Ma Hongjun was confused. Changed his bed? Why? He didn't understand at all.
Ye Yin quickly finished his steamed bun and porridge. He was used to better food, and this stuff was hard to swallow. He made a mental note to stock up on supplies the next time he went to Soto City. "I'm full," he announced. "Going out for a walk."
With that, he walked out of the cafeteria. Zhu Zhuqing finished her porridge in a few quick gulps and swiftly chased after him.
Dai Mubai watched her retreating figure, and a look of pure hatred filled his eyes. He cursed silently in his heart, "That bitch."
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