Tang San's request

"Did you two need something?"

Zhao Wuji frowned at the two people who had appeared.

"My name is Chao Tianxiang. Sorry for the intrusion."

Snake Granny introduced herself and closed her hand around a snake-headed staff.

At the same time, six soul rings appeared beneath her feet.

"Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang?"

"Forgive my discourtesy."

Zhao Wuji raised his brows, then cupped his hands in greeting.

He had never expected this old woman to be Snake Granny of the Peerless Dragon Snake.

Although Snake Granny was only a Soul Emperor, Dragon Duke was an exceptionally powerful Soul Douluo. Rumor had it that the Peerless Dragon Snake couple's Martial Soul Fusion Skill could even contend with a Titled Douluo.

More importantly, Dragon Duke and Snake Granny were practically inseparable. Since Snake Granny was here, Zhao Wuji was certain Dragon Duke could not be far away.

But Zhao Wuji was not someone who could be frightened by a name alone.

"May I ask your name?"

Snake Granny asked just then.

"I'm Zhao Wuji."

Zhao Wuji grinned, and seven soul rings appeared one after another.

"A Soul Saint?"

"Zhao Wuji?"

Snake Granny's pupils abruptly contracted. She had not expected to run into such a tough opponent. "So you're the Immovable Wisdom King, Zhao Wuji. Forgive this old woman's discourtesy."

With one hand on her staff, Snake Granny bowed slightly.

Beside her, Meng Yiran's little mouth fell slightly open in surprise.

She had never expected a group they happened upon in the Star Dou Great Forest to include a Soul Saint.

Zhao Wuji merely nodded slightly and said nothing more.

He's waiting for me to explain why we're here? Snake Granny immediately understood his intentions. "To be frank, we came for the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent beneath your hand."

"Would you be willing to let us have it?"

"Truthfully, we've been tracking this soul beast for a long time. It's simply been too cunning..."

Snake Granny gave a bitter smile as she spoke.

Let them have it?

None of them had expected Snake Granny to make such a demand.

"Teacher Zhao..."

Oscar grew anxious. He had done plenty of research before coming and knew that this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was one of the soul beasts best suited to him. Naturally, he did not want anyone taking it away.

Besides, with it on its last breath, wasn't it practically a duck already at his lips?

"As you can see, my student needs this soul beast too. I'm very sorry, but we can't give it up."

Zhao Wuji spoke gravely.

"Grandma..."

Beside Snake Granny, Meng Yiran could not help tugging at Chao Tianxiang's sleeve.

"Brother Zhao, surely there's such a thing as first come, first served? We did set our sights on this soul beast first..."

"If you're willing to take a step back, my husband and I will owe you a favor."

Snake Granny spoke in a low voice.

"Sorry, Sister Chao. A suitable soul beast is hard to find. I can't back down."

Zhao Wuji refused to yield an inch.

"Fine, fine, fine!"

Snake Granny laughed. "It seems my husband and I have been away from the continent for so long that many people have forgotten what the Peerless Dragon Snake name means..."

As she spoke, she slammed her staff against the ground, sending dust flying.

Was she about to attack?

Zhao Wuji's heart sank. With things having reached this point, they could only settle it with their fists.

Even Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others behind Zhao Wuji knew something serious was about to happen.

"Yiran, we're leaving."

Yet Snake Granny's next move took everyone by surprise.

What was going on?

Everyone was stunned.

My pants...

Pah.

I was all ready for a huge fight, and you're just turning around and leaving?

Zhao Wuji looked utterly dumbfounded.

"Grandma..."

Never mind the others-even Meng Yiran could not understand what had gotten into her grandmother.

"Come. We'll find your grandfather first."

Snake Granny's voice brooked no argument.

Left with no choice, Meng Yiran could only give in.

"Teacher, what was that about?"

Oscar was bewildered.

Zhao Wuji instinctively glanced at Qin Xiao, then told Oscar, "Don't worry about it. Hurry up and absorb this soul beast's soul ring. Delay invites trouble."

Hearing that, Oscar approached step by step with a sharp blade in hand.

Elsewhere.

Snake Granny led Meng Yiran a long way before stopping.

"Grandma, why did we have to give in? You could have sent word for Grandpa to hurry over."

Meng Yiran asked in confusion.

After all, they had handed over prey they had pursued for so long. Who would feel comfortable with that?

"I was afraid your grandfather wouldn't get here in time..."

Snake Granny sighed. "Earlier, I sensed a powerful aura locking onto me. If I did anything out of line, its owner might strike me like a thunderbolt, and I might not be able to withstand the consequences. Avoiding that sharp edge for now was our best option..."

"There was someone even you were wary of?"

Meng Yiran found that hard to believe.

"The Douluo Continent is vast, and its powerful experts are beyond counting."

Snake Granny shook her head slightly and spoke helplessly.

But the next moment, both her expression and Meng Yiran's changed, and they turned toward the same direction.

"Your grandfather sent word for us to come over. He may have found a better target."

"Let's go take a look right away."

With that, she led Meng Yiran away into the forest.

"Xiao San, what sort of soul beast do you want to hunt for your third soul ring?"

In the forest, Xiao Wu asked Tang San beside her in puzzlement. They had been wandering through the forest for a long time, yet Tang San still had not found a suitable target.

"You should know Blue Silver Grass's weakness: it's too weak. Simply increasing its toughness and the like won't accomplish much anymore. The improvement would be limited.

"So I want to take an unconventional path and hunt a poisonous soul beast. I'll see if I can make Blue Silver Grass poisonous. Even a little numbing poison would make it much more versatile."

"Make Blue Silver Grass poisonous?" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up after hearing Tang San's explanation.

She had to admit it was a good idea.

"Then let's get going." Tang San smiled and nodded.

But Xiao Wu frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Xiao San, someone's coming. Let's hide first."

"All right!"

Without further hesitation, the two hid in the crown of an ancient tree like a pair of ghosts.

Before long.

Several people passed beneath them, talking as they walked.

"Just what kind of place is Shrek Academy? They actually have a Soul Saint teaching there. Even our Canghui Academy's dean is only a Soul Saint, right?"

"Do you think that kid they called 'Your Eminence' is really a Titled Douluo?"

"Are you dreaming of eating shit? How old is he? He looks like a teenager. Have you ever heard of a teenage Titled Douluo?"

"..."

The Canghui Academy students discussed it among themselves.

Their leader, Ye Zhiqiu, however, found it unbearable. He could not help snapping, "Enough! You're still running your mouths in the Star Dou Great Forest. Do you think this is your backyard? Shut up if you don't want to die."

"And aren't you full of questions? Those people from Shrek Academy have entered the Star Dou Great Forest too. If any of you have the guts, go ask them yourselves."

Ye Zhiqiu spoke coldly to the Canghui Academy students behind him.

"Uh..."

"Let's forget it."

"What if that Teacher Zhao hits me? I'm a support-type soul master. I couldn't take two slaps."

They all refused.

"Then shut your damn mouths, and never bring this up again."

Ye Zhiqiu snorted irritably and limped onward.

The Canghui Academy students followed close behind.

This time, they had learned their lesson and dared not mention what had happened earlier.

A long time later, Tang San and Xiao Wu drifted down from the tree, their movements as light as two ghosts.

"Xiao San, let's go."

"I think a Man Faced Demon Spider would be perfect for your third soul ring. Let's go find one now."

Xiao Wu spoke excitedly.

However.

Tang San remained rooted to the spot.

"Xiao San, what's wrong?"

"Xiao Wu, can I ask you to help me with something?" Tang San looked straight at her and asked gravely.

Xiao Wu asked in confusion, "What is it? Do you really need to say 'ask' between the two of us?"

"I remember you told me Da Ming and Er Ming are both soul beasts over a hundred thousand years old. I want them to help me deal with Qin Xiao."

"What!"

Xiao Wu was shocked. "Xiao San, have you lost your mind? Qin Xiao is so powerful that even Clear Sky Douluo couldn't defeat him. Da Ming and Er Ming might not be a match for him!"

"That won't happen."

Tang San calmly shook his head at her words. "Do you remember what I said before? I believe Qin Xiao must have suffered serious injuries in his battle with my father too, so now is definitely the best time to strike."

"Well..." Xiao Wu still hesitated.

She had witnessed Qin Xiao's power herself. Deep down, she did not want Da Ming and Er Ming to risk their lives.

"Xiao Wu, I'm not asking Da Ming and Er Ming to throw their lives away. They're the overlords of the forest. Even if they can't beat Qin Xiao, retreating shouldn't be difficult, right?"

"But..."

"No more buts. Xiao Wu, please help me. If Qin Xiao doesn't die, with such a powerful enemy out there, I truly can't eat or sleep in peace." A pleading note entered Tang San's voice.

"All right."

Xiao Wu reluctantly nodded. "I'll go talk to Er Ming."

Tang San smiled at that. "That's my good Xiao Wu."

Meanwhile.

Oscar finally finished absorbing his soul ring and began showing off his new soul skill.

After a string of sleazy incantations, a strangely shaped sausage appeared in his hand.

Blech...

What the hell was that?

Ma Hongjun immediately pretended to retch.

Although Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others said nothing, they still instinctively took a few steps back.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Oscar's expression changed at once. He felt his heart had taken quite a blow.

"You're ignoring me now, but in a moment, I'll be beyond your reach."

"My third soul skill, Mushroom Sausage. Its effect: flight!"

After speaking, he watched everyone intently, afraid of missing even the smallest detail of their expressions.

Sure enough, he got his wish.

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others immediately gaped in astonishment.

"Holy shit, hurry up and make me one to try!"

Ma Hongjun even held out his hand to Oscar.

But Oscar answered him with a massive eye roll. "Get lost-as far as your imagination can take you. Weren't you the one who had the biggest reaction just now? You even had morning sickness."

Ma Hongjun: o(╥﹏╥)o

Little Oscar really knew how to hold a grudge.

"All right, since we've finished hunting for the Soul Ring, let's head back now."

Zhao Wuji clapped his hands then, drawing everyone's attention.

Just then, however, Qin Xiao spoke in a leisurely tone. "Wait, there's still one thing I need to do."