"Snake Grandma, cut the crap. Teacher Su Ran has already told us not to disturb his students while they absorb their Spirit Rings. Scram," Zhao Wuji bellowed at Chao Tianxiang.
"Do you know who our Teacher Su Ran is? He's the dean of Taoyuan Academy. Every disciple he teaches is a dragon among men, a rare genius."
"Even if that old man of yours were here, he'd have to be respectful. Do you think Teacher Su Ran sees you as some important figure? Don't disturb Teacher Su Ran's peace and quiet here!"
"This Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent belongs to our Little Ao."
This tirade was more than enough to infuriate Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran. Chao Tianxiang's face turned black.
Meng Yiran's pretty face flushed with anger, and she couldn't help but speak up for her grandparents. "My grandparents' title is the Unrivaled Dragon and Serpent. When they work together, they can even fight a Titled Douluo. Can you stop spouting nonsense? You're being completely unreasonable!"
Xiao Wu was confused. She whispered to Tang San, "Third Brother, wasn't Teacher Zhao severely injured by this Teacher Su Ran before? He's always been cursing Teacher Su Ran behind his back. Why is he speaking up for him today?"
"Shh." Tang San made a hushing motion, signaling for Xiao Wu to lower her voice. "Teacher Zhao is trying to praise Su Ran to death. We should just watch."
"Praise him to death?" Xiao Wu still didn't get it. Even with a 100,000-year-old rabbit's brain, she couldn't wrap her head around it.
Chao Tianxiang took a deep breath, calming her anger, and stared at Zhao Wuji. "Zhao Wuji, there's no need for you to stir up trouble. If my old man were here, would you still dare to be so arrogant? The first person I'd teach a lesson to would be you."
"Heh heh."
"You little brat, what right do you have to interrupt when your elders are speaking?" Zhao Wuji sneered at Meng Yiran. He then turned his attention back to Su Ran.
"I was the one who severely injured this Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent; it rightfully belongs to our Shrek. This Snake Grandma couldn't beat me, so she's trying to twist the facts and use your influence to snatch it. Her intentions are truly malicious."
"Snake Grandma, you've miscalculated. Teacher Su Ran is from the academy next door and is on very friendly terms with our Shrek. No matter what you say, he won't fall for your trick."
"Teacher Su Ran, we'll be leaving now, so as not to disturb your peace," Zhao Wuji said with a cold laugh, preparing to leave with the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent.
He had already beaten the serpent half to death. If he didn't find a chance for Little Ao to deliver the final blow soon, the Spirit Ring would be wasted. Moreover, with Su Ran present and their already hostile relationship with Snake Grandma, things would get ugly if the Dragon Duke really showed up. This was not a place to linger. It was best to stir the pot and let the Dragon Duke and Snake Grandma take their grievances to Su Ran. This was a trick Flender had taught him.
As the saying goes, you don't hit a smiling face. With Zhao Wuji's polite attitude this time, anyone else might have found it difficult to refuse him.
But Su Ran's eyes narrowed. A peach blossom branch shot from his hand, landing right in front of Zhao Wuji and preventing him from taking the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent.
Seeing that peach branch, Zhao Wuji's heart skipped a beat. A bad feeling welled up inside him.
Su Ran spoke calmly, "I originally didn't want to interfere in this matter. However, you've said a bit too much, and now I've changed my mind."
This Zhao Wuji was a nasty piece of work. No wonder Snake Grandma said he had a notorious reputation. He was clearly trying to make her think he and Su Ran were on the same side. That way, after Zhao Wuji and the Shrek group ran off, he, Su Ran, would be left to face the wrath of the Dragon Duke and Snake Grandma.
"I'll give you two choices. One, you leave the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent here. Two, we settle this according to the rules of the Spirit Master world and have a fight."
"1, 111, I choose 1!" Zhao Wuji blurted out almost instantly, without a shred of hesitation. "We'll leave the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent!"
He was drenched in sweat. A duel with Su Ran? What's the difference between that and asking me to die? Damn it, Dean, that 'kill with a borrowed knife' trick you taught me isn't working!
Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran were completely dumbfounded. Zhao Wuji had made his choice a little too quickly... The previously fierce and brutal man now had a face full of fear. Why was he so afraid of this young man? Although they couldn't see his face, judging from his clothes and voice, he couldn't be much older than Yiran. He was at most a Spirit King, right? How could he terrify a Spirit Saint like Zhao Wuji so thoroughly? Could it be that this young man named Su Ran had a heaven-defying background?
"Aren't you even going to ask who would be fighting whom?" Su Ran glanced at Zhao Wuji, his expression serene.
"Hehe, I am already your defeated opponent, Teacher Su Ran. There's no need to fight. I surrender. You can do whatever you want with this Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent," Zhao Wuji said with a fawning smile.
Only Oscar looked a little regretful. That was supposed to be his third Spirit Ring!
"I was originally going to have Shrek's Dai Mubai and my disciple Zhu Zhuqing duel to decide the ownership of this serpent. Since you chose option 1, then get lost," Su Ran said flatly.
"Yes, right away!" Zhao Wuji was about to make a run for it, but then the words registered, and he froze. "Huh? Wait? Who did you say? Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing are fighting?"
A little further back, Dai Mubai, who had been looking sullen, brightened up at these words. "Teacher, let me fight."
"In my life, I hate betrayal the most, especially when that person is my fiancée. I must teach her a lesson. Besides, I can also win back the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent for Little Ao."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. A month ago, she was only around rank twenty-seven. She's no match for me. It's only been a month; I refuse to believe her strength could have increased by much," Dai Mubai said in a low voice.
"Alright, then you can go."
"Teacher Su Ran, this student of mine is a stubborn one. He wants to give it a try. Can we still change our choice now?" Zhao Wuji asked.
Su Ran smiled faintly. "Of course."
[Disciple Zhu Zhuqing has successfully absorbed her third Spirit Ring. The spirit ability has been successfully attached and shared. Third Spirit Ring age: 2,700 years.]
[Disciple Ning Rongrong has successfully absorbed her third Spirit Ring. The spirit ability has been successfully attached and shared. Third Spirit Ring age: 2,500 years.]
[Host's spirit power has increased. Current host spirit power rank: 74.]
"Zhuqing, now that your breakthrough is a success, it's time to come out and break your inner demon," Su Ran called out towards the forest behind him.
Sure enough, the figures of two beautiful young girls appeared.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were bright, her gaze fixed straight ahead.
Ning Rongrong skipped over to Su Ran. "Teacher, we succeeded in our breakthrough!"
"The spirit beast you chose was perfect, Teacher! After absorbing this Spirit Ring, my second layer of the Golden Bell has been perfected! I can start refining my bones now!"
Su Ran smiled fondly and patted Ning Rongrong's pink hair. "That's good."
Ning Rongrong thoroughly enjoyed the head pat, shrinking her neck like a little pink kitten.
Zhu Zhuqing: Um... I think I'm the cat here...
"My Ten Halls of Yama has also stabilized. It seems I can now communicate with the Yama qi of the first hall," Zhu Zhuqing reported.
"Mmm. Are you ready?"
"I am ready, Teacher." Zhu Zhuqing's sharp gaze fell upon Dai Mubai across from her.
(End of Chapter)