Encountering Dragon Duke Meng Yiran

Xiao Wu could only explain in greater detail:

"At the time, I was clutched in the Titan Giant Ape's hand, unable to breathe at all, and my consciousness was fading. I don't know when it was, but vaguely, I seemed to hear a bovine roar. It sounded like a long cry, like a threat—I couldn't tell. The Titan Giant Ape paused; at least, I felt the hand holding me stop for a moment. After that, I felt my body loosen and I could breathe again, but immediately after, it lasted until I was thrown out. In mid-air, I heard that bovine roar again, and my internal organs were trembling. I felt extremely unwell, and after that, I don't remember anything. When I woke up, I saw a dozen soul beast corpses lying around, including a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit. Its Soul Ring hadn't even dissipated yet, and since I had just broken through to level thirty, I absorbed it..."

The group listened, feeling even more bewildered, and even began to doubt their own comprehension.

Why can't I understand this!

Two quarters of an hour later, Xia Yan wove through the dark Star Dou Great Forest. The moonlight in the sky was bright, but it could only shine upon the treetops.

Occasionally, it would filter into the forest, However, this did not affect Xia Yan's speed; even if a soul beast suddenly appeared, it would pose no danger.

Suddenly, Xia Yan's body paused. Ahead, a patch of moonlight filtered through the trees. Under the moonlight, two figures stood quietly.

He narrowed his eyes to look.

The girl in purple, Xia Yan had seen before; it was Meng Yiran.

Beside her stood a thin, tall old man, leaning on a long, silver-bright staff. The staff was four meters long, twice the height of the old man, with a lifelike dragon head at the top.

The old man wore a smile, but his aura was imposing without being angry.

...Dragon Duke Meng Shu?

Why are these two here?

Go over? Or not?

After a moment of hesitation, Xia Yan decided to go over; there was a high probability that the other party was waiting for him.

Crossing twenty meters, he arrived before the Dragon Duke and cupped his hands, saying: "May I ask if you are the senior Dragon Duke?"

Even if he knew, he had to pretend he didn't.

Seeing his figure, Meng Yiran's gaze suddenly darted around uncomfortably, her hands clutching the corner of her clothes...

The Dragon Duke, like Serpent Granny, had a head full of white hair that shimmered silver under the moonlight.

This small area had been cleared out specifically by him; otherwise, there would have been no light at all.

Just moments ago, he and Serpent Granny Chao Tianxiang, while hunting the fleeing Man Faced Demon Spider with their granddaughter Meng Yiran, had sensed Xia Yan's aura.

Serpent Granny recognized Xia Yan, one of Zhao Wuji's students. Judging by his Soul Power, he was over level thirty, and his talent was terrifyingly monstrous.

He was a perfect match for her granddaughter Yiran.

The Dragon Duke also recognized Xia Yan, the peerless monster who had suddenly appeared three years ago and had hunted Wolf Bandits in many places across the continent!

He had seen Xia Yan's portrait!

He hadn't expected to meet him here.

Although Xia Yan's talent was the best on the continent, his granddaughter Yiran was not bad either; they were absolutely a match.

When the Dragon Duke mentioned this, Serpent Granny suddenly realized that he was indeed that Xia Yan!

Damn, if she had known, she would have had more contact with Xia Yan. That black-skinned kid was truly a nuisance.

Meng Yiran heard her grandparents whispering about who was a match for whom and stomped her feet in anger, not wanting to pay attention to either of them.

What kind of grandparents were they!

However, thinking of Xia Yan's appearance, she didn't actually feel much resistance in her heart.

It was just that the gap in talent between the two sides was too large, and there were three girls by Xia Yan's side whose beauty and figures far surpassed her.

It was almost impossible for Xia Yan to fancy her.

She told the Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny not to waste their effort.

Serpent Granny shook her head, saying, "My dear granddaughter, don't talk nonsense. How could they compare to you?"

Xia Yan was excellent, but whether he and Meng Yiran would end up together was still a question; they hadn't even spoken to each other.

But the Man Faced Demon Spider was something tangible they could obtain right before their eyes.

Naturally, they did not want to give up.

After deliberating, Serpent Granny Chao Tianxiang decided to pursue the Man Faced Demon Spider, while Dragon Duke Meng Shu took his granddaughter Meng Yiran to intercept Xia Yan.

The main concern was that Xia Yan had the hell-raising demon Zhao Wuji by his side; he had dared to provoke Martial Soul Hall while only at level sixty-something, and now that he was a Soul Saint, he would be even harder to deal with. However, if things truly went south, the Dragon Duke could suppress him in a fight.

There would absolutely be no accidents.

Dragon Duke sensed the fluctuations of Soul Power on Xia Yan and realized it indeed exceeded level thirty, even approaching level forty. At the age of twelve or thirteen, this was unparalleled across the continent!

He smiled and stepped forward.

"No need for such formalities. Are you young friend Xia Yan?"

His attitude was absolutely kind and friendly. If anyone familiar with him were present, they would surely be astonished.

He was certainly not a gentle man in his daily life.

Xia Yan thought to himself, as expected:

"That is me. May I ask, Senior Dragon Duke, you must be waiting for me, right?"

Dragon Duke Meng Shu nodded in satisfaction.

Not bad, not bad at all.

"I wouldn't call it waiting, just surprised to see young friend Xia Yan appearing alone in the Star Dou Great Forest. It is dangerous here; the soul beasts are all at the three-to-four-thousand-year level, or even five thousand."

"My Yiran is kind-hearted by nature. Seeing that you were in a difficult situation, she urged me to hurry over, fearing that you might meet with an accident..."

Meng Yiran wanted to cover her face; it was too fake.

This was just too fake...

As he spoke, Dragon Duke Meng Shu laughed.

"But in truth, I had intended to come and ask you myself. If you were truly in trouble, this old man could not just stand by."

Good granddaughter, Grandpa has experience; this is how it must be said.

His attitude was gentle, appearing every bit the benevolent elder:

"Young friend, did you get separated from your companions?"

Xia Yan shook his head:

"Senior, one of my companions was snatched away by a soul beast, and the others are injured. I must chase after her."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shu was even more satisfied. Not bad, loyal and righteous.

But he was also curious: that Zhao Wuji was a Soul Saint, so where was he?

Why was Zhao Wuji nowhere to be seen?

"Where is Zhao Wuji? Isn't he your teacher?"

Xia Yan cupped his hands: "Teacher Zhao is looking after the others; I came ahead in pursuit."

Meng Shu nodded: "I see. It is truly regrettable to encounter such an unexpected event. Had I been present, I certainly could have ensured your safety."

In his heart, however, he chuckled. The Immovable Bright King Zhao Wuji could not even protect his own students on the periphery of the Mixed Zone...

Heh, nothing more than that...

"Although I cannot claim to be the strongest, I do possess the cultivation of a Soul Douluo. Meeting is fate; Yiran and I cannot simply watch you walk into danger. How about this: my granddaughter and I will accompany you to find your companion."

However, he had already sentenced that companion to death in his heart.

She was likely already killed.

Meng Yiran felt that helping was indeed fine, but she was already considering what to say when they encountered severed limbs.

As for being alive... the possibility was slim.

Soul beasts generally killed soul masters the moment they captured them, otherwise, it would be difficult to get away.

Xia Yan declined:

"It is too dangerous; I shouldn't trouble you, Senior."

Dragon Duke Meng Shu let out a laugh.

Dangerous?

In this Star Dou Great Forest, there was nothing that could threaten this old man. Was he trying to refuse?

Then, he heard Xia Yan say:

"That soul beast is a fifteen-meter-tall Titan Giant Ape. Its age is likely between eighty and ninety thousand years, perhaps even a hundred thousand. Senior, your strength is formidable, but I estimate it would be difficult to handle alone..."

Meng Shu:

"..."

"?! "

"A Hundred Thousand Year Titan Giant Ape?!"

His face twitched as he blurted out in shock.

His first reaction was that Xia Yan was spouting nonsense. Setting aside the fact that a Hundred Thousand Year Titan Giant Ape couldn't possibly appear on the outskirts of the Mixed Zone, even if it did, how could a group whose strongest member was only a Soul Saint still be alive?

And to only snatch away one person?!

How could that be possible?!

But looking at Xia Yan's expression, he didn't seem to be lying. After a moment of contemplation, the Dragon Duke made his judgment: he didn't believe it!

It was too absurd!