Unrivaled Dragon and Snake Couple

"Grandpa, have you figured out how to win over Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke?" Zhang Fei shouted at the top of his lungs.

She Long glanced down at him and said matter-of-factly, "In the world of Soul Masters, strength reigns supreme. Of course I'll use strength to win him over. Don't forget, your grandpa is an elder of Spirit Hall."

He paused, then added, "Besides, I know Meng Shu's personality very well. He may be forceful, but he knows how to read the situation and weigh the pros and cons. Winning him over won't be difficult."

Zhang Fei nodded. "Then after we win them over, we shouldn't reveal that they've joined Spirit Hall for now. It would be best not to draw the attention of other factions."

She Long snorted. "Do you really need to tell me that? I've lived nearly eighty years. Do you think I lack that much judgment? Just leave it to your grandpa."

Zhang Fei chuckled, finally at ease.

Balak City was over a thousand kilometers from Heaven Dou City. Even at the flight speed of a Titled Douluo like She Long, traveling at full speed while carrying someone would take three or four days.

However, neither of them was in a hurry. They traveled at a leisurely pace, occasionally stopping in towns to rest and sample local delicacies. It felt more like sightseeing than a journey.

On the morning of the sixth day, the outline of a city finally appeared on the distant horizon.

As the second-largest city in the Balak Kingdom, Balak City was not as magnificent as Heaven Dou City, but it possessed an imposing character of its own.

As a vital stronghold against the Star Luo Empire, its walls stood more than ten zhang high, built from heavy blue-black stone. Flags snapped in the wind atop the ramparts, carrying the rugged, murderous air unique to a border city.

"We're here."

She Long landed with Zhang Fei in a forest several miles outside the city. After dusting the travel grime from his robes, he led Zhang Fei into the city on foot.

The city was quite bustling, with a constant stream of pedestrians coming and going.

Unlike the refined prosperity of Heaven Dou City, most people here were broad-shouldered and dark-skinned, speaking in booming voices. At the slightest disagreement, they would glare and roll up their sleeves. Their fierce folkways drew attention.

After asking around for Beast Academy's exact location, the two headed straight for the eastern part of the city.

Before them stood an exceptionally grand gate over ten meters tall. Two enormous stone statues stood on either side, one dragon and one snake, entwined together in a commanding display.

Above the gate hung a plaque as black as ink, bearing four gilded characters written in bold, soaring strokes: Beast Academy.

"Hello, are you two here to see someone?"

Seeing them walk straight over, the guard at the gate stepped forward with considerable respect. Those who came to Beast Academy were either Soul Masters or nobles, and he did not dare offend them lightly.

Standing with his hands behind his back, She Long said calmly, "Go inform Meng Shu that an old friend named She has come to visit."

The guard saw that She Long carried himself with extraordinary bearing and did not dare delay. He hurried inside to deliver the message.

Before long, a burst of hearty laughter rang out from within the courtyard.

"Hahaha! I was wondering who it was—Brother She! What wind has blown you all the way to this backwater place of mine?"

Before the voice faded, a tall figure strode out in great steps.

The newcomer was around sixty, broad and powerfully built, with graying hair and beard. Yet he was full of vigor, leaning on a dragon-carved cane. He was Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke, an eighty-sixth-level Soul Douluo whose Martial Soul was the Dragon Staff.

An elderly woman followed behind him. She was small and thin, with a kind face, but her eyes held a sharp light beneath their depths. She too leaned on a snake-headed cane. She was Chao Tianxiang, the Snake Grandmother, a sixty-sixth-level Soul Emperor whose Martial Soul was the Serpent Cane.

Meng Shu approached, swept his gaze over She Long, and his pupils shrank slightly. After so many years apart, She Long's aura had become even deeper and sharper, giving him the oppressive feeling of facing a Super Douluo.

"Brother She, your Soul Power... has it broken through again?" Meng Shu asked tentatively, while waves crashed through his heart.

She Long smiled faintly without confirming or denying it. "Shall we talk inside?"

"Please, please!" Meng Shu quickly stepped aside. His gaze fell on Zhang Fei with a hint of curiosity. "And this is...?"

"Someone very important to Spirit Hall—Zhang Fei," She Long said evenly.

Keeping Zhang Fei's grandfather-grandson relationship with She Long secret was something the two had agreed on during the journey.

Meng Shu was taken aback. He exchanged a glance with Chao Tianxiang, confusion appearing on their faces, but neither asked further.

The four entered the inner courtyard's reception hall and took their seats as host and guests. Servants brought tea, its fragrance curling through the air.

Meng Shu got straight to the point. "Brother She, what level has your strength reached now?"

She Long did not hide it. The Soul Power around him rippled slightly.

An oceanic pressure instantly filled the entire reception hall, making the air itself seem to freeze.

"Ninety-fourth level," She Long said calmly.

"What? Ninety-fourth level?!" Meng Shu's pupils contracted sharply.

He understood She Long's situation better than anyone. The reason they had met back then was that both of their fifth soul rings had been purple thousand-year soul rings, leaving flaws in their foundations. They had felt mutual sympathy, like fellow sufferers who recognized one another.

But now, She Long had not only broken through to Titled Douluo, he had even advanced further within the Titled Douluo realm!

How could that not shock him?!

Meng Shu suppressed the storm in his heart and turned his gaze toward Zhang Fei, who sat quietly beside them. A glint flashed in his eyes. "Brother She, this young brother's background must be far from simple, mustn't it? To have a ninety-fourth-level Titled Douluo personally escort him..."

An old fox was still an old fox. He had spotted the clue at a glance.

"Let's not discuss that yet." She Long waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "Brother Meng, I'll be direct. Spirit Hall is recruiting talented people from across the land, and we hold the Unrivaled Dragon and Snake Couple in high regard. We would like to invite you to join Spirit Hall. What do you think?"

The atmosphere in the reception hall abruptly tightened.

Meng Shu frowned and exchanged a look with Chao Tianxiang before saying thoughtfully, "This... Brother She, my wife and I have operated in Balak City for many years. We've long grown used to keeping to our own corner. Spirit Hall is too mighty for people like us to aspire to."

"Brother Meng, I'm sure you understand Spirit Hall's current strength very well." She Long's gaze was piercing. "Join Spirit Hall, and I guarantee you won't lose out."

Meng Shu gave a bitter smile and sighed. "Ah, I knew this day would come sooner or later. I just didn't expect it to arrive so quickly."

She Long's tone softened somewhat. "Rest assured, Brother Meng. This matter does not need to be made public immediately. Only the four of us here will know. All your activities can continue as usual. But if Spirit Hall needs your service in the future, you must not refuse."

A glint flashed through Meng Shu's eyes. "Does Spirit Hall have some matter it requires my service for?"

She Long smiled. "Nothing gets past you."

He looked at Zhang Fei, his expression becoming solemn. "Xiao Fei will study at your Beast Academy for the time being. I hope you will teach him with everything you have and protect his safety at any cost."

Meng Shu froze, then smiled. "That's all? He's only a student. Brother She, aren't you making too much of it?"

But She Long's expression suddenly became grave. "Xiao Fei's identity is extremely important. Brother Meng, you must not let your guard down. If anything happens to him, I'm afraid neither you nor I will be able to bear the consequences. This is not a threat. It is a fact."