First Meeting with Snake Crone, Meng Yiran

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a shout came from the side. Before the person arrived, a serpent staff first stabbed towards Feng Xinglie.

"First Soul Skill: Collapsing Ape Giant Arm!"

Facing the extremely fast attack, Feng Xinglie's pupils contracted, and he turned to block without hesitation. With a "swish," the sharp tip of the serpent staff plunged directly into his mountain-like arm.

"Who is it!?"

Seeing Feng Xinglie injured, Zhao Wuji immediately stood in front of everyone, summoning his martial soul, the Great Strength Vajra Bear. The seven soul rings that appeared beneath his feet were seen by Chao Tianxiang, who had just arrived.

"Soul Sage!?"

Chao Tianxiang was shocked, not expecting there to be another expert here. Although her husband, the Dragon Duke, was nearby, as a Soul Emperor with Meng Yiran, she naturally couldn't afford to start a conflict.

"It's all a misunderstanding. I am Chao Tianxiang, and I was helping my granddaughter hunt for a soul ring. This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent on the ground is the prey we've been pursuing for a long time. I saw this young brother about to deliver a fatal blow, and in my haste, I struck a bit too hard."

With a few words explaining the situation, Chao Tianxiang smiled and pointed at Feng Xinglie:

"Yiran, why don't you quickly thank this young brother for helping you catch the soul beast?"

Hearing this, Feng Xinglie's mouth twitched. He thought, "The older the ginger, the spicier it is." While her words sounded polite, she had directly defined the situation as him helping to capture the soul beast, making the soul ring naturally Meng Yiran's. However, he didn't care as long as Oscar didn't absorb it. Since they had this intention, he didn't mind doing them a favor and building some rapport. With this thought, he immediately dispelled his soul skill, pulled the Serpent Lance from his arm, wiped away the blood, and respectfully handed it back to Chao Tianxiang with both hands:

"Senior, what are you saying? It was this junior who was momentarily confused and almost killed the soul beast you were pursuing. Please overlook my transgression; this young one here apologizes to you."

"Uh... It's nothing, nothing, it was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding..."

When it came to fighting, Chao Tianxiang feared no one. Her martial soul fusion skill with the Dragon Duke was comparable in power to a Titled Douluo. But now, facing a superior force, being apologized to so respectfully by the junior she had sneak-attacked and injured made her old face flush. Looking at the still bleeding wound, she felt a bit embarrassed:

"Ahem... Young brother not only helped but also doesn't hold a grudge for this old woman's attack. I am truly ashamed. How about this, consider us owing you a favor. If you encounter trouble in the future, just mention our names, Dragon Duke and Snake Crone. If there's anything you can't resolve, feel free to come find us anytime."

"Thank you, Senior. However, seeing this young lady's outstanding talent, needing a thousand-year soul beast's soul ring at such a young age, perhaps her future achievements will surpass yours. At that time, I'll have to ask her for help."

"Hahaha, you glib little thing..."

The martial world isn't about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social graces. Feng Xinglie's words praising Meng Yiran struck a chord with the Snake Crone. Her most beloved granddaughter surpassing her achievements? If that day ever came, they would be laughing in their dreams. Looking at Feng Xinglie, she found him much more agreeable.

"Wait, since this soul beast came to us on its own, it belongs to us."

Suddenly, an untimely voice rang out. Everyone turned to see Tang San speaking righteously:

"My friend's soul power has already reached level thirty, and he also needs to hunt for a soul ring. This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, whether in terms of age or characteristics, is very suitable. Moreover, without us, it might have already escaped far away. Therefore, this soul beast should be ours!"

The previously friendly atmosphere instantly froze. The Snake Crone turned to Feng Xinglie with a look of confusion. She saw Feng Xinglie covering his face with a look of shame, as if he couldn't bear to look. She immediately understood what was happening.

"I never expected this. They are students from the same academy. One is sensible and polite, while the other is so... Heh heh."

Facing Chao Tianxiang's teasing gaze, Zhao Wuji, though secretly annoyed at Tang San's directness, still had to defend the suitable soul ring for his student, acting according to his own preferences as the Immovable Wisdom King.

"Senior, the soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest are ownerless. Whoever snatches them gets them. You don't need to make sarcastic remarks. What I, Zhao Wuji, get my hands on, I won't let go."

Seeing the escalating tension, Feng Xinglie had already lost interest. His palm strike earlier was no ordinary attack; the poison from the Poison Hand had already infiltrated the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's life force through the wound. He had already done his good deed. As long as he stalled for a bit longer, it didn't matter who won or lost. More importantly, he was more concerned about the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Titan Giant Ape, that would appear soon, and was discreetly observing the surroundings.

"Little brother, little brother?"

"Ah? Senior, what is your command?"

Chao Tianxiang's call brought the distracted Feng Xinglie back.

"It's nothing. Aren't they arguing over this soul beast? I wanted to ask little brother to spar with my granddaughter, Meng Yiran. Whoever wins, gets it."

"Senior... This might not be appropriate..."

Shouldn't she be looking for Tang San to fight? How did he get caught up in this while just standing by the sidelines? Feng Xinglie smiled bitterly and shook his head repeatedly.

"It's nothing, just fight boldly. Among this group of people, I trust you the most, old woman."

"That's not what I meant, Senior."

Helpless, Feng Xinglie's feet immediately rose with four soul rings: yellow, purple, black, black.

"I have already reached level forty-nine, so I might not be a suitable opponent for Miss Meng Yiran."

"What!?"

Chao Tianxiang looked down at the terrifying soul ring configuration that surpassed her understanding, then looked up at Feng Xinglie's young face, and her voice began to tremble:

"You... your soul rings..."

Chao Tianxiang couldn't understand why such a genius would be in this academy.

"However, if Senior is looking for someone to spar with, I do have a good candidate. Since you trust this junior, the person I recommend is also a friend I'm willing to trust."

Saying this, Feng Xinglie walked over to Zhu Zhuqing and introduced her:

"Zhu Zhuqing, an agility-type battle soul master. Through continuous hard training, she has recently broken through to level twenty-eight. Also, a spar between girls would be more appropriate."

"As I said, I trust you. But my granddaughter is level thirty, this young lady might be at a disadvantage."

Zhu Zhuqing ignored what Chao Tianxiang said, only looking at Feng Xinglie with some surprise. Let alone a difference of two levels, even a greater gap wouldn't matter; as long as Feng Xinglie needed it, she was willing to fight. She just couldn't understand why she was being asked to step forward now. Looking up, she met a gentle yet firm gaze:

"Go for it, I believe in you."

"Mhm..."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded heavily, then walked forward and stood before Meng Yiran:

"Please."