Chapter 69: Unleashing Fury

Shrek Academy, Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion.

In the dead of night, soft moonlight poured down from the heavens, bringing with it a gentle mist mingled with the crisp night air. The lake surrounding Sea God Island was a serene, deep blue, pure and untainted, exuding a tranquil and graceful charm.

The buildings on Sea God Island were numerous, yet only one stood tall and grand at the heart of the island—the Sea God Pavilion.

At this moment, within a room in the Sea God Pavilion, a white-robed elder and a red-robed woman stood conversing.

"What? Teacher, are you saying that behind Xiao Yan stands a mysterious figure who wields the Ultimate Ice attribute, and this person might even be an Ultimate Douluo?" Ma Xiaotao stared at Yan Shaozhe in disbelief, her face full of astonishment.

Yan Shaozhe nodded solemnly. "Indeed. The extreme ice energy you encountered before was very likely released by the mysterious person behind Xiao Yan. As for why this individual helped you, even I'm not certain."

"I've pondered this situation for a long time. For someone with power surpassing Elder Xuan to be concealed within the Academy and safeguarding someone whose first soul ring is only ten years… it's difficult to understand the reasoning."

Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up with excitement. "Teacher, if what you say is true, doesn't that mean Xiao Yan knows this Ultimate Ice master? My inner demonic fire is driving me insane lately. Xu Sanshi's Black Tortoise spirit may be water-based, but it lacks ice properties, and its effects are diminishing."

"No, I need to find Xiao Yan and have him introduce me to this master of Ultimate Ice. If they can help me neutralize my demonic fire, I could represent the Academy in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

"You're planning to find Xiao Yan?" Yan Shaozhe's brows furrowed. After a brief pause, he raised his hand to stop her, saying, "Given his personality, he may not be inclined to help you, though I can't say for certain. After all, the last time your demonic fire erupted, it was likely this very person who intervened. If your Evil Phoenix spirit can be stabilized, you would undoubtedly lead the Academy's team in the tournament. I hope they can help you…"

"By the way, Xiaotao, if you do approach Xiao Yan and seek assistance from the person behind him, be sure not to mention that you're my disciple."

Ma Xiaotao looked confused. "Teacher, why not?"

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Yan Shaozhe explained, "During the selection for the core disciples of the outer court, I denied Xiao Yan's nomination due to his unclear background and his ten-year first soul ring."

"However, if they're willing to help you with your demonic fire problem, I'll personally ensure Xiao Yan is considered for the core disciple roster during the next evaluation. In hindsight, it was rather foolish of me."

"Teacher, how could you do that? I'll head to the first-year dormitory and speak with Xiao Yan. If they're willing to help me with my demonic fire, you'll have to thank them on my behalf," Ma Xiaotao said, turning to leave.

But Yan Shaozhe quickly stopped her. "Where are you rushing off to, girl? Xiao Yan doesn't live on campus. He's currently staying on East Avenue, outside the Academy."

"I got it, Teacher!" Ma Xiaotao's silhouette vanished almost instantly.

Watching her departure, Yan Shaozhe shook his head helplessly. "She's so impulsive, even at her age. Teacher always said that this Ice master bears no ill intentions toward the Academy. They were likely the one who subdued Xiaotao's demonic fire the last time. Let's hope they'll help her this time too."

"I really overlooked something crucial. When selecting core disciples, I completely ignored the presence of this mysterious figure. With their Ultimate Ice spirit, they could stabilize Xiaotao's demonic fire. Ah, if I'd known we'd need their assistance, I would've ensured Xiao Yan's core disciple status."

"In the inner court, Xiaotao has the highest potential after Lexuan. I hope she can ultimately subdue her demonic fire and perhaps achieve the level of her ancestor—a true Fire Phoenix."

With a sigh, Yan Shaozhe returned to his desk, his heart heavy with concern for Ma Xiaotao. Although he seldom expressed it, his affection for this disciple only grew.

Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted him.

Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow. Apart from Ma Xiaotao and Cai Mei'er, it was rare for anyone to visit him at this hour.

"The door's open. Come in," he said, setting his book aside.

The door opened, and in walked a disheveled, oily old man holding a roast chicken in one hand and a brown gourd in the other. His face was flushed—evidence that he was already tipsy. This was none other than the Gluttony Douluo, Elder Xuan, a rank-98 powerhouse.

"Elder Xuan? What brings you here at this hour?" Yan Shaozhe rose, curiosity on his face.

Taking a swig, Elder Xuan's eyes gleamed. "Shaozhe, I've had a realization and came to discuss it with you."

"What's it about?" Yan Shaozhe asked, puzzled.

Settling into a chair and setting down his gourd, Elder Xuan spoke gravely, "It's about that student, Xiao Yan. His first soul ring is only ten years old, yet the skills he demonstrates can manipulate the energy of heaven and earth—something akin to a hundred-thousand-year soul bone ability."

"His first soul ring is only ten years old, yet he might have a hundred-thousand-year soul bone? None of this adds up. Also, the Ultimate Douluo who fought me recently—if he's protecting Xiao Yan, why does Xiao Yan have a ten-year soul ring? None of this makes sense."

"In the first-year final, the skills Xiao Yan used would typically require a soul ring of at least ten thousand years. Yet his first soul ring is a mere ten-year white ring. I suspect… he might be a spirit beast in human form!"

At this, Elder Xuan pushed back his hair, revealing eyes far too clear and sharp for his age.

"A spirit beast in human form?" Yan Shaozhe's usually calm demeanor shattered, and his pupils constricted as he gripped the desk, his fingers whitening.

A ten-year soul ring, possibly a hundred-thousand-year soul bone, and an Ultimate Douluo protector—all too strange.

Seeing his reaction, Elder Xuan took another sip and continued, "Across the continent, I've never heard of an Ultimate Douluo with an Ice attribute. I'd wager that individual is also a transformed hundred-thousand-year spirit beast."

Yan Shaozhe gestured for him to stop, his expression darkening. "If that's true, what would their purpose in Shrek City be?"

"Are they simply here to integrate into human society? And could a spirit beast even craft medicines like those?"

"No, they must have some ulterior motive. Are they here to learn our cultivation techniques and advanced spirit tech, only to bring that knowledge back to the spirit beast world?" Yan Shaozhe's face grew pale as a sudden thought struck him. "This isn't good. Xiaotao just went to find Xiao Yan. Elder Xuan, we should follow, just in case."

---

Outside Shrek City, on East Avenue, near a quaint pavilion.

In the quiet night, a white figure dashed across the path. His feet barely touched the ground as he landed gracefully on a stone outside the pavilion, his crimson gaze fixed on a room within.

A faint sound followed as a black figure leapt from the pavilion, landing steadily on the ground a short distance from the white figure.

"Hmph, you finally arrived. I've been waiting," Xiao Yan said, raising his head to look at Dai Huabin.

With a sinister grin, Dai Huabin replied coldly, "We're too close to Shrek Academy here. Let's settle this in the forest outside the city. Do you dare?"

Xiao Yan chuckled, his youthful face shining with defiance under the moonlight.

The next moment, he dashed toward the outskirts of the forest. Dai Huabin, eyes fixed on his retreating figure, didn't speak, following close behind. Ma Xiaotao arrived just as they left, catching sight of their figures disappearing beyond the city and following them.

Deep in the forest, the silence was soon disrupted by the appearance of the two figures, startling birds and beasts alike.

"Xiao Yan, I never thought you'd be so bold to come outside the Academy grounds." Dai Huabin sneered, his face contorted with arrogance.

"Did you think I'd fear you?" Xiao Yan retorted, smiling.

Dai Huabin's laughter echoed as he motioned with his hand. A group of black-clad figures emerged from the surrounding woods, encircling Xiao Yan.

Unfazed, Xiao Yan shook his head with a faint sigh. "Didn't you think that the reason I came out here was to lure you away from Shrek Academy?"

With a chilling smile, Dai Huabin said, "You lured me out? I won't play any fair fight with you. I'll finish this in the surest way possible."

Xiao Yan nodded, understanding Dai Huabin wasn't completely foolish. Clearly, Dai Huabin had relied on the bodyguards sent by the Duchess of the White Tiger Clan to protect him.

"Do it. Kill him." Dai Huabin's voice was cold, filled with murderous intent as he pointed directly at Xiao Yan.

At Dai Huabin's command, the soul rings of the black-clad men around him all flared up, their combined strength resonating ominously in the night. The strongest among them was even a six-ring Soul Emperor. In the next moment, they all roared and launched a fierce assault on Xiao Yan.

Dai Huabin watched the calm, black-robed youth with cold satisfaction, clenching his fists tightly. "No matter what, you dared to step outside today, which means you must die. That soul bone of yours will belong to me…"

Just then, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with an eerie white glow, and a chilling, deathly-white flame erupted from his body, instantly engulfing the black-clad men. In the next breath, they were all encased in flames, turning them into lifelike ice sculptures scattered across the forest.

In each of those ice statues, one could see expressions of terror and agony, frozen in their final moments.

"A… Titled Douluo?" Dai Huabin's face turned pale as he involuntarily trembled. "This… this can't be. A Titled Douluo at twelve?"

As Dai Huabin stammered in disbelief, the strange white glow faded from Xiao Yan's eyes, and his aura returned to normal. In a flash, he appeared before Dai Huabin with the sound of an energy blast.

"Pfft!"

Before Dai Huabin could react, Xiao Yan's fist struck him square in the chest. A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips as his body was flung back, crashing heavily into a tree ten meters away, which splintered under the impact.

"Cough… cough…" Dai Huabin coughed violently, blood dripping from his mouth. His mind hadn't yet fully grasped the situation, his eyes filled with rage as he glared at Xiao Yan in disbelief. "You little brat, do you know who I am? I am the son of the White Tiger Duke! If you kill me here, Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire won't let you off."

"The White Tiger Duke's son, huh?" Xiao Yan threw his head back and laughed maniacally, his eyes bloodshot and his expression twisted. As he stepped toward Dai Huabin, his voice rang out like a thunderclap in the forest, cold and deadly. "Take a good look at who I am!"

Dai Huabin's eyes narrowed as he stared intently at the young man's face, trying to place the familiar features. A memory stirred, and a look of shock crossed his face as realization dawned.

"You… you're Huo Yun'er's…"

At that moment, Dai Huabin's third, purple soul ring glowed, and he activated White Tiger Vajra Transformation to its fullest. Trembling with fear, he swung his deadly claws at Xiao Yan's chest.

Seeing Dai Huabin attack, Xiao Yan calmly gripped his Heavy Xuan Ruler, lifting it with a slight adjustment. In the next moment, he swung it with deadly precision toward Dai Huabin.

"Bang!"

The Heavy Xuan Ruler collided with Dai Huabin's tiger claws, emitting a piercing sound. The immense force of the ruler drove Dai Huabin's body downward, his feet sinking deep into the forest floor.

"Break!"

Watching Dai Huabin stubbornly resisting despite his injuries, Xiao Yan smirked and poured his battle energy into the Heavy Xuan Ruler.

Under the relentless pressure, cracks appeared on Dai Huabin's tiger claws. In a few moments, the cracks expanded, and with a crisp snap, the claws shattered.

Dai Huabin's face was stricken as he instinctively activated his first soul ring, conjuring a white shield—the White Tiger Protective Barrier.

Xiao Yan's gaze shifted, assessing the shield. Rather than attack head-on, he stamped his foot on the ground, causing an energy burst as he appeared behind Dai Huabin, spinning and striking his back with a powerful kick.

"Pfft!"

Blood spurted from Dai Huabin's mouth as his body was sent rolling across the ground, finally colliding with a large stone that halted his movement.

Struggling to his feet, Dai Huabin glared at Xiao Yan, his breath labored, his eyes bloodshot with hatred.

"You filthy mongrel, you and your mother are nothing but lowly scum. If I don't die here today, I'll make sure you suffer endlessly," he spat. He then reached into his pocket and threw a small soul device into the air.

A red flare shot up, exploding in the sky—a Shrek Academy distress signal.

"Calling for backup?" Xiao Yan's brow arched, his eyes chilling with intent. Tightening his grip on the Heavy Xuan Ruler, he became a blur as he charged toward Dai Huabin.

"Boom!"

The Heavy Xuan Ruler struck Dai Huabin's head mercilessly, crushing his skull and forcing blood and fragments from

his mouth in a final, agonizing gasp.

Meanwhile, in Shrek City, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan, seeing the flare, paled. "Who dares attack someone from Shrek Academy?"

-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/QueenTL

Thanks!