At Tang San's words, Meng Yiran halted the Serpent Cane that was about to come crashing down and turned to glare at him in dissatisfaction.
Seeing this, Snake Granny stepped in front of Meng Yiran and fixed Tang San with a cold stare. In a deep voice, she said:
"This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was wounded by this old woman. Little Brother Meng Chen captured it, then returned it to this old woman. Which Soul Master rule are you planning to follow?"
"My brother also needs this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring. Although you wounded and captured it first, everyone who sees it gets a share. How about we have a match? Whoever wins gets the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent."
Tang San made his proposal loudly.
In his Precognitive Dream, he had been the one to challenge Meng Yiran, and in the end, he had won the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.
Although Snake Granny had proposed the match in the Precognitive Dream, it did not matter who suggested it. Tang San believed he could definitely defeat Meng Yiran.
Snake Granny was stunned. She had not expected Tang San to be so shameless at such a young age, actually daring to say something like everyone who sees it gets a share.
Zhao Wuji had not expected Tang San to possess such clever wit either.
Everyone who sees it gets a share. The words might have been crude, but the reasoning was sound!
As expected of someone from Shrek Academy, perfectly inheriting that old bastard Flender's shamelessness.
Then Zhao Wuji stepped beside Tang San. The immense Soul Power of a seven-ring Soul Saint burst from his body, and a savage grin appeared on his rough face as he addressed Snake Granny.
"Senior, my student makes a good point. Everyone who sees it gets a share! While we did not contribute much, we still count as participants. How about we follow his suggestion and settle this according to the rules of the Soul Master world?"
Feeling the powerful aura emanating from Zhao Wuji, Snake Granny's expression darkened slightly.
With her Soul Emperor cultivation, and with her old man absent, she alone was no match for the Soul Saint before her.
If a fight truly broke out, escaping would not be a problem, but her granddaughter would likely be in grave danger.
Snake Granny clenched the Serpent Cane in her hand, an indignation she had not felt in years rising in her heart.
The Peerless Dragon and Snake had roamed the continent for years, yet she had never been threatened like this before.
A Soul Saint! What a fine Soul Saint!
A trace of gloom flashed through Snake Granny's eyes, and her grip on the Serpent Cane loosened slightly.
She could not put her granddaughter in danger for the sake of a Soul Beast, but taking the beast from her would not be so easy!
Seeing Snake Granny waver, Zhao Wuji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He had actually been gambling, betting that Dragon Duke was not beside Snake Granny and that she would not refuse because she feared for her granddaughter.
Clearly, he had guessed right.
But they had to end this quickly. If Dragon Duke arrived, they would be in serious trouble.
Snake Granny looked at Zhao Wuji and tapped her Serpent Cane against the ground twice. After an imperceptible wisp of Soul Power seeped into the earth, she snorted coldly.
"Hmph! Everyone who sees it gets a share. What a fine everyone who sees it gets a share. By your reasoning, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was not captured by this old woman either. Little Brother Meng did the work. Shouldn't your student compete with Little Brother Meng first?"
Upon hearing that, Zhao Wuji looked toward Meng Chen. His gaze fell upon those three extraordinary Soul Rings, and his expression changed slightly.
Damn it! That old woman had turned the tables on him!
"Senior, that is not quite right. Since this little brother gave the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent to you, it no longer has anything to do with him. This is a matter between you and me, and the match has nothing to do with him."
Zhao Wuji argued sophistically, trying to remove Meng Chen from the matter.
Meng Yiran could no longer stand it. She raised her Serpent Cane at Zhao Wuji, her lips tinted with pale purple gloss parting as she angrily cursed him.
"A dignified Soul Saint, yet you're this shameless! Just wait until my grandfather comes. We'll see how he deals with you!"
Having been cursed to his face, Zhao Wuji's expression suddenly darkened.
He had never been a good man to begin with. If he had not feared that Dragon Duke might be nearby, he would have long since acted to get rid of this grandmother and granddaughter.
As for Meng Chen—
Regardless of his Soul Ring configuration, he was the same age as Tang San yet already a Soul Elder. He had even dared to appear alone in the Star Dou Great Forest. There had to be an expert protecting him in secret, making him even more untouchable.
Seeing Zhao Wuji's expression change, Snake Granny shielded Meng Yiran behind her.
"This old woman advises you to give up. This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent never belonged to you from beginning to end. This old woman has already sent word to my husband, and he will arrive before long. If you still wish to have a match after he arrives, this old woman will accompany you."
What!
Zhao Wuji was greatly alarmed. When had this damned old woman notified him? Why had he not sensed a thing?
Seeing Snake Granny's composed expression, Zhao Wuji did not dare gamble.
If she had truly contacted Dragon Duke, then once Dragon Duke arrived, forget him alone—even if all the teachers of Shrek Academy joined forces, they might not be a match for the Peerless Dragon and Snake.
A thousand-year Soul Beast was not worth it!
After only a moment's thought, Zhao Wuji decisively chose to retreat.
He cupped his hands toward Snake Granny, smiling without warmth. "Senior, you have impressive methods. Since that is the case, we will not disturb your granddaughter as she absorbs her Soul Ring. Mubai, Tang San, let's go."
Among the Shrek group, Oscar glanced at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, unwillingness flickering in his eyes.
He then looked toward Tang San, questioning him with his gaze.
Didn't you say you could handle this?
Tang San had not expected Zhao Wuji to be frightened off by Dragon Duke so easily. Seeing him about to lead them away, he hurriedly leaned close to Zhao Wuji's ear and whispered a few words.
After hearing him out, Zhao Wuji asked Tang San, "Are you sure?"
Tang San nodded confidently. His Precognitive Dream had told him that Dragon Duke had gone after another Soul Beast and was not beside Snake Granny at all.
So Snake Granny's message had been fake!
Zhao Wuji gave Tang San a deep look, stopped walking, and sneered at Snake Granny once more.
"Senior, upon further thought, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is rare. It would be a terrible shame if we fail to encounter another one later. How about we still let the children have a match? Whoever wins gets it."
Seeing that Zhao Wuji had not been scared away by her old man, Snake Granny inwardly thought that things were bad.
This fellow was truly impervious to reason. Even after she had said so much, he still refused to leave.
Fine, fine. If you won't let this old woman's granddaughter obtain the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring, then this old woman will not let you have your way either!
Snake Granny could not be bothered to argue with Zhao Wuji further. Instead, she looked toward Meng Chen, who had been watching the show all along, and sighed softly.
"Sigh... Little Brother Meng, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent should be left for you to handle. We do not have the fortune to enjoy it. This old woman will take my granddaughter to find another Soul Beast."
After speaking, Snake Granny beckoned to Meng Yiran, having her granddaughter support her. She then coldly said to Zhao Wuji:
"This old woman will remember what happened today. This old woman will not contend with you over the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent any longer. However, if this old woman encounters you again, hehe..."
Snake Granny gave a few cold laughs before turning and leaving with Meng Yiran.
Meng Yiran swept her gaze over Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, and the others, firmly committing their appearances to memory.
Once she saw her grandfather, she would tell on them!
Meng Chen looked at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent that had been returned to him again, feeling somewhat speechless.
After all that arguing, the problem had ended up back with him.
As he watched the receding backs of Snake Granny and her granddaughter, a flash of panic appeared on Zhao Wuji's face.
Damn it, why had that old woman simply given up on the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent? Wouldn't that make it look like he had forced her?
If Dragon Duke learned of this, he would be in serious trouble!
"Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, hurry and catch that Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent! We need to leave!"
Ignoring the silent Meng Chen, Zhao Wuji hastily ordered Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun to take the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.
That snake would not die anytime soon anyway. They could leave the Star Dou Great Forest first.
Unexpectedly, just as Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun stepped forward, countless Thunder Hell Vines shot out from the earth beneath their feet.
Under their astonished gazes, the ends of the lightning vines, which rose above their heads, twisted together at once. In an instant, they formed two Lightning Prison Cages, imprisoning the pair within.
Meng Chen stepped on the dying Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent and looked casually at the stunned Shrek group. He slowly spoke, clearly displeased.
"Hey, hey, hey. I'm still here. I captured this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. Since when did you get to decide what happens to it?"
Before you continue