"Oh? And why is that?" Zhao Wuji asked with an innocent expression.
"Because we were the ones who discovered this serpent first, and we've been chasing it all the way here!" the serpent grandmother replied, still trying to keep her patience.
If it weren't for the presence of two people here who gave her pause, and if her husband was present, she might've already flipped the table by now!
Oscar couldn't hold back. "How can you prove you were the ones hunting it first? When we found it, there was no sign of you anywhere."
The serpent grandmother smiled faintly. "Young man, no need to get worked up. Take a look at the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent's belly. There are two wounds—that's from my cane. There's also a mark under its wing."
"We just got careless and let this slippery thing escape. My granddaughter has just reached level 30 and really needs this soul ring. You've seen it—she inherited my serpent Cane martial soul, and a high-quality serpent-type spirit beast is the perfect match for her."
Zhao Wuji glanced down at the serpent's belly. Sure enough, as the old woman had said, there were indeed two wounds. But if she thought that was enough to make him give it up, she must be dreaming.
Zhao Wuji chuckled coldly. "Senior, I haven't had the pleasure—may I ask your esteemed name?"
The old woman replied, "I dare not call myself esteemed. My name is Chao Tianxiang. Fellow spirit masters kindly gave me the nickname 'Serpent Grandmother.' My husband is Meng Shu, known as the 'Dragon Duke.' We came to the Star Dou Forest specifically to find a suitable third soul ring for our granddaughter."
Upon hearing her self-introduction, Zhao Wuji was secretly startled. He quickly reached out to hold back Oscar, who was about to argue, and said in a serious tone, "You're the Serpent Grandmother of the Unrivaled Dragon Serpent?"
Chao Tianxiang smiled calmly. "I wouldn't dare to claim such a title, but yes, that's me. May I ask your name?"
Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly. He had long heard of the fame of the Unrivaled Dragon Serpent. This couple had been active in the spirit master world for many years and were formidable, especially Dragon Duke Meng Shu. Back when Zhao Wuji first heard of him, Meng Shu was already a Spirit Sage. It wouldn't surprise him at all if the man had now reached the Spirit Douluo.
Moreover, their martial soul fusion technique was said to be exceptionally powerful—its strength was on par with a standard Title Douluo!
"I'm Zhao Wuji," he replied, his tone softening as he introduced himself.
Chao Tianxiang's gaze flickered. "No wonder. I was wondering why such a young Spirit Sage would appear here. So it's the renowned Immovable King of the Spirit Master World!"
But in her heart, Serpent Grandmother was already cursing: 'Damn it, why did it have to be this thug?'
Zhao Wuji offered an awkward smile.
'Renowned? Probably infamous is more accurate.'
"So, Serpent Grandmother, what do you think would be a fair way to settle this matter?"
Hand it over? That's impossible. If he gave in, he wouldn't be Zhao Wuji. But at the same time, he didn't want to offend these two either. The best outcome would be a compromise both parties could accept.
Zhao Wuji didn't explicitly say it, but his stance was clear—there's no way he's giving up the serpent.
At that moment, Meng Yiran, standing beside Chao Tianxiang, couldn't hold back any longer. "What's so hard to settle? This thousand-year Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent was clearly ours! If we hadn't injured it first, would you have caught it so easily? Hand it over now, or else we won't be polite!"
As she spoke, she raised her Serpent-headed cane.
But as soon as she said that, Tang San and the others all turned to look at Li Chang'an.
Serpent grandmother noticed everyone was looking at Li Chang'an and smiled. "Oh? Am I wrong?"
Fatty Ma Hongjun couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Senior, actually you are mistaken. That Serpent was knocked down by our Teacher Li's whip kick…"
"What?!"
Serpent grandmother and Meng Yiran both stared at Li Chang'an in disbelief. They knew all too well how slippery and evasive the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent was. Even when wounded, it was still difficult to deal with. And yet this young man—handsome and absurdly youthful-looking—had taken it down with a single kick?
Though Meng Yiran appreciated Li Chang'an's looks and aura, she still frowned. "You're not just making fun of us, are you? No offense, but while this little brother is very handsome and clearly has presence, saying he knocked that serpent down in one move… I find that hard to believe."
Li Chang'an stopped the fat kid from boasting on his behalf, then stepped forward and smiled at her politely.
"I'm Li Changsheng, a level 29 Tool Spirit Master. It was just a stroke of luck, really. I wouldn't say I'm particularly skilled. May I ask your name, sister?"
His good looks and humble, gentle tone immediately cooled most of Meng Yiran's temper. Her voice softened slightly.
"My name is Meng Yiran. Martial Soul: Serpent Cane. Level 30, Two-Ring Spirit Grandmaster. I challenge you!"
As she said that last line, she pointed straight at Li Chang'an. She wanted to see for herself just how powerful this man who had supposedly downed the serpent in a single strike really was!
The others already knew that Li Chang'an possessed a second martial soul, so no one was surprised. And when Meng Yiran challenged him, everyone thought the same thing—this one's in the bag.
Zhao Wuji saw an opportunity and smoothly added, "Serpent grandmother, why don't we let the outcome of these two kids' duel decide who gets the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent?"
Though Serpent Grandmother was wary of Li Chang'an's mysterious strength, she still didn't fully believe he was that formidable. So she nodded in agreement.
Everyone cleared a space, and Li Chang'an and Meng Yiran stood ten meters apart, facing each other.
Now that he was up close, Li Chang'an took the chance to really size up Meng Yiran. He had to admit—she was quite the beauty. Though still a little behind Zhu Zhuqing and the others, the gap wasn't large—maybe half a point at most.
After all, Meng Yiran was already sixteen, and her body had fully matured. Compared to her, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing still seemed a bit youthful and underdeveloped.
Her big brown eyes were framed by long lashes, and her height was about the same as Zhu Zhuqing's. Her figure was perfectly proportioned, her chest full and rounded, and her waist curved like a snake. Even with a slightly annoyed and pouty expression, her allure was undiminished.
That was one of the bonuses from her serpent-type martial soul. She wasn't just flexible like Xiao Wu's; hers had a special kind of suppleness unique to serpent-type martial souls.
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T/N:
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