Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent

The next day!

After resting for the night and replenishing their energy, everyone set out again. Zhao Wuji led Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing forward at a run.

As for Chen Yuan and Ning Rongrong, they continued traveling by Sword Flight. This time, however, they did not fly too quickly, instead maintaining a steady speed a dozen meters above everyone's heads.

Thus, whenever they looked up, they could see the two flying through the air like an immortal couple.

After traveling a hundred kilometers, the Star Dou Great Forest was already within sight. Only then did Chen Yuan bring Ning Rongrong back down to the ground.

After rejoining the others and before entering the forest, Tang San made some simple arrangements.

"I'll walk at the front, with Xiao Wu beside me. One of us controls while the other attacks directly, so we can coordinate well against any sudden situation. Ma Hongjun will take the left, Zhu Zhuqing the right, guarding against danger from either side. Oscar and Ning Rongrong are Support Spirit Masters, the most vulnerable, so they'll stay in the middle. Chen Yuan, you're the strongest. Please stay at the rear. Protect Ning Rongrong, and Oscar as well. Also, if the situation becomes urgent, please provide us with support."

No one objected, and even Chen Yuan readily accepted. The only thing that interested him in this spirit hunt was the Man Faced Demon Spider that would very likely appear and surpass its limits.

Zhao Wuji stood some distance away with his arms folded. Unless a Spirit Beast over a thousand years old appeared, he would not step in to help.

With that, they officially entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

Oscar hesitated for a moment.

"I've got a big sausage."

After reciting the incantation twice, Soul Power gathered in his hands and condensed into two sausages.

He handed one to Ning Rongrong and the other to Chen Yuan. Oscar forced a smile.

"You haven't tried my big sausages before. They have restorative effects, and they restore everything. After entering the Star Dou Great Forest, it's best to stay in peak condition. As a Support Spirit Master under protection, I should play my part too."

Ning Rongrong did not take one. Just thinking about that disgusting incantation made her roll her eyes in disgust. She did not even want to look at it.

Chen Yuan, on the other hand, accepted the sausage and said,

"Thanks."

Then Chen Yuan said to Ning Rongrong,

"Rongrong, take it. Ignore that useless incantation. These sausages are condensed from Soul Power. In the danger-filled Star Dou Great Forest, we really need to remain in our best condition at all times."

After saying that, he set an example by eating the sausage. It tasted fairly good, and as soon as it entered his mouth, it transformed into a warm current that rapidly restored his body.

Seeing that Chen Yuan had eaten it, Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth and accepted the sausage. She took several deep breaths, mentally prepared herself, and only then ate it. Her eyes widened slightly when she discovered that its effects were indeed quite good.

Oscar was somewhat pleasantly surprised. He had thought that, because of his incantation, neither of them would accept his goodwill. That was why he had hesitated for so long. He immediately cast Chen Yuan a grateful look.

After glancing at Chen Yuan a few times, Oscar gathered his courage and asked a question.

"Chen Yuan, you look about the same age as us. How old are you really? How can you be so strong?"

The moment he said that, everyone except Ning Rongrong pricked up their ears, intensely curious about the answer.

Seeing their reactions, Chen Yuan casually said,

"I'm about the same age as Rongrong. In a while, I'll be twelve. As for my strength, part of it comes from rigorous training under a Titled Douluo, and part from constantly breaking through my physical limits. You'd better not copy me. Anyone who does will die."

Chen Yuan's advantage had been built up step by step through his self-discipline, perseverance, hard work, and foresight. It was not something anyone could imitate just because they wanted to.

When his words fell, everyone sucked in a breath. Not yet twelve meant he was only eleven. This was not merely a monster—he was a true freak.

Everyone reacted differently, but all of them felt complicated emotions. Tang San felt this most keenly. He had crossed over from a previous life, cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record since childhood, possessed Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power, and had even gained a renowned teacher who had carefully instructed him. Yet now, at twelve years old, he had only reached twenty-ninth rank Soul Power.

For the first time, Tang San gained a profound understanding of the geniuses in this world. He was still far behind. The two of them were not on the same level at all.

Bitterness filled his heart. This was probably jealousy. Jealousy of what? Tang San thought. Jealousy that Chen Yuan had an extraordinary background, while his own father was merely a blacksmith? Jealousy that Chen Yuan had a Titled Douluo teacher, while his own teacher was only a twenty-ninth-rank Soul Grandmaster? Jealousy of Chen Yuan's talent... No. My Twin Martial Souls are the greatest talent on the continent.

In that brief instant, Tang San became dissatisfied with Tang Hao and dissatisfied with Yu Xiaogang. He even began to entertain the thought of cultivating his second Martial Soul. Though the thought was faint, it had already quietly taken root in his heart.

At that moment, several rustling sounds came from the forest ahead. Everyone immediately became alert.

Zhu Zhuqing activated Martial Soul Possession, and two Spirit Rings rose beneath her feet. Like a nimble cat, she climbed to the treetops and looked toward the source of the noise. There was a snake-shaped Spirit Beast there. After she described its appearance,

Tang San's eyes lit up as he said,

"It's a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. It has wings and is incredibly fast, one of the unusual varieties among snakes. Although it's not venomous, it can chase its prey until they die from exhaustion. From that description, it should be around seventeen hundred years old. It suits Oscar quite well. If used for a Third Soul Skill, it might be related to speed. Prepare for battle. No matter what, restrain the Spirit Beast first."

Everyone immediately prepared themselves, and soon they saw the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. It truly was extremely fast.

Tang San used Blue Silver Entanglement, but the serpent deftly evaded it. Xiao Wu could not bear to hurt it, so she did not step forward.

Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu but did not blame her for failing to hold it back. Her Soul Skills and soft techniques were not suited for fighting a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent seven or eight meters long.

Empowered by the Bathing Fire Phoenix, Ma Hongjun unleashed Phoenix Fire Line. The phoenix flames, far more intense than ordinary fire, scorched the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent and drove it toward the other side.

But Zhu Zhuqing was waiting for it on that side. Netherworld Hundred Claws and Hell Stab activated simultaneously. Her body seemed to turn into a shadowy phantom, and her speed directly caught up with the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.

With a tearing sound, the two figures separated the instant they collided. Zhu Zhuqing ripped apart one of the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's wings. It let out a miserable cry in pain, lost its balance, and fell toward the ground.

But Zhu Zhuqing had also taken a solid blow from the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. She let out a muffled groan, and her delicate body fell weakly into the distance.

This was a good opportunity. Tang San used his Second Soul Skill, Parasite. The seeds parasitizing the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent began to grow, finally binding it in place.

Even so, the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent continued struggling fiercely after falling to the ground and being bound by Blue Silver Grass.

As Zhao Wuji approached and pressed his large hand onto the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's head, he completely restrained its movements with his physical strength.

At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing was falling toward the ground. Her body could no longer adjust its balance. She thought she would slam heavily into the ground and had already prepared herself mentally.

Yet when she was less than a meter from the ground, it felt as though someone had caught her from behind. But when she turned around, there was no one behind her. The force supporting her dissipated—it was merely a mass of Soul Power. Still, it was enough to let her land lightly without suffering further injury.

After landing, Zhu Zhuqing looked toward Chen Yuan. At this time and in this place, the only one capable of helping her was Chen Yuan. She gently bit her lower lip, her eyes flickering. He really is a powerful and gentle person.

Meanwhile, after casually helping Zhu Zhuqing, Chen Yuan fixed his gaze on the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. The corners of his mouth rose in a delighted smile.

The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. Everything was developing normally. As long as he continued waiting, that Man Faced Demon Spider would appear sooner or later.