No Fight? No Way!

Seeing the unwavering sincerity and confidence in Yan Zu's eyes, Oscar struggled for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and saying to Zhao Wuji, "Teacher Zhao, I... I'm willing to believe in Yan Zu! I don't want this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent anymore!"

"Oscar, you..." Dai Mubai was somewhat taken aback.

"Good!" Zhao Wuji patted Oscar on the shoulder. "That's bold! Kid, it's right to have a long-term vision! Yan Zu, I'm trusting you this time. You're responsible for Oscar's Soul Ring to the end!"

Yan Zu nodded. "I will certainly not fail your trust."

Now it was Snake Granny and Meng Yiran be surprised. They hadn't expected Shrek to actually give up such a readily available top-grade Soul Beast? And for such a... seemingly far-fetched reason?

Meng Yiran looked at Yan Zu, her curiosity growing even stronger. This young man not only possessed considerable strength, but also had such insight and responsibility? He could recognize the long-term development of his companions, persuade them to give up immediate gains, and even make a vow for it?

"Since you've given up, then this Soul Beast will belong to my granddaughter." Although the Snake Granny was puzzled, she was happy to see it happen and was about to grab the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent that was lying limp on the ground.

However, Meng Yiran suddenly stepped forward, her Serpent Cane flashing as it pointed at Yan Zu. Her pretty face was frosty, her eyes filled with defiance and stubbornness.

"Wait! Who gets the Soul Beast is one thing, but I, Meng Yiran, still want to have a match with you!"

Her chest heaved slightly. She had issued the challenge herself, but Yan Zu had given up after just a few words. Hadn't she become the laughingstock?

The young girl's emotional outburst meant she needed a real, fair contest to prove herself.

"Yan Zu, is it? I don't want you to give way! If you're so capable, then take a few of my moves fair and square!"

These words were spoken quickly and urgently, carrying the spoiled and unyielding pride unique to a young girl. Rather than fighting for Soul Beast, it was more like defending her dignity and strength.

Yan Zu was slightly taken aback. Looking into Meng Yiran's beautiful eyes, which were burning with fighting spirit, he instantly understood her thoughts.

A gentle smile flickered in his eyes. That indomitable spirit was rather endearing.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said sincerely, "Miss Meng is a woman of few words and great courage. In that case, I, Yan Zu, will humbly accept your offer. Regardless of victory or defeat, this Soul Beast will belong to you. Consider it... to fulfill your wish to test your skills. Please."

His words saved face for the other party, clarified the nature of the exchange, and reaffirmed the ownership of the Soul Beast, leaving no room for error and providing ample room for maneuver.

Meng Yiran was stunned. Looking into Yan Zu's clear, open, and unadulterated eyes, her cheeks inexplicably felt hot.

She had been holding a grudge after escaping the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, and when she encountered Oscar vying for the Soul Beast, she wanted to teach him a lesson, especially this seemingly "special" Yan Zu. But now, the other party had voluntarily given up the Soul Beast and lowered his stance so much... If she continued to be aggressive, she would only appear petty.

"You still have some manners." Meng Yiran suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and raised her chin. "However, a spar is a spar, and I won't hold back! Come on!" As she spoke, she released her Martial Soul, the Serpent Cane, and two Yellow Soul Ring rose from her feet.

Yan Zu smiled slightly, without releasing his Martial Soul, but simply made a gesture of invitation. "Please enlighten me, Miss Meng."

Before she finished speaking, Meng Yiran flashed forward, her snake-headed cane emerging like a venomous snake from its hole, aiming for Yan Zu's shoulder. The force of the cane was fierce, clearly showing her family's martial arts background, while avoiding vital points, merely to demonstrate her martial arts skills.

Yan Zu remained expressionless, and with a slight shift of his feet, he gracefully dodged the attack.

Seeing that Yan Zu dodged her attack so easily, Meng Yiran knew that Yan Zu's strength might be above hers, so she no longer held back and attacked with all her might.

Her lithe body twisted like a serpent emerging from its hole, her Serpent Cane drawing a strange arc as it aimed straight for Yan Zu's face. Her First Soul Ring shone brightly— Snake Shadow Raid! It was incredibly fast and its angle was cunning.

Yan Zu shifted his feet slightly, his body moving like Flowing Clouds, easily dodging the swift attack. At the same time, he pointed his right hand like a sword, sending a wisp of condensed energy towards Meng Yiran's wrist.

Meng Yiran changed her move quickly, her Serpent Cane swirling to block, but she felt a numbness in her wrist, secretly amazed by the exquisite control of her opponent's strength. She dared not be careless, and her Second Soul Ring lit up— Snake Blade Assault! Her figure blurred instantly, sliding to the side, leaving a faint afterimage in place.

A golden light flashed in Yan Zu's eyes, easily seeing through the true form's location. However, instead of pursuing, he stopped and commented, "Miss Meng's movements are agile, and her Serpent Cane techniques are unpredictable. However, her power exertion is too focused on speed and strangeness, lacking in strength and ferocity, and the transitions are slightly hesitant. If she could combine strength and gentleness, and integrate feints and real attacks, her power would increase by another three points."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yiran surprised and embarrassed. She was surprised that Yan Zu had seen through her moves at a glance, and embarrassed that he had actually given her pointers during their sparring session.

But she was stubborn and didn't answer. She charged forward again, displaying her family's Serpent Cane technique to its fullest extent. Sometimes she was like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, swiftly stabbing vital points; other times she was like a nimble snake coiling around, locking and binding joints.

Yan Zu remained calm and composed throughout, maneuvering with only exquisite footwork and techniques.

His footwork was unpredictable, always dodging attacks at the last possible moment. When he did strike, whether with a finger or a palm, it was never a killing move, but rather aimed at the weak points in Meng Yiran's moves or at the point where her strength was running out.

His movements were fluid and effortless, as if he were guiding or demonstrating rather than fighting.

The onlookers were mesmerized. Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He could tell that Yan Zu had not used his full strength at all, nor had he even used his Soul Skill. He had completely controlled the situation with just his movement and combat awareness. What was even more remarkable was that every move he made seemed to be "feeding" Meng Yiran, allowing her to see her own shortcomings more clearly.

The Snake Granny grew increasingly alarmed. This young man's combat skills and grasp of the battle situation were simply beyond what one would expect from someone his age!

He clearly had many opportunities to quickly defeat Yiran, but he chose this "guiding" style of fighting, and his comments were always to the point. Even she, a veteran who had been immersed in the Serpent Cane technique for decades, was inspired by it.

After fighting for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Meng Yiran was drenched in sweat and had exhausted most of her Soul Power, yet she hadn't even touched the hem of Yan Zu's clothes.

She knew she had lost, and she accepted it wholeheartedly. Her opponent far surpassed her in skill, insight, and demeanor.

She leaped backward, retracting her Martial Soul. Her chest heaved slightly as she looked at the composed Yan Zu. Her eyes held a complex mix of emotions: frustration, admiration, and a ripple of emotion she herself was unaware of.

She clasped her hands in a fist salute, her voice much softer than before. "I lost. Thank you... for your guidance." The last two words were spoken with exceptional clarity.

Yan Zu returned the greeting with clasped hands. "Miss Meng, you flatter me. You have a solid foundation and excellent comprehension; given time, you will surely reach even greater heights."

Meng Yiran bit her lip, said nothing more, turned around and walked back to the Snake Granny, whispering, "Grandma, let's go." She didn't even look at the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent on the ground again.

The Snake Granny gave Yan Zu a deep look, nodded, grabbed the unconscious Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, and quickly left with Meng Yiran.

Before leaving, Meng Yiran help but turn back and glance at Yan Zu one last time before disappearing into the dense forest.

"Tsk tsk, Yan Zu, not bad! Not only did you win, but you've almost stolen that young lady's heart!" Ma Hongjun winked and leaned closer.

Yan Zu glanced at him indifferently. "Fatty, watch your mouth. Oscar, let's continue searching for your Soul Ring."

"Oh, okay!" Oscar snapped out of his reverie after the exciting and "friendly" sparring match and nodded quickly.

However, just as everyone was preparing to continue, a strong fluctuation of Soul Power suddenly emanated from Tang San! He sat down cross-legged, his face flushed, his Soul Power surging violently, and his aura rising continuously!

"Is this... a breakthrough coming?" Zhao Wuji was taken aback.

A moment later, Tang San opened his eyes, which shone brightly. Two Yellow Soul Ring appeared beneath his feet, and his aura had reached level 30! He had actually sensed something after witnessing the series of events just now, and his Soul Power had broken through its bottleneck on its own!

"Congratulations, Little San!" Dai Mubai patted him on the shoulder. Everyone else offered their congratulations, though their thoughts varied. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing offered polite congratulations, Oscar was still thinking about his Soul Ring, Ma Hongjun was a little jealous, Yan Zu nodded calmly.

Tang San responded to everyone with a smile, but when his gaze swept over Yan Zu, a hint of coldness flashed deep in his eyes.

Just now, Yan Zu and Meng Yiran a "friendly" sparring match, stealing the spotlight; and his remarks made Oscar willingly give up a top-grade Soul Beast, showing his foresight. Now, although he has also broken through, his limelight seems to have been completely overshadowed by the other party. In particular, Meng Yiran specifically challenged Yan Zu instead of himself, which made the thorn in his heart grow deeper and deeper.

"Haha, good things come in pairs!" Zhao Wuji was in high spirits. "Now that Tang San has also broken through, let's find two Soul Ring in one go! Let's find them for Oscar first, his is more urgent. Yan Zu, you made a promise, so it's up to you!"

Guided by Yan Zu, the team continued to venture deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.