So, I'm holding the protagonist's script?
Chao Tianxiang composed herself and turned her gaze to the remaining few people.
Where are these two little girls?
"My name is Ning Rongrong."
Ning Rongrong stepped forward, her small face radiating the pride typical of the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Twelve years old, a level twenty-seven Support-type Soul Grandmaster."
She raised her hand, and seven-colored light gathered in her palm.
A crystal-clear glazed pagoda slowly emerged.
"Martial Soul, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
Chao Tianxiang cried out in alarm.
She stared intently at the glazed pagoda, her mind buzzing.
One of the Upper Three Sects, the direct lineage of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
How could someone of that status be at the Shrek Academy, a place I've never even heard of?
"Hello, senior."
Zhu Zhuqing also spoke calmly.
"Zhu Zhuqing, eleven years old, level twenty-eight Agility-attack-type Soul Grandmaster."
Eleven years old, level twenty-eight.
Chao Tianxiang felt her heart was about to give out.
She mechanically turned her head to look at the remaining Dai Mubai and the others.
"You..."
"Tang San, twelve years old, a level twenty-nine Control-type Soul Grandmaster."
Tang San said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible gloom, devoid of any pride.
His pride was shattered by Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu.
"Dai Mubai, fifteen years old, level thirty-eight, Power-attack Type Battle Soul Elder."
Dai Mubai forced himself to straighten his back, his heart still reeling from the shock of Xiao Wu's rapid improvement.
"Oscar, fourteen years old, Level 30 Food-type Battle Soul Elder."
Oscar scratched his head.
"Ma Hongjun, twelve years old, level twenty-eight, a Power-attack Type Soul Grandmaster."
Ma Hongjun chuckled.
Chao Tianxiang felt like she was having trouble breathing.
She's lived so many years, she's seen geniuses and Monster.
But a group of Monster appearing together like this... is unheard of!
From which very crack in the rock did Shrek Academy spring up?
Meng Yiran lowered her head, biting her lip, her eyes already red.
She originally thought that reaching Level 30 was already a sign of considerable talent.
But now... compared to this group of people, what is she?
"Grandmother..."
Her voice was trembling with tears.
Seeing her granddaughter's disappointed look, Chao Tianxiang felt a pang of sadness and bitterness in her heart.
She knew that with the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent today, their chances were completely over.
Let alone Zhao Wuji, the Soul Saint.
Even without them, these Little Monster alone might not be able to gain any advantage.
"Sigh... Yiran, let's go."
She sighed and prepared to leave with Yiran.
However--
"Etc."
Meng Yiran suddenly raised her head.
She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and her gaze became firm again.
He turned around and looked at Lin Qingmo.
"I still want to fight you."
"?"
Everyone was stunned.
With such a huge gap in skill level, what's the point of even playing?
"Yiran, stop fooling around!"
Chao Tianxiang frowned and scolded.
"Grandma, I'm not being silly."
Meng Yiran's voice was calm, yet tinged with stubbornness.
She looked at Lin Qingmo and said, word by word, "Even if I lose, I want to lose clearly and decisively."
"I don't want to leave like this, without understanding why. I would despise myself."
"..."
Lin Qingmo looked at her.
Even though she was on the verge of tears, she still forced herself to keep her back straight.
He smiled.
"Good."
The two stood facing each other on the open ground next to the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.
Meng Yiran took a deep breath, and the Serpent Cane Martial Soul appeared in her hand.
Two Spirit Ring, Huang and Huang, rose from beneath his feet.
She assumed a fighting stance, her eyes sharp as knives.
"Meng Yiran, Level 30 Battle Soul Elder, please enlighten me!"
Lin Qingmo did nothing.
He did not release his Martial Soul, nor did he reveal his Spirit Ring, nor did he even circulate his Soul Power.
He just stood there casually, his hands in his pockets.
He looked at her calmly.
"Bring it on."
"..."
Meng Yiran gritted her teeth.
She felt slighted!
Instead of reacting emotionally, he channeled all his emotions into the motivation to attack.
"First Spirit Skill: Snake Blade!"
She moved.
His figure moved like lightning, Serpent Cane transformed into a green streak, piercing straight towards Lin Qingmo's chest!
This strike was swift, accurate, and ruthless!
She's given it her all!
However--
Lin Qingmo merely turned his body slightly to the side, the movement was minimal, and the timing was terrifyingly precise.
The Serpent Cane grazed the hem of his clothes, without even touching the fabric.
"What?!"
Meng Yiran's pupils contracted.
She immediately changed tactics, sweeping her Serpent Cane horizontally, and her Second Spirit Ring lit up!
"Second Spirit Skill: Snake Body!"
Its body, like a snake, changes the direction of its attack at incredible angles.
But Lin Qingmo remained unmoved.
He simply raised his right hand and lightly tapped his index finger in the air.
The Serpent Cane in his hand was stopped by a tremendous force!
Meng Yiran's expression changed completely.
She finally understood why the other party didn't even release their Martial Soul.
Because it's simply not needed.
That control over timing was beyond her comprehension.
And then there's this incredibly powerful physique.
I felt like an adult watching a child wielding a wooden sword – full of flaws, childish and laughable.
"..."
She gritted her teeth and charged forward again.
The Serpent Cane was swung, leaving trails of afterimages.
Stabbing, sweeping, picking, smashing... she used every technique, every Soul Skill.
But Lin Qingmo simply turned to the side, moved a step, and raised his hand.
Each time, he managed to dodge her attack perfectly.
Each time, he easily neutralized her Soul Skill.
He didn't even leave the spot within a meter from beginning to end.
Three minutes later.
Meng Yiran stopped.
She was breathing heavily, her forehead was covered in sweat, and her hand holding the Serpent Cane staff was trembling slightly.
It's not from being tired.
It's... despair.
She looked at Lin Qingmo —he remained calm and composed, not even his breathing faltered.
It was as if the fierce attack just now was just an insignificant game.
"..."
Meng Yiran lowered her head.
for a long time.
She suddenly withdrew her Martial Soul and dispersed her Spirit Ring.
Then, he raised his head and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
"I lost."
She spoke very calmly.
"I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."
Everyone watched her in silence.
A hint of heartache flashed in Chao Tianxiang's eyes, but more than that, she felt relieved.
Her granddaughter has finally grown up.
I now know what it means to have a world beyond your own and a person beyond your reach.
I also know what it means to "defeat with honor."
Meng Yiran took a deep breath.
She suddenly did something that surprised everyone—she quickly walked up to Lin Qingmo.
She tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the cheek.
Soft to the touch, separates at the slightest touch.
"..."
Lin Qingmo's eyelids twitched.
Goodness, the treatment Tang San received in the original story is now his.
"Lin Qingmo!"
Meng Yiran blushed and took a few steps back, but her eyes were bright and sparkling.
She looked at him and shouted, "I will definitely catch up with you, you just wait!"
After saying that, she turned and ran.
Like a startled fawn, it quickly disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving behind only a stubborn yet disheveled silhouette.
"Oh, this child."
Chao Tianxiang shook her head and smiled bitterly.
She clasped her hands in a fist salute to Zhao Wuji.
"Brother Zhao, let's leave it at that for today. This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is yours."
After saying that, she turned and left to chase after her granddaughter.