Chapter 73: Oscar's Broken Defense and Dai Mubai!

Just as Oscar was about to stab the Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake's eye, a hoarse, ancient voice suddenly rang out: "Stop!"

Hearing the voice, Oscar's movement instinctively halted, and he turned his head toward the direction the voice came from.

Yu Tianyun thought bitterly to himself, noting that Oscar usually seems quite clever, so why is he now clueless? If we just ignored it and killed the Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake outright, there wouldn't be so many troubles! Soon, two figures sped out from the spot where the Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake had just arrived.

A granny appeared before the crowd, accompanied by a young girl. The girl looked about sixteen or seventeen, with short hair cut to ear length, dressed in a neat, sleek outfit, looking dashing and spirited, and at this moment she stared anxiously at the Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake.

The granny had silver hair, held a three‑meter‑long snake‑head staff in her hand, and six Soul Rings of colors yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black swirled around her, clearly marking her as a Soul Emperor strongman.

At this moment, the Soul Emperor granny said: "Immovable Bright King Zhao Wuji, this Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake is one I have set my sights on, intending to give my granddaughter as a Third Soul Ring. While we were pursuing it, it fled, and you subdued it. Please return it to us; consider it a favor owed by my husband and me."

Zhao Wuji, seeing the newcomer was only a Soul Emperor, instantly became arrogant, grinning as he said: "Old woman, in this Star Dou Great Forest, Soul Beasts are ownerless; there is no yours or mine—whoever catches one gets it! My disciple also needs this Soul Beast as his Third Soul Ring; I have no use for your favor!"

As soon as the words fell, the granny's face darkened. She is a well‑known figure in the Soul Master World, and she hadn't expected such disrespect today, so she said in a deep voice: "Immovable Bright King, arrogance will bring great loss! I, Chaotianxiang, have been esteemed by friends in the Soul Master World and earned the nickname 'Snake Granny'. My husband is named Meng Shu, known as 'Dragon Lord'. The favor between our couple still holds considerable value; will you reconsider?"

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji's face changed drastically; Dragon Lord and Snake Granny—these are the famed legendary Dragon‑Snake couple of the Soul Master World, whose martial soul fusion skill, Dragon‑Snake Combined Strike, can even match a Title Douluo! Lately his luck has been terrible, always getting tangled with Title Douluo‑level figures! Now the matter is troublesome! Zhao Wuji's expression was unsettled; he could not simply act. Dragon Lord and Snake Granny are always inseparable, and Dragon Lord Meng Shu must be nearby, but abandoning him would be extremely unwilling, especially since his disciple was staring at him expectantly; retreating would cost him face! Thus he forced himself to say: "So it's Senior Snake Granny, I, the junior, have offended earlier; please forgive me. However, we indeed need this Soul Beast. Oscar, come over, Senior Snake Granny, see, this is my disciple, also with Level 30 soul power, who needs this Soul Beast's Soul Ring."

Snake Granny Chaotianxiang saw Oscar's youthful face, only about fifteen or sixteen, and a look of surprise appeared on her face. To have reached Level 30 at such a young age, she had never seen before. Doesn't that mean his talent surpasses even her granddaughter's?

She hesitated greatly; after all, Meng Shu was not present, and Zhao Wuji was a notorious Soul Saint strongman. She was still with her granddaughter and dared not rashly turn hostile with Zhao Wuji. After a moment's pause, she said: "In that case, let your disciple compete with my granddaughter; whoever wins the Soul Ring gets it!"

After speaking, her gaze fixed tightly on Zhao Wuji; that was already her greatest concession.

Zhao Wuji, hearing this, forced a bitter smile and said: "Senior Snake Granny, this may not be appropriate; my disciple is a food‑type Soul Master, lacking combat ability, how can he compete with your granddaughter!"

Snake Granny was momentarily stunned by the words, looking at the innocent, pitiful Oscar, she regarded him a bit more highly, and she could only grit her teeth and say: "This kid won't do; then we must choose another, but only a Great Soul Master. In any case, we will not easily give up this Soul Beast!"

At this moment, Snake Granny thought that her granddaughter was a quasi‑Soul Respect, and among Great Soul Masters there were few who could match her, making the chance of victory even greater.

Snake Granny's granddaughter, Meng Yiran, immediately released her martial soul, a snake staff identical to Snake Granny's, encircled by two bright yellow Soul Rings. With confidence evident in her brows, she said: "I am Meng Yiran, martial soul Snake Staff, Level 30 strong‑attack combat Great Soul Master!"

Oscar saw Meng Yiran wielding the snake staff, her imposing, awe‑inspiring aura made him feel timid. His gaze first fell on the strongest, Yu Tianyun, but he quickly recalled that Yu Tianyun's Level 48 soul power did not meet Snake Granny's requirement, so he reluctantly looked away, scanning left and right. Among his companions, only Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun were Great Soul Masters, and the strongest among them was certainly Tang San. He hurried over to Tang San and said: "Tang San, help my brother! This Soul Beast suits me well; it must not be snatched by others!"

Tang San nodded at the words; Oscar had already spoken, so he had no reason to refuse. He stepped forward and said: "Tang San, martial soul Blue‑Silver Grass, Level 29 control‑type combat Great Soul Master!"

Meng Yiran, hearing Tang San's self‑introduction, instantly felt insulted, her almond eyes widened, and she coldly said, "You send a Blue‑Silver Grass Soul Master, daring to look down on me; I will make you regret stepping forward!"

As soon as the words fell, she launched an attack, moving at extreme speed; the snake staff swirled like a raging wind, and, like a spirit snake, it slithered up and down, looking terrifying.

But Tang San was also swift; his form was extremely agile, like a ghostly shadow, and Meng Yiran's snake staff could not even graze his robe. At the same time, Tang San covertly activated a massive amount of Blue‑Silver Grass, Entanglement Meng Yiran.

Meng Yiran was instantly tightly Entangled by the blue‑black Blue‑Silver Grass, and the spines on the grass protruded, releasing paralyzing toxin instantly.

Tang San smiled confidently and said, "I think this contest is already over!"

But the people present gave him no response, and Tang San couldn't help but furrow his brows. He was still confident in his Blue‑Silver Grass; a opponent with stronger soul power might still break free of his Blue‑Silver Entanglement, but an opponent of equal level, once entangled by his Blue‑Silver Grass, could hardly escape! After all, everyone's soul power was similar, and his Blue‑Silver Grass also carried paralyzing toxin. "Hum!" As Tang San was puzzling over this, a cold snort sounded, and the two yellow Soul Rings on Meng Yiran suddenly lit up simultaneously.

It instantly startled Tang San; he finally understood why no one had paid him attention, and his face flushed slightly, feeling like a clown.

Meng Yiran's body twisted as if boneless, her supple form moving like it was oiled, she slipped out of the Blue‑Silver Entanglement, and the snake‑head staff in her hand spat out a two‑foot‑long tongue blade, slashing straight at Tang San's face.

Tang San looked at the blue‑shimmering sheen of the tongue blade and instantly realized it had been tempered with poison.

The tongue blade was extremely sharp, enough to shred Tang San's Blue‑Silver Grass, but its toxicity had little effect on the grass.

The battle between the two entered a stalemate; Meng Yiran could not catch up with the ghost‑like, elusive Tang San, and Tang San at present could not overcome Meng Yiran either.

Just as Tang San felt passive, his eyes suddenly flashed with a hint of purple light, and Meng Yiran's movements slowed in his sight. Tang San's right hand seized the opportunity, grabbing the body of the snake‑head staff at exactly the seven‑cun point.

After Tang San grasped the staff, Meng Yiran did not panic; the tongue blade spouting from the snake head suddenly slipped down oddly, and if it were cut, Tang San's right hand would inevitably be severed.

But Tang San did not release; at this point it was too late to dodge. Even if he let go, the tongue blade's attack would still shadow him and strike his body. At such close range, even his most refined ghost‑shadow technique could not evade Meng Yiran's attack.

"Little San." Xiao Wu, watching the battle, couldn't help but exclaim, covering her eyes and refusing to look.

Tang San's right hand could not possibly be cut off; his left hand transformed into a luminous jade‑white color, grasping the sharp tongue blade, boldly indicating that Tang San had activated the Xuan Yu Hand! At this moment, each held one end of a snake staff, and the stalemate continued. Meng Yiran's strength lay entirely in her snake staff; she would never abandon her martial soul, and Tang San also understood the crucial point of the staff. Both without hesitation mobilized their soul power, attacking the other through the snake staff.

In an instant, the two's battle became a contest of soul power!

Tang San's Xuan Tian Gong was naturally stronger than the world's Meditation Method, and the cultivated soul power was also more enduring. Moreover, Meng Yiran was initially somewhat eager, desperate to reclaim her snake staff, while Tang San contracted his soul power, defending only a third of his side of the staff. Therefore, Meng Yiran's soul power consumption was considerably higher.

As time passed, Tang San gradually gained the upper hand.

Such a soul‑power contest is often extremely dangerous; if one side's soul power is exhausted, the damage incurred will inevitably be irreparable, possibly even life‑threatening.

Snake Granny suddenly grew anxious, sighed, and said to Zhao Wuji: "Fine, I concede. Let us both strike together to separate the two; how about that?"

Zhao Wuji naturally was delighted and immediately nodded in agreement.

The two each moved behind Tang San and Meng Yiran, simultaneously mobilizing soul power.

"Let go." Zhao Wuji shouted in a deep voice; his and Snake Granny's soul power poured into the two bodies, separating them while also protecting their bodies.

Meng Yiran let out a cold snort, recalling everything before; she was extremely angry, but having lost was losing, she had no face to stay, turned and left, pleadingly saying to Snake Granny, "Grandma, let's go!"

Snake Granny slightly frowned, looked at Tang San then at Oscar, finally fixed her gaze on Zhao Wuji, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes, and said: "Immovable Bright King, the green mountains remain unchanged, the clear waters flow eternally; until we meet again!"

After speaking, Snake Granny rose with Meng Yiran, disappearing into the deep forest.

Zhao Wuji exhaled, relaxing, for after all Dragon Lord Meng Shu had never appeared, which had placed great pressure on him.

But now the Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake was in hand; even this couple, if they wished revenge, would have to consider whether it was worthwhile.

Waiting for Oscar to finish absorbing the Soul Ring, it would be best to leave quickly; thinking of this made him fume, all because Oscar, that scrawny kid, hesitated. If he had acted decisively earlier, there wouldn't have been so many troubles!

He glared at Oscar and said irritably: "You stinky brat, hurry up and absorb the Soul Ring. If you don't act now, I'll throw you alone here to feed the Soul Beast!"

Seeing Zhao Wuji angry, Oscar shrank his head, quickly grabbed a short sword and stabbed the Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake's eye; soon a pale‑purple Soul Ring appeared on its corpse.

Oscar sat cross‑legged, released his martial soul, and began absorbing the Soul Ring. At the same time, the heavily‑exhausted Tang San also sat cross‑legged, starting to circulate Xuan Tian Gong to restore his soul power.

About an hour passed; Oscar was the first to wake. He opened his eyes and burst into a delighted laugh, eagerly chanting a soul incantation: "I've got a mushroom intestine!"

In the blink of an eye, the soul power in his hand condensed, forming a tiny sausage with a mushroom‑shaped head; several girls present couldn't help but give a light spit.

Even Yu Tianyun was speechless; he swore he would never eat Oscar's third soul skill, and he would retract his previous words of approval toward Oscar!

Oscar was extremely embarrassed, scratching his head; the shape of his mushroom intestine was far too similar to his own thing, both tiny. He felt quite shy to show it, but thinking of his third soul skill's effect, his facial expression turned oddly, and he said in a proud tone: "Do you know how powerful my third soul skill's effect is?"

Whether it's powerful or not aside, everyone present, including Hun Bu Lin and Zhao Wuji, felt disgusted by his mushroom intestine, and everyone around kept distancing themselves.

Seeing this, Oscar's proud expression instantly turned to a face of sorrowful anger; he immediately ate the mushroom intestine in his hand. A pair of pale‑purple wings as thin as cicada wings sprouted from his back, lifting him into the air. He wanted to vindicate his third soul skill and shouted loudly: "My mushroom‑intestine flight not only lets people fly, but also lets them fly at the speed of a Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake for one minute!"

When he finished describing the soul skill's effect, everyone was startled; his third soul skill was indeed impressive and could certainly produce miraculous results at a critical moment! But, coincidentally, Ning Rongrong, nestled in Yu Tianyun's arms, involuntarily said, "Only one minute? Doesn't that mean it ends before the fun even starts? Unlike my brother Tianyun, who can go on all day in one breath, and can quickly recover after a meal."

When the words fell, the surroundings fell into dead silence; Oscar's face turned wax‑white, devoid of any color, his lips trembled continuously, he could not utter a word, and looking at Yu Tianyun's strong, towering figure, he was utterly powerless to argue.

Yu Tianyun placed one hand on his forehead, feeling a bit embarrassed; the small cat in his arms also blushed brightly.

The expression of the lady in Yu Tianyun's arms fell into Dai Mubai's eyes, and instantly his complexion turned as pale as Oscar's; he immediately understood everything! Yu Tianyun lightly tapped Ning Rongrong's forehead and said, "Rongrong, although what you said is correct, don't say it next time; how could such vulgar words come from the mouth of a girl like you?"

Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and playfully said, "I just like telling the truth, so I won't say it next time."

Immediately, Oscar's and Dai Mubai's faces grew even paler, and the big and small cats buried their heads in Yu Tianyun's arms, unwilling to show themselves.

Meanwhile, the expressions of the other members of the Shiraike were also very strange, especially Xiao Wu, whose flushed cheek hid behind Tang San, but still occasionally stole glances at Yu Tianyun's lower body.

(End of chapter)