Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

As soon as those words were spoken, two figures emerged from the direction where the Windtail Cockscomb Snake had been spotted earlier.

It was the Snake Lady and Meng Yiran.

The Snake Lady appeared to be in her sixties or seventies. Her hair, all white, was meticulously combed, and despite her age, she looked full of energy. Though her face was lined with wrinkles, her complexion was as rosy as a newborn's. Her eyes shone with a sharp light, and she gripped a three-meter-long snake-headed staff in her right hand. With six spirit rings circulating around her, she emanated a chilling aura, likely due to her snake-related martial spirit.

Zhao Ming glanced at the Snake Lady briefly before shifting his gaze to Meng Yiran.

She was beautiful.

Zhao Ming was a bit surprised.

He hadn't expected Meng Yiran to be such a stunning girl, not losing out to Ning Rongrong and the others at all. She was even more mature and voluptuous. Dressed in a snug, white outfit, her youthful figure was perfectly accentuated, every curve highlighted. She also held a snake-headed staff, though shorter than the Snake Lady's, measuring only two meters. Two hundred-year spirit rings adorned her.

Her deep brown eyes were fixed intently on the Windtail Cockscomb Snake in Oscar's hand.

Meng Yiran was indeed beautiful.

Especially in those tight white pants, which showcased her perfectly rounded and toned legs.

While her legs might not be the best he'd ever seen—Yan Lingji and others also had stunning legs—there was a distinct appeal in how Meng Yiran wore her outfit. Unlike those who preferred skirts, the look of pants gave a different, refreshing vibe.

Seeing how beautiful Meng Yiran was, Zhao Ming couldn't help but silently curse.

Tang San really was an idiot. Such a gorgeous girl, and he showed no reaction. It must be his body not functioning properly; otherwise, how could he have only fathered one child in ten thousand years?

Letting such a beautiful girl end up marrying some random guy and leading a mundane life—what a waste.

As for Zhao Ming, he would never let that happen.

Zhao Ming's mind was racing, but his gaze toward Meng Yiran remained clear and composed.

At this moment, Meng Yiran's large, brown eyes were wide with anger, glaring at the Windtail Cockscomb Snake already slain by Oscar.

She and her grandmother had battled that snake for a long time, and her grandmother had nearly subdued it. It was only when she attempted to finish the creature off that a mishap occurred, allowing it to escape.

Now, after catching up, the snake was already dead?

Her third spirit ring had been taken.

Meng Yiran's face was flushed with anger, and she spoke in frustration, "Grandmother, they stole my spirit ring."

The Snake Lady was equally furious. After all, she had spent so much effort finding such a suitable spirit beast for her granddaughter, only for someone else to take it. Windtail Cockscomb Snakes were a rare and valuable species among snake-type spirit beasts. Even if they continued searching the Star Dou Forest, it would be hard to find another one of such quality.

"Who are you people? Snatching a spirit beast that someone else is already hunting—don't you think that's inappropriate?" The Snake Lady asked sternly, her face darkening.

Oscar, who had been interrupted mid-absorption, felt equally indignant. "How can you prove it was yours first? When we found it, you weren't anywhere to be seen."

The Snake Lady sneered, "Hmph, take a look at the snake's belly. There are two wounds from my staff. There are also marks under its wings. We were just preparing for my granddaughter to finish it when it got away."

Zhao Wuji looked down at the snake in his hands. Indeed, as she claimed, the wounds were there.

"May I know the name of this senior?" Zhao Wuji asked, choosing a respectful approach.

"People in the spirit master world call me Snake Lady, and my husband, Meng Shu, is known as Dragon Duke. We came to the Star Dou Forest to find a suitable third spirit ring for our granddaughter, but it has now been taken by you."

"The Serpent Grandmother and Dragon Duke?" Zhao Wuji was taken aback.

"Indeed." The Snake Lady nodded. Seeing Zhao Wuji recognize their title, her demeanor softened slightly.

"So, it's the Serpent Grandmother. I am Zhao Wuji. I came here with the students of our academy to acquire a spirit ring and broaden their horizons."

"The Unmovable King Zhao Wuji?" Upon hearing the name, she frowned slightly. She had heard of his reputation; among Spirit Sages, he was considered one of the strongest. However, this was not enough to make her retreat, especially since Dragon Duke was not far behind.

"Senior, you see, our student has already killed the Windtail Cockscomb Snake. What's done is done. Perhaps you could be magnanimous and allow our student to take this spirit ring? You have my word that I will personally visit to express my gratitude." Zhao Wuji's words were polite and respectful, giving the Snake Lady ample face.

The atmosphere grew tense.

For the Snake Lady, even if she offended Zhao Wuji, it wouldn't solve the situation, and it would only create an enemy. But if she let them go like this, it would also be unacceptable.

She was furious. After all the effort she put into finding a suitable spirit ring for her beloved granddaughter, it had been taken away. She had to give her granddaughter a proper explanation.

"May I speak, Senior?" Zhao Ming stepped forward, smiling warmly.

Immediately, all eyes turned to Zhao Ming.

The Snake Lady finally noticed him. Seeing how calm he remained, even when facing a Spirit Emperor like her, she silently nodded in approval. She also glanced at the other students beside Zhao Wuji, noting that each of them, though young, possessed incredible talent. She couldn't help but be amazed.

Each of these young individuals had talent on par with her granddaughter.

"What suggestion do you have, young one?" the Snake Lady asked with a smile. While she wasn't happy about her spirit beast being taken, she held some goodwill toward Zhao Ming and these talented youngsters.

Of course, she wasn't aware that it was Zhao Ming who had taken down the Windtail Cockscomb Snake. Otherwise, her opinion might have been very different.

Zhao Ming smiled, "I understand that Senior must feel aggrieved to give up the spirit ring, but if we let it go to waste, we would be unhappy as well. So, I propose a fair solution—one that might be acceptable to both sides. Would Senior be willing to hear me out?"

"Oh? What do you have in mind?" The Snake Lady asked curiously.

"I believe both parties have valid reasons from their own perspectives, and it's unlikely anyone will convince the other. In that case, let's resolve it the way spirit masters do—through battle. Your granddaughter can choose any one of our combat-type spirit masters. If she wins, we'll step aside and let the spirit ring dissipate into the air. But if she loses, Senior agrees to no longer interfere. How does that sound?" Zhao Ming smiled, directing his gaze toward the beautiful Meng Yiran.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.