Tang San: I Only Kill Evil Soul Beasts

The force behind Dai Mubai's punch was enough to stand toe-to-toe with Immovable Bright King Zhao Wuji, even without his Martial Soul Avatar activated, let alone Ye Zhiqiu.

A sharp crack rang out.

Ye Zhiqiu's Black Tortoise Shield was actually smashed apart.

His fist pierced through the gap in the shield and slammed heavily into Ye Zhiqiu's chest.

"Pfft!"

Ye Zhiqiu threw his head back and spat out a mouthful of blood. His body flew backward and crashed into an earthen wall with a boom. His vision went black, and he passed out.

Dai Mubai slowly withdrew his fist. The dark-golden halo around his body receded into him, and his White Tiger Martial Soul possession was lifted as well.

The Canghui Academy students were utterly terrified. They all retreated in panic, lowering their heads and daring not to look directly at Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai turned around and looked at the Shrek group. He said calmly, "Let's go. We're heading back to rest!"

The Shrek group entered the hotel again, while Ma Hongjun followed behind excitedly, cheering, "Boss Dai! Boss Dai! Boss Dai!"

Tang San followed at the back as well. Looking at Dai Mubai's broad back, he unconsciously clenched his fists.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the Shrek group left the town and soon entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

Dai Mubai arranged for Tang San to lead the way at the front of the group. Blue Silver Grass was exceptionally sensitive to the forest environment, so there was no one more suitable for scouting the path than him.

After walking for two hours, it was noon.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the bushes ahead.

The sound approached from a distance at astonishing speed, as though something were racing through the vegetation.

Everyone immediately became alert. Tang San, who was leading the way, raised his right hand, signaling for everyone to remain silent.

"Everyone, be careful. Something's coming."

Dai Mubai immediately understood what was approaching.

It was the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent that Meng Yiran had chased for a long time, only for the Shrek group to intercept it and eventually make it Oscar's third Soul Ring.

But Oscar was already level thirty-three, while Ma Hongjun needed a pure fire-attributed soul beast containing the Phoenix Bloodline. This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was unsuitable for him.

In the blink of an eye, Tang San's Blue Silver Vines quickly subdued the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.

As the Shrek group stared at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, troubled over what to do with it, two women—one old and one young—walked out of the forest.

The older woman was short, with graying hair and a thin, gaunt face, but her eyes were remarkably sharp.

The younger woman was tall and slender. She wore a fitted outfit of pale green, and her delicate features were perfectly proportioned.

Dai Mubai recognized the two at a glance: Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang and her granddaughter, Meng Yiran.

Meng Yiran looked to be sixteen or seventeen. At that moment, she was staring anxiously at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent on the ground.

Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang looked toward Zhao Wuji and immediately introduced herself. "I am Snake Granny, Chao Tianxiang. May I ask this friend's name?"

Since no one needed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, Zhao Wuji was happy to do her a favor. He greeted her courteously. "So you are Senior Snake Granny. I am Zhao Wuji of Shrek Academy. A pleasure to meet you."

"So you are the renowned Immovable Bright King. It is an honor." Chao Tianxiang tensed slightly, but her tone softened noticeably. "This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent has been our target all along. I ask that you return it to us, Immovable Bright King."

Considering that Dragon Duke and Snake Granny were both rare experts, Dai Mubai decided it would be best to leave a good impression. Thus, he said, "Teacher Zhao, since Senior Snake Granny discovered this soul beast first, let's return it to them."

"Fine." Zhao Wuji agreed readily. After all, no one needed this Soul Ring. With a grand wave of his hand, he said, "Tang San, return the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent to them."

At Tang San's words, he used his Blue Silver Vines to drag the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent before Meng Yiran.

Meng Yiran and Snake Granny exchanged a glance, then nodded at each other.

She hurried forward, crouched down, drew a sharp dagger from her waist, and plunged it into the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's head.

The serpent's body suddenly stiffened. It convulsed violently several times before slowly going limp. A deep-purple Soul Ring gradually rose from its body.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Wu could not help closing her eyes, unable to look directly at it.

Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang inclined her head slightly toward Zhao Wuji and said respectfully, "Thank you, Immovable Bright King. I, Snake Granny, will remember this favor. If you ever need my help in the future, just ask."

Zhao Wuji cupped his hands and exchanged a polite remark. "You're welcome. We won't disturb you while you continue absorbing the Soul Ring. Until next time!"

With that, he turned around and gave Dai Mubai a meaningful look.

Dai Mubai nodded and glanced at Meng Yiran, who was preparing to absorb the Soul Ring.

"Set out."

The Shrek group reorganized and continued toward the depths of the forest.

Night fell.

After a day of searching without any results, everyone found a relatively open clearing in the forest and set up camp.

They were in an area inhabited by thousand-year soul beasts, and with Zhao Wuji, a Soul Sage, present, no one was afraid of being harassed by soul beasts. They lit a bonfire in the middle of the clearing.

Everyone gnawed on bland rations and listlessly poked at the bonfire.

Xiao Wu sat beside Tang San, staring blankly at the dancing flames. Her mind repeatedly replayed the scene from earlier that day: Meng Yiran bringing her blade down and the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's blood splattering into the air.

Her mood sank to the depths. At last, she could not help asking Tang San, "Third Brother... do Soul Masters really have to hunt soul beasts?"

As soon as she said this, everyone's eyes snapped toward her. Wasn't that obvious? Without hunting soul beasts, where would Soul Rings come from? Without Soul Rings, how could Soul Masters advance?

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong looked at Xiao Wu strangely and countered, "Xiao Wu, are you all right? Weren't your first two Soul Rings obtained by hunting soul beasts?"

The question left Xiao Wu speechless for a moment. She opened her mouth but had no idea how to answer.

How was she supposed to explain it? Should she say, "I'm a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who transformed into human form. I can condense my own Soul Rings and don't need to hunt soul beasts"?

Xiao Wu's pretty face flushed red from holding it in. She hurriedly added, "I... I didn't mean that! I mean, there are many kind soul beasts among them. They haven't done anything wrong. I just... I just can't bear to see it."

Looking at Xiao Wu, Tang San's heart softened. He patted her shoulder and comforted her solemnly. "Xiao Wu, don't worry. I promise you that from now on, I'll only hunt evil soul beasts."

When Dai Mubai heard this, the corner of his mouth twitched. A wave of disgust surged through him, and he almost vomited up the rations he had just eaten. Only hunt evil soul beasts? Bah! What a hypocrite. In your previous life, the Tang Sect was famous for assassinations and selling hidden weapons. As long as the price was right, you did anything. And now you're pretending to be a saint. You say you only kill evil soul beasts, but who gets to define what is evil?! You, Tang San?

Dai Mubai's expression remained unchanged, but a mischievous glint flashed through his eyes as an idea struck him.

He patted his stomach and said, "Sigh, I'm starving. I got used to eating good food at school, so suddenly gnawing on these rations really doesn't fill me up."

Dai Mubai turned to Tang San and Ma Hongjun and casually ordered, "Tang San, Fatty, you two are good fighters. Go catch a few wild rabbits nearby so we can have something to snack on."

"Sure thing!" Ma Hongjun stood up and was about to head into the woods.

Tang San also rose, preparing to go with Ma Hongjun.

"Wait!"

Xiao Wu suddenly leaped to her feet and spread her arms, blocking the two of them. She shouted sternly, "Why does it have to be rabbits?! Rabbits are so cute—how can you eat rabbits?!"