Snake Dowager and the Duel

The newcomers were not slow. Within three breaths of Fu Hua finishing her words, they arrived before the Shrek group.

Two figures, one old and one young, both female.

The older one looked to be around sixty or seventy. Her full head of white hair was combed extremely neatly. Though advanced in years, she was exceptionally vigorous. While her face bore quite a few wrinkles, it was rosy like that of an infant.

A sharp gleam flickered in her eyes. In her right hand, she held a three-meter-long serpent-headed cane. Six Soul Rings rose and fell around her body. Though her body had not changed, the Soul Rings showed that she had already summoned her Martial Soul. There was no need to ask—her cane must have been her Martial Soul.

Following beside the old woman was a beautiful young girl with short hair cut to her ears, appearing to be sixteen or seventeen.

She wore a neat, form-fitting outfit that tightly outlined her well-developed figure. Her large dark-brown eyes were fixed firmly upon the Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake in Fu Hua's hand.

She also held a serpent-headed cane, though hers was shorter than the old woman's, only two meters long. She had merely two hundred-year Soul Rings.

Only upon approaching did the old woman clearly see the seven Soul Rings on Zhao Wuji's body, and her expression changed.

She softly said, "Greetings, honored Soul Saint. Might you return this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent to us?"

"Return it to you? Why should I?" Zhao Wuji frowned.

Even though Fu Hua had already pointed out that the Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake had been hunted by others first, now that they had captured it, how could they possibly hand it over so easily?

The old woman's expression did not change, and she spoke with confidence.

"We discovered and pursued this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent first. There are two wounds beneath its abdomen, inflicted by my cane. Its wings are the same. We merely let this slippery little fellow escape by accident. My granddaughter has just reached level thirty and is in great need of this Soul Ring. As you can see, she inherited my Tool Martial Soul, the Serpent Cane. A high-level snake-type Martial Soul is the most suitable for her."

It was all true. The wounds the old woman described matched Fu Hua's inspection results. That confirmed that this Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake had indeed been pursued by them.

But would Zhao Wuji yield so easily?

He merely gave a cold laugh and said, "May I ask this senior's honored name?"

"You flatter me. This old woman is Chao Tianxiang. Thanks to the regard of friends in the soul master world, I was given the title Snake Dowager. My husband is Meng Shu, known as the Dragon Duke. We came to the Star Dou Great Forest this time to find a suitable third Soul Ring for our granddaughter. I see that the children by your side do not seem old enough to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring. Even if the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring is somewhat gentler, it should still be beyond their capacity to absorb, shouldn't it?"

Whether it was Fu Hua, Dai Mubai, or the others, none of them looked older than sixteen or seventeen. Some appeared only twelve or thirteen, their youthful faces making it difficult to believe that any among them had already reached level thirty.

That was why Chao Tianxiang spoke as she did.

After hearing the old woman's introduction, Zhao Wuji was secretly startled.

He said gravely, "Are you Senior Snake Dowager of the Peerless Dragon Snake?"

Chao Tianxiang replied calmly, "I would not dare claim such a title, but that is indeed me. May I ask the name of this Soul Saint?"

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted slightly.

He had long heard of the Peerless Dragon Snake. This married couple had made their names early on, and their strength was extraordinary. Especially Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke—by the time Zhao Wuji had first heard of him, the Dragon Duke had already been at the Soul Saint level. Even if he had now reached the Soul Douluo realm, Zhao Wuji would not have found it surprising.

The Dragon Duke's Martial Soul was a dragon-headed cane, which complemented the Snake Dowager's serpent-headed cane perfectly. The two possessed an exceedingly domineering Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Unless one had the strength of a Titled Douluo, it would be difficult to withstand it.

Zhao Wuji was merely a Soul Saint. Though the Snake Dowager before him seemed somewhat weaker than he was, as long as the Dragon Duke appeared, Zhao Wuji alone would be unable to deal with him.

The Peerless Dragon Snake couple had an excellent relationship and were never apart. Since the Snake Dowager was here, the Dragon Duke could not be far away.

It was not that he had not considered killing this grandmother-granddaughter pair to silence them. Killing the younger one would be easy, but killing Chao Tianxiang, the Snake Dowager, would not be simple.

Though he had one more Soul Ring than her and was stronger, if Chao Tianxiang was determined to flee, he had no chance of stopping her. After all, Zhao Wuji was a strength-type soul master and did not excel in speed.

And once the Snake Dowager escaped, what awaited him would be the endless pursuit of the Peerless Dragon Snake.

"I am Zhao Wuji."

At once, Zhao Wuji's expression softened somewhat as he gave his name.

Chao Tianxiang's expression also stirred faintly.

"No wonder. I was wondering how I could happen upon such a young Soul Saint. So you are the Immovable Ming King, renowned throughout the soul master world."

Zhao Wuji gave an awkward smile, thinking to himself that his reputation in the soul master world was probably more infamy than fame.

"You flatter me. Back then, I was indeed notorious. But in recent years, I have lived a somewhat reclusive life, teaching students at an academy. I brought these children to the Star Dou Great Forest this time partly to obtain Soul Rings for two of them, and partly to let them gain some experience. I did not expect to encounter you, Senior."

Chao Tianxiang did not wish to continue entangling herself with Zhao Wuji and went straight to the point.

"I am a little older than you, so I will take the liberty of calling you Brother Zhao. Brother Zhao, this thousand-year Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake is extremely important to my granddaughter. She has just reached level thirty and needs a suitable Martial Soul. We discovered this Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake first and injured it as well, but through carelessness, we allowed it to escape. 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.

Just a few words, and she wanted to take away the thousand-year Soul Beast I captured? Even if the Peerless Dragon Snake are formidable, it won't be that easy. Besides, the Dragon Duke isn't here yet.

Chao Tianxiang wanted to reclaim the Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake in Zhao Wuji's hands as quickly as possible, while Zhao Wuji also wanted to settle the matter quickly. He did not want to wait for the Dragon Duke to arrive. At that point, the situation would no longer be under his control.

"Sister Chao, I'm afraid this will be difficult," Zhao Wuji said helplessly.

The young girl standing beside Chao Tianxiang could not help speaking up.

"What's so difficult about it? We clearly found this thousand-year Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake first. If we hadn't already wounded it, would you have captured it so easily? Hurry up and return it to us, or we won't be polite with you!"

As she spoke, she raised the serpent-headed cane in her hand.

Chao Tianxiang frowned and stared at Zhao Wuji. "Brother Zhao, does that mean you do not intend to return this Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake to my granddaughter and me?"

Zhao Wuji gave an awkward laugh.

"Sister Chao, that isn't right. In this Star Dou Great Forest, all Soul Beasts are ownerless. Perhaps you did discover this thousand-year Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake first and wound it, but we were the ones who ultimately captured it. If you insist that it belongs to you, that would not be very fair, would it? Though it may be suitable for your granddaughter, it is equally suitable for one of my students. This relatively gentle Soul Beast would also greatly benefit my student's Martial Soul."

Chao Tianxiang froze for a moment.

"You mean, among these students of yours, there are Soul Masters who have already reached level thirty?"

Zhao Wuji nodded.

Chao Tianxiang was inwardly startled. If that was true, didn't that mean their talent surpassed even her granddaughter's?

She had always believed her granddaughter to be an undisputed genius, having reached level thirty at only sixteen. Yet here, she had encountered Soul Masters even younger who had also reached level thirty.

She could not help being shocked.

"If Senior does not believe me, then let's do this. I'll have these children summon their martial souls for Senior to see. Shrek students, summon your martial souls. Show Senior Snake Dowager your Soul Rings."

There was more than a trace of pride in his voice.

As soon as Zhao Wuji finished speaking, dazzling Soul Ring lights flared up. Every one of them possessed the optimal Soul Ring configuration, and Dai Mubai even had a purple Soul Ring representing a thousand years.

You would never know until you saw it; once you did, it was enough to give you a fright.

What did that even mean?

If only one child had possessed talent greater than her granddaughter's, Chao Tianxiang might have accepted it. But judging from their ages, every one of these children displayed strength superior to her granddaughter's.

It could be said that these eight young men and women could only be described as monsters.

"Senior, do my students meet your approval?"

Chao Tianxiang took a deep breath, barely calming the turmoil in her heart. With a forced smile, she said, "Of course. As expected of Immovable Ming King's disciples—truly, heroes emerge from the young! May I ask which two children have reached level thirty?"

Zhao Wuji pointed to Fu Hua and Oscar, who stood side by side beside him.

"These two kids. She had already reached level thirty before coming to the academy, while he only just reached level thirty. It can't be helped—I'm simply destined to toil, so I had no choice but to bring them here."

He first glanced at Fu Hua, then patted Oscar's shoulder. The meaning was self-evident.

Chao Tianxiang's expression became even uglier. One of them was only twelve years old, four years younger than her granddaughter.

But she was still unwilling to simply watch the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent fall into someone else's hands.

A smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

"Brother Zhao, under the current circumstances, neither of us is willing to give up this thousand-year Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake. How about this? Let us settle it according to the rules of the Soul Master world and have the children decide who gets the Soul Ring. What do you think?"

"Oh? The rules of the Soul Master world? Please explain, Senior."

"It is simple. Both sides contributed during the capture of this Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake. Since neither side is willing to give up now, let strength determine who it belongs to. As long as the young man who needs this Soul Ring duels my granddaughter and wins, this old woman will leave immediately without another word. Otherwise, I must ask Brother Zhao to yield this thousand-year Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake."

Zhao Wuji's expression was quite interesting, while Oscar wore a bitter look. Asking a Food System Spirit Master like him to fight someone from a combat system—wasn't that blatantly taking advantage of him?

However, Chao Tianxiang did not know whether the youth who needed the Soul Ring was Fu Hua or Oscar.

"My apologies, Sister Chao, but I'm afraid that cannot be done as you wish, because the student of mine who needs this Soul Ring is a Food System Spirit Master."

"What did you say? A Food System Spirit Master?"

Food System Spirit Masters were inherently difficult to cultivate, and none had ever possessed Innate Full Soul Power. Someone like Oscar, who cultivated so quickly, was absolutely a genius among geniuses. Chao Tianxiang had no choice but to treat this seriously.

"May I ask which young man is the Food System Spirit Master?"

A kindly smile appeared on her face.

"Me." Oscar stepped forward.

"Then may I ask which sect you belong to?"

"I don't belong to any sect. The dean said my martial soul became like this due to a mutation."

A genius Food System Spirit Master, no background, a mutated martial soul—these factors combined made Chao Tianxiang's heart tighten.

If she could recruit such an outstanding Food System Spirit Master into her sect, then with him supporting her granddaughter in the future, wouldn't that be perfect?

However, before she could speak the words of recruitment, Fu Hua's voice rang out.

"Teacher Zhao, let me take Little Ao's place in this duel. I'm level thirty too. Both sides would be equal."

Equal? Are you sure?

The Shrek group inwardly scoffed. Since when was a level-thirty Battle Soul King considered equal? Were you sure you were not simply bullying her?

Zhao Wuji, on the other hand, was delighted. The other side did not know Fu Hua's true strength. Her apparent level thirty alone would make it easy to lull them into carelessness.

After hearing Fu Hua's words, Zhao Wuji looked toward Chao Tianxiang for her opinion.

At that moment, Chao Tianxiang looked at Fu Hua as well, but her heart could not stop twitching. This youth, who had reached level thirty like Oscar, was the one Zhao Wuji had pointed out earlier.

Only twelve years old! She had probably only just graduated from an academy!

Where had they found all these monsters?

Though shocked, Chao Tianxiang still agreed to Zhao Wuji's proposal and allowed Fu Hua to duel the girl.

Putting the girl's strength aside, Fu Hua's combat experience alone meant she could easily win even without using her martial soul or soul power. This battle was nothing more than a formality.

Fu Hua and the girl stood facing one another.

"Fu Hua, level-thirty, two-ring Battle Soul Master."

"Meng Yiran, martial soul Serpent Cane, level-thirty, two-ring Battle Soul Master."

Fu Hua did not announce her martial soul, because she did not think it was necessary. Against an opponent she was guaranteed to defeat, using the Xuanyuan Sword would truly be bullying her.

But Meng Yiran did not see it that way. Seeing that the youth opposite her had no intention of summoning his martial soul, she had already been angry, and now she was even more furious.

She could not help but snap, "Why aren't you summoning your martial soul?"

The Shrek group secretly thought, He already did. Wouldn't summoning it again just be a waste?

Fu Hua shook her head. "There's no need."

Meng Yiran was angry, but Chao Tianxiang, upon hearing those words, was even angrier. What did that mean? Was he saying her granddaughter was not worthy of making him use his martial soul?

Her body tensed as the aura of a Soul Emperor spread outward.

Zhao Wuji shifted, instantly placing himself in front of the Shrek group.

"Big Sister Chao, what do you mean by this? It's normal for youngsters to be proud and arrogant. As an elder like yourself, there's no need to fuss over it. Let the youngsters settle things among themselves!"

"Hmph!"

The aura withdrew.

Yet Zhao Wuji's eyes were filled with amusement as he turned his gaze toward Fu Hua and Meng Yiran's battlefield. The fight was swift—or rather, it did not even need a second to end.

It had already ended the moment Meng Yiran launched her attack without holding back.

Anger burning in her heart, she flashed forward and appeared before Fu Hua. Her two-meter-long Serpent Cane smashed down toward Fu Hua's head without hesitation.

She was about the same height as Tang San, with an extremely well-proportioned figure. Her breasts were full and ample, her slender waist swaying lightly like a snake's. Though her face was filled with anger, it did nothing to diminish her charm.

Once she reached Fu Hua, all she had to do was raise her hand and strike to easily smash Fu Hua's head. After all, there was a full head's difference in height between them.

Her momentum was exceedingly fierce, and her Soul Power was filled with a domineering aura.

Fu Hua raised her eyes. Before her sky-blue pupils, the Black-rimmed Glasses reflected Meng Yiran's furious face. Her expression remained calm as she slowly lifted a hand, as though she were doing something utterly insignificant.

She intended to receive Meng Yiran's Serpent Cane martial soul with nothing but her physical body.

"Hmph! Arrogant!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Serpent Cane crashed down with fierce force. Yet Meng Yiran still shifted the point of impact somewhat, at least no longer aiming directly at Fu Hua's head.

It was only meant as a lesson.

Fu Hua's eyes flickered slightly.

Her fair palm did not move aside. The Serpent Cane and her palm collided with a resounding bang, producing a dull thud.

But Meng Yiran's expression suddenly changed. She could not pull her Serpent Cane free.

Fu Hua did not pause in the slightest. With a pull of her hand, she directly dragged Meng Yiran toward her embrace with tremendous force.

Her wrist turned lightly, and her knee rose.

Meng Yiran, who was a head taller than Fu Hua, was drawn into her arms. Her slender body tilted halfway backward into Fu Hua's embrace.

One hand was twisted behind her back, leaving her unable to move.

Her other hand, along with her martial soul, was firmly seized by Fu Hua and restrained at her slender neck.

With a light press of her knee, Fu Hua dispersed the strength from the girl's legs. Her right foot slipped between Meng Yiran's long legs, completely preventing the girl from turning over.

In the blink of an eye, Meng Yiran's body was firmly restrained by Fu Hua. She did not even have time to use a soul skill; the instant any Soul Power began to flow, Fu Hua would interrupt it.

A slight tremor from Fu Hua's right leg further left Meng Yiran unable to muster any strength.

PS: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

PS1: I feel like I'm driving, but I can't find my oppai motor. What should I do?

PS2: I write very seriously, just like I drive—smooth sailing all the way.