Meng Yiran, having used Serpent Body, became alluring once more. With her soft, slender waist, she immediately broke free from the Blue Silver Grass's restraints.
But in the next second, Luo Chen spotted the hidden gleam of concealed weapons within the Blue Silver Grass. That faint flicker of cold light would have been impossible to detect without the Sharingan.
Sure enough, Tang San truly deserved to be called a top expert of the Tang Sect in his previous life. His combat awareness far surpassed everyone else's. Hiding concealed weapons inside the Blue Silver Grass was practically flawless, leaving his opponent completely defenseless. Once the Blue Silver Grass drew close to the enemy, such close range would allow the concealed weapons' power to be unleashed to the fullest.
In the original story, Tang San had not yet known how to use this move. Yet now, he had learned such an incomparably sinister technique, combining Blue Silver Grass with concealed weapons.
Luo Chen felt that his appearance seemed to have dealt Tang San a blow, instead further stimulating his potential. In this life, Tang San might become even stronger than in the original story. He might also reveal his true nature and do things he would neither have done nor dared to do in the original timeline.
A smile appeared at the corner of Luo Chen's lips. He had vaguely guessed everything, yet he was not afraid. This was what made things interesting. Otherwise, would killing Tang San not be as easy as killing a dog? He did not enjoy games that were too easy.
Just as the Blue Silver Grass split apart and the Sand Shooting Shadow silver needles hidden within were about to fire, the airflow around Meng Yiran suddenly accelerated. A fierce whirlwind gathered beneath her feet.
Luo Chen watched Meng Yiran's slender waist as he continued circulating his Soul Power. His Nine Yang Divine Skill had already reached the third level, and his Soul Power was practically inexhaustible. As long as he did not continuously use major moves, any Soul Power he expended could immediately be replenished. This degree of Soul Power output meant nothing to him now.
Although Meng Yiran had the Nine Yang Divine Skill internal energy Luo Chen had transmitted to her, she was ultimately made of flesh and blood. There was no way she could withstand the poisoned needles of Sand Shooting Shadow.
At a time like this, Luo Chen could only release Wind Release beneath Meng Yiran's feet to help her evade this fatal strike.
"Wind Release, Whirlwind Slash..."
Swept up by the whirlwind, Meng Yiran seemed to transform into a gust of wind and instantly charged before Tang San.
Meng Yiran's eyes were filled with shock. She only felt as though a whirlwind had suddenly appeared beneath her feet and pushed her forward in an instant.
The next second, the whirlwind surrounding her immediately blasted the stunned and bewildered Tang San flying.
Meng Yiran's eyes remained somewhat shocked. When she turned back, she suddenly saw tiny silver poisoned needles shoot out from the Blue Silver Grass.
It was as though a flash of cold light streaked through the air. The powerful piercing force made Meng Yiran's heart tremble.
Others might not have recognized them, but Meng Yiran was the closest. She had also practiced throwing the Thirty-Six Soul Breaking Blades since childhood, so she recognized the concealed weapon poisoned needles of Sand Shooting Shadow at a glance.
Although Douluo Continent did not yet have the concept of concealed weapons, Meng Yiran knew that this was a weapon for killing people—and an extremely powerful killing weapon at that.
Serpent Granny seemed to recognize it as well. Her expression became tense and angry.
Meng Yiran, who had faintly begun to feel afraid, suddenly became incomparably ashamed and furious in the next second. Protected by her grandfather and grandmother since childhood, she had never experienced such danger before.
Meng Yiran charged forward again, approaching Tang San, who had been sent flying and had yet to hit the ground. She raised her fair palm and viciously slapped Tang San across the face, then smashed the Serpent Cane in her hand into his leg.
Meng Yiran now had the Nine Yang Divine Skill internal energy Luo Chen had transmitted into her body, so her attacks were not weak in the slightest. Tang San cried out in pain on the spot and crashed heavily to the ground. His face turned pale, and a trace of fresh blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I only wanted the Soul Ring that belongs to me, yet you actually tried to kill me! You despicable, shameless villain!" Meng Yiran shouted as she hurriedly prepared to attack again.
In the original story, Meng Yiran had even been beaten until she vomited blood after fighting Tang San, while Tang San himself had been completely fine. So, these beatings Tang San was taking now were not excessive at all. That Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent had originally been pursued by Meng Yiran and Serpent Granny for a long time.
But Luo Chen saw that Tang San, humiliated once again, had bloodshot eyes as his left hand reached for his waist once more.
Luo Chen could not wait any longer. Given Tang San's current state, after failing to show off and getting publicly slapped by a girl, Meng Yiran might really be killed by him if Luo Chen did not intervene.
That bastard Tang San had nearly wanted to kill Meng Yiran in the original story merely because he had received a little threat, let alone now.
Luo Chen knew that Tang San's hidden concealed weapons were extremely powerful. Sand Shooting Shadow was not Tang San's strongest concealed weapon at the moment; it was simply more discreet.
Tang San also had the Dragon Whisker Needle, Zhuge Divine Crossbow, medium Sleeve Arrows, and had even begun crafting King of Hell's Summons.
The Zhuge Divine Crossbow alone could instantly take Meng Yiran's life. Anyone below Soul Ancestor could not withstand the Zhuge Divine Crossbow's power. Without powerful defensive soul skills, they would practically be killed in an instant.
To counter Tang San's concealed weapons, Luo Chen had activated the divine artifact Yata Mirror and cultivated the Yi Jin Jing. Naturally, the Zhuge Divine Crossbow could not threaten him.
Luo Chen immediately used Flying Thunder God Teleportation and arrived before Tang San. He also stopped Meng Yiran, who was preparing to attack again, grabbing her Serpent Cane with one hand as he said righteously.
"Stop, that's enough..."
Although his words sounded domineering, Luo Chen gave Meng Yiran a subtle wink and revealed a smile.
"You..." Meng Yiran sensed the Soul Power coming through the Serpent Cane and seemed to suddenly understand something. She instantly retreated several steps and stared blankly at Luo Chen.
Tang San lay on the ground with an unwilling and furious expression. Looking at Luo Chen, he said, "Luo Chen, I haven't lost yet. Move aside. I will definitely defeat her and let Oscar obtain this Soul Ring. This Thousand Year Soul Beast, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent, was killed through everyone's joint effort. How can we simply hand it over to them..."
Damn it. Luo Chen glanced at Tang San and found that although this guy failed every time he tried to show off, he could always put on a righteous appearance, acting as though he were standing up for justice and his companions.
Oscar hurriedly came to Tang San's side and held a Recovery Sausage out before him. He said seriously, "Tang San, it's alright. You already did your best. It's only one Soul Ring. I can just find another one. But this girl truly is strange. You had almost defeated her, but she seemed to suddenly regain much of her strength and become far stronger."
Tang San took Oscar's sausage but did not eat it. He said coldly, "That is why she has a problem too. Since that is the case, I can continue using my concealed weapons. This battle is not over yet."
Zhao Wuji glanced at Luo Chen and shouted, "That makes sense. Tang San hasn't lost yet, so why are you stopping the fight? Do you intend to hand over the Thousand Year Soul Beast that all of us worked so hard to hunt?"
Zhao Wuji was indeed displeased at the moment, glaring viciously at Luo Chen. He knew Tang San was preparing to use concealed weapons. As long as he used them, he would definitely win.
As for whether Meng Yiran lived or died, Zhao Wuji naturally did not care. When he had discussed the matter with Serpent Granny, he had not specifically said that concealed weapons could not be used.
At that moment, Serpent Granny suddenly shouted as well, "Enough, Zhao Wuji! Do you really think this old woman is blind?"
Serpent Granny walked to the spot where Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had fired from and picked up two extremely tiny silver needles from the ground. She carefully pinched the tails of the needles with her fingers, because their tips contained deadly poison.
"Zhao Wuji, may I ask what these are? Others might truly fail to recognize them, but my Yiran has practiced the Soul Breaking Blades since childhood. These silver needles are far more sinister and poisonous than the Soul Breaking Blades Yiran uses. They are even coated in poison. Tell me, is such a thing suitable for a duel?"
Serpent Granny raised the silver needles in her hand toward Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji remained arrogant as he said, "There is nothing unsuitable about it. Sister Chao, these are what Tang San is best at. Besides, your granddaughter was clearly about to collapse, yet she suddenly recovered her stamina and became much stronger. The speed at which she evaded the Blue Silver Grass just now was also highly abnormal. Perhaps you secretly helped her."
Although Serpent Granny knew someone had helped Meng Yiran, her expression remained natural as she calmly said, "Zhao Wuji, you need evidence before speaking. Yiran was raised by the old man and me from childhood. She possesses special abilities passed down to her by us, but there is no need to tell you about them. Yiran was merely pretending to be weak just now. Her Soul Power level was already higher than this boy's, so what is strange about her defeating him? Now that Yiran has won, please honor the agreement and give this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent to us."
"Hmph, keep dreaming. Snatching something from the hands of me, the Immovable Bright King, will not be easy..." Seeing that negotiations had fallen apart, Zhao Wuji no longer maintained any respect. He stomped his foot, and Seven Soul Rings appeared around him again.
Those several black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, combined with the vicious aura on Zhao Wuji's face, made Serpent Granny's expression change drastically. She hurried to Meng Yiran's side and shielded her firmly behind her.
Serpent Granny tightly gripped the Serpent Cane in her hand and glared furiously at Zhao Wuji. "Immovable Bright King of the Soul Master world, are you planning to go back on your word? If my old man were here, would you dare be so arrogant?"
Zhao Wuji's gaze remained fierce as he shouted arrogantly.
"Hmph, old woman, don't try to scare me. If Dragon Duke were here, he would have appeared long ago. I, Zhao Wuji, will give you one more chance. Take your granddaughter and leave. Otherwise, you should know how many Soul Masters I, the Immovable Bright King, killed in the Soul Master world whenever I disagreed with them."
The reason Zhao Wuji was still giving Serpent Granny and Meng Yiran a chance to leave was not because he had suddenly become kind. He simply was not certain whether Dragon Duke was really nearby. Without Dragon Duke's deterrence, Serpent Granny and Meng Yiran would have long since been killed by him.
"Yiran clearly won. You promised to give us this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent. Zhao Wuji, do not bully us too far. This old woman is not someone you can easily bully."
After saying that, six Soul Rings appeared around Serpent Granny as she coldly faced Zhao Wuji.
Meng Yiran suddenly became nervous. Seeing the killing intent on Zhao Wuji's face, she sensed the threat. She hurriedly grabbed Serpent Granny's clothes and said, "Grandma, let's leave quickly. He's a Soul Saint. Let's go find Grandpa..."
"Hmph, Dragon Duke truly isn't nearby..." Upon hearing Meng Yiran's words, Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed with delight. He fearlessly stepped forward and said viciously, "I'm afraid you won't be leaving..."
"What..." Serpent Granny's expression changed drastically.
Meng Yiran became even more frightened.
"Wait..." Luo Chen immediately dashed in front of Zhao Wuji. Looking at the incomparably vicious Immovable Bright King Zhao Wuji, who had already unleashed his aura, Luo Chen's expression became serious for the first time.
Luo Chen was also on guard against Zhao Wuji attacking him first. After all, a Soul Saint was not easy to deal with. Their previous sparring match had merely been a warm-up for Zhao Wuji. Zhao Wuji, who possessed Martial Soul Avatar, was not weak at all.
Luo Chen knew that his current abilities were still insufficient to kill Soul Saint Zhao Wuji. Even if he used all of his Five Elements Evasion Technique, along with Thousand Birds Current, Great Ball Rasengan, and a modern handgun, he would probably at most force out Zhao Wuji's Martial Soul Avatar. Once Zhao Wuji used Martial Soul Avatar, he would have to flee.
At the very least, Luo Chen would need the Mangekyo Sharingan before he had the confidence to kill Zhao Wuji. He was not invincible yet.
The reason Luo Chen had always been fearless was that, when facing an especially powerful enemy, he might not be able to defeat them, but no one could stop him if he wanted to run. Flying Thunder God's ability to ignore obstacles, its four stages of displacement, the Body Flicker Technique's thousand-meter teleportation, and the Yata Mirror's defense ensured that no attack could instantly kill him.
Even a Title Douluo would find it extremely difficult to kill him.
"What are you trying to do, brat?" Zhao Wuji's vicious gaze landed on Luo Chen. He was already silently exerting pressure on Luo Chen.
The pressure rose from level thirty to level forty, then to level forty-five.
When he saw that Luo Chen still had no reaction, Zhao Wuji was suddenly shocked. He once again recalled all of Luo Chen's previous mysteries.
Only after Luo Chen saw wariness appear in Zhao Wuji's eyes did he hurriedly say, "Teacher Zhao, I think we really should honor our agreement. This was a normal duel, testing Soul Power and combat ability. Concealed weapons apart from Martial Souls should have been excluded from the start. Tang San has already lost, so we should give this Soul Ring to them. This Soul Beast was originally tracked by them first. I am willing to help Oscar find another suitable Thousand Year Soul Beast."
Although Luo Chen wanted to slaughter the arrogant Zhao Wuji right then, there was nothing he could do. He was not invincible, and he also needed to hide his strength. It was even less appropriate for him to intervene in battles at the Soul Saint or Soul Emperor level.
As for the pressure Zhao Wuji had exerted just now, it was child's play to Luo Chen. With the Nine Yang Divine Skill and Yi Jin Jing protecting his body, together with the divine artifact Yata Mirror, even pressure from level sixty Soul Power would not be a problem.
Zhao Wuji immediately withdrew his Soul Power suppression and looked at Luo Chen with astonishment again. Although he sensed a threat from Luo Chen, Luo Chen was ultimately a Shrek Academy student and had never done anything to harm Shrek. If he grew stronger in the future, that would also be a good thing for Shrek.
Seeing that Luo Chen seemed to be in danger, Ning Rongrong hurried to his side. Her beautiful eyes looked at Zhao Wuji as she said, "Luo Chen is right. We at Shrek Academy are not sore losers. At worst, we can just help Oscar find another Thousand Year Soul Beast. Teacher Zhao, you cannot hurt them over this, can you?"
"That's right. We Shrek are monsters, not bandits. Teacher Zhao, let's give this little snake to them." The sexy and adorable Xiao Wu also came to Luo Chen's side.
Luo Chen glanced at the adorable and sexy Xiao Wu. She had actually called the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent a little snake.
Xiao Wu wanted to move closer, but Luo Chen stopped her with his eyes. He hurriedly signaled to her that she should go check on Tang San at a time like this.
Naturally, Xiao Wu understood the signal. Back at Notting City Academy, only Luo Chen, Xiao Wu, and Tang San had spent time together, so Xiao Wu was already very familiar with him.
Xiao Wu knowingly blinked and hurriedly turned around, hopping over to Tang San's side.
Tang San had already been helped up. Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun were gathered around him. Xiao Wu leaned closer and looked at him with feigned concern. Blinking, she said, "San Ge, are you alright? That girl originally could not defeat you. She only used some special method, so you do not need to care. In Xiao Wu's heart, you will always be the strongest. Oscar and the others will not blame you either."
Oscar also said lightly, "That's right, Tang San. I do not care about that Soul Ring at all. I care more about you, my brother. We can go find another Soul Beast later."
Before you continue