Hearing their claim, Oscar was the first to protest.
"How can you prove that you were the ones hunting it first?"
Snake Grandmother remained calm, a faint smile on her face.
"Take a look at the serpent's belly. There are two wounds there—caused by my staff. My granddaughter has just reached level 30 as well. She needs this spirit ring."
Zhao Wuji glanced down. Just as she said, there were indeed two scars.
"May I ask your name, Senior?"
"I wouldn't dare claim much. I am called Snake Grandmother. My husband is Meng Shu—known as the Dragon Duke."
Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly.
"So it's the Unrivaled Dragon and Serpent. I've heard of your reputation. However… this spirit beast was also hunted by us."
Snake Grandmother knew Zhao Wuji's temperament well. If not for her and her husband's reputation, he might have already acted violently.
Still, she didn't want to give up.
"How about we follow the rules of the Spirit Master world? Let the younger generation compete. Whoever wins gets the spirit ring."
Zhao Wuji smiled faintly.
"I'm afraid that won't work."
Her expression turned cold.
"I've already made a concession. Do you intend to bully a grandmother and her granddaughter?"
"Not at all. The problem is—this student of mine is a food-type Spirit Master. He can't fight your granddaughter."
Only then did Snake Grandmother notice Oscar.
So young… already level 30, and a support-type at that.
A thought crossed her mind—if such a talent could assist her granddaughter…
But before she could speak further—
Lin Xian had already stepped forward.
He glanced at Tang San briefly.
Right on cue… the protagonist is about to step in and win favor.
But Lin Xian wasn't going to let that happen.
After all, if this serpent wasn't secured… who would go after the Man-Faced Demon Spider later?
And that external spirit bone—the Eight Spider Lances—was far too valuable.
"Teacher Zhao," Lin Xian said with a smile, "I've just broken through level 30 as well. Let me fight in Oscar's place."
Snake Grandmother was momentarily stunned.
Where did Zhao Wuji find so many geniuses?
At such a young age, already at Spirit Elder level—this talent far surpassed her granddaughter's.
Before she could respond, Meng Yiran stepped forward impatiently.
"Enough talk. Let's fight. Otherwise, the serpent will die before we're done arguing."
Lin Xian nodded and walked forward.
Tang San originally wanted to step in—but seeing this, he had no choice but to hold back.
Oscar, meanwhile, watched Lin Xian with a complicated expression.
" Meng Yiran. Spirit: Serpent Staff. Level 30, two-ring Battle Spirit Master."
"Lin Xian. Spirit: Star Abyss. Level 30, two-ring Battle Spirit Master."
At closer range, Lin Xian got a better look at her.
Brown eyes, long lashes, a slender waist that moved like a serpent. Even with annoyance on her face, she carried a natural elegance.
Meng Yiran struck first.
"First Spirit Ability: Serpent Blade!"
"Second Spirit Ability: Serpent Body!"
Her speed surged. Her body twisted fluidly, almost boneless, as she lunged forward with sharp spirit power.
Just as her attack was about to land—
"Second Spirit Ability: Star Imprisonment."
In an instant, strands of stellar energy appeared, binding her like chains.
No matter how she twisted or struggled, she couldn't break free.
In fact, the more she resisted, the tighter the restraint became.
Her expression flushed slightly from both effort and embarrassment.
"Miss Meng," Lin Xian said calmly, "do you still wish to continue?"
"I haven't lost yet!" she snapped. "Once I break free—"
Lin Xian frowned slightly.
He didn't want to waste time.
"Then… try this."
"First Spirit Ability: Starfall."
Meng Yiran instinctively looked up—
Her body trembled.
A massive shadow of a planet seemed to descend from the sky, carrying overwhelming pressure.
Cold.
Dark.
It felt like death itself was bearing down on her.
Snake Grandmother and Zhao Wuji both changed expressions.
At the last moment—
"I surrender!"
With a flick of Lin Xian's hand, the terrifying vision vanished as if it had never existed.
Meng Yiran collapsed to the ground, her back drenched in cold sweat.
The outcome was clear.
Snake Grandmother said nothing, but her glare toward Lin Xian was icy.
"Very well, Zhao Wuji. Mountains remain and rivers flow—we will meet again."
With that, she took Meng Yiran and disappeared into the forest.
"Little Ao! What are you waiting for?" Zhao Wuji barked. "Absorb the ring quickly! If the Dragon Duke shows up, I won't be able to protect you!"
Oscar snapped out of it and hurried forward, ending the serpent's life and beginning absorption.
The others settled down to guard him.
Tang San sat cross-legged, entering cultivation—he seemed to have gained insight and was close to breaking through.
Seeing this, the others followed suit.
Lin Xian, however, gestured to Ning Rongrong and quietly walked toward a nearby grove.
Curious, she followed.
Zhao Wuji noticed—but chose to ignore it.
As long as they didn't go too far, he wouldn't interfere.
Young people… were like that.
"Calling me out alone like this," Ning Rongrong teased softly, "aren't you afraid Zhuqing will misunderstand?"
Lin Xian rolled his eyes.
"Can you talk normally? Stop acting like that."
"Oh? Don't you like it?" she said with a playful pout. "Then it must be my fault~"
Lin Xian was speechless.
Clearly, this girl needed some "correction."
So he leaned slightly closer and said:
"Rongrong, I've got a big treasure. Want to see it?"
Her face instantly flushed red.
What kind of words were those?!
Yet before she could react—
Lin Xian grabbed her hand.
With a soft exclamation—
Their figures vanished from the spot.
(Author's Note)
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