The two elite spirit beasts, which had once rampaged through their territory in the Outer Circle, died in such an aggrieved manner.
Two purple Spirit Rings materialized above their carcasses.
"That was a pretty good fight. Your two months of training were not in vain," Su Ran commented. "The age of these two spirit beasts is still a bit high for you right now. Recover for a bit before you absorb their Spirit Rings."
Su Ran was quite satisfied with Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's performance. He had originally estimated that it would be a very difficult victory for them. Although both had used every trick up their sleeves—Zhu Zhuqing even using the Ghost Shuttle hidden weapon he had just taught her for self-defense a couple of days ago—neither had sustained any serious injuries.
"Mmm!"
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were also thrilled. They had actually defeated two spirit beasts that were nearly three thousand years old! Although the beasts hadn't quite reached that age, their high quality meant their combat strength was actually greater than that of an average three-thousand-year spirit beast.
A quarter of an hour later.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong decisively delivered the final blows, sat down cross-legged, and began to absorb their third Spirit Rings.
Su Ran leaned against a large nearby tree, standing guard for them.
Time ticked by slowly.
Painful expressions gradually appeared on both Zhu Zhuqing's and Ning Rongrong's faces. Their brows were tightly furrowed, their features tense. This was caused by the power contained within the Spirit Rings expanding their meridians. The higher the age of the ring, the more violent this power surge would be. Once it exceeded the Spirit Master's physical limit, it could even cause their meridians to rupture and lead to bleeding from all seven orifices.
However, with the protection of the Ten Halls of Yama and the Golden Bell Shield, Su Ran wasn't worried that they were in any mortal danger.
And sure enough, just as their pain reached a certain threshold, a muffled sound came from within both of them.
Hum~
Above Zhu Zhuqing's head, the phantom of the Hell Civet flickered, and the Ten Halls of Yama appeared. A surge of Yama's baleful qi spread out, protecting her heart meridian.
A golden light, shaped like an indestructible bell, also materialized around Ning Rongrong, her muscles, bones, and bloodline becoming incredibly resilient.
[Third Spirit Ring Absorption Progress: 90%]
"Almost done!" Su Ran looked up, a hint of anticipation in his eyes. He was curious to see what Zhu Zhuqing's third spirit ability would be.
"Who's there?"
Just at that moment, a rustling sound came from the jungle, alerting Su Ran. A large serpent with a red crest and red wings was slammed into the grass a hundred meters away, covered in blood.
It was accompanied by two voices, one gruff and one elderly.
"Respected Spirit Saint, we were the first to attack this Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent. You can't steal it from us."
"Old sister, the spirit beasts in this Star Dou Great Forest are ownerless. There's no such thing as first-come, first-served. Besides, we didn't see you when we made our move. My student needs this beast very much, so I can't possibly give it to you. Little Ao, go deliver the final blow."
"You dare!"
"Grandma Chao, I had almost killed this Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent already. It's perfectly reasonable for it to belong to us. If you're not convinced, you're welcome to fight me for it. We'll settle this according to the rules of the Spirit Master world."
"You—" The old woman was flushed with anger at the large man's words.
Just by hearing the voices, Su Ran understood the situation and couldn't help but sigh. Sometimes, fate was something you just couldn't escape. The people from Shrek Academy had still ended up fighting with Snake Grandma Chao Tianxiang over the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent.
To be honest, Su Ran had no interest in this particular serpent; its age was too low. But disturbing his disciples while they were absorbing their Spirit Rings was another matter entirely.
"Everyone," Su Ran's voice calmly drifted down from the tree he was perched on, "my students are absorbing their Spirit Rings here and require quiet. Please take your dispute elsewhere."
"Who's there?"
"Your words hold no reason, Your Excellency. The land of the Star Dou Great Forest is ownerless. We can be wherever we please. You can only blame yourself for choosing a poor spot for your students to make their breakthrough."
"Hiding in the shadows? Do you dare to show yourself and face me?" Zhao Wuji retorted irritably.
He had been severely injured by that beast of a teacher from Taoyuan Academy some time ago. Having finally recovered, he was in a foul mood and was itching for a fight to blow off some steam. Judging by the fact that the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent was covered in blood, its body beaten flat and on the verge of death, it was clearly his handiwork.
He had enjoyed talking tough, but a moment later, Xiao Wu muttered, "That voice... I think I've heard it somewhere before. It's very pleasant."
"Pleasant-sounding voices all sound the same. There are only so many vocal tones a person can have."
Tang San's expression changed. He was a bit more perceptive than the others. "Teacher Zhao, that voice sounds like..."
"What? Does Teacher Zhao wish to spar again?"
And just as he spoke, a graceful figure in clean, cloud-white robes, wearing a mask adorned with dragons and peach blossoms, moved. In the space of a single breath, he had leaped to a thick branch on a large tree near them. He stood there, quietly looking down on them.
On the left were two people, one old and one young, both female. The older one was Snake Grandma Chao Tianxiang. She looked to be in her sixties or seventies with a full head of neat white hair, yet her spirit was exceptionally vigorous, and her complexion was as rosy as a baby's. In her right hand, she held a three-meter-long, snake-headed staff. Six Spirit Rings pulsed around her as she faced off against Zhao Wuji.
Beside the old woman was a beautiful young girl, Meng Yiran. She had short, ear-length hair, was about sixteen or seventeen, and was dressed in a neat, close-fitting outfit that hugged her well-developed figure. Her large, dark brown eyes were fixed on the heavily injured Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent, her face showing her displeasure.
On the right, of course, were the members of Shrek Academy.
Upon seeing the newcomer's attire, Zhao Wuji's arrogant demeanor vanished in an instant. His fierce expression was replaced by a fawning one. "So it's Teacher Su Ran from Taoyuan Academy. My apologies, my apologies. It was I, Zhao, who was being rude. We'll leave this place immediately."
Cold sweat was already beading on Zhao Wuji's forehead. He considered himself to be of an upper-middle level among Spirit Saints, but he had been beaten soundly by this young Spirit Saint. He was very reluctant to admit that his Mighty Vajra Bear was nothing more than a hole-ridden cotton bear in front of him.
On the left, both Snake Grandma Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran looked at Su Ran with surprise.
Meng Yiran's brown eyes were wide with shock. Who is this person? Why is he wearing a mask? He has a rather fine aura, but he looks very young. Why does that Zhao Wuji seem afraid of him? Could it be that he possesses power beyond that of a Spirit Saint at such a young age?
"Wait."
"Zhao Wuji, you cannot take the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent."
"You are called Teacher Su Ran, correct?" Chao Tianxiang turned to Su Ran and cupped her hands, her attitude reasonably polite. "Elder sister would like to ask you to be the judge. Elder sister was the first to select this Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent for my granddaughter, Yiran. It still bears the wounds I inflicted on it. It was only due to a moment of carelessness that it escaped. By the time I caught up to it, they had already heavily injured it. I can see that this Zhao Wuji holds you in some reverence. I implore you to seek justice for this old woman and my granddaughter!"
(End of Chapter)