If I Can't Have It, I'll Destroy It

"Who?!"

All three possessed Spirit System martial souls, and they also had Million Year Soul Beasts within their Sea of Consciousness. The moment Xuan Zi approached, all three discovered him.

"Heh heh, your senses are quite sharp."

Accompanying a slightly hoarse and lazy voice, a figure leaped down from the treetops. With a "boom," he landed on the grass, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Only then did the three clearly see the appearance of the other party.

An unkempt old man, with tattered clothes and hair as messy as a bird's nest. A suspicious sheen of oil hung from the corner of his mouth, and he was even holding a half-eaten Roast Chicken in his hand. His appearance was extremely slovenly.

However, despite looking so unremarkable, even somewhat comical, this old man made the three of them feel an extremely terrifying pressure.

Although they had just obtained Million Year Soul Rings, their Soul Power Level was still only Rank One. Facing this elder of unknown origin, their chances of winning were slim.

Xuan Zi sized up the three youths before him with great interest. He cleared his throat, fixed his gaze on Huo Hao, who matched Beibei's description the most, deliberately put on an air of a Master, and slowly spoke:

"Kid, no need to be nervous. I am a Sea God Pavilion Elder of Shrek Academy, titled 'Taotie'."

He deliberately pronounced the words "Taotie Douluo" heavily and slowly. In his mind, this Title was enough to awe any young Soul Master on the continent.

"I've heard you have extraordinary talent, so I shall permit you to join my Shrek Academy."

Xuan Zi slightly raised his chin, his tone carrying an undeniable air of bestowal.

"As long as you are willing to join, the academy will pour all its resources into cultivating you."

He painted a grand Blueprint. In his view, he had already presented an offer that could not be refused, and the other party would surely be overwhelmed with gratitude and immediately pledge allegiance.

However, Huo Hao's response greatly exceeded his expectations.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Taotie Douluo, but my brothers and I prefer to be free."

A clean and decisive refusal, without the slightest hesitation.

The smile on Xuan Zi's face froze instantly.

He had imagined that the other party might feign modesty, or perhaps try to bargain, but he never expected them to refuse so thoroughly, so ruthlessly.

"Heh..."

Xuan Zi let out an ambiguous chuckle, as if amused to the point of anger.

"Kid, do you know what you're saying? Refusing Shrek Academy? Refusing my invitation as Taotie Douluo?"

His voice suddenly turned cold, and a terrifying pressure swept towards the three brothers like a Mountain Collapse Sea Tsunami.

"On this continent, no one has ever been able to refuse an invitation from Shrek Academy, and even fewer dare to refuse an invitation from me, Taotie Douluo!"

He was truly enraged.

The more desperate his desire to recruit talent, the fiercer his anger burned after being rejected.

In his eyes, this was no longer a simple rejection, but a provocation against Shrek Academy's authority, a contempt for him, Taotie Douluo!

"It seems that if I don't let you ignorant brats experience true power, you won't understand what a tremendous opportunity you've missed!"

Before his words even fell, Xuan Zi moved!

He didn't release his martial soul, nor did he use any soul skills. He simply raised his right hand and grabbed at the three brothers in the void!

"Buzz—"

Space seemed to freeze in that instant!

An indescribably vast suction force appeared out of nowhere, transforming into an invisible big hand that firmly locked onto the three brothers.

"Is this... the power of a Titled Douluo?"

Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth. In the face of absolute power, they seemed so weak.

"Jump into the river!"

Lin Feng's voice echoed in their minds. These three little guys were really something, absorbing their soul rings and not leaving immediately. Weren't they asking for trouble?

Hearing Lin Feng's words, Huo Hao directly used a soul skill on Xuan Zi.

"Sanction Chain!"

At the critical moment, golden light flashed in Huo Hao's eyes!

Sanction Chain activated instantly, targeting Xuan Zi directly!

Xuan Zi felt his entire body's strength unable to be used, even his body unable to move. Moreover, in his spiritual world, he could feel a burning sensation.

His gaze fell on Huo Hao. If Shrek Academy couldn't get this child, then he must be destroyed. He would not allow him to join any other academy, lest Shrek Academy's millennia of glory be reduced to ashes!

The three were already jumping into the small river.

"Trying to escape? Naive!"

Xuan Zi snorted coldly and clenched his five fingers fiercely! He intended to snatch the three back from mid-air!

However, just as the three brothers' bodies were about to fall into the river water, an anomaly occurred!

The moment their figures touched the water's surface, they vanished into thin air!

Completely vanished!

Xuan Zi's confident grab missed.

His invisible giant hand swept across the river's surface, stirring up ripples but catching nothing.

"Where are they?!"

Xuan Zi froze, his expression instantly solidifying. He was completely dumbfounded.

This small river wasn't that deep. How could three living persons disappear?

How was this possible?!

This river definitely had a problem!

Xuan Zi stared intently at the clear, seemingly ordinary small river, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Beibei's earlier words exploded in his mind like thunderclaps.

Could it be... there really was a "River God"?

No! Absolutely impossible!

If there were truly deities, they would have long since ascended. They wouldn't condescend to reside in a mere small river.

Someone must have secretly helped these three imps evade him. It had to be that guy lurking in the water!

Thinking of this, Xuan Zi's anger burned even hotter.

To let three juniors slip away right under his nose, how could he, Taotie Douluo, ever show his old face again?

Path to death!

"I refuse to believe this!"

He would personally go down and see what ghosts and monsters were hiding in this river! Then he would teach that guy who was playing tricks a harsh lesson!

He would make that guy hand over Huo Hao. This was someone he had his eye on, and he absolutely would not allow him to leave!

And just one second after Xuan Zi jumped into the river, a figure rushed over from the distant forest.

The arrival was Beibei, who had returned to check on the situation, unable to rest easy.

After all, given Elder Xuan's somewhat volatile temper, it was possible he might have a conflict with the three brothers. So he had rushed over immediately, afraid the conflict between the two sides would escalate to an irreconcilable point.

Then, upon arriving, Beibei didn't see them fighting. Instead, he saw Lin Feng appearing on the river's surface, still wearing a gentle smile.

This scene stunned Beibei. A bad premonition arose. Had Xuan Zi jumped into the small river himself?

And what about Huo Hao and the other two brothers?

Why were they gone?

As Beibei was still wondering, Lin Feng's gaze fell upon him.