Seeing Zhao Wuji so submissive, Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke, cast him a glance but didn't say much. Instead, his attention shifted to Yun Feng.
After observing Yun Feng silently for a long moment, he nodded.
"Let this matter end here. Zhao Wuji, you're lucky to have such an exceptional student. Otherwise, your life would have been forfeit today!"
Zhao Wuji, noticing the Dragon Duke's gaze lingering on Yun Feng, immediately understood the situation. He quickly nodded.
"Thank you, Senior, for your generosity!"
Meng Shu turned to his granddaughter. "Yiran, you can absorb the spirit ring here."
Tang San, who had wanted to voice his opinion, reconsidered after witnessing Zhao Wuji's evident fear of this elderly couple. He chose to remain silent.
However, Oscar was visibly indignant. "This was clearly our catch! Why, Zhao Wuji? Why did you give it to them?"
Hearing this, Zhao Wuji's forehead veins pulsed in frustration. Though known as the "Motionless Bright King," that title was more about his resilience against equals—not his ability to face the overwhelming power of a duo like the Dragon Duke and Snake Lady.
If the two of them activated their martial spirit fusion skill, they could rival even a Titled Douluo.
Without a second thought, Zhao Wuji slapped Oscar to the ground.
"Shut up!"
Meng Yiran, seeing Oscar's protests, couldn't help but chime in, her tone tinged with irritation.
"This Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake was clearly ours to begin with. If we hadn't injured it, you wouldn't have had such an easy time capturing it. You have no right to complain! Besides, it was your teacher who handed it over willingly. What are you even arguing about?"
Her logic was sound, even earning Yun Feng's silent approval.
Meanwhile, Oscar, dazed by Zhao Wuji's slap, lay on the ground, unable to process Meng Yiran's words.
Zhao Wuji ignored the fallen Oscar, lamenting how a usually sensible student could lose all composure over a spirit ring. Turning to the Dragon Duke and Snake Lady, he forced a smile.
"My apologies, Senior. The student lacks discipline. I hope you won't take offense."
Meng Shu, rather than acknowledging the apology, pointed to the prone Oscar.
"You say he's already a Rank 30 Spirit Master?"
Zhao Wuji nodded.
Meng Shu glanced at Oscar with a trace of disappointment in his eyes.
"What a waste. With such a temperament, how did he ever make it this far? Challenging someone far stronger than himself—had this been the old days, I wouldn't have hesitated to kill him, no matter his talent."
Zhao Wuji felt a chill run down his spine. He remained alert, though Meng Shu seemed disinclined to act on his words.
As he observed the group of students, Meng Shu's feelings grew increasingly complex.
If there were only one prodigy surpassing his granddaughter, he might have been able to accept it. But these seven youths were all undeniably more talented than Meng Yiran.
Each of them was a genius. How could there suddenly be so many exceptional students in one place?
Meanwhile, Meng Yiran immersed herself in absorbing the spirit ring. Despite being aware of the conversation outside, she couldn't interrupt.
Meng Yiran was undeniably beautiful. At sixteen, her figure was fully developed, with a slender waist and an elegant, snake-like grace. Only Zhu Zhuqing could outshine her, but even that was by a slim margin.
Yet, as Meng Yiran overheard the accolades for these other prodigies, her pride as a genius took a hit. She couldn't believe she was being overshadowed in every aspect.
Frustrated, her determination to complete the absorption process surged, speeding up the process.
Zhao Wuji, wanting to leave, found himself unable to. The Dragon Duke's presence was an unspoken demand for him to stay.
As the day darkened, the humid air of the Star Dou Forest carried the fresh scent of vegetation, creating a paradise-like ambiance if not for the lurking spirit beasts.
Meng Shu, having calmed down, began casually discussing the students with Zhao Wuji.
The conversation turned to the group's plans to venture deeper into the forest, sparking Meng Shu's interest.
"I'll accompany you," he offered. "A young prodigy like Yun Feng shouldn't miss out on an exceptional fourth spirit ring."
Zhao Wuji couldn't refuse, though internally, he felt uneasy. Yun Feng, however, accepted the offer graciously.
At only twelve years old, Yun Feng was already at Rank 40, just shy of a breakthrough. Coupled with his top-tier martial spirit and unprecedented spirit ring configuration, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged meaningful glances.
Though there were many talents in this group, Yun Feng stood out as the strongest, most handsome, and seemingly without a powerful backing.
"A perfect candidate for a grandson-in-law!" they both thought.
Half an hour later, Meng Yiran opened her eyes, her absorption complete. A pink glow enveloped her, shifting into a radiant, mesmerizing hue.
Three spirit rings now surrounded her—two yellow and one purple—marking her breakthrough to the Spirit Elder level.
Her physique appeared slightly fuller, her movements more graceful. Her eyes sparkled with the same seven-colored light emitted by the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake.
Seeing Meng Yiran's successful advancement, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang laughed heartily.
"Yiran has advanced to Rank 30. Excellent!"
The group congratulated her, as gaining a spirit ring was always a cause for celebration among Spirit Masters.
Yet Meng Yiran's joy was tempered by lingering frustration. Despite her breakthrough, she couldn't ignore that the others' talents far surpassed her o
wn.
Still, maintaining her pride, she smiled and refrained from issuing a challenge—for now.
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