(AN: This entire mini arc is for Tang San to feel everything is going his way, but is actually a script arranged by Qian Renxue to fish someone out. He will soon fall from heaven to hell)
"That soul beast," he continued, "is one we have been tracking for quite some time. Yet now, it seems you have snatched it away."
Zhao Wuji's brows furrowed.
"Senior, that was not our intention," he replied firmly."The soul beast burst out on its own, right where my students were standing. We only acted in self-defense."
"And coincidentally," he added after a brief pause,"it is extremely suitable as a soul ring for my student."
Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance.
Judging from the scene—the disrupted trees, the battle traces, and the serpent's injuries—they could tell Zhao Wuji was not lying.
Chao Tianxiang gave a slight nod, signaling acknowledgment.
However—
Before the matter could be settled, the girl suddenly stamped her foot.
"Grandpa!" she exclaimed sharply."I want that soul beast!"
Her voice was filled with stubborn insistence.
The atmosphere immediately tightened.
Zhao Wuji and the Shrek students instinctively tensed.They understood clearly—reason and fairness were one thing, but this soul beast had already been chosen for Meng Shu's granddaughter.
Meng Shu's eyes narrowed slightly.
He lowered his cane and spoke slowly, his tone carrying an unyielding authority.
"In that case," he said,"how about a duel to decide ownership of the soul beast?"
His gaze shifted toward the Shrek students.
"I do not believe children of the same age can match my granddaughter's talent."
Zhao Wuji fell silent.
For a moment, he appeared to be weighing the options.
Then his eyes flickered, landing squarely on Tang San.
"Tang San," Zhao Wuji said flatly,"you go."
Unlike before—when Tang San had been pushed forward to prove himself—this time, Zhao Wuji's decision carried a different motive.
Deep within his heart, a small but persistent grudge had taken root.
That grudge had only grown stronger after Tang Hao's brutal beating that night.
Zhao Wuji thought coldly:
'Even if this kid wins, he'll offend the Dragon Serpent Couple. Let him take the heat.'
The quiet resentment had already begun to twist his judgment, growing silently with every passing day.
What Zhao Wuji did not realize— his growing resentment was already part of someone's reasonable development
Tang San, however, stepped forward calmly.
There was no hesitation in his movements.
Across from him, Meng Yiran lifted her chin proudly, her eyes sharp with competitive fire.
Both released their martial souls almost simultaneously.
Blue silver light spread beneath Tang San's feet as strands of Blue Silver Grass burst forth from the earth, swaying gently yet carrying hidden lethality.
Opposite him, Meng Yiran's Serpent Cane appeared in her grasp, the cane's head hissing faintly as venomous patterns flickered along its surface.
Unlike his previous life—where he had needed to expend considerable effort against her—Tang San had no intention of dragging this out.
'End it quickly.'
The moment the duel began, Tang San acted.
"First Soul Skill — Bind!""Second Soul Skill — Parasite!"
The two soul skills activated in perfect tandem.
Blue Silver Grass erupted violently from the ground, spreading in an instant like a living net. At the same time, countless parasitic seeds embedded themselves into the vines, clinging to Meng Yiran's body as they wrapped around her.
These seeds began absorbing her soul power, siphoning it away relentlessly.
Unlike his battle with Teacher Eve, Tang San made no attempt to conceal the poisonous attributes of his first soul ring.
There was no need.
'Your martial soul is poisonous already,' Tang San thought coldly.'I won't hold back.'
As expected, Meng Yiran did not panic.
With a sharp stomp, she shattered the vines restraining her. Poisonous energy surged from her Serpent Cane, neutralizing much of the toxin.
However—
Tang San had already closed the distance.
Before Meng Yiran could fully react, his hands moved.Mysterious Jade Hands.
His palms glowed faintly as he seized the Serpent Cane directly.
Meng Yiran's eyes widened.
Without hesitation, she activated her counter.
"Second Soul Skill — Snake Body!"
Her martial soul instantly softened, becoming slick and flexible like a living serpent, attempting to slip free from Tang San's grip.
But—
Tang San's expression did not change.
The refined control of Mysterious Jade Hands locked her martial soul firmly in place.
At that moment, Meng Yiran finally realized something was terribly wrong.
Her soul power was draining away—fast.
The parasitic seeds hidden within the Blue Silver Grass were greedily absorbing her strength.
She struggled, attempting to overpower him head-on, but her movements grew sluggish.
Her breathing became uneven.
Within moments, her soul power was nearly exhausted.
Just as Meng Yiran's legs weakened, Chao Tianxiang stepped forward, her aura surging as she glared sharply at Tang San.
Before she could act, Zhao Wuji moved.
He stepped between them, a faint smile on his face.
"Could it be," Zhao Wuji said casually,"that the illustrious Dragon Serpent Couple cannot accept a loss?"
Meng Shu's expression darkened.
After a long moment, he spoke in a deep, controlled voice.
"Did I ever say I would go back on my word?"
His sharp gaze swept over Tang San, lingering for a brief second—measuring, weighing.
Then, without another word, he turned.
Chao Tianxiang supported Meng Yiran, and the three figures disappeared into the forest depths.
Only after they left did Zhao Wuji laugh loudly.
"Haha! Oscar," he said, waving his hand,"go on—kill it and absorb the soul ring."
Oscar nodded vigorously.
With a quick motion, he drove a dagger into the struggling Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent.
The soul beast let out a final, shrill cry before its body collapsed, dissipating into a ring of glowing purple light.
Oscar sat down immediately, cross-legged, and began absorbing his third soul ring.
Tang San, meanwhile, also sat down nearby, appearing to recover through cultivation.