Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent

"Can she handle it?"

Even though Zhang Ping possessed a thousand-year Soul Ring, Ma Xiunuo still had his doubts about her.

The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent could not fly very high, only about three meters above the ground. It was roughly six to eight meters long, and its pale red wings marked it as a thousand-year-old beast. Judging by its length, it should have been between thirteen hundred and eighteen hundred years old.

Earlier, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent had sent Su Yuntao reeling and coughing up blood in a single exchange. In Ma Xiunuo's eyes, even with a thousand-year Soul Ring, Zhang Ping might not be a match for it.

"I believe she can." Su Chen smiled, showing no intention of helping. If Zhang Ping, a Soul Elder above rank thirty, could not even handle a thousand-year Soul Beast, she would hardly be worthy of her standing as one of the Spirit Hall Seed Players.

Su Chen also wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about the abilities of this seeded competitor from Spirit Hall.

"The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent itself isn't venomous. Its main method of attack is to coil around its enemies and suffocate them. Its attacks are simple, but it's extraordinarily fast. Its crest is also very special-it can give its speed an explosive boost when necessary. Your martial soul is the Golden-Waisted Flying Swallow, which can suppress it to some extent." Su Yuntao explained what he knew to Zhang Ping as she faced the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.

Su Chen looked at Su Yuntao in surprise. He had not expected him to know so much. What Su Chen did not know was that Su Yuntao dreamed of becoming a tournament commentator. Hoping to one day provide commentary at the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament, he had secretly read quite a few books about martial souls.

Whoosh!

As they spoke, the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent opened its enormous jaws and beat its wings, darting toward Zhang Ping, who stood at the front.

"First Soul Skill: Flying Swallow Attack!"

Zhang Ping's innermost Yellow Soul Ring shone brightly. Her Golden-Waisted Flying Swallow martial soul shot out a streak of golden light that, at first glance, looked like a miniature version of the martial soul.

The Golden-Waisted Flying Swallow struck the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, but only checked its advance for a moment without inflicting any significant damage.

"Her attack was blocked." Ma Xiunuo frowned.

"No, she's leaving a mark on it. Look-that faint golden light on the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is the mark Zhang Ping left behind." Su Yuntao certainly had the makings of an outstanding commentator; he saw through the secret of Zhang Ping's first Soul Skill at a glance.

That golden glow was peculiar indeed. As the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent charged up to her, Zhang Ping pushed off with her delicate foot and moved swiftly. At the same time, she curled her slender hand into an eagle's claw and struck the serpent.

Bang!

An unbelievable sight unfolded. The golden mark on the spot Zhang Ping struck suddenly gave off a dull boom. A hidden force erupted, sending the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent flying into a nearby tree whose trunk was thick enough for a person to wrap their arms around.

With a crack, the tree snapped.

"What an ingenious Soul Skill!" Su Yuntao blurted out.

Lying on the ground, the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's eyes darted about, as though it knew it was no match for Zhang Ping. Its crest released a red substance, and its speed abruptly multiplied as it fled deeper into the forest.

"It's trying to escape!" Su Yuntao cried urgently.

"Trying to escape? It won't be that easy." Zhang Ping was brimming with confidence, and the purple Soul Ring around her blazed with dazzling light.

"Third Soul Skill: Flying Swallow Rush!"

Soul Power surged out of Zhang Ping. Her Golden-Waisted Flying Swallow martial soul shone with golden light and suddenly grew to three or four times its original size, attaching itself to her back. As the martial soul beat its wings, Zhang Ping rose into the air.

"She's flying?" Su Yuntao exclaimed.

Soaring through the skies was every Soul Master's dream. Yet Zhang Ping, the rank-thirty-one Agility Attack System Battle Soul Elder before them, could already fly. Su Yuntao and Ma Xiunuo could not help feeling deeply envious.

Despite Zhang Ping's small frame, both her agility and flying speed were impressive. The distance between her and the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent steadily shrank.

"Third Soul Skill: Flying Swallow Rush!"

Zhang Ping's third Soul Ring lit up once more. From her position high above, she dived toward the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent fleeing ahead.

Bang!

A tremendous impact drove the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent out of the air and into the ground, leaving a deep depression where it landed.

"Her third Soul Skill actually has two stages! The first lets her soar into the sky, and the second lets her dive down and deliver a crushing blow. Women truly aren't to be underestimated!" Su Yuntao exclaimed. The facts proved that he did indeed have a talent for commentary.

Su Yuntao looked at Zhang Ping's Soul Rings again. Although he already possessed three Soul Rings, two of which were also hundred-year rings, and was himself a Soul Elder above rank thirty, he looked pathetically weak beside her. At this moment, the difference in their Soul Rings' ages perfectly illustrated the gulf between Soul Masters.

Hiss!

With no escape left, the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent suddenly glowed red. Even its grayish-white eyes took on a fierce crimson gleam.

"Watch out! It has a Berserk Bloodline!" Su Yuntao cried.

At that moment, Zhang Ping was facing Su Chen and the others, leaving her back exposed to the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. The serpent had already opened its blood-red maw, ready to swallow her whole.

"Second Soul Skill: Wind Blade!"

Zhang Ping lived up to her standing as one of the Spirit Hall Seed Players. In that instant of danger, her second Soul Ring erupted with brilliant light. A golden glow enveloped her as she shot forward, covering five meters in the space of a breath.

"Watch out!" Su Yuntao shouted urgently.

In its berserk state, the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was two or three times faster than before. The moment its jaws snapped shut on empty air, it lunged at Zhang Ping again.

Five meters.

Three meters.

Half a meter.

Just as the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's jaws were about to close around Zhang Ping, an aqua-blue figure dropped from the sky and punched its crest.

Thud!

When the dust settled, a sheen of cold sweat had appeared on Zhang Ping's forehead, and she turned around in bewilderment. Su Chen already had one foot planted on the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's head. Its crest had split into four large pieces. It lay motionless, apparently dead.

"Good lad. I never imagined your combat strength would reach such a terrifying level in six years." Su Yuntao walked over and patted Su Chen's shoulder in praise.

If not for Su Chen, the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent would have bitten Zhang Ping. Of course, the five meters she had covered with her second Soul Skill in that moment of desperation had also bought Su Chen precious time.