In the early morning, the group once again set out, heading towards the Star Dou Great Forest. As soon as they stepped under the massive canopy of ancient trees, a strong, primeval scent assailed them. Ye Yin took a deep breath, feeling a sense of refreshment wash over his entire body.
After walking for a while, Zhao Wuji called everyone to a halt.
"Pay attention, everyone," he said, his voice serious. "The Star Dou Great Forest is extremely dangerous, far more so than the Soul Hunting Forest. Without my command, no one is to attack any Spirit Beasts on your own. Furthermore, do not leave the twenty-meter radius around me. You three Support-type Soul Masters, stick even closer. Understood?"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
Oscar immediately began chanting his incantations, creating a supply of his sausages and distributing them so they would be ready when needed. This was the main advantage of a food-system Spirit Master over other support types. With Dai Mubai's Spirit activated, his sharp tiger claws cleared a path as they ventured deeper into the forest.
An hour later, Zhao Wuji signaled for everyone to take a rest. After only a few moments, he suddenly tensed, sensing the aura of an approaching Spirit Beast.
"Everyone, be on alert. Something's coming from the northeast, up in the air," he commanded. "Zhu Zhuqing, go up and take a look."
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. Her figure flashed, and with her sharp cat claws gripping the trunk of a large tree, she quickly scrambled up into the branches.
"It's a red snake with a fleshy crest and a tail like a phoenix," she called down. "It's about seven meters long, but its flight seems a bit unstable."
"A Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent, and a thousand-year one at that," Ye Yin said immediately. "It's perfect for Oscar to absorb. He should be able to get a decent speed-type Spirit Ability from it."
Oscar looked at Ye Yin, surprised. "You can tell all that just from her description? You're amazing!"
[Resentment from Tang San +25!]
"Hmm?" Ye Yin glanced back at Tang San. He can generate resentment from something like this? He's a bit narrow-minded.
Just then, Tang San spoke up. "I also know about this type of Spirit Beast. For snake-types, it's best to let Ma Hongjun handle it. His fire phoenix is a natural counter to snakes."
Zhao Wuji looked at Tang San with some surprise, not expecting him to have such knowledge.
"There's no need," Ye Yin interjected calmly. "I think it's enough for Teacher Zhao to intervene. If we try to act, we might just give the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent a chance to escape. More importantly, we should consider why it's injured. It's either being hunted by another Spirit Beast or by other Spirit Masters. That's what we really need to pay attention to."
Zhao Wuji's gaze shifted back to Ye Yin, and he nodded in approval. "Ye Yin is right. Little San, your suggestion was a bit ill-considered."
[Resentment from Tang San +25!]
"As for who might be coming," Zhao Wuji snorted coldly, "don't worry. In the outer perimeter of this forest, there aren't many who would dare to snatch something from my hands."
He was a notorious troublemaker and a famous wanted man by the Spirit Hall. With his spirit power at level seventy-six, he feared almost no one. Even someone as strong as the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, had left without a fight, hadn't he? He didn't dare to touch him. Zhao Wuji was confident he could handle anyone who showed up.
The moment the injured Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent flew into view, Zhao Wuji raised his right hand. His Gravity Squeeze ability instantly fell upon the creature. One second, the serpent was flying straight, and the next, its head drooped, and it plummeted vertically toward the ground.
"Effortless." Zhao Wuji held out his hand, and the serpent landed perfectly in his massive palm. He closed his grip right behind its head, holding it fast. He then pulled out a short blade and handed it to Oscar. "The longer we wait, the more likely complications will arise. Do it. Stab it right under its fleshy crest to pierce its brain. This spirit ring will be yours."
Oscar excitedly took the blade. Just as he was about to deliver the final blow, a voice called out. It was Granny Snake Chao Tianxiang and her granddaughter, Meng Yiran.
After a very "friendly" negotiation, it was decided that the ownership of the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent would be determined by a duel. Meng Yiran would fight Ye Yin. Whoever won would get the snake.
Two deep purple spirit rings rose from under Ye Yin's feet. When she saw them, Chao Tianxiang's heart trembled. "A thousand-year first ring and a thousand-year second ring…" she asked in disbelief. "How did you do that?!"
Ye Yin's expression remained calm. He gave Chao Tianxiang an indifferent glance but didn't speak, perfectly playing the part of a powerful, reclusive scion from a noble family. He then looked at Meng Yiran, his voice cold. "Make your move."
Meng Yiran was already in front of him in a flash. Her two-meter-long snake staff came crashing down, aiming directly for Ye Yin's head. Though she looked slender, her fighting style was incredibly violent.
Ye Yin calmly shifted half a step to the side, rising onto his tiptoes. A strong gust of wind swept past his face as the snake staff slammed into the ground, almost grazing his sleeve.
"That was close!" Zhu Zhuqing exclaimed.
Xiao Wu nodded in agreement. "That's right. If that staff had hit, Yin Ge would have been lightly injured. After all, he's a Support-type Soul Master, so his physical fitness can't compare to a combat-type."
Ye Yin nonchalantly waved a hand, brushing his sleeve. "It just kicked up a little dust."
The other boys looked at Ye Yin showing off and felt resentment well up in their hearts. He was really getting to look cool in front of the girls.
[Resentment from Dai Mubai +10!]
[Resentment from Oscar +10!]
[Resentment from Meng Yiran +11!]
Meng Yiran was furious. She had put her full force into that attack, and he had dodged it so casually? He was clearly looking down on her! Using the impact of her staff on the ground, she leaped high into the air, charging at Ye Yin again.
Ye Yin retreated backward, and his first spirit ring flashed three times in succession. Three rays of black light shot out and landed on Meng Yiran.
First Spirit Ability, Curse.
Effect: Hemorrhoids, Intensity: Level 8, Duration: 800 minutes.
Effect: Farting, Intensity: Level 10, Duration: 900 minutes.
Effect: Paralysis, Intensity: Level 3, Duration: 200 minutes.
As the three effects descended, Meng Yiran let out a series of strange, stifled cries while still in mid-air.
"Ah! No, I… I can't take it!"
An intense and overwhelming sensation washed over her. Her body went rigid from the paralysis, her attack stopping completely. With a thud, she fell from the sky and landed hard on the ground.
"No, I can't… it's making my stomach hurt terribly…" she gasped, her body twitching.
The others didn't know what was happening, but Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong knew perfectly well. They finally understood what Ye Yin had meant when he said he might not win against a boy but might not lose against a girl. His power didn't just defeat his female opponents; it completely overwhelmed their senses, leaving them utterly helpless.
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