While Zhao Wuji was conversing with the elderly woman, he realized with a jolt that she was none other than Serpent Grandmother Chao Tianxiang, one half of the famous duo Dragon and Serpent.
Now that Chao Tianxiang had asked to reclaim the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent, Zhao Wuji was hoping to resolve the issue peacefully. After all, he knew the two—Serpent Grandmother and Dragon Duke—rarely moved separately. If Chao Tianxiang was here, then Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke, was likely nearby as well. Zhao Wuji didn't want things to escalate beyond his control if that happened.
"This matter might be hard to resolve, Sister Chao," Zhao Wuji said, looking troubled.
At this moment, the young girl beside Chao Tianxiang couldn't hold back and snapped, "What's so hard about it? We were clearly the ones who found the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent first. If we hadn't injured it, would you even have caught it so easily? Hand it over now—or don't blame us for being rude!"
As she spoke, she raised her snake-headed staff, her tone filled with hostility.
Chao Tianxiang frowned and looked at Zhao Wuji. "Zhao, are you really refusing to hand the serpent over to us?"
Zhao Wuji smiled wryly and replied, "Sister Chao, I think you're being unfair here. In the Star Dou Forest, all spirit beasts are unclaimed. Yes, you injured the serpent first—but we're the ones who caught it. Claiming it as yours now doesn't seem quite right. While it may suit your granddaughter well, it's also perfect for my student."
Chao Tianxiang paused. "You're saying one of your students has reached the thirtieth rank?"
Zhao Wuji nodded affirmatively.
Chao Tianxiang's heart skipped a beat. She turned to study the group of young boys and girls standing behind him. None looked older than fifteen or sixteen, and some even appeared to be twelve or thirteen. Yet one of them had already reached the thirtieth rank? That would mean they had even more talent than her granddaughter.
Her gaze landed on the eldest-looking one: Dai Mubai.
Meanwhile, Lin Jie had been observing the girl beside Chao Tianxiang. She was indeed beautiful—with short brunette hair, a curvaceous figure, and a confident smirk. He couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind.
Zhao Wuji smiled and said, "If you don't believe me, how about this? I'll have them reveal their spirit rings. Let you see for yourself."
At his words, the students released their spirit rings one by one.
Lin Jie only revealed two yellow rings.
Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Tang San released their spirit rings but didn't display their martial spirits. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was naturally hidden using a special technique. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass stayed flat against the ground, invisible. Oscar, with his Sausage Spirit, would only manifest it if he chanted his incantation.
Chao Tianxiang looked at the eight young talents, surprised by the two glowing yellow rings each of them had. Dai Mubai stood out with an additional purple thousand-year ring.
Zhao Wuji glanced at Lin Jie's rings and then looked away without comment.
Zhu Zhuqing gave Lin Jie a confused glance. Why is he hiding his strength? She knew very well he was already a Spirit Elder with three rings.
Chao Tianxiang was visibly stunned. Zhao Wuji smirked. "What do you think of my students, Senior?"
Taking a deep breath, Chao Tianxiang tried to compose herself. She forced a smile. "As expected from the disciples of the Fudo Ming King. Heroes truly emerge from the young generation. So, which one has reached the thirtieth rank?"
Zhao Wuji patted Oscar on the shoulder. "This boy here. He just hit rank thirty. That's why I had to bring them all here to help him get his third ring."
Chao Tianxiang's face darkened even more. It was clear this wouldn't be resolved easily.
But she wasn't ready to give up. Her eyes lit up with an idea. "Zhao, since neither of us wants to yield, why not settle this the proper way—by the rules of the Spirit Master world? Let the two children decide who gets the spirit ring. What do you think?"
"Spirit Master rules? Please explain," Zhao Wuji said. He genuinely didn't know what she meant—he'd never considered himself bound by such formalities.
"Simple," said Chao Tianxiang. "Let the two children fight. The winner gets the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent."
Zhao Wuji shook his head. "Sorry, Sister Chao, but that won't work."
Chao Tianxiang frowned. "I've already offered a compromise. What, you think I won't do anything just because my old man isn't here?"
Zhao Wuji smiled apologetically. "No, it's not that. The issue is, my student is a Support-Type Food System Spirit Master. You can't expect him to duel your granddaughter."
Chao Tianxiang was taken aback. "He's food system?" Her gaze toward Oscar shifted slightly—Food-Type Spirit Masters were rare, and their potential was huge if properly trained.
At that moment, Lin Jie stepped forward. "Teacher Zhao, how about I fight on Oscar's behalf?"
Zhao Wuji glanced at him, then looked at Chao Tianxiang. "What do you think of her granddaughter?"
Lin Jie leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry, Teacher. I'll suppress my power to match hers—I won't bully her."
Zhao Wuji knew Lin Jie's strength well. After all, the boy had managed to spar with him for over half a stick of incense. He nodded in agreement.
The others didn't understand why Lin Jie volunteered, but Oscar gratefully thanked him.
The girl stepped forward coldly. "Meng Yiran. Martial spirit: Snake Staff. Rank 30 Battle Spirit Master."
Lin Jie walked forward as well. Up close, he noticed how alluring she was—especially when compared to the more youthful appearance of Xiao Wu and the others.
He didn't report his rank, only gave a slight bow. "Please."
Meng Yiran was already angry. The rare spirit ring she'd nearly secured had been snatched away. Now she just wanted to crush Lin Jie and claim the serpent's ring for herself.
Truthfully, Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke, was nearby—he had been chasing another spirit beast. They had split up, which was why Chao Tianxiang had been acting relatively restrained.
Meng Yiran suddenly attacked. Her body flashed as she charged forward, her two-meter-long snake staff slamming toward Lin Jie's head.
Though slim, her attack was fierce and heavy, her spirit power sharp and forceful.
Lin Jie slipped back effortlessly, avoiding the strike. He didn't even need to reveal his spirit rings to handle this.
Frustrated, Meng Yiran activated both her spirit skills—Tongue Blade and Serpent Body—and launched another wave of attacks.
The two exchanged a dozen blows. Their silhouettes flickered across the clearing.
Lin Jie, still holding back, could have ended the match already.
Finally, lightning burst around Lin Jie. A chain of electricity snaked out and tightly bound Meng Yiran. With a tug, he slammed her to the ground and pinned her.
One of his hands just happened to land on a very particular spot.
Holding her down, he whispered, "Do you concede? You're no match for me."
Chao Tianxiang immediately called out, "Enough!"
Her tone was calm. "A loss is a loss. The Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent is yours. But today's matter—I won't forget it."
Zhao Wuji raised a hand and chuckled. "Much appreciated, Sister Chao."
Chao Tianxiang helped the furious Meng Yiran up. As they were leaving, she turned and growled, "What's your name?"
"Lin Jie," he replied coolly.
Face flushed with both shame and anger, Meng Yiran stormed off.
From childhood, she had been pampered and spoiled. She was used to getting everything she wanted. Yet today she had lost—publicly—and worse, been pinned in such an embarrassing position. Her face flushed even redder at the memory.
As Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran left, Oscar thanked Lin Jie again, then sat down and began to absorb the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent's ring.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing, who had been keeping watch, suddenly sensed a surge of opportunity within her and immediately sat down to cultivate. The others assumed she was just resting.
Zhao Wuji, on the other hand, was growing wary. Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother likely aren't far. We need to leave as soon as Oscar finishes his absorption.
Moments later, Oscar exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. A soft pink light surrounded his body. His spirit rings rose around him—two yellow, and now one new purple thousand-year ring.
Oscar had officially broken through to the Spirit Elder level: Rank 31.
A Food-Type Spirit Elder.
Zhao Wuji smiled approvingly. "Congratulations."
The rest of the team gathered around to congratulate Oscar as well.
Not only had his spirit rings changed, but his entire body had undergone a transformation. He looked taller, and his signature peach blossom eyes now glowed faintly with seven-colored light. He began explaining the abilities of his third ring to the others.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, a calm voice sounded behind them.
"Teacher Zhao… I think I'm ready for my third spirit ring too."
It was Zhu Zhuqing.