High in the sky, three powerful auras clashed, creating waves of energy so fierce that the surrounding space trembled. Above, the once-calm clouds were torn apart by the overwhelming pressure.
"Boom!"
In the sky, a giant Taotie Divine Ox, bathed in yellow light, collided with a figure cloaked in ghastly white flames. The impact unleashed a deafening explosion, echoing across the heavens.
As the two locked in a brief struggle, the black-robed figure's hands surged with white flames that swept across the sky, engulfing the massive Taotie Divine Ox in a flood of consuming fire…
The colossal ox's eighth soul ring flared to life, yet no matter how it struggled, its energy-formed body began to dissipate rapidly, and a haunting bellow of agony echoed in the sky.
"Ah!" From afar, the sight of a yellow giant ox, thrashing wildly in the air as the flames devoured it, was horrific.
"Pff!"
A mouthful of blood spurted from the Taotie Divine Ox's mouth, and it retreated like a kite with its string cut, terror flashing in its eyes, now too afraid to even touch the white flames.
After retreating almost a kilometer, Elder Xuan reverted to human form, his charred figure emitting a burnt smell. His usually composed face now showed shock and disbelief.
"You…" Wiping blood from his lips, Elder Xuan panted heavily, his heart churning in disbelief as he muttered, "No… no way, that kid is only twelve! How can he have power comparable to an Ultimate Douluo?"
"No way! Impossible!"
His heart trembling, Elder Xuan gasped, his eyes narrowing. "Could he really be a spirit beast in human form? But if that's true, shouldn't his power have vanished with the transformation?"
The unexpected turn left Yan Shaozhe, watching from afar, equally stunned. After a moment, he flashed over to Elder Xuan's side, supporting him with concern. "Elder Xuan, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Elder Xuan shook his head, his expression dark. "Shaozhe, this man's power rivals even your teacher's. Be cautious."
Watching the nearly scorched Elder Xuan, Yan Shaozhe's face grew cold. He cast his gaze toward the distant black-robed figure. "Who are you? First, you killed a Shrek Academy student, then attacked one of our elders. Are you provoking the entire Sea God Pavilion?"
"Do you understand the wrath of the powerful figures who have come from Shrek Academy? Can you withstand it?"
The black robe shifted slightly, and Yan Shaozhe felt a cold gaze pierce from beneath it, causing him to tense, mentally preparing for escape.
"Why did I kill Dai Huabin? Because I have a blood feud with the White Tiger Duke's clan, and naturally, he had to die." The aged voice from the black-robed figure was calm yet icy, causing both Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan's faces to darken.
Hearing the elderly tone, coupled with the settling of his emotions, Elder Xuan began to doubt his initial perception. After a moment's thought, he firmly concluded he must have been mistaken.
"You…" Yan Shaozhe was momentarily stunned before he replied calmly, "Since you have a grudge against the White Tiger Duke's clan, then you're certainly no nameless figure on the Douluo Continent. Why hide? Tell us your name, so we can inform the White Tiger Duke of this matter."
"Heh, reveal my name?" The black-robed man shook his head, the robe swaying as he replied coldly, "Since you chased me here, then stay here."
"If you're all dead, you won't need to know my name!"
Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan's faces changed drastically. They looked at the flame-wreathed figure with dread, feeling as though they were sinking into an abyss.
Had he been a Rank 98 Titled Douluo, they might still have a chance. But his power resembled that of a Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo…
If they fought him, they'd be crushed effortlessly—a stark difference between a Super Douluo and an Ultimate Douluo.
"If you only bear enmity with the White Tiger Duke's clan, Shrek Academy has no quarrel with you. Today's matter is merely a misunderstanding. But rest assured, we won't forget it…" Yan Shaozhe, undeterred by the disadvantage, exchanged a glance with Elder Xuan and shouted, "Retreat! Split up!"
Elder Xuan hesitated but cast a venomous look at the black-robed figure, unable to suppress his anger over his recent humiliation, and turned to flee.
Yan Shaozhe activated his Martial Soul True Body, transforming into a massive phoenix, and the two fled in opposite directions.
"Trying to run? Since we've become enemies, I won't let you escape… Leaving a threat behind is not my style." Seeing Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan fleeing, Yao Lao's brow furrowed, a glint of killing intent in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, two white flame spikes formed swiftly before him.
"Go!"
Watching their retreating forms coldly, Yao Lao commanded, channeling immense soul power into the spinning flame spikes, sending them shooting toward the fleeing figures.
Though small, the flame spikes left faint white trails in the sky, and the freezing aura around them caused nearby air to crystallize with frost.
Noticing the lethal attack closing in, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan glanced back, their eyes flashing with alarm, and quickly unleashed their soul skills in defense.
"Eighth Soul Skill, Taotie Shield!"
"Eighth Soul Skill, Phoenix Rebirth!"
Two fiery spikes screamed through the air toward them. But just before the spikes could strike, a sudden change occurred.
A gentle light emerged from behind Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan, expanding rapidly to envelop them. In the next instant, an overpowering aura burst forth, shattering the flame spikes into nothingness.
"Damn it, that old man is here," Yao Lao muttered angrily, watching his attack dissipate.
A golden dragon appeared behind Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan, covered in thick scales and radiating a majestic dragon's presence. The powerful aura sent nearby spirit beasts into a frenzy of panic.
Golden lightning surrounded the dragon, making it shine like a golden sun.
"Who are you, and why did you kill a student of Shrek Academy?" a calm, imposing voice asked from the golden dragon's mouth—the Dragon God Douluo, Mu En, Shrek Academy's towering pillar of support.
Seeing him, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan quickly bowed. "Elder Mu, Teacher!"
The black-robed figure clasped his hands and met Mu En's gaze without fear. "Why did I kill him? I have a blood feud with the Star Luo Empire's Dai clan. Killing one son is merely the beginning. Tell Dai Hao and his wife to be ready."
"Arrogant!" Elder Xuan roared before Mu En could respond. "Elder Mu, since you're here, we can't let him leave. Even if he has a grudge with the Dai clan, he killed a Shrek student. No matter his power, I refuse to believe he can best the three of us combined!"
Mu En's golden eyes swept over the black-robed figure's white flames, a hint of shock flashing through them. He sensed both blazing heat and the biting cold of ten-thousand-year-old ice from the flames.
After a moment, Mu En's dragon eyes darkened. "You may have a grudge with the White Tiger Duke's clan, but you've killed a Shrek Academy student. If we let you go, how will Shrek stand on the continent?"
"You truly intend to oppose me?" the black-robed figure asked, his robe billowing as white flames surrounded him.
A tense standoff filled the air. "Enough. You may leave." After a sigh, Mu En transformed into a hunched old man, motioning dismissively, his face somewhat sour.
Elder Xuan's face turned red. "Elder Mu, if we let him go, it will damage Shrek Academy's reputation and jeopardize our ties with the White Tiger Duke's estate."
"Enough!" Mu En glared at Elder Xuan. "Are you trying to destroy the academy over a student? Shrek's connection to the White Tiger Duke is ancient history. Moreover, the Duke's son died outside the academy. They'll face the consequences of their own actions."
Elder Xuan fumed, his face contorted in rage, "But Elder Mu, if we just let him go… Shrek Academy will become a laughingstock."
Mu En's voice grew stern. "Enough! Do you know what it would cost us if an Ultimate Douluo fought to the death? The Sea God Pavilion would lose half its elders. Over a student? Are you willing to pay that price?"
With that, Mu En transformed into a golden light, flying back toward the academy. Yan Shaozhe, after a pause, followed.
Elder Xuan, his face contorting between shades of green and white, glared at the distant black-robed figure, hatred blazing in his eyes.
"Just wait… I'll make you pay."
…
In the dense forest, a shadow darted swiftly through the trees. Occasionally, a branch brushed against the black robe, briefly revealing a young and refined face—it was Xiao Yan, who had just left Shrek Academy after killing Dai Huabin.
Moments later, the shadow leaped from the forest onto a steep, rocky cliff, landing steadily on a large stone. His black robe, worn through hours of flight, now appeared slightly tattered and dirty.
"Finally out of Shrek City's reach." Xiao Yan pulled off his hood, revealing his clear, youthful face as he stood at the cliff's edge. He took a deep breath of the cool, mist-laden air.
"Mother, I've finally avenged you with my own hands. Can you see this from above? I promised I'd cut off the lineage of the White Tiger Duke. Those who wronged you will pay, every last one!" As he gazed at the winding road below, a small smile formed at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips, growing wider until he broke into unrestrained laughter.
"Hahaha…" His laughter echoed across the cliff, reverberating for a long time.
Suddenly, Yao Lao's calm voice resonated in Xiao Yan's mind. "Brat, Shrek Academy is out of the question now. Where do you plan to go next?"
"Where to?" Xiao Yan was taken aback, realizing he hadn't thought that far ahead and stood there, momentarily lost.
At that moment, the lazy voice of Sky Dream Iceworm sounded in his mind. "Xiao Yan, just head north. We're going to the Extreme North. Bing Bing's 400,000-year lifespan is nearly up, and I need to find it. Plus, your soul power has been at Rank 20 for a while now—you'll need to hunt a soul beast to obtain a ring and advance."
"In the Extreme North, there are spirit-type soul beasts that'll suit your Spirit Eyes perfectly. I'll help you find one, guaranteed to satisfy you."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, staying silent for a moment as he looked up at the vast blue sky. In a soft voice, he asked, "Teacher, what do you think?"
"Hmm, let's listen to this bug for now and head to the Extreme North. This last encounter drained a lot of my soul power, so I'll need to rest." Yao Lao's voice came from the ring, sounding noticeably weaker.
…
Three days later, at the northern edge of the Heavenly Soul Empire, in the Extreme North.
The land was blanketed in thick, soft, and immaculate white snow. As far as the eye could see, the landscape lay wrapped in a shimmering layer of silver. A gentle wind swept by, making the snow-laden trees glisten like frosted flowers, with waves of pristine snow rising and falling. Snow-covered branches resembled jade trees, their shapes both unique and graceful, as flurries continued to drift from the sky.
A young man in a black cloak trudged forward through the relentless wind and snow. Behind him, his footprints sank deep into the snow, but moments later, fresh snow covered them, erasing all traces of his path.
The environment of the Extreme North was harsher than Xiao Yan had anticipated. His face was turning purple from the cold, and the white mist from his breathing quickly crystallized into tiny ice shards before dissipating.
"White snow all around, I walk alone through heaven and earth, free of attachments, letting my shadow come and go as it pleases. Hahaha!" Xiao Yan lifted his head, looking at the gently falling snowflakes, and chuckled softly, reciting to himself.
"Mother, rest assured, no matter what, I will never give up on avenging you. Wind and frost may come, sorrows may fade, but a bird with no perch shall never turn back…"
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