Intercepting the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm?

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The two figures intertwined, moving with a speed that dazzled the eyes. Fists and kicks filled the training grounds, leaving a trail of cracks across the floor with every step.

A crowd of disciples had long since gathered, watching in a daze, their gasps echoing one after another.

"The Young Sect Master's physical body... is just too monstrous! He took Long Aotian's Thunder Fist head-on and is completely fine?"

"Look at the Young Sect Master's fists, my god, every strike feels like a Soul Guidance Cannon blast!"

"It seems like Senior Brother Long Aotian's Jade Gold True Body can't hold up much longer..."

Sure enough, as the battle dragged on, Long Aotian gradually fell onto the defensive.

His attacks could hardly shake Zichuan's defenses, while Zichuan's mountain-heavy fists left his arms numb and his blood churning.

What was worse, Zichuan's stamina seemed infinite; his offensive grew more ferocious with every wave, while Long Aotian was already feeling his soul power and physical strength draining rapidly.

"Stop, stop! I'm done!"

After taking another heavy, straight punch from Zichuan, Long Aotian used the momentum to flip backward a dozen meters. He waved his hands repeatedly, grimacing as he shook his reddened fists, his face filled with frustration and helplessness.

"Little Junior Brother, your physical body... is simply not human! It's impossible to move you! If we keep going, my bones are going to fall apart!"

Zichuan retracted his fists, still feeling the thrill of the fight, a faint steam rising from his body as he laughed.

"Senior Brother Long, you're too kind. Your lightning attribute is becoming increasingly pure; it even made my hands go a bit numb."

"Forget it, don't try to comfort me." Long Aotian rolled his eyes, leaned in closer, and lowered his voice, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of mischief.

"Seriously, Little Junior Brother, what level are you exactly? I'm at level 58 soul power, and fighting you feels like scratching an itch. Don't tell me... you're already a Soul Emperor?"

Zichuan smiled without giving a direct answer, merely replying vaguely, "Just about."

In truth, he had already reached level 60.

With two hearts, a top-tier soul ring configuration, Godly Trial rewards, and an unlimited supply of resources from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the sect, his cultivation speed was like riding a rocket.

A twelve-year-old Soul Emperor—if word got out, it would be enough to terrify the entire soul master world.

Long Aotian gasped, his heart jolting despite having already guessed as much.

A twelve-year-old Soul Emperor... this was no longer a genius; this was a monster among monsters!

He shook his head and gave a wry smile.

"Fine, compared to you, I'm just an ordinary person. I'm done fighting you; I'm not looking to get abused."

With that, before Zichuan could speak again, he transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished in a flash, terrified of being dragged back for another "spar."

Zichuan watched Long Aotian's fleeing back and shrugged helplessly. He really hadn't had his fill yet; the energy pumped by his two hearts was simply too overwhelming.

Just then, the voice that had been silent for days echoed once more within his Sea of Consciousness, carrying a hint of imperceptible excitement and urgency.

"Kid, stop wandering around. Calculate the time; it's almost here."

Zichuan's heart skipped a beat. "Old Zi, you mean..."

"Sky Dream Ice Silkworm!" The voice of the God of Destruction was firm and decisive.

"That giant bug who slept for a million years and is looking for a successor to sacrifice himself to... oh wait, I mean a vessel—he should be appearing at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest around this time to meet that kid named Huo Yuhao."

Five years! The time had finally arrived! Zichuan's heart hammered against his chest, and an uncontrollable surge of excitement welled up within him.

A million-year soul ring! Sky Dream Ice Silkworm! This was the greatest and most critical opportunity on Huo Yuhao's path to rise! There was no other like it!

In a sense, without Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, there would be no Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao in the future!

"My soul power is exactly level 60, stuck at a bottleneck; I need a soul ring."

Zichuan licked his slightly dry lips, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Besides, a million-year soul ring can provide at least four soul skills, or perhaps... is it possible to gain an additional martial soul like he gave Huo Yuhao? The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion?"

"In your dreams," the God of Destruction scoffed.

"The Ice Empress only succeeded because she was tricked by Huo Yuhao later on, combined with that brat Tian Meng's relentless pestering. However, the value of a million-year soul ring itself is enough for you to digest for a long time. More importantly, snatching this opportunity means cutting off the biggest cheat that the hypocrite Tang San arranged for his son-in-law! Just thinking about it is satisfying!"

Zichuan nodded, but then frowned slightly, a complex emotion flitting through his heart.

Huo Yuhao... this child of destiny from the original story. When he read the book in his past life, he had a favorable impression of his resilience and struggle for survival in the early stages.

But he felt disappointed and regretful as the character gradually became a puppet for Tang San in the later stages, his actions becoming increasingly "Tang-ified."

A boy who rose from humble beginnings with such a resilient spirit, only to end up as the most loyal "dog" of the Tang family—some of his later words and deeds were a far cry from his early self, which was truly lamentable.

"If I steal his opportunity, will it... trigger any unpredictable changes?"

Zichuan asked in his heart, carrying a trace of caution regarding the "Heavenly Dao" or the "world line."

He knew that Huo Yuhao was born in response to the times, his fate tied to the future of the continent, and perhaps even linked to the grand trend of resisting the Sun Moon Empire's invasion. Would rashly changing things invite a backlash?

"Changes? Of course there will be." The God of Destruction's tone was indifferent, even carrying a hint of cold, malicious glee.

"But so what? The Heavenly Dao? The grand trend? Hmph, so-called grand trends are merely the manifestation of the will of the strong! If Tang San can intervene and arrange things, why can't this Seat?"

"It is true that Huo Yuhao is a child of destiny, but who decreed that he is the only one? You carry the origin of both myself and Life, and you have received the inheritance of two God Kings."

In terms of destiny, you are stronger than him, not weaker! He was born to face a tribulation, supposedly to help the three great empires resist the Sun Moon Empire? Hah, and the result? Before he could even finish the job, Tang San dragged him up to the God Realm to be his lackey, leaving behind a mess. What use is a Child of Destiny like that?"

The God of Destruction's voice carried an unquestionable dominance:

"Rather than letting that million-year cultivation of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm serve as a stepping stone for Tang San's son-in-law, eventually becoming a pawn for the Tang family to control the continent, you might as well take it! If you take it, you can become just as strong, and you can do what you need to do! Perhaps, even better than he could!"

"Just snatch it!" The God of Destruction hammered it home.

"Forget about heavenly backlash or tangled fates. It's mine, all mine! If Tang San can arrange things, why can't I, the God of Destruction, do the same?"

These words were like a sudden enlightenment, instantly dispelling the last shred of doubt in Zichuan's heart.

Indeed, is hesitation and overthinking how a real man should act?

Since he had already embarked on this path of opposition against Tang San, why should he worry about whether snatching his "son-in-law's" opportunity would offend him? What a joke! He had already offended him to the point of no return!

Rather than letting the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's million-year cultivation bolster the Tang family's power, it was better to use it to strengthen himself! Only when he was strong would he have the qualifications to talk about change, to talk about protection, and to talk about... hacking Tang San!

"I understand." Zichuan's gaze became sharp and firm once more. There was no longer a trace of hesitation in his heart, only boiling battle intent and anticipation.

"Then let's go... and intercept!"

"Hmm, that's more like it." The God of Destruction hummed with satisfaction.

"Go tell your green-haired turtle of a teacher, then set off immediately. The Star Dou Great Forest, the usual spot. But this time, you aren't looking for a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, but rather a... harmless-looking, chubby, white worm that can perform spiritual detection."

A smile curled the corners of Zichuan's mouth. He delayed no longer; his figure flashed as he darted toward the depths of the valley, heading for the stone hall where Du Busi was in secluded meditation.