Zhao Wuji, Your Two Students Are Really Something

"Brother Ling, how do you know everyone?"

"When you're out in the world, isn't having one more friend far better than having one more enemy? Your brother here loves making friends with heroes from all over." Xia Tianling explained, "I told you long ago to study the profiles and traits of the continent's various powerhouses."

"Boy, you know this old woman? That's right. I am Snake Grandma Chao Tianxiang, and my husband is Meng Shu, known as the Dragon Duke."

"Of course. With Senior's distinctive serpent-head cane and your rank as a Soul Emperor, how could this junior not recognize you? After all, female Soul Emperors are rare on this continent." Xia Tianling cupped his hands. "If this junior's guess is correct, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is the one you tracked all the way here, isn't it?"

Earlier, when Chao Tianxiang heard that Zhao Wuji intended to release the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, she had immediately called out to stop him.

The reason was that she and Meng Yiran had discovered the serpent's trail, only for it to escape by accident. They had no choice but to track it all the way here.

Hearing this, curiosity appeared on her face. "That is indeed the case. This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent happens to suit my granddaughter, which is why I brought her chasing after it. But youngster, how did you know?"

Xia Tianling walked to Zhao Wuji's side and turned over the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's belly and the area beneath its wings. Two wounds were clearly visible.

"My eyesight is rather good. When my companion subdued this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent earlier, I noticed two wounds beneath it that did not seem to have been caused by a soul beast. Combined with the direction Senior came from, it now seems they were probably inflicted by Senior's Serpent Cane?"

"Hiss!" Chao Tianxiang drew a sharp breath, waves crashing through her heart. "Youngster, you are completely correct."

What kind of observational and deductive ability was that? He had completely reconstructed the truth from just two wounds and the direction she had come from. It was far too terrifying.

"So amazing..." Meng Yiran's mouth fell open in disbelief.

"Holy shit, Boss, that's insane, isn't it? I fought that snake for so long and never even noticed."

Tang San nodded repeatedly as well. Even with his Purple Demon Eyes, he had failed to notice the wounds beneath the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent before Xia Tianling revealed them.

It was not just Chao Tianxiang, Shrek, and the bunch of newbies from Spirit Hall. Even Zhao Wuji, an old Soul Saint hand in the Spirit Master World, was so shocked that he could not speak.

He had noticed the two wounds beneath the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent while Oscar was fighting it? What kind of monster was this?

Receiving everyone's astonished stares, Xia Tianling smiled sheepishly.

What ghost could possibly have eyesight good enough to spot wounds in a blind spot? The Original Work had spelled it out clearly. He was just reciting it word for word.

As for why he felt embarrassed?

Oh, mainly because reciting from a book in a situation like this was pretty damn embarrassing.

Yet on the surface, he wore a humble expression. "Just luck, just luck."

"Your Excellency has an exceptionally outstanding student." Chao Tianxiang looked at Zhao Wuji, who stood to the side with his Martial Soul active. "May I ask who Your Excellency is?"

These children were clearly quite young, while a seven-ring Soul Saint stood beside them. He was probably a teacher leading students from an academy out to hunt soul beasts, Snake Grandma thought.

"I am Zhao Wuji." After hearing Snake Grandma announce her identity, the faint fierceness on Zhao Wuji's face had softened somewhat.

Though Chao Tianxiang herself was only a six-ring Soul Emperor, she had never been separated from her husband, Dragon Duke Meng Shu. The Martial Soul Fusion Skill they unleashed together could make even a Titled Douluo avoid their edge.

Chao Tianxiang's expression shifted slightly. "No wonder. I was wondering how I could casually encounter such a young Soul Saint on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. So it was the Immovable Ming King, famed throughout the Spirit Master World."

Zhao Wuji smiled. "Senior flatters me. Back then, I was infamous as well. But over these past years, I've lived a more secluded life, teaching a few students at an academy. This time, I brought these children to the Star Dou Great Forest. First, to obtain Soul Rings for two of them to advance, and second, to broaden their horizons. I never expected to encounter Senior here."

Zhao Wuji smoothly exchanged pleasantries with Chao Tianxiang. Although he had been a reckless brute in his youth, over the years he had gradually come to understand that when wandering the world, having one more friend was always better than having one more enemy.

"Since this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is what Senior's granddaughter needs, then it naturally belongs to you. We were going to release it anyway. Let this be the beginning of a good relationship between us." Xia Tianling said, secretly nudging Oscar.

Oscar had already obtained his Third Soul Ring and no longer needed this little unlucky creature to provide one. Using it to do them a favor was naturally the best choice.

"Yes, yes, Senior, please take it." Oscar was naturally quick-witted and instantly understood Xia Tianling's intention.

It was just a snake. He had only used it to practice his skills anyway. He had trained in silence for so long without ever getting a chance for real combat.

Hearing this, Chao Tianxiang was naturally overjoyed. She hurriedly said, "Then I must thank this young friend. Teacher Zhao, what do you say?"

Zhao Wuji said nothing and simply stepped aside, making a welcoming gesture.

"Please, go ahead."

Oscar had dealt with this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent alone, so he naturally had the right to decide what to do with it.

"Thank you very much. Yiran, go."

Then Chao Tianxiang stepped forward and handed Oscar an object. "Young friend, this old woman owes you a favor. Keep this Token safe. If there is ever anything you cannot resolve, you may come find me."

"Thank you, Senior. Until we meet again." Oscar accepted it.

It was a Token, but it also represented Snake Grandma's investment in the future. From their conversation, she could tell that this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent had likely been taken down by the young man before her. To possess such strength at his age, his future achievements would certainly be limitless. Building a good relationship in advance could only bring benefits.

Seeing that there was nothing more to do, Zhao Wuji called for everyone to prepare to leave. Before departing, Snake Grandma Chao Tianxiang did not forget to praise him. "Brother Zhao, your two students are truly impressive."

Zhao Wuji smiled on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing. What the fuck. They're not even my students! But thinking of Spirit Hall's condition for rescinding the wanted order, he could only grit his teeth and accept it.

"Boss, take this."

After they had walked some distance, Oscar directly tossed the Token Snake Grandma had given him to Xia Tianling.

"Little Ao, what are you doing?" Xia Tianling asked in confusion.

"Boss, I know you have this little hobby of collecting Tokens from various high-ranking Spirit Masters. You've taken one from every teacher at our place. Just take this thing and play with it. What you've given me is far more valuable than this tiny Token." Oscar replied without hesitation, shaking his head. "Besides, if I really run into trouble, would you just ignore me?"

"Little Ao, thanks." Xia Tianling said nothing more and carefully stored the Token in his ring.