Space Strangling (Seeking Follow-up Reads, Seeking Support)

The humid air of the Star Dou Great Forest was thick with the scent of grass and trees, mingled with the faint, lingering stench of the Stinger King.

Yang Teng stood with his back to Qian Renxue, who was sitting cross-legged to absorb her spirit ring. He appeared to stand there casually, his gaze sweeping aimlessly over the deep, dark woods to guard against any sudden mishaps.

However, the glimpse of her breathtaking beauty from moments ago was already clearly etched into his mind.

Her exquisite, flawless features and unyielding character had not been diminished in the slightest, even while she was in the midst of a desperate, disheveled flight.

"Tsk, tsk!"

"Truly, like mother, like daughter... damn, she's beautiful!"

Yang Teng clicked his tongue in his heart.

Although he had never seen the ruthless Bibi Dong in person, Qian Renxue's almost perfect inheritance of beauty and temperament was enough to imagine the peerless elegance of her mother.

It really was a waste for Qian Xunji to have had his way with her, though thankfully, that piece of trash Yu Xiaogang didn't get a chance, or it would be even harder to stomach.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed, the spirit power fluctuations behind him gradually stabilized, then surged upward, becoming more solid and dense.

Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes, a flash of golden light vanishing within them. Her entire aura had transformed, and she had successfully crossed the threshold into the Spirit Emperor level.

She stood up, pulling the slightly oversized men's outer robe tighter around her. As she looked at Yang Teng, who still had his back to her, her voice regained its usual clarity and reserve, though it now carried a hint of sincerity.

"Thank you for guarding me. May I ask for my benefactor's name?"

Yang Teng finally turned around, a lazy smile hanging on his face as he waved a hand.

"Yang Teng. No need for thanks; I was just passing by and lent a hand."

He paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on her face—which remained stunning even while wrapped in the robe—and his tone turned appreciative.

"Besides, who wouldn't reach out to help such a beautiful woman in distress?"

Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback by his blunt words, a faint blush sweeping across her fair cheeks, though she quickly suppressed it.

The two walked together toward the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest. Along the way, Qian Renxue's questions came one after another, revealing her intense curiosity and a certain habitual, scrutinizing attitude.

"Which empire are you from?"

"Hm? Heaven Dou. For now... I suppose I'm a free spirit, just wandering around."

"Which academy did you study at?"

"Didn't go to an academy. Just an idler."

"What is your spirit power rank?"

"Hmm, just passed Spirit Elder not long ago."

When she heard Yang Teng frankly admit he was merely a wandering spirit master at the Spirit Elder level, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had discovered a rare treasure.

A Spirit Elder? A mere Spirit Elder could unleash such powerful spatial abilities, briefly controlling a thirty-thousand-year-level Stinger King to create an opening for her killing blow?

It was simply inconceivable! His talent was so exceptional, his spirit so powerful, and his potential so vast that it likely far exceeded anyone's imagination.

This is terrifying. And to think I have innate full spirit power at level twenty!

Qian Renxue thought, shocked.

Without the slightest hesitation, she turned to face Yang Teng, her expression becoming formal and weighty as the aura of a superior began to emanate from her.

"Yang Teng, I am Qian Renxue, Young Mistress of the Spirit Hall Elder Hall. I, on behalf of Spirit Hall, sincerely invite you to join us."

"Spirit Hall can provide you with the best resources, top-tier guidance, and... a status and future that match your potential."

This recruitment was direct and powerful, fully demonstrating Qian Renxue's decisiveness and her eye for talent.

Being recruited personally by the Young Mistress of the Spirit Hall Elder Hall was no small matter.

Yang Teng seemed not to grasp the significance of the title "Young Mistress of the Elder Hall" at first, and he blinked.

Only then did he connect the dots between "Qian Renxue" and "Bibi Dong's daughter," and an unrefined nickname regarding her father, Qian Xunji, involuntarily popped into his mind.

"Secret Room Douluo."

"Spirit Hall, huh..."

He rubbed his chin. He didn't agree immediately, nor did he refuse, merely saying vaguely.

"Let's talk about this later. Getting out of the forest is the priority."

Seeing his reaction, Qian Renxue did not rush to pressure him, but she had clearly conveyed her intent to recruit him.

She believed that as long as the man wasn't a fool, he would understand what a rare opportunity this was.

The city closest to the Star Dou Great Forest belonged to the Balaque Kingdom.

When the two arrived at the city gates, they immediately spotted the silver-haired figure waiting there.

Gu Yena stood quietly at the bustling gate, her posture graceful and her face peerless, drawing frequent glances from passersby—especially men—whose eyes were filled with amazement.

Yang Teng acted as if he didn't notice those gazes, walking straight over and introducing the two parties quite casually.

"Gu Yena, a friend of mine. This is Qian Renxue, I just met her in the forest."

His introduction was excessively brief, mentioning neither Gu Yena's "Spirit King" strength nor Qian Renxue's status as the "Young Mistress of the Elder Hall."

Gu Yena merely nodded slightly at Qian Renxue, her silver eyes calm and ripple-free, acknowledging the greeting.

Qian Renxue nodded in return, her gaze lingering on Gu Yena for a brief moment; her intuition told her that this silver-haired woman was anything but simple.

The three of them found a decent restaurant in the city and had dinner together.

During the meal, Qian Renxue took the initiative to pay the bill, her demeanor natural and graceful.

This solved the pressing problem of Yang Teng's empty pockets, and he accepted it with a grin, showing no signs of awkwardness.

After the meal, Yang Teng felt his shriveled coin purse and sighed.

"Looks like I need to get some money first."

His gaze turned toward the center of the city, where the Soul Fighting Arena stood.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue immediately offered to accompany him.

She was curious and wanted to observe Yang Teng's abilities more closely, especially his performance in actual combat.

Gu Yena followed the two of them in silence, like a quiet shadow.

Yang Teng scanned the match list and fighter information with interest, and almost without hesitation, he pointed to a name.

"Let's go with him, a level 43 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor."

The opponent he chose was a burly man with a fierce expression, who was somewhat famous locally and known for his brute strength.

When the audience saw that Yang Teng was a new face—a seemingly young boy in plain clothes—daring to challenge a notorious Soul Ancestor, they burst into laughter and began placing their bets on the burly man, causing the odds to become completely lopsided.

Qian Renxue stood before the betting counter and, without a moment's hesitation, placed a significant amount of Gold Soul Coins on Yang Teng.

The person in charge of registration looked at her as if she were an idiot.

"Such a beautiful girl, is her brain broken?"

The burly Soul Ancestor opposite him looked at him with utter contempt: "Kid, have you even grown your hair out yet? If you surrender now and kneel to call me 'Grandpa' three times, I might consider going easy on you!"

The stands erupted in jeers and whistles.

Facing his opponent's provocation and the mockery of the entire arena, Yang Teng's face remained completely calm.

He didn't even release his Martial Soul immediately; he just stood there loosely with his hands still in his pockets, as if he weren't here for a life-or-death soul fight, but for a casual stroll.

This extreme relaxation created a strange aura amidst the tense and fierce atmosphere of the Soul Fighting Arena.

The moment the referee announced the start, the burly Soul Ancestor let out a roar, and four soul rings lit up on his body.

White, yellow, yellow, purple!

Yang Teng smiled with disdain, thinking that this Soul Ancestor was just the lowest tier, and he had actually expected an optimal soul ring configuration.

Only four words drifted lightly from his lips:

"Space Strangling."

The next moment, the sound of fabric and bone being instantly twisted and torn by an invisible force rang out!

"Ah!!!"

The man collapsed onto the arena floor like a pile of mud, his body twitching and his eyes unfocused; he was clearly crippled and had lost all ability to fight.

The entire rowdy Soul Fighting Arena fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared with wide eyes and open mouths, looking at the horrifying scene on the stage in disbelief.

"Did you see his Martial Soul?"

"What color were his soul rings?"

Voices rose and fell in the stands as everyone discussed Yang Teng's move.

Qian Renxue stood below the stage, her golden eyes shimmering.

Although she had witnessed Yang Teng's "Space Lock," the dominance and eerie nature of "Space Strangling" still exceeded her expectations.

This kind of ability was simply impossible to guard against.

Gu Yena stood quietly, her silver eyes reflecting the bloody scene on the stage and Yang Teng's back, which remained as calm and composed as ever.