"One… one punch finished off a 1,500-year-old soul beast?!"
"Was that the third spirit ability from Xiaochen's spirit ring? That power is overwhelming!"
…
Everyone stood stunned as they watched Yu Chen crush the Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake with a single blow. Shock painted their faces.
Even Yu Xiaogang and Flender were dumbfounded. Although they had known Yu Chen's strength surpassed theirs, they had never imagined he would instantly obliterate a 1,500-year-old soul beast!
Yu Xiaogang's gaze stayed glued to Yu Chen, analyzing the power unleashed by the third spirit ring of the Azure Dragon Martial Spirit.
"The strength of the Azure Dragon's Sky-Splitting Strike is extraordinary."
Yu Chen lowered his fist, a slight smile on his lips. Just as Yu Xiaogang speculated, the strike he used to finish the Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake was indeed his third spirit ability: Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Strike.
[Sky-Splitting Strike]: Channels soul power into a single arm, launching an explosive, focused blow. (Double damage against soul beasts.)
The Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake had already been suppressed by the Azure Dragon Martial Spirit's innate dominance. Combined with the doubled damage of the Sky-Splitting Strike, its end was inevitable.
"Thank you, Brother Chen…"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was soft as she stood behind Yu Chen, her cheeks flushed. She knew very well that if Yu Chen hadn't intervened, the Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake would have seriously injured or even killed her.
At her current twentieth-level soul power, defending against a 1,500-year-old beast would have left her gravely wounded.
Her gratitude ran deep, and as her eyes met Yu Chen's, a subtle, inexplicable emotion flickered within them.
"No need to thank me. Focus on absorbing your spirit ring."
"Xiao Ao, that 600-year-old Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake is perfect for your second ring."
Yu Chen's tone was calm. He looked toward the Phantom Three-Tailed Cat and the younger Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake, both paralyzed under the pressure of the Azure Dragon Martial Spirit.
Having just witnessed their kin obliterated in one punch, and overwhelmed by the martial soul's dragon might, both beasts were too frightened to move.
"Alright! Thank you, Brother Chen!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and walked calmly to the Phantom Three-Tailed Cat. After dispatching it, she began absorbing its spirit ring.
"Brother Chen, do you need a little brother? I'll be your exclusive support spirit master from now on!"
Oscar, ever the joker, grinned as he approached Yu Chen. With a wink, he then moved to handle the 600-year-old Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake.
"Xiaochen's not just powerful—he has charisma too. One day, he'll stand atop the three empires!"
"With such a student, even Shrek Academy can bask in the glory…"
Flender and Zhao Wuji smiled as they watched Zhu Zhuqing absorb her spirit ring, then turned admiring gazes toward Yu Chen.
Swish!
"Who dares to touch the soul beast this old man had his eye on?!"
"What audacity!"
Before Flender could finish speaking, an eerie, shrill voice rang out. Two elders slowly approached: a white-haired man and woman, each wielding a staff.
Eight spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—floated around the man. The woman had seven rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
Behind them was a girl in her late teens, her aura faint but noble.
"This is…"
"Long Gong and Snake Po!"
At the sight of the three, Flender and Yu Xiaogang's expressions changed drastically. They immediately stepped forward, shielding the younger generation.
Yu Chen looked up. He had heard of these legendary figures.
Long Gong (Dragon Duke) and Snake Po were famous elder soul masters of the Heaven Dou Empire. The Dragon Duke had reached level 82, and Snake Po level 75!
What made them truly terrifying was their ability to use Martial Soul Fusion, forming the fearsome Dragon Serpent Convergence—a power that rivaled even Title Douluo!
Even Flender and Zhao Wuji were forced to treat them with deference.
"Senior Long, what do you mean by your earlier statement?"
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, trying to maintain decorum.
"I had my eye on those Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snakes. The 1,500-year-old one was meant to become my granddaughter's third spirit ring."
"And now, you've slain it before my eyes!"
"You owe me an explanation."
Dragon Duke's eyes flared as he pointed to the girl behind him.
"Senior, this is the Star Dou Great Forest. Spirit beasts are unclaimed until subdued. To say we 'stole' it seems a stretch," Yu Xiaogang replied, frowning.
"Insolence! I said it was mine—so it is!"
"You dare kill the beast I chose? Either kowtow and exhaust your spirit power, or none of you leave alive!"
The Dragon Duke waved his scepter, hostility radiating from his aura.
"So the rumors are true. Long Gong and Snake Po are as domineering as ever!"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing murmured from behind Yu Chen.
Not only were the pair powerful, they were infamous for being overbearing and unreasonable.
There was no proof the beast belonged to them, yet Dragon Duke demanded a humiliating apology and total soul power forfeiture—completely unreasonable!
Ding! System Activation—Three Choices Detected:
1. Ignore Long Gong and Snake Po's provocation. Reward: 100-Year Phoenix Spirit Ring.
2. Kneel, exhaust soul power. Reward: Beginner Spatial Storage Soul Tool.
3. Teach Long Gong and Snake Po a lesson. Reward: True Dragon Right Arm Bone!
Choose within 30 seconds!
"True Dragon Right Arm Bone?"
Yu Chen's brow lifted subtly as the system's voice rang out in his mind.
The first two rewards—though decent—didn't interest him. Only the third, a spirit bone from a True Dragon, piqued his desire.
Moreover, even without the rewards, Yu Chen wouldn't tolerate their arrogance.