Mandala Snake, Meng Yiran's First Spirit Ring

The forest path was deep and tranquil, with only the sound of a few footsteps rustling against the fallen leaves.

Gu Tian walked in the lead with Meng Yiran, while the Peerless Dragon and Snake, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, followed side by side behind them. These two powerhouses, who had traversed the soul master world for decades, were currently observing the back of the young man ahead with a gaze filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

"Little friend Gu Tian, judging by your accent, you don't seem to be a local of the Heaven Dou Empire?" Meng Shu leaned on his Dragon Head Cane, starting the conversation in what seemed like an offhand manner.

Gu Tian tilted his head slightly, revealing a gentle smile: "Senior has a sharp eye. This junior hails from a remote village on the border of the Star Luo Empire called Ancient Dragon Village. My parents are just ordinary farmers, and their greatest wish in life was for me to live a stable and peaceful existence."

"Ancient Dragon Village?" Chao Tianxiang frowned, searching her memory for the place name, but found nothing.

One cannot judge a person by their appearance; how could a family be ordinary farmers if they could raise a youth with such temperament and Martial Soul? The two exchanged a glance, having already labeled Gu Tian in their hearts as a "descendant of a hidden family," even speculating that he might be the Dragon God descended to earth.

"I wonder where you are currently studying, little friend?" Chao Tianxiang asked softly. "With your talent, you must be at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy or the Star Luo Royal Academy, right?"

Gu Tian shook his head, his tone indifferent: "No, I am currently enrolled at the Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy in Nuoding City. It is the same academy where that Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang, is located."

"Nuoding Academy?" Meng Shu was stunned. How could such a third-rate junior academy be worthy of Gu Tian's talent?

He couldn't help but stop in his tracks, asking the question he cared about most with a solemn expression: "Little friend, forgive my presumption, but may I ask your age? And what is your current level of soul power?"

Gu Tian also came to a halt. He turned around, the glow of the setting sun spilling across his handsome and heroic face.

"This junior just turned six this year."

Gu Tian extended his right hand, and amidst the swirling Nine-Colored Divine Light, a ring of light rose from beneath his feet.

"Soul power level twenty-three. The age of my first soul ring is one thousand years."

That purple soul ring, exuding an aura of nobility and suppression, appeared so piercing in the dim dense forest that it even cast a purplish-red hue over the Dragon Head Cane in Meng Shu's hand.

"Hiss--!"

Meng Shu drew a sharp breath, his hand gripping the cane trembling slightly. Six years old? Level twenty-three? And the first soul ring was purple?

He had spent his whole life in the soul master world and heard countless tales of geniuses, but this monster who had skipped two soul master realms entirely exceeded the scope of human cognition! This was no human; this was clearly a child of the gods!

Beside them, Meng Yiran was so shocked she covered her small mouth, her eyes, usually full of spirit, now sparkling with stars.

She had originally thought her innate level five soul power was quite excellent, but in front of Gu Tian, she felt she wasn't even worth the weeds on the side of the road. Yet, this sense of inferiority quickly transformed into extreme admiration—only such a perfect man was worthy of her, Meng Yiran's, worship!

"Miss Yiran, if you don't mind, why not transfer to Nuoding Academy?"

Gu Tian looked at Meng Yiran, who was practically turning into a fan girl, and smiled gently. "Actually, for a junior soul master academy, the quality of teachers isn't that important. Before the age of twelve, as long as you reach level ten and obtain your first soul ring, you can graduate smoothly. But if you have me, I can guarantee that your first soul ring, and every subsequent one, will be the absolute best of its level."

Meng Yiran was overjoyed, her young heart thumping wildly. She hurriedly turned her head and blinked frantically at Chao Tianxiang, the implication clear—Grandmother, I want to go to Nuoding Academy! I want to follow Gu Tian every day!

Chao Tianxiang looked at her granddaughter, who was clearly "grown up and no longer staying," and shook her head with a bitter smile. If she could really let Yiran follow this Gu Tian, even a small academy like Nuoding might be a stroke of fortune.

"This matter... we will discuss it with Yiran's parents later," Chao Tianxiang said helplessly, though her tone had softened significantly. The implication was clear: since her granddaughter had already agreed, she would send her over eventually.

"Since it's settled, we should go attend to our business."

Gu Tian turned and led the way toward a pile of rubble deeper in the forest.

"The snake we are looking for is just ahead."

Gu Tian sneered inwardly: Previously, Tang Hao had specifically captured a four-hundred-and-twenty-two-year-old Mandala Snake to prepare a first soul ring for Tang San. It had been scared off by his Dragon God pressure; calculating the direction, that beast should be shivering in the bushes ahead right now.

"Something like a Man Faced Demon Spider is too violent for Miss Yiran, but this soul beast has potent venom and extreme flexibility. Paired with Miss Yiran's Snake Head Cane, it is a match made in heaven."

No sooner had Gu Tian finished speaking than a shrill hiss echoed from ahead.

"That's the one." Gu Tian made a "please" gesture toward Meng Yiran. "Miss Yiran, this is a top-tier specimen personally selected by a certain Titled Douluo. It's your lucky day."

Meng Yiran had no eyes for the Mandala Snake now, only for Gu Tian's dashing figure. She nodded heavily: "Mm! I'll listen to everything you say!"

In the dim pile of rubble, the four-meter-long Mandala Snake was flicking its purple tongue. The moment its cold, vertical pupils caught sight of the newcomers, they shrank into two tiny dots of terror.

"Yiran, be careful! It's a Mandala Snake!"

Meng Shu's expression changed, and he slammed his Dragon Head Cane onto the ground with a dull boom. He stood protectively in front of Meng Yiran with a solemn look, warning in a deep voice: "This snake is highly venomous, its body is as tough as steel, and it is not only incredibly fast but also extremely aggressive. Judging by its size, it has at least four hundred years of cultivation. Even an average two-ring Soul Grand Master would be stripped of a layer of skin if they encountered it!"

Chao Tianxiang also gripped her Snake Head Cane tightly, her soul power ready to erupt. The Mandala Snake was a top-tier predator among snake-type soul beasts, extremely ferocious and not easily dealt with.

Infected by her grandfather's tension, Meng Yiran shrank toward Gu Tian, her small hands gripping his sleeve tightly.

However, the next second, a scene occurred that left the Peerless Dragon and Snake couple dumbfounded.

The Mandala Snake, notorious in the soul beast world and supposed to be lunging to attack, felt the faint, lingering aura of the Dragon God from Gu Tian and its massive body began to convulse violently.

Its head, which had been held high, was slapped down onto the cold rock with a "thwack," as if struck by an invisible giant hand.

Under the stunned gazes of Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, the Mandala Snake did not flee. Instead, as if it had encountered a supreme deity, it frantically twisted its body and crawled to Gu Tian's feet.

Its triangular head struck the ground repeatedly, making "thud, thud" sounds, as if it were kowtowing to Gu Tian to beg for mercy. In that humble, fawning posture, there was no trace of a jungle overlord left; it looked like a stray dog meeting its master, even letting out a faint, whimpering sound.

"This... how is this possible?"

Meng Yiran widened her eyes, so shocked she let go of Gu Tian's sleeve and instinctively covered her mouth. She had never heard of a soul beast making such human-like gestures of supplication toward a human.

Chao Tianxiang watched this scene, a sharp glint flashing in her aged eyes. She stared at the faint Nine-Colored Dragon Shadow behind Gu Tian, then looked at the trembling Snake Head Cane in her own hand, and a conclusion formed in her mind.

"Old man, don't be nervous," Chao Tianxiang took a deep breath, her tone filled with shock and emotion. "If I'm not mistaken, little friend Gu Tian's Martial Soul must be of an incredibly high rank. Before this Martial Soul, ten thousand snakes must bow. This Mandala Snake has a thin trace of dragon blood flowing in its veins; it is begging for mercy from its ancestor."

Hearing this, Meng Shu's tense body relaxed, and his gaze toward Gu Tian became even more complex.

A Dragon God Martial Soul... to be able to make a four-hundred-year-old ferocious beast lose its will to fight entirely—this bloodline suppression was even more terrifying than any soul skill!

Gu Tian looked down at the shivering Mandala Snake at his feet, a playful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He lifted his foot and tapped the snake's head lightly with his toe, his tone cold: "Since you know fear, obediently offer yourself as a sacrifice to Miss Yiran, and perhaps I might preserve your soul."

The Mandala Snake seemed to understand Gu Tian's words, actually quieting down and lying motionless on the ground, completely giving up any resistance.

"Miss Yiran, do it."

Gu Tian turned his head and offered a gentle smile to the still-dazed Meng Yiran. "Its mind has been suppressed by me; it wouldn't dare resist. You only need to deliver the final blow to perfectly absorb this soul ring."

"Mm... mm!"

Meng Yiran snapped out of her trance. Looking at Gu Tian's reassuring profile, the sense of admiration in her heart was practically overflowing.

She drew her short blade and, under the watchful eyes of Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, successfully pierced the Mandala Snake's vital point.

As the Mandala Snake's life force faded, a solid yellow soul ring slowly emerged. Meng Yiran sat cross-legged and began to guide the soul ring into her body.

Because the Mandala Snake had been terrified out of its wits by Gu Tian while still alive, the residual resentment was minimal. Meng Yiran's absorption process went surprisingly smoothly, without even a trace of pain on her face.

Half an hour later, Meng Yiran opened her eyes, a bright yellow soul ring pulsing beneath her feet.

"I did it! Gu Tian, I'm a Soul Master now! And my Soul Power Level has increased by two, reaching level twelve!"

Meng Yiran jumped up in excitement, ignoring the presence of her grandparents, and threw herself into Gu Tian's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and spinning around happily.

Watching this scene, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance, feeling both gratified and somewhat helpless. It seemed their precious granddaughter had completely fallen for this young man's brilliance. However, being on good terms with such a future powerhouse was, for the Meng family, absolutely beneficial and harmless.

"Seniors, it's getting late, and I should return to Nuoding City. If there is an opportunity later, I hope you can send Miss Yiran to Nuoding Academy; I will certainly help her well!"

Gu Tian patted Meng Yiran's back, signaled to Gu Yue in the shadows, and looked toward the direction of Nuoding Academy, a cold sneer in his heart: Tang San, you are still of some use to me; at the very least, I quite like this Mandala Snake you prepared for Meng Yiran!