After the match concluded, Tang San and the others packed up and prepared to return to the academy.
Xiao Tianyang naturally accompanied them.
As for Yu Xiaogang and the others, they mentioned they had something important to attend to, so they hadn't come along today.
However, just as they neared Shrek Academy, Xiao Tianyang suddenly stopped.
Since he was walking in the middle of the group, the others immediately noticed the change.
Tang San turned to him and asked, "Brother Tianyang, what's wrong?"
Xiao Tianyang curled his lips and shook his head. "Nothing. I just remembered there was road construction ahead when I came up this morning. It might be difficult to pass now. How about we take a detour?"
Ma Hongjun shrugged indifferently. "Fine by me. It's not much of a difference anyway."
With that, the group turned onto a side street.
However, Xiao Tianyang subtly stepped aside and quietly retraced his steps.
"You've got some nerve, knowing there's an ambush here and still daring to come alone!"
Shi Nian emerged from the distorted air ahead, a sinister smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Impressive. At such a young age, you're already this remarkable. If you were allowed to grow, even a Titled Douluo might not be able to stop you."
"And yet, you still dare to stand in my way," Xiao Tianyang sneered. "Don't you know I have backing too?"
"Of course I know. Who hasn't heard of the renowned Tyrant Body Douluo?" Shi Nian paused, his expression twisting into disdain. "But you walked right into my trap. You're asking for death—who else is to blame?"
"You think this Illusion Breaker can kill me?" Xiao Tianyang shook his head dismissively. "Seems you didn't investigate me thoroughly. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made such a stupid decision."
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he tilted his head slightly. "Ah, right. You're a fool. So this kind of decision makes sense."
"Heh. I've heard plenty of taunts like that over the years. None of them worked." Shi Nian's face darkened. "Let's see if your strength is as tough as your mouth..."
Before he could finish, his figure vanished—or rather, it had never truly been there to begin with. It was merely a projection.
The next moment, the surroundings twisted violently before transforming into a dense grove.
A young couple soon appeared in Xiao Tianyang's vision, a basket strapped to their backs, with a young boy trailing beside them.
At the sight, Xiao Tianyang frowned.
He already knew what this illusion was meant to evoke.
Sure enough, a ferocious tiger lunged from the undergrowth, sending the couple into panic.
What followed was a clichéd yet brutal scene—the man desperately shielding his wife and child, only to be torn apart by the beast. The woman, in a final act of desperation, shoved the boy down a slope before meeting her own gruesome end.
Xiao Tianyang slowly closed his eyes, his voice eerily calm. "I must admit, you're the first person to truly anger me since the day I was born. You should feel honored… and deeply unfortunate."
"Still putting on a brave face, even when your emotions are in turmoil?" Shi Nian's mocking voice sounded around him. "Though I never expected your past to be so pitiful. Then again, how could two ordinary people give birth to a monster like you?"
"You must have stumbled upon something—some power that defied the heavens and changed your fate. But it doesn't matter. Once you're dead, it'll all be mine."
Xiao Tianyang's lips curled into a faint, icy smile. "My mood has changed because you've provoked me. But don't mistake your underhanded tricks for effectiveness."
As he spoke, the four soul rings at his feet shimmered—and the third one ignited.
"Whoosh!"
Golden chains erupted from the void, weaving through the air like serpents of light. Where they passed, space itself unraveled into nothingness.
The illusion shattered piece by piece, revealing Xiao Tianyang's figure, half his body wreathed in Emperor Flame. His handsome face, now devoid of warmth, was chilling to behold.
"H-How… is this possible?!" Shi Nian's eyes widened in terror—not disbelief, but raw, primal fear.
He had anticipated countless ways Xiao Tianyang might break his illusion. After all, the boy's strength was on par with Shrek's elite fighters, if not greater.
That was why he had taunted him relentlessly—not out of sadism, but strategy.
Emotional instability would make his soul skills far more lethal, allowing him to eliminate his target swiftly and cleanly.
Because if even a trace of evidence remained, the Tyrant Body Douluo's wrath would leave him no refuge in all of Douluo Continent!
But reality defied all expectations.
Xiao Tianyang hadn't employed any intricate technique—he had brute-forced his way through the illusion with sheer power.
This not only revealed his terrifying hidden strength but also one undeniable fact:
He was beyond furious.
Too enraged to bother with finesse. His intent was singular—kill.
Xiao Tianyang took two steps forward—and in an instant, he stood barely ten meters from Shi Nian.
'RUN!'
That was the only thought left in Shi Nian's mind.
Those indifferent eyes locked onto him, making him feel as though he were facing a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. The suffocating pressure was unmistakable—if he didn't flee now, death was certain!
Even if it meant exile from douluo continent, at least he'd still be alive!
But the moment he turned—A searing heat erupted in his chest. His body lurched forward, his movements sluggish.
With the last of his strength, Shi Nian looked down.
A hand had pierced clean through his torso.
"Thud."
Xiao Tianyang withdrew his arm, blood dripping from his fingers. Then, with a flick of his wrist, Emperor Flame ignited Shi Nian's body.
In less than a breath, not even ashes remained.
No corpse. No blood. No trace.
Shi Nian's illusions had left no physical damage, and Xiao Tianyang's execution had been mercilessly efficient.
"Better to erase you completely. Saves trouble." Xiao Tianyang's lips curled into that same faint smile, as though nothing of consequence had occurred.
His earlier fury had been real—but fleeting.
Truthfully, he held no deep attachment to his predecessor's parents. Had Shi Nian not dredged up those memories, he might never have recalled them.
But anyone who dared rifle through his mind—deserved death.
Even if those memories… weren't truly his to begin with.
…
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