"Who?!"
All three had Spirit System Martial Souls, and there were Million-Year Soul Beasts in their Seas of Consciousness. Xuan Zi had only just approached when the three of them sensed him.
"Heh. Your senses are pretty sharp."
A slightly hoarse, lazy voice rang out as a figure leaped down from the treetops. He landed on the grass with a thud, making the ground tremble slightly.
Only then did the three get a clear look at him.
The old man was a disheveled mess. His clothes were ragged, his hair was as tangled as a bird's nest, and there was a suspicious sheen of grease at the corner of his mouth. He was even holding a half-eaten roast chicken. His appearance was utterly slovenly.
And yet, this old man who looked so unremarkable, even a little comical, made the three feel an utterly terrifying pressure.
Although they had just obtained Million-Year Soul Rings, their Soul Power Level was still only at the first ring. They stood little chance against this old man of unknown origins.
Xuan Zi studied the three boys before him with interest. He cleared his throat and fixed his gaze on Huo Hao, who best matched Bei Bei's description. Deliberately assuming the air of a great master, he slowly began:
"Boy, there's no need to be nervous. I am an elder of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy, and my title is 'Taotie.'"
He deliberately emphasized the words "Taotie Douluo," speaking them slowly and heavily. He believed that the title alone would be enough to intimidate any young Soul Master on the continent.
"I've heard of your exceptional talent, so I'm willing to let you join Shrek Academy."
Xuan Zi lifted his chin slightly, his tone carrying an unmistakable air of condescending generosity.
"If you agree to join, the academy will devote all its resources to cultivating you."
He painted a grand vision. In his eyes, he had offered an opportunity no one could refuse, and the boy would surely be overcome with gratitude and bow down before him.
However, Huo Hao's response was far beyond anything he had expected.
"Thank you for the offer, Taotie Douluo, but the three of us brothers prefer our freedom."
The refusal was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
The smile on Xuan Zi's face instantly froze.
He had considered that the boy might feign reluctance or try to bargain, but he had never imagined that he would refuse so completely, with no regard for his feelings.
"Heh..."
Xuan Zi gave an inscrutable snort, as if the refusal had made him laugh in anger.
"Boy, do you know what you're saying? You're refusing Shrek Academy? Refusing an invitation from me, Taotie Douluo?"
His voice turned cold, and terrifying pressure swept toward the three brothers like a mountain collapsing and a sea tsunami.
"On this continent, no one has ever been able to refuse an invitation from Shrek Academy, and no one has ever dared refuse an invitation from me, Taotie Douluo!"
He was truly enraged now.
The more eagerly he had hoped to recruit them, the more furious he became at their refusal.
In his eyes, this was no longer a simple rejection. It was a challenge to Shrek's authority and a contemptuous slight against him, Taotie Douluo!
"It seems I'll have to show you ignorant little brats what true power looks like. Then you'll understand what an incredible opportunity you've just thrown away!"
Before he had even finished speaking, Xuan Zi moved!
He didn't release his Martial Soul or use a single Soul Skill. He simply raised his right hand and reached toward the three brothers in midair!
"Bzz—"
Space seemed to freeze in that instant!
An indescribably powerful force of suction appeared out of nowhere, forming an invisible hand that locked onto the three brothers.
"So this is... the power of a Titled Douluo?"
Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth. In the face of such overwhelming power, they seemed so weak.
"Jump into the river!"
Lin Feng's voice sounded in their minds. Those three little fellows really were something—after absorbing their Soul Rings, they hadn't left right away. Weren't they just asking for trouble?
At Lin Feng's words, Huo Hao immediately used his Soul Skill on Xuan Zi.
"Sanction Chain!"
At this critical moment, golden light flashed in Huo Hao's eyes!
The Sanction Chain activated at once, its target Xuan Zi!
Xuan Zi felt that he couldn't use any of his power or even move his body. In his mental world, he could also feel a burning sensation.
His gaze fell on Huo Hao. If Shrek Academy couldn't have this boy, then he had to be destroyed. He couldn't be allowed to join another academy and bring an end to Shrek Academy's Ten-Thousand-Year Glory!
The three were already jumping toward the little river.
"Trying to run? Naive!"
Xuan Zi snorted and clenched his fist. He was going to snatch the three of them right out of the air!
But just as the three brothers were about to fall into the water, something unexpected happened!
The instant they touched the surface, their figures vanished into thin air!
They had disappeared completely!
Xuan Zi's confident grab caught nothing.
His invisible giant hand swept over the river. Apart from stirring up a few ripples, it came back empty.
"Where are they?!"
Xuan Zi froze. The expression on his face locked in place, and he was left completely dumbfounded.
The river wasn't even that deep. How could three living people simply disappear?
How was this possible?!
There was definitely something wrong with this river!
Xuan Zi stared hard at the clear, shallow river, which looked utterly ordinary, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
The things Bei Bei had said earlier now rang through his mind like thunder.
Could there really be a "River God"?
No! Absolutely not!
If a Deity really existed, he would have already ascended. He couldn't possibly be hiding in a little river.
Someone must have secretly helped the three brats evade him. It had to be that sneaky fellow hiding in the water, right?
At the thought, the anger in Xuan Zi burned even hotter.
If word got out that three juniors had slipped away right under his nose, where would that leave his pride as Taotie Douluo?
They were courting death!
"I refuse to believe it!"
He would go down himself and see what kind of demons and monsters were hiding in that river! Then he would teach that charlatan a harsh lesson!
He would make the fellow hand Huo Hao over. The boy was someone Xuan Zi had set his sights on, and he would absolutely not allow him to leave!
A second after Xuan Zi jumped into the river, a figure hurried over from the distant forest.
It was Bei Bei, who had come back to check on the situation because he couldn't stop worrying.
Given Old Xuan's somewhat short-tempered nature, he might have gotten into a conflict with the three brothers. So Bei Bei had rushed over at once, afraid the dispute might escalate beyond the point of reconciliation.
When Bei Bei arrived, however, he didn't see the two sides fighting. Instead, he saw Lin Feng standing on the river's surface, still wearing his gentle smile.
The sight left Bei Bei stunned. A bad feeling came over him. Had Xuan Zi actually jumped into the little river on his own?
What about the three brothers, Huo Hao and the others?
Why had they disappeared?
While Bei Bei was still wondering, Lin Feng turned his gaze toward him.
Before you continue