Zhao Wuji shifted his gaze to the young woman beside the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent, noticing she held a dagger, clearly also in need of this spirit ring.
For a moment, Zhao Wuji found himself caught in a dilemma.
The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's spirit ring was exceptionally suitable for Oscar. It might even grant a flying-type spirit skill, which would provide significant benefits both individually and for the team.
Under Oscar's hopeful gaze, Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and walked over. He bowed towards Lin Mu and said:
"Your Excellency, we have also been pursuing this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent for some time, exhausting a considerable amount of its stamina. One of my students urgently needs a third spirit ring, and the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's ring happens to be a perfect fit. Might I ask if Your Excellency could show some flexibility?"
Before Lin Mu could speak, Snake Grandmother slammed the end of her serpent-head staff on the ground, her face filled with anger:
"This Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent was clearly pursued all the way here by us! It was only thanks to this gentleman's intervention that it was successfully subdued. Now you show up halfway, and still have the nerve to claim credit? You clearly intend to snatch it by force!"
Meng Yiran also glared indignantly at Oscar and Zhao Wuji, her expression full of displeasure: "Senior has already agreed to give it to us. What right do you have to come and steal it?"
She gripped her dagger tightly, her chest rising and falling slightly with anger.
Her third spirit ring, almost within her grasp, was now being interfered with by this group, filling her with intense irritation.
Facing the rebukes from the two, Zhao Wuji had no way to refute them. He could only look towards Lin Mu not far away.
The ownership of this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent ultimately lay in his hands.
If Lin Mu weren't present, there would be no need for all this talk. They would simply let their strength do the talking.
"I said the spirit ring belongs to you."
Just as the two sides were on the verge of a dispute, Lin Mu made the final decision.
Hearing this, Snake Grandmother immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The middle-aged spirit master who had suddenly appeared was clearly not weak.
If a real fight broke out, she most likely wasn't his match.
With this gentleman presiding over the matter, the middle-aged spirit master probably wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
"Teacher Zhao Wuji..."
Seeing his third spirit ring about to slip away, Oscar immediately grew anxious.
"Be quiet! I'll find you another thousand-year spirit beast later," Zhao Wuji frowned, a hint of impatience in his voice as he snapped softly. He was already feeling frustrated and stifled, and now he was being pressured like this.
Having been thoroughly beaten just yesterday, was he supposed to get thrashed again?
This was a suspected Title Douluo powerhouse. If he got beaten up again, he probably wouldn't live to see the next day's sun.
"Thank you, senior."
After expressing her gratitude, Meng Yiran half-knelt and pierced the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's heart with her dagger.
Soon, a purple spirit ring floated above the serpent's body.
Seeing the spirit ring appear, Oscar completely lost hope. Only the person who delivers the final blow to a spirit beast can absorb its spirit ring.
This meant his third spirit ring was gone just like that.
"Your Excellency, I still need to help my student hunt for a spirit ring, so I shall take my leave now."
Zhao Wuji clasped his hands in a salute towards Lin Mu, speaking respectfully.
The matter of the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's spirit ring was settled. Rather than staying here under the watchful eye of this Excellency, it was better to leave early and find another suitable spirit beast for Oscar.
Lin Mu similarly did not linger in the area. He led Tang San and Xiao Wu to continue deeper into the forest.
If Zhao Wuji decided to double back, Snake Grandmother and Meng Yiran would be in danger, but that was none of his concern.
Subduing the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent was merely a casual act. Staying behind to play bodyguard was not his style.
The deeper they went, the taller and lusher the trees became, and the light grew dimmer. The air was thick with a primitive and dangerous aura.
Tang San maintained a focused expression, his Purple Demon Eye constantly observing their surroundings.
They had now entered a more hazardous zone. A thousand-year or even ten-thousand-year spirit beast could appear at any moment.
Xiao Wu, however, seemed somewhat distracted. Although the atmosphere here gave her a feeling of being home, Tang San's earlier words had left her feeling unsettled and worried.
Watching Tang San's back, Xiao Wu thought to herself: "Brother, what would you do if you knew I was also a spirit beast?"
"Swoosh—swoosh—"
A very faint rustling sound reached Lin Mu's ears. His eyes flickered slightly, but he made no sound, only slowing his pace a little.
Suddenly, the bushes not far ahead were violently torn apart! A massive black shadow, carrying a foul, fishy wind, lunged out!
Eight spear-like spider legs gleamed with a sinister light. Its main body was covered in a hard carapace, but the most horrifying feature was the vicious, twisted white human-face pattern on its abdomen.
A Human-Faced Demon Spider, around two thousand years in cultivation!
"Be careful!"
Tang San shouted a low warning. Reacting with extreme speed, he instantly pushed the distracted Xiao Wu behind him. His Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step activated, allowing him to narrowly avoid the Human-Faced Demon Spider's first deadly pounce.
"Xiao San, Xiao Wu, this Human-Faced Demon Spider is yours to deal with."
Lin Mu's calm voice rang out. His figure blurred, and he appeared on the branch of a large tree not far away, arms crossed as he watched from the sidelines, clearly not intending to intervene.
Tang San instantly understood his master's intention—to use this spirit beast to hone their practical combat abilities. His gaze sharpened as he said, "Xiao Wu, coordinate with me!"
"Understood!"
Xiao Wu suppressed the tangled thoughts in her heart. Two yellow spirit rings spiraled up from her feet as she swiftly entered a combat stance.
"Blue Silver Grass, Entangle!"
Tang San commanded in a low voice. The enhanced Blue Silver Grass surged forth like agile serpents. Instead of simple binding, they cunningly coiled around the Human-Faced Demon Spider's joints and the roots of its legs, attempting to restrict its movement.
Simultaneously, the first spirit ring at his feet lit up.
"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Crystallization!"
The Blue Silver Grass that had entangled the spider instantly became coated with a layer of hard, crystalline ice-like keratin, greatly enhancing its binding strength.
The Human-Faced Demon Spider let out a sharp shriek, struggling violently and wildly slashing with its legs, severing many strands of Blue Silver Grass. However, the crystallized vines were exceptionally tenacious, hindering its movement for the moment.
"Good chance! Xiao Wu!" Tang San called out, turning slightly.
"Leave it to me!"
Xiao Wu's figure shot forward like lightning. Her Waist Bow ability activated, instantly closing the distance. Her slender legs directly clamped onto one of the spider's relatively thinner legs on one side, and she twisted with all her might!
CRACK!
A sickening sound of bone fracture echoed. One of the Human-Faced Demon Spider's legs was actually snapped off by Xiao Wu!
Consumed by pain, the Human-Faced Demon Spider grew even more frenzied. Its abdomen contracted sharply, and a huge, sticky web, accompanied by viscous fluid, shot out from its spinnerets, aiming to ensnare Xiao Wu.
"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step!"
Tang San had anticipated this. His figure darted in like a phantom, grabbing Xiao Wu's wrist. The two of them avoided the web by a hair's breadth.
Just as Tang San was preparing to counterattack, a sudden change occurred!
A flash of cunning and madness appeared in the eyes of the Human-Faced Demon Spider, which had already lost one leg.
Its remaining front limb, moving like a scorpion's tail, struck out with a bizarre and devious angle, lightning-fast, aimed directly at Xiao Wu who had just steadied herself—her old force spent, new force not yet gathered!
"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San's eyes nearly burst from their sockets with rage and terror. There was no time left to push Xiao Wu away.