Who the Hell Are You Trying to Fool?

Chao Tianxiang's expression changed the instant seven Spirit Rings lit up beneath Zhao Wuji's feet.

Her fingers tightened around her serpent-headed staff.

Flender folded his arms, a faint smile on his lips.

Good thing Xiaogang wanted to bring every teacher along. Otherwise, dealing with the Peerless Dragon and Snake really would have been troublesome.

Three Soul Sages and two Soul Emperors. Even Meng Shu would have to think twice if he were here.

If Xiaogang hadn't said the Star Dou Forest was too dangerous and the students' safety came first, I'd have sent Old Zhao here with them on his own.

Zhao Wuji grinned and called out to the others.

"Brothers, show them your Spirit Rings. Otherwise, they'll think everyone from Shrek Academy is easy pickings."

Flender said nothing, but seven Spirit Rings had already risen beneath his feet: two yellow, two purple, and three black.

Shao Xin, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin raised their feet as well.

Seven, six, and six Spirit Rings rose in turn.

Their light filled the space beneath the ancient trees.

The hand Chao Tianxiang had wrapped around her staff finally began to tremble.

Three Soul Sages and two Soul Emperors.

The people before her alone were enough to keep her and her granddaughter from leaving this forest.

Her lips moved twice.

Zhao Wuji folded his arms and looked down at Chao Tianxiang.

"Still want an explanation?"

He paused, then added,

"You know the Peerless Dragon and Snake aren't good people. What made you think the Immovable Bright King was?"

Chao Tianxiang's aged face went completely rigid.

Her eyelid had visibly twitched when she heard "Immovable Bright King."

Of course she had heard the name. He had once been a ruthless figure who roamed the continent, doing whatever pleased him without regard for rules or consequences. Spirit Hall had wanted him for quite some time before he vanished from sight.

She had never expected to run into him here.

Inside, Chao Tianxiang was cursing furiously, but she could only force herself to look calm.

She gave a dry laugh. "Just a joke... just a joke. That serpent was going to attack you, so you acted in self-defense. Perfectly understandable."

She glanced at Meng Yiran and signaled to her granddaughter.

"In that case, my granddaughter and I will be leaving. My husband is waiting for us on the other side."

Meng Yiran bit her lip and cast one reluctant glance at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's corpse. In the end, she lowered her head under Chao Tianxiang's gaze and hurried to her grandmother's side.

The two were about to leave.

Then a voice suddenly rang out.

"Wait."

Chao Tianxiang shuddered slightly, her heart sinking.

She had thought the matter was over, only to be called back.

Especially after she had said Meng Shu was nearby.

Instinctively, she drew Meng Yiran behind her and turned around. Her voice came out a little hoarse. "Is there... something else?"

Everyone from Shrek Academy froze at that call.

The academy's teachers exchanged glances.

Flender's brows shifted slightly.

No one had expected Yu Xiaogang to be the one who spoke. He rarely said much, usually observing whenever he could stay silent.

Yu Xiaogang took two steps forward and stopped a short distance from Chao Tianxiang.

"I'm sorry we accidentally killed the serpent you were tracking."

"Shrek Academy isn't unreasonable. As compensation, I'm willing to go with you and help find a suitable Spirit Ring."

"That Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent wasn't right for your granddaughter anyway."

Everyone present was stunned.

Flender's brows drew together even more. He called out quietly, "Xiaogang, you..."

Before he could finish, Yu Xiaogang raised a hand to stop him.

Chao Tianxiang gave a dry laugh and waved him off. "There's no need. It was only one serpent. We can find another."

Yu Xiaogang's expression remained unchanged. "When an accident happens, compensation is owed."

"That's my rule."

"You may not have heard my name. I'm Yu Xiaogang. Most people in the Soul Master world call me Grandmaster."

He paused, then added evenly, "But I suspect you're more familiar with another name: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."

"I'm the second son of its current sect master."

As those last words fell,

Chao Tianxiang's fingers went still around her staff.

Of course she knew what the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect represented.

One of the upper three sects, with deep roots and immense power.

Even the Peerless Dragon and Snake had to show it some caution.

She looked Yu Xiaogang over again, as though reassessing the man before her.

The forest fell silent for several breaths after Yu Xiaogang spoke.

Nearly every teacher and student from Shrek Academy turned to look at him at once.

Most of them had never imagined Yu Xiaogang belonged to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.

Flender's knitted brows rose slightly. He blinked behind his glasses, as though seeing his old friend of many years in a new light.

"Xiaogang..."

He paused, seeming about to say more, but swallowed the words. In the end, he only patted Yu Xiaogang lightly on the shoulder.

He remembered how Yu Xiaogang had looked when he first appeared at Shrek Academy's gates six years ago.

Back then, Yu Xiaogang had worn an old robe faded from washing.

He had still looked as dispirited as ever,

but his eyes had been brighter than they were a decade earlier.

Even then, Flender had seen that something about his old friend had changed.

Now, as Yu Xiaogang said the name of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, his back was straight and his gaze steady.

Flender withdrew his hand from Yu Xiaogang's shoulder and said silently to himself,

He's finally found his feet again.

I thought he'd changed when he came to find me that year, but only now am I certain.

Hearing the name of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Chao Tianxiang felt somewhat relieved instead.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was indeed an honorable sect.

"I didn't realize you were the sect master's son. And Grandmaster, you were too modest just now."

She straightened her back slightly. "The name Grandmaster is renowned throughout the Soul Master world."

"Though I've spent many years in the mountains and forests, even I've heard of you."

"If Grandmaster says the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent isn't suitable for Yiran, then it surely isn't."

She glanced at Meng Yiran, then turned back.

"If Grandmaster is willing to find Yiran a more suitable Spirit Ring, I'll gladly accept your help. Thank you, Grandmaster."

Everyone wanted the best for their children. With such an opportunity before her, she naturally had to seize it.

"Yiran, thank Grandmaster."

Standing behind her grandmother, Meng Yiran said softly, "Thank you, Grandmaster."

Her voice was quiet, but she sounded sincere enough.