Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The two figures crossed paths, moving so fast they dazzled the eye. Fists and kicks filled the training ground, while cracks constantly spread beneath their feet.
Quite a few disciples had already gathered around, watching in utter fascination and crying out in amazement.
"The Young Sect Master's body... isn't that absurd? He took Senior Brother Aotian's Thunder Fist head-on and was completely fine?"
"Look at the Young Sect Master's fists! My God, every punch is like a Soul Guidance Cannon firing!"
"Senior Brother Aotian's Jade Gold True Body seems like it can barely hold on..."
Sure enough, as the fight continued, Long Aotian gradually fell into a disadvantage.
His attacks could scarcely shake Zichuan's defenses, while Zichuan's mountain-heavy fists left his arms numb and his blood roiling.
What was worse, Zichuan's stamina seemed endless. His attacks grew fiercer with every wave, while Long Aotian could already feel his Soul Power and physical strength draining rapidly.
"I'm done, I'm done!"
After taking another of Zichuan's powerful straight punches head-on, Long Aotian used the force to fly backward more than ten meters. He repeatedly waved his hands, bared his teeth as he shook his reddened fist, and wore an expression full of frustration and helplessness.
"Junior Brother, this body of yours... it's simply inhuman! I can't hurt you at all! If we keep going, my bones will fall apart!"
Zichuan reluctantly withdrew his fists. A faint mist of heat rose from his body as he smiled.
"Senior Brother Long, you went easy on me. Your lightning attribute has become increasingly pure. My hands are a little numb too."
"Give it a rest. Don't try to comfort me." Long Aotian rolled his eyes irritably, leaned closer, and lowered his voice. Curiosity and a trace of teasing gleamed in his eyes.
"Seriously, Junior Brother, what level are you now? I have 58th-level Soul Power, yet hitting you feels like scratching an itch. Don't tell me... you're already a Soul Emperor?"
Zichuan smiled without answering directly, merely saying vaguely, "More or less."
He had indeed reached level 60.
Two hearts, a top-tier Soul Ring configuration, rewards from the Godly Trial, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the sect's unlimited resources had made his cultivation speed soar like a rocket.
A twelve-year-old Soul Emperor—just saying it aloud would be enough to terrify the entire Soul Master world.
Long Aotian sucked in a cold breath. Though he had already suspected it, having it confirmed still shook him to the core.
A twelve-year-old Soul Emperor... this was no longer talent. This was a monster among monsters!
He shook his head and gave a bitter laugh.
"Fine. Compared to you, I'm just an ordinary person. I'm not fighting you anymore. I'm not looking to get abused."
With that, before Zichuan could say another word, he turned into a streak of lightning and vanished in a flash, afraid Zichuan would drag him back for another "sparring match."
Watching Long Aotian flee as though for his life, Zichuan shrugged helplessly. He truly had not fought to his heart's content yet; the energy pumped through him by his two hearts was simply too abundant.
Just then, a voice that had been silent for several days rang out once more in his Sea of Consciousness, carrying a barely perceptible excitement and urgency.
"Kid, stop wandering around. By my calculations, it's about time."
Zichuan's heart stirred. "Old Zi, you mean..."
"Sky Dream Ice Silkworm!" The God of Destruction's voice was decisive.
"That Big Bug that slept for a million years and was preparing to find someone to take over... no, preparing to find an inheritor to sacrifice itself to, should be meeting that kid named Huo Yuhao near the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest around this time."
Five years! The moment had finally arrived! Zichuan's two hearts pounded fiercely at once, and an irrepressible excitement surged through him.
A million-year Soul Ring! Sky Dream Ice Silkworm! This was the greatest and most crucial opportunity on Huo Yuhao's path to rise! There was no second one!
In a sense, without Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, there would have been no Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao later on!
"My Soul Power has just reached level 60. I'm stuck at the bottleneck and need a Soul Ring."
Zichuan licked his slightly dry lips, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"And a million-year Soul Ring can provide at least four soul skills. It might even... give me an additional martial soul, like it gave Huo Yuhao? The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion?"
"Dream on." The God of Destruction sneered.
"Ice Empress was only brought over later because Huo Yuhao sweet-talked her into it, and Tian Meng kept pestering her relentlessly. Still, the value of a million-year Soul Ring alone will be enough for you to digest for a long time.
More importantly, if we intercept it, we'll be cutting off the greatest cheat that Tang San, that hypocrite, arranged for his son-in-law! Just thinking about it feels satisfying!"
Zichuan nodded, but then frowned slightly as a complicated emotion crossed his mind.
Huo Yuhao... the chosen one of the original story. In his previous life, when reading the novel, Zichuan had rather liked his perseverance and struggle for survival in the early stages.
But later, he had felt disappointed and regretful as Huo Yuhao gradually became Tang San's puppet, his actions growing ever more "Tang-like."
A boy born from humble circumstances with an unyielding heart had ultimately become the Tang family's most loyal "dog." Even some of his words and actions seemed completely different from his earlier self. It truly made one sigh.
"If I take his opportunity, will it... trigger some unpredictable change?"
Zichuan asked inwardly, carrying a trace of caution toward the "Heavenly Dao," or rather, the world line.
He knew Huo Yuhao had been born with the tide of fate and was tied to the continent's future fortune. He might even be connected to the larger situation of resisting the Sun Moon Empire's invasion. Would changing things rashly bring a backlash?
"Changes? Of course there'll be changes." Yet the God of Destruction sounded entirely unconcerned, even carrying a cruel delight.
"But so what? Heavenly Dao? The greater tide? Hmph. The so-called greater tide is merely the manifestation of the strong's will! Tang San can interfere and make arrangements, so why can't I?"
"It's true that Huo Yuhao is a chosen one, but who says he has to be the only chosen one? You carry the origins of Life and me, and you have inherited the legacies of two God Kings.
When it comes to fortune, you are no weaker than him—only stronger! He was born in response to calamity to help the three great empires resist the Sun Moon Empire? Heh, and what happened? Before he even finished the job, Tang San dragged him into the God Realm early to be his dog, leaving behind a mess. What use is a chosen one like that?"
The God of Destruction's voice carried unquestionable dominance.
"Rather than let Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's million years of cultivation become a stepping stone for Tang San's son-in-law, ultimately turning into a pawn for the Tang family's control over the continent, it would be better for you to take it! If you take it, you can still grow stronger and still do what you should do! You might even do it better than he could!"
"Take it first and talk later!" The God of Destruction made the final decision.
"Who cares about backlash from the Heavenly Dao or entanglements of fate? Mine, mine, it's all mine! If Tang San can arrange it, why can't I, Destruction?"
Those words were like enlightenment, instantly dispelling the last trace of doubt in Zichuan's heart.
That was right. How could a true man hesitate and look before he leaped?
Since he had already embarked on the path of opposing Tang San, was he still supposed to worry about offending him by taking his "son-in-law's" opportunity? What a joke! He had already offended him beyond repair!
Rather than let Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's million years of cultivation strengthen the Tang family, he might as well use it to strengthen himself! Only by becoming strong would he be qualified to speak of change, protection, and... cutting down Tang San!
"I understand." Zichuan's gaze became sharp and resolute once more. There was no longer the slightest hesitation in his heart, only boiling battle intent and anticipation.
"Then let's go... intercept it!"
"Mm, that's more like it." The God of Destruction gave a satisfied snort.
"Go tell that green-haired turtle of a teacher of yours, then leave immediately. The Star Dou Great Forest—an old haunt. But this time, you aren't looking for a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. You're looking for a... harmless-looking, plump white Big Bug that can use spiritual detection."
A smile curled Zichuan's lips. He did not delay any longer. With a flash, he darted toward the stone hall deep in the valley where Du Busi was in secluded cultivation.
Before you continue