Early in the morning.
Mu Chen was waiting downstairs bright and early. Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and the three boys, Xiao Dai, Xiao Ao, and Xiao Ma, arrived one after another.
After breakfast, Mu Chen led everyone onward. Before long, they reached the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.
But it wasn't long before Mu Chen sensed something rapidly approaching them.
"Bzzz—!"
Mu Chen raised a hand, and terrifying Soul Power transformed into a gigantic platinum dragon claw.
Xiao Wu and the others behind him stared in surprise for a moment, then grew wary.
"Teacher, is something wrong?"
Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Tang San hurried over to Mu Chen. Ning Rongrong followed close behind.
"Just a little snake!"
Mu Chen's expression was cold.
Under everyone's gaze, the dragon claw suddenly swept toward the forest ahead and snatched up a strangely shaped "little snake."
Staring at the "little snake," Tang San asked in surprise, "Teacher, is that a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent?"
"That's right. About sixteen hundred years old." Mu Chen willed the giant dragon claw to shrink, and the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent eventually landed in his hand.
"I plan to find a plant-type Soul Beast for your third Soul Core, so this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent isn't an option for me. Oscar can absorb it later."
Mu Chen studied the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.
At that moment, it was unusually docile in his grasp. It was even trembling.
The dragon might from Mu Chen's body suppressed all low-level dragon-type Soul Beasts. The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was a lesser dragon, so it was naturally affected as well.
"Teacher Mu, is that really possible?" Oscar hurried forward, rubbing his hands together, his eyes shining with excitement.
He had never imagined he'd be able to get his third Soul Ring first. He'd thought Mu Chen would help Tang San find his third Soul Ring before helping him.
When luck came, you couldn't stop it even if you tried.
"Of course. But before that, there's something else we need to settle."
Before Mu Chen had finished speaking, he looked toward the front.
An old woman and a young woman, each holding a snake-headed cane, landed one after the other a short distance in front of him.
The old woman looked to be around sixty, her face covered in wrinkles. Six Soul Rings hovered beside her, clearly marking her as a Soul Emperor.
The girl looked no older than sixteen. Her short hair was neatly cut above her ears, and her clear, dark-brown eyes held a sharp edge.
She was tall and well-proportioned, with a graceful figure. Her body had developed into full, alluring curves, and her slender waist was as narrow as a snake's. Her fitted outfit hugged her figure, tracing every curve.
Her beauty was bright and striking, her features delicate and gorgeous. She had already shed the softness of youth, gaining a mature allure and a wild beauty.
For now, among the girls present, only Zhu Zhuqing surpassed her, though Zhu Zhuqing still hadn't completely lost her youthful innocence.
"Young man, please show mercy."
Seeing the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent in Mu Chen's grasp, the old woman cried out anxiously.
There was something Mu Chen was quite worried about.
He wondered whether his "Succubus Holy Body" would have any effect on these elderly women.
At the thought, a chill ran through him.
Their age didn't matter. What mattered to him was whether they were beautiful.
"Serpent Cane Martial Soul."
"Are you Chao Tianxiang of the Dragon Snake Duo?"
Mu Chen's tone was indifferent. He didn't take the so-called "Dragon Snake Duo" seriously.
Chao Tianxiang's eyes lit up.
He knew who she was?
That made things much easier!
"That's right. I am Chao Tianxiang. Young man, could you return this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent to me?"
"I went to great trouble to find this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent for my granddaughter. We've been chasing it for some time, but I never expected it to end up in your hands."
Mu Chen glanced at Chao Tianxiang's granddaughter, Meng Yiran.
Meng Yiran was looking at Mu Chen, too.
Or rather—
Ever since the moment they met, she hadn't taken her eyes off him.
Mu Chen smiled faintly. "The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent isn't a good match for a Serpent Cane Martial Soul. Senior, please let it go and give it to the boy behind me."
Chao Tianxiang's expression shifted, and her brows furrowed.
Mu Chen continued, "He has a Food-type Martial Soul, so he doesn't have many strict requirements for a Soul Ring. Even if the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent isn't ideal, it'll do."
"But your granddaughter is different. She deserves a better, more suitable Soul Ring."
Mu Chen raised his eyes and looked at Meng Yiran.
Meng Yiran instinctively lowered her head. Suddenly nervous, she clutched the hem of her clothes in her slender fingers.
Oscar's mouth twitched.
What was that supposed to mean?
Mu Chen continued, "We'll be searching for Soul Beasts here for a while longer. If you don't mind, Senior, you can bring your granddaughter along with us. I don't mind."
Chao Tianxiang gave Mu Chen a thorough look, then asked, "May I ask your name?"
Mu Chen cupped his hands. "I am Mu Chen, a Level 75 Battle Soul Saint."
Bzz—
Seven black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings rose beneath Mu Chen's feet, and terrifying dragon might swept in every direction.
Everyone present stared in shock.
Even Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Tang San had never seen Mu Chen's true power.
"Seven Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings? You—!"
For a moment, Chao Tianxiang didn't know what to say, much less how to express how she felt.
"I've heard the Dragon Snake Duo are inseparable. Dragon Duke Meng Shu must be somewhere nearby as well. If you don't need to travel with us, then please leave."
After speaking, Mu Chen tossed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent at Oscar's feet.
"Take care of it yourself."
The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent had passed out completely and couldn't put up any resistance.
Oscar was overjoyed.
Across from him, Chao Tianxiang heard Mu Chen's words and glanced at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, which Oscar had already killed. After thinking it over, she replied:
"Young Brother Mu is right. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. I'll entrust my granddaughter's Soul Ring to you."
"Wise—" Mu Chen began, then quickly changed course. "I take responsibility for everyone who travels with me, so you don't need to worry that I'll pick just any Soul Beast for your granddaughter."
Chao Tianxiang nodded with a smile, then led Meng Yiran forward until they stood before Mu Chen.
"I'm Meng Yiran. It's a pleasure to meet you, Senior Mu."
Facing Mu Chen, who was already a Soul Saint, Meng Yiran didn't dare be the least bit careless. Although he didn't look much older than her, perhaps he simply took good care of himself.
Mu Chen smiled warmly. "I'm not as old as you think, Miss Meng. There's no need to call me 'Senior.'"
"Teacher, why are you always so gentle with pretty girls? Can't you show a little restraint?" Xiao Wu sighed softly and shook her head.
At her words, Meng Yiran's pretty face turned faintly red.
Mu Chen put an arm around Xiao Wu and pulled her into his embrace. He smiled apologetically. "Don't mind her. My disciple just likes to talk nonsense. I'm used to it."
Xiao Wu rolled her eyes.
Before you continue