Meng Yiran Takes the Initiative to Challenge

Zhao Wuji's change in attitude left the others behind him somewhat puzzled.

This old woman was only a level-sixty Soul Sage, still quite a ways off compared to a Soul Sage.

Was there any need to be so polite to her?

Even if they really had wounded the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent before this,

the Soul Beast escaping from their hands only meant they were incapable.

Now that it had fallen into Shrek's hands and been successfully subdued, it had even less than nothing to do with them.

Oscar, in particular, was especially frustrated at this moment.

The smile on his face had long since vanished without a trace.

No one could accept losing a Soul Ring that was practically in their mouth.

It was only natural for them to think this way.

Other than Huo Feng, that cheat who knew the plot, none of the others knew that the pretty little girl at level thirty had a Soul Sage-level grandfather as well.

Just then, Chao Tianxiang spoke again. She did not want to continue tangling with Zhao Wuji and went straight to the point.

"I'm a little older than you, so I'll presume upon my age and call you Brother Zhao."

"Brother Zhao, this Thousand Year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is extremely important to my granddaughter. She has just reached level thirty and needs a suitable martial soul."

"Moreover, we were the ones who discovered this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent first and injured it. It only escaped because of a moment of carelessness."

"Could I ask Brother Zhao to do us a favor and return this Soul Beast to us? This old woman will surely remember this kindness and repay it someday."

Zhao Wuji sneered inwardly.

You think you can take the Thousand Year Soul Beast I caught just by saying a few words?

That's far too wishful. Even if the Worldly Dragon Serpent are formidable, it won't be so easy.

Besides, Dragon Duke was not here yet.

Chao Tianxiang wanted to quickly reclaim the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent from Zhao Wuji, while Zhao Wuji also wanted to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

He did not want to wait for Dragon Duke to arrive.

At that point, one-on-one would become one-on-two.

His advantage would turn into a disadvantage, and the situation would no longer be under his control.

"Sister Chao, I'm afraid this will be difficult." Zhao Wuji put on a troubled expression.

The girl standing beside Chao Tianxiang could not hold back any longer.

"What's so difficult about it? We were clearly the ones who found this Thousand Year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent first. If we hadn't already injured it, would you have caught it so easily?"

"Return it to us at once, or we won't be polite with you."

As she spoke, she raised the Serpent Head Crutch in her hand.

Her face was full of arrogant pride.

Chao Tianxiang also frowned. Staring at Zhao Wuji with an unfriendly expression, she said,

"Brother Zhao, does that mean you don't intend to return this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent to my granddaughter and me?"

Zhao Wuji smiled faintly.

"Sister Chao, that's not right. In the Star Dou Great Forest, all Soul Beasts are ownerless."

"Perhaps you really did discover and injure this Thousand Year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent first, but we were the ones who caught it in the end."

"Isn't it a little unfair to insist that it belongs to you?"

"It may be rather suitable for your granddaughter, but it is equally suitable for one of my students. This relatively mild Soul Beast would also be of great help to this student's martial soul."

Chao Tianxiang froze for a moment. "Are you saying that one of these students of yours has also reached level thirty?"

Zhao Wuji nodded, his expression exceptionally calm.

It was as though he were saying, What's so strange about that? Hearing Zhao Wuji's answer, Chao Tianxiang was instantly startled.

The oldest among these young men and women before her looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, while most appeared to be only twelve or thirteen.

If one of them had already reached level thirty, did that not mean their talent surpassed even her granddaughter's?

At that thought, disbelief appeared on Chao Tianxiang's face, and her gaze landed directly on Dai Mubai, the handsome Evil Eye White Tiger who looked the oldest.

In her view, if Zhao Wuji was telling the truth,

then it could only be Dai Mubai.

Zhao Wuji smiled carelessly, then said,

"If you don't believe me, Senior, how about this? I'll have these children activate their martial souls and show you."

"Everyone from Shrek, activate your martial souls!"

"Show this senior Serpent Granny your Soul Rings."

At Zhao Wuji's command, everyone released their martial souls.

In an instant, the seven young men and women before Serpent Granny Chao Tianxiang were all surrounded by the shining light of Soul Rings. Each of them had two yellow Soul Rings representing a hundred years.

Huo Feng and Dai Mubai each had an additional purple Thousand Year Soul Ring.

"Thousand Year Soul Rings!"

"How is this possible!"

Chao Tianxiang was truly shocked. That was the first thought that sprang into her mind after she saw their Soul Rings clearly.

These children, ranging from twelve to fifteen years old, had all reached at least the level of Soul Grandmaster.

Moreover, every one of their Soul Rings was of such high quality. There was not a single ten-year Soul Ring among them.

It was simply unbelievable.

Zhao Wuji then patted Oscar beside him and introduced him with a smile. "This is the kid. He has just reached level thirty. Can't be helped—I'm cursed with a busy life, so I could only bring them here."

Chao Tianxiang looked at Oscar, and her expression grew increasingly grim.

She knew very well how important a good Soul Ring was to a Soul Master about to advance.

Now that the Thousand Year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was in Zhao Wuji's hands, getting him to hand it over would not be easy.

But she was certainly unwilling to give up just like that.

After thinking for a while, Chao Tianxiang revealed a faint smile. "Since neither side is willing to let go of this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, why not let these two children decide who gets the Soul Ring themselves? What do you think?"

"Wouldn't it be better to let them spar and decide the ownership of this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent through their strength?"

Upon hearing this, strange expressions appeared on everyone's faces.

Let Oscar, a food-system Soul Master, spar with someone else?

There was no such rule in the world of Soul Masters. Zhao Wuji merely spread his hands and put on a helpless expression.

"My apologies, Sister Chao, but I'm afraid I can't comply with your wishes."

Her expression instantly changed, but before she could react further, Zhao Wuji gave his reason. "This disciple of mine is an auxiliary food-system Soul Master. He has no way to spar with your granddaughter."

"What?"

Chao Tianxiang was immediately astonished upon hearing this.

A food-system Soul Master at level thirty and so young instantly made her view Oscar in a new light.

But on second thought, this truly put her in a difficult position. She did not know what to do.

"Teacher Zhao, how about I take Oscar's place?" Huo Feng stepped forward just then. He then looked toward Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran. "I've only just passed level thirty, but for the sake of fairness, I can refrain from using Soul Skills. What do you two think?"

"You arrogant fool!"

Meng Yiran immediately became displeased upon hearing that.

Not use Soul Skills?

You're looking down on me, Meng Yiran, far too much!